Tao Yao continued to stroll along the streets of the Sea Kingdom.
The bustling scene around her dazzled her eyes.
The colorful coral buildings shimmered softly in the water, with various peculiar marine creatures weaving through, adding a touch of mystery to this underwater world.
The shops on both sides of the street were filled with unique marine treasures.
Some shops sold sparkling pearl jewelry, while others specialized in various rare underwater plants.
Tao Yao saw a shop with a glowing sea anemone displayed at the entrance and couldn't help but stop to observe.
The anemones swayed gently with the flow of water.
They emitted a soft blue light, making for a beautiful sight.
At that moment, a slender figure with a hood approached from the opposite side.
As the two brushed past each other, Tao Yao felt a subtle aura.
The person seemed to sense something too, glancing back quietly after passing Tao Yao.
Tao Yao did not stop.
She continued to walk forward.
As she delved deeper into the central area of the Sea Kingdom, the streets became broader, and the buildings more magnificent.
Tao Yao arrived at a huge square, which seemed to be a venue for important events.
In the center of the square stood a massive statue, depicting a majestic figure holding a trident, likely an important person in the Sea Kingdom.
Tao Yao slowly walked around the square, appreciating the scenery around her.
She noticed a few high-end shops at the edge of the square, with the items displayed in the windows exuding a luxurious aura.
One shop featured a set of jewelry meticulously crafted from pearls and coral, shimmering enchanting light in the water.
Another shop displayed various rare underwater plant specimens, some of which Tao Yao had never seen before.
Just then, the system sprite Xiao Xiao excitedly said:
"Master, let's go check that out!!"
Tao Yao could hear the joy in Xiao Xiao's voice and smiled, "Who just said it was boring?"
Xiao Xiao shyly replied:
"Um... I just didn't expect the underwater world to be so interesting..."
Initially, the system sprite Xiao Xiao was quite critical of Tao Yao's shopping.
After all, those were popularity points earned with great effort, and she had only finally accumulated a certain amount, not to mention that subsequent versions would require continuous spending.
So, seeing Tao Yao use them to exchange for currency naturally made Xiao Xiao feel heartbroken.
However, over time, the system sprite Xiao Xiao inadvertently became attracted by the prosperity of the Sea Kingdom and gradually understood Tao Yao's feelings.
Tao Yao continued,
"Alright, that area looks more upscale; things should be a bit pricier there. Xiao Xiao, exchange more currency from the Sea Kingdom for me."
Just as the system sprite Xiao Xiao was about to exchange currency for Tao Yao, Xiao Xiao suddenly became alert as if she had discovered something.
"Master... it seems like we're being watched."
Tao Yao was about to turn around when Xiao Xiao hurriedly stopped her:
"Don't look back! Master, there's someone who seems familiar, they've been following us since before... I thought it was a coincidence, but they're still..."
Tao Yao remained calm and carefully observed her surroundings. She noticed a transparent crystal archway not far away, its smooth surface perfectly reflecting the scene behind her.
Through this natural "mirror," Tao Yao indeed saw a shadowy figure sneaking around.
With a slight smile, she already had an idea in mind.
She deliberately quickened her pace, gradually deviating from the busy downtown area and walking towards a secluded street.
The figure in the black robe followed her closely, their pace quickening as well.
When Tao Yao turned a corner, the figure hurriedly followed but found no one ahead.
"Lost them?"
The figure muttered to themselves, confusion and disappointment filling their voice.
At that moment, a delicate white arm gently patted their shoulder from behind.
The figure in the black robe was startled and turned abruptly, only to see Tao Yao smiling at her.
Tao Yao asked softly, "Is there something you need?"
Tao Yao smiled at the figure in the black robe, who looked visibly startled by her sudden appearance.
The figure froze in place, as if enchanted.
"Hello, little stalker," Tao Yao said lightly, a teasing tone in her voice, "It seems we've met somewhere before? Can you tell me why you're following me?"
The figure in black did not respond but lowered their head slightly, seemingly contemplating how to reply.
Seizing the opportunity, Tao Yao began to carefully scrutinize the mysterious stalker.
Despite the baggy black robe, Tao Yao could tell that she had a slender and delicate figure.
The hem of the robe swayed gently with the water flow, outlining a graceful curve.
From her build, it appeared that this figure in black was a young woman, perhaps even just a little girl.
Tao Yao noticed that the figure in black was also veiled like herself.
The difference was that Tao Yao wore her veil to avoid being documented, in case she was discovered by the protagonist in the future.
But what was the purpose of this mysterious person wearing a veil?
The figure in black remained silent.
Thus, Tao Yao decided to take the initiative.
She squinted her eyes, a sly smile appearing on her face.
