Xingtie: Starting with an in-depth analysis of the Yellow Springs

[Bai Lu: General, you should spend less time online. You came to see me before saying your eyes were so tired you couldn't open them; it turns out it was from using the internet.]

[Fu Xuan: You can't open your eyes? Heh, you're just being lazy, why make up an excuse?]

[Jingyuan: That's why I have you, Fu Qing.]

[Qingque: So even generals slack off sometimes. I knew the true meaning of work was to steal a moment of leisure amidst the busyness. Tasks still need to be completed, so slacking off is a must.]

[Star: But I don't have a job.]

Scott: Damn it... the Star Train!

"Aya, we're back."

"You've worked hard," Aglaia asked. "Any news from Tian?"

Tibby, Bonaparte, and the other two can sense each other's presence, even when they are far apart.

"Not yet, but we've figured out where those deserters went. It won't be long before we can track down the location of Suspended Peak City."

"Where is Suspended Peak City?" Xing asked.

Aglaia explained, "The territory of Nicardoli, which is also its current residence, is a mobile city-state hidden in the mist."

Dan Heng understood clearly, "So when we repelled the Titans, Ms. Tian went to track down the enemy."

“Let’s put aside the serious topics for now,” Aglaia said, bowing her head. “Would you mind giving me and our two distinguished guests some space, Tibo?”

“Of course.” Tibbo was unaware of the agreement. “I hope you like this gift, hehe.”

After saying that, Tibo took small steps out of the room.

Aglaia looked at the two of them, "Just as Tibo said, you two have contributed a great deal to the defense of the Holy City. For this, I would like to give you a gift of gratitude."

“If you two are to stay in Ohm, you will naturally need a place to stay.” Aglaia led the way to the private bath.

Danheng and Xing looked at each other. Did she know or not?

"Let's follow first," Dan Heng gestured.

The ring lock on the door rotates and changes color.

“Welcome to your private bathroom.” Aglaia stepped aside and held out her hand.

Wow! Xing's eyes lit up. "It's better than the rooms at Pinocchio."

"It's hard to make a direct comparison, but... the space is large and the decor is very luxurious," Dan Heng commented rationally.

Aglaia smiled, "It would be wonderful if you two were satisfied. Let's take some time to familiarize yourselves with the room."

[Gui Naifen: Could this be a trap? Logically, shouldn't Aglaia be questioning Xing about revealing the secrets of the outer world?]

[Qingyi: First courtesy, then force.]

[Star: This room is so beautiful, what if she really doesn't have any bad intentions?]

[Qingque: Uh…you're too easily bribed.]

Wendy: I'm afraid their real intentions are ulterior motives. As a leader, do you think it will be simple?

[Paimon: You're just like any other street performer, but you're nothing like the Wind God.]

Wendy: Hehe, Mondstadt is the city of freedom.

Xing was the first to arrive at the bathtub. "Do you like it, Little Azure Dragon?"

Dan Heng stretched out two fingers to test the water temperature in the bathtub, his face slightly bitter, and sighed.

"It's warm water."

"Great!" Xing thought to himself, trying his best not to let him see his schadenfreude.

Dan Heng glanced at Xing and knew without a doubt that Xing was gloating.

[Xing: Danheng, when did you learn mind-reading?! How come you know what I'm thinking?]

[Danheng: Cough cough, you overestimate yourself. Your thoughts are written all over your face; everyone who knows you, except for March 7th, knows that.]

[Jingyuan: You still prefer cold water.]

[Danheng: Cold water helps me calm down.]

[Xiangling: Burning Little Green Dragon, Crispy Rice, Breathing Fire!]

[Xingqiu: Mr. Danheng is a practitioner of Vidyadhara, so he should prefer the ocean, lakes, and the like... a bathhouse is indeed not very suitable for him.]

"Is that enough?" Aglaia stepped forward. "Finally, there's one more special gift."

"I will personally explain this to you both."

Xing followed them into the bath, where there was also a basin of water that looked like an altar.

"Is it a smaller version of the Dream Pool?" Xing guessed.

Aglaia explained, “It is not an ordinary washbasin, but a ritual vessel held by the Golden Clan, which I am now giving to you two.”

"You have already seen the history of Onphalus and the holy city of Ohma."

"And now... I want to bring the two of you to witness the journey of the Golden Clan firsthand."

Dan Heng was puzzled. "Witness...how should that be understood?"

"In the distant past, from the overflowing cup, Fajina [the Ocean] concealed the origin of the world with her waves."

“The ancient sea priests discovered the place, and they built a barrier with sacred water to prevent it from being disturbed by external things, but they also left a passage.”

Aglaia's gaze lingered on the basin of water.

"That is the ritual water basin before you. Dispel distracting thoughts, apply the sacred water from the basin to your face, and when you open your eyes again, you will witness..."

"The Vortex of Creation—the great sanctuary that houses the primordial divinity of the twelve Titans, and the place where the miracles of creation were promised in the oracle."

Xing looked at the ordinary basin of water again. "Is it really that magical?"

They clearly don't believe it.

"As an initial attempt, I will lead you down the dive."

Aglaia brushed past the star and stood in front of the ritual water basin to pray.

"Close your eyes, hold your breath; shut out your hearing, let my whispers fill the world."

