What happened at the grand theater was kept tightly under wraps. Aside from the IPC, the Garden of Recollection, and the Masked Fools, almost nobody outside knew the truth.
Of course, once the IPC and the Masked Fools had their hands on it, it was only a matter of time before the whole universe started hearing rumors.
Even so, Penacony's festivities continued.
Two more days passed.
For most guests, what had happened wasn't a "battle" at all—just another layer of dream stacked on top of dream.
Now the Charmony Festival was being prepared again at an astonishing speed. At this rate, everything would be back on track within days.
And in the waking world, at the Reverie Hotel…
The Xianzhou delegation finally arrived.
At the front desk, several well-dressed guests were checking in, the staff wearing their standard polite smiles.
Then the main doors opened again, and two women walked in—completely different in temperament, yet equally impossible to ignore.
Baiheng and Jingliu.
The pairing alone drew attention.
Baiheng, walking slightly ahead, wore a crisp, practical ranger outfit and openly examined the hotel's glittering decor with curiosity.
Jingliu beside her wore plain white, her presence cold and razor-sharp—so out of place amid the lavish brightness that she seemed to cut through it.
"So this is Penacony's Reverie Hotel?" Baiheng said, eyes widening a little. "It really lives up to the reputation. Even more… flashy than the files."
She looked sideways. "Well? Jingliu, are you starting to feel a little excited?"
"…Mm." Jingliu answered flatly—so perfunctory that anyone could hear she didn't mean it.
Baiheng was already used to that look.
Ah, they really weren't joking about 'a short separation feels like newlyweds,' huh.
She couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
Jingliu finally grew up…
Baiheng strode to the counter, planted both palms on the smooth surface, and spoke brightly. "Hi! We're here for the Charmony Festival."
The receptionist maintained the professional smile. "Certainly. Please show your invitation and identification so I can register you."
"Oh, yep, got it!" Baiheng rummaged through her small bag. The invitation was no problem—Jing Yuan had given her the Xianzhou's official one long ago.
The tricky part was her identity. She wasn't using "Baiheng" right now. She was "Bai Qing," effectively a clean slate.
But Jing Yuan had pulled strings. The paperwork had been processed through the appropriate channels in half a day.
"Here!" Baiheng handed over two exquisitely made jade-token documents. The emblem of the Xianzhou Alliance was unmistakable.
The receptionist accepted them, scanned the records, and froze mid-glance.
"Ah—are you two guests from the Xianzhou Alliance?"
Baiheng narrowed her eyes. "Is there a problem?"
"No, no, not at all!" The receptionist hurried to explain. "It's just—your delegation hadn't arrived for a long time. The Family assumed you were occupied and wouldn't be attending."
Baiheng laughed easily. "We were delayed. The Xianzhou only just finished a war with the Denizens of Abundance, so the aftermath took time."
She gestured casually toward Jingliu. "This is Jingliu—sword master of the Luofu, and a Galaxy Ranger. I'm Bai Qing, a pure-bred Galaxy Ranger. I'm basically hitching a ride on the Xianzhou's invitation."
"I see." The receptionist's tone turned even more respectful. "Welcome to Penacony. The Family has reserved the finest suites for the Xianzhou's honored guests. I'll complete your check-in immediately."
The process was swift. The receptionist handed Baiheng the room keys.
"The Charmony Festival will be formally held in three days at the Penacony Grand Theater. You will be guided there by dedicated staff. Until then, please enjoy Penacony's dream services."
"Thanks, miss!" Baiheng accepted the cards with a bright grin.
They were just about to leave when the receptionist called out again.
"Please wait—just a moment!"
"Hm?" Baiheng turned back. "Is there something else?"
"Yes. A distinguished guest of the Family—Mr. Yi Qing—asked us to watch for the Xianzhou delegation. He said that once you arrived, the Xianzhou guests should go to his residence to meet him."
As she spoke, the receptionist offered a small device—an intelligent map display.
"…How is he?" Jingliu asked.
It was the first time she'd willingly spoken to a stranger in more than a courtesy phrase. The moment she heard his name, something in her finally stirred.
