Chapter 253: This Trainee Fatui Harbinger is Too Unreliable [253]
As much as he enjoyed teasing her, he wouldn't actually harm Sumeru's citizens just to force her hand.
If I ever tried something that extreme, she'd probably erase me from existence via the World Tree.
Watching her fall silent, Luo Qing decided not to press further. After saying a few parting words, his consciousness withdrew from the dream and returned to the Akasha.
Beyond Sumeru City, other places like Port Ormos and Aaru Village were similarly trapped in the Endless Dream.
The dreams floated like vivid, colorful bubbles across the Akasha, endlessly replaying the same day.
Luo Qing had no interest in these illusions, nor did he have any intention of interfering. Overthrowing the Akademiya and defeating Scaramouche's god-creation plan were Lumine's responsibilities, not his.
His focus was elsewhere: figuring out how to convince Nahida to preserve the Akasha system and integrate it into his own abilities.
The Akasha's capabilities were a perfect match for his mind-control expertise. If he could safeguard the system, he'd gain the power to manipulate anyone wearing an Akasha Terminal, no matter the distance.
And if the opportunity arose, studying the Dendro Gnosis wouldn't be off the table either.
As these thoughts swirled in his mind, Luo Qing prepared to withdraw his consciousness and return to a good night's rest.
But suddenly, from the dark edges of the Akasha, a faint green light flickered.
Small, weak, and unassuming—yet undeniably real.
It seemed to exist at the very heart of the Akasha, yet also impossibly far away.
"Huh?"
Glancing at the dream bubble where Nahida remained, Luo Qing noticed she was oblivious to the faint green glow.
She was still assisting Lumine and Paimon, helping them unravel the dream's mysteries.
She doesn't see it?
The anomaly intrigued him. Luo Qing had traversed the Akasha many times before, but this faint green glow had never appeared.
Is it because they're using everyone's collective wisdom tonight?
After a moment's hesitation, Luo Qing directed his consciousness toward the mysterious light.
He wasn't sure how long he traveled. By the time the dream bubbles were no more than faint specks of light behind him, the green glow still seemed impossibly distant.
But Luo Qing's instincts told him to keep going.
Something is waiting for me there... calling to me...
At last, the glow grew closer, as if sensing his presence and moving to meet him halfway.
The faint green light resolved into a small, translucent bubble, no larger than an egg.
Unlike the typical basketball-sized dream bubbles, this one was much smaller, and its shimmering surface was nearly as delicate as gossamer.
Peering into it, Luo Qing caught glimpses of a serene, verdant world:
A waterfall-fed lake cradled a lush green island.
On the island, vines and trees formed a cozy wooden cabin, its windows adorned with vibrant flowers.
A swing, crafted from vines and set amidst a field of radiant blossoms, swayed gently in the breeze.
And on the swing sat a graceful woman, humming softly to herself.
"Who is she?"
Luo Qing's breath caught.
The bubble's translucent surface distorted her figure slightly, obscuring her features, yet something about her presence felt deeply familiar.
Turning back toward the distant dreamscape, he saw no sign of Nahida following him. The dream bubbles shimmered faintly, now no more than stars on the horizon.
It's as if this light exists only for me...
With a mixture of curiosity and apprehension, Luo Qing reached out, pressing a fingertip gently against the bubble's surface.
The barrier dissolved into a stream of emerald light, drawing him into the scene within.
Inside the dream bubble, Luo Qing stood amidst the lush greenery, surrounded by the sound of birdsong and the scent of flowers.
The woman on the swing remained facing away, her delicate figure swaying slightly with the breeze.
For a moment, Luo Qing felt an inexplicable sense of déjà vu.
Have I seen this before?
It was like a memory from a distant past—or perhaps a vision of a future yet to come.
"Excuse me..." Luo Qing called out softly, stepping closer to the swing.
The woman stilled, the swing slowing to a gentle halt.
"You've finally come," she said, her voice clear and serene, like a stream flowing over smooth stones.
The woman turned to face him, and Luo Qing froze.
Her long, snow-white hair cascaded down her back, delicate and radiant as if crafted by nature itself.
Her emerald eyes, deep and kind, seemed to hold the wisdom of ages.
