But the way they came back was... a bit peculiar.
They slithered back, as if they had drunk cheap liquor, twisting their vine waists as they returned. Then they all lined up in front of Jiang Yuntan, swaying as if dancing to music. They held up the crystals and presented them to Jiang Yuntan, looking like they were seeking credit.
"Hahaha." Yu Ke laughed so hard he doubled over. "Sis, your vines have quite a personality, hahaha."
Shen Hegui forcefully suppressed the smile that threatened to creep onto his lips. In his mind, he frantically told himself, Don't laugh, don't laugh. If he laughed, this little ancestor would make a fuss.
The others also couldn't help laughing, though not as exaggeratedly as Yu Ke.
Seeing everyone laughing, Jiang Yuntan's cheeks flushed even redder. Why hadn't anyone told her these vines would be such an embarrassment?
Just then, Jinbao appeared out of nowhere and asked, [What are they laughing about?]
The next second, Jinbao's loud laughter echoed in her mind.
[You're so sharp-tongued, but your vines are so funny, hahahahaha. Are they a new species? Dancing grass?]
"Shut up. I'm not giving you any allowance to buy things this month," Jiang Yuntan said expressionlessly.
[When have you ever given me an allowance?] Jinbao glanced at his account and saw it hadn't increased.
Jiang Yuntan, "Wasn't the money for your barbecue last time paid by me?"
[That's called an allowance?] Jinbao asked.
"What else would you call it?" Jiang Yuntan retorted.
Jinbao was rendered speechless.
Seeing this, Jiang Yuntan was satisfied. If she couldn't control these vines, at least she could handle Jinbao, a novice system.
Then, with a sharp slap, a vine hit the ground, drawing everyone's attention.
Jiang Yuntan looked toward the sound and saw Yu Ke jumping in surprise.
Oh, he laughed, and the vines taught him a lesson.
Yu Ke patted his chest. "Good thing I dodged fast, or that would have hit me."
"But, sis, I feel like your vines are alive and have quite a temper."
Jiang Yuntan rubbed her slightly red face. "I don't know. Do they look alive to you?"
Shen Hegui, hearing their conversation, said to Yu Ke, "Maybe it's because you were too annoying, laughing too loudly. The vines might have thought you were attacking them."
"Huh?" Yu Ke hesitated. "That's a stretch."
Jiang Yuntan nodded. "It's pretty likely."
Then, looking at the vines wrapped around the crystals, she took out a small basin from her space and told them to put the crystals in.
After the vines dropped them, they turned around and went to dig out crystals from other zombie heads. The others started working too—they couldn't let vines outdo them.
Jiang Yuntan watched the crystals in the small basin as the vines brought more, feeling quite pleased that she didn't have to dig them herself.
At that moment, Qiao Chengming approached. "Miss Jiang, can I ask you a favor?"
Before she could ask, he volunteered, "I'd like you to cremate Fang An's body. We knew each other before, and he was sort of a friend. I don't want his body to be left in the wild."
"If you're willing to help, I'll give you all the crystals I've earned tonight."
Although there was a house here, it was remote, so it still counted as leaving him in the wild.
"No need for the crystals. It's just a small favor. We're all in the same team, no need to be so formal." Jiang Yuntan, seeing his loyalty, agreed without much thought.
"Thank you," Qiao Chengming said sincerely.
Perhaps because Qiao Chengming knew Fang An, no one actively dug out the crystal from Fang An's head, even though they knew he had a special crystal. They wanted to respect his feelings.
Soon, a blazing fire engulfed Fang An. By the time they had dug out all the zombie crystals, Fang An had been reduced to ashes.
Qiao Chengming found a tool, gathered the ashes, and moved them to a flower bed in the yard. Using his earth ability, he created a small mound, taking care of the burial.
He hadn't known Fang An well, but they were acquaintances, and this was more than enough.
Qiao Chengming handed Jiang Yuntan the two crystals from Fang An's head and said warmly, "Thank you, Miss Jiang. Take these crystals. I know you were being considerate of my feelings, but I'm not that sentimental."
As he spoke, he smiled generously.
Jiang Yuntan looked at him and asked, "Since he was your friend, don't you want to keep his crystals as a memento?"
"No need." Qiao Chengming shook his head, clear-headed. "These two crystals were never part of his body originally. Besides, sentiment is sentiment, but I can't pass up something that can strengthen my abilities."
Hearing this, Jiang Yuntan smiled and accepted the crystals.
Shen Hegui watched them standing there for a while, talking and laughing. A flicker of something crossed his eyes, and he walked over.
"What are you talking about?" he asked.
Although he addressed both of them, his gaze unconsciously fell on Jiang Yuntan.
"Nothing much." Jiang Yuntan held out her hand, showing Fang An's two crystals. "Qiao Chengming asked me to cremate Fang An, and then he gave me these."
"I'll leave them with you for now. You can distribute them later."
Without hesitation, Shen Hegui said, "Keep them. Fang An died because of your attack, so these two crystals are yours. Besides, you have the same attribute."
"To help everyone improve their strength quickly, from now on, crystals with the same attribute will go to the teammate with that ability. If anyone has objections, they can speak up."
He spoke loud enough for everyone to hear, and no one objected.
Jiang Yuntan wasn't surprised. It was a good thing that no one in their team was petty.
She felt the mental-type crystal in her hand felt strange, but now wasn't the time to study it, so she put it away in her space.
Then the group entered the house.
Qiao Chengming led the way. Since Fang An had summoned and controlled many zombies, there were no others around. Qiao Chengming led them unobstructed to the underground lab.
He had seen the Laser Sword and remembered where Fang An had placed it.
But as they passed a spot, Xue Zhao said something that made everyone stop.
"Wait, isn't that the flying sword I saw in short videos before? The kind from those cultivation dramas?"