The receptionist blinked, surprised at the question, then answered carefully. "Mr. Yi Qing is said to have helped the Family resolve a long-standing historical problem in the dreamscape. He's currently one of the Family's most honored guests."
She hesitated, curiosity showing. "As for details… that's above my clearance."
Jingliu's pale eyes flickered. "Thank you."
Baiheng snatched the device, excitement blooming. "Oh? Sounds like that guy's living pretty well."
She grabbed Jingliu's sleeve and hauled her along. "Come on, come on—let's go find him! We've been apart way too long. I want to see what kind of trouble he's stirred up in Penacony this time!"
They left in a rush, drawing more stares.
Soon after, Baiheng and Jingliu returned to their rooms and entered the dream.
Meanwhile, inside Penacony's dreamscape—
Within a private residence that Wei Qing had temporarily constructed using the powers of Harmony and Remembrance, the light was soft—like morning sunlight filtered through a gentle haze. The air carried a faint fragrance, a scent Wei Qing had recreated from a Xianzhou incense he remembered.
Wei Qing sat on a sofa, relaxed.
Across from him sat the Astral Express crew.
Firefly sat quietly to one side, composed and obedient.
They had just finished talking about the final period of the Express before it fell silent—stories from an era none of them had truly lived.
"So that's what Senior Granholm was like," March said, eyes shining. "He sounds amazing!"
Stelle frowned thoughtfully. "So Acheron once rode the Express too… and she personally escorted the train during its final stretch. She never mentioned that."
"And," Himeko asked with a graceful smile that suggested more curiosity than she was admitting, "after you left the Express, most of the time you traveled as a Galaxy Ranger… together with Miss Firefly?"
Wei Qing sipped his tea calmly.
Yes—Galaxy Ranger again.
He'd even casually patched Firefly into the role with a new "Ranger" backstory on the spot.
See? Rangers are the easiest to impersonate.
When in doubt: Galaxy Ranger.
"What, you doubt my identity?"
Then enjoy a Hunter's arrow to the face.
Wei Qing set the cup down. "The Ranger identity makes things freer. Easier to move. Easier to see the kind of stories you won't find on the Path of Trailblaze."
Firefly nodded at his side, playing along with perfect cooperation. "Senior taught me a lot."
March leaned forward eagerly. "Then you must've gone on tons of adventures! Tell us something super exciting!"
Even Stelle looked interested. Dan Heng angled his head slightly, listening.
Wei Qing, unbothered, launched into another "historical tale" with the practiced ease of someone who had made a career of half-truths and dramatic framing.
The mood was warm—until a crisp chime rang from the entrance.
A visitor alert.
At almost the same time, a lively voice came bounding closer.
"Yi Qing, you old thief! You're hiding out in a place like this enjoying yourself—whoa! There are so many people here!"
Baiheng dragged Jingliu in like she owned the place.
Baiheng's smile was bright, her gaze sweeping the room before snapping to Wei Qing—
And before Wei Qing could introduce anyone—
Jingliu moved.
The instant she saw him, she crossed the room in a few quick steps and threw herself into his arms.
Right in front of everyone.
She buried her face against his shoulder and spoke in a voice so soft it was almost a secret.
"I missed you so much."
The living room went dead silent.
Her voice was quiet, but nobody in that room had ordinary hearing.
March's mouth fell open. The snack in Stelle's hand slipped and dropped to the floor.
They had assumed this "senior" was an ancient, solitary old veteran who'd been wandering for eight hundred years.
Turns out… he had an impossibly beautiful girlfriend?
Dan Heng, oddly, didn't react much. He only felt that something about the two of them seemed… strangely familiar.
But Himeko's shock was far more visible.
As one of the "adults" of the Express, she had the most life experience.
And over the past two days, she'd already noticed something:
Firefly liked Wei Qing.
It wasn't subtle—just carefully controlled.
So Himeko's eyes shifted instinctively toward Firefly—
And yes.
The look on Firefly's face could only be described as devastating.
Firefly felt as if a blade had gone straight through her heart.
In the moment Jingliu rushed into Wei Qing's arms, Firefly heard something crack.
Maybe it was the air freezing.
Maybe it was the thin smile she'd been forcing.
Or maybe it was the fragile feeling she'd never dared to speak aloud.
She recognized Jingliu.
