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

"It really was... a complete disgrace." Aglaia, however, had a strong ability to withstand pressure and quickly calmed down.

Wan Di glanced at Bai E, who lay on the ground looking no different from a boiled salted fish, and thought, "He overestimated himself and challenged the Suspended Peak Man; this is what happens to him."

Aglaia's fingers, which were resting on her arm, clenched unconsciously. This guy was quite proud, and she emphasized, "I mean... your little game has caused quite a few people to suffer as a result."

"...We will send those bathers who were stunned by the murderous aura away."

After listening for a while, Bai E, who had finally caught his breath, protested, "This...is not fair..."

"You're dressed... way more lightly than me..."

Chapter 328 Bathing

[Saifei: I have a feeling the bathhouse elf's words have a hidden meaning.]

[Jiaoqiu: The temperature in this bath is almost as high as when I'm cooking hot pot. Your willpower is truly something else.]

[Kaze Sumire: Sigh, you guys are having a good time, but the innocent bathers are paying the price for this gladiatorial contest.]

[Star: Partner, why are you arguing with the Suspended Peak people? Wan Di already said they bathe in scalding water from a young age, and you don't like high temperatures.]

[Wendy: Judging from the allegory of the stars, Bai Er will eventually be engulfed in flames.]

[Bai'er: It's just a mere heatwave. For the sake of everyone in Onphalus, what does it matter if I'm burned to ashes?]

[Wan Di: You should just rest, savior. You can't even beat me in this little bit of heat. Admit victory, and I'll protect you from now on.]

[Bai E: Ridiculous, were you knocked out by the Black Tide's elbow? I should be protecting you.]

[Aglaia: Bai'er, the heat-resistant garment I've knitted for you is finished. Go pick it up from the tailor when you have time.]

[Star: Me, me, me, can you make one for me too? Like the one I'm wearing now.]

[Aglaia: Hmm, sure. I'll have the tailor bring it to you in a few days.]

Getting back to the main point, Bai E, lying on the ground, still pointed his left index finger at Wan Di, protesting the unfairness of the gladiatorial combat.

Feng Jin stared intently at Wan Di, utterly bewildered. "Fully armed, diving into a high-temperature bath—is this some new trend?"

"Don't stare at me like that... He's the one who issued the challenge. The word 'escape' doesn't exist in Xuanfeng's dictionary."

Aglaia sighed, "Alright, let's end this farce here. Warriors, it's time to get moving."

After a while, once the two had recovered, they together carried the unconscious bather away from the scene of the incident...

Of course, this process also sparked a showdown—the number of people to be escorted.

Baier narrowly won with an astonishing 27-25 advantage.

[Sambo: Family, who understands this? Are you two in elementary school? Even Hook is more sensible than them. Come on, old Sambo will take you out to play.]

[Hooke: Yay! We went to Pinocchio a few months ago, where are we going this time?]

[Natasha: Sambo! If anything happens to Hook, be prepared to be locked up for life.]

[Fireworks: This is so much fun! Bai'e, Wan Di, do you want to join the fun? You guys are sure to have some more fun.]

[Dr. Truth: Naive.]

[Magic Technique: Affirmation. I hope none of my future students will be named Bai Er.]

"Ha... the journey to chase fire is truly arduous and long." Aglaia sighed, unable to see a future for Onpharos.

Even the usually lively Tibo remained silent for a long time. Well, thanks to the two of them, the sad atmosphere has completely dissipated.

"Although we just went through a farce, it's rare to see the Cloud Stone Palace so peaceful. Let's continue our previous itinerary. Little Wind Violet, would you like to come along?"

Feng Jin looked around and said, "It's rare to see such a spacious bathhouse..."

It was so tempting for a girl; she was interested. Since her original goal was post-operative relaxation anyway, and Tibao had invited her, she might as well go together.

Tibo suggested, "Then why don't we go to the biggest bathhouse?"

The three ladies walked to the edge of the bathing area, chatting and laughing, and changed into their respective white bathrobes. Feng Jin was the first to go into the water, saying, "Let me try it first... the water temperature is just right!"

Aglaia and Tibo followed closely behind, the pool water gently washing over their arches, creating delicate ripples, as if they were being lifted up by thousands of soft cotton balls.

