At the Alchemy Commission's Contemplation Terrace, overlooking the ancient sea, this place housed various Vidyadhara medical texts and archives. It was also the temporary residence of Lingsha, the newly appointed Cauldron Chief.
"Chief Cauldron Master, this is a visitation card sent by the Dragonfang."
Lingsha, who was selecting spices, furrowed her brow—but recovered in an instant.
"Put it over there."
"Yes, ma'am."
The healer left. When she was alone, the smile vanished from Lingsha's face. She held the card over a candle flame and watched it burn to ash.
"Dragonfang, schmagonfang. If it weren't for him, how could my master have been exiled from the Luofu?"
Lingsha took a deep breath.
"Don't get angry. Don't get angry. Once I gather enough evidence, I'll make sure that Dragonfang answers for his crimes."
Another healer approached Lingsha.
"Chief Cauldron Master. Lady Bailu and two of her friends wish to visit you. Do they have an appointment?"
Lingsha blinked, then quickly recovered.
"Let them through."
---
When they entered Lingsha's quarters, they looked around. Ink-bamboo motifs adorned the walls, and all the furniture was bamboo-woven—quiet and elegant.
An ancient qin rested horizontally. Curling incense smoke rose from an altar, rich and uniquely refined.
"Sister Lingsha!"
"Little Bailu. Here."
Lingsha produced a piece of candy and handed it to Bailu. Then she turned her gaze to Ruan Mei and Herta.
The girl in the magic hat seemed familiar, yet she couldn't quite place her.
But Ruan Mei, lute in hand, plum blossom fragrance as ever—Lingsha felt an immediate affinity. She must have some appreciation for spices as well.
"You two are?"
Herta ignored Lingsha entirely. She went to the window and gazed out at the ancient sea.
"So this is the Ancient Sea? The Vidyadhara's sacred site. Not bad, I suppose."
Ruan Mei replied softly,
"I am Ruan Mei. This is Herta."
Lingsha blinked, then immediately came to her senses. She had read once—among the top three fragrances in the cosmos was the plum scent created by Ruan Mei.
"So you are Madam Ruan Mei! Seeing you in person is worth more than a hundred rumors. Just as the texts describe—brows like distant peaks, temperament cool and elegant."
Ruan Mei simply smiled calmly, offering no rebuttal.
Lingsha quickly rose.
"Two geniuses honor my humble abode. Allow me to prepare tea and pastries."
Herta crossed her arms, showing no intention of being cordial. She sensed this woman could actually hold a conversation with Ruan Mei.
"No need. We're just accompanying Bailu on a walk. We don't plan to stay long."
Lingsha maintained her smile, though inwardly she was exasperated. They say never hit a smiling face. Why is this Herta so unreasonable?
"Well... distant guests are still guests. And you're Bailu's friends. Tea and pastries will be prepared shortly. I'll return momentarily. Madam Ruan Mei, please wait."
Lingsha shifted her tone, casting a cold sidelong glance at Herta.
"However, if certain individuals truly disdain my humble abode for its lack of music, they are welcome to leave. No need to see them out."
Herta glared at Lingsha.
"You?! You dare speak to me like that?"
"I'm merely stating facts."
"We're leaving!"
Herta grabbed Bailu and Ruan Mei.
"Great Demon Lord Herta! Sister Lingsha's tea and pastries are exceptional. I brought you to the Alchemy Commission specifically to see her!"
"Bailu! Whose side are you on?!"
Lingsha smiled faintly and walked over to Bailu.
"Bailu is the Vidyadhara Dragon Lady of the Alchemy Commission. I am the newly appointed Cauldron Chief of the Alchemy Commission. So... who is the outsider?"
"You! Be quiet!"
"And if I'm not?"
Ruan Mei cleared her throat. Everyone fell silent instantly.
"Let's go out."
Herta was pleased. Lingsha sighed.
As Ruan Mei stepped outside, she addressed them calmly without turning around.
"There's a pavilion with seats outside the gate. The view of the ancient sea is clear. Miss Lingsha, please prepare tea and pastries there."
Herta blinked. Lingsha quickly nodded and assented.
...
Minutes later, when the tea and pastries were served, Herta accepted them most reluctantly.
"Passable. Not the 'Xianzhou's finest' Bailu claimed."
Lingsha's temples visibly throbbed. She clenched her fists.
But she kept smiling, inwardly chanting: Don't get angry, don't get angry. If she dies from anger, only Herta would be pleased.
Ruan Mei closed her eyes, took a sip of tea, and sampled a pastry. She nodded slightly.
"This tea has a pure aroma, a clear and spiritual quality. Excellent craftsmanship."
"As for this pastry—dragon-eye shaped, layered a thousand times, rich and fragrant. Paired with this tea, it truly deserves to be called Xianzhou's finest."
"But neither is traditional to the Luofu, am I right?"
Lingsha's brow relaxed. She replied softly,
"Madam Ruan Mei is indeed well-traveled and perceptive—unlike certain hat-wearing individuals pretending to be aloof."
"You!"
"This tea is called Imperial Brew. I brought it back from the Zhuming. A gift from the Zhuming High Elder."
"As for the pastry... legend has it that several Amber Eras ago, a Yaoqing foxian piloted a starskiff that crashed on an unknown planet. After enduring seven calamities, she finally harvested this ingredient and returned."
Ruan Mei instinctively spoke the name.
"Baiheng?"
Lingsha said nothing. She simply nodded silently.
The moment she heard those two words, Bailu froze. The pastry in her hand fell to the ground.
She murmured to herself.
"Baiheng? This... why does that name feel so familiar? Baiheng... Baiheng..."
Lingsha replied calmly,
"Perhaps she was your past life."
"Past life? But I'm Vidyadhara. Sister Lingsha just said Baiheng was a Yaoqing foxian."
Herta turned her gaze to Bailu.
"Maybe there's a way for you to transform. The universe is vast—anything is possible. Ruan Mei should know something about this."
Ruan Mei cast a cool glance at Herta. Herta shut her eyes and chose silence.
Bailu tugged at Ruan Mei's sleeve.
"Big Sister Ruan Mei... sometimes I have a dream. I dream I'm piloting a starskiff, visiting many worlds."
"But in reality, I can't even fly a starskiff. Last time I tried at Starskiff Haven, I nearly crashed into the Grand Diviner."
Hearing this, Ruan Mei lowered her head and pressed further.
"Have you had any other dreams, little Bailu?"
Bailu hesitated for a moment, then answered without thinking.
"Sometimes I dream of a woman with ice-blue hair and crimson eyes. She alone could command an army... her silhouette was truly majestic."
"Then there were three others—no, including me, four of us. Drinking and chatting together, hunting down those Abundance remnants, protecting the Xianzhou."
"Oh, and every time I see General Jing Yuan, he seems familiar too. But I already know him, don't I?"
Bailu finished speaking and scratched her head silly.
Herta, Ruan Mei, and Lingsha exchanged glances.
Ruan Mei handed another pastry to Bailu.
"Bailu. Just these dreams?"
Bailu accepted the pastry. After thinking hard, she came to her senses.
"At the very end... I encountered an enemy almost impossible to defeat. I think... I perished alongside them. Then I went to the Hall of Karma."
"But somehow, I returned to the living. Transformed into a mindless monster."