Chapter 220: Special Ceremony

It's because of Sai Fei Er.

Ke Xia sighed helplessly, "You still remember her ability, right? In the JinGuState she mutated into an unconscious influence on surrounding cognition. I previously, for 'Persuasion', spent over thirty years with her in a simulated universe… Although it succeeded and she returned to normal, but…"

He spread his hands, a weary expression on his face: "But her 'Cognitive Influence' ability seems to have left a bit of… 'Aftereffects' on me. I will uncontrollably… hmm, perform some actions that match some of her 'Strange Belief'. For example just now…"

The corner of his mouth twitched; clearly he didn't want to recall his ridiculous posture.

Xi Lian suddenly understood, then couldn't help a "pfft" laugh, quickly covering her mouth, eyes crescent‑shaped: "So, so that's it! Miss Sai Fei Er's ability… really impressive."

She imagined the "psychological shadow" Ke Xia would have after being nagged by Sai Fei Er for over thirty years, and suddenly found the currently solemn, wise, forced‑to‑be‑calm yet slightly trembling figure in front of her a bit… cute?

"No laughing!"

Ke Xia set his face rigid, but the awkwardness in his eyes gave him no intimidation.

He tried to stand straight, assuming a solemn scholar's posture, "Alright, aren't we going to meet those 'Yingjie' now? Lead the way quickly. Also, this matter… must not be told to anyone!"

Especially Ti Bao and Heimu!

He added in his mind.

"Mm‑hm! I promise!"

Xi Lian nodded vigorously, a hidden smile still at the corner of her mouth. She turned to lead, walked two steps then looked back, watching Ke Xia's back as he struggled to control his steps and avoid an odd rhythm, feeling warm inside.

(Although Ke Xia has become a bit odd… but being able to speak so casually is nice. Moreover, Miss Sai Fei Er and Miss Ti Bao are both free… everything is truly improving slowly.)

The Past World Paradise hall had undergone a certain degree of "modification", mixing some incongruous… "Vacation Style" elements into its originally solemn classical décor.

For example, a tall palm tree with rustling leaves was added in a corner, and the background music was switched to a soothing light track with sea‑wave crashing sounds.

At this moment, the few seated on the brand‑new curved sofa in the hall's center pushed the "Improper Meeting" atmosphere to its peak.

Ke Xia crossed his arms, leaning back slightly, trying to appear composed, but a subtle involuntary twitch at the corner of his mouth revealed his delicate inner feeling.

His dark‑green eyes examined the three "Yingjie Representative" seated side‑by‑side on the opposite sofa.

The one on the left had smooth pink hair flowing, wearing an exaggerated pink Five‑pointed Star Sunglasses perched on his face, the temples adorned with tiny sequins, sparkling unmistakably even indoors.

A perfect flawless smile at the corner of her mouth — Ailixiya.

The one in the middle, silver hair, a stern face, also wearing a similar style but deep‑sea‑blue Five‑pointed Star Sunglasses.

He sat with arms crossed, like an iceberg, but those sunglasses oddly added a bit more…

The sense of discord from "Vacation Return Forced to Join Company Team‑Building" — Kevin.

The one on the right, expressive, wearing a brown‑green version of the same Five‑pointed Star Sunglasses, striking a pose he thought ultra‑cool, arms crossed, chin slightly lifted, as if shooting a fashion spread — Wei Er Wei.

(... What kind of other‑worldly special ceremony is this?)

Ke Xia felt a bit hesitant inside.

He had seen many city‑state etiquettes, but this "Full‑Staff Beach Sunglasses" meeting stance was truly his first.

He couldn't help glancing at the slightly cramped Xi Lian beside him.

Xi Lian was widening her bright blue eyes, looking here and there, her little face full of bewilderment: "Who am I, where am I, what are they doing?"

She clearly didn't understand the purpose of the sunglasses.

Xi Lian looked for help toward Yidian, who was sipping alone at the nearby bar.

The wine‑red‑haired singer raised a glass to her, returning a gentle, inclusive smile (Xi Lian took it as "Don't worry, I'm here", while Yidian's smile actually conveyed the helpless resignation of "AiLi is at it again, I can't help it").

Ke Xia cleared his throat, deciding to ignore these distractions and get to the point.

Before arriving, Xi Lian had already briefly introduced the origins and names of these "Yingjie", and although the concepts of "Data Body" and "Pre‑Civilization Warrior" still required digestion, the basic understanding was there.

He noticed the one called Kevin, whose features bore a few resemblances to the student in his memory.

And Ailixiya, at first glance similar to Xi Lian… upon closer look… okay, he admitted the resemblance was a bit excessive.

However, those aren't the point.

"First meeting,"

Ke Xia opened, voice steady, "I am Ke Xia, you may also call me Anaksgoras. From Weng Fa Luo Si, currently… consider myself a temporary assistant of Heimu, responsible for communication matters with some Golden Descendant."

His self‑introduction was concise and clear, neither servile nor arrogant, both stating his identity and hinting that he wasn't wholly subordinate.

"Ah~ what a formal introduction!"

Ailixiya immediately replied, voice sweet and lively, her expression behind the pink sunglasses indistinct but one can imagine her curved eyebrows, "I am Ailixiya, as you can see, a beautiful girl loved by all~? This one who looks a bit cold but is actually a good person is Kevin, and the one beside is the talented Wei Er Wei! Today, the three of us, as representatives, will have a good chat with this gentleman~"

Her speech was brisk, carrying an undeniable "this is settled" momentum.

(Representative?)

Ke Xia glanced at Wei Er Wei (still acting cool) and Kevin (motionless), then at the smiling, silent Yidian a short distance away, understanding.

Probably that pink‑haired girl "actively sought" the "representative right".

But it's fine, as long as communication works.

However, after the self‑introductions ended, the air suddenly fell silent.

Wei Er Wei, immersed in the "cool representative" role, remained silent, only slightly adjusting the angle of her sunglasses.

Kevin… Kevin had no intention of speaking, his gaze behind the sunglasses seemingly vacant.

Ke Xia himself wasn't the type to liven the atmosphere, arms crossed, waiting for the other side to get to the point.

Xi Lian looked left and right, feeling the silence a bit suffocating, just about to muster courage to say something to ease it—

"Aiya~"

Ailixiya suddenly clapped, breaking the silence, "The atmosphere seems a bit too serious! Such a formal setting makes AiLi a little nervous~ How about we start with some light, fun topics to warm up?"

Xi Lian felt a sudden thump in her heart, an ominous premonition rising.

(Fun topics? The "fun" from Miss Ai Li Xi Ya's mouth…)

Ke Xia slightly raised an eyebrow, signaling her to continue.

Ailixiya leaned forward, her pink sunglasses seeming to glitter with gossip‑like light, aiming at Ke Xia, asking in a sweet and curious tone, "Um~ Anak… uh…"

She stopped, evidently Ke Xia's full name was a bit too hot‑tongued for her.

"You can call me Na Ke Xia, that's fine."

Na Ke Xia, understandingly, added.

"Alright! Mr. Na Ke Xia!"

Ailixiya, obligingly, smiled even brighter, "In your eyes, among the Golden Descendants you know, which girl has the highest beauty? AiLi is very curious! After all, they're all powerful and have great stories, so your sense of aesthetics must be quite unique, right?"

Xi Lian: "……"

(Indeed!)

She quietly placed a hand on her forehead, feeling her cheeks a bit warm.

What kind of question is this!

How could Teacher Na Ke Xia possibly answer this… this improper question!