The energy permeating Niri suddenly intensified as her body began to undergo a change.

Whoever was caught in the golden radiance had their bodies coated in the same golden light, and not even Leo or Lily were an exception.

Ding!

Stats Updated: Leo

Vitality: 3960 -> 3970 [7460 -> 7470]

Intelligence: 7255 -> 7270 [10,755 -> 10,770]

Mana: 798,050 [1.183M -> 1.185M]

Leo actually received benefits from Niri's advancement despite there being a whole Major Realm gap between them. This showed just how drastic her advancement was and how much it could boost anyone caught within the advancement phenomenon, and that was immediately apparent.

Ding!

Stats Updated: Lily

Vitality: 350 -> 500 [3600 -> 3750]

Intelligence: 6850 -> 7000 [10.1K -> 10.25K]

Mana: 342,500 -> 350,000 [505,000 -> 512,500]

But it didn't stop there—

Ding!

Vaesyl: High -> Peak 2-star

Lysira: High -> Peak 2-star

Lorael: Peak 2-star -> Pseudo 3-star

Caelira: Peak 2-star -> Low 3-star

Elaris: Low -> Mid 3-star

Faelyra: Low -> Mid 3-star

Naewyn: Low -> Mid 3-star

Thirwyn: Mid -> High 3-star

Aelwen: Mid -> High 3-star

Sylira: High -> Peak 3-star

Elirin: High 3-star -> Pseudo 4-star

Lyswenna: Peak 3-star -> Pseudo 4-star

The only ones who didn't rank up were Sylrael, Naelith, and Aeila. The reason was that Sylrael and Naelith were already well above Niri's rank. Though they still managed to gain some strength, like Leo and Lily, it wasn't enough to push them into the next realm. As for Aeila, she didn't possess any wood affinity to receive the benefits.

Some who were already sitting at the cusp of their realms even advanced by two minor realms.

And finally...

Ding!

Cedar Treant [Drycha] (Peak 3-star -> Pseudo 4-star)

- Noble Bloodline (25% -> 45%)

Niri's advancement even helped the treant break through.

Ding!

Stats Updated: Lily

Vitality: 500 [3750 -> 4000]

Strength: 340 [3590 -> 3840]

Agility: 340 [3590 -> 3840]

Stamina: 350 [3600 -> 3850]

Intelligence: 7000 -> 7500 [10.25K -> 10.75K -> 11K]

Mana: 350,000 -> 375,000 [512,500 -> 550,000]

But Leo wasn't paying attention to any of that. He, along with Lily and many others, simply had their gazes fixed on Niri's form as her body started to become more compact.

Compact in the sense that her teenage-like humanoid figure shrank slightly in size. But that wasn't important. The important part was that the bark-like texture covering her body from head to toe slowly turned inward, while smooth skin emerged outward. It was as though every layer of bark flipped over one by one, giving Niri the finished appearance of a human.

Her red, leafy hair gradually transformed into fine, silky strands, making her look completely human. Only her signature pointed ears marked her as if she were an elf. The vines and leaves that had perpetually covered her body shed away into countless tiny spirit butterflies, which fluttered through the air before fading into nothingness within seconds.

Almost as if the transformation had reached its end, her levitating body slowly descended toward Leo as the glow around her gradually dimmed. Before long, he found himself cradling a being who looked no older than 15 years old.

Leo immediately took out a clean piece of white cloth and wrapped it around Niri's body. Now, she looked no different from any other elf child, save for the faint golden glow that surrounded her.

Niri was completely conscious and willingly nestled into Leo's arms before wrapping her arms around his neck.

"Papa~"

!!!

Leo's eyes widened, and so did Lily's, along with everyone else's.

"N-Niri... you spoke?" Leo asked, disbelief lacing his voice.

Until now, Niri had only communicated with Leo through their mental link, and even then, she had always addressed him as Master. Leo could never have imagined that the first word she would ever speak would be her calling him her father.

As if sensing Leo's thoughts, Niri broke the hug and looked into his eyes.

To Leo's surprise, Niri's once vine-red eyes had turned golden, looking almost human.

"Papa... are you angry because I didn't call you Master?" Niri asked innocently, her voice as soft and childlike as ever.

As a tamed beast, she inherently regarded Leo as her master and addressed him as such because the world imparted that basic knowledge during the taming process.

But ever since she had gained consciousness, she had always felt that Leo was more like a father figure. Unable to understand why, she simply took the chance to call him that.

So cute.

Leo was left speechless as he stared into Niri's wide, expressive golden eyes while holding her close.

"Why would I be angry?" Leo said with a smile. "You are indeed like my kid. Of course, you can call me that."

Niri's expression immediately brightened, and a radiant smile bloomed across her face.

"Thank you, Papa!" she exclaimed before hugging him once again.

At that moment, Lily walked over from behind.

"What do you mean she's 'like' your kid? She is your kid."

Niri immediately spun around.

"Mama!!"

She squealed with joy, let go of Leo's neck, and shot straight toward Lily.

Lily spread her arms and caught Niri in a warm embrace, spinning lightly to soften the impact of her speed.

"Niri... You've grown up so much in such a short amount of time." Lily gently ruffled Niri's silky-smooth hair, and Niri happily leaned further into her soft embrace, enjoying every second of it.

"Umm~ Mama's body is so soft... Much better than Papa's, hehe." Niri giggled.

Lily couldn't help but laugh.

"Huh?" Leo blinked in disbelief.

Was he already getting complaints? It hadn't even been a single hour yet.

After spending some time with Lily, who carefully adjusted the white cloth around Niri so it wouldn't slip off while she flew, Niri made her way toward the elves.

"Big Sister Sylrael!"

Sylrael stiffened the moment Niri addressed her that way. However, she quickly composed herself. It would take time to relax around a being who was literally a deity.

Leo and Lily stood side by side, quietly watching as Niri greeted every elf one by one. She even went over to greet Drycha and Bigfoot.

It was then that Leo noticed something.

Forest Druid (High -> Peak 3-star) - Super Bloodline [Intelligence - Juvenile]

"Oh? Even Bigfoot ranked up," Leo remarked.

---

*Niri's new appearance*