The Grand Tutor was still conscientious.
He didn't immediately make Nian go to Yumen City to prepare divine weapons.
Instead, he gave her two years of 'preparation' time. Go to the city in two years.
High-EQ: I'm giving you two years to prepare.
Low-EQ: I'll let you play for two more years. After two years, come and work for me.
After all.
Nian still had a lot she wanted to do. Her planned second movie hadn't even been filmed yet. If he made her go to Yumen City right now, she'd probably grumble about it.
The Grand Tutor really wanted to reminisce with Lucas Reeve.
However, times had changed. He was old now, a high-ranking minister. He was no longer the poor, idealistic young man from decades ago. If it were decades ago, perhaps he could have happily run over and embraced Lucas Reeve like a long-lost friend, or joked around with him like Ling did.
Sigh...
The Grand Tutor let out a heavy sigh.
Time flies. He could never go back to being that young man.
For a moment.
The Grand Tutor even felt a little nostalgic for the past. Looking back on his life, if he had to say which period he missed the most, it would be when he was studying for the exams. Back then, he was a teacher at the town's private school, earning one hundred yuan a month. Although he didn't earn much, he was very happy and had few worries. Even if he did, Lucas Reeve was there to shelter him from the storm. For the Grand Tutor, Lucas Reeve was less a friend and more an elder—both a teacher and a friend.
"This old man will take his leave."
The Grand Tutor turned to leave.
Suddenly.
Lucas Reeve called out to him.
"Mr. Grand Tutor, I also know a little about mechanics. I will help with this."
Although Lucas Reeve really wasn't that familiar with the Grand Tutor.
But based on the Grand Tutor's description, his past self's relationship with the Grand Tutor was like his current relationship with Jessica. Except, the Grand Tutor was the 'pre-Bolívar' Jessica.
After Bolívar, Lucas Reeve returned to Jessica's side. But he had not returned to the Grand Tutor.
"Thank you, Mr. Reeve. You are different from before."
"Oh?"
"You are stronger than before, and more like a god. This old man does not speak of the Behemoths... but a true god."
After speaking a riddle.
The Grand Tutor turned and left.
The mountain path was incredibly rugged. Though the Grand Tutor was old, his footsteps were as swift as the wind and as steady as a boulder. He easily descended the steps that ordinary people would have to navigate with extreme care.
"A true god?"
Lucas Reeve mulled over this sentence.
As expected.
Do all people in high positions like to speak in riddles?
"Hey hey hey! The old Grand Tutor is gone!"
Once the Grand Tutor was far away, Nian finally laughed happily.
"Does this mean he's not going to bother us anymore?"
"Probably... I guess."
Dusk also wasn't too sure.
Skadi, Surtr, and Laurentina finally breathed a sigh of relief, while Laurentina cheered excitedly.
"Woohoo~ This trip to Yan was so artistic!! Tsk tsk, as expected, the lands of Terra are so much more interesting than Aegir. My few years as a sculptor in Aegir weren't as fun as these past few days. From my current perspective, Aegir's society is like a gear. It can turn with precision, but it lacks artistry and vitality. It really can't compare to Terra's lands."
"I've fallen in love with this place. What's that Yan saying?"
"Er... This place is so fun, I've forgotten all about Aegir!"
Urk...
Lucas Reeve couldn't help but interject.
"Miss Laurentina, that phrase... has negative connotations in Yan."
"Oh~ Whatever."
"..."
The Grand Tutor coming in person was no small matter.
Almost immediately, all the officials went to meet with the Grand Tutor. Under his orders, Celestial Master Li's mission was complete, and he was transferred away from Shangshu to continue his post at the Sui Regulator Commission. Celestial Master Bai, along with five other ordinary Celestial Masters, remained responsible for guarding Ling. As for Nian and Dusk, the Grand Tutor made no arrangements.
Because the Grand Tutor knew Ling's personality too well.
She would never leave Yan with Lucas Reeve like Nian and Dusk. As long as she was on Yan's soil, the task of monitoring the divine fragment could not be relaxed. And if Lucas Reeve and the others planned to continue traveling in Yan for a while, the Grand Tutor would also dispatch specialists to monitor them from a distance.
After all.
The Grand Tutor was now the Grand Tutor of Yan. He could not let personal feelings interfere with his work.
