That afternoon, the Luminary Wardance competition was drawing to a close.
Thanks to Ruan Mei and Herta's intervention, Hoolay had long since returned to the cosmos.
Yunli and Yanqing no longer needed to abide by their promises to Huaiyan.
They had arrived early at the Skysplitter to participate in the Luminary Wardance, effortlessly crushing their opponents all the way to the finals.
Ruan Mei brought Herta to the sidelines, ready to see who was truly stronger—Yanqing or Yunli.
Herta yawned boredly.
"Ruan Mei, since when do you care about this kind of competition?"
Ruan Mei took a delicate sip of tea and replied calmly.
"A little curious. If you're truly bored, you can go back and rest."
"Fine."
Just as Herta stood up to leave, she heard the voice she least wanted to hear.
"Madam Ruan Mei?! What a coincidence. Are you here to watch the Luminary Wardance finals as well?"
Ruan Mei opened her eyes slightly and saw Lingsha approaching.
"Yes."
"Madam Herta is leaving? May I take her seat?"
Herta's face darkened. She immediately sat back down and let out a heavy snort.
"Unfortunate. I've just become interested in watching these finals myself."
Lingsha gave a soft "Oh" and exchanged a few words. Bailu, sitting on Ruan Mei's other side, shifted slightly to the left.
Seeing this, Herta shot Bailu a look.
(What's going on? You're afraid of her?!)
Bailu quickly gestured back.
(Lingsha gave me too many snacks this time.)
Herta was about to tell Bailu she'd give her double when Lingsha blocked her.
"Hmm? Madam Herta, shouldn't your gaze be on the Luminary Wardance arena?"
"Little Red Snake. You've only lived a few hundred years. Are you sure you want to go against me?"
At this nickname, Lingsha's veins bulged. Flames flickered in her eyes as she glared at Herta. She gritted her teeth, repeating to herself: Don't get angry, don't get angry.
"Sigh. Some people live a long time, but they're not really living—monotonous, boring, lonely—hiding behind puppets."
"Oh? My apologies. Herta Space Station has tens of thousands of people. I am never lonely."
"Researching the Simulated Universe, the Unknowable Domain, multiple audiences with Aeons. Does that sound boring to you?"
Lingsha opened her mouth to retort, but Herta cut her off.
"Apologies. Some people couldn't get an audience with an Aeon in ten lifetimes of Vidyadhara reincarnation."
"I also lack so-called empathy. The gap is simply too vast. Like dust and stars. Like mayflies and the Arbor."
Lingsha felt like she couldn't breathe. She shifted her focus to Ruan Mei.
"Madam Ruan Mei, I've brewed some new spices. After the finals, would you accompany me to the Alchemy Commission? Alone?"
Before Herta could object, Ruan Mei replied calmly.
"Cauldron Chief Lingsha. An old friend's birthday is this evening. We'll discuss spices another time."
Herta beamed.
First humiliated by Herta, then rejected by Ruan Mei—Lingsha felt the world spin. Her mind went blank.
Bailu quickly fed her some medicine. When Lingsha came to, Bailu whispered,
"Madam Ruan Mei, this friend wouldn't be Helmsmaster Yukong, would it? Coincidentally, I'm also attending her birthday on behalf of my master."
"After the competition, please bring Bailu and me along to offer our birthday greetings."
Bailu hadn't expected Lingsha to include her. Free ride to a banquet? Not bad.
Herta's expression darkened further. Why won't this Lingsha leave Ruan Mei alone?!
I almost talked her to death. Hmph. I doubt you Vidyadhara have nine lives.
Before Ruan Mei could answer, Herta demanded,
"Lingsha. Do you insist on opposing me? What is it about Ruan Mei that you care about so much? I'll have her change!"
Dead silence.
The crowd behind them instinctively looked at Herta.
Qingque, not far away, noticed them.
"Wow, Grand Diviner! Madam Ruan Mei and Madam Herta are here too! How did we miss them earlier?"
"Stop talking and watch the match. After this, we're going back to the Commission to organize documents."
"No way, Grand Diviner! Today is Sunday!"
Noticing the gossiping glances, Ruan Mei signaled Herta to calm down and return to her seat.
"Cauldron Chief Lingsha. At Yukong's birthday banquet tonight, please represent the Alchemy Commission and look after the Vidyadhara Dragon Lady."
"Herta and I will represent the Genius Society."
Lingsha blinked. Realizing her invitation had been politely declined, she nodded, looking as dejected as a defeated dog.
"Alright. Understood."
Herta, channeling her Eidolon 1 energy, stood up again to gloat—but a single glance from Ruan Mei stopped her.
"Watch the match."
Herta snorted and nodded, locking eyes with Lingsha in a silent standoff.
Herta: (You loser.)
Lingsha: (You and Madam Ruan Mei are incompatible.)
Herta: (We've been collaborating for several Amber Eras. Who are you to talk?)
Lingsha: (Several Amber Eras, and you're still just Genius Society colleagues. That says a lot.)
Herta: (You!!)
Herta summoned her magic key. Ruan Mei shot her another icy glare.
This look forced both Herta and Lingsha to turn their attention to the arena.
Yunli and Yanqing were locked in combat, sword light flashing.
Both had their reasons for not losing.
Yanqing: General Jing Yuan, my teacher, my friends on the Luofu are watching. I cannot lose!!
Yunli: My grandfather's gaze, everyone on the Zhuming watching the livestream. I cannot lose!!
"Ten Thousand Swords Descend!!"
"Cloudreaver, Moonsunder!!"
Sword light and flames engulfed the arena. Dust and smoke billowed.
Everyone except Ruan Mei and Herta stood up, straining to see.
The crowd murmured in awe.
"Who won?!"
"The smoke is incredible."
"Two of the Xianzhou's finest prodigies. Truly terrifying."
When the dust settled, Yanqing's face was streaked with ash. His flying swords were gone.
Yunli's Old Iron lay at the edge of the arena. Her hair was grayish-white, her ornaments fallen.
Both had reasons not to lose. Both held grudges. Time to settle them.
March 7th, sitting beside Firefly, rushed down. After she left, Firefly unconsciously leaned toward Stelle.
"Little masters! Let's talk this out!"
"I have nothing to say to her/him."