Her pale, flawless skin gleamed like polished jade, and her movements exuded an ethereal grace, like a leaf dancing in an autumn breeze.
As she rose and stepped toward him, her flowing skirt brushed the grass, her presence both gentle and commanding.
"Who... are you?" Luo Qing asked, though the answer already lingered in his mind.
The faint green glow, the serene beauty, the unmistakable air of divinity—there was no doubt.
"You already know, don't you?" she replied, her voice soft yet carrying a timeless depth.
"The Great Lord Rukkhadevata... Buer..."
She nodded, her emerald eyes locking onto his.
"Indeed," she said simply, her gaze seeming to pierce through time itself.
She stepped closer, her movements unhurried, and wrapped her arms around his waist. Resting her head lightly on his shoulder, she pulled him into an embrace.
"It's been so long, Luo Qing."
"..."
Luo Qing stood frozen, his mind racing to make sense of her words.
Did I hear that right?
The former Dendro Archon, dead for five centuries, was greeting him like an old friend?
How?!
He had only been in Teyvat for a little over a decade. How could he possibly have a connection to someone who had perished half a millennium ago?
"Do we... know each other?" Luo Qing asked cautiously.
"Yes..."
Buer released him from the embrace, taking a step back. Her emerald eyes, warm and distant, seemed to drift into memories far older than she was willing to share.
Her thoughts seemed to wander back to the Forbidden Cataclysm, the skies filled with crimson filth.
Back to the World Tree, where she had once stood shoulder-to-shoulder with a figure amidst the chaos.
"We don't just know each other," she said, her voice carrying a trace of amusement.
"...We've fought side by side."
---
T/N: WHJAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT
frig u guys im eliv im gonna stop the updates here (tomorrow ill give out 12 chapters) (HEHEH THAT WAS FOR PATREON)
Reader, your presence signifies commitment.
To walk this path is to contribute to the pursuit of eternity.
If you wish to strengthen our resolve further, step forward:
[patreon.com/WiseTL].
Each action adds to the unyielding foundation of what we create. Together, we leave a mark that transcends the fleeting nature of time.
— Raiden Shogun
Chapter 254: This Trainee Fatui Harbinger is Too Unreliable [254]
"I..."
Luo Qing swallowed hard, his gaze fixed on the breathtakingly beautiful Buer, whose presence seemed almost otherworldly.
Countless questions swirled in his mind, yet he didn't know where to begin.
"You really did it, Luo Qing..."
Buer leaned forward slightly, wrapping her arms around Luo Qing's waist once more. Her eyes lowered, and she rested her head gently against his chest. The quiet warmth of the moment made her feel at peace, even in the midst of a dream.
"..."
Luo Qing's heart was filled with confusion. After a few hesitant seconds, he finally asked,
"Did we... know each other before?"
"I've told you already~"
"We're much more than just acquaintances."
Buer's voice rose softly from his embrace, gentle as water yet tinged with a playful tone—a coquettishness akin to a devoted wife teasing her husband.
"But I... I don't remember you," Luo Qing said awkwardly.
As much as he hated to break the warmth of their reunion, he desperately wanted to understand what was happening. At the very least, he needed to know why Buer seemed to know him so well.
"Hmm... I know."
Buer slipped out of his arms and took his hand gently, leading him toward the swing nearby.
Turning her back to him, Buer sat on the swing made of woven vines and flowers. Luo Qing, understanding her unspoken request, positioned himself behind her and began to push the swing lightly.
As the swing swayed in the breeze, the hem of Buer's dress fluttered softly. Her fair, delicate feet dangled in rhythm, and a tender, lilting melody echoed through the dreamscape.
"This melody..."
Luo Qing froze for a moment, the tune stirring something deep within him.
If his memory served him right, this was a song from his previous life—a piece called "Forever Together." But how could Buer possibly know it?
"You taught me this, remember?"
"I taught you...?" Luo Qing murmured, his voice tinged with realization.
"Are you saying that we knew each other... five hundred years ago?"
"Rather than saying we met five hundred years ago..."
Buer's voice carried a bittersweet joy, as if reuniting after an eternity apart, but also a faint sorrow. She suddenly turned to face him, her eyes brimming with love and gentleness.
"It would be more accurate to say we parted five hundred years ago."
"..."
