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

"Xia Die, Feng Jin, Wan Di, Bai E... Reaching out to touch the sky, it's as if you're standing among a dazzling galaxy, without any constraints; it's pure freedom."

"How beautiful, Tibo and Tinin!" Tinan excitedly grabbed Tibo and Tinin, and they soared into the sky, as if they were in the Milky Way.

Xing stared blankly, "What's going on? Is this the real starry sky?"

"Click! She put away March 7th's camera."

"A few breaths later, the curtain returned to its original state. But that faint, real touch was something everyone longed for and would forever remember."

"And at that moment outside of mythology, Teacher Xia was also completely removed by the firewall, and the name Anaxxagoras will never be heard again in this cycle of reincarnation. He gave everything just to peek into the truth of the world."

"At the heart of creation, Lai Gushi revoked his authority and sealed the intrusion channels of the two geniuses. Everything he sacrificed will become nourishment for the Iron Tomb. As for the two of you, I ask you to leave."

"Onfaros, as if possessing a mind of his own, banished the geniuses, completely sealing off any possibility of entering the scepter. However, the two geniuses did not leave nothing behind... a mark of recognition."

"Outside Onpharos, on the Star Train. Black Tower stamped his foot, 'That wretched omnic guy, he doesn't understand reciprocity at all. But it wasn't a complete loss, Screw, what do you think?'"

"Screwgoom gracefully took his seat. 'Conclusion: Onpharos is the first scepter in history, part of the body of the All-Knowing God. Lygus's identity is more mysterious than expected.'"

"Heh, screw, stop talking nonsense. I believe you have your suspicions as well." Black Tower poured himself a cup of coffee, his own.

"Genius Club #1..."

Chapter 323 Reason and Conflict

Not long after, at the gates of Ohma.

Xia Die breathed a sigh of relief, "Phew... It was a very close escape. But thankfully, we finally arrived in Ohmma safely."

"I'd rather stay in the Holy City and not go out at all." Xing scratched his head, feeling extremely embarrassed that he had been lectured by the Fire Thief.

Tian rubbed her forehead, her voice weak, "Um... Little Butterfly, Tian still... has a headache."

"I'm sorry... You specifically told me not to open the door..."

“No, Lord Tian,” Xia Die shook her head, “If it weren’t for you stepping forward, we would have already perished in the Tree Garden.”

"Tian, ​​I feel so uncomfortable... I need to go back and sleep..." After saying that, she flapped her wings and flew precariously to the Golden Baths.

[Ring: Cute little Tian, ​​she's almost at her limit.]

[Fufu: The Hundred Realms Gate is pretty useful, but it's so manpower-intensive! Every time, it costs Tibo and the others their lives to build it.]

My heart aches for baby Tian.

[Tian: Haha, don't underestimate me, little Tian also wants to become a great hero.]

[Bai E: What just happened? I saw the real starry sky?]

[Star: I'm curious too. Wasn't Onpharos supposed to be sealed off? The feeling was like being there in person.]

[Little Candle: What are you talking about, the starry sky?]

[Feng Jin: How wonderful, how blissful, it's like a group of little Ikas surrounding me, something I'll never forget.]

[Xia Die: I think I guessed it, it was Teacher Xia at that moment.]

[Aglaia: Alas, I knew this day would come; in his eyes, truth is worth sacrificing one's life.]

[Bai'e: Teacher... yet another, yet another person I cherish has died because of you. Lai Gushi, I will make you pay the price!]

At that moment, Xia's expression was indifferent. "It's really noisy... Ohmma is still the same as always."

"...Are you Teacher Xia now?" Xia Die asked uncertainly.

"There is no doubt about it; the Titan is silent. It is I, Anaxagoras of the Sophists."

Xia Die nodded slightly, "...It's true that she calls herself that."

"Teacher, let me be frank: Lady Aglaya's mission for us is to find survivors, understand the cause of the Tree Court disaster, and... retrieve the fire of Circis."

“Yes, I’m not surprised at all.” At that moment, Xia knew what the woman meant. “As you can see, I am both a survivor and know the whole story of the catastrophe. I also have a spark in my body and no ability to resist.”

"So, you're going to report me to Aglaya?"

Xia Die looked troubled. "That is my duty. But I don't want to hand you over to her as a prisoner or a trophy."

On one side is her respected teacher, and on the other is the leader of the Golden Clan. Little Butterfly is suffering.

