PNB Chapter 422 seems a bit off...
Chapter 422 seems a bit off...
When Qiong realized that his vision was distorted, he knew that he had entered.
The world is gradually becoming clearer.
Similar to before, he found himself standing in a vast, endless wheat field, the only unusual thing nearby being a swing under a tree.
A simple wooden swing board with two hemp ropes hanging down, their strength questionable, their attachments unclear.
Looking up, the swing was swaying gently, and a little pink-clad girl sitting on it was humming a song that Qiong couldn't quite make out.
"Hmph hmph hmph hmph hmph, hmph hmph hmph hmph..."
Qiong was initially a little upset—he wanted to bring Mei and the others in to see it too! But now, standing at the edge of the boundless golden wheat fields, listening to the rustling of the wind through the wheat ears, and the humming of some unknown tune, Qiong suddenly lost all his negative emotions.
He didn't interrupt the girl's humming, but simply took a few steps forward.
The smaller-sized, short-haired Xi Lian was facing away from him, her two slender legs swinging back and forth, and the swing gently swayed in rhythm with her.
Perhaps it was because she noticed Qiong that she stopped humming, and the swing slowly came to a stop.
"Hey buddy, you're here?"
The moment the girl jumped off the swing, a pink light burst forth from her body, forcing Qiong to immediately close her eyes.
When Qiong opened his eyes, the large Xi Lian with waist-length hair was already in front of him, her diamond-shaped eyes full of laughter looking at him—if she took another step forward, her pointed ears might touch Qiong's hand...
Qiong's heart felt as if it had been gripped tightly by that pink color for a moment, then suddenly released, and blood rushed to her head.
He instinctively took a half step back, only to see that Xi Lian hadn't actually gotten close; she simply stood there gracefully, the wheat fields behind her swaying more gently as she remained still. A few strands of her long hair were lifted by the wind and brushed against Qiong's fingertips.
"Hey buddy, did they scare you?"
Xi Lian tilted her head, her diamond-shaped pupils reflecting Qiong's somewhat stunned expression.
"Sorry, I was just... a little happy to see you."
Her voice was as soft as a mosquito's buzz, carrying a hint of barely perceptible shyness.
Only then did Qiong notice that her long eyelashes were trembling in the dim light...
Did I make myself cry?
"No, no, I wasn't scared!"
To one's benefactor... well, let's just call him a creditor. In short, Qiong thought Xi Lian's attitude was a bit too submissive—he had received help from Xi Lian, and she could have easily stood her ground, but she didn't, which could only mean...
She was a good person and truly considered herself his best friend, even though he had no idea what he had done.
"It's just that every time I come in, the scene is... quite unique. And such a beautiful girl like you suddenly appearing in front of me..."
Xi Lian chuckled softly and took a step back, giving Qiong some psychological safety space.
"Because this is the Elegant Secret Pavilion."
She turned around, her hands behind her back, and looked at the almost invisible outline of the windmill house at the end of the wheat field.
"It is the edge of a dream, the wrinkle of a memory, and also... the place where I can wait for you in peace."
The wind suddenly picked up, and the wheat rippled even more violently, its waves crashing against the ground. Xi Lian's long hair was also lifted by the wind.
"Friend, you think I'm pretty, right?"
Xi Lian turned her head to the side, her eyes crinkling into a gentle smile, a faint blush on her cheeks. She leaned slightly forward, her hands behind her back, her posture gentle and captivating.
Qiong felt the tips of his ears begin to burn. He cleared his throat and looked into the distance.
This feeling is exactly the same as that time...
Girl, please don't disturb my resolve!
"Ahem! Very beautiful."
Xi Lian's smile deepened.
"Hey buddy, have you ever heard this saying? 'You think I'm pretty? That's because you're already in love with me, you idiot.'"
"No, no, no, that's not it!"
Qiong's heart pounded wildly, a rush of blood coursing up his spine in panic. The sound of the wind seemed to suddenly intensify, filling his eardrums.
"Just kidding!"
Xi Lian smiled lightly, her tone full of ease.
"This is just a joke little Sephiroth is making fun of the others—a joke from the Dolores people, don't take it too seriously!"
She sat back on the swing, but didn't swing; she just sat quietly, her hands gripping the ropes. In that instant, Qiong seemed to see again that small, pink-haired figure, swaying alone before the boundless wheat field.
"partner."
Xi Lian didn't look at him, but instead turned her gaze to the small table next to her.
"When do you think the train from outer space will finally reach Onphalus?"
Qiong: ...
He didn't know, he didn't even know how to respond to Xi Lian's sense of familiarity. In his memory, this was only the third time he had entered this place called "Aili's Secret Pavilion"—the first time was when he fell asleep at work on Hyperion, the second time was after Leiera's temporary failure, and this time…
"sorry, I……"
Just as Qiong was about to speak, Xi Lian suddenly jumped off the swing.
