Xianzhou Luofu, Alchemy Commission
"There are so many people here," Lumina murmured, gazing at the bustling marketplace. "But compared to the crowds at the Central Starskiff Haven, this hardly qualifies as 'many.'"
The Xianzhou Luofu was currently experiencing its highest population surge in nearly a century. Even the Alchemy Commission, still rebuilding from recent devastation, was teeming with activity. However, its liveliness paled in comparison to the Central Starskiff Haven's vibrant atmosphere.
Since she was here to find someone and orchestrate a chance encounter, Lumina immediately unleashed her divine sense, scanning the entire Alchemy Commission. Yet she detected no trace of the person she sought.
"Hmm... Did I come all this way for nothing?"
Recalling the events from the Script, Lumina realized she had arrived too early. Ling Sha hadn't yet reached the Alchemy Commission, or perhaps hadn't even arrived on the Xianzhou Luofu itself.
"Sigh... Parting ways with Feixiao was the most regrettable mistake of my life." This realization struck Lumina hard. She slapped her forehead, her face etched with self-reproach and regret.
[ So you have quite a few regrets in your life, huh? ]
A message appeared on the screen, implying that when it came to beautiful girls, you probably had countless regrets.
"What can you do? When you wander through a garden of a thousand flowers, you're bound to accidentally take the wrong path," Lumina said, shaking her head with resignation. "It's simply unavoidable."
"But it's not a major problem. If you realize you've taken the wrong path and correct your course in time, there's no harm done."
Making mistakes isn't frightening; what's terrifying is stubbornly clinging to the belief that you're right after making a mistake, sinking deeper and deeper until there's no way out.
But with Lumina's current level of expertise, she would never—and could never—encounter such a predicament.
The moment she realized she was wrong, she would turn back, meticulously erasing every trace of her passage along the "wrong path" to ensure no incriminating evidence remained.
Throughout these Amber Eras, Lumina had always operated with this meticulous caution.
As a result, her pristine white dress had remained untouched by any corruption.
However, this record had been shattered not long ago.
In Penacony, in a suite at The Reverie Hotel, she had not only failed to turn back in time but had stubbornly pursued the wrong path to its bitter end.
Even at the end, Lumina felt too ashamed to face the "traces" of her past actions, leaving behind a fatal vulnerability—a weakness that could control her entire life.
Fortunately, Herta hadn't discovered this weakness amidst the trail of "traces" she had left behind. It was a stroke of luck in the midst of misfortune.
Phew... That was the first time, and it will be Lumina's last.
"Time to go back to the hotel and laze around," she muttered.
After searching the Alchemy Commission for a while longer without finding any trace of Ling Sha, Lumina decided to return to her room at The Reverie Hotel and wallow in indolence.
Hmm?
But just as Lumina took a few steps toward the exit, she suddenly sensed another presence nearby.
Hmm, this trip wasn't a waste after all.
Lumina's eyebrows lifted, her previously serious expression instantly shifting into a playful grin.
She abruptly changed direction, abandoning her original path toward the Starskiff Jetty and striding in a completely different direction.
But it looks like they're on a mission or something?
Seems like they might not have time?
Observing the person's activities, Lumina muttered to herself, a sudden premonition filling her heart.
-
"Ah, my apologies, Miss Lumina. The sentry post is sacred and inviolable! We can discuss this after my shift."
In a corner of the Alchemy Commission, a white-clad figure approached a Cloud Knight who appeared to be on duty, offering a greeting.
Initially, the Cloud Knight's face lit up with joy and surprise at the sight of the approaching figure. However, as Lumina voiced a request, the Cloud Knight's elation faded, replaced by regret and unwavering resolve.
Pointing to her own armor, she gestured to her current duty and refused Lumina's request.
"Alright..."
The white-haired figure was none other than Lumina, and the Cloud Knight was Sushang.
Though Sushang was genuinely pleased to see Lumina, her current duties left her with no choice but to refuse.
