The external injuries Cloud Retainer had sustained during her mechanism testing had originally been healed by Xia Zhi using light-based magic.
However, at the time, Xia Zhi had been limited by his low mana reserves and could only use the most basic [Healing] spell to restore her wounds.
Though it had appeared as though he had fully treated her, there were actually still some lingering issues.
Cloud Retainer removed her outer robe.
Xia Zhi carefully examined her physical condition.
"Mr. Xia, what's the verdict?"
"There are indeed some hidden injuries, and there are also traces of poisoning."
"Poisoning? Ah, that's probably from when I was tidying up the mechanism workshop a few days ago…"
"What happened?"
"I had Madame Ping help me clean up, but she's rather clumsy and accidentally triggered a mechanism's switch, releasing some toxic gas."
"..."
Wait, why do you even have such a strange mechanism lying around?
"I see."
"I have the antidote stored at my place. I'll take it when I return."
"You also seem to have some residual karmic debt on you."
"That must be from when I exterminated some evil spirits in the mountains."
"Do you often subdue demons, Cloud Retainer?"
"Not really. Dealing with evil spirits is troublesome—only Xiao is truly adept at it. But sometimes, if I come across them, I can't just ignore them."
"You truly have a kind heart."
That was probably the source of all the virtue accumulated on her.
"As for the karmic debt…"
"It's fine, nothing major. I'll help you cleanse both it and the toxins now."
"Thank you, Mr. Xia!"
Xia Zhi raised his hand and cast [Divine Healing] on Cloud Retainer. A brilliant golden light enveloped her body.
Immediately, she felt a soothing warmth spread through her entire being.
Next, Xia Zhi cast [Advanced Divine Dispel], and a radiant golden halo pulsed outward from Cloud Retainer's form.
She then felt an incredible lightness, as though all the invisible impurities clinging to her had been swept away by that light.
"How do you feel, Cloud Retainer?"
"Wonderful!"
"Good. Then we'll end here for tonight. If you ever feel fatigued in the future, you're welcome to come back for another massage."
"Of course!"
Not long after, Cloud Retainer emerged from the room.
She still felt somewhat unsatisfied.
Mr. Xia's massage had been far too enjoyable.
If she had known, she should've opted for a full-body massage.
Being her first time experiencing something like this, she had naturally lacked experience.
Next time, then.
She'd definitely try it next time.
Cloud Retainer made her way to the bathhouse for a soak.
After her bath, she returned to her room, retrieved the antidotes, and headed to her best friend's treehouse next door.
"Ping."
A moment later, the door opened.
Madame Ping stood at the entrance, eyeing her. "What is it?"
"Take this."
Cloud Retainer handed her a small vial.
"Remember that poison mechanism you accidentally activated the other day? This is the antidote."
"I shut it immediately after it opened. I wasn't poisoned."
"Even if we thought so at the time, Mr. Xia examined me earlier and confirmed I had traces of it. You were standing closer—you must've been affected too."
"My constitution isn't the same as yours."
"Just take it! Why must you always be so stubborn?"
"..."
Madame Ping reluctantly accepted the vial.
Cloud Retainer studied her for a moment before asking, "Ping, you haven't had Mr. Xia examine you yet, have you?"
"No."
"You should."
"I'm not sick."
"I'm not talking about illness—I mean karmic debt. Even though you usually stay in Liyue Harbor, you've still dealt with your fair share of evil spirits over the years, haven't you? That filth clings like maggots to bone. Even if you don't notice it, it's still harmful. Before, there was no way to remove it, but now that Mr. Xia can, you should ask him to cleanse it for you."
"...I understand."
"You could also try his massages. I just did, and it was truly wonderful."
Madame Ping gave Cloud Retainer a strange look.
"You actually went through with it?"
"Why are you looking at me like that? Didn't you suggest it last time?"
"You certainly moved fast… So, did you manage to hold back?"
"Hold back what? My voice? Of course I did."
"Pfft. So, you'll be going back for more?"
"Naturally. There's nothing shameful about it."
"Oh…"
"Besides, Mr. Xia is a god. It's not like he has any ulterior motives."
"Oh…"
"Say, Ping… You actually want to try it too, don't you? You're just hesitant because of your current elderly disguise—"
SLAM!
The door shut in her face.
Cloud Retainer blinked at the closed door, her sentence left unfinished.
