Chapter 219: Clarified!

The corridor of System Space seemed endless, with tightly shut doors on either side, each engraved with the names of different Golden Descendants.

Xi Lian walked through the silence, accompanied only by the sound of her footsteps and the faint rustle of her skirt.

She had just "escaped" from Past World Paradise—Miss Ailixiya's enthusiasm was overwhelming, and the pink fairy Miss seemed to have endless energy and curiosity, constantly wanting to hold her in her arms and knead her, or to "get to know" her in a way that made her blush and heart race.

(Maybe I should go find Teacher Ke Xia first…)

Xi Lian thought, and gently exhaled.

She planned to invite Ke Xia to Letu for a look, to introduce him to those various but seemingly formidable "Yingjie" individuals.

After all, Teacher Ke Xia was one of the few Golden Descendants who had regained Reason String and was willing to assist the Black Curtain Lady; more contact with some "outside world" beings might be good for everyone.

She stopped in front of the door labeled 【Ke Xia/Anaksgoras】.

The relief on the door depicted a massive tree emitting a soft glow in a tranquil night sky, with starlight seeming to flow among its branches.

Xi Lian reached out, and the door silently slid inward.

A warm breath of fresh grass, earth, and a faint floral scent washed over her.

Behind the door lay a tranquil courtyard that seemed detached from space and time—Divine Insight Tree Court.

The gigantic ancient tree, whose trunk required several people to embrace, stood in the courtyard's center; its canopy resembled a floral canopy, and countless tiny luminous specks hung among the branches like an inverted river of stars.

Under the tree, lush grass spread, dotted with many nameless, oddly glowing flowers, and a smooth pebble path wound toward the base of the tree.

Xi Lian cautiously leaned in half her body, her azure eyes blinking, and whispered softly, "Teacher Ke Xia? Are you there?"

There was no response.

Only the rustle of a breeze brushing the leaves.

Xi Lian rose onto tiptoe and walked further along the path.

The place remained as peacefully beautiful as always, easing her tense nerves a little.

She skirted around several especially lush shrubs bearing pale blue trumpet‑shaped blossoms, about to call again—

A suppressed, intermittent "hee hee" laughter drifted in on the breeze.

Xi Lian halted, her ears perking up sharply.

The laughter… sounded a bit like Teacher Ke Xia's, yet also somewhat unfamiliar.

A hint of doubt rose within her; she softened her steps, using the dense foliage for cover, and silently approached the source of the sound.

The laughter and murmurs grew clearer, coming from the other side of the great tree.

Xi Lian hid behind a cluster of broad‑leaved plants whose edges glimmered with Golden Thread, gently parting a few leaves to peek through the gap.

There, Ke Xia stood with his back to her, in front of the stone table he often used to place books and experimental equipment beneath the tree.

He cradled a massive tome in his hands, his body swaying ever so slightly left and right, murmuring words:

"…hee hee… so that's how it is… the truth of the world… its pattern… its thread… I see it… I really see it! Hee hee… clarified! For me, it is already clarified!"

His voice alternated between a low, dreamlike murmur and a sharp, excited tone, matching the sway and sounding especially eerie.

Xi Lian was stunned.

(Teacher Ke Xia… what is this?)

Before she could decide whether to speak, the next scene froze her completely.

Ke Xia suddenly slammed the book shut, and then, astonishingly, began… dancing!

The steps could be described as somewhat comical.

He tapped his left foot on the ground, drew circles with his right, his body swaying left and right to the rhythm, arms flailing haphazardly, his head bobbing, and his mouth kept emitting "hee hee" laughter, as if immersed in a rapturous rhythm no one could comprehend.

Xi Lian: "…"

She silently closed the parted leaves a bit more, leaving only a narrow slit.

Her small face was full of bewilderment.

(The situation… isn't right? How did it backfire?)

She began to doubt whether she had entered the wrong door, or if the figure before her wasn't Ke Xia at all but some strange mimic creature.

As Xi Lian wrestled with whether to slip away quietly or force a greeting, Ke Xia spun, stumbled, and nearly fell.

Xi Lian couldn't help but exclaim lightly, "Teacher Ke Xia, are you… are you okay?"

"Uh!"

Ke Xia's body froze instantly, as if a pause button had been pressed.

He maintained a bizarre pose, like a solitary golden rooster with arms raised, turning his head stiffly, inch by inch.

When his gaze met Xi Lian's azure eyes peeking from behind the foliage, his usually composed face displayed a remarkably "spectacular" shift—first astonishment, then realization, followed by deep embarrassment.

"You… when did you arrive?"

Ke Xia asked hoarsely, while trying nonchalantly to lower his raised foot, retract his swinging arms, and force himself to stand straight, regaining his usual bearing.

But he failed.

As soon as his left foot touched down, his right foot involuntarily tried to lift and draw a circle; as his arm fell to his side, his fingers began to twitch uncontrollably.

He squeezed his eyes shut, raised his hand to his forehead, and muttered in a voice barely audible, "Damn… the effect has deepened…"

Seeing this, Xi Lian could no longer mind the awkwardness; she hurried out of her hiding spot, jogged to Ke Xia's side, lifted her face and asked anxiously, "Teacher Ke Xia? Are you really okay? Your body… seems to be… moving on its own?"

She chose her words carefully, fearing to provoke him.

Ke Xia inhaled deeply, attempting to suppress with sheer will the impulse in his limbs and bones that wanted to move to some unseen rhythm.

His complexion grew pale, and a fine sheen of sweat seeped at the corners of his forehead.

"No, I'm fine."

He gritted his teeth, his voice a bit more hurried than usual, "Just a… minor issue. It'll be fine soon."

He changed the subject, his tone striving for normalcy, "What brings you to see me?"

Xi Lian saw that he seemed reluctant to discuss his condition further; though still worried, she answered the question first: "It's… about Past World Paradise."

She gave a brief explanation of Le Tu's existence, of the powerful warriors from another world who are called the "heroic rebels," and of the fact that they have now also been "invited" into System Space.

"…So, I think, Na Ke Xia, would you like to go over and take a look? Get to know them? They… well, their personalities are a bit odd, but they all seem quite formidable, and they know many things we don't."

Xi Lian looked at Na Ke Xia expectantly.

Na Ke Xia, after listening, a hint of surprise flashed in their eyes.

Data Bodies from another world? Special facilities that were transferred in whole?

That indeed exceeded his expectations and sparked his interest as a scholar.

So this actually exists…

He mused, "Data Body‑type beings from another realm… are worth observing. Take me to see them."

Sure!

Xi Lian nodded happily, but her gaze couldn't help glancing at Na Ke Xia's slightly trembling fingers and the shoulder that always seemed to tilt toward a certain direction.

Na Ke Xia noticed her stare, and his body stiffened again.

Only then did he belatedly realize that his earlier "wild dance" and his current "subtle maneuver" were probably all seen.

His old face looked a bit flustered.

Ahem!

He coughed loudly, trying to mask his embarrassment with a serious expression, "Um… my body, uh, has developed a slight anomaly. It's because…"

He paused, deciding to be partially frank so that Xi Lian wouldn't overthink.