Chapter 260 Four Questions to Determine Life and Death

The prayer was uttered softly by Aglaia, her gentle and soothing words like a breeze caressing the face, bringing relaxation.

Xing followed along, completing the movements to feel the temperature and texture of the spiritual water…

"Spread your fingers apart, then lower your head and find your palms. Feel the spiritual water flowing up your cheeks, nourishing your features..."

"Drifting, sinking..."

Aglaia opened her eyes, and a light shone in her unfocused pupils.

"Dive down and touch the bottom."

Xing took a deep breath and immersed her face in the basin of water, causing ripples to spread across the surface.

When I opened my eyes again, I was in another space.

This was a massive platform, dimly lit, like a starry night sky. The dazzling vortex of starlight directly in front of them immediately caught their attention.

In the small pool in front of me, there was a vessel resembling a round-bottomed iron pot placed in the middle.

The vortex is surrounded by the flame symbol representing the twelve Titans, and several of them have already been lit.

As Danheng and Xingzheng were marveling at the scene, Aglaia snorted coldly and swept past them, a smile on her face but judgment in her eyes.

"Now, I need your honesty."

With a slight clench of her slender, swaying hands, golden threads emerged from the void, instantly binding Xing and Danheng's hands together.

Xing frowned, her eyes filled with anger, then turned to look at Dan Heng to see if he was also trapped.

The sound of steady, slow footsteps rang out, and Xia Die gently lifted her skirt and bowed in greeting.

Her serene face seemed to show a hint of reluctance.

Danheng calmly looked at Aglaia, "...What does this mean?"

"An expected turn of events." Hoshi had anticipated this after the incident with Amianos, but he hadn't expected it to happen here.

Aglaia warned coldly, "This is not a joke, but an interrogation."

"While you two were wandering the city, someone was watching your every move. It's a pity... you broke your promise."

“So you already knew,” Danheng explained. “But we did it to save people.”

Aglaia didn't care.

"The fate of the holy city is as fragile as a thread. I must be prudent in order to avert disaster."

“I will give you both another chance to mend the rift in your trust. Jin Xian will make the judgment for me: honesty brings life, deception brings death.”

[Amianus: This matter arose because of me. Lady Aglaia, punish me if you must. A hero should not be wronged.]

[Walter: Sigh. As nameless travelers, even if we had to make a thousand more choices, we would still only choose to save lives. That's our principle.]

[Danheng: Breaking our promise was our oversight. But it was actually a test from you, wasn't it, Aglaia?]

[Aglaia: Thank you for your understanding. This unfamiliar visitor possesses power capable of overturning Ohma; I must proceed with caution.]

[Star: Although you have your reasons, my feelings for you have decreased significantly.]

[Aglaia: This is also why I didn't discuss this with Bai'er, Tibo... and the others. It's all my fault; I hope you can still trust them.]

[Bai'er: Aglaia... Am I really worth all your efforts? I can't even inherit the Flame of Strife, I'm a piece of trash, how can I be the most perfect Golden Blood?]

[Tian: Little White, you're giving up at the first sign of trouble! Conflict won't do, there's still the Fire of the Underworld. Teacher Tian will supervise your training now.]

[Xia Die: Your Excellency Bai E, you are actually very outstanding, please don't underestimate yourself.]

[Nakexia: That's true. Aside from being cursed by Meneta, you have no flaws.]

[Wan Di: Savior, how old are you? Do you still need comforting? Get up...go to the arena and fight!]

[*Kevin: Whitebeard...Why can birds fly?]

[Sunday: Because they must fly into the sky. Perhaps I can be that guiding bird, leaving my own footprints in the all-encompassing sky.]

[Robin: There can be two, brother.]

[Walter: And the newborn chicks will surpass the first bird, flying higher and farther.]

[Bai E: Seniors, I think I understand now.]

Alicia: You really are just like Kevin back then. I hope you won't be as cold as him.

[Ring: Wow, what a sudden change in tone, everyone! Anyway, let's all cheer each other on!]

"We meet again, two guests." Xia Die seemed a little reserved.

Aglaia: "The Butterfly will be your executioners."

“Ms. Aglaia, we cannot deny that we broke the agreement due to negligence.”

Dan Heng changed the subject, "But you never explained the potential negative consequences of revealing the outer realms."

"I want to know, just how great a crime have we committed?"

The root cause of this incident was actually trust; both sides harbored suspicions, and the Armianos incident was merely a trigger.

This is simply a premature detonation of a hidden crisis.

Aglaia did not refuse, "It's a reasonable request. It was my fault for not telling you everything in time."

"Onphalus has never lacked those who yearn for the heavens. Once, a tyrant exhausted the resources of his entire nation to build a celestial ark, intending to break through the firmament and reach the stars..."

Aglaia sighed.

"But the moment the celestial ark set sail, the divine punishment of Aegler [Sky] descended. The entire city-state, along with all its subjects, was reduced to ashes in an instant."

"Onpharos is not unwilling to travel to the stars, but those who dare to offend the heavens invariably anger the gods, causing the earth to burn and the kingdoms of mortals to perish. The Eye of Dawn and Dusk is just one example."

“That’s a forbidden area that must never be entered.” Aglaia said solemnly.

Dan Heng hit the nail on the head: "People will always yearn for the sky, and you can't stop them."