"How is it? This is what it's like to enjoy the entire bathhouse." Aglaia directed the tailor to bring out fresh grapes and rich, sweet honey...

Then, she immersed most of her body in the pool water, the warm steam gently caressing her pores, and glistening water droplets sliding down her fair shoulders as she picked up a golden wine cup between two fingers.

Standing in the water, Feng Jin offered a tempting grape to Tibao, who was sitting on the edge playing with her little feet. Tibao squinted her eyes in enjoyment, "Hehe, this is so comfortable..."

[Star: Slurp slurp, give me a glass of water, thank you.]

[Firefly: I can't take it anymore! Sam, come with me into Onphalos and bring Starbaby out!]

[Xia Die: Such a heartwarming scene, it's a pity I can't be with you.]

[Rin: Wow, this scene is absolutely amazing! Alice, Yuzu, let's take a bath too!]

[Fou: I'm not envious at all, I'm in the water right now. There's a water slime on the shore that won't let me get on, boohoo.]

[Ying: Don't be afraid, I'm here to save you!]

[Zhe: Um, it seems like there's something wrong with my video? Why is my image blurry, completely obscured by fog?]

Wendy: Hey, me too, I almost thought something bad had happened.

[Walter: Ahem, all three of them are ladies, so I suppose it's to protect their privacy, after all... right?]

[Feng Jin: I liked Mi Yin's post, I thought everyone would see it. That's absolutely unacceptable, Ms. Aglaia and Ms. Tibo cannot be insulted.]

[Pera: Hey, you're not allowed to save screenshots yet?]

[Star: Pera, wow... I misjudged you. So this is your personality.]

Feng Jin wet herself in the pool water, immersing herself completely except for her collarbone and above. "Teacher Tibo...aren't you going to soak in it with me?"

Tibo shook her head, her voice still childish, "We won't, after all, we've become little kids."

“Please forgive me,” Aglaia explained on her behalf, “Due to the influence of Janus’s blessing [curse], she can no longer tolerate the temperature of this pool.”

“Um…” Feng Jin was at a loss, realizing she had said the wrong thing.

Tibo naturally wouldn't make things difficult for her. "Are you curious about our affairs, Little Violet?"

She said awkwardly, "I am a little curious, but my intuition tells me... maybe it would be better to change the subject?"

"What's there to be nervous about? It's not something that can't be said! Actually, a long, long time ago... we were mature adults just like Aya."

"But for various reasons, we took over Janus's divine office and obtained the power of the Gate... In exchange, we paid the price of a split soul."

Aglaia added, "Each time the Gate of a Hundred Worlds is opened, it deepens the effects of the schism on Tibo and the others. From their bodies to their minds, they regress step by step towards infancy."

Tibbo's feet splashed water as she swung back and forth. Her voice was slightly heavy. "Actually, we don't know what the end will look like. In short, that's why we become little kids."

After hearing the explanation, Feng Jin panicked and said, "Then... when you fought Nicardoli earlier, you opened a huge Hundred Worlds Gate above Ohma, didn't that mean..."

"There's no way around it, the journey to the fire is destined to be anything but smooth sailing." From the moment they inherited divine authority, Tibo and the others knew their future.

Feng Jin sighed, sitting blankly in the water, when suddenly her eyes lit up and she thought of…

"Perhaps... there is a way. The core topic of the School of Intelligence is the soul, addressing its depletion, or replenishing the soul that has already dissipated... as long as the research continues, there may be new discoveries."

“We will do our best.”

"Your first reaction was negative? No wonder you're a disciple of Na Ke Xia." Seeing the girl's determined look, Aglaia didn't discourage her. "I look forward to your good news, Feng Jin."

Even though the hope is slim, it is still hope, isn't it?

Tibo's eyes crinkled into crescent moons with laughter. "Haha, now I have another reason to look forward to tomorrow..."

Before she could finish speaking, Tibo suddenly felt dizzy and lightheaded.

Chapter 329 Schrödinger's Dictionary of Suspended Edge

Feng Jin quickly grabbed her arm, "Ms. Tibo?! W-what's wrong?"

“Something seems... off. That intense feeling is coming back... Is it Tian?” Then she denied it, “No, no... This time it’s not Tian…”

"It's Tinning! Tinning is in danger...!"