Eight hundred years ago, on the world called Jarilo, they had crossed blades.
Back then, Firefly had first thought Jingliu was one of Senior's enemies from the Xianzhou. Later, she'd decided she must be an old acquaintance.
Either way, it shouldn't have mattered.
Senior had left the Xianzhou long ago.
This woman shouldn't have been a threat.
But reality hit her like a hammer.
"I missed you so much."
Jingliu's cool voice felt like red-hot iron pressed against Firefly's ears.
Firefly watched Jingliu occupy Wei Qing's shoulder like it belonged to her.
Worse—Wei Qing's arm lifted slightly, as if to return the embrace.
What is she doing? What is Senior doing?
The thought coiled in her mind like poison.
Why could that woman cling to him so naturally?
Why wasn't he pushing her away?
Her heart felt squeezed in an invisible fist.
She remembered the days alone with Senior—missions with only the two of them, the small care he'd shown her.
She had told herself those moments were special.
She had stored them like treasures, replaying them in lonely hours to keep herself warm.
Get away from him…
Firefly's gaze snapped to Baiheng.
A furious, accusatory glare.
You fox. You came here and dragged her with you?!
Yes. Fox.
After the first stretch of working together, Firefly had already decided Baiheng was her natural enemy.
Baiheng always seemed to interrupt her time with Senior—deliberately or not.
Firefly had thought Baiheng was competing.
But now…
This was worse.
Baiheng met Firefly's glare, blinked once, then smiled—slowly, knowingly.
A gleeful "this is entertaining" smile.
She even tilted her head and spread her hands in an innocent little shrug.
Firefly's blood boiled.
Then Wei Qing's voice broke the silence.
"I missed you too."
It was only four words.
But they struck like a lock clicking shut.
Jingliu didn't say anything more—only pressed closer, like she wanted to dissolve into his presence.
Baiheng's grin widened. Her gaze slid over the stunned faces of the Express crew and finally settled on Firefly's pallid expression.
Firefly forced herself to speak, voice controlled and calm to the point of brittleness.
"Senior… who is this?"
A question she already knew the answer to.
Wei Qing hadn't even opened his mouth yet—
When Jingliu answered by stepping forward, still holding his arm as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
"Xianzhou Luofu," Jingliu said evenly. "Jingliu."
Firefly barely had time to process—
Because Jingliu placed both hands on Wei Qing's face and kissed him.
Right there.
In front of everyone.
The room froze again.
Even time felt stretched, every second painfully sharp.
Wei Qing stiffened for an instant—clearly not expecting Jingliu to be that direct—
Then his body relaxed. He wrapped an arm around her waist and returned the kiss.
It wasn't long.
But when Jingliu pulled back, a thin blush lingered on her cheeks.
Her eyes swept the room, calm and unflinching, and finally landed on Firefly, whose face had gone completely white.
"Woooow…" Baiheng muttered, elbowing Dan Heng with a grin. "Kid, remember: eyes up. Don't stare."
Dan Heng looked baffled. He didn't even know who this woman was.
March clapped a hand over her mouth, nearly squealing, and Stelle hurriedly grabbed her and dragged her toward the door.
Himeko rose smoothly, her smile elegant and perfectly timed.
"It seems you have guests, Senior. We won't intrude."
March and Stelle scrambled out, pulling a still-stunned Dan Heng along.
Himeko shut the door behind them, sealing off the outside noise.
Now only the "Galaxy Ranger Four" remained.
Firefly stood rigidly in place, feeling the blood drain cold through her limbs.
"Miss Firefly," Jingliu said. "I remember we met once."
"…Hello," Firefly forced out.
Jingliu's tone stayed polite—almost gentle.
"As you can see, Wei Qing and I have this kind of relationship."
"We haven't seen each other for days, so I lost control for a moment. If I was rude, forgive me."
Rude?
Firefly's nails nearly dug into her own palm.
Then Jingliu continued, as if discussing something ordinary.
"I've heard of you from Baiheng. She said you and Wei Qing are more like siblings."
"If you'd like, you can call me 'older sister,' too."
Each word was courteous.
Each word was a blade.
"Siblings?" Firefly snapped, stepping forward. "Who wants to be his sister?!"