At the very least, the Sui Beast fragments were not enemies *right now*. And he had to focus more of his energy on preparing for the great catastrophe that could arrive at any time. That Old Celestial Master had fought in the north for 370 years. It was time to let him rest.
"Sister Ling! Are you really not leaving with us?"
Due to all that had happened, Lucas Reeve and the others had no desire to continue sightseeing. Plus, their original objective had been achieved, so there was no need to stay in Yan. Thus, after chatting with Ling for a bit longer, the [Stardust] slowly descended onto the mountaintop.
Ling shook her head. "I am free and unfettered. I don't like constraints. If I want to find you, I'll find you."
"Oh... take care, Sister Ling."
Everyone slowly boarded the aircraft and waved to Ling.
Suddenly, Lucas Reeve remembered something. He found a notebook and pen in the aircraft and scribbled something, *huālālā*. Finally, he folded it neatly and handed it to Ling.
"Miss Ling, if you run into Lin Qingyan of the Dali Temple, please give this note to her."
"Tsk tsk..."
Ling clicked her tongue, took it, and teased him.
"Having one girl pass a letter to another girl... you've got guts, Lucas. What sweet nothings did you write in there? Can I take a peek?"
"Go ahead."
Lucas Reeve waved his hand. "It's just an ordinary farewell letter. She's a friend I know, and it's a bit rude for us to leave without a word. So, please, Miss Ling."
Ling smiled beautifully. Her tail hooked, and she pulled a wine jug from somewhere. With a flick of her dragon tail, the jug flew into Lucas Reeve's hand.
"Just call me Ling. Adding 'Miss' is too distant. You used to call me that. Or 'Little Sister Dragon' is fine too."
"This wine... it was your favorite back then."
"Thanks."
As the aircraft's rear thrusters flared, it slowly rose into the sky. Soon, the aircraft turned into a streak of light and vanished over the horizon.
Sigh...
Ling sighed and took out another jug of wine, *gulu gulu*, and started drinking. Her eighth jug. For some reason, she seemed to be drinking more than usual today.
Due to her status.
Lin Qingyan didn't know the specifics of what had happened. She was just an ordinary Celestial Master, an official at the Dali Temple. Even though her master was a powerful Celestial Master from the Ministry of Rites, and her grandmaster was the legendary Old Celestial Master, Lin Qingyan was still just a junior. She had no right to know about many things, especially last night's secrets.
Last night.
Lin Qingyan, standing below, could only see the originally dark world suddenly change color, as if it were dusk. A streak of colorful light flashed on the distant horizon. It was beautiful, but it had the tragic beauty of the world's end. Lin Qingyan, who had been staying up for several days, had thought she could finally get a good night's sleep. She hadn't expected this, and it caused her to stay awake all night.
After that, a multicolored light pierced the sky. The colorful haze dispersed, and the world seemed to return to its former tranquility. Then, it slowly began to 'snow' multicolored light.
Lin Qingyan was a little worried about Lucas Reeve's safety. She wished he could leave Shangshu immediately. Moreover, the Sui Regulator seemed intent on exterminating the divine fragments.
Suddenly.
While Lin Qingyan was dazed.
A figure appeared behind Lin Qingyan without a trace of an aura. Lin Qingyan didn't sense them until they spoke, which gave her a fright. With such stealth, they could have killed her a thousand times over, let alone once.
"Someone asked me to give this to you, Lin Qingyan."
Lin Qingyan didn't even see the figure clearly. After tossing her a letter, the person vanished, as if they had never been there. Such movement technique... even her master couldn't compare.
And her master was one of Yan's top Celestial Masters. In Shangshu, there was only one existence who surpassed her master...
That monitored god!!
Why would the monitored god come looking for her?
Lin Qingyan picked up the letter the person had casually tossed at her feet.
Or rather.
It wasn't a letter at all; it was more like a small note. It reminded Lin Qingyan of when she was young, and many classmates would secretly pass notes in class.
"Who's it from?"
Lin Qingyan unfolded it, puzzled.
On the note was a single line of crooked, slightly ugly handwriting.
[I have left Shangshu. Everything is fine. See you again if fate allows—Lucas Reeve.]
However, after this line, there was another small line of text below.
P-S: Based on my observations, the causal threads between us have not yet disappeared. We will likely have many more chances to meet in the future.
"...."
Lin Qingyan said nothing.
She suddenly felt a bit angry and threw the note onto the ground, muttering to herself.