"Though it might be a bit rude," Tao Yao said softly, "I really want to see your true appearance."
Saying that, Tao Yao reached out her hand and gently pulled down the veil of the figure in black.
As the veil fell away, a stunning face revealed itself before Tao Yao.
This was a breathtakingly beautiful face, as if composed of all the beauty in the world.
Her skin was as white as jade, her eyes like a deep starry sky, sparkling with mysterious light.
Beneath her high nose was a small cherry blossom mouth, slightly open now, showing a hint of surprise.
However, what drew the most attention was her eyes.
Those eyes seemed to contain the mysteries of the entire universe, deep and enigmatic.
Tao Yao felt as though she saw the stars and the sea, and the trajectory of fate within those eyes.
This girl gave off an ethereal feeling, as if she did not belong to this world but came from a distant starry sky.
Her aura exuded an indescribable sense of mystery, like that of a wise one who could perceive past and future.
Looking at this face, Tao Yao suddenly felt a sense of familiarity. She instinctively blurted out:
"Forget-Me-Not?"
As soon as she said that, Tao Yao hesitated.
She wasn't sure why she had said that name.
But the name had come out so naturally from her mouth.
Upon hearing "Forget-Me-Not," the figure in the black robe glimmered with surprise in her eyes.
Her expression shifted from astonishment to joy, as if confirming something important.
In the next second, to Tao Yao's astonishment, the girl suddenly threw herself into her arms.
The motion was so sudden that Tao Yao momentarily didn't know how to react.
"Tao Yao Mama!"
The girl exclaimed excitedly, her voice filled with joy and excitement, "Forget-Me-Not finally found you!"
At that moment, Tao Yao was utterly stunned.
Her brain seemed to crash, unable to process the information she had just heard.
She looked down at the girl in her arms, her face filled with confusion and bewilderment.
"Wait, what?"
Tao Yao stuttered, "Did you just call me... mama?"
Forget-Me-Not lifted her head, gazing at Tao Yao with her starry eyes.
Her eyes sparkled with tears, her face radiating a smile of happiness, "Of course, Tao Yao Mama, is there a problem with my title? Didn't you say you wanted to be Forget-Me-Not's mama?"
Hearing Forget-Me-Not's words, Tao Yao fell into extreme confusion for a moment.
Her mind raced to comprehend everything happening in front of her.
Tao Yao muttered, her brow furrowed, "This... really came true?"
She looked down at Forget-Me-Not, filled with conflicting emotions.
Tao Yao gently pushed Forget-Me-Not away, took a deep breath, trying to calm herself.
With a helpless sigh, Tao Yao shifted her focus back to Forget-Me-Not.
Her expression turned serious, and her tone carried a hint of hesitation:
"Are you... sure you didn't get the wrong person?"
Upon hearing Tao Yao's words, Forget-Me-Not displayed a puzzled expression.
She tilted her head, muttering softly:
"Tao Yao Mama, please don't pretend not to recognize Forget-Me-Not... If you weren't Tao Yao Mama, how could you call Forget-Me-Not's name just now?"
Forget-Me-Not's tone grew more determined as she continued:
"And if it were someone else, they wouldn't have been able to notice that it was little Forget-Me-Not following you. Only Tao Yao Mama could so keenly perceive my presence. I'm certain you are Tao Yao Mama!"
Faced with Forget-Me-Not's certainty, Tao Yao fell silent and could only helplessly reply:
"..."
Seeing Tao Yao's silence, a glimmer of expectation flashed through Forget-Me-Not's eyes. She softly asked:
"Tao Yao Mama, can you let me see your true face?"
Tao Yao hesitated for a moment but eventually slowly reached up to pull down her veil.
As her true appearance fully revealed itself before Forget-Me-Not.
The girl's eyes instantly brightened with surprise.
"It really is you!"
Forget-Me-Not exclaimed excitedly, "The wheel of fate has finally turned again, bringing us together. This is not a coincidence, but a destined reunion!"
Listening to Forget-Me-Not's philosophical words, Tao Yao's confusion deepened.
She couldn't help but ask:
"How... how did you recognize me?"
Forget-Me-Not's expression grew complex as she took a deep breath and slowly explained:
"Recognizing Tao Yao Mama isn't difficult at all, and I've been to Dawn Land. When I saw Hiyakura Mama, I knew you had returned. It was just that..."
At this point, a hint of disappointment colored Forget-Me-Not's voice:
"It's a pity... Hiyakura Mama couldn't recognize me back then. Unlike you, Tao Yao Mama, who recognized Forget-Me-Not right away..."
Forget-Me-Not's tone was filled with regret,
but this disheartenment was only temporary.