"Oh, by the way, Sushang, do you know where Little Gui is?" Despite her disappointment, Lumina maintained her usual calm and composed smile.
"Little Gui? Um... I'm not entirely sure."
"Check if she's streaming. If not, send her a message and ask."
Hearing this, Sushang shook her head, then shook it vigorously again. She patted her cheeks and said firmly, "Miss Lumina, the sentry post is sacred and inviolable! Whatever it is, it can wait until I'm off duty!"
"Alright then... Goodbye?" Lumina didn't press further, but seeing Sushang's earnest expression, her eyes flickered with a mischievous idea.
With a gentle smile, Lumina extended her hand and waved lightly, bidding Sushang farewell.
"Mm, goodbye," Sushang replied, waving back without hesitation.
Pfft...
Lumina burst into laughter the moment she got her way.
Under Sushang's bewildered gaze, Lumina explained, "Sushang, did you know?"
"Ordinary sentry posts never respond to external stimuli unless it's an emergency. They need to maintain constant vigilance."
"But you let yourself be so easily swayed by outside factors. You're still a bit... naive."
Lumina's words erased all confusion from Sushang's face, replacing it with a steely determination that seemed to pierce the heavens like a Cloud Knight's resolve.
Mm... Sushang is a Cloud Knight, after all.
"The sentry post is sacred and inviolable! Anything else can wait until I'm off duty!"
As Sushang spoke, she straightened her posture, her eyes hardening with vigilance, completely ignoring Lumina standing before her.
Seeing this, Lumina smiled, waved her hand, and turned to leave.
"Bye-bye! See you at the Wardance Ceremony later."
"Mm, bye-bye," Sushang replied.
After Lumina had walked a good distance away, Sushang, her face still resolute, murmured softly, watching her retreating figure.
Lumina, of course, heard her words.
Though a single word from her could grant Sushang a day's "leave," there was no need.
Because forcing things never works out well, even if it's just for a quick fix (crossed out).
Because she's pursuing her dream, so why should I bother her?
Sigh... But everyone's so busy lately...
I feel like a lonely old woman now, with all my friends, besties, and even my daughter occupied with their own lives. No one has time for me anymore...
Leaving Feixiao's house was the most regrettable decision of my life.
Ding-dong!
Just as Lumina was silently lamenting what a terrible day it had been, a ding-dong sound echoed in her mind.
"Hmm? What's this?"
The sound immediately filled Lumina's heart with confusion.
Following the trail of the ding-dong sound, she saw a Xianzhou person transformed by a Borisin, with a group of similar Borisin-transformed Xianzhou people standing behind them. The sound was emanating from something in their hand.
"Ah, it's the Borisin."
"I almost forgot about them."
Although the incident had occurred just yesterday, it was ultimately a fleeting thought, and Lumina hadn't given it much attention.
If a beautiful girl were beside her right now, Lumina certainly wouldn't have gone over. But there were no "ifs"; she was currently a lonely old woman with no one around—not even anyone, let alone a beautiful girl.
Wait, that's not quite right...
Lumina raised her hand and plucked the Phantylia Kitten from her storage space.
"Meow!"
Phantylia, who seemed to have merged completely with her feline form, had been sound asleep. Lumina's rough handling jolted her awake instantly.
Every hair on its body bristled as it glared at Lumina, letting out a weak, feline hiss.
"Little Phantylia, if you behave yourself during this time, I'll restore your human form," Lumina said, cradling the Phantylia Kitten in her arms.
At first, the Phantylia Kitten hesitated, but within seconds, it relaxed completely, melting into Lumina's embrace and lying quietly.
What does it matter if this wretched woman is telling the truth or not?
As a prisoner for so long, even the mighty Lord Ravager Phantylia had come to understand her place.
This was the primary reason for her submission, accounting for the majority of her decision.
But there was another, smaller reason as well...
...this wretched woman's embrace is surprisingly comfortable...