She moved as if to physically separate them—
But her raw strength couldn't compete with Jingliu.
No matter how she tried, she couldn't pry them apart even a fraction.
Jingliu's lips curved in a faint smile.
"Little sister Firefly," she said, that smile carrying the quiet arrogance of a victor, "what's wrong?"
"I'm not your little sister!"
Firefly's frustration exploded. She reached for her SAM transformation device like she meant to burn the whole scene down.
Wei Qing and Baiheng both jolted.
Baiheng lunged immediately, wrapping Firefly in a tight hold.
"Hey, hey, hey—Firefly, don't! Calm down!" she said quickly. "A nice reunion, and you're pulling weapons? That's bad manners!"
She shot Wei Qing a desperate look: Say something. Now.
Wei Qing cleared his throat and patted Firefly's back lightly, a quiet signal to breathe.
Jingliu adjusted her shoulder, finally loosening her hold on Wei Qing's arm—but her gaze remained cold, fixed on Firefly.
"Firefly," Wei Qing said gently, "Jingliu is… blunt. She didn't mean harm."
He paused, then added—aware the words sounded thin even as he said them—
"You're both important to me. I don't want you two to fight."
That sounded like a scumbag line, Wei Qing thought bitterly.
He started to rephrase—
But Firefly seized the gap the moment Jingliu and Wei Qing separated.
With a sudden, shocking motion—
She dove straight into Wei Qing's arms.
Hard.
She looped her arms around his waist like she'd never let go again, burying her face against his chest like a frightened animal seeking shelter.
"Senior!" Her voice trembled, thick with a practiced sob. "She—she bullied me!"
Wei Qing: "…"
Baiheng: "Pfft—"
Jingliu's eyes darkened. The temperature in the room seemed to drop.
She stared at Firefly clinging to Wei Qing's chest, her knuckles tightening.
"Little sister Firefly," Jingliu said coldly, "let go. That is my place."
"I won't!" Firefly clutched tighter.
She lifted her face, eyes wet, cheeks flushed with anger and humiliation.
"Senior, we've been together for eight hundred years. She shows up and—does that! And then she says she wants to be my 'older sister'! Who needs an older sister like that?!"
Baiheng, at this point, had fully switched into spectator mode.
She looked like she might produce sunflower seeds any second.
Oh? So cute and obedient can also fight dirty, she thought, delighted. That "soft to hard" strategy is wicked.
Wei Qing felt his head ache.
He looked down at Firefly—her "I'm pitiful" performance turned up to maximum—and then at Jingliu, who looked ready to freeze the room solid.
"Firefly," Wei Qing tried to pry her loose, but she held on with terrifying determination. "Let go first."
"No!" Firefly shook her head violently. "If I let go, she'll just take you again!"
Then she sniffed, voice turning even more pathetic.
"Senior… do you hate me now? Am I a nuisance? Then I'll… I'll leave…"
She said "leave," but didn't move an inch—only hugged tighter.
Jingliu's gaze sharpened into something dangerous.
"Let go of him."
"I won't!" Firefly shot back. "I've known Senior for eight hundred years! And you? You're just a latecomer!"
"Latecomer?" Jingliu's lips curled. "I met Wei Qing several hundred years before you did."
Firefly realized that line was a mistake and instantly pivoted.
"Then I've been with him longer! We went to countless worlds together, countless missions! You just got lucky you knew him earlier!"
"Time isn't the measure of depth," Jingliu said, voice like frost. "My bond with him is not yours to judge."
"Bond?" Firefly glared. "Your bond is not seeing him for centuries?! Do you even know what Senior went through? I was the one beside him!"
Jingliu's eyes narrowed—then, as if remembering something, her expression shifted.
A smile appeared.
A strange, almost unhealthy smile that didn't match her usual self.
"Little sister Firefly," Jingliu said softly, "to be honest…"
"I've already… done that… with your Wei Qing."
The words hit like thunder.
Firefly's mind went blank.
She didn't understand at first—
But then she saw the faint blush on Jingliu's cheeks, the victorious tilt of her mouth, and the instant stiffness in Wei Qing's posture.
A chill ran from Firefly's feet to her scalp. Her limbs went numb.
