Xianzhou Luofu, Alchemy Commission.
"I never imagined that after all these years, the Luofu Alchemy Commission would still look exactly the same," Lingsha murmured, gazing at the familiar scenery. "Not a single change."
"For us Vidhyadhara, nothing evokes more nostalgia for our homeland than the tides of the Ancient Sea."
The group, invited by Lingsha for tea at the Alchemy Commission, strolled through the market. Lingsha, her expression filled with wistful remembrance, sighed softly as she took in the familiar sights.
"Hmm? Are you originally from the Luofu, Miss Lingsha?" Dan Heng asked, his eyes flickering with interest.
"Indeed," Lingsha replied, turning to face him with a gentle smile. "I grew up here. After experiencing certain... vicissitudes, I journeyed far from home. Returning here now, and witnessing this familiar scene, I can't help but feel deeply moved."
"Indeed," Yanqing added, gazing at the Ancient Sea tides. "Even among all the Luofu's attractions, the Alchemy Commission's scenery is a place worth visiting. It's just a pity..."
"If only that eyesore of an Ambrosial Arbor wasn't there, the view would be so much better."
"Shall I help you move it?" Lumina's eyes lit up at Yanqing's words, and she quickly offered her assistance.
If Yanqing had dared to nod, Lumina would have uprooted the Ambrosial Arbor on the spot and carried it away whole.
She had no ulterior motives—Lumina simply thought the Arbor's wood would be perfect for making furniture!
If the Ambrosial Arbor weren't so crucial to the Luofu, Lumina would have done this long ago.
Then again... Lumina glanced at the towering tree. This thing's so massive, surely a little trimming wouldn't be noticed, right?
"Er... Lady Lumina, let's leave it as is," Yanqing stammered. "While the Ambrosial Arbor may be an eyesore, it adds a unique charm to the Ancient Sea's tides. It's best left where it is."
Knowing Lumina's true identity, Yanqing had no doubt she could move the Arbor. He immediately rejected her offer.
"Hehehe, Lieutenant Yanqing, your thoughts align perfectly with mine," Lingsha chuckled, then added, "The Ambrosial Arbor's presence enhances the grandeur of the scenery."
"Should we make it even more magnificent?" Lumina gazed at the lone Ambrosial Arbor standing in the distance, finding it rather monotonous. We should at least embellish it into a floating palace, right?
"Um... Lady Lumina, perhaps we should discuss more conventional topics?" Yanqing grew slightly worried upon hearing her words, fearing she might actually act on her fanciful ideas.
If she did, he'd have no way to stop her...
"Didn't you say we were having tea? Where's the tea?"
"Hurry up and bring out some premium tea for me to sample."
Lingsha's earlier invitation to drink tea at the Alchemy Commission kept echoing in Stelle's mind. After such a long wait without tea, Stelle was starting to get impatient.
Hmm... Well, mostly Stelle sensed the shift in atmosphere and decided to say something.
"Mm... My apologies, I was being rather rash." Lingsha apologized before shifting the conversation to more practical matters, inquiring about various aspects of the Alchemy Commission.
"..."
"Don't worry," Lingsha said, her voice gentle. "For adults our age, indulging in personal grudges is a luxury we can no longer afford."
A moment later, the conversation concluded with a subtle nod from Lingsha, signaling its end.
"..." The group fell silent, offering no comment on her words.
Tap... tap... tap...
The faint sound of bare feet padding against the floor drifted into the ears of everyone present.
"Sister Lingsha, you're back! I've been waiting for you for ages!"
A familiar voice rang out beside them.
"..." Hearing the voice, everyone instantly recognized the speaker. Yanqing, March 7th, and the others fell silent, while Lingsha and Lumina turned their gazes toward the source of the sound.
"Hmm?" Yunli, her eyes still fixed on Lingsha and her face radiant with a childlike smile, noticed Yanqing, March 7th, and the others. Her smile instantly vanished.
"Yunli, why aren't you staying with Grandpa? What are you doing wandering around the Alchemy Commission?" Lingsha asked, oblivious to the change in Yunli's expression. Her face lit up with delight as she waved the girl over.
"Come, let me take advantage of this time to introduce you to everyone..."
"Yunli, it's nice to see you again."
Before Lingsha could finish speaking, Lumina waved at Yunli and greeted her first.
"Mm, Lumina, it seems we're destined to meet again." Yunli naturally couldn't ignore Lumina's greeting. Her previously dejected face instantly brightened with a smile.
But after exchanging pleasantries with Lumina, Yunli's smile vanished once more. Crossing her arms, she sighed in mock resignation and said flatly, "Ah, what a small world it is."
Meeting Lumina: "We're destined to meet again."
Meeting Yanqing: "What a small world it is."
Excellent. After spending some time with Lumina, Yunli had already absorbed a bit of her "Lumina-esque virtues."
"You—!" Yanqing's face flashed with anger, but he quickly suppressed it. Taking a deep breath, he calmly said, "Now, will you finally return the sword you stole from me?"
"Hm?" Lingsha's eyes widened slightly, surprised that Yunli and Yanqing knew each other.
Closing her eyes, Lumina chuckled softly. "I see. Then let's skip the introductions."
"Uh... what now?" March 7th watched the scene unfold like two children squabbling, a headache already brewing.
"If they can't resolve their quarrel, it's simple—just add another child to the mix!" Lumina suggested with a playful grin, her gaze settling pointedly on March 7th.
"Sister Lumina, when did you become so mischievous...?" March 7th frowned, hands on her hips, and glared playfully at her beloved older sister.
A mischievous Sister Lumina? Even better!
"Go on, unleash March!" Stelle chimed in with keen perception, urging March 7th to step in and break up the quarrel.
"..."
"Aha! Now I get it—you're the one who made Sister Lumina so mischievous, aren't you?!" March 7th, still simmering from Lumina's earlier antics, squarely blamed Stelle for the situation.
"That's right! Sister Lumina has been molded in my image!" Stelle retorted, not denying the accusation but instead striking a triumphant pose with hands on her hips, adding an utterly audacious remark.
March 7th, Lumina, Lingsha: ?
Dan Heng: ...
Stelle: (o≖◡≖)