Luo Qing felt as though a thunderbolt had struck his mind.
"Can you tell me more?" he asked finally.
"Of course."
Buer intertwined her fingers with his, her soft fingertips brushing across his palm as their hands locked together. Tilting her head slightly, she gave him a radiant smile, her expression blooming like a field of flowers in spring.
"We have plenty of time now, don't we?"
Scooting to one side of the swing, she tugged gently on his hand, motioning for him to sit beside her.
"It's a long story..."
Buer's gaze grew distant, as though peering through the layers of the dream and into the faraway past.
---
Long before the Akademiya existed, Sumeru was a barren desert. It was she who created the rainforests, granting the people of Sumeru a peaceful life.
During the Archon War, Sumeru became a coveted land. Many Archons sought to control the World Tree, aiming to defeat her and claim dominion over it.
As the God of Wisdom, she was the caretaker of the World Tree, but she lacked skill in combat.
It was then that a mysterious young man descended from the heavens.
With overwhelming strength, he crushed all hostile Archons, helping her secure victory in the Archon War and ascend as one of the Seven Archons.
But nothing in this world comes without a price.
And the cost she had to pay…
---
"Oh, my dear Greater Lord Rukkhadevata! That cursed Plague Archon came looking for trouble again today. I got a scratch—just a tiny one! The doctor in Liyue next door said it can only heal if you hold me in your arms. Otherwise, I might succumb to the poison!"
Before her stood a man, arms spread wide, gesturing for a hug, with a scratch less than a centimeter long on his forearm.
---
"Rukkhadevata, what kind of white stockings are you wearing today? Hmm? Haven't seen these before. Can I touch them?"
Squatting before her, the man stared at her legs with sparkling eyes, rubbing his hands together gleefully.
---
"Oh, my Rukkhadevata, those troublemakers came back again today. I took them down with two punches! But now my fists hurt... Can you massage them for me? Yeah, yeah, like this, with our fingers interlocked..."
Without waiting for her consent, the man clasped her hands, a look of utter contentment spreading across his face.
---
"That King Deshret called me foul-mouthed today! Rukkhadevata, why don't you give me a kiss? Your lips are so sweet; maybe if you kiss me, my mouth won't stink anymore..."
"Come on, yesterday's kiss doesn't count! That was yesterday. Today's cooldown is refreshed!"
Thick-skinned as ever, he pulled her into his embrace, stealing a flurry of kisses.
---
"My dear Rukkhadevata, you had another nightmare last night? Oh no, that's terrible! I think you should sleep in my bed tonight. It's big and comfy; you definitely won't have bad dreams!"
"Don't worry... I'll stay by your side, always. Forever together, like the song you taught me. Whenever you miss me, just hum it, and I'll show up like magic!"
"Hey, so what if I've shrunk a little? How could I ever dislike you? Small is cute, isn't it? And besides... it's snug..."
---
"Huh? You want to name her together?!"
"How about... Nahida?"
---
"I'm sorry, my Rukkhadevata... I can only accompany you up to here for now. Don't cry, please. You're so beautiful when you cry, it breaks my heart..."
"I didn't say I don't want you. I'm just... leaving for a little while."
"I'll find you again, I promise... Just like before."
"We... will meet again."
"And when that time comes..."
"Please, Rukkhadevata..."
"Be my bride."
---
The final image froze beneath the World Tree.
The man she loved dissolved into a stream of starlight.
And she, in turn, left her last pure, untainted dream within the Void, awaiting the day when she could fulfill her promise to Luo Qing.
---
Her thoughts returned to the present.
The fingers interlocked with Luo Qing's tightened ever so slightly.
He had done it.
He found me.
And now, becoming his bride...
That promise was hers to fulfill.
---
T/N: WHAAAAAAAAAAAT? WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT (morax millionaire has been reuploaded under the title of Contracts Beyond Realms: The Geo Archon's Journey id appreciate it if you can put it in your collections again pwetty please)
Reader, your presence signifies commitment.
To walk this path is to contribute to the pursuit of eternity.
If you wish to strengthen our resolve further, step forward:
[patreon.com/WiseTL].
Each action adds to the unyielding foundation of what we create. Together, we leave a mark that transcends the fleeting nature of time.
— Raiden Shogun
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