In the Blue Star, the atmosphere in Hua Yu's live streaming room was tense.
As the screen displayed a close-up of Past Hiyakura waving goodbye, both Hua Yu and Hua Lei suddenly became alert.
Their expressions shifted from relaxed and joyful to serious in an instant, with a hint of unease and concern flashing in their eyes.
Hua Lei couldn't help but speak up, her voice clearly tense: "Sister, didn't you say there wouldn't be a problem? Why do I feel like Great Hiyakura really might be…"
Before she could finish her sentence, the barrage of comments in the live stream erupted like a boiling pot.
Countless comments scrolled rapidly, almost drowning the entire screen.
"Stupid sister, your sister was just lying to you!"
"In this situation, Great Hiyakura is definitely going to have trouble!"
"Who knows, she might just be sent off as soon as she's back."
"Little Fox is a previous example; maybe this time Tao Yao herself will take action!"
Looking at these comments, Hua Yu's expression grew even more complex.
She took a deep breath, trying to soothe her sister's emotions: "Don't panic. While this might be a knife, the story's ending will definitely be good. If it's not good, then it's clearly not the end yet."
However, despite her words sounding confident, there was a hint of uncertainty in her voice.
Her gaze drifted, seemingly searching for evidence to support her argument.
This lack of confidence made her comfort seem somewhat pale and powerless.
Hua Lei noticed her sister's abnormality.
She pouted, her eyes flashing with concern and understanding.
She gently patted Hua Yu's shoulder, speaking with determination: "It's okay, sister. I didn't say what you said was wrong. Just like you said, even if it's highly likely to be dangerous, the ending will definitely be good. I also believe that when it comes to Hiyakura, Sister Tao Yao will never let go so easily."
Hearing her sister's words, Hua Yu showed a hint of a grateful smile.
She took a deep breath and refocused her attention on the game.
Hua Lei continued to advance the game's progress.
On their way to the Southern River Snowfield, they kept encountering groups of Disaster Beasts.
Each wave of Disaster Beasts varied in numbers, types, and levels, creating different levels of difficulty as obstacles for the players.
But with the sisters' tacit cooperation, they always managed to turn danger into safety.
After successfully handling the fifth wave of Disaster Beasts, the in-game Tao Yao picked up a shimmering item.
It was a flower petal.
She turned to Hiyakura and said:
"This is just like the petal you picked up earlier. Both are fragments of the flower of the Snow Fairy."
Upon hearing Tao Yao's words, Hiyakura looked somewhat confused.
"Snow Fairy? I've never heard of that fairy before…"
A smile appeared on Tao Yao's face as she gently said: "There are many fairies in this world, of varying strengths. The Snow Fairy is precisely the type that I can deal with."
"A long time ago, that fairy was already defeated by me and Hiyakura."
"However, fairies are special beings. Even if they are eliminated, the power and authority of the fairies still scatter across the world, either merging with various Disaster Beasts or experiencing rebirth at some point."
"And if you need, I can help you convert the collected flower petal fragments into one of your powers, allowing you to briefly borrow a portion of the Snow Fairy's strength."
After listening to Tao Yao's explanation, Hiyakura quickly accepted her proposal.
She didn't want to refuse Tao Yao's kindness.
Moreover, during her previous experiences in "Old Flower Language," that version of Tao Yao, who had lost her memory, used a similar method to let her experience the unique power of fairies from the petals to achieve the training purpose.
Now that she had the opportunity again, she naturally wouldn't miss it.
With Hiyakura's agreement, Tao Yao began a series of complex maneuvers to transform the power of the flower fragments into a usable form for Hiyakura.
Before long, a soft light enveloped Hiyakura.
At the same time, the game interface Hua Yu was playing displayed the newly acquired buff effect.
With the activation of the new buff, another wave of Disaster Beasts was attracted.
When Hua Yu and Hua Lei successfully dealt with the tenth wave of Disaster Beasts, the game screen shifted to present a brand new map.
...
The Southern River Snowfield unfolded before them, a world of white.
Thick layers of snow covered the ground, and the outlines of distant mountains were faintly visible in the hazy mist.
The cold wind howled, swirling tiny snowflakes into beautiful spirals.
In this silver-clad world, three figures trudged forward with difficulty.
Tao Yao and Hiyakura held the little hands of Forget-Me-Not.
The trio carefully left a trail of footprints in the snow.
Visually, this scene felt like a family of three.
Tao Yao and Hiyakura appeared to be two caring mothers for a child.
While Forget-Me-Not resembled their little daughter.