Soon, the flame of hope reignited in her eyes. She tightly grasped Tao Yao's hand, firmly declaring:
"Tao Yao Mama! This time... Forget-Me-Not will never let you go again! We finally reunited, and I won't allow anything to separate us!"
Faced with Forget-Me-Not's fervent attitude, Tao Yao felt a bit at a loss.
She sighed softly, a wry smile appearing on her face:
"Let's... switch places. There are some things I really want to confirm with you."
Upon hearing Tao Yao's proposal, Forget-Me-Not immediately nodded in agreement.
She continued to hold Tao Yao's hand tightly, a beaming smile illuminating her face:
"Okay, Forget-Me-Not has so much to say to you. After all, we haven't seen each other for so long, and there's a lot of time to make up for, Tao Yao Mama."
Looking at Forget-Me-Not's eager gaze, a complex emotion stirred within Tao Yao.
...
In a teahouse of the Sea Kingdom, Forget-Me-Not skillfully arranged a seat for Tao Yao.
She gently pulled out an exquisite wooden chair, inviting Tao Yao to sit.
"Tao Yao Mama, please take a seat."
Forget-Me-Not smiled and said, "This teahouse is the most famous in the Sea Kingdom; their floral tea is especially fragrant."
Tao Yao glanced around, noting the elegant décor inside the teahouse, with exquisite paintings of marine creatures hanging on the walls and a light floral fragrance in the air.
Sunlight streamed through the stained glass windows, casting dappled shadows on the floor.
Forget-Me-Not continued to introduce:
"The owner here is a retired admiral from the Sea Kingdom who has collected rare teas from all over the world. Every piece of furniture in the teahouse is personally selected by him and is quite valuable."
She pointed to an antique vase beside Tao Yao's seat, "For example, this vase is said to be salvaged from a sunken ship and has a history of over a thousand years."
"But for your long life, Tao Yao Mama, a thousand years is not much..."
Tao Yao listened silently, her mind in chaos.
She quietly called out to the system sprite.
"Xiao Xiao, besides the old flower language, I don't have any subsequent memories; what should I say to little Forget-Me-Not..."
The voice of the system sprite Xiao Xiao rang in her head:
"But... Master, you are a fictional historian, right? Since the fabricated history has already become a reality, shouldn't you be able to guess it? It's no problem!"
Xiao Xiao's tone carried a playful edge.
Tao Yao responded fiercely in her heart: "I'll deal with you later!"
At that moment, Forget-Me-Not's voice called out:
"I originally planned to take Tao Yao Mama to a tavern, but I know Tao Yao Mama doesn't seem to like that, so we came here instead..."
Tao Yao looked at the familiar yet strange Forget-Me-Not before her, feeling a turbulent mix of emotions.
After hesitating, she finally asked, "Forget-Me-Not, why are you here?"
Forget-Me-Not displayed a look of 'as expected' and answered:
"Tao Yao Mama, it's because the fairies have awakened! So Forget-Me-Not naturally appeared."
"Uh... why does Tao Yao Mama ask this? Clearly, you are also a fairy, and an even more powerful one than us; you should know this better!"
Seeing the puzzled look on Tao Yao's face, Forget-Me-Not hesitated for a moment.
Then, she cautiously asked:
"Could it be that... Tao Yao Mama hasn't remembered all her memories?"
Tao Yao frowned slightly, falling into deep thought.
In her fictional history, Forget-Me-Not truly existed.
So Forget-Me-Not was undoubtedly a human from the previous civilization.
However, according to current civilization records, the previous civilization had passed at least 30,000 years ago.
How could a normal human live that long?
And Forget-Me-Not mentioned fairies, even referring to "you" and "we."
Wasn't it clear that Forget-Me-Not was also a fairy?
Tao Yao's thoughts became chaotic as various possibilities intertwined in her mind.
She tried to sort through this information but found herself increasingly confused.
Noticing Tao Yao's reaction, Forget-Me-Not blinked, then murmured:
"It seems... the existence of fairies has indeed affected you, Tao Yao Mama..."
Tao Yao remained silent for a long time before finally speaking up:
"Forget-Me-Not, you mentioned the awakening of the fairies; what's going on? Also... are you a fairy too?"
Forget-Me-Not paused for a moment, then solemnly responded, "Tao Yao Mama, before answering these questions, you may need to understand who you are."
Tao Yao looked confused: "Me? Who am I?"
Forget-Me-Not's tone turned deep and mysterious: "Tao Yao Mama, you are also a fairy. Born at the beginning, a Prim Fairy that does not belong to any authority!"
"Prim Fairy?" Tao Yao murmured to herself.
Tao Yao knew her current body was a fairy.
But she needed to exchange for a five-star character card to know her potential as a fairy.
Because she still hadn't accumulated enough popularity points to exchange for a five-star character card.
