After chatting for a bit, Xia Zhi and Shenhe went outside to gather materials.
Xia Ci stayed behind.
She exited Xia Zhi's meditation space and stood in the dream realm.
"I left a message for Nahida through the Akasha earlier.
She should've received it by now."
Xia Ci raised her hand, summoning the power of dreams.
A glowing door appeared before her.
She opened it and stepped through.
Inside was a quiet little room.
A table sat in the center.
A small girl sat quietly before it.
Xia Ci walked over and sat down across from her.
The little girl looked up, staring at her in surprise.
Their appearances were somewhat similar.
Though Xia Ci looked more mature.
Thank goodness she drank her cousin's essence (White essence liquid) today and recovered some of her strength—otherwise, the situation might've reversed.
They stared at each other for a while.
The little girl softly asked, "You are…?"
Xia Ci answered gently, "The Greater Lord Rukkhadevata."
"!!!"
The girl's eyes widened slightly—she looked incredibly adorable.
"The Greater Lord? But you… didn't you already…"
"I didn't fall. At that time, I merely… vanished temporarily."
"Ah?"
"I can't explain everything to you now.
But we are born from the same source.
We share the same nature and powers.
You should be able to sense that easily, right?"
The little girl whispered, "Yes… I can feel it.
You're also an avatar of Irminsul…"
Xia Ci smiled, stood up, walked around the table, and gently embraced the little girl.
"...Nahida, my little sister, we finally meet.
I know you have many questions.
And I know you've been carrying a lot of pain.
It's okay.
In this dream, we have all the time we need to talk."
The little girl looked at the gentle young woman.
Her eyes turned red.
"...Sis…ter…"
--
At Yanshang Teahouse.
Yelan was packing supplies.
This mission was more complicated than usual.
To uncover the truth, she might have to live underground for a few months.
So she needed to prepare enough resources.
Instant noodles.
Rainbow Wine.
Luckily, she had spatial items, so carrying everything was easy.
After packing up, Yelan boiled a pot of water and took out some tea leaves that Xia Zhi had given her.
Top-quality [Silver Dew].
She'd already tasted it and experienced its powerful [Simulation] ability.
Thanks to it, her recent intelligence work had gone incredibly smoothly.
And this [Simulation] wasn't just good for work—it helped in combat too.
Yelan had tested it.
In the special state after drinking the tea, she could easily read her opponent's moves and preemptively counter their attacks.
That kind of foresight gave her a huge edge in battle.
She carefully took one leaf from the jar and brewed a cup.
After letting it cool, she poured the tea into several alchemical test tubes.
Now they were special potions.
If she ran into danger during the mission, she could drink one for a boost.
"All right, time to head out."
--
In the dream room.
The Greater Lord and Nahida had talked for a while.
The initial awkwardness was gone.
Nahida hesitated, then asked softly, "Sister, won't you come back to Sumeru?"
Xia Ci shook her head.
"My time has passed.
I'm no longer the Dendro Archon.
You are."
Nahida looked a little down.
"But I'm not a qualified god…
I lack the ability… the wisdom…"
"No. You do have them."
"But the sages said…"
"You don't have to listen to them.
They were my sages—not yours."
"Huh?"
"You should have your own ideals.
Stop trying to follow my path.
Even if two branches come from the same tree, the flowers they bloom each year are different."
Xia Ci looked at her and said gently,
"Nahida, you've been in this world for five hundred years."
"Yes…"
"And the sages? They're just mortals. Has any of them lived longer than you?"
"No…"
"Then why assume they must be right?"
"…"
"You need to go out.
Staying in the Sanctuary has stunted your growth."
"I… I've been studying in the Sanctuary too…"
"Studying?
Do you think knowledge only comes from books?"
"…"
"You should've realized this yourself.
You've trapped yourself in a cage for five hundred years…
Sigh.
I'm partly to blame too.
I left too quickly back then.
I should've left behind a legacy for you."
Xia Ci sighed and gently patted Nahida's head.
"Fortunately, it's not too late.
Five hundred years—just a blink to a god.
Since you're so interested in my path,
I'll teach you what I once knew."
"Okay!"
"But those old sages have to go.
You should look for promising talents and nurture your own sages."
…
The sisters chatted for a long time.
Nahida gained much from her sister's teachings.
Their bond grew closer.
After all, they were born of the same root—naturally connected.
Xia Ci rose to her feet.
"All right, time's up.
That's enough for tonight."
Nahida blinked.
"It's almost morning? Then tomorrow…"
Xia Ci smiled.
"Yes. I'll return tomorrow."
Nahida beamed.
"Great!"
Xia Ci prepared to leave.
"Then see you tomorrow night.
Think carefully about what I said."
Nahida nodded.
"Mm! I will!"
Back in the real world, Xia Ci opened her eyes, looked out the window, and smiled.
"Today's weather is lovely."
Meanwhile, inside the Sanctuary of Surasthana—
Nahida opened her eyes, gazing at the empty room.
She smiled too.
From now on, she wouldn't feel alone.
---
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