Hearing Dehya talk about becoming the center of attention left Candace flushed with embarrassment.
The center of whose attention!?
These little undergarments inside weren't something to be shown off to just anyone!
She shot Dehya a glare, only to find Dehya wearing a mischievous grin.
That gaze kept darting toward Ye Xi—clearly she wanted Candace to wear the little undergarments to seduce Ye Xi!
This made her feel even more mortified and indignant.
She stole a glance at Ye Xi and found that he didn't seem to have noticed any of this, which let her breathe a sigh of relief.
Ye Xi suggested, "Let's head outside first—we need to get the plane out."
With that, he walked toward the door.
Watching Ye Xi's retreating figure, Dehya leaned in close to Candace's ear and whispered, "Candace, have you thought it over?"
"This... this isn't really a good idea, is it?"
Candace lowered her head, a faint blush surfacing beneath her honey-colored cheeks.
Actually, when Dehya had come to find her the day before, she'd already brought this matter up with her.
Namely, that Candace should become family too—become one of Ye Xi's little wives.
To be honest, the proposal had caught her quite off guard.
Setting aside whether Ye Xi would even take a fancy to her, the crux of the matter was: how could she steal a man from her dear best friend?
How awkward would that be!
"What's not good about it?"
Hearing Candace's answer, Dehya was thoroughly puzzled. "Candace, when did you get so indecisive? Where did that bold, straightforward spirit of yours go?"
Candace sighed and shook her head. "Dehya, I..."
"Sorry, no matter what, I can't steal a man from you..."
"Huh? Just because of that!?"
Dehya was at a loss for words. "You saw it yourself yesterday, didn't you? My Master Ye Xi already has so many wives—if it were really a matter of stealing, there'd be no place for me at all."
"One more of you makes no difference. On the contrary, we could all live together every day—wouldn't that be nice?"
Candace was slightly taken aback, and felt a touch of hesitation. "This...."
She felt that what Dehya said seemed to make some sense.
Besides, life in the Serenitea Pot really was wonderful!
In the Serenitea Pot there were no skies full of windblown sand, nor the scorching heat of the desert.
She could indulge in the hot springs, and even get to eat delicacies that were hard to come by in Sumeru!
Even the bedding to sleep in was soft, large, and warm.
These days, with Ruin Guards patrolling Aaru Village at night, it was very safe, and she no longer needed to stay on guard around the clock.
If she could return to the Serenitea Pot every night and be together with everyone—how wonderful that would be!
Dehya folded her arms. "Even granting everything you said, your coming would actually help me win the Master over!"
"Eh? Why?"
"Just think about it—that fellow Ye Xi has so many wives, how can he ever keep all of them company?"
"Once you've come, whenever the Master is keeping you company, you call me along too—then wouldn't I get to spend more time with Ye Xi?"
Hearing this explanation, Candace was speechless.
Before Candace could open her mouth, Dehya patiently coaxed her further, "And besides, once you become one of Ye Xi's little wives, you'd gain another Eye of God."
"By then your strength would soar—that would be a huge help to your duty of protecting the village, too."
This point truly struck a chord in Candace's heart.
She was the guardian of Aaru Village—the stronger she was, the better she could protect it.
With one more Eye of God, her power wouldn't merely double or triple—it would be far greater than that.
With things put this way, Candace no longer had any reason to refuse.
She nodded. "In any case, I'll live in the Serenitea Pot for now."
"And if Master Ye Xi wants me, I won't refuse, that's all...."
Getting this answer, Dehya laughed and patted Candace on the shoulder. "Alright, we'll do as you say."
"However, I did promise Ye Xi that I'd deliver you to his bed within three days."
"Going by what you said, how about tonight?"
"Ehh——!?"
Candace's face filled with astonishment. "Wait a moment—what's this promise about 'within three days'!? I never heard anything about that!"
"Hehehe, let's go, let's go, Ye Xi's been waiting outside for ages!"
Dehya didn't answer, only smiling brightly as she pushed her out of the house.
At that moment, outside.
Ye Xi arrived in the courtyard with Nahida and Greater Lord Rukkhadevata.
Their appearance left Anpu, the village chief next door, stunned.
"Dendro Archon! Master Ye Xi!?"
"What brings the several of you to the village!"
Uncle Anpu hurried over to pay his respects, flustered. "I'm the village chief here—I truly never imagined the Dendro Archon and Master Ye Xi would come, and failed to give you a proper welcome!"
Nahida said with a smile, "There's no need to be nervous, Chief. We're only passing through Aaru Village—shortly we'll be heading into the desert."
"Yes, yes, Dendro Archon!"
Anpu hurriedly asked, "If you're going into the desert, Candace can serve as a guide!"
"If the Dendro Archon has any need, just tell me anytime."
Just as he was speaking, Candace came out of the house. "Uncle Anpu, I'm here—don't worry."
Seeing Candace, the village chief finally relaxed.
Ye Xi found a relatively flat, solid clearing not far off and brought out the helicopter.
A massive black machine appeared in the street, instantly drawing countless onlookers.
"Wh-what is that!"
"Look! It's Lesser Lord Kusanali! And the Lord Tree King too!"
"Master Ye Xi is actually here as well!?"
"That machine—could it be Master Ye Xi's flying vehicle!"
"Yes! I was fortunate enough to see it once before in Sumeru City!"
"Heavens, it looks incredible! Can this thing really fly!?"
"....."
The villagers were astounded.
Seeing that he'd drawn quite a crowd, Ye Xi spoke up, "Villagers of the desert, do not go to the northwestern region of the desert today—there will be danger there."
