Xing Tie: Wait a minute! How come Weng Xing has two saviors?

"What are you thinking, Titan? It's not that simple. My sister just sent me a message using the communication tablet, saying that she has cooked dinner and asked me to come back for dinner."

"?" Serhis's light and shadow froze upon hearing this. At that moment, Xia left, leaving her alone and bewildered on the second floor of the library.

Nothing could stop Nakaka from going home to have dinner with her sister, not even the truth of the world. Hmm... but perhaps the cute little earth beast could make her pause "slightly"?

Chapter 229 The Secret of the Butterfly.

Stikosia, the ancient city of dragon remains.

A portal to the Hundred Realms, its edges rippling with spatial energy, quietly opened, and Xiaodie and Xing stepped out from it.

The door behind them was not closed, and Xing could still see the hustle and bustle of Ohma and the sunlight through the Hundred Worlds Gate.

“Teacher Tian, ​​this is enough for us. We’ll call you if we need anything.” Xia Die turned around and whispered to the petite figure in the doorway.

Tian's small nose wrinkled slightly; she seemed to dislike the atmosphere of the River Styx here.

Tian stepped forward, looking at Xiaodie with concern: "Little Xiaodie, although we have long suspected that this city has a deep connection with the Titan Cenatos of 'Death,' and may even be built upon His dormant divine body..."

She paused, her voice unusually serious: "But Tian still wants to remind you: Ohma has already received several Titan sparks in a very short period of time. You really don't need to rush into deciding to take over the power of 'death' and become a demigod in charge of 'death' at this moment."

“We, especially Aya, hope that you can have more time to enjoy the freedom of life like an ordinary golden-blooded girl.”

"After all... once you become a demigod, it means you will also have the responsibility of protecting the citizens of Ohmma, which is a path of no return."

Hearing these caring words, Xia Die felt a warmth in her heart. She nodded gently, her tone firm and composed:

"Don't worry, Professor Tian. I came to Stikosia this time mainly at Professor Nakasha's request to investigate some matters related to historical mysteries. Submitting the 'Death' Seed, becoming a demigod... I'm not ready for that yet, nor is it the purpose of this trip."

"I see, then I'm relieved. If you need my Hundred Realms Gate, Little Butterfly, you know what to do." Tian'an regained her lively tone, happily shook her head, waved to Xia Die and Xing, and then disappeared along with the Hundred Realms Gate as if she had merged into the air.

After Tian left, the unique silence and coolness of Stikosia once again enveloped the surroundings.

The butterfly and the star stroll side by side through this ancient city surrounded by the River Styx. The wooden plank road underfoot is slightly slippery, and the deep, resonant sound of the River Styx flowing in the distance can be faintly heard.

After walking for a while, Xia Die turned her head somewhat embarrassedly and said to Xing, "I'm sorry... Lord Xing. It's so kind of you to take time out of your busy schedule to accompany me to such a... heavy place."

She sighed softly and explained, "But among all the people I know, it seems that you are the only one who has the time right now."

Xia Die's tone carried a hint of helplessness: "Lord Bai E has been extremely troubled lately because of Lord Xi Lian's sudden departure. He has been running around searching for clues all day long and is in a very low mood. Alas... I don't know where Lord Xi Lian went or why he left so quietly."

"As for Miss Feng Jin, the most prestigious patriarch of the Sky Clan, Lord Seneos, seems to be seriously ill and needs her by his side. As for Teacher Xia... he is engrossed in deciphering the secrets of the Titan Oracle and is even more unable to attend to her."

“It’s alright. Miss Xia Die helped me a lot when I was managing the community,” Xing replied crisply, hands on her hips, her face beaming with cheerfulness and loyalty. “Isn’t it only natural for friends to help each other?”

She then scratched her head and asked with a hint of frankness, "But... what exactly are we supposed to do now? Are we to investigate the whole of Stikosia? This city looks quite large."

Upon hearing this question, a faint blush appeared on Xia Die's face. She lowered her head slightly and lowered her voice: "To be honest, Your Excellency Xing, the reason I volunteered to come to Stikosia, besides assisting Teacher Xia's investigation, was actually... my own little selfish motive."

