Chapter 1327: Weng Falosi 3.4 (362)

"Eh? You are… Mi! So it's Xilian, Xiao Bai!" The purple‑furred Mimi clutched its paws, gazing at the two with delight, "Wow… it's been ages, Mi! Xiao Bai, how did you become so tall, so big, so dashing? From far away I didn't recognize you at all."

Bai E smiled awkwardly, "After all, we've both grown up."

The little spirit lowered its head toward Xilian, "Hmm… Xilian hasn't really changed, how amazing!"

Genshin Impact.

Is that… a fellow of Mimi?!

Paimon stared dumbfounded, eyes unblinking as she looked at the purple little spirit, "Why never heard Mimi mention this before?"

Paimon, could it be because of Star God Fuli? Ying propped his chin, guessing slightly, "Mimi is a little spirit from this maze realm, but because of Fuli she lost her memory, then set out on a journey following Xing to adventure and recover her memories. That also explains why Mimi could only make the sound 'Mi' before, but as time passed and she gathered memories, her speech became more fluent."

But, the Traveler, since these little spirits played with Bai E when they were kids, why didn't Bai E recognize Mimi the first time she saw her?

That explains it well, Paimon. Ying turned, gazing toward the endless forest beyond Sumeru City, "Do you still remember Lan Nalu?"

Of course! Lan Luomo, Lan Lana, Lan Nazhen, Lan Laga, Lan Jiawei, Lan Bantu… Paimon counted on her fingers, "…I still remember most of them!"

Children in Sumeru can see Lan Nalu when they're young, but as they grow up the memories of Lan Nalu gradually fade. I think perhaps the little spirits near Aolixie are the same? When Bai E is carefree, he remembers those little spirits, but as the burden on his shoulders grows heavier and he has more to consider, the memories of Lan Nalu… no, the memories of the little spirits also vanish.

That could indeed be possible… Paimon nodded thoughtfully, "It's a pity that when Bai E met Mimi, Xilian was already gone; if she were still alive, she should have recognized Mimi at first glance!"

Xilian couldn't help teasing, "Maybe I'm like Lai La Mi, also a little fairy of the maze realm?"

"So Mimi is an organization?"

"An organization? Their memories probably aren't that strict… before we arrived, nobody even had a proper name." Bai E blurted, "Duo La Mi, Lai La Mi, Mi La Mi, Fa La Mi… Ha, it's been ages since I've seen those cute little guys."

"Back then we gathered around the campfire, dancing and singing, dreaming how wonderful the future journey would be… Times have changed; if we hadn't returned here, those scenes would have been completely cast aside."

That made Lai La Mi huff, hands on hips, "Xiao Bai really dares to say that! Back then you kept swearing 'I'll never forget', yet after so long you still forgot everyone."

Xilian interjected, "Alright, alright. He's just imitating the wistful minstrel from the tale, so he wouldn't truly forget everyone. We're here this time to retrieve the Shenpai; do you know where it went?"

Lai La Mi said the village chief had taken the Shenpai, and led the three to the chief's tree hollow; shortly after, a silver‑white little spirit drifted out slowly.

"Hehe… children, it's been a long time."

Xing smirked and said, "I thought you were the pink Mimi."

"Pink… in my impression, the maze realm never had pink fairies; I wonder if Duo La Mi has ever seen one?"

Demon Slayer.

"Strange, no pink fairies? Then what on earth is Mimi?"

Although from the beginning Snake Pillar thought Mimi's identity was odd, as long as we tied all the strange, inexplicable things about her to Star God Fuli, that sense of oddness was largely erased.

But now a fairy race identical to Mimi has appeared, and the oddities related to Mimi have not only not lessened, they've actually increased.

"Could Mimi be a later‑born little spirit?" Lian Zhu guessed with interest, "And since Mimi can wield the power of 'Memory', might these other little fairies also use similar powers?"

"Not necessarily; Mimi can use that power largely thanks to Fuli," Butterfly Ninja frowned slightly, "But we seem to have overlooked a problem before."

"What?"

"When the Star was glanced at by Star God Fuli, even the black swan beyond Weng Falosi could sense it; as the actual steward of the staff, Laigushi, did he notice that glimmer of the Star God's gaze?"

"He should have noticed, I guess…"

Mitsuri of Sweet Dew Temple scratched her head; she couldn't determine the answer either.

"Whether or not he noticed, he should know of Mimi's existence. If Mimi is a creature linked to the Star God, I'm curious how he views Mimi—does he just let a being tied to the 'Memory' Star join the Fire Pursuit Journey so freely?"

"Village Chief! You're still so energetic, that's wonderful."

"Hehe, don't worry. Remember? I said that as long as there are people who can sing ballads, the children of the maze will always exist—just as our destinies often intersect."

Saying that, the village chief pulled a book from behind himself and handed it to Xilian.

"Take it away, child. I'm sorry I had to summon you here this way."

However, watching the book in Xilian's hands, Xing grew uneasy.

She was extremely familiar with this book; it was the collection of memories Mimi had gathered, stored in the form of a Shenpai.

"Is this… 'As I Have Written'?"

"Ah, my Shenpai volume…" Xilian smiled faintly, "Having you keep it for me puts my mind at ease. If you want me to divine, I'm always happy to serve."

Bai E asked, puzzled, "But, after all these years, guiding us here in such a special way… is something wrong, Chief?"

"... That's right." The village chief said, "Actually, we've recently heard the whispers of the Eternal Night Veil. It says the maze will soon welcome new fairies…"