"Ah, right!"
She walked quickly to the tree next to the swing, carefully took out a book from behind the tree, and presented it to Qiong like a treasure.
"I'm entrusting this to you. Make sure you keep it safe!"
Xi Lian's voice held a hint of anticipation.
Qiong examined the book: it was a deep sea blue with a hint of ice blue, the ice blue mixed with a platinum-edged cover, covered with textures she couldn't understand, and she could vaguely see soft starlight and ice crystal-like flowers...
"Open this book, I will be waiting for you in the past..."
Qiong took the book from Xi Lian, who was muttering to herself. The moment her fingertips touched the cover, the book moved without any wind.
When the book is opened, there are a series of faceless portraits.
Three red-haired children, a profile of someone wearing a crown, a familiar-looking back view, and...
"This is... Danheng?"
If others can't see the face and can't recognize it, how could they not recognize the outline of their own brother's face?
Qiong looked up at Xi Lian, who was still smiling.
Qiong glanced casually at the other portraits—it seemed like she recognized a few of them?
"Yes, of course you've seen them! I'm sorry, I can't say too much yet..."
Qiong hurriedly flipped through the pages, only to find that the entire book was blank.
"There's no content on it yet. Later, when the time comes, or... when you have more time to listen to my story..."
Qiong: o_0?
Xi Lian stretched out her finger and gently tapped the blank space on the page.
"Here, stories will be written, our stories."
A faint glow emanated from her fingertips, leaving behind faint pink trails, as if she were leaving behind invisible words.
"And theirs, and many more... those forgotten in the long river of time, or those yet to happen."
"Onfaros, what exactly happened?"
Upon hearing Qiong's question, Xi Lian withdrew her finger, tilted her head and thought for a moment, then suddenly smiled.
"Hmm, a romantic story unlike any other? Let's wait a bit longer. Once you know me a little better, once you know who we are, then I'll tell you a very, very long story..."
This evasive answer only confused Qiong more. He wanted to ask what a romantic story was, and what had happened to Onpharos that required intervention, but Xilian had already turned and walked into the depths of the wheat field.
"Come on, buddy. Let's not talk about that today, let's do something fun together!"
Xi Lian turned back and winked at Qiong, a sly glint in her diamond-shaped pupils.
She stretched out her finger and gently tapped it in the air. Instantly, the surrounding scenery began to change. The wheat field disappeared, the scene shifted, and the two appeared on a street.
"This... you conjured up?"
Qiong looked at these people who had suddenly appeared in surprise.
The street before me was bustling with activity; the sounds of vendors hawking their wares, laughter, and the rumble of wheels rolling over the cobblestones filled the air. The sun shone warmly, and the air was filled with the sweet aroma of freshly baked bread and the fragrance of some kind of flower. People dressed in unusual costumes walked by, some hurrying, some leisurely, their faces displaying lively expressions—they seemed completely unlike humans…
"Welcome to 'A Page of Eternity.' Although this is merely a recreation of a certain area of Ohm, it is all real—at least, in the future, we will all become real."
Qiong watched as an old woman selling fruit was smiling and haggling with a customer. Not far away, several children chased after a strange butterfly made of large purple grapes, winking at Xi Lian. After seeing her, they waved and disappeared into the void.
Wow! Today's snack is Earth Beast Meat Ribs!
Qiong saw Xilian walk up to a stall and watch with great interest as the stall owner processed red clay...
Wait, red clay? Is this some kind of Onphalos beggar's chicken?
Before Qiong could ask, Xi Lian reached out her hand to him.
"Would you like to stroll around here with me, buddy? Let me borrow a little of your time, to etch the future into our memories of yesterday..."
Qiong hesitated for a moment, unsure whether he should take Xi Lian's hand... But thinking of how much he owed Xi Lian, and seeing the sincerity in her eyes, he gently placed his hand on hers—Xi Lian's hand was soft, yet possessed an incredible strength. The moment Qiong's hand touched hers, she gripped it tightly... but it didn't hurt; she controlled it perfectly, and the temperature of her hand was neither too hot nor too cold...
"Great, then your time belongs to someone else!"
Xi Lian's gentle smile was like early spring, making Qiong's heart skip a beat. Before he could react, Xi Lian pulled him into the flow of people on the street.
"First of all, it's a problem with my stomach!"
Xi Lian's voice was filled with excitement. With a clear goal in mind, she pulled Qiong through the crowd and stopped in front of a barbecue stall. The rich aroma wafted towards them.
The stall owner was a young man who was shirtless. When he saw Xi Lian, his eyes narrowed into slits.
"Oh, it's you, Xi Lian! You brought a friend to patronize my business?"
The man's voice was loud and clear. His gaze swept over Qiong and then fell on the frying pan.
"This guy looks energetic, are you Xi Lian's boyfriend? How about this meal, it's on me! How about a plate of Iron-Blooded Fried Pork? It's fresh out of the oven, I guarantee it'll be delicious!"
