Jingliu stood frozen, as if seeing Baiheng again—piloting her starskiff, taking Shuhu with her to mutual destruction, turning back for one last smile before being forever separated.
Memories flooded her like the cold waters of the Ancient Sea, pulling her back into the mortal world. The terrifying, indelible aura of Mara gathered around her.
"Jing... Jingliu?"
Bailu stared at her in shock and fear. Yet even under such strange, oppressive power, she stepped forward on tiptoes and took Jingliu's hand.
Those blood-red, Mara-stricken eyes—bereft of humanity—reflected Bailu's shadow.
Tanhua Sword rose high, its power seemingly capable of crushing all of Changle in an instant.
Not far away, Herta, who had been calmly sipping tea, furrowed her brow. She had only a general understanding of the Xianzhou's Mara affliction. But this woman was the Swordmaster of the Luofu, disciple of a friend long past. The eerie Path power she displayed while fallen to Mara made her arguably the strongest beneath the Emanators.
Just as Herta prepared to step in and "calm" Jingliu with force, a melody from Ruan Mei's lute swept through like a sea of plum blossoms. In an instant, the blood-red faded from Jingliu's eyes, and the Mara aura gradually dissipated.
"Are you alright?"
Jingliu nodded gratefully to Ruan Mei. "Yes."
"Take Bailu and enjoy the festival. As for whether I will research the remains of that fallen Aeon, I will give you my answer in a few days."
Hearing this, Jingliu remained silent. That person had told her that if she merely relayed the matter of Tayzzyronth's remains to Ruan Mei, Ruan Mei would undoubtedly take that step without hesitation. In this world woven with Path power, she is a genius—and a madman—devoted only to her research. Even if it meant becoming a pawn in studying the remains of the Aeon of Propagation to slay the Aeon of Abundance, she wouldn't care.
But the Ruan Mei before her was the complete opposite of his description.
Jingliu glanced at Herta in the distance, then turned back to Ruan Mei. "He was wrong again."
A flicker of confusion crossed Ruan Mei's usually calm eyes.
"Three days from now, at dusk, still here in Changle. I will wait for your answer."
With those final words, Jingliu took Bailu and turned toward the brightly lit lantern festival.
"Jingliu, live on. A bad life is better than no life. Don't overthink it. I'll find a cure for you."
Childish, unfiltered, yet so sincere.
Jingliu gently stroked Bailu's head, smiling without a word.
She knew better than anyone: this was her last time taking Bailu to the Luofu's lantern festival. Guessing lantern riddles, walking the old streets, watching fireworks, buying her mille-feuille rolls and candied fish...
If only time could stop right here.
"Ruan Mei, let's go. Stop staring. We should see the lantern festival too."
Ruan Mei nodded and walked toward Herta.
"Oh, Ruan Mei, do you know where the Luofu's lantern festival comes from?"
"I don't."
Herta crossed her arms with a hint of triumphant pride. "It's from Cangcheng."
"Careful How do you know?"
"I visited Cangcheng several times. Its prosperity far surpassed that of Cangyue Borough, Penacony, and Pier Point. It was hailed as the pinnacle of earthly splendor and mortal delight. But then it fell. The High Elder died in battle. The Swordmaster and Arbiter-General vanished. The few who escaped settled on the Luofu. When they missed their homeland, they wove lanterns to let their loved ones know they still lived in this world."
"At this rate, the Cangcheng people are dwindling. Someday, this lantern festival might disappear from the Luofu altogether."