As if she had made up her mind, she carefully took out a simple wooden box from the cloth bag she carried with her, which was embroidered with delicate butterfly patterns.

The box has a smooth surface with a warm luster from years of handling, and is engraved with some difficult-to-decipher symbols.

"I want to tell you a secret, but please don't tell anyone else, Lord Xing." Xia Die's voice was soft, carrying the solemnity of sharing something precious.

"This box has been with me since I had memories. It... should be considered a relic related to Titan Janus of the 'Gateway'."

She gently opened the box, inside which was lined with soft silk and contained several neatly folded letters. "Because, as long as I put my own letter into this box, in three or four days, or five or six days at most, the letter will disappear, and in its place will be a reply from a girl who calls herself 'Little Dragon Who Loves to Plant Seas of Flowers'."

Xia Die's gaze became somewhat distant, as if she were lost in memories: "I don't know who she is, where she comes from, whether she is a human or some other being."

"But to be honest... when I felt lonely, lost, or faced insurmountable difficulties, her replies, her care and encouragement helped me through many tough times."

She looked up into the depths of Stikosia, where the scents of the River Styx and the distant ocean seemed to strangely intertwine.

“She once mentioned in her letter that she lived in a place where she could see both the River Styx and the ocean at the same time. In the past, I never thought of coming to find her. After all, someone who could live in such a strange place must be extraordinary.”

"But... now that I've come to Stikosia by chance, I can't help but feel a strong desire—I want to meet her, talk to her in person, and then thank her."

Xia Die cast an expectant gaze at Xing, with a hint of pleading: "Lord Xing, would you... be willing to come with me to see her?"

Chapter 230 Polycia: Sister, now no one can stop us from embracing.

"You have a pen pal who lives in Stikocia?" Xing asked, somewhat surprised, her gaze sweeping over the deserted streets around her.

“I’ve heard Teacher Tibo mention that although Stikosia isn’t haunted by the undead as the legends say, and few Black Tide creatures come near here, almost no one wants to live here because of the lingering aura of the River Styx.”

"After all, with the sunny and vibrant city of Ohmama to live in, who would choose to stay in this cold and eerie ancient city of dragon bones?"

“Yes…” Xia Die repeated softly, her voice so light it seemed as if it could be carried away by the breeze of the River Styx, “What normal person… would live in the Dragonbone Ancient City?” There was a hint of doubt that had been buried long ago in her words.

She quickly composed herself, looked up at Xing, and gave her a reassuring smile:

"Lord Xing, please follow my lead. Let's wander around Stikosia and soak in the atmosphere of this city-state. Oh, and please don't get too close, lest the power of 'death' inadvertently affect you."

The two began to stroll through the deserted ancient city.

Surprisingly, despite the passage of countless years, the roads and buildings in Stikosia do not appear excessively dilapidated.

Although the stone-paved streets were slippery, they had few cracks, and not many houses had collapsed. It was as if an invisible hand was silently maintaining the last vestiges of dignity and respect for this city-state.

"This place must have been incredibly prosperous once," Xing murmured, looking at the shops, taverns, and houses on both sides of the street, whose former appearances were still faintly discernible. Some shop signs, though faded and worn, still hung in their original places, silently telling the story of the past.

“Yes,” Xia Die’s voice carried a hint of reminiscence, “According to historical records, this ancient coastal city was once surrounded by magnificent rainbows and warm ocean currents during the distant Golden Age.”

"The people in the city revel in what seems like an inexhaustible source of honey, indulging in feasts and sweet dreams all day long, as if the world's suffering and regrets would never befall them."

Her tone gradually lowered, tinged with regret: "But... as the glorious Golden Age came to an end, and as the three Titans who brought calamity descended, the River Styx, symbolizing end and rest, passed through and eventually circled this place."

"For this reason, this seaside city, which was intoxicated by 'drunkenness and dreams', gradually lost its former hustle and bustle and vitality, and eventually returned to the silence and sparse population that we see before us."

Just then, Xing suddenly stopped, her nose twitching slightly. She seemed to... smell a faint fragrance of flowers?