"This trip is to resolve some trouble. Everyone must take care for your safety."
Hearing Ye Xi's words, the villagers responded one after another.
"Yes, Master Ye Xi, we won't leave the village today!"
"Is the Master going to fight alongside the Dendro Archon? You must be careful!"
"What are you talking about? The Master is so formidable—what danger could there be?"
"Trouble that requires both Dendro Archons to go and deal with it must surely be no small matter—could it really be an ordinary battle?"
"I hope the Master returns safe and sound!"
Hearing this, Ye Xi smiled and replied with a few words, then glanced back at Dehya and Candace.
Dehya solemnly urged, "Master, if you run into danger, you must come back first!"
"Dehya and I will be waiting for you here in the village!"
Ye Xi gave a nod and climbed into the plane.
Greater Lord Rukkhadevata and Nahida waved to everyone and boarded the plane as well.
As Ye Xi started the plane, the rotors began to spin, producing a tremendous roar.
Sand and dust kicked up from the ground, blocking everyone's view.
As the noise grew louder and louder, the helicopter broke through the windblown sand and soared into the heavens.
At the sight, the villagers immediately burst into cheers.
"It really took off! Amazing!"
"What an incredible machine—if we had a plane, getting to Sumeru City probably wouldn't take long at all!"
"Such speed—truly worthy of Master Ye Xi!"
"...."
Seeing the crowd around her shouting like this, Candace felt quite satisfied inside.
It showed that Ye Xi's reputation in Aaru Village was very high as well.
She watched the plane's shadow recede into the distance, praying in her heart that Ye Xi's journey would be safe.
...
The helicopter sped swiftly through the high skies above the desert.
Below, it passed over the Khaj-Nisut, then crossed over Mt. Damavand, where the sandstorms raged fiercely.
The sandstorms here were uncannily terrifying, with yellow sand filling the sky.
No matter how Ye Xi kept raising the altitude, the visibility in the sky never changed in the slightest..
"No good, we can't go any farther forward—the storm ahead is too strong."
Hearing Nahida's words, Ye Xi nodded. "Let's set down first."
The windblown sand ahead grew thicker and thicker—it was no longer suitable for flying.
He retracted the helicopter right there in midair, then, with one arm around each of them, flew straight down onto the sand.
Nahida pressed her palms together, and a green dome of light appeared around them, sealing out the sand and wind.
"Whew.... what an enormous sandstorm!"
Nahida breathed a sigh of relief. Beside her, Greater Lord Rukkhadevata knit her brows slightly and said in a low voice, "I sense it—Apep is nearby!"
Before the words had fully left her mouth, the sandstorm suddenly turned violent, as if to blow them away.
Even the broken stones on the ground began to tremble.
Had it not been for the dome of light Nahida had created, no one would likely have even been able to open their eyes.
Amid that sky full of swirling sand, a tremendous roar suddenly rang out.
Roar——!
Ye Xi looked up, and in the hazy windblown sand there appeared an utterly colossal figure!
Like a great serpent, it coiled atop the dunes.
That enormous form startled even Ye Xi.
Suddenly, a pair of eyes lit up.
"Ye Xi, that is the Dendro Dragonlord, Apep."
Hearing this, Ye Xi nodded and shielded Nahida and Greater Lord Rukkhadevata behind him.
At this moment, the Dendro Dragonlord gave voice.
"Tiny god, tiny humans, leave my domain."
"Amid this sky of yellow sand, frail and insignificant beings like you are courting your own deaths."
This tone was brimming with contempt—for Ye Xi, for Nahida, and for Greater Lord Rukkhadevata.
In its eyes, only an ancient-era dragonlord such as itself was fit to survive.
Humans and gods were nothing more than outsiders.
Their power, like their stature, was tiny and could not withstand a single blow!
Nahida explained with an earnest gaze, "We've come to save you, Apep..."
Before Nahida could finish, Apep cut in, "I do not need to be saved!"
"And least of all by the likes of you! Par, Buer!"
"You are just like Amun—you who existed for but a fleeting moment, yet, relying on the radiance of the heavens, style yourselves the lords of this land!"
"Apep."
Greater Lord Rukkhadevata said calmly, "I know you hate gods and humans, but your body's condition is already in dire shape."
"No matter how great your hatred, you still want to go on living, don't you?"
"This is the [Everflame Seed]—it can restore your [Heart of the Oasis]."
"Hmph, I have no need of such a thing!"
Apep gave a cold snort and raged, "Stop pestering me, or I will destroy you with my own hands!"
With that, Apep began to move its enormous body, preparing to leave.
Nahida and Greater Lord Rukkhadevata wanted to say more, but Ye Xi stopped them.
"Since you're unwilling to be saved, then be tamed by me instead."
"Apep, I want you to submit to me."
The moment these words were out, the expressions of Nahida and Greater Lord Rukkhadevata changed.
Apep, which had been about to leave, abruptly whipped its head around as well.
"Human, what did you say?"
"Submit?"
"A tiny, frail human actually demands that a dragonlord who has existed in Teyvat for tens of millions of years submit!"
"Are you provoking me!"
Ye Xi knit his brows slightly and held out two fingers. "I'll give you two choices, Apep."
"First, bow your head to me now."
"Second, suffer some bodily pain, and then bow your head."
Hearing this, Apep was so furious it ground its teeth, and let loose a tremendous roar toward the sky.
Roar——!
"Human, you have succeeded in enraging me!"
"Buer, Par, do you truly believe I am so weakened that I cannot fight!?"
"You shall all pay the price!"
.....
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