Ningguang's slight frown masked a flurry of rapid thoughts in her mind.
The mysterious, identity-shrouded outsider, Ji An...
Shenhe's old acquaintance who also shared the name'Ji An'...
Shenhe's distinctly abnormal emotional reaction just now...
Could such coincidences truly exist in the world?
Perhaps they could, but Ningguang, as a seasoned merchant, always favored high-probability outcomes in both her decisions and her conjectures. Therefore, she had reason to believe that the 'Ji An' from the investigation team was the same 'old acquaintance' Shenhe spoke of.
Taking it a step further, if merely seeing the characters 'Ji An' could cause such a visible emotional disturbance in Shenhe, was it possible that the battle which caused Liyue's anomalous weather... had been ignited because of him?
'What is Mr. Ji An's relationship with Shenhe?'
Outwardly calm, Ningguang continued her internal analysis. Due to the previous incident, she had investigated Shenhe's family records. There was no one named 'Ji An' among them.
'What could their relationship be? They are both young...'
Ningguang pondered thoughtfully. Mr. Ji An was, without a doubt, an exceptional individual. Before the team's departure, she had met the members and naturally seen Ji An. Even she couldn't help but privately acknowledge his striking appearance and bearing.
As for Shenhe, she was an adeptus disciple, living a secluded life in the mountains, sustained by dew and immortal herbs, seemingly detached from mortal affairs. But she was still flesh and blood, in the bloom of her youth and beauty. Could she truly be utterly untouched by worldly feelings? Perhaps she just hadn't met the right person.
'I see. So that's it.'
A knowing smile touched Ningguang's lips. She believed she had found the answer. The origin of the anomalous weather event became clear in her mind.
Thinking this, Ningguang sighed. "Miss Shenhe, I am a woman too. I can understand the importance one places on their first experience with love."
"But as someone who has seen more of life, I must tell you this: once you've weathered more of life's storms, you'll look back and find that those who once caused you heartache will seem... insignificant."
She looked at Shenhe, a rare flicker of compassion in her eyes. "So, don't be so impulsive in the future. It's not worth it. The person you should love most... is yourself."
"...?"
Shenhe's brows drew together in confusion as she looked at Ningguang, completely baffled by her words.
Cloud Retainer: ?!
'What? What does Ningguang mean? My disciple is in love? How is it that I, her master, know nothing about this?!' Cloud Retainer felt a jolt of alarm. She had just managed to seal away her disciple's memories related to that 'son' business, and now a lover appears?
Has my disciple grown up and entered a rebellious phase...? Is she keeping things from her own master now? A pang of sour melancholy washed over Cloud Retainer.
...
[Ding! The effect of 'Rockbore Pangolin's Heartscale' has been triggered. Fatal damage blocked. Remaining uses: 2]
Just as Ji An's consciousness was fading into darkness, the system's voice chimed in his ear.
Then, he felt his soul, which had nearly dissolved into nothingness, being forcefully stuffed back into his body like packing cotton. Simultaneously, subtle changes occurred within him. The lethal wounds began to heal; the skin on his back, scorched by Pyro, sloughed off, replaced by new tissue.
'Ah, so the Heartscale buff triggered. I'm not dead.' The thought drifted through his muddled mind.
He struggled to lift his eyelids. His blurred vision sharpened, and his senses gradually returned.
He felt himself cradled in a warm, soft embrace.
Chaotic, muffled sounds reached his ears.
"Xiao An... wake up... don't leave me again..."
Before his eyes was a pale girl's face, her eyes brimming with tears, her body wracked with sobs.
Until Ji An let out a faint groan.
Hu Tao's body stiffened. Light blossomed in her eyes. "Xiao An... wuwu... Xiao An, you're finally awake...!"
"You..."
Ji An looked at Hu Tao, his lips moving with difficulty.
"Xiao An, what is it? I'm listening!" Hu Tao hurriedly leaned her head closer.
Ji An's voice was barely a whisper. "Your... hand... you're crushing me..."
"Ahhh! Xiao An, I'm sorry! I-I didn't mean to!" Hu Tao froze for a second before hastily moving her hand.
"Cough... it's fine... but be careful... I'm a bit fragile right now..." Ji An's face was devoid of color, speaking an immense effort.
This Heartscale works exactly as described, he grumbled inwardly. It only blocks fatal damage, ignoring everything else? In gaming terms, he felt like he had 1 HP left—the kind that would keel over if a pebble hit him.
"Xiao An, don't move. Let me heal you..." Seeing Ji An's improved condition revitalized the distraught Hu Tao. She placed her hand on his chest, ready to channel her elemental energy.
"W-wait a moment, Hu Tao... you know healing arts...?" Though his body was weak, Ji An's mind was clear. While he trusted Hu Tao wouldn't harm him, a sliver of apprehension remained. After all, Hu Tao's profession wasn't that of a doctor but the Director of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor...
"I do. Xiao An, you might not know this..." Red elemental energy flowed from Hu Tao's hand into Ji An's body. "but, in its earliest days, the Wangsheng Parlor walked the land as healers and physicians..."
"Huh? My condition really is improving." Ji An was surprised to feel his metaphorical HP bar filling up from that precarious '1'. So Hu Tao was a little medic, too?
Once stabilized by the healing, he finally had the energy to assess their surroundings. By the ancient tree, Xiangling and Guoba were protecting Master Lu and the others. The monsters from the Blossom of Revelation were nearly eliminated; the fight was almost over.
"Where's that Primo Geovishap?" Ji An was startled to find the massive creature gone—and Herloxia missing as well. Had Herloxia driven it off?
He quickly called out mentally, 'Herloxia?'
'Chirp.'
An instant, joyful response came, filled with relieved delight.
'Don't worry, I'm okay now,' he reassured it. 'Herloxia, are you chasing the Primo Geovishap?'
The answer he received was unexpected. Herloxia had lost it! According to the information relayed, the Primo Geovishap had triggered a rockfall. While Herloxia was clearing the debris, the creature had burrowed into the complex network of underground rock layers and escaped.
This raised a new suspicion in Ji An's mind. From what he'd witnessed, the Primo Geovishap's obsession with the ancient tree—or the Blossom of Revelation—was profound. It had guarded the place even after destroying so many Ruin Guards. Moreover, being psychically linked with Herloxia, he knew Herloxia was currently low on special energy and was no match for the Primo Geovishap.
That massive beast... had no logical reason to flee.
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