With the Withering Leaf's fall, nothing stopped Calisto from returning to the Ancient Crystal World. Although starting with Star Connection, cultivators could cross s.p.a.ce without hindrance, having never experienced it beforehand, it would be a lie to say she felt comfortable within.

　　And as she instantaneously crossed thousands of miles to return by her sister's side, she didn't forget to s.n.a.t.c.h the Withering Leaf.

　　"Master ordered us to protect the empress and jade consort until they finished their task. But shouldn't we, at least, warn him of the current evolution of things?"

　　Vylsea wondered as Calisto landed in front of her.

　　"I'm afraid it's too early to report on accomplishments. First, strengthen the barrier and lay down some formations. I believe this is merely the beginning."

　　Calisto replied and vanished to reappear by Verena's side, opening a whole into the barrier to push her past its walls before again closing it. Afterward, the blood fiend twins exerted their strength to strengthen the barrier while laying down protective formations to empower their defenses.

　　And indeed, Calisto was right. As soon as the eleventh queen fell, beneath the World Tree, a commotion arose.

　　....

　　The twenty-seven ant queens each occupied a root of the World Tree, with the first ten's position being closer to the base while those ranking between eleven and twenty-seven stood a step below.

　　But all remained connected in a collective consciousness allowing them to share experience and progress at a faster pace. Therefore, the eleventh queen's demise was something they all felt.

　　"It appears even our best estimations still failed to a.s.sess the Jade Dynasty's full depth. Now the World Tree's refining will end up a bit slower."

　　Said one of the queens close to the roots.

　　"The more people leave their post, the slower the process becomes. However, we can't afford to let our enemies take control of the Hidden Forest before the G.o.ddess is ready. Otherwise, variables are bound to arise.

　　Moreover, we must retrieve that Withering Leaf.

　　Twelfth, fourteenth, seventeenth, eliminate those intruders and bring the leaf back."

　　One of the high-ranking queens ordered, causing three lesser queens to rise from their seats and shoot toward the Ancestral Blood Pool. By the time they arrived, Calisto and Vylsea stood before a blood-red barrier with their hands crossed beneath their chests.

　　"One death wasn't enough, so now you ask for three? At least, tell me your ranks are higher."

　　They goaded the new entrants, while silently activating their formations to prepare for battle. But hearing their derisive words, instead of the expected rage, smiles curved the three ant queens' lips.