I am the old, fiery-faced man from the senior department.

【The Meaning of Mountains and Rivers (Level 10): (The body is formed from mountains and rivers, and carries the power of mountains and rivers)】

(The moth represents change, whimsy, irrationality, intuition, searching, and passion. Wild and dangerous, the moth embodies chaos and yearning, and follows the laws of nature.)

[Symbol: Mind: [Paradise Lost (Rank 15): (All harm inflicted upon you is like a dream, an illusion, a bubble.)]

(To protect the surface of the world we know, the heart beats ceaselessly. The heart is the principle of longevity and continuity.)

[Affinity: A link in a great undertaking: Earth Spirit (You have reached a stage on the path to greatness; you should strive to reach the next level with all your might)]

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The system comes and goes like the wind, popping up a string of information before falling silent again. It seems that it won't show itself unless you talk to it during the day.

"Compatibility... has increased."

His azure eyes swept over a certain assessment, his expression darkening slightly before returning to normal, as if he hadn't noticed anything.

"To temporarily satisfy love...is that it?"

He stared intently at the painter who was creating a painting on the side.

It wasn't until a wisp of wind brushed his hair that he was snapped out of his daze.

"..."

He lowered his head, his eyes slightly downcast.

Without realizing it, my hand was already resting on my heart.

My heart was pounding, but it sounded hollow.

"Not enough."

He whispered to himself.

But as the system indicated, he still harbored a burning desire for this "love".

Just as a flame craves firewood to burn more fiercely, a plant thirsts for rain and dew to grow stronger.

Bai Zhou craved more of her love.

but……

"The time is not right."

He longed for her, but he wouldn't force her.

A forced melon may quench thirst, but it's not sweet at all. He has no shortage of melons to quench his thirst, nor does he need any.

What he had always sought was the sweet melon he had painstakingly cared for.

Wait patiently for the harvest, then savor it alone, enjoying its honey-like sweetness.

Can……

When will the time be right?

He doesn't know.

He was willing to continue waiting.

“Ah Xi, Mo.”

The artist's call brought him to his senses, and a smile appeared on his face.

"Yes, sir, would you like any other paints?"

"Hmm... add some more malachite green... no, azurite would be a better match. Add two more portions of azurite."

Once the artist enters a state of creative inspiration, she unleashes her full potential, and the ocean slowly takes shape under her brush.

"it is good."

Upon receiving the request, Bai Zhou did not hesitate or waste any time and quickly began to prepare ink and ingredients for the painter.

Let's not think about other things for now.

All he wants to do now is keep the artist happy.

When the time is right, they will naturally do something more intimate.

"Phew! What do you think, Ah Xi? This painting is pretty good, isn't it?"

After putting down his brush, the artist put his hands on his hips and proudly showed off to him.

The current husband is like a child who bought a string of candied hawthorns with a penny given by his parents...

Looking at the painter's appearance, this thought suddenly popped into his mind.

"Oh, I can even see scales in the sea, as expected of you, sir!"

He offered appropriate praise.

"Painting is not easy, sir, please rest. I'll go make you some tea."

"Hmm, make it lukewarm, not hot tea."

The artist's tongue cannot tolerate heat, which is why he doesn't like spicy food.

"Sir, I saw some Victoria-style coffee being sold in a grocery store on the street. Would you like to try some?"

A cup of tea was quickly brewed, and a slight breeze carried the heat away from the tea as I poured it into my fingertips.

"Coffee? What's that?"

Is it foreign food?

A sense of curiosity arose in the artist's heart.

"Yes, it's a beverage. Just like tea in our Yan country, coffee is also a popular drink there."

The painter took the tea, sipped it, and, savoring the lingering sweetness, became even more curious.

"Is it delicious?"

"Hmm...it depends on personal taste. I personally think pure coffee is quite flavorful. It's bitter at first, then sweet, with a rich aftertaste. If you find it too bitter, you can add milk and sugar."

"Add sugar?"

The artist immediately became interested when desserts were mentioned.

She absolutely had to try this coffee.

"Ah Xi, buy some coffee when you bring it back for dinner."

“Okay. In that case, I’ll bring you a few more pastries from Victoria. They’re all quite sweet.”

"Ah."

The artist held his tea, gazing at the painting, seemingly still aloof and untouched by worldly affairs, but in reality, his heart had already flown to the pile of desserts.

Leisure time after the 74th battle (Part 2)

"You two take this item back to the capital and give it to Minister Lu in private."

"My husband and I will be returning soon, and all our contributions and hard work will be recorded for you then."

Zhenlong handed the ice ball containing Hai Si to Bai Zhi and gave them instructions one by one.

"Here!"

Taking the ice puck and feeling its coolness, Bai Zhi still had unanswered questions. For example, how could an ice puck the size of a palm block Hai Si, who was two people tall? And what about the dragon transformation technique... But these were things she could only think about, not ask.

There's only one question that can be asked from her perspective.

"Uncle Zhou, this thing... won't melt, will it?"

After all, it's an ice hockey puck. With constant touching and changes in external temperature, what are the chances of it melting?

"will not."

"This ice will not melt even if it is exposed to the sun for a hundred years."

The daytime was only half-said.

The ice was just an illusion; what was truly used to freeze this sea creature was the time seal he had imposed.

After becoming the spirit of heaven and earth, Bai Zhou unlocked many new abilities.

One of these abilities is related to "time".

Bai Zhou defines this ability as "the four seasons".

Spring, summer, autumn, and winter correspond to the four powers of birth, growth, death, and rebirth, respectively.

However, because it involves "time" and deeper levels, and because there is a lack of knowledge about daytime in this regard, he has not yet broken down the specific effects.

This ability to slow down the melting of ice is part of the power of Autumn.

Plants grow in summer and mature in autumn because the substances within them change over time. Slowing down the rate of change can have the same effect as stopping the flow of time within them.

During the day, the ice solidifies because its own material changes almost nothing, so even if the outside temperature is high, it will not affect the ice itself or the mindless sea within.

After giving Bai Zhi some instructions, the two of them left first. Bai Zhou then turned his attention to the little whale that was staring blankly at the sea.

"Alessa, are you sure you don't want to wait here for your people to arrive, but instead want to cross this ocean and go back alone?"

"Yes. My hometown, which you call Agor, is where the fighting is far more brutal than here. Every Deepsea Hunter is an indispensable member of the Legion. I can't let one person drag down an entire squad."

"Is that so... Well then, good luck, my friend from the ocean."

Bai Zhou patted her on the shoulder and gave her a three-centimeter-sized circular jade pendant with a dragon's head.

"As long as you hold this jade, the fresh water it comes into contact with will turn into clear water that dispels pain, which is a small help."

"I understand. I will remember your help."

She took the jade pendant, fastened it to her waist, and then nodded slightly to the daylight to say goodbye.

"See you again someday, Alessa."

"Until we meet again, daytime."

The Little Mermaid, carried by the rising and falling waves, plunged into the sea, her figure disappearing into the clear blue water.

"gentlemen."