"Who wants to see you again? So full of yourself, you scoundrel..."
After a moment.
Lin Qingyan bent down and picked the note up off the ground. Since everything was fine now, Lin Qingyan prepared to go back to her place and get some proper sleep.
————
A few hours later.
Just after dawn, the group arrived above Columbia. The aircraft docked on the roof of Jessica's villa.
Nian and Dusk couldn't wait to get off the aircraft.
After successfully overcoming their inner demons and dispersing the Sui-Xiang, Nian and Dusk felt much more relaxed. They cherished their current life even more. Nian hurried downstairs to write her script, while Dusk eagerly dove back into her room to start a game, a match of 'chess'.
Hmph...
If Second Brother asked Dusk to play chess.
Dusk would probably say.
Who plays traditional Go these days?
"Let's play a match of TFT. Watch me, 'Eighth-Place', send you home. Second Brother, you come to TFT Street, I'll beat your head in."
Lucas Reeve's trip was also very fruitful.
He gained a group of friends, over 300,000 Prayer Power, and more memories of his past.
Lucas Reeve's Prayer Power had now reached around 500,000. This time, he had gathered it much faster than before. It seemed that, barring any accidents, he would save up the second two million much sooner than before.
When that time came, he could directly condense his own divine body. With a physical body, and by contacting his main soul sealed in the statue, Lucas Reeve would definitely possess the power of a complete god, and a strong one at that.
After everyone went downstairs.
Jessica was sitting in the living room with the kids, getting ready for breakfast. One was preparing for work, while the others were preparing for class.
When Jessica saw Lucas Reeve and the others return, her eyes widened in confusion.
"Mr. Reeve, you... how are you back so quickly?"
It was no wonder Jessica was surprised. Lucas Reeve had left yesterday morning and returned the next morning. Excluding the flight time, they hadn't stayed in Yan long at all. A few hours at most, no more.
This level of efficiency could only be described as 'badass'.
"It's a long story."
Lucas Reeve gave a summarized version, omitting some important details. As for his relationship with Ling, writing a letter to Lin Qingyan before leaving... those were consciously omitted.
However.
Laurentina seemed to be in the mood to stir up trouble.
"Jessica, you'd better keep an eye on your Lord Deity."
"Back in Yan, Lord Deity was like a 'Sea King,' hooking up with two more pretty girls. And he even subtly flirted with Miss Dusk. Tsk tsk..."
Jessica: "???"
A question mark flashed in Jessica's mind, but the confusion vanished after a moment.
Oh...
Is that all?
He didn't bring a girl home?
Jessica thought about it carefully.
Hey! This time he really didn't bring one back!
Great progress! Very good.
This time, Mr. Reeve finally went out without bringing a new girl home. This calls for a celebration.
Jessica let out a huge sigh of relief.
After all.
Ever since a year ago, it seemed like every time Lucas Reeve returned, he would *definitely* bring a new girl back. First was Ceobe. Ceobe probably didn't count, since everyone brought her back together.
It probably started with Ifrit. Then Zumama, Rosmontis, Shamare, then Nian... Miss Surtr, Miss Nine-Colored Deer, Miss Dusk, Miss Saga, and then Skadi, Miss Laurentina.
Basically.
In Jessica's impression.
As long as Lucas Reeve came back from outside, he would reliably bring one or more back.
Jessica was very happy about the fact that Lucas Reeve didn't bring back a new girl this time. It wasn't that she was jealous. After all, with the Nine-Colored Deer's official stamp of approval, she and Lucas Reeve were pretty much locked in. It was destined by the heavens, so she wasn't afraid of any shenanigans. But she would still feel a little jealous and uncomfortable.
It counts as a success as long as Lucas Reeve doesn't bring a new girl home.
Hooray!
Jessica was now a successful person.
Lucas Reeve, of course, had no idea what Jessica was thinking.
His thoughts were entirely on his past self.
His past self seemed to be busy with something.
Becoming the Doctor, helping the Grand Tutor... these roles all had one thing in common: resisting a great crisis. It was very similar to Kal'tsit's original intention. It's just that Kal'tsit's original intention remained theoretical, just shouting slogans, while he himself had actually put it into action.
Lucas Reeve increasingly felt that his past self was an enigma.
However, as he learned more in the future, Lucas Reeve believed he would gradually come to understand his past self.