"Y-you… what did you say?" Firefly's voice came out dry and broken.
"Not long ago," Jingliu continued, calm and merciless. "Before he came to Penacony."
"So tell me, little sister… who do you think is closer to him?"
Firefly fell silent.
Then—her eyes sharpened again.
Evil woman.You're only ahead by one step.
In the suffocating pause, Firefly did something nobody expected.
She surged forward and clung to Wei Qing even harder than before—arms around his neck so tight he almost couldn't breathe.
"I… I can too!" Firefly blurted, voice trembling with desperate resolve, face burning red. "If it's you, Senior… I'll do anything!"
Join here to read ahead.
Uma Musume, But I Only Have Five Years Left to Live (Chapter 178)
Zenless Zone Zero: I'm a Doctor, Not a Bangboo (Chapter 180)
Ben Tennyson Wants to Join the Justice League ( 126 )
TYPE-MOON: Redemption Beginning with the Holy Grail War (Chapter110)
Yu-Gi-Oh! — Transmigrated into the White Dragon Girl (Chapter260)
"Is this chat group even serious?" (Chapter135)
I, Lord Ravager, Utterly Loyal! (This matter is completely finished.)
Can Playing Games Save the World? 65
Crossover Anime Multiverse: The Demon Hunter of an Unnatural World 77
From Junkman to Wasteland 66
Weekly Refresh of Overpowered 31
I'm Grinding Proficiency Like 46
From Kiana, Lord Ravager, Onwa 240
Honkai: Is This Still the Prev 42
Elf: My Starter Pokémon Is Inc 65
Warhammer: My Primarch Is Remi 210
From Demon Slayer to Grand Ass Volume2/20
The Way the Umamusume Look at 68
Uma Musume, but My Cheat Power 280
Naruto: Weaving the Future, Be 65
Zenless Zone Zero, but Kamen R 76
Multiverse Crossover: The Perf 66
My Cyberpsycho Girlfriend 65
Uma Musume: The Dark Trainer 260
Uma Musume: A Calamity Born fr 154
I, a Reincarnation-Loop Player Volume4/40
The Violent Girl Group Is Beat 130
Uma Musume: The Horse Girl Who 67
Uma Musume: From Beginner 155
Becoming a Horse Girl, I Will 85
Uma Musume: I Want All 120
I Can Copy Unique Skills 120
Summoning an Evil God, but the 75
Supernatural Multiverse 135
My Harem Is Indescribable 105
Jujutsu Kaisen: Heroic Spirit 110
"I'm just a Valkyrie passing through." 67
Uma Musume: Today Is Another Romantic Battlefield 110
Still playing traditional Honk 91
The Most Filial Son Under Heav 95
What Should I Do After Switchi - Volume2/3
Reincarnated as a Demon, Skill 80
Hell-Difficulty Dungeon? 55
Transmigrated as Sukuna 90
Checking In in Demon Slayer 95
The Reincarnating Trainer of Tracen Academy 105
I Refuse to Become a Heroic 95
My Best Friend Into a Slime? 80
A Saiyan Stands Above Marvel 100
What Do You Mean by Using a Lab Mod to Be the Hero? 95
Tanya Starts from Re:Zero 85
Why did they assign me to Uma 80
MYGO Beauties 75
DanMachi: Emiya the Giant Hero 80
The Gacha Merchant Who Started 90
Honkai's Otherworld? Wait—Who Are You People?! 105
Emiya Shirou, Determined to Slay Every Curse and Evil Spirit 65
The Uma Musume Who Became 70
I'm Definitely Not the King of 85
After Maxing Out Every Class 85
Naruto: I'm Konoha's Local Men 44
Honkai: World Modulation Mode 70
I, the Elden Sword Saint 60
Dio Brando Is Challenging FGO 60
No One Knows Pokémon Better 55
I, Sakazuki, Won't Go Down Tha 55
From Trilobites to Titans 55
Chainsaw Man: Contracted with 66
DanMachi: My Party Members Are 70
An Anime Heroine Darkened 60
Yu-Gi-Oh!: Duel Links 50
Honkai: The Fire Devil 30
Honkai Transformation Cards 35
Age of Heroes, I'm Just a Back 45
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