After the barbecue, everyone relaxed for a bit before getting ready to rest.
Cloud Retainer, of course, invited everyone to stay at her Adeptus abode.
It was spacious, with plenty of guest rooms.
Though, truth be told, she rarely had visitors over all these years.
"Feel free to choose any room you like."
"Thank you, Master."
"There's a bath in the back. I made the bathing mechanism myself. Just flip the switch for hot water—feel free to use it."
"Got it."
"There's also an automatic laundry device I built. Toss your clothes in and it'll wash them. Super convenient."
"Nice."
"If you need water, there's an auto-dispenser over there. Just go fill up."
"Great."
"…"
Cloud Retainer, trying to look nonchalant, introduced her many inventions to the group.
Everyone found the array of cozy, everyday gadgets surprisingly charming.
Whether by coincidence or design, Xia Zhi's room ended up right next to Shenhe's.
On the other side of his room, naturally, were Xia Ci and Xia Zhen.
Xia Zhi entered his room.
It was clean, with fresh bedding and pillows.
Most likely Shenhe had tidied it up for him.
He sat at the desk, took out the elemental reaction box Little Crane had given him, and began modifying it.
For him, it was simple.
He could directly use the Geo authority he'd obtained from Zhongli to alter anything he wanted.
The box's internal structure shifted in his hands.
Moments later, the modification was complete.
Xia Zhi stored the box away and, just because, prepared some incense.
A familiar and slightly awkward knocking sound came from the wall next door.
Xia Zhi chuckled, took out the [Master Key], and opened a door in the wall.
Shenhe stood on the other side in her sleepwear, not stepping in but beckoning him over.
"Boss, come here."
"Hm?"
Xia Zhi walked over.
Shenhe said softly, "This was my old room. What do you think?"
"Very simple style."
She had always been a reserved person, not one to care much for material things.
Most of the furniture was probably placed here by her master.
They sat on the bed.
Shenhe quietly told him about her life here.
It wasn't the most exciting tale, but it felt warm and intimate.
As night deepened, Shenhe made the first move.
"Stay here tonight?"
"Okay."
And that was that.
Well, almost.
Maybe because it was the room she'd grown up in, Shenhe seemed a little shy.
--
In another room.
Madame Ping was telling Yaoyao a bedtime story.
Call it a bit of nighttime education.
Perhaps worn out from an afternoon of fishing, Yaoyao drifted off to sleep before the story ended.
Madame Ping stopped speaking and gently pulled the blanket up over her.
She was just about to rest herself when she heard a soft knock on the door.
"Ping…"
Madame Ping blinked and went to open it.
Cloud Retainer stood outside.
"What is it?"
Madame Ping kept her voice down, seeing her friend show up so late.
"Yaoyao's asleep. Let's talk outside."
Cloud Retainer glanced into the room and nodded.
"Alright."
They stepped out into the night.
"Spill it. What do you need me for?"
"I want to ask a favor."
"What kind of favor?"
"I plan to take human form tonight."
"Form transformation?"
Madame Ping looked at her in surprise.
"You're already capable?"
"No, not on my own. But Mr. Xia gave me a pill. He said it would let me transform immediately."
"A pill like that exists? …Well, if it's from Mr. Xia, I'm sure he's not lying. If it can save you years of cultivation, it's a good thing."
"Mm. I want to take it tonight. I'd like you to stand by and protect me during the process."
"Of course."
"Come with me."
They entered the depths of the Adeptus abode.
This was where Cloud Retainer had been cultivating in solitude.
She closed the door and took out the bottle.
A gentle breeze blew past, and the cork popped off on its own. A plain-looking pill floated out of the bottle, suspended in midair.
Madame Ping eyed it curiously.
"That's the Transformation Pill?"
"Yes."
"You know how painful transformation can be. I've already set up a seal—no sound will escape to disturb the others."
"Good."
Cloud Retainer swallowed the pill.
Moments later, a soft white light enveloped her.
She folded her wings.
The white glow wrapped around her completely.
Then, before Madame Ping's eyes, a large white egg appeared.
"This pill… really is incredible."
Madame Ping murmured, watching the egg.
She sat down cross-legged and closed her eyes, quietly waiting.
She had assumed it would take a while—usually an entire night.
But after only half an hour, she heard a crisp cracking sound.
Crack.
Surprised, she opened her eyes to see a thin fracture on the egg's smooth surface.
"Already? …Or did it fail?"
Crack, crack…
More cracks appeared.
Tiny fragments began to fall away.
Under Madame Ping's watchful gaze, the egg suddenly shattered.
A tall, curvy woman emerged.
That familiar appearance—no doubt, it was Cloud Retainer.
Madame Ping breathed a sigh of relief.
"So, it worked…"
The woman inside the egg opened her eyes, dazed at first, then focused and spoke in a sultry voice.
"Ping."
"Congratulations, Cloud Retainer."
"Heh…"
"Stop grinning and put some clothes on."
"Oh, right… Forgot…"
Cloud Retainer waved her hand, and the broken eggshells floated up, turning into white light and forming an elegant, ethereal feathered robe.
She slipped it on and took a few steps, savoring the feeling.
"This pill really is miraculous."
"How did it feel?"
"Like I just closed my eyes, blinked, and when I opened them again—I was done."
"No pain at all?"
"None!"
"Tsk tsk…"
"I thought it'd be like last time—agonizing. If I'd known, I wouldn't have bothered asking you to stay."
"You little…"
"I feel like taking a bath. Ping, come with me."
"Let's go."
They headed to the bath.
Cloud Retainer activated the mechanism, and warm water began to flow.
Once the tub was full, she slipped off her robe and stepped in, a contented look on her face.
Madame Ping, too, dispelled her illusion, revealing her youthful and beautiful true form.
As she undressed, she noticed Cloud Retainer staring at her with a weird look.
"What are you staring at?"
"No, it's just… Ping, did your figure get… better?!"