As they ventured deeper into the snowfield, the surrounding environment grew increasingly desolate.
Beneath the thick snow, remnants of buildings could be faintly seen, telling tales of a once-prosperous past.
However, now, there was nothing but silence, with even the sound of the wind seeming especially desolate.
Tao Yao paused, her gaze sweeping over the barren snowfield, a hint of sadness flashing in her eyes.
She sighed softly and said: "Hiyakura, you might find it hard to imagine, but this snowfield was not like this a long time ago."
Both Hiyakura and Forget-Me-Not looked at Tao Yao curiously, waiting for her to continue.
"Buried beneath this wind and snow is an entire human kingdom..."
Tao Yao's voice carried a trace of nostalgia. "I vaguely remember it was a powerful human kingdom. The cities were prosperous, the population vast, and technology advanced. They created countless miracles on this land."
She pointed to the ruins of a tower buried under the snow in the distance, continuing: "Do you see that tower? It was once this country's iconic building, soaring into the sky, symbolizing human wisdom and strength. But now..."
Tao Yao's voice gradually grew somber.
"After the Snow Fairy appeared, this place turned into a vast world of white overnight."
"The Snow Fairy not only brought cold but also hunger and fear. Countless creatures froze to death overnight, and many people slowly died in the following days due to lack of food and warmth."
Hiyakura and Forget-Me-Not listened intently.
They could feel the deep sadness and helplessness in Tao Yao's words.
"Even though the Snow Fairy has been defeated, the disasters she caused continue to this day."
Tao Yao pointed to the surroundings: "To this day, the ice and snow still torment the survivors on this land. Once-prosperous cities have turned into cold ruins, and once-fertile lands have become wastelands. People are forced to struggle for survival in extreme and harsh environments, fighting death every day."
Tao Yao's words were filled with lament for the past and helplessness about the present.
Her eyes sparkled with complex emotions, both regret for the lost civilization and concern for the fate of the survivors.
As Hiyakura listened to Tao Yao's narrative, she unconsciously looked around.
In her eyes, this boundless white world of ice and snow suddenly gained new meaning.
Every snowflake, every icicle seemed to tell a sorrowful story.
She began to imagine the scene of that prosperous kingdom being destroyed overnight, picturing those innocent people struggling in despair.
At that moment, Hiyakura suddenly recalled her own transformation into a fairy.
She remembered the disaster she had brought about at that time.
At that moment, she was engulfed in uncontrollable flames.
Then, those uncontrollable flames burned everything in sight to the ground.
And now, upon comparison, it was not hard to see that the disaster and destruction she had caused back then seemed far less than the remnants of disaster brought on by the Snow Fairy.
After all, according to Tao Yao, the disaster brought by the Snow Fairy had directly buried an entire human kingdom.
Thinking of this, Hiyakura couldn't help but quietly ponder:
"How strong must Tao Yao be to have defeated such a fairy?"
Just then, Shiro's voice echoed in her ear: "Miss Tao Yao is even stronger than I imagined... but I still can't understand why such a strong Miss Tao Yao fell because of you."
Hiyakura was momentarily at a loss for how to respond to this.
She opened her mouth, but found herself unable to say anything.
Her heart was filled with complex emotions, including guilt for her past actions, reverence for Tao Yao's strength, and confusion about the entire context of events.
Shiro seemed to sense Hiyakura's inner turmoil, snorted softly, and then spoke: "Continue. I need more information, whether it's about the Snow Fairy or the previously mentioned Shadow Fairy; I want to understand them better."
Hiyakura pulled her thoughts back to reality; she held Little Forget-Me-Not's hand and slowly walked alongside Tao Yao in the snow.
While they made their way, Tao Yao continued, "After the Snow Fairy, the survivors built a fortress on this land, and that happens to be our destination..."
Tao Yao's voice carried a serious tone.
"According to Little Forget-Me-Not, the Shadow Fairy has set her sights here, and those we need to save are the survivors suffering under the disaster caused by the Shadow Fairy."
Tao Yao halted, turned to face Hiyakura, her expression exceptionally serious: "This is definitely not an easy task, and it is even more dangerous than you might imagine. From the information we've gathered so far, the Shadow Fairy is far more terrifying than the Snow Fairy."
She looked deeply into Hiyakura's eyes, her tone growing more solemn: "Before we begin the rescue, I need to confirm with you. Are you sure... you want to face a powerful fairy with me? We haven't yet entered the core area of the snowfield. You still have the chance to retreat now. I can save the survivors on my own."
Hiyakura was taken aback.