"Two servings, Medemos!"
Xi Lian extended two fingers, then brought them close to Qiong, lowering her voice with a hint of excitement.
"Don't be fooled by this seemingly ordinary pan-fried meat; this is the signature barbecue of Midas's Suspended Peak! Any meat that passes through Chef Midas's hands will become a delicacy..."
Before she could finish speaking, Wan Di had already skillfully handed a piece of meat wrapped in leaves to Qiong.
"Did you do it so quickly?"
Qiong took the sizzling piece of meat; its scalding heat almost made him drop it. Wrapped in leaves, the meat had a caramel-like color, and oil was slowly seeping out along the veins of the leaves.
"Brother Mai, don't you think it's a little too hot..."
"For pioneers and those in the Suspended Peak team, 'too hot' doesn't exist in their dictionary—I mean, sorry, that's a specialty of this place."
After saying that, the man handed another portion to Xi Lian, then smoothly turned around and stopped making barbecue, abandoning his stall and disappearing from their sight.
Qiong looked in the direction Wan Di had left with a puzzled expression. Was this the right thing to do?
Even though you said you'd treat me to this meal, you're not going to take care of the food stall?
"Be careful, it's hot!"
Xi Lian also picked up her share, seemingly unaffected by the heat, and took a small bite, her diamond-shaped pupils squinting happily.
"Mmm~ As expected of him, it's still so delicious."
Qiong tried taking a bite. The juices burst in her mouth, mingling with peculiar spices and the subtle sweetness of some kind of plant root. Fried meat could actually taste like this? It was truly delicious.
However, being able to prepare a meal in just over ten seconds is either a privilege from a dream, or...
"How about it?"
Xi Lian turned her head to look at him, a little sauce still on the corner of her mouth.
"good to eat."
Qiong nodded honestly and finished his meal in a few bites. When he looked up after finishing, he found Xi Lian smiling and watching him, but he had only eaten a small portion of his own meat.
"You're eating too fast, buddy."
She broke the remaining meat in half and handed the larger half to Qiong.
"You must still want some, right? Here, I'll give you half of mine."
"No need, I..."
Qiong wanted to refuse, but Xilian simply stuffed the meat into his hand.
Don't be shy.
Before Qiong could refuse, she turned around and continued to pull Qiong forward.
"Your time is mine today, so you have to listen to me."
Qiong: ...
Something feels off?
He looked around, but out of the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse of a figure flashing by behind the stall diagonally opposite.
He saw a wisp of green hair, and a figure that looked exactly like the "pirate" named "Anaxagoras".
"what happened?"
"It's nothing... I misread it, I misread it."
"Let's go then."
Xi Lian smiled, her eyes crinkling, and gently nudged him with her elbow.
"Eat quickly, the flavor will be diminished if it gets cold. After you finish eating, I'll take you to a nice place."
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"Did you know? Caesar, who once ruled Ohmar, was actually a 'robust' woman..."
The two strolled along the street, eating pork chops. Xi Lian enthusiastically introduced the shops and stalls on both sides, recounting dubious legends and anecdotes. Qiong listened while observing his surroundings. He felt that there seemed to be a bit too many eyes on this street.
Why does he feel like everyone is spying on him?
"Take a look! This is Aglaia Kinori's latest work. Don't miss it!"
Upon hearing such a tacky advertising slogan, Xi Lian stopped in front of that shop and smiled at the person making the advertisement... Cat hope Ren?
"Kinori Agrea, her work is unique in all of Ohmarco!"
Xi Lian pulled Qiong into the shop, which was much more spacious than Qiong had imagined. Various fabric samples hung on the walls, from heavy, luxurious cloaks to light, airy scarves, each exquisitely crafted. A faint fragrance filled the air…
As someone entered the store, "Cat Xiren" turned around, a warm, almost deliberate smile on her small cat face. She was wearing a hooded leather jumpsuit, her ears hidden under the hood, and her blue eyes quickly swept over Xi Lian and Qiong's clasped hands, her smile seeming to deepen.
"Oh my, what a rare guest! Isn't this my dear Ai Li? And you even brought Hui Zi to patronize my little business?"
"Cat Xiren's" voice has a strange rhythm, with an upward spiking at the end, like humming.
"Little Saifei, don't give me that."
Xi Lian released Qiong's hand and crossed her arms over her chest.
"What are you doing here? I remember you should have something else to do, right?"
(Shouldn't you be stopping Xia Die and Bai E?)
The catwoman named Saifeier turned to Xilian with a smile.
"Of course, the matter is now settled."
(Don't worry, the "Dwelling Narrowness Princess" and the "Savior Boy" won't be here anytime soon. Their scheme is reliable!)
Seeing the two of them exchanging glances, Qiong felt that something was wrong—but what exactly was wrong?