Chapter 153: Chapter Twenty-Five: The Wildland

The night grew deep, the stars sparse beneath the bright moon; the city's lights dimmed, and a ink-black nightfall enveloped the entire land.

Beyond the city, no one stirred; the boundless wilds and forests held only a few small creatures moving silently.

This was the Wildland—a "blank zone" between human cities, untouched by civilization.

The blankness was not absence, but inaccessibility—intentionally left uncharted. No one knew how long one could survive entering the Wildland, for almost no one returned alive.

Over time, "the Wildland" became a word used solely to frighten children. Many parents would threaten disobedient kids with, "If you misbehave again, I'll throw you into the Wildland," and the effect was striking. Generations grew up hearing such warnings, accustomed to the idea that "the Wildland is dangerous," and never once considered venturing out.

Of course, human curiosity is endless. As society's information networks expanded, more and more people became obsessed with uncovering the Wildland's secrets, even some internet celebrities eager to challenge themselves there. But these individuals invariably vanished within the Wildland, adding further mystery and dread to this ancient legend.

To block the dangers of the Wildland, people erected towering defense nets beyond the cities and built land-ship transit causeways between them. The only lifeline connecting city to city was these causeways—like the veins of civilization, binding all urban centers together, linking goods and information.

These defense nets seemed to possess some mystical power; as long as they stood, the cities remained safe. People could live in peace, as if nothing in the Wildland had anything to do with them.

Thus, no one noticed a long plume of smoke rising amid the night's veil beyond the city.

Desert, lone smoke, waning moon, lingering fire.

A slender figure sat curled beside a bonfire, arms wrapped around knees, staring straight at the Fang Ting beneath the defense net.

The "crackling" of burning wood was the only sound; the leaping flames suggested time still flowed, yet the figure remained motionless, silent, like a lifeless statue.

It was a figure clad in black.

"Black clothing" might not be accurate, for what the figure wore was not a full-length robe like those of Black Ash Dawn, but an old, torn black Dao robe.

The hem of the black robe was ragged, as if torn apart, uneven and pitted; the upper part did not fit well, held only by a waist cord.

Within the black robe was a woman—by age, still a girl, about sixteen or seventeen.

The girl sat still in the night's Wildland, her breath carrying an unusual rhythm; misty white vapor curled around the bonfire with each inhale and exhale. Within three feet, it seemed another realm had opened.

Her slightly lifted eyes caught the firelight, revealing what lay within: gray-black and silver-white concentric pupils slowly turning, like a pair of mysterious Yin-Yang fish.

On her dorsal hand was a cinnabar-colored mark, sketching a long-tailed, long-winged falcon—only a few strokes, yet lifelike, as if ready to take flight and pierce the clouds.

The girl stared at Fang Ting, then, after long silence, closed her eyes. The Yin-Yang fish within ceased turning; the mysterious breathing halted. When she opened her eyes again, they were merely dark, ordinary pupils.

"The beast's power has nearly vanished."

She murmured: "It seems I arrived too late—the remnants of the Apostles have no way out."

—"There's no need to save those people."

As she spoke, another voice arose from the darkness beside her: "It was merely a simple transaction between the leader and the Apostles. If it can be completed, fine; if not, so be it. That's their affair, not ours."

The words faded, and a slender black cat slowly emerged from the dark, sat beside the girl by the bonfire. It stretched slightly, as if yawning.

"Don't get it wrong—our only goal is to recover the Beast Source left behind by the Moth as soon as possible."

It turned its head, its vertical pupils fixed on the girl: "As long as we obtain the Beast Source, everything else can wait."

"Including the task the boss specifically assigned?"

The girl's gaze remained straight: "He said, if possible, I should bring two more people."

"Which two?" the black cat asked, slightly surprised.

"A girl named Bai Jingxuan, and… Cornflower."

The girl paused before uttering the latter name: "Didn't the deputy leader tell you? She should've been there too."

"... That's something we can only try our best for."

