"They… where are they?"
On the snow-covered peak, Huaxi, wrapped in a thick, tattered cotton coat, forced back her tears. Her eyes were red as she hoarsely asked.
Lin Tuo understood—she was asking about the humans and beasts.
"As you heard, they've already gone to the transfer land. They're temporarily settled there. Before long, they'll be sent to the New Continent. That place… well, at least it will be much better than this wasteland."
He sat beside her, offering comfort and explanation.
Huaxi wasn't sure if she really understood. She just stared at him blankly before whispering:"This… all this… it has something to do with you, doesn't it?"
"Mm." Lin Tuo didn't deny it. But before Huaxi could ask further, he said, "Let's not talk about that for now."
It was too complicated to explain, and he hadn't decided how.
Seeing her nod, Lin Tuo continued:"So stop crying. I'll send you to rejoin the others."
But at those words, Huaxi suddenly froze. She quickly reached out, clutching his sleeve, her expression complicated:
"Will you go too?"
"What?"
"I mean… to the transfer land. Are you going there too?"
Lin Tuo hesitated. In the end, he didn't lie."Perhaps I'll go once. Perhaps I won't. I told you, I come from far away, from another place. So…"
"So wherever you go, I'll go."
Huaxi's tone was unexpectedly serious, and her small hand gripped his sleeve tighter.
Lin Tuo blinked, needing a few seconds before realizing what she truly meant.
"You want to come with me?"
She wasn't talking about the transfer land, or the not-yet-formed New Continent. She meant leaving with Lin Tuo—to the world outside the sand table.
Huaxi herself lacked any concept of that. But after spending these days with him, she had instinctively developed a deep reliance.
In the wasteland she had no parents, no family, no friends. She had survived alone, always tense, always struggling. Until Lin Tuo dragged her along as a guide, she had never once felt "safe."
No worrying about beasts. No worrying about food or travel. Sleeping when tired, eating when hungry. Things she had never experienced before.
Without realizing it, she had begun to depend on him. And now, as even the world she'd lived in for over ten years was about to end, her fear of the unknown only deepened.
If she had to step into a new world anyway, then staying by his side was the best choice.
"Mm… I may not be good at much, but I'm strong enough. And I'm quick with chores…"
Her voice dropped, lacking confidence. She knew her request was bold. In the wasteland she had at least her experience as value—but in a new world? What could she offer?
Obedience? A bit of labor? It didn't feel like much…
So when she finally voiced her wish, she was already braced for rejection.
But Lin Tuo fell silent, thoughtful.
His first instinct, of course, was to refuse. To send her to the transfer land, then on to the New Continent.
But seeing her bite her lip, he hesitated—and began considering whether it was feasible to take her out.
Technically, it was. He had tested it long ago—even once carrying an elephant out of the sand table.
The problems lay elsewhere.
Housing? The martial hall had plenty of space—even a dozen Huaxis could fit.
Identity records? The Wushan Martial Hall was so remote it hardly mattered. Without ID, life was inconvenient only in certain places, but mostly survivable. Just another mouth to feed.
As for the Evolution Sand Table? It was bound to him alone. No one else could see or touch it. Having her around wouldn't interfere.
In fact, there were even advantages.
Living alone, many daily things lacked a helping hand. With her, he could have company, conversation. Someone to play games with, to share hotpot with.
Because of the sand table, he couldn't easily live with friends. But Huaxi… if explained properly, it might work.
And if the sand table acted up again, he wouldn't have to handle everything himself. Interrogations, errands—she could help.
Perhaps even act as a watcher in the sand table worlds, filling in the "operation logs."
And… the Martial Hall.
He had already begun sowing the seeds of martial culture, but he couldn't openly take students yet—not until he was strong enough to face any force on Earth.
So why not start small? Secretly open the hall with just the two of them—Huaxi as his first student?
The more he thought, the more fitting it seemed. His eyes even brightened.
"At least we can try for now. If it doesn't work out, I can always send her back to the sand table."
"Yes… but I'll still need to think how to explain the two worlds, and my role between them…"
Lost in thought, he stayed silent so long that Huaxi grew anxious. At last, she whispered:
"If it's too much trouble… just pretend I never said anything…"
"Alright."
"Huh?"
"I said—it's alright. I'll take you to my world."
Her eyes instantly lit up, a smile breaking through her long-frowned face.
But Lin Tuo quickly added:"On one condition."
"I agree!" Huaxi blurted, jumping up.
"…You—you'd be sold before you noticed," Lin Tuo sighed.
"Hehe, I'm not worth anything anyway," she answered proudly.
He rubbed his forehead, helpless."Fine. In a moment, hold onto me tight. I'll take you out of here. But no matter what you see, no matter your questions—don't ask. Not yet. I'll show you around first."
"Mm! I'll listen!"
She tossed aside her weapons at his request, then clung onto him.
"Ready?"
"Mm! Pilot Huaxi, ready for takeoff!"
Lin Tuo chuckled. He gave one last look at the drowned wasteland below, then closed his eyes.
"Consciousness switch!"
At the Wushan Martial Hall, in the study, Lin Tuo carefully held Huaxi and his avatar in his palm. On the panel, he toggled to "Observation Mode."
Light flickered—over the sand table, Yang City appeared.
The sky was just brightening; in the east, the sun's edge was rising.
Guiding the process, Lin Tuo merged his avatar—and Huaxi with it—into his hand, rendering them transparent to observers. Then he carefully placed them in the Martial Hall's courtyard, the spacious training ground.
"Wait here for me," Lin Tuo told her. Then he pushed open the study door.
Moments later, he stepped out—his avatar absorbed—dressed in light summer clothes.
"This is where I live," he said with a smile.
At that moment, both of them instinctively turned east.
The sun leapt over the horizon, flooding the world with golden, warm light.
Huaxi froze, her hands and feet stiff, then whispered in awe:
"What a beautiful sun."
(End of Chapter)