[Xia Die: At that time, Teacher Xia mainly studied the soul. Perhaps he really had a way to help Lady Tibao recover. But now he's gone.]

[Hu Tao: Why does the power of the Gate Titans require splitting souls? How strong must one's willpower be to make that decision?]

[Star: Buhou! You're always switching weapons with Tibbo and the others, aren't you! Anyone who dares to lay a hand on Tinning, take this from my baseball bat!]

[Fou: Waaah, the little Tibos are so pitiful. Only three are left, and someone's still targeting them. Could it be another vicious Senate assassin?]

[Bai Er: Teacher Tibao, you're awful...]

[Wan Di: You were tasked with protecting Ohmama, and this is how you protect it, savior?]

[Sino: Why did Tian and Tinin get into trouble? Because Onphalus was not at peace.]

[Tinari: No, don't you think this isn't the time for lame jokes? Don't go outside and say you're from Sumeru.]

Meanwhile, the Garden of Life…

Bai E laughed and said, "Ha, I won this time in escorting the bathers."

"How can a competition started unilaterally be considered valid?" Wan Di said, disagreeing.

"You're so stubborn," Bai E said, pursing his lips. "Look at you, it won't hurt you to say a few flattering words."

“...HKS,” Wan Di whispered, turning his head to the side.

Bai'er asked in confusion, "Haiyi... what are you saying, in your hometown dialect?"

"Hyena—I'm comparing you to a skinny hyena. By the way, your stress is completely off."

Seeing Wan Di's serious expression, Bai E complained, "We've known each other for a while now, but the number of times I've heard you use the ancient language of Xuanfeng is... very few."

"Because I'm not good at this language either. Listening and reading are no problem. But if you ask me to write in the ancient language..."

"You can write?" Bai E's eyes were clear, and his tone was sincere.

Wan Di was taken aback. "Your statement seems to be made without any thought."

"Haha, just kidding. No wonder, after all, you spent your childhood... wandering, far from home."

"Take better care of yourself, Savior. You never mention your hometown except when introducing yourself."

Speaking of his hometown, Bai'er was visibly saddened, turning to look behind Kefale. "Heh... because there's really nothing to say. Ailimishe was just a small village, and it's long gone because of the war."

"The only time I've ever seen it is in my dreams. And..."

Wan Di: "Anything else?"

The light in his eyes dimmed, “...in the trial of the spear of divine retribution.”

“I saw it, the burning Erimit, my family, friends and clansmen... all of them fell in the fire.”

"A half-circle of blood-red sun hung in the sky, just like back then, and the murderer killed Xi Lian right in front of me."

After the initial grief, boundless rage and hatred welled up in Bai'e's eyes. "But this time, I saw its true form: a black cloak, a strange mask, and a broken greatsword that exuded an ominous aura..."

"I fought that guy during the trial. But so much time has passed, and even though I fought, grew, and became stronger with determination... I still can't defeat it."

Wan Di warned, "Hatred has blinded you; you almost got lost in that trial."

“Yes… so I thank you from the bottom of my heart, Medemos.” His tone was sincere; this time it was not a joke, but genuine gratitude.

Wan Di snorted lightly, the corners of his lips turning up. "Hmph, you've finally learned manners. It's not too late."

As it turned out, Wan Di was very happy to hear his thanks, after all, he was a comrade and brother he could entrust with his life.

[Pella: This is so sweet! I love watching you two chat, the proud golden retriever lion cub versus the cunning black and white Samoyed.]

[Wan Di: I knew it. The murderer who killed your hometown was the fear deep within your heart.]

[Star: This Fire Thief clearly has some rationality. Why did he specifically target the Sorrowful Pavilion and even go so far as to stab Xi Lian to death? It's impossible that Xi Lian had some major secret.]

[Bai E: I don't know about that. Xi Lian... I vaguely remember her divine revelation was very unusual, but I can't recall the specifics.]

[Mimi: She's a pretty girl.]

Bai'e countered, "And what about you, Wan Di? What did you see in that trial... and what were your fears?"

He wiped the smile off his face and said seriously, "First of all, the word 'fear' doesn't exist in the dictionary of the Suspended Peak people."

"...Does your dictionary even have any words?" Bai E couldn't help but tease.