The next morning, early dawn.
In the misty bathroom, steam swirled like a hazy dream.
On the frosted glass, Aponia's heart-trembling silhouette was reflected.
Smooth shoulder lines, a slender waist.
...
After a while, the door opened, and the two of them, freshly washed, walked out wrapped in pure white bathrobes.
Even with the loose fabric, it couldn't hide Aponia's near-perfect body.
The girl's lips were slightly pursed, her misty eyes filled with a hint of reproach as she glanced at Ryuga.
"Next time, can you put away the 'God' statue?"
Whenever he was with her, Ryuga liked to place a solemn divine statue in front of her.
The statue's eyes were lowered, silently judging her, the fallen nun.
So annoying.
Although her faith had long since collapsed, the lingering sense of shame and transgression would still pierce her heart at that moment, making her tremble in waves.
Ryuga mischievously hugged Aponia: "If you don't want to see it, just throw it away."
It was just a statue, after all, to add a little bit of atmosphere.
However, the statue's effect on Aponia was now diminishing; the thrill of desecration and the stimulation of transgressive faith were slowly fading.
He estimated that by the time he returned from Amphoreus, using the statue wouldn't provide much of a 'bonus' anymore.
"You only know how to bully me."
Aponia snorted softly and turned her head away.
"Because only at that time can I see the 'pure young girl' side of my dear Aponia."
Ryuga smiled and gently pinched Aponia's cheek, earning a charming roll of the eyes from the Sister... no, the High Elder sister.
In the lore, before joining The MOTHs, Aponia's image was quite different from the one people knew.
She was like a steadfast missionary with a "rocket launcher on her shoulder, a Gatling gun at her waist, a Bible in her left hand, and a Colt in her right"—both powerful and pure.
And in front of Elysia, the "only designated Sea King of The MOTHs," Aponia seemed to turn into a 'pure young girl.'
Elysia's pure goodwill was like a violent storm, easily breaking through Aponia's psychological defenses.
Although she appeared mature and steady on the outside, Aponia's heart remained as pure as ever.
"Hmph~"
Aponia snorted softly but didn't pull away from Ryuga's hand.
However, that indifferent expression of an ascetic nun was finally punctured just a little bit.
Ryuga smiled with satisfaction.
This trip back to Amphoreus would likely take a long time.
Before leaving, he naturally had to feed Aponia until she was completely full.
From last night until now, they hadn't rested, yet both remained refreshed.
"I am a High Elder."
Aponia composed her emotions, putting back on her indifferent, restrained, and detached ascetic cloak, though deep in her eyes, ripples still lingered.
"So what? I am the man who is going to ride a High Elder."
Ryuga stood with his hands on his hips, looking incredibly proud.
As soon as the word 'ride' came out, Aponia's newly tightened ascetic cloak shattered with a 'bang,' and her cheeks burned red again.
She bit her lip and turned her face away, her fingertips unconsciously gripping a corner of her bathrobe.
Ryuga laughed even more proudly.
"Alright, come out with me."
"Everyone should be waiting."
"Mm."
After they changed clothes, Ryuga took Aponia's hand and walked out step by step.
...
Breakfast was simple.
Vegetable-filled buns and freshly fried, golden, crispy dough sticks (youtiao).
Aponia wasn't used to the taste of Luofu soy milk, so she conveniently bought Star Taro Boba Tea.
Bailu drank it for the first time. With one sip, the rich taro aroma mixed with the milk fragrance exploded on her tongue, and her eyes instantly lit up.
"Delicious~"
"..."
Ryuga opened his mouth to speak, then sighed; the child had picked up a bad habit.
Back at the Alchemy Commission, although Bailu was confined, her three meals were exquisite—delicacies on jade plates, fine soup with silver chopsticks.
But she had never been truly happy.
And now, with just ordinary buns, dough sticks, and boba tea, Bailu's eyes were curved with laughter, and she was very happy.
