Two Antler Serpents, Big and Small

"Don’t worry about it," Henry Tuoba said coolly. "Above the Vermilion Kingdom, we’ve got the White Clan from the Eastern Luo Empire watching our backs. The White Clan and the Wan Clan are both ancient powerhouses—they’re not gonna make a move unless they’re really desperate."

Chloe Zhu bit her lip and nodded, trying to look brave.

The Expulsion Order isn’t just some regular royal decree.

It’s made from the leaves of the Spirit Tree, and it’s directly linked to the tree’s magical veins.

Anyone hit with the Expulsion Order? As long as the Spirit Tree’s power covers the Vermilion Kingdom, they can’t even set foot near us!

Otherwise, the spirit energy in the air will fry them alive. No joke!

The Expulsion Order is a special privilege granted to the emperor by the Divine Clan.

So basically, in the whole Vermilion Kingdom, only Henry Tuoba can issue an Expulsion Order.

Henry Tuoba ordered his people to bring Grace Wan and her daughter Wendy Zhu into the palace.

Then, the two Spirit Tree leaves in his hand turned into streams of green light and shot straight into their bodies.

They’ve got three hours to pack up and get out, or it’s lights out—literally.

Grace Wan glared at Henry Tuoba and Chloe Zhu, her voice trembling with rage and laughter. "Fine! We’ll leave! But Emperor of the Vermilion Kingdom, mark my words—this humiliation you gave me today? I’ll pay it back a hundred times over!"

Henry Tuoba shot back, "And you remember this—the Zhu Family is under my protection. If you mess with them again, you’ll be fighting the whole Vermilion Kingdom!"

Grace Wan gave Henry Tuoba a dark look, then hopped onto her flying beast with her daughter Wendy Zhu, and zoomed off.

Watching them disappear into the distance, Chloe Zhu couldn’t shake off the heaviness in her heart.

The Wan Clan was like a giant stone pressing down on her chest.

"Don’t worry, it’s all good," Henry Tuoba tried to comfort her.

Chloe Zhu glanced at him and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Henry Tuoba grinned, "Between us, you never have to say thanks!"

Chloe Zhu gave him a sweet little smile.

...

After Chloe Zhu got home from the palace, she immediately thought about Little Antler.

She’d left it in her storage space for ages—who knows what it’s been up to?

As soon as she went in, the first thing she saw was the holy Spirit Tree.

This time, it really had turned into a proper tree.

It wasn’t bouncing around anymore—just quietly radiating spirit energy, making the whole space feel fresh and alive.

She figured all that wildness before was probably Little Antler’s doing.

Now that the Antler Serpent was born, the tree was just... well, a tree.

Chloe Zhu found Little Antler in the tower.

The moment she stepped inside, she heard a loud, crunchy sound.

It sounded just like someone munching on crunchy beans.

After searching for ages, Chloe Zhu finally found the little guy stuffing its face inside the spirit jade box.

And what was it eating? Spirit jade!

Spirit jade’s supposed to be hundreds of times harder than rock, but Little Antler just bit right through it—like it was a bag of beans.

Those chompers? Totally identical to Cutie Pie’s…

"Hey, little rascal! Why are you eating that? Are you hungry?" Chloe Zhu called out.

Little Antler nodded its head.

"Want me to take you out for a proper meal?"

It nodded again, eager as ever.

So Chloe Zhu scooped up Little Antler and headed out.

Everyone at Forget Worries Pavilion went wild when they saw there was a brand new Little Antler slithering around.

"Whoa! Another Antler Serpent!"

"This one’s tiny—looks like it just hatched!"

"It’s so cute and squishy!"

"I wanna pet it!" Pan’er said, working up her courage and giving it a little poke.

The little serpent turned around and gave Pan’er a curious look, those big adorable eyes sparkling with wonder.

Everyone’s hearts melted instantly—they all reached out to touch it.

It was way friendlier than Cutie Pie, letting the maids pet it and snuggling up to everyone. Before long, it was the new superstar of Forget Worries Pavilion...

Just as Chloe Zhu finished making food for Little Antler, Cutie Pie slithered back home too.