"Fine, I won't make things difficult for you. I don't object to you meeting that woman."

“But before that, I have some things to take care of. Several of Shuting’s colleagues’ families live in the Holy City, and I would like to visit them before meeting with Aglaia.”

Xing didn't understand, "Why before meeting Aglaia?"

"Because Lady Aglaia... I'm afraid she won't allow it." Xia Die said helplessly. In everyone's eyes, her first impression was that she was strong and ruthless... Apart from her appearance and aesthetic sense, she had nothing to do with romance.

Xia sneered, "Heh... I guess she will not only refuse to offer condolences to the deceased's family, but also block the news about Shuting. That woman is just that cold-blooded."

“Some of Shuting’s friends sacrificed their lives to defend the flame and fight against the Black Tide with me. Their families have the right to know all of this.”

Xia Die: "Are you planning to act first and report later?"

He turned his head away. "Even if I don't cause any trouble and just honestly go and pledge my loyalty to that woman, will she give me a kind look? I wouldn't hesitate to vent my anger on her face."

"Are you going to stop me, Xia Die?"

“…I will accompany you. But you must also understand that Lady Aglaia has her own considerations.”

"Putting yourself in someone else's shoes, you definitely have the makings of a scholar," Xia said with a smile. "Let's go, I'll keep things in line."

As Xia Die fell behind, Xia took half a step and said, "Teacher, after all these years, you and Lady Aglaia are still..."

Xia sighed, "Neither of us are petty people. You should know the root of the problem."

[Walter: Their conflict stems from differing ideologies. As the leader of the Golden Clan, it's not that she lacks romanticism, but rather that the current situation in Onpharos doesn't allow it.]

[Star: The romantic demigod has lost his humanity, the rational demigod is insane; you two are truly a perfect match.]

[Aglaia: Now that he is gone, let the past conflicts vanish. Xiaodie, Bai'e… give him a proper burial.]

[Magic trick: Ahem, so what exactly is my relationship with Aglaia?]

[Aglaia: ...]

[Bai E: Uh…this is awkward. In the last cycle, Teacher Xia didn't even know Aglaia.]

[Little Fish Knight: A golden trout who pursues romance, yet discards its glamorous appearance. Skilled hands that weave exquisite garments, yet wield only cold paper and pen.]

[Abao: It's alright. To be able to weave a future for Zhu Huo, I will not fail the name of the Golden Descendant.]

[Little Candle: Hmph, Sword Banner Lord, you and Golden Oriole Lord seem to have a good relationship. Prepare the meal; we'll have fish tonight.]

A woman with a gentle expression looked at Xia and his two companions in front of her, and asked in confusion, "Gentlemen, who are you...?"

At that moment, Xia replied, "Hello, if I remember correctly, you are Kalinicus's wife, right?"

"Yes." The woman exclaimed in surprise, "Ah, are you the messenger? Oh dear, no wonder the message came so late, it turns out it was a different person."

“Madam, Kalinicus sacrificed himself a few days ago while fighting against the Black Tide to protect the Tree Garden.” Xia said succinctly, without hiding anything.

The woman was taken aback at first, then her hands fell naturally to her sides. After a moment of silence, she looked up and forced a smile. "So, Shuting... did he manage to protect her?"

"...What?" Xia Die didn't understand. Upon hearing the bad news, her first reaction was...

At that moment, Xia solemnly said, "Yes, he swore to protect the flame of Sersis with his life."

"I understand." The woman's tone was heavy, but she didn't shed a tear. "I will choose a day to sort out his belongings and pick a good grave for him."

She didn't use this as an excuse to cause trouble; instead, she felt proud and honored that her husband had protected the tree.

Xia Die said softly, "...Madam, please feel free to ask if you need any help."

The woman shook her head. "I am a man of the edge. Death, sacrifice... I can face them all with equanimity."

“Kalinicus… Although he is a scholar, every time he comes back to visit me, he asks me for martial arts lessons. Isn’t it ridiculous? A Golden Blood, actually learning from an ordinary person like me.”

She lowered her head. "I was already mentally prepared... In this era, every ordinary farewell could be a final goodbye."

"I'm so sorry." Xia bowed at that moment.

“There’s nothing to apologize for.” The woman turned her back to the crowd and looked up at the blue sky. “I was once a soldier… and I will eventually return to the battlefield.”

"Now, the new king of Suspended Peak is about to descend. I will use my spear to avenge my husband against the Black Tide monsters."