Because she had learned from Aponia how to knead the dough, drop it into the pot, and fry it herself.
The oil sizzled, and for the first time, little Bailu felt that the mundane 'smoke and fire' of life could also bloom into flowers.
That sense of fulfillment and achievement from creating something from nothing was warmer than the exquisite dishes in the Alchemy Commission.
"What does Bailu want to do in the future?"
Ryuga asked casually while biting into a bun.
"I don't know!"
"Since I was little, they taught me medicine—memorizing pharmacopoeias, identifying pulses, refining pill formulas. For a while, I wondered if I was writing prescriptions even in my dreams."
"Fortunately, this lady never dreams."
Bailu tilted her head and thought, crunching on the dough stick, not caring at all that crumbs fell on her clothes.
After a pause, her gaze suddenly became clear.
"I should still practice medicine, right?"
"This lady wants to do what she can."
Ryuga nodded: "Mm, you can continue to go back to the Alchemy Commission and learn from the Chief Alchemist. No one will dare to harm you again."
The assassination of Bailu was intended to welcome a more powerful High Elder.
Now, Aponia, this High Elder, had taken the position and completely taken control of the Vidyadhara.
Harming her again would be meaningless.
Moreover, no one could escape Aponia's spiritual search; who would dare to have ill intentions?
She could scare them to death just by weaving a nightmare.
The name of the Healer Lady officially stepped onto the stage.
"What about Aponia?"
Elysia blinked and asked curiously.
Aponia was gently stirring her boba tea with a small spoon. Hearing this, she raised her calm eyes and thought for a moment.
"As a High Elder, aside from some major matters, I'm mostly quite free."
"I think I'll probably open a fortune-telling stall."
"Huh?"
Elysia was stunned, the bun in her hand almost falling into her milk tea bowl.
Ryuga knew exactly what Aponia wanted to do.
Jing Yuan had given her a large amount of property, and she had also exchanged some of the gold she held. Now, as a High Elder, she had financial freedom; raising those 100 orphans wouldn't be a problem.
She wanted to find a way to change destiny.
In the past, no matter how she changed the trajectory of cause and effect or fate, people's endings would ultimately slide into a tragic abyss.
She didn't believe in fate, yet she repeatedly lost to it.
Now she had a new identity, new power, and a new starting point.
She wanted to change, to personally tear through that layer of mist obscuring the future and jump out of the predetermined script.
"Then Master Diviner Fu will probably cry."
Ryuga shook his head with a smile.
"Hmm? Why would this official cry?"
At that moment, a 'pink-haired shorty' walked into the sanitarium—it was Fu Xuan.
Jing Yuan was with her.
"Why is the Master Diviner here?"
Ryuga turned his head, looking curiously at the heavy 'medical box' on Fu Xuan's shoulder, feeling a bit puzzled.
Is the Master Diviner moonlighting as a doctor?
"Naturally, I'm here to give them injections."
"Also, I am not yet the Master Diviner."
Fu Xuan puffed out her cheeks and placed the box on the table with a 'thud.' After a 'click,' the metal buckle popped open, revealing neatly arranged Synesthesia Beacons inside.
"It's only a matter of time."
"You should switch to calling yourself 'this seat' (benzuo). I'm really not used to hearing 'this official' (benguan)."
"I believe you've already experienced Aponia's ability to peer into destiny. If she opens a stall, the Divination Commission will collectively lose their jobs."
Ryuga picked his ear and leaned lazily against the back of the chair.
Fu Xuan was currently still a Diviner, an official who led other diviners, just one level below the Master Diviner.
"You—"
Fu Xuan's cheeks puffed out with anger as she glared at him.
But thinking of Aponia's ability, she deflated and forced her anger back down.
She decided to ignore Ryuga, turned around, and briskly opened the equipment bag, skillfully preparing to give the children their injections.
Aponia translated for them. Hearing that they were to get 'injections,' the children instinctively shrank their shoulders, feeling a bit fearful.
