Long before she arrived, Kiana had heard that the headquarters of the world-famous Celestial Sparrow Entertainment was located here.
Word on the street was that the Aeon-made relic—the one that allowed high-level players in the Originium system to obtain wish-granting rewards—was kept right inside the Luofu branch.
Kiana knew perfectly well that the thing was just a fabrication by the person standing right next to her, but that didn't stop her curiosity from bubbling over.
Then there was her other self.
On paper, she was the founder, but she hadn't laid a finger on the entertainment company's development in years.
In fact, 'Finality Kiana' only found out some projects even existed because Silver Wolf had happened to mention them.
Facing a founder who was such a complete hands-off boss, the title was really the only thing that held any charm. Aside from that, there was zero appeal.
So, the moment they touched down, Kiana and Silver Wolf dashed toward their destination with unbridled excitement, leaving 'Finality Kiana' trailing in the dust.
'Finality Kiana' could only shake her head.
Just a few days ago, Silver Wolf was a little sweetheart who wouldn't leave her side for a second. Now, after spending a little time together, she'd dumped her just to go on a gaming binge.
Sigh.
Teenage girls really aren't cute at all. If this had been the younger Silver Wolf, she definitely would've held her hand and said something sweet before running off.
Watching the two of them bolt toward Celestial Sparrow Entertainment, 'Finality Kiana' sent a quick message to Qingque before taking a detour toward the Divination Commission.
Compared to everyone else, Fu Xuan was the busy one, and they hadn't seen each other once in years. Even online contact had been sparse.
It was mostly because everything Fu Xuan handled involved the Luofu's classified information.
It wasn't a matter of whether she trusted Bai Ming; those secrets simply weren't meant for public networks. So, one thing led to another, and they had effectively been out of touch for years.
Since she was on the Luofu, she naturally had to visit her Number One Emanator.
As for Jing Yuan... come to think of it, Yanqing should have been taken in as his disciple by now.
Yunli was likely in a similar boat. She might take the chance to look at those two Xianzhou kids if she got the opportunity.
She wondered if Sushang had been transferred to the Luofu yet. And then there was Sushang's best friend.
Guinevere and the others, whom she had saved on a whim back then, probably wouldn't end up displaced from their homes this time.
They likely wouldn't even come to the Luofu, and even if they did, they probably wouldn't be performing street stunts and live-streaming like they used to.
It was a bit of a pity, but remembering that Guinaifen's family was likely still intact, that small regret vanished.
She also wondered how Huohuo was doing. She should still be with the Ten-Lords Commission.
Actually, with her strength having been massively boosted by Bai Ming, the Ten-Lords Commission likely wouldn't be willing or comfortable letting her go.
She just didn't know how Huohuo's life had been lately. With Qingque looking out for her, it couldn't be too bad.
Still, given the nature of the Ten-Lords Commission's work, Huohuo wasn't someone you could just see whenever you wanted.
Although she could force a meeting given her status, she didn't want to make things difficult for the Commission over such a small matter.
'Finality Kiana' mentally ticked through her acquaintances as she strolled along, eventually reaching the Divination Commission.
Even though she'd changed her face, she still possessed the clearance to enter. However, the diviners inside didn't recognize her at first.
Her outfit, which clashed completely with the surrounding staff, drew quite a few stares.
Of course, she also caught the attention of Fu Xuan. If an Emanator couldn't sense their own Aeon arriving at their doorstep, that would be a real problem.
So, while she didn't know the reason for the visit, Fu Xuan dropped her work in a delightful surprise and came running out like a gust of wind.
She led the guest to the Matrix of Prescience. It was quiet here, away from the prying eyes of the diviners.
'Finality Kiana' studied Fu Xuan. The years hadn't left a single mark on her. It made sense; for a long-lived Xianzhou native with a lifespan of several centuries, a few years was nothing.
Fu Xuan looked back at 'Finality Kiana', scanning her from head to toe. "Arbiter of Myriad Distinctions, have you come this time because you require my assistance with something?"
Compared to others, Fu Xuan's perception of time was a bit more detached, compounded by her heavy workload. She had accepted 'Finality Kiana's' multi-year disappearance quite easily.
After all, under normal circumstances, what Emanator got to see their Aeon every other day? Being elusive and mysterious was the standard.
Thus, Fu Xuan assumed there was a task at hand.
"Why have you gone back to using that title...?"
"We are still within the Divination Commission; proper decorum must be observed." Fu Xuan blinked, showing no intention of dropping the formal address.
'Finality Kiana' shook her head helplessly and reached out to pat Fu Xuan's head.