She never expected that not long ago, the joyful and somewhat naive Tao Yao would suddenly become so serious when faced with a fairy.
This transformation felt both familiar and strange to her.
Strange because this did not match the impression of the always-smiling Tao Yao she had from the old world.
That Tao Yao, while strong, had given off a more gentle and approachable vibe.
Familiar, because she could sense the maturity and reliability from this moment's Tao Yao, reminiscent of the future Tao Yao who continuously helped her.
The calm and decisive approach in the face of danger, the gentleness and determination of thinking for others reminded Hiyakura of the Tao Yao who appeared before her in the future.
Hiyakura took a deep breath, gazing directly into Tao Yao's eyes, and said firmly: "Tao Yao, since I came here, I have no intention of backing down. No matter what dangers lie ahead, I will face them with you."
Upon hearing Hiyakura's response, Tao Yao's expression changed instantly.
Her serious demeanor blossomed into a sweet smile, her eyes shimmering with appreciation and joy.
"I knew it! My dear Hiyakura, how could I let a beautiful girl face an evil and terrifying fairy alone? With you by my side, I have boundless strength."
At that moment, Little Forget-Me-Not gently tugged at their clothes, her tender voice chiming in: "Sister Tao Yao, Sister Hiyakura, thank you for coming to help. I really appreciate it, and I'll do my best to assist when facing the Shadow Fairy!"
...
The three continued their difficult journey through the vast snowfield.
The cold wind howled, and the snowflakes swirled, as if they were about to engulf them.
Tao Yao walked at the front, clearing the path for the other two, each step sinking deeply into the thick snow.
Hiyakura closely followed behind.
One hand held on to Forget-Me-Not, while the other protected the little girl from the biting cold wind.
As they delved deeper into the snowfield, the surroundings became increasingly desolate.
Buried remnants of buildings occasionally jutted up from the ground, resembling cold tombs, telling tales of a once-prosperous land.
In the distance, a tower covered in ice and snow flickered into view, seeming like the only coordinate in this wasteland.
After a long trek, a massive outline finally appeared in their sight.
It was a towering wall, its gray-white concrete surface covered with thick frost, glistening with a cold luster in the sunlight.
This was the fortress that Tao Yao had mentioned earlier, the last refuge of the survivors.
As they drew closer, the complete picture of the fortress gradually unfolded before the three.
It was a massive circular structure, its towering walls dozens of meters high, thoroughly isolating the interior from the outside world.
The walls were designed with a sloping arc shape, evidently to better resist the battering of wind and snow.
The wall surfaces were covered with fine cracks, resembling the wrinkles on an aged person's face, telling of the difficult years this fortress had endured.
Atop the walls, rows of sharp metal spikes glinted with icy light, meant to prevent enemy invasions and to block the residents from fleeing.
Scattered lookout towers were positioned along the walls.
But at that moment, no guards were visible.
The entire fortress was shrouded in eerie silence, resembling a massive tomb.
However, what was truly alarming was the sight surrounding the fortress.
A dense swarm of Disaster Beasts completely surrounded the fortress, their numbers nearly obscuring the view.
These Disaster Beasts varied widely in form and type.
Some resembled gigantic frost giants.
Standing over ten meters tall, each step left deep footprints in the ground.
Others seemed to be composed purely of shadows.
They rolled over the snow, exuding a chilling aura.
Even more terrifying was the fact that these Disaster Beasts were clearly not of ordinary rank.
The aura they emitted was powerful and oppressive.
Even from a distance, the three could feel that suffocating power.
Some of these Disaster Beasts even shimmered with eerie runes, indicating they were special elite-level creatures.
Tao Yao knitted her brows, her gaze sweeping over these Disaster Beasts before turning to Little Forget-Me-Not, asking softly: "Little Forget-Me-Not, how did you escape back then?"
The little girl lowered her head, her hands fiddling together, her voice carrying a hint of confusion: "Um... things were chaotic back then, I can't explain it clearly; I just remember that mom and everyone tried their best to get me out..."
Tao Yao nodded thoughtfully: "I see..."
Her attention returned to the heavily surrounded fortress, softly stating: "Given the current situation… it seems we need to come up with a way to get in."
After a brief discussion, the three decided to employ a feinting strategy.
Tao Yao capitalized on the chaos to draw most of the Disaster Beasts' attention.
Taking advantage of the confusion, Hiyakura quietly approached the fortress with Little Forget-Me-Not, searching for a possible entrance.
After a challenging search, they finally discovered a hidden opening.
