Sylvia stood up and walked towards Tingyun, who had come to fetch her.
"Did something good happen, Benefactor?"
Tingyun, holding a folded fan, looked curiously at Sylvia's smiling face, feeling her own mood lift.
"Not really, just beat an opponent in a game. More importantly, Tingyun, did you come find me for something specific?"
"This humble one was worried the Benefactor might get lost on their first visit here, so I came to check."
Sylvia walked to Tingyun's side, putting her phone away.
"I'm not that directionally challenged. I can remember the way back."
Tingyun didn't press the point, instead changing the subject:
"Where does the Benefactor plan to go next?"
"Well… I was planning to go back and wait for Acheron to wake up, then decide."
Sylvia thought of Acheron. She was sleeping so soundly, who knew if she was awake yet.
"Would this humble one be able to escort the Benefactor? Regarding the hair-care ointment you prepared earlier… I was wondering if I might boldly request a portion."
Tingyun smiled sweetly, bending forward slightly and closing the distance between them somewhat.
From a safe social distance to a slightly more intimate space.
Sylvia averted her gaze slightly. Thinking about the leftover materials, she could probably whip up a bit more.
"Alright then. There are some materials left, might as well not let them go to waste."
"Then this humble one thanks the Benefactor in advance."
As she spoke, Tingyun straightened up and proactively headed towards the stairs. Sylvia, as she had on the way there, walked alongside her.
On the way.
Tingyun briefly mentioned Yukong's teasing of her, but omitted any topics related to the Xianzhou.
Sylvia could guess that their conversation after she left probably covered more than that, but she didn't tactlessly bring it up.
She was just a bit flustered by Tingyun's manner of speaking, which was less like a complaint and more like coquettish whining.
--+--
Returning to the hotel room.
Tingyun had already left on her own. Sylvia pushed the door open alone.
As soon as she entered, she saw Acheron, already fully dressed, sitting on the sofa and eating slowly.
Acheron, taking small bites of a bun, looked like she was chewing meticulously, but her cheeks were puffed out.
It was inexplicably cute.
The moment she saw Acheron, a bright smile instinctively spread across Sylvia's face.
"You're awake? How did you sleep last night?"
Her mouth full of food, Acheron didn't speak, just nodded to indicate she had finally managed a good night's sleep.
"That's good."
Seeing Acheron nod, Sylvia felt a bit more at ease.
At least Acheron didn't seem to be contemplating drawing her blade to give her a piece of her mind.
Sylvia kicked off her shoes, stepping onto the room's carpet in just her socks, and relaxed onto the sofa next to Acheron.
Acheron's face was still without its usual makeup.
Although Acheron's beauty was already breathtaking, according to her, this makeup was more like a way of clinging to the past.
Watching Acheron slowly swallow the food in her mouth, Sylvia spoke up:
"Tingyun brought these over this morning. Do you like the taste?"
"Very delicious."
Freed up, Acheron's lips still held a thin, glossy sheen of oil.
"Did you go to meet with the Whistling Flames Merchant Guild earlier?"
"Yes. Yukong from the Xianzhou Luofu's Sky-Faring Commission met with me. Mostly to thank me and such, and then she invited me to visit the Luofu. But I haven't agreed yet."
Acheron took a small sip of Five-Grain Jade Elixir and tried a piece of Songlotus Cake, eating while curiously turning her head to look at Sylvia, as if wondering why she hadn't accepted.
Seeing this, Sylvia poured herself a small cup of Five-Grains Nectar.
"The attackers yesterday mentioned an Emanator. I think the Luofu is probably on high alert right now. Tingyun is also a target of the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus. Inviting us to travel together probably has the dual intention of ensuring Tingyun's safe passage and enlisting our help."
As she spoke, Sylvia cautiously took a small sip and frowned slightly.
"Of course, I imagine you, Acheron, probably don't mind, and I don't really either. But the main thing is, I don't know where you plan to go next."
Since she was willing to step in and save someone yesterday, helping out a bit more was fine. Going to the Luofu would also be a good chance to call in more favors.
The reason Sylvia didn't immediately agree was genuinely because she wanted to ask Acheron first, to see her next destination.
Even though they'd previously said they would still part ways, planning to reunite in Penacony after Sylvia became stronger.
But saying it was one thing; she still felt a little reluctant.
"The Xianzhou…"
Acheron didn't reply immediately.
Although she couldn't remember many things, she still had some self-awareness.
She was also aware of her own power; major factions who knew of her would be wary.
Ordinary people might just think she was a Galaxy Ranger, but the Xianzhou's Arbiter-Generals probably knew her true identity.
If this invitation had the Luofu General's approval, then the current Luofu General had quite the nerve.
Probably wanting to borrow her strength to help the Xianzhou have a safety net?
Involving the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus and a possible Emanator, that General probably had a major headache.
But unfortunately, she had little interest in being anyone's safety net.
"It seems I haven't told you about my strength."
"Strength?"
Sylvia was taken aback for a moment, thinking carefully. It seemed Acheron had only mentioned her power came from the Path of Nihility.
She really hadn't said she was an Emanator of Nihility.
Of course, because Sylvia already knew this information, she had never asked, simply taking it for granted.
Seeing Sylvia's stunned expression, Acheron thought she had finally remembered this point, and proactively said:
"Actually, I can be considered an Emanator of Nihility. And the General of the Xianzhou… is probably aware of this."
Sylvia first felt overwhelmed by the honor that Acheron would voluntarily reveal her identity to her, then she grasped the implication in Acheron's words.
"I see. The Luofu's invitation might be because they want to borrow your power to counter that Emanator of unknown origin, or they might even suspect that you are the Emanator the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus mentioned."
Acheron nodded. Seeing Sylvia catch on so quickly put her mind slightly at ease.
Sylvia continued: "In that case, maybe it's better not to go to the Xianzhou for now."
Sylvia could naturally understand the Luofu's wariness, but there was no need to rush headlong into troubled waters.
Her main goal in going to the Xianzhou was to get more 'pull' opportunities and meet some of the lovely ladies there.
No need to force her way into a mess.
If Acheron didn't know where to go next, it might be better to travel with her a bit more, then head straight to The Blue to wait for a chance to 'pat a certain duck's butt'.
However, contrary to Sylvia's suggestion, Acheron refused.
"I actually think we can go."
"Huh?"
"I have little interest in these matters and won't stay on the Luofu long. But getting involved in these events would be good practice for honing your skills. Moreover, the Xianzhou has a renowned reputation and is one of the major factions worth building ties with."
After saying this, Acheron paused, lowered her head to taste a piece of beef offal, then added:
"You seem to quite like the Xianzhou's style, don't you? Don't worry too much about it."
--+--
T/N: First, what happened to only watching the trailer? Also, just in case, the duck isn't Bronya, its silver wolf.(well, silver wolf is basically bronie anyways)
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 3 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.