"Fine. I'll go to bed too."
---
Deep within the Sanctuary of Surasthana in Sumeru, inside a secluded room…
Nahida opened her eyes, having just concluded her routine exchange with her sister through the Akasha.
Xia Ci had taught her how to modify the small cubes today.
A look of eager anticipation crossed Nahida's face as she retrieved an Akasha Terminal, dismantled it, and began tinkering.
Before long, a modified small device lay in her palm, lighting up successfully.
Xia Ci had also shared the dream node coordinates for Azhdaha's domain.
Nahida activated her dream authority—identical to her sister's—and linked the device to the dream server.
The signal bars on the device's screen instantly maxed out.
Nahida input her sister's contact number and sent a friend request.
Seconds later, it was accepted.
[Nahida]: Sister.
[Xia Ci]: Mhm, good. You finished faster than I expected.
Seeing her sister's praise on the screen, Nahida couldn't help but smile faintly.
After chatting for a while, Xia Ci sent her two more contact numbers.
[Xia Ci]: One's for your sister Baal, the other's for your brother Xia Zhi. Add them and say hello.
[Nahida]: Okay.
Nahida entered the numbers and sent out friend requests.
Within seconds, Baal accepted.
[Nahida]: Sister Baal, hello! I'm Nahida!
[Xia Zhen]: Nahida! Finally getting to talk to you! When are you coming over to play?
[Nahida]: Ah, well… I can't leave Sumeru right now.
[Xia Zhen]: Not physically! I meant the dream realm! Come visit my dream! Let me see how adorable you are in person!
[Nahida]: Um, sister said I shouldn't…
[Xia Zhen]: Shouldn't?! What's wrong with her?!
[Xia Zhen]: Don't listen to her! You're 500 years old—practically an adult! You should make your own decisions!
[Xia Zhen]: You've got dreamwalking powers too! Just sneak over! I promise I won't tell her!
…
Nahida stared at the messages, torn between amusement and exasperation.
[Nahida]: Sister Baal, 500 years is still young for me…
[Xia Zhen]: Doesn't matter! Come! I'll take you surfing! Show you some good stuff! Help you grow up real quick—%￥#@&
Suddenly, Baal's message devolved into garbled symbols.
Nahida blinked at the screen.
Had Sister Baal just been caught by her sister?
---
Elsewhere…
On a bed, two figures tussled in a tangled heap.
Despite her mature physique, Xia Zhen found herself thoroughly pinned by Xia Ci's smaller frame.
"What are you doing?!"
"Nothing."
"You stole my phone! No peeking at my messages!"
"Tch. 'Good stuff,' huh? 'Sneak over,' huh? And 'what's wrong with her'?!"
"There is something wrong with you! Snooping through someone's phone—I've never met anyone so shameless! Get off!"
"No!"
"I'll tell our cousin! That you're bullying me!"
"Go ahead!"
"You're only doing this because my power hasn't recovered yet! Using divine energy to bully a poor ghost like me! Just wait till I—"
"Pfft. You? The one whose blade has never tasted blood? I'd be scared if it were your sister, but even at full strength, you're no match for me."
"!!! You—you go too far!"
"Too far for a ghost."
"I'll call my sister—"
"I've got a sister too."
"Ha! Yours is only 500! Mine could flatten her with one hand—why are you smiling?!"
Xia Zhen froze as Xia Ci's lips curled into an eerie grin.
Slowly, Xia Ci turned her phone around.
The screen displayed an active call—with Nahida.
!!!
Xia Zhen's eyes widened.
Xia Ci brought the phone to her mouth.
"Nahida, did you hear what your sister Baal just said?"
"...I heard."
"See? Big sister was right. That millennia-old granny Baal is rotten to the core. You're still young—don't believe her nonsense."
"Mhm…"
"Alright, get some rest."
"Goodnight, sister."
"Goodnight."
Xia Ci hung up.
Xia Zhen gaped at her.
"...You're despicable."
"Am I?"
"You deliberately baited me into saying things to mislead Nahida!"
"Did I?"
"You did!"
"Then you're just not very bright."
"Grrr—give me back my phone! I need to explain to Nahida!"
"No, I just wished her goodnight. She needs her sleep. Can't have you disturbing her."
"!!!"
And so, the two best friends resumed their wrestling match.
----
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