Chapter 507: Social Gathering

"Actually there's another neighbor I need to introduce to everyone."

Her tone is light, as if she found an interesting topic to ease the earlier awkwardness.

"Next door to us, there's a place called Past World Paradise."

"Past World Paradise?" Wan Di's eyebrows lift slightly.

"Hmm."

Xi Lian nods, "Inside live thirteen people, the Pursuing Fire Thirteen Yingjie. The rescue of everyone largely benefited from their help."

A Ge Lai Ya's eyebrows twitch slightly.

"Yingjie?" she repeats the word.

"They are warriors of the Honkai World."

Ti Bao takes over, "Like us, they are also in data form. However, their experiences differ from ours. There are no Titans, no Flame Seed, but there are Herrscher and Honkai. They are the heroes of that world; to fight Honkai they sacrificed themselves and were ultimately preserved in data form within Past World Paradise."

The people at the round table exchange glances.

"What kind of beings are they?" Ke Lv De La asks, her tone carrying a hint of scrutiny.

Xi Lian thinks for a moment, then smiles.

"A very interesting group."

She says, "There are the strongest warriors, the smartest scientists, the gentlest singers, the most mischievous merchants... each person has their own story, each person has their own belief."

"Just like us?" Feng Jin asks.

"Just like us," Xi Lian nods.

A Ge Lai Ya's gaze falls on Xi Lian, a thoughtful light flashing in her eyes.

"You seem quite familiar with them."

"After all, we've spent some time together," Xi Lian smiles, "and moreover..."

She pauses, looks at Ti Bao, then looks at Na Ke Xia.

"And they've helped us a lot."

Ti Bao nods, "Without them, we might not have been so easily Persuaded."

The word "Persuasion" is spoken by her in a special tone, and everyone present understands what it means.

Wan Di's eyebrows knit, as if recalling an unpleasant memory.

Na Ke Xia's expression remains Calm—after all, he is the one Persuaded by A Xing, but now he chooses not to recall that experience.

He bluntly says, "If I recall it, I'll definitely vomit!"

A Ge Lai Ya ponders for a moment, then looks at Xi Lian.

"What do you mean?"

Xi Lian smiles, a hint of slyness in the smile.

"I'm wondering whether we should organize a... social gathering?"

The round table falls silent for a second.

"Social gathering?" Wan Di's tone carries a hint of wariness.

"Just to get to know each other, that's all."

Xi Lian says lightly, "After all, we're all neighbors locked in the same big system by the lady; we see each other's heads and shoulders, so we should at least greet each other, right?"

"I think it's fine."

Ti Bao is the first to voice support, eyes sparkling.

Feng Jin raises her hand at this moment, "Um... I have a question."

Everyone's gaze turns to her.

"If we really hold a social gathering,"

Feng Jin's expression is serious, "Do we hold it here or over there? If here, what do we need to prepare? Snacks? Seating? What do they usually eat and drink? If over there, how do we get there? Through a portal or something else? What if we get lost?"

She hurls a barrage of questions, leaving everyone present momentarily stunned.

XiaDie tilts her head, whispering, "Feng Jin... you're so serious..."

"Of course we must be serious!"

Feng Jin declares confidently, "This is a matter concerning the Golden Descendant's image! If we mess up the first meeting, it will be terribly awkward thereafter!"

A Ge Lai Ya raises her hand, signaling everyone to be quiet.

"This proposal can be taken into consideration."

Her tone remains Calm, "But not now."

She looks at Xi Lian, "Wait until Sai Fei Er returns, and until Bai E is rescued, then discuss concrete plans."

Xi Lian nods, saying nothing more.

Feng Jin raises her hand again at this point.

"Mistress A Ge Lai Ya, there's another question."

A Ge Lai Ya looks at her.

"It's that... the topic we just discussed."

Feng Jin's expression is slightly nuanced, "If we truly are inside Heimu Lady's belly... where is the neighboring Past World Paradise? Is it also inside the belly? Does that mean we are now 'neighbors' with those Yingjie, but there's some layer between us?"

No one answers.

This question... is a bit beyond the scope of discussion.

It's better to ask why we should even care about this!!!

That's OOC!

XiaDie looks at Feng Jin, her violet eyes full of helplessness. She gently speaks, her voice like a feather brushing water's surface:

"Feng Jin, this question… we can discuss it slowly later."

Feng Jin scratched their head and finally realized that they seemed to have asked an unsuitable question.

"Ah… o‑okay."

A Ge Lai Ya cleared her throat lightly and steered the conversation back.

"Then, regarding Heimu Lady's attitude, it is tentatively set as cautious observation, maintaining goodwill. Any objections?"

No one spoke.

"Alright. Next, regarding our situation and information completion—"

She looked at Xi Lian, Ti Bao, and Na Ke Xia.

"You three have the most contact with outside information; you will introduce it."

Xi Lian nodded and began to speak.

She spoke of the entity known as the Starrail Train, of the Pioneer, and of those people from different worlds.

She described how vast the outer universe is, how many civilizations exist, and how many fates there are.

Ti Bao added from beside her, occasionally inserting remarks about the Black Tower Space Station and the Xianzhou.

Na Ke Xia was in charge of answering various questions—though they occasionally hiccuped while answering, the content was at least reliable.

Wan Di asked many questions about combat systems and strength comparisons.

Ke Lv De La was more interested in the external political landscape, asking many questions about the Interstellar Peace Company and various factions.

XiaDie listened quietly the whole time, occasionally nodding gently.

A Ge Lai Ya guided the pace of the discussion throughout, occasionally throwing a key question that steered the topic deeper.

Sunlight streamed through the clouds, coating the meeting with a warm glow.

After an unknown amount of time, the discussion finally came to a pause.

A Ge Lai Ya stood up.

"Today's meeting ends here."

She looked at each person present.

"Regarding Heimu Lady's attitude, it remains tentatively cautious observation, maintaining goodwill. Regarding outside information, everyone can continue exchanging after returning. As for the gathering—"

She paused, the corner of her mouth forming a faint curve.

"We'll discuss it when Sai Fei Er returns, and also Bai E."

Everyone rose one after another.

Feng Jin walked to XiaDie's side and whispered, "XiaDie, do you think those Yingjie would like flowers? I could plant some in the courtyard if they came to visit…"

XiaDie gently nodded, a tender curve forming at the corner of the mouth: "They would."

Na Ke Xia stood in place, watching the clouds drifting across the sky, and suddenly said, "The clouds today are really beautiful."

Then they were silent for three seconds.

"…I messed up again."

Ti Bao laughed and patted his arm: "It's fine, it's fine, quite good."