"An endless lifespan as well…?"
Jing Yuan murmured quietly to himself, recalling Tingyun's earlier report.
Anyone capable of forcing back a Emanator was in all likelihood, also a Emanator.
Although he couldn't sense any Path-force from Daichi nor detect any trace of it from X, possessing the power of eternal life was enough to lead Jing Yuan's thoughts down a path he didn't want to consider.
Surely he couldn't be that unlucky meeting another Emanator at random, and from the Path of Abundance no less?
Still, it wasn't as though followers of the Abundance were automatically suspect.
Many healers of great renown across the cosmos worshipped Yaoshi, and even within the Luofu there were numerous physicians who had stepped onto the Path of Abundance.
Yet the wounds left by the previous Abundance Emanator were too deep.
The Xianzhou Alliance had lost an entire ship, and it had taken a long time to recover. Even several of Jing Yuan's dearest friends had perished, directly or indirectly, because of that very Emanator.
In short, the Xianzhou could not bear another malicious blow from an Abundance Emanator.
Calming his thoughts, Jing Yuan looked at X and asked with mild curiosity.
"X, what have you been doing all these years?"
[Doing…? Before meeting Daichi, I wandered the universe protecting civilizations invaded by monsters and hunting down those that had destroyed many lives.]
X answered honestly.
[Lately, I was chasing a monster called Greeza, and then the power of Bullton sent me to Daichi's side.]
Greeza? Bullton? He'd never heard those names before.
Still, upon hearing X's answer, Jing Yuan's heart finally settled.
Just listening to protecting civilizations, hunting monsters that harm life part. If that isn't righteousness, what is?
Walking the path of guardianship… It was clear as day.
X had chosen the Path of Preservation!
And that line wandered the universe sealed the case.
Yes, X was indeed a Emanator, but not of the Abundance… he was one of the Preservation!
A figure worthy of respect an Emanator of Preservation.
With his heart now steady, Jing Yuan's gentle smile returned.
"I see… Then X must carry many stories upon his shoulders. But it's getting late after such a long journey, you and Miss Tingyun should rest. We can talk more another time."
Saying this, Jing Yuan stepped closer to Daichi, smiling as he patted the young man's shoulder.
"I've already informed Miss Tingyun of the residence arranged for you by the Divine Foresight Office. She'll take you there shortly."
Beside him, Qingzu had already sent the information to Tingyun's jade token.
"Then allow this little lady to escort her Benefactor home."
Tingyun stepped up to Daichi's side, her voice soft and melodic.
Only the faint blush on her cheeks, the twitching ears atop her head, and the swaying tail behind her betrayed her shyness.
When they stepped out of the Divine Foresight Office, the "it's getting late" Jing Yuan had mentioned was betrayed by the bright sun still hanging high over the Luofu sky.
The residence arranged for Daichi was a standalone villa in classic Luofu style and, by coincidence or design, it happened to be right next door to Tingyun's.
"What a coincidence, my Benefactor."
Tingyun chuckled lightly.
"It seems we'll be neighbors from now on."
"Yeah. I'll be in your care then, Miss Tingyun."
The two entered Daichi's new home. The furnishings were all in place and meticulously clean. Even the wardrobe was stocked with clothes that fit him perfectly. There was nothing he needed to buy he could move in immediately.
"Jing Yuan really thought of everything."
After a quick inspection, Daichi realized this was truly a turn-key home.
Well he was the key.
"X, this is our new home. What do you think?"
[Home… So this is our new home, Daichi? It's wonderful!]
X's voice sparkled with excitement.
It was his first home and his first shared home with his dearest partner.
So this is what it feels like to have a home…
He remembered how, among the many civilizations he had saved, people had sometimes asked him.
"Hero, you wander without rest. Why not stay here and make this planet your home?"
Back then he'd refused, he still had monsters to pursue. But that wasn't the only reason. Deep down, he hadn't truly understood what home meant.
He had spoken with many intelligent beings about it.
Some had fled their homeworlds after monsters destroyed them; when they spoke of home, their faces always showed longing, anger, or sorrow.
But behind every expression was the same deep yearning.
One creature had once rasped to him, pointing at the endless darkness of space.
"I am like a rootless weed drifting through the cosmos. In that darkness… my home no longer exists."
"And you? Are you the same?"
Back then, X hadn't answered. But now perhaps he finally could.
He had found his anchor point.
Not this house, but the person standing beside him—Daichi.
—————————————————
"Benefactor ~"
Before long, after tidying herself up at home, Tingyun reappeared gracefully at Daichi's side.
"If my Benefactor has no other plans, would you accompany this little lady to a rather special place?"
"A special place?"
[A special place?]
Led by Tingyun, man and giant of light arrived at a place filled with a faint scent of medicine.
"This is the Alchemy Commission," Tingyun explained.
"It's responsible for biological and medical research in the Luofu—and also provides medical treatment."
[Medical treatment? Are you sick, Tingyun? But I checked your body and you shouldn't have any health issues.]
X tilted his head, puzzled. Tingyun just shook hers with a soft smile.
"Oh my, it's not exactly an illness. But whenever I don't stop by after a trade run, I feel… uneasy all over."
She led Daichi through the clinic, where patients sought diagnoses and treatments until they slipped quietly into the back rooms where a small figure was busy working.
"Lady Bailu ~"
"Eek!"
Startled, Bailu spun around, then pouted when she saw the familiar face.
"So Miss Tingyun's finally back from her trade business?"