She also had no idea what her five-star form would be like or what kind of fairy her five-star form would embody.
But looking at Forget-Me-Not, it seemed she was quite clear about it?
Seeing that Tao Yao was lost in thought, Forget-Me-Not gently coughed and continued to explain: "Tao Yao Mama, you may not fully understand your identity. As a Prim Fairy, your existence is unique."
Her voice grew soft and full of respect, "Because Tao Yao Mama, you have no substantial authority, but since you are born first, you are naturally called the very first Prim Fairy. Your existence is so special that even the other fairies cannot completely comprehend it."
Tao Yao listened to these words, her brow slightly furrowed.
She couldn't help but press on:
"What about you? You said you are also a fairy, but you just mentioned going to Dawn Land..."
Upon hearing this question, Forget-Me-Not's face blossomed into a radiant smile.
Her eyes curved into crescent moons, as if recalling beautiful memories.
"Me?" she replied cheerfully, "That's an interesting story."
She organized her thoughts slightly and then began to narrate:
"I was not a fairy before but an ordinary human. However, because of you, Tao Yao Mama, I became the fairy known as 'Snow.'"
"It was because I gained the powers of a fairy that I survived the terrible century disaster of the previous civilization."
Forget-Me-Not's tone grew deep, and a shadow of past memories flickered in her eyes:
"That disaster nearly wiped out all human civilization. The appearance of fairies broke the balance of the world, triggering a series of unimaginable catastrophes."
"The crustal movements intensified, volcanic eruptions occurred, tsunamis wreaked havoc, countless lives were lost in that cataclysm."
She paused briefly, a flicker of painful recollection in her eyes:
"I was on the brink of death. In that moment of despair, it was you, Tao Yao Mama, who found me. You integrated the seed of the Snow Fairy into my body, allowing me to be reborn. It was this gift that let me survive that disaster."
Forget-Me-Not's voice brimmed with gratitude:
"Tao Yao Mama, you not only saved my life but also gave me a whole new way of existence."
"After becoming a fairy, I gained powers and longevity beyond that of mortals. This gave me the chance to witness the rebuilding of human civilization and allowed me to always wait for the day I would reunite with you."
Upon hearing this, Tao Yao sank into silence.
Her heart surged with complex emotions, and she momentarily didn't know how to respond.
"..."
Tao Yao lowered her head, falling into deep contemplation. She no longer knew how to describe her feelings at that moment.
What was initially a fictional history created by Xiao Xiao had now far surpassed her expectations.
It was as if, without her realizing it, that fabricated history had not only become reality but had also given rise to more stories she had never imagined.
She felt a wave of dizziness, as if the whole world was spinning before her eyes.
She had originally thought she held control over the historical trajectory of this world.
But now it felt like she was losing control.
However, this was also normal.
This was the world created by the Goddess.
And the entire history of this world.
Especially, could she just say it was fictional?
Tao Yao remained silent for a moment, digesting the information she had just received. She lifted her head, her gaze filled with complex emotion, and asked:
"How many fairies do you remember in total?"
This question carried deep meaning behind it.
Each fairy was initially a creation of the Goddess, meant to maintain the balance of the world.
However, the fairies' understanding of balance seemed to deviate from its original intent, leading to the destruction of human civilization.
And now, the fairies began to awaken again.
Tao Yao couldn't help but contemplate; the main storyline of "The Fairy's Journey" might very well revolve around one fairy after another.
For this reason, she urgently wanted to learn about all the fairies to better cope with the challenges ahead.
Forget-Me-Not furrowed her brow at this question, pondering for a moment. Her expression grew somewhat complex, and a flicker of worry shone in her eyes.
Finally, she slowly replied:
"Um..."
Her voice carried a hint of hesitation, "There seem to be quite a few. Besides us, there are over a dozen fairies."
As she spoke, Forget-Me-Not's tone suddenly became excited, her eyes flashing with anger:
"They're a bunch of very evil fairies. No matter how hard you try, Tao Yao Mama, they won't turn over a new leaf; they're downright despicable!"
She clenched her fists, voice filled with grievance, "It's because of them that the previous civilization fell into such tragedy!"
After listening to Forget-Me-Not's words, Tao Yao fell into contemplation.
Her brow furrowed slightly, clearly struggling to understand this complex situation.
After a brief silence, she looked up, her eyes filled with inquiry, and asked:
"Last question, little Forget-Me-Not, why did you come to the Sea Kingdom?"
Upon hearing this question, a mysterious smile appeared on Forget-Me-Not's face.
Her eyes sparkled with excitement, as if she was about to reveal a significant secret.
She leaned forward, lowering her voice:
"Because there are fairies to be fought here!"