Warm, pleasant sunlight spilled onto the balcony, dotted with occasional bright flares.
Sitting there, Xu Qiong fiddled with the system while watching the scene below in Okhema, where two groups of people were engaged in a noisy dispute.
Hesitation was currently curled up on his lap, having already fallen into a peaceful slumber, bathed in the dappled, gentle sunlight.
From time to time, he could hear soft, sweet mumbles from her lips, making Xu Qiong want to reach out and hold her in his arms.
Preserving this tranquility would clearly require great effort.
Fortunately, the Cosmic Shards collected so far were almost enough!
Noticing the system pop-up window, Xu Qiong didn't hesitate for a moment.
"Exchange!"
[Ding! Version 3.1 content has been successfully exchanged and can be released for update at any time.]
After obtaining the item, Xu Qiong suddenly recalled a saying.
Fire Chasing is a journey of constant loss.
Once Version 3.1 officially begins, there won't be room for laughter and jokes, because everyone is about to experience loss.
As for Aglaea's side, it was just as she herself had said.
Xu Qiong had also considered this, but he didn't plan to cut or alter the main storyline, because only this way could a comprehensive Aglaea be showcased!
...
After bidding farewell to Aglaea, she left behind a promise to give Stelle and Dan Heng a big gift.
Soon after, the two arrived in the city district, learned the wondrous magic of 'Stirring Ripples of the Past' from Tribbie, and helped with the city's reconstruction.
Not forgetting the task March had entrusted to them, Stelle and Dan Heng went up to a rooftop one after the other and, with the help of a 'kind-hearted person', completed the photography.
Nothing major happened along the way. Phainon helped Dan Heng repair his spear, they met Castorice and went together to feed the Earth Beast.
The leisurely stroll allowed players to quickly immerse themselves, as if they had already forgotten they were in an apocalyptic world.
But soon.
An unexpected situation arose!
A rumor named the Pink Cloud Celestial Maiden rapidly spread throughout Okhema.
By the time Stelle and Dan Heng learned of the situation, many people were already discussing it openly on the streets.
The two immediately sought someone to inquire about the situation, thus connecting to Okhema's Myriad Veil Network.
Unfortunately, it was clearly too late.
By the time they entered the group chat named the Pink Cloud Celestial Maiden Discussion Group, news of the world beyond had completely gone viral.
[Outer-World Explorer: As I said before, the Pink Cloud Celestial Maiden doesn't resemble an Amphorean in any way.]
[Outer-World Explorer: Moreover, in that video recorder, there are many wondrous sights unseen in Amphoreus: a world of pure white, countless small skyships, towering buildings shimmering with light.]
[Outer-World Explorer: The world beyond is real!]
[...]
Scrolling through the information, some discussed it, while others remained skeptical.
Thus, that Outer-World Explorer even boasted that he would prove the existence of the world beyond in his own way!
Seeing this, the two in the Astral Express who were following the plot, Himeko was the first to show an awkward smile: "Well, I praised too soon."
"Stelle hasn't changed a bit, still so careless in nature. I never thought she'd leak the Astral Express Crew's information like this."
"And even turned March... turned March into the Pink Cloud Celestial Maiden."
Indeed, it won't do without an adult leading the way.
Clearly, Welt, pushing up his glasses, thought the same.
"What's done is done. We can only continue watching."
The two continued following the plot. Meanwhile, over at loyal player Guinaifen's side, who was already at the forefront of the story, things were even more entertaining.
Not only had the news already spread everywhere, but that explorer the two had met at the photography spot last time was actually seriously planning to jump off a building to search for the world beyond!
[Are you kidding me, folks? A promise made one second, gone the next?]
[I'm dying of laughter. How did they even turn March 7th into the Pink Cloud Celestial Maiden? I thought March herself had arrived.]
[Why isn't there an option to let him jump? Seriously, does the Author even know how to make a game?!]
[I admit I couldn't hold back...]
[Hahaha, don't panic, it's a minor scene. As the renowned Trailblazer, this is nothing to us.]
[If you ask me, why not just come clean about the world beyond? Watch me summon a couple of Xianzhou friends over here. Any black tide would be wiped out in minutes!]
[May I ask if the Xianzhou friends mentioned above happen to be our General Jing Yuan?]
[You must be a die-hard train fan! How do you even know such insider info?]
As the Outer-World Explorer, Damianos, stood on the rooftop ledge, the live chat was filled with laughter and jokes.
As relatively loyal Astral Express fans, some not only knew that the Astral Express was once a friend of the Xianzhou Luofu, but also that they were particularly close to Jing Yuan, forming a solid friendship.
So, from the Astral Express Crew's perspective, thinking about it, there's really nothing to be nervous about.
But playing up to this point, Guinaifen, for some reason, suddenly had a bad premonition.
Even so.
However, as someone who truly and personally teamed up with the Astral Express Crew's Xu Qiong and Stelle for a ghost-catching squad for a while, Guinaifen knew.
The true Trailblaze journey isn't something that can be completed with constant laughter and jokes. This is what Xu Qiong himself said during their conversation.
Often, despair is the main theme!
Let alone the worldview of Amphoreus and the various foreshadowing the Author has provided so far, all hinting that this main storyline isn't a sunny one.
Fortunately, next, after some persuasion from Dan Heng and Stelle, that Outer-World Explorer was finally pulled back from the ledge.
But because of this, the two officially exposed the fact that they came from beyond!
To remedy the situation, Dan Heng and Stelle were guided to seek out the Lions Mouth of True Words.
They also met Mydei. The Lions Mouth of True Words seemed extremely abstract. With Mydei's help, they managed to completely ban the four words 'Pink Cloud Celestial Maiden'.
"This should fix the problem, folks!"
Seeing the Lions Mouth of True Words guarantee that the words 'Pink Cloud Celestial Maiden' would no longer appear in Okhema, Guinaifen also felt somewhat relieved.
[This red-haired guy seems cocky, but he's actually pretty nice, huh?]
[But Teacher Dan Heng is right. These Chrysos Heirs with their bold fashion sense do have weird personalities. What's all this about being cleansed or not?]
[What kind of character design is the Author giving? Does it even relate to Aglaea?]
Before leaving, Mydei reminded everyone with a comment.
But in a hurry to keep her appointment with Aglaea, Guinaifen didn't pay much attention.
"I heard Aglaea prepared a meeting gift for us. I wonder what it is, folks?!" Guinaifen also rubbed her hands together in anticipation.
[Yes, yes, forget about the Pink Cloud Celestial Maiden. Guinaifen, hurry and go find Aglaea.]
[Big sister is right, Aglaea is right!]
[What kind of gift will she prepare for us?!]
Under everyone's watchful eyes, Stelle and Dan Heng first went to find Tribbie, then quickly met up with Aglaea, who had been waiting for some time.
After some conversation.
After bidding farewell to Tribbie, she alone led Dan Heng and Stelle to a palace with tightly closed doors.
This place was currently, and at this very moment, where Xu Qiong resided.
Aglae spread her hands towards the two: "Just as Tribbie said, the two of you have contributed greatly to defending the Holy City. For this, I wish to bestow upon you a token of gratitude."
"If you are to stay in Okhema, you will naturally need a place to rest your feet."
"Welcome to your private Bath Palace."
"Here, I will personally explain to you both, and there is also a'special' gift..."]],