This is extraordinary! This is the heart of Stikosia! The outskirts of this city-state are filled with the unique scent of the River Styx, yet in its very core, such a clear and vibrant floral fragrance wafts through the air.

Xing looked at Xia Die with a puzzled expression, only to see that Xia Die had also stopped. She nodded to Xing, and her eyes, which always held a gentle smile, were now sparkling with excitement and trepidation.

“Your Excellency Xing,” Xia Die’s voice trembled slightly, “Let us…keep moving forward. I think…I will see her soon.”

Filled with growing curiosity and a touch of inexplicable tension, the two crossed the next deserted street corner.

Their vision suddenly opened up! It was as if they had stepped into another world.

Before the butterflies and stars, an unbelievably vast sea of ​​purple-blue flowers unfolded!

This unusual flower has petals that are a deep violet color, but the edges are tinged with a pale blue fluorescence like moonlight.

They swayed gently in the breeze, releasing a tranquil and lingering fragrance, creating a stark contrast to the deathly silence of the surrounding ancient city. This sea of ​​flowers was so lush that it almost completely concealed any remaining ruins that might exist beneath it.

In the very center of this magnificent sea of ​​flowers stands a towering structure. Constructed from some kind of dark stone, it pierces the sky, its height almost touching the pale double moons that hang eternally in the heavens, symbolizing the underworld.

Xia Die's gaze was instantly drawn to a figure beneath the tower in the sea of ​​flowers.

It was a figure wearing a light purple dress, sitting in a wheelchair with her back to them, holding an antique watering can, carefully watering the flowers at her feet.

Her movements were elegant and graceful, as if she had become one with the sea of ​​flowers.

Seemingly hearing footsteps behind them, the purple figure gently placed the kettle aside and turned around.

Time seemed to freeze at this moment.

The moment Xia Die saw the other person's face clearly, her body trembled violently, as if she had been struck by an invisible electric current!

That face... that face bore a striking resemblance to her own!

Although she only had one eye, its shape and the gentle temperament it contained were almost identical to her own!

Although the other person's hair color was a deeper purple than her own, and their skin had a pale look as if they hadn't seen the sun for a long time.

But they were her family, without a doubt.

She actually has relatives in this world?

"You've come," the purple figure said softly, her voice carrying a hint of tranquility and ethereal beauty.

She watched as Xia Die walked towards her step by step as if in a dream, her eyes filled with complex emotions: concern, guilt, joy, and deep longing.

"I'm sure you guessed our relationship when you saw me..." She paused slightly, and the address that seemed to have been brewing on her lips for countless days and nights was finally uttered softly and tenderly at this moment:

"……elder sister."

Xia Die had already walked up to her, close enough to clearly see the same excited and incredulous expression reflected in the other's eyes.

She reached out her hand, trembling, wanting to touch that face that was so similar to her own yet so different, wanting to confirm that this was not a fragile illusion.

However, just as her fingertips were about to touch the other person's cheek, she suddenly stopped and quickly withdrew them as if she had been burned.

She remembered her uncontrollable authority over "death," the power that made the living uncomfortable and caused plants to wither.

She was afraid, afraid that this touch she had longed for day and night would hurt the person in front of her who might be her only blood relative.

Polycia saw all of her sister's hesitation and fear.

Without the slightest hesitation, she reached out and grabbed Xia Die's wrist, which was trying to back away, and then placed her sister's slightly cool palm against her soft cheek.

“Sister,” her voice carried a reassuring warmth, her eyes clear and resolute, “do not be afraid. Even death itself… cannot stop us from embracing each other in this moment.”

Chapter 231 The Core of Creation

"So... you actually reversed the laws of life and death to save me..." Xia Die sat beside Polycia, her fingertips gently brushing against a nearby blue flower, her voice filled with unbearable regret and heartache.

"I...I regret it so much. Why didn't I discover the truth sooner? Why didn't I come to you sooner? If only I had..."

"Don't say anymore, sister." Polycia gently grasped Xia Die's hand, interrupting her self-reproachful words. Her smile was gentle and serene, as if she had already accepted everything.

“I really like, I really like the description you gave me of the sunshine in Ohmma, the bustling city, and all the different kinds of people and things you met in your letter.”