But thinking that they would still need Mama Aponia to translate when playing with Bailu, they were no longer afraid.
"Has the General eaten? Want some?"
Elysia greeted with a smile.
On the table were several freshly fried dough sticks, golden and crispy, with a rich aroma.
"Alright."
Jing Yuan didn't refuse, picking up a dough stick and taking a bite. He didn't care about the simple breakfast; on the contrary, he ate with great relish.
Elysia watched in amazement. Where was the dignity of a General?
He looked like an ordinary traveler.
"I've crossed blades with my Master. She seemed... quite a bit weaker?"
Jing Yuan narrowed his eyes and said.
Ryuga smiled. This was a probe; Jing Yuan was likely becoming suspicious.
He had known about the chat group's battle report since last night.
Skirk had unexpectedly run into Jing Yuan. After a fierce battle for a while, it ended in a 'draw.'
After all, she was his mentor. Jing Yuan didn't summon his 'Gundam' (Lightning-Lord), but even so, he still suppressed Skirk, and the final blow even sent her flying.
"You are her disciple; how could she use lethal force?"
"Besides, she's not weaker. She has found new power and is currently having her strength suppressed by me while she adapts to it."
Ryuga lied without blushing or his heart skipping a beat.
Then he slowly added a sentence.
"If you don't believe me, I'll go and release her suppression right now, and you two can try again?"
At worst, he'd just pull the real Jingliu over and see if she'd beat him until he cried.
Without summoning the Lightning-Lord, he was no match for Jingliu.
Jing Yuan's chopsticks paused, the dough stick hanging in mid-air.
He was just a bit suspicious; he always felt that his Master seemed to have become much more of a stranger?
Stumped by Ryuga's words, he was momentarily speechless.
"So, what exactly is she here for?"
Ryuga found it funny: "Don't you already know? She went to see Bailu. Bailu was bullied like that; could she just sit still?"
Bailu's ears twitched, and she suddenly looked up: "Was that person yesterday the General's Master?"
"Mm. Her name is Jingliu. she specifically rushed back to see you."
"You used to be good friends."
Ryuga nodded.
Good friends?
Bailu thought for a moment; that must have been before her molting rebirth, right?
At that moment, a sudden rush of footsteps came from outside, accompanied by a clear cry of "Master!" as Carole rushed in, looking travel-worn.
Clearly, she had run all the way here.
Without regard for anything, she pounced from behind and gave him a big hug.
Ryuga was caught off guard and coughed twice, feeling the amazing softness and bounce; it felt quite comfortable on his back.
"Master, you came and didn't call me."
"You only called me when you were about to leave. I didn't even have time to properly host you."
Carole complained coquettishly.
Ryuga smiled helplessly and patted her arm: "Mm, next time I'll notify you in advance."
"This is Carole, my self-proclaimed disciple."
"This is Aponia, the new High Elder of the Luofu."
"If you have anything, look out for each other."
Carole quickly let go and winked with a smile.
"I'm just a small clerk in the Realm-Keeping Commission; what is there to look out for? On the contrary, I'm the one who really needs the High Elder's care."
"Hello, Carole."
Aponia listened quietly and nodded with a gentle smile.
She understood; this Carole likely also had a 'bedside' relationship with Ryuga.
...
Planet Screwllum.
Suddenly, a streak of crimson light flashed across the sky, trailing a long tail of flame as it flew toward the three of them.
Ryuga's pupils shrank.
Good heavens!
Is this the surprise Vill-V mentioned?
It's clearly a shock.
At first glance, he thought Tony Stark had traveled here.
The armor with red accents was very similar to Tony's Mark 50.
Yes, the one he used when fighting Thanos.
The armor performed a nimble flip in the air and landed steadily. Vill-V spread her arms as if showing off her great invention.
"Eh? Why did Cipher get smaller?"
As she spoke, Vill-V realized—no, Cipher couldn't leave Amphoreus.
"Who is this?"