"I don't have anything to trouble you with. I just happened to be on the Luofu and wanted to see how you were doing—and if you've been giving yourself enough time to rest."
"Cough..."
Fu Xuan felt a warm flutter in her chest at the sentiment, though she could have done without that last part.
As a textbook workaholic, Fu Xuan had never once considered the concept of a "vacation," let alone "sufficient rest."
Now that the pain from the Third Eye on her forehead had been neutralized, her sleep quality at night had improved exponentially.
Over the past few years, her energy for work had only increased. With Fu Xuan's personality, that extra energy was destined to be poured entirely into her duties rather than being spent on leisure.
Being called out like this by 'Finality Kiana' put Fu Xuan in a tight spot.
If anyone else had asked, she could have fired back with a dozen logical justifications. But the person speaking was her deity. What was she supposed to say?
She could only shift her gaze guiltily, pretending she hadn't heard a word.
Seeing this reaction, 'Finality Kiana' had her answer immediately. This girl had definitely been working herself into the ground without a single thought for rest. She probably hadn't taken a day off in years.
'Finality Kiana' sighed. While a Long-Life Species' body could handle the physical strain, mental exhaustion wasn't under the jurisdiction of Abundance. If it were, Mara-struck wouldn't exist.
"Well, there's no time like the present. Come out and play with me today."
"Huh?"
Fu Xuan froze, her eyes wide as the sound escaped her.
"Is there some urgent, life-or-death matter that absolutely has to be settled today?"
"Uh... well, no, not really." Fu Xuan opened her mouth to argue but couldn't bring herself to lie.
The Divination Commission was busy, yes, but the urgent tasks for today had already been cleared. What she was working on now was technically work for the next several days.
"Then come with me. If you never learn how to relax your mind, when are you ever going to become General?"
"Guh..."
Fu Xuan made a stifled sound as her sore spot was poked.
She understood the logic, of course. But habits built over centuries weren't easily changed, especially when there was no one around to push her.
Every time she thought about listening and scheduling some downtime, she'd see the mountain of unfinished work and the countless people waiting on a plan. She just couldn't let go.
She'd tell herself she'd rest after this busy stretch, but the next stretch always brought the same worries.
One stretch led into another, and looking back, she'd never actually managed to carve out time for a holiday.
"Anyway, if there's really work that needs doing, hand it over to Qingque and come play for a few days."
At that exact moment, one of Qingque's clones, who was currently slacking off under the guise of working, felt the hair on the back of her neck stand up. She snapped upright, pretending to work with intense focus, while her eyes darted around suspiciously.
"Huh? There's nobody here... the Master Diviner isn't around either. Why do I suddenly feel a sense of impending doom?"
The feeling was localized only to the clone at the Divination Commission.
That meant the problem was right here. But the Boss was supposed to be looking for the Master Diviner; with the Boss around, what could possibly threaten her in this place?
Qingque scratched her head, utterly baffled.
She didn't have to wait long for the answer. Shortly after, Fu Xuan and 'Finality Kiana' found her.
"Boss! And Master Diviner! What brings you two here? Could it be... you're taking me out for a stroll?" Qingque's face was plastered with a grin as she winked furiously at her Boss.
That look of pure, sparkling expectation actually managed to trigger a pang of guilt in 'Finality Kiana'.
Fu Xuan, however, merely crossed her arms and let out a smug little huff.
"Qingque, I will be following Bai Ming's request and taking a few days off. These daily tasks are now your responsibility. As for the other non-essential projects, you don't need to do them yourself, but you must oversee their progress, and..."
Fu Xuan placed a jade abacus in front of Qingque, loaded with all the work she was delegating.
Qingque, however, had stopped listening. She turned her neck mechanically, her eyes turning dull and lifeless as she stared at 'Finality Kiana' with a look that screamed "Betrayal!"
"B-Boss... you... I... you're taking the Master Diviner out to play and dumping all the work on me?"
Qingque felt like her world was ending.
'Finality Kiana' gave an embarrassed cough. She also felt she was being a bit unfair. But then again, among the diviners, the only one who could actually handle Fu Xuan's workload was Qingque.
"Cough, well, you see, Qingque... there's a reason for this. Fu Xuan hasn't rested in far too long. If I didn't force her, she wouldn't stop, so..."
"Boss, say no more. My hot, passionate heart has been shattered by you. Sigh..." Qingque clutched her chest, looking like she'd suffered a monumental injustice.
She played the part so well that 'Finality Kiana' actually started looking apologetic.
Fu Xuan was unimpressed. She reached out and gave Qingque a sharp flick right on the forehead.
--+--
T/N: If you want advance chapters, you can find it at [email protected]/AspenTL