It was a narrow crack at the bottom of the wall, appearing due to long-term erosion from the wind and snow.
Hiyakura cautiously enlarged the crack, then led Little Forget-Me-Not through it.
At this moment, Tao Yao threw off the Disaster Beasts and quickly followed.
Once inside the fortress, the three were stunned by the scene before them.
The refuge that should have been full of life was now devoid of sound.
The empty streets were covered in thick snow, and most of the building windows were shattered or sealed with ice and snow.
The cold wind wailed through the abandoned buildings, emitting a sorrowful sound.
They cautiously advanced through the ruins, alert to any potential dangers.
Suddenly, a low growl echoed from nearby.
The three quickly hid behind a collapsed wall, holding their breaths.
A massive Disaster Beast walked slowly by, its body seemingly made of pure ice, leaving a trail of frost flowers with each step.
Tao Yao signaled the others to remain quiet before stealthily approaching the beast.
After a brief encounter, Tao Yao successfully subdued the Disaster Beast.
Her movements were swift and precise, making no unnecessary noise.
After neutralizing this threat, the three continued deeper into the fortress.
Just then, Little Forget-Me-Not suddenly stopped, pointing at an object on the ground and whispering in surprise: "This is mom's thing; mom must be nearby..."
Hiyakura followed the little girl's pointing finger and saw an exquisite hairpin revealed among the snow.
The hairpin was beautifully crafted, adorned with a small Forget-Me-Not flower.
Little Forget-Me-Not carefully picked up the hairpin, clutching it tightly in her hand.
Her eyes lit up with hope as she said: "Mom must be close by; let's go find her!"
The three forged ahead, traversing through deserted streets and climbing over collapsed buildings.
Along the way, they encountered several formidable Disaster Beasts, but with the combined efforts of Tao Yao and Hiyakura, these beasts were swiftly dealt with, posing no significant threat.
As they passed through a semi-collapsed building, an astonished exclamation suddenly rang out:
"Forget-Me-Not? Didn't you escape... why did you come back?!"
As the voice sounded, a figure appeared before them.
It was a woman, looking strikingly similar to Little Forget-Me-Not, as if she were a grown-up version of her.
She possessed the same delicate features, the same gentle gaze, and even a remarkably similar hairstyle.
Hiyakura froze when she saw this woman.
If Little Forget-Me-Not reminded her of a mysterious girl she had encountered during her adventure in the Dawn Domain, then this "grown-up" Forget-Me-Not looked exactly like that girl.
At that moment, Hiyakura's curiosity deepened.
While she had only suspected before, she could now almost confirm that Forget-Me-Not was undoubtedly intricately linked to the girl she had briefly encountered earlier.
However, now was not the time to ponder these questions.
Because Little Forget-Me-Not, upon seeing the woman, had already excitedly shouted: "Mom? That's great, you're okay!" The little girl's face radiated joy, tears glistening in her eyes, "I followed what you all said and successfully brought help!"
The woman smiled gently in response: "Yes, Mom is fine. Seeing you safe makes me relax. Forget-Me-Not, I miss you, come here and let Mom hug you..."
Just as Little Forget-Me-Not was about to rush forward, Tao Yao pulled her back.
Tao Yao's gaze turned sharp, staring intently at the woman claiming to be Forget-Me-Not's mother, speaking: "Shadow Fairies excel in mimicry and disguise; you aren't Little Forget-Me-Not's mother, are you?"
Those words fell like cold water on Little Forget-Me-Not's head, instantly waking her up as she nervously shrank behind Tao Yao, looking timidly at her "mother."
The woman's expression stiffened momentarily, but she quickly returned to her gentle smile.
She softly said: "I understand what you're worried about; don't worry! The Shadow Fairy isn't here. I really am Forget-Me-Not's mother, the real deal..."
However, Tao Yao remained unmoved, her vigilant gaze never leaving the woman.
At that moment, Little Forget-Me-Not took a deep breath, summoning her courage to ask: "Mom, I'm sorry... to be safe, I need to ask you one question."
The woman smiled gently and said: "It's okay; you can ask."
Little Forget-Me-Not bit her lip and asked: "When mom kisses Forget-Me-Not, does she prefer to kiss the left cheek or the right cheek?"
The woman answered without hesitation: "Whether it's the right side or the left side, as long as it's Forget-Me-Not, Mom likes it. Come here, Forget-Me-Not, I have missed you so much during this time..."
However, upon hearing this answer, a look of pain crossed Little Forget-Me-Not's face.
She slowly shook her head, her voice filled with disappointment and sadness.
"You aren't mom..."