Chapter 406: Continuation 3

They lowered their eyelids, looking at their outstretched palm, which still bore the tiny scratches and stains left by the battle.

They remained silent for a long time, so long that A Xing thought they would never answer.

"…mm."

They finally uttered a syllable, then raised their head, their gaze passing over A Xing to the chaotic street outside the alley, as if they could see the recent melee, the sacrifices, and those absurd yet real scenes.

"Found it. Not the kind I imagined."

"Mapo tofu?"

A Xing asked, their tone as flat as confirming the weather.

Yan Feng Qili's mouth corner seemed to move, a barely existent curve.

"Yes, and no."

They unusually spoke a few more words, "It's the process of creating it, the expression the taster might show… not merely the taste, or the pain."

They paused, then continued, "I plan to go to the continent across the sea. It's said that place is the origin of Mapo tofu. I want to see it, learn the most authentic method."

A Xing nodded and evaluated, "Pretty good."

Another stretch of silence.

But this silence seemed less stagnant.

At that moment, the trash can that had been emitting a faint glow suddenly emitted a light "clack" sound, and its light flickered rhythmically a few times.

A Xing and Yan Feng Qili simultaneously turned their gazes there.

A Xing reached out again, this time Yan Feng Qili did not move.

They lifted the lid, and inside there was not the expected trash or monster, only a solitary, still‑well‑packaged, palm‑sized square box.

The light was shining through the semi‑transparent wrapping paper of the box.

A Xing took the box out.

It felt slightly heavy; the wrapping paper bore flamboyant patterns and unreadable characters, clearly not a serious product.

They looked at the box, then at Yan Feng Qili, and handed the box over.

"A parting gift box," they said.

Yan Feng Qili was startled for a moment, then took the box.

The feel was that of some hard paper shell.

They did not open it immediately, just held the box and looked at A Xing.

A Xing said nothing more, just nodded at them, then turned, slipped both hands back into the pockets, and stepped, walking at an unhurried pace toward the other end of the alley.

Their feet struck the gravel, producing a faint sound.

"Teacher." Yan Feng Qili called them from behind.

A Xing halted, turning slightly.

Yan Feng Qili bowed deeply toward their silhouette, bending the waist fully.

The gesture was executed with meticulous precision.

"Thank you for your guidance."

Their voice came from below, still flat, yet earnest.

A Xing stood there, receiving their bow.

After a few seconds, they softly "mm"ed, then stepped forward, walking toward the distance.

The footfalls echoed across the open street, growing farther away.

Until the footsteps vanished completely, Yan Feng Qili finally straightened up.

They lowered their head, looking at the box in their hand.

After a few seconds of silence, they unwrapped the flamboyant paper.

Inside was a small black iron box with no markings.

They opened the lid—

Neatly arranged were several plain‑looking dark brown squares.

An indescribable scent drifted out.

Yan Feng Qili stared expressionlessly at these "things," then glanced at the empty alley mouth.

After a long while, a clear curve lifted the corner of their otherwise expressionless face.

A genuine smile.

"He…"

They let out a low laugh.

"Still a Defense, Teacher."

They closed the box, carefully tucked it into their chest (?), then also turned, heading opposite to A Xing.

The hem of their black cultivation robe brushed dust lifted from the ground, their steps firm.

Above the ruins of Dongmu City, a new road was extending.

Xianzhou "Luofu"

"Waaah—!!!"

A piercing scream caused nearby pedestrians to turn their heads.

Gui Naifen, or rather, Ge Ni Wei Er, stood at the bustling street corner, both hands tightly covering their mouth, eyes wide and round, staring at the number displayed on the jade‑glow screen—Fans: 1,028,745.

Over a million!

It really is over a million!

They rubbed their eyes vigorously, then pinched their own arm.

Ouch!

This isn't a dream!

Below the account, the comment count and likes on the newest video are wildly jumping, and the red dot in the private messages has turned into "99+".

"I… am I really famous?"

She mutters to herself, her heart pounding, a rush of ecstatic joy and huge sense of achievement surging to the top of her head.

What Holy Grail War, what insects, what Destruction, what Lancer…

Those bizarre, life‑or‑death memories are now considerably diluted by this very real, flickering, alluring seven‑digit number.

Right!

A reward from a million‑follower blogger!

That voice really delivered!

"Great! Now it's settled! I can get new equipment! And still go to Jinren Alley for a good meal…"

She began to calculate happily, a smile blooming on her face, the previous fatigue and daze swept away, and she was once again filled with vibrant energy.

The wonderful daydreams bubbled up in her mind like multicolored Bubbles.

She seemed to already see herself standing at the center of the alliance's most bustling stage, receiving countless flowers and tips, becoming an Xianzhou art legend…

"Miss Gui Naifen?"

A calm female voice, like a sharp pair of scissors, instantly cut through all the Bubbles.

Gui Naifen flinched, falling from fantasy back to reality.

She stiffly turned her head, seeing two women in Ten Kings Office uniforms standing beside her, though she didn't know when they arrived.

"Um… Judges, good afternoon?"

Star Dome Train, Observation Carriage.

Pam is diligently wiping the central tea table, trying to make every inch of metal surface shine like a mirror, as if that could dispel the uneasy atmosphere that has shrouded the train for the past dozen hours.

The train captain's small ears drooped slightly, looking a bit listless.

Jizi sat in her usual spot, a steaming cup of coffee before her, but she didn't drink, only gently tracing the cup wall with her fingertips, her gaze fixed on the starry river outside the window, worry hidden in her eyes.

San Yue Qi has been missing for over fifteen hours.

There were no signs, no messages, as if she vanished into thin air.

Xinghe and Walter have already set off for Xianzhou "Luofu" as planned, trying to obtain clues or seek help there.

The Train Group lost its most lively member, and the whole carriage felt unusually quiet, even a bit oppressive.

"Pam always feels something's missing, Pa…"

The train captain muttered softly, the vacuum cleaner flickering on and off.

Jizi let out a gentle sigh, about to comfort Pam with a couple of words—

"Aunt Jizi! Pam!"