Winter departed and spring arrived on Mt. Firmament; the ice and snow melted.
But strictly speaking, the season in Jinzhou—and even the entire Huanglong—was actually entering deep autumn.
In other words, Mt. Firmament's time difference hadn't adjusted yet; it needed some buffer time for the seasonal changes.
Early in the morning, the refreshed daily quest made Noah's vision go dark.
[Daily Quest: You Live in the Light · Continuation]
He never expected this healing (depressing) series quest to have a sequel.
Rubbing his brow, Noah patiently read the quest description.
[Quest Description: Jinzhou officials are helping the villagers of Taoyuan Vale rebuild their homes. Some enthusiastic civilian teams have also spontaneously organized a charity auction. Go take a look.]
[Completion Reward: Astrite *800, Shell Credits *10000.]
"A charity auction?"
Noah rubbed his chin:
"I happen to have a bit of spare money, and last time I forgot to secretly slip some to that old man who lost his son."
Having made up his mind, he no longer hesitated.
Perfect—there was also a Chronicles task Listen to the Voices of Animals · Bird Language to do.
Nod Yes, shake No—return to Jinzhou, GO GO GO!
===✧✦✧===
On the other side.
"Here, Jinhsi."
Xinyi brought out two steamers of little dragon buns, placing them on the table in Jinhsi's room.
The young woman had already finished washing and dressing, wearing her elegant and fresh attire. She gently bit into a little dragon bun; the fragrance of fresh meat overflowed between her lips and teeth:
"Aunt Xinyi, after you left Jinzhou, I've been missing you."
"You mean you've been missing Aunt Xinyi's little dragon buns."
Xinyi smiled slightly, reaching out to gently stroke Jinhsi's head:
"I met that handsome young man who contributed greatly to Mt. Firmament. Like you, he's a child with excellent character. Aunt Xinyi has never been wrong about people—I think he matches you very well."
"Oh my, Aunt Xinyi, what are you saying?"
Jinhsi's face turned bright red from the teasing. She forced composure to change the subject:
"By the way, Noah... which room is he in? He probably hasn't had breakfast yet. I'll bring him some little dragon buns."
"He just left. When he passed me on the way, he asked me to say goodbye to you."
"Left?!"
Jinhsi stood up abruptly, her voice unconsciously rising an octave:
"Where did he go?"
"He's returned to Jinzhou."
Hearing this, Jinhsi sat back down in her chair, feeling Xinyi's teasing gaze. Somewhat unwillingly, she rarely showed a girlish demeanor:
"Aunt Xinyi, you're teasing me again."
"You young people."
Xinyi shook her head slightly, adopting the posture of someone who had been there:
"Recognize your own heart sooner. Don't regret it only after losing it. Good men are rarer than gold—they need to be seized."
"Aunt Xinyi, stop teasing me. I don't understand these things."
Raised strictly according to doctrines since childhood, when had Jinhsi ever heard such words? She could only use eating little dragon buns to mask her shyness.
In her past life, there was only following rules and fulfilling the duty of protecting Jinzhou. Romantic love between men and women had never entered her considerations.
For the first time, someone burst into her world with dazzling light, sparing no cost to enter the one-way Mt. Firmament, saving her from life and death.
He said he was there to save her—no need for her to keep staring at him.
But for someone so dazzling, who could resist casting their gaze upon him?
The more he said that, the more it made one want to get closer, to understand.
Jinhsi silently ate another bite of little dragon bun. As if suddenly thinking of something, she suddenly asked:
"By the way, Aunt Xinyi—has Teacher Changli had breakfast?"
"She left too, on the same boat as Noah."
"Ah!"
Jinhsi stood up sharply.
She couldn't eat another bite of these little dragon buns.
"Aunt Xinyi, I have matters in Jinzhou. Mt. Firmament is in your hands—I'll head off first."
The surrounding time flow slowed. A point of Dawnlight was scattered. The dragon-horned young woman stepped through the air, moving extremely fast.
Gaplight Beach.
A black-awning boat parted layers of white waves, gradually heading toward Jinzhou.
Suddenly, the layers of white waves reversed in the opposite direction. The black-awning boat leisurely retreated back to the shore, as if played in reverse.
"What's going on?"
Noah poked his head out, only seeing the slightly panting Jinhsi.
"Oh, it's Jinhsi."
Jinhsi boarded the boat slowly, looking at the two people sitting on either side inside. She smiled slightly:
"Sorry, perhaps I came at the wrong time."
"No, you arrived just in time."
Noah didn't mind much. He casually pulled out a camera from his inventory, with a hint of inquiry in his tone:
"This trip to Mt. Firmament was too rushed—I didn't record any scenery along the way. Want to take a group photo now?"
"Good!" Jinhsi nodded.
"But make it heartfelt." Changli also did not refuse.
Two different fragrances approached from both sides.
Facing away from Mt. Firmament, Noah set the camera timer, fixing it in mid-air with a point of Dawnlight.
"Three, two, one—cheese!"
The brief joy was captured in this moment.
In the photo: On the left, the woman with scarlet like dawn lowered her eyes in a light laugh—her smile charming yet refined, incomparably gorgeous. Her arm rested naturally and generously on the shoulder of the man in the middle.
On the right, the ethereal woman like the moon tilted her head slightly, her eyes secretly gazing at the man's profile in the middle. The corners of her mouth curved up faintly; her right hand unconsciously twisted the hem of her clothes.
The man in the middle laughed heartily—one hand making a scissor sign in front, the other giving a thumbs up.
It was clear that in front of the camera, he was really trying hard to pose.
Behind them was a misty red dragon-shaped mountain range.
A segment of pleasant time was thus sealed in this small photo.
Jinzhou.
Near Taoyuan Vale, Yangyang and Chixia were responsible for maintaining order at an upcoming auction.
"As a Patroller, it's reasonable for me to maintain order here. But Yangyang, as a member of the Outrider Scout Squad, why are you here too?"
Facing Chixia's casual question, Yangyang gently shook her head, explaining softly:
"There's a girl who suffered in this incident. I specially took leave to come, hoping to see with my own eyes that she gets a good outcome."
"Wow, there's gossip!"
Chixia's eyes burned with the flames of gossip, shaking Yangyang's arm:
"Tell me quick, tell me—I want to hear."
"Don't rush, I'll tell you slowly."
Yangyang was about to speak when a burst of static sounded. She picked up her terminal, her face lighting up with joy.
It was Noah!
It was rare for Noah to contact her.
"Hi, Yangyang."
Noah's voice came through the terminal. He got straight to the point:
"How's the Taoyuan Vale disaster relief going after I left yesterday? I want to know the details."
Soon, Yangyang explained the current situation in Taoyuan Vale in detail.
Although with Jinzhou officials' support, everyone in Taoyuan Vale had been resettled and provided substantial supplies for rebuilding homes.
But news of the Taoyuan Vale incident spread to Jinzhou City. Residents in Jinzhou sympathized with Taoyuan Vale's plight and spontaneously organized a charity auction.
Anyone could bring any valuable item to the auction; anyone could participate in bidding.
All proceeds from the auction would be fully used to help Taoyuan Vale residents rebuild safer and more stable homes.
"I see."
Noah pondered, then spoke:
"After I left yesterday, did you encounter another Taoyuan Vale villager in need of help? Can you tell me about it?"