The woman's tone was resolute; she was clearly not just saying it casually, and she was truly ready to go into battle.

Chapter 324 Ordinary Heroes

The second family member was a thin, elderly woman who greeted the group with optimism.

At that moment, Xia went straight to the point, "Are you the father of Kunane and Atacama?"

"Oh dear, yes." The old man stroked his gray beard. "My two daughters have gotten into some trouble at school again..."

He slapped his thigh and exclaimed, "Oh dear, look at me, I'm getting senile. My two promising daughters graduated long ago and are now scholars at Shuting. You know, as I get older, I often find myself lost in thought, seeing things from many years ago."

Xia remained silent at that moment.

The old man sensed something was wrong. "What's wrong, young man? Why aren't you saying anything? Could it be that my daughters have really caused trouble?"

“If they refuse to apologize, just tell me. I, as their old father, still have some standing with them…”

Xia Die looked at Xing, helplessly saying, "...What should I do, Your Excellency? I can't bring myself to speak..."

Before they could react, Xia told the truth, probably because she didn't want to put Xiadie in a difficult position.

"...Mr. Febel, Kunane and Atacama...were killed by the Black Tide."

"...Huh?" The old man staggered, suddenly feeling dizzy.

"They fought to the last moment to protect the Tree Garden against the Black Tide."

The old man covered his face and wept, his body trembling uncontrollably. That was the child he had watched grow up, his proud daughter.

At that moment, Xia bowed, her tone gentle, "I am a Golden Descendant residing in the Tree Garden. I failed to protect them, Mr. Fabel. If you have any anger..."

The old man wiped away his tears and interrupted, "Look at what you're saying. My Atacama, even if he wasn't the prophesied Golden Child, wasn't he still a hero?"

In his last words, the old man forced himself to remain calm, his voice trembling as he spoke each and every one of them.

In this post-apocalyptic world, isn't the belief of the residents of Ohmma in their survival the future promised by the Golden Blood and the heroes?

[Aglaia: This is also the truth I don't want to tell the residents of the Holy City—it's cruel, bloody, and seems to have no future.]

[Xia Die: Death is too painful. Lady Aglaia, the letter left by my teacher has told me where Cenatos is. I must reclaim what I lack.]

[Star: Butterfly, I'll go with you.]

Atacama: Dad, I guess I've become your hero now, it feels pretty good.

[Faber: My daughter, come back so I can see you properly.]

[Bai'er: We will not forget the heroes, Aglaia and Lady Tibo. I want to erect a monument to the heroes, to become the faith of Ohma.]

[Tibao: Xiaobai, do what you think is right, we will support you.]

[Vivian: Master Rope Maker, Vivian is heartbroken and wants to go to your house and cry her heart out on your chest.]

[Ling: The world is never short of heroes. They may not have great strength or profound knowledge, but their belief in fighting disasters and protecting their homes is second to none.]

[Keqing: The same was true of Liyue back then. Not only were there the protection of the Emperor and the Celestials, but also humans who volunteered to become warriors and fought on the front lines.]

[Bai'er: Phew... I will definitely fulfill everyone's wishes, I definitely will.]

The last one was a young man who was working. "What is it? I'm busy. Things haven't been peaceful in the city lately. All sorts of things are keeping me dizzy..."

Xia Die: "Sir, please spare some time..."

The man's heart tightened at the arrival of the Golden Blood's personal executioner. "Ah, is it Lady Xia Die? Could it be that I've made some mistake at work, and Lady Aglaia has sent you to reprimand me?"

“Calm down, Titus,” Naksha introduced. “I am Anaxagoras of the Tree of Knowledge, a fellow traveler with your father, Titus the Elder.”

With a heavy tone, he said, "Not long ago... your father passed away."

"Wh...what? The old man?" Titus laughed bitterly, looking up to stop his tears from falling. "Ha...that's normal. At his age, it wouldn't be surprising if the old man fell into the River Styx at any time..."

After a moment, he couldn't help but lower his head and rub his eyes with the back of his hand.

"Ha... that damn old man, he left so easily..."

“I told him long ago, at his age, wouldn’t it be better to just go back to the Holy City and retire peacefully? Why does he have to go to some Tree Garden and mess around with a bunch of eccentric scholars?”

"We've argued so many times, but he just won't listen... you stubborn old man!" the man shouted angrily, venting his grief.