The black cat replied: "Cornflower has been severely wounded for years, yet clearly retains some strength. Sparrow was captured at Fang Ting; Moth died at Fang Ting; the demonic armor seen in online videos was almost certainly her work."

"Sparrow… if sent to the Investigation Bureau, she's probably already doomed. I never imagined that brief encounter would be our last."

The girl's face showed a touch of melancholy: "But it doesn't matter—she was simply outmatched. This outcome is honorable enough."

"Wasn't she your direct subordinate?"

The black cat frowned: "Even if she was rebellious, you can't just ignore her like this?"

"We are solitary seekers of the Dao, not children stumbling under parental care."

The girl said: "The path of the Dao is fraught with hardship, trials, and tribulations. If you cannot cross them, that is your fate."

"Is it really wise to say that now?"

The black cat said: "Cornflower isn't an easy opponent, you know."

"... It doesn't matter."

The girl lowered her gaze slightly; her previously blank face slowly gained expression: "If she's strong, all the better—I look forward to fighting someone who still holds power. Whether I win or lose, I'll gain something. I dislike battles against the weak."

"You really ought to change this habit. Combat is combat, not a stage to display your martial spirit. You're too merciful to your opponents."

The black cat sighed, almost humanly: "Enough idle talk. Go to sleep. I'll keep watch for the second half of the night."

As it spoke, its gaze drifted toward the endless, distant Wildland. Because it turned slightly, a pair of thin wings emerged from its back—revealing its true nature: a fairy.

"Will two hours of sleep be enough?"

The girl tilted her head: "You didn't sleep at all during the day—does that count as staying up late for a cat?"

"I'm a fairy, not a real cat."

The black cat fairy swished its tail: "I'm a black cat, and so are you—stop treating me like a pet."

"A black cat calling someone else 'black cat.'"

The girl smiled faintly: "Is that a joke?"

"If you know it's a joke, stop wasting time."

The black cat fairy glanced at her irritably: "Go to sleep. We still have to reach Fang Ting tomorrow."

"Mm, I'm sleeping."

The girl said no more. She leaned against the bonfire, wrapped herself in her wide Dao robe, and fixed her dark eyes on the black cat fairy: "Thank you, Semy."

"Sleep."

The fairy turned away, continuing to gaze at the distant, hazy Wildland, and softly spoke the girl's name:

—"Yuan."

……

……

In the early morning, Senior Cuique came from the bedroom to the kitchen, adjusted her attire, and took her arm guards from by the door. She was just about to prepare the morning meal when she smelled the fragrance of boiling rice porridge already wafting from the kitchen.

She looked into the kitchen and saw a small pink dog spirit busily working by the stove, its petite body effortlessly wielding cooking utensils much larger than itself, seemingly with great ease.

"Senior Nini?"

Senior Cuique asked with some surprise, "Why are you still making breakfast today? Wasn't it agreed before that I should do it?"

"Trivial matters; it is better not to trouble my lord with them."

Nini, by the stove, turned her head and looked at Senior Cuique, saying, "Moreover, today might be the last time I cook for everyone here."

This sentence cleared much of the sleepiness from Senior Cuique's mind. She paused slightly at first, but quickly reacted:

"You are leaving?"

"Yes. The Kingdom finally contacted me last night, saying I should return to undergo a period of observation and training while awaiting the next assignment."

Nini turned down the stove's heat, hovered in the air, and bowed slightly to Senior Cuique: "I am expected to depart today. Thank you all for your tolerance and care these past days."

"No need for such politeness. In fact, we have all been cared for by you."

Senior Cuique shook her head: "However, does this mean that after this, Moke will be the official Sower of Fang Ting City?"

"Yes, that is correct."

Nini straightened up: "After I leave, the Kingdom should send someone to bring Moke's official appointment documents, as well as tools needed by a Sower, such as the magic mirror. It also means that I, this negligent Sower, can finally leave this city completely."

"That is not actually your fault."

Senior Cuique spoke softly: "You are merely a victim of this matter; there is no need to take so much responsibility upon yourself."

