"Yingda."
Taro's tone was calm as he spoke.
"For the matter of the Incense Temple, go make a trip to the Yuehai Pavilion later.
Without Guizhong and the others cooperating, it's hard to get things done smoothly."
"Eh? A trip to Yuehai?"
Yingda's eyes darted slyly. "Sensei~ maybe it'd be better to send my big sister instead.
I'm not great with words. If I end up saying something wrong, that'd be bad.
But my sister—she's good with people. She'll get it done perfectly!"
So this was her plan—to get out of the errand herself.
Taro nodded slightly, sitting up straight.
"Fine, but make sure you explain it clearly to Fan'nan. Don't let her misunderstand anything."
"Don't worry, Sensei!"
Yingda patted her chest confidently, then leaned in, hugging his arm.
"Sensei, that big brother Fushe is really dense.
He never thinks things through, always charging ahead like a bull.
Why don't you just give him a direct order?"
She pouted.
The five siblings had once promised to live peaceful lives after the war.
But fate had split them apart—life and death separating the family for centuries.
Now, finally reunited, her brother's stubbornness was driving her crazy again.
"Relax."
Taro sipped his tea calmly.
"We'll handle it separately.
"Teng Snake's Grand Marshal commands Liyue's heroes and guards its people.
As for Fushe, your elder brother, he'll rejoin you in due time.
Work and life must stay apart."
He paused, then smirked faintly.
"Though… your big brother might have a rough time ahead."
Fushe's current power wasn't enough.
He hadn't reached a divine level.
To split his soul into two forms, to create a secondary vessel—it meant division of the soul.
With him and Zhongli supervising, there'd be no danger—
but pain? That was inevitable.
"Really?"
Yingda's eyes brightened. "Thank you, Sensei!
Don't worry, big brother's not afraid of pain! Go ahead and do it!"
Somewhere, Fushe sneezed.
Taro stared at Yingda, expression twitching.
"You do realize, if he knew you said that, he'd be heartbroken, right?"
"Hmph. Serves him right!"
Yingda puffed her cheeks. "Back in the Chasm, he made us all worry so much.
It's time he learned what heartbreak feels like.
Let him suffer a bit!"
As expected.
When a woman's angry, she's fierce—
and a Yaksha woman is downright terrifying.
Sorry, Fushe, Taro thought wryly. You're in for it.
"Come on, Yingda."
He stood from the sofa. "This house is too small. Let's move."
"Huh?" Yingda blinked, standing quickly.
"Move? Sensei, where to?"
"Should I ask Guizhong-onee-sama to buy you a bigger estate?"
"No need."
Climbing the stairs, Taro lifted his hand.
The Heavenly World floated before him, glowing faintly.
A pulse of magic flickered, projecting light against the wall—
and a shining gate appeared before their eyes.
"Sensei… we're moving into the little world?"
Yingda's eyes widened with excitement.
Sensei's world wasn't like the Adepti realms of Teyvat.
Those "realms within" borrowed space from the world itself.
They had no real stars or sky, and their size was finite.
But Sensei's small world… was an actual world.
Empty, but vast.
Well—almost empty.
Zanmaran was there, being tended by Zanlu.
And somewhere deeper in, Fushe and the Millelith spirits resided.
"Let's go."
Taro stored away the realm core and stepped through with Yingda.
The scenery shifted.
They emerged upon a wide, barren expanse of golden sand.
In the far distance lay an endless ocean, glimmering blue under an artificial sun.
Within sight, the only sign of civilization was a towering peak behind them—
clearly, Zanmaran's domain.
"Sensei, it's so empty here."
Yingda scratched her head. "Are we really moving in?"
"Of course."
Taro looked around calmly.
"That's why it needs transforming. I'll turn this place into our personal garden."
"In… our garden?"
Her voice went quiet.
Those words—our—made Yingda's heartbeat quicken.
Her cheeks flushed pink as her imagination wandered to places far less pure.
Our garden… together…
Her face grew hotter by the second.
She pressed her palms against her cheeks, trying to cool them down.
"This can wait."
Taro shrugged. "We'll take it slow.
"I'm not skilled at life-creation magic. We'll need the Qixing's help to stabilize large-scale growth."
He mused aloud.
"Plants and forests can be formed with elemental power,
but true life—real creatures—can't be conjured that way.
Summoning magic won't do either; summoned beings aren't real lifeforms."
He smiled. "Still, there's no need to rush.
If I can't do it alone, I'll borrow Teyvat's methods.
Zanmaran can oversee it for now."
"Got it~"
Yingda glanced shyly at him. Seeing he hadn't noticed her earlier embarrassment, she sighed in relief.
Sensei really was… dangerously attractive.
Should she… maybe sneak into his room tonight?
Her heart raced.
Would that be too bold?
What if he threw her out?
Thunk!
"Ah! Ow—Sensei, what was that for?!"
Yingda yelped, clutching her forehead.
She hadn't even done anything weird yet!
"You were spacing out again," Taro said, raising a brow.
"What's got you so distracted lately?"
"N-nothing!"
Her gaze darted away—no way she could admit that.
"Really?"
"R-really!"
"I don't believe you."
"I swear! I was just… planning a surprise for tonight."
"Oh? What kind of surprise?"
"Ehehe~ Sensei will know tonight! Don't ask!"
"Alright then. I'll wait and see."
Taro smirked slightly.
(End of Chapter)
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