Early the next morning.
Jiang Yan and Ganyu woke up early.
After all, Ganyu had promised yesterday that she would visit little Nahida again before heading to Yuehai Pavilion for work.
So Jiang Yan decided to take her there before Ningguang and the others woke up.
By the time they returned, the little ones would probably just be getting out of bed.
"Ready?"
After washing up, Jiang Yan saw that Ganyu had already changed clothes and smiled.
"If you're ready, we'll head out."
"Mm, let's go."
Ganyu nodded with a smile.
Jiang Yan snapped his fingers.
A portal opened before them.
Holding Ganyu's hand, he stepped through.
World Tree Space.
The moment Jiang Yan and Ganyu entered, they saw someone unexpected.
Greater Lord Rukkhadevata.
She stood before the World Tree.
Meanwhile, little Nahida stood obediently in front of her.
The instant Nahida noticed Jiang Yan arrive, her eyes lit up.
"Brother! Sister-in-law!"
She called out happily.
Nahida had woken up especially early today.
After all, she had promised Ganyu that she would come visit in the morning.
But instead of seeing the brother and sister-in-law she had been eagerly waiting for—
A completely unfamiliar woman had appeared.
This was only the second stranger Nahida had ever seen.
Naturally wary, she had immediately hidden herself within the World Tree.
Unfortunately, such a crude hiding method could never escape the notice of the World Tree's administrator.
The moment Rukkhadevata entered the World Tree Space, she sensed something strange.
Something was wrong.
Very wrong.
Nine parts out of ten wrong.
Frowning, she approached the World Tree.
As its caretaker, she quickly discovered the little figure hiding near the top branches.
When she first saw Nahida—
Rukkhadevata froze.
A person… growing on the World Tree?
Impossible.
That couldn't possibly make sense…
Yet there Nahida was.
After pulling her down, Rukkhadevata questioned her.
The innocent Nahida, who knew little of the world, could not withstand interrogation at all.
After only a few gentle threats, she tearfully confessed nearly everything.
Though much of it sounded confusing, Rukkhadevata grasped one key point.
Nahida's brother.
A white-haired, pointy-eared being like herself.
Among everyone she knew, only one person matched that description.
Jiang Yan.
And more than that—
Though she did not understand how he had done it, Rukkhadevata could clearly sense the aura of the World Tree within Nahida's soul.
Even Nahida's appearance resembled a younger version of herself by nearly sixty percent.
The moment she saw Jiang Yan step through the portal with Ganyu—
The culprit behind this entire matter became obvious.
Though one question still lingered.
How exactly had Jiang Yan gained access to the World Tree Space?
Only he could answer that.
Nahida had just started running toward Jiang Yan—
When Rukkhadevata raised a hand to stop her.
"Mr. Jiang Yan…"
She smiled.
Though it was a smile that clearly carried danger beneath it.
"Please explain this properly."
"Uh…"
Jiang Yan's gaze immediately started wandering.
"Well… Greater Lord Rukkhadevata, hear me out…"
He laughed awkwardly.
How could he have known she would appear here today?
He cleared his throat.
"Ganyu, why don't you take Nahida somewhere else to chat and play for a while?"
He glanced toward Ganyu.
"I'll explain things to Greater Lord Rukkhadevata."
Jiang Yan had already explained some things about the World Tree to Ganyu yesterday.
So she understood that Rukkhadevata was its guardian.
"Alright. Just don't end up arguing with the Dendro Archon."
Ganyu reminded softly.
"After all, you did borrow her place without permission."
"Haha, don't worry."
Jiang Yan squeezed her hand.
"Go on."
As Ganyu led Nahida away toward another section of the World Tree, Rukkhadevata watched silently.
Seeing Jiang Yan and Ganyu's intimate interaction, her eyes dimmed slightly.
Then she crossed her arms.
"Go ahead."
"Explain."
Her expression clearly said:
Let's hear how you intend to justify this.
Jiang Yan scratched his head.
Then he began recounting Nahida's origins.
After listening—
Rukkhadevata remained silent for a long time.
"So…"
"You're saying this little sister of yours was formed using the purest branch I once gave you?"
Her beautiful eyes widened.
She looked utterly incredulous.
So this man had already been planning this back then?
This…
Rukkhadevata's expression became complicated.
No wonder.
No wonder Jiang Yan had specifically requested the purest branch of the World Tree.
So that was why.
"Jiang Yan… Jiang Yan…"
"You really planned this well."
She let out a cold laugh.
"I wondered why you only wanted a branch that seemed useless."
"So this was your true purpose."
"Well played."
"Ahem…"
Jiang Yan coughed awkwardly.
"How should I put it… fortunate coincidence?"
Since he had hidden this matter from her, he naturally felt somewhat guilty.
"Hmph."
Rukkhadevata snorted.
"I doubt this was merely coincidence."
She looked directly at him.
"If it were just coincidence…"
"How exactly did you enter the World Tree Space?"
"I don't recall ever granting you permission to come here freely."
She smiled.
A very calm smile.
Too calm.
To read 30+ future chapters, head over to patreon:
patreon.com/ToastWizard