"But if I had not come to Fang Ting, if it had not been for my lord's presence, that city would probably have already fallen due to my mistake, wouldn't it?"

Nini sighed: "You do not need to comfort me like this. The responsibility borne by us Sowers is heavy, so we have undergone relevant education. I just... need some time to think for myself."

"... As you wish."

Senior Cuique nodded: "Then let us not speak of these matters. May your journey be smooth."

"Thank you. This return journey should not encounter the same troubles as the arrival. However, I have one thing to entrust to you, and that is Moke."

Hearing this, Nini smiled: "I have already disciplined it these past days and taught it many things and rules. However, the time has been short, and it will still need some time to truly master them. I hope everyone can be a little more tolerant of Moke. Of course, this does not mean you should tolerate its mischief; rather, when it does something wrong, at least tell it and give it some guidance. After all, it..."

—"After all, it is actually not a Sower, is it?"

Senior Cuique finished Nini's sentence, placed one hand on her hip, and said calmly, "It is not simply that it has never been a Sower; it has almost received no education related to Sowers at all. Fundamentally, it is not of the same path as you Sowers."

"... Yes, your guess is correct."

Nini showed a helpless expression: "Because it is actually a spirit from the Garden. According to normal planning, its future should be that of a 'Gardener,' not a Sower."

"As I thought."

Senior Cuique understood: "It seems to know many things about spirits, but knows nothing of the common knowledge of Magical Girls; it knows some things about the Kingdom, but knows nothing of matters in the Material World. Besides growing up within the Garden, there seems to be no other possibility."

"Yes."

Nini continued to explain: "Moke's nature is actually not bad. Except for being a bit playful, it is a child who very much hopes for others' recognition. If it can gain others' acknowledgment, then it is very willing to learn and strive. Please give it a chance."

"I am not the type to be harsh toward a spirit to that extent; in any case, I have seen quite a few unreliable spirits."

Senior Cuique crossed her arms: "However, what exactly is your relationship with it? Why did it run out of the Garden just to come to Fang Ting City to find you?"

"My relationship with it? If I must say... although there is no such kinship among spirits, we could be considered sisters?"

Nini wore a thoughtful expression: "Our sources of magic were both born within the Garden, and our spirits grew in later life, so we have been good companions since childhood."

"However, even among spirits, a group known for late maturity, Moke was the one who grew the slowest. When everyone else could already leave the Garden and work independently, it was still living carefree within the Garden."

"Moreover, although I cannot say much, Moke's status within the Garden... is a bit special. It is more special than us other spirits, and the treatment it receives is unique. The Great Spirit Elder was exceptionally indulgent toward it, never disciplining it strictly, which is why its personality is so... flamboyant."

"After I grew up, I chose to leave the Garden to undergo Sower training, but I remained friends with Moke, and we still often played together."

"Later, I was assigned by the Kingdom to come to Fang Ting City as a Sower, so when I left, I bid farewell to it and told it that if it missed me, it could come to Fang Ting City to see me..."

Speaking here, Nini's expression became complex: "I just did not expect its action to be so strong. Because it could not contact me for two years, it really chased all the way to Fang Ting City. It did not even tell the Great Spirit Elder; it almost smuggled itself out of the Garden to find me."

"... But in a sense, because it did this, it saved you, didn't it?"

Senior Cuique narrowed her eyes slightly: "Precisely because it impulsively came to Fang Ting City alone, all these subsequent events happened. It caused trouble, but it also pushed everything to begin."

"So, although it did many wrong things, it also accidentally did some right things. Even judging purely by merit, I would not be too harsh on it."

"Magical Girls need to grow, spirits need to grow, and Sowers are also members of the Magical Girl squad; helping each other is only natural."

She looked seriously at Nini: "Does saying this to you count as giving an explanation?"

"Yes."

Nini smiled with a sense of relief, and once again bowed to Senior Cuique: "If you can say this... then I am at ease."

(End of this chapter)