As she spoke, the armor flowed and receded like mercury, retracting along her limbs and finally converging at her waist, forming a shimmering 'gear.'
"This is Pardo."
Elysia's eyes sparkled as she clapped in amazement: "By the way, that suit just now was so cool, Vill-V."
"Sigh~"
"Who told a certain someone not to give me the Ascended inheritance? I had to do it myself to be well-fed and well-clothed."
Vill-V first let out a faint sigh, glancing at Ryuga with feigned grievance.
Then she stood with her hands on her hips, her nose tilted up with pride.
"But it's not bad, right? I've tried it; it once withstood a simulated planet-level impact head-on without a scratch."
Seeing her proud little face, Ryuga couldn't help but reach out and pinch Vill-V's nose.
"Alright, stop bragging."
"With the top-tier materials from Planet Screwllum and your talent, if you still couldn't achieve this, I'd have to wonder if I picked up the wrong person."
"Take me to see the 'Divine Key,' and by the way, I've brought you two new materials."
Tony's suit could withstand a satellite impact; if Vill-V couldn't do it, it would be too embarrassing.
"Let's go! I'll open your eyes!"
Vill-V's eyes lit up, and she cheerfully turned to lead the way.
Before long, a massive black and gold locomotive head came into everyone's view.
Its majestic and domineering form was very powerful.
"Whoa... if I didn't know better, I'd think the Astral Express had arrived."
Ryuga let out a low exclamation.
"The Astral Express? You're talking about 'The Trailblaze' faction, right? I have indeed studied them."
"Mm... actually, the design of the 'Cosmic Juggernaut' was inspired by the existence mode and operational logic of the Astral Express."
Vill-V smiled and looked back.
As she spoke, she patted the magnificent creation and explained proudly.
"I named it the 'Cosmic Juggernaut.' Like the Astral Express, it possesses the ability to manipulate space and can even create a gate leading to the Imaginary Tree."
"In addition, the 'Cosmic Juggernaut' can observe parallel worlds and create world bubbles."
As she spoke, Vill-V suddenly let out a sigh of regret, looking at Ryuga with confusion.
"I really don't know why you insist on suppressing its power to the level of a 'Herrscher Core.' If the restrictions were lifted, I could create something that surpasses the Astral Express."
Ryuga listened quietly without refuting, reaching out to rub her cheek.
"I know you're amazing, but this level is enough."
This 'Divine Key' was, after all, a legacy prepared for Su, and also a foreshadowing buried for the world five thousand years later.
It would fall into Otto's hands in the future, guiding him toward the predetermined trajectory and ensuring that Kiana's birth would not deviate.
But as for whether Otto ultimately obtained it?
Actually, that wasn't important.
Even if a deviation occurred, he could intervene at any time to ensure Kiana's appearance.
Subsequently, Vill-V showed her other masterpieces: the 'Void Archives' and the 'Seven Thunders of Retribution.'
Mm, the truly critical one was the 'Void Archives.'
The significance of the Seven Thunders of Retribution was relatively weaker.
He'd take it back for Sakura to play with.
Ryuga used the 'Copy Mirror' to copy one of each and put them away.
This left Vill-V dumbfounded; it had to be her man.
After handing over the Wind and Ice Herrscher cores to Vill-V, he had intended to leave, but Vill-V grabbed his wrist.
"What? You want to leave without leaving some protein behind?"
"Ahem, then I'll stay for a day."
Before Ryuga could finish, he was picked up by Vill-V in her 'Iron Man' form and flown into the sky.
"What are they doing?"
Pardo was full of confusion.
"Mm, they're probably going to... comfort the heart of a certain lonely girl."
Elysia blinked and smiled meaningfully.
Pardo: "???"
Even more confused.
...
A day later, Ryuga walked out of the detached villa surrounded by mechanical flower garlands, looking exhausted and somewhat helpless.
"No way, no way, are you drained already?"
Elysia covered her small mouth and teased.
To be continued…
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