"They are like another window, allowing me to see a vibrant and warm world. If you had come to me too early, I might not have received so many wonderful stories."

She tilted her head slightly, trying to dispel her sister's gloom with a lighthearted tone, "Although my body cannot leave this world of flowers projected into reality, I have never felt lonely because my sister often writes to me and shares your life with me."

"Wait, you said you can't leave this sea of ​​flowers?" Xia Die keenly caught this crucial information, her body stiffening slightly, her eyes filled with confusion and worry. "Why?"

“This… is a long story.” Polycia sighed softly, her gaze falling on the swaying sea of ​​flowers, as if recalling that distant past. “Reversing life and death, defying the natural order, comes at an extremely heavy price. Back then, in order to allow your soul to be reunited and return to the world, I paid… my entire life.”

“But…but you’re still alive…” Xia Die’s eyes were filled with confusion and deeper worry. She held her sister’s hand tightly, as if afraid that she would disappear at any moment. “Did something happen later? Who…saves you?”

A fleeting look of reminiscence crossed Polycia's eyes. She paused for a moment, as if organizing her thoughts: "Later... there was a, well... a very strange 'person' who found me. I'm not even sure if it could even be called a 'person'."

Her voice carried a hint of uncertainty, “He… 'resurrected' me in a way I can’t understand.”

Even more unbelievable is that, by some unknown means, he forcibly separated the "death" spark that was almost fused with my soul.

I still don't know how he did it. The feeling... was like his soul was being ripped away, yet he miraculously preserved my consciousness.

She paused, then continued, "But... he truly made me who I am now—a special being bound to this place, sustained by this sea of ​​underworld flowers, yet not required to bear the authority of 'death.' I once asked him why he did this, why he went to such great lengths to save a soul that should have been utterly annihilated."

Polycia raised her head, looked at Xiaodie and Xing who was listening intently beside her, and slowly uttered that key word:

He only answered with two words—'existence'.

"Then, he handed me the Janus Box, which could transmit letters across space, and said, 'Use it to maintain your connection with the world,' and then, just as abruptly as he appeared... he left."

Upon hearing those two words again, Xing's brows furrowed slightly, and a strong sense of unease gripped her.

It's "still in existence" again!

From Nicardoli's mad ramblings to the motives of the mysterious man who saved Polycia, the word seems like an ominous curse, clinging to the many strange events in Onphalus.

Even someone as oblivious as her could not help but realize that the truth hidden behind this world was far from ordinary.

It seems... once we get back, we must immediately sort out these clues with Danheng and Uncle Yang.

She pondered to herself. Given the eerie nature of Onfaros, she wouldn't be surprised if another star core suddenly appeared at any time.

And then there's that mysterious man who made a fleeting appearance in the long river of "time" and was able to reverse the timeline... What role does he play in this series of events?

"By the way, Polycia." After silently processing the sacrifices her sister had made for her and the bizarre events that followed, Xia Die remained silent for a long time before suddenly speaking, as if she had just remembered something.

"You've stayed here for so long, almost becoming one with this ancient city... Do you know if the priests of this city-state in the past hid some unknown secrets? Perhaps... some powerful seals, or a history that was deliberately concealed?"

Polycia raised her head, her purple eyes, so similar to those of the butterfly, gave her sister a deep look, as if she understood her intention.

She didn't answer immediately, but instead tilted her head slightly, her gaze seemingly piercing through layers of buildings and the pervasive mist of the River Styx, directed towards a specific direction within the city-state. After a moment, she responded softly, her tone carrying an undeniable certainty:

“Yes, sister. At the bottom of the River Styx, in that silent abyss that has never been visited by anyone in the past or present… I do know of a place where there exists an extremely ancient and powerful seal set up by the priestesses of Fajina.”

"I never imagined that such a vast space was hidden deep within the River Styx?" Xing couldn't help but exclaim in a low voice, the sound echoing slightly in the empty cave.

Following behind Polycia, they felt as if they had passed through an invisible membrane, and the viscous and icy touch of the Styx around them suddenly disappeared.

Instead, there was a huge, open underground cavern.