Case 83: The calm before the storm.
Case 83: The calm before the storm.
Case 83: The calm before the storm.
On the very top of Qinling Peak stood a wooden mansion.
This was where the little disciples of Yu Chen resided. Today, it, too, was filled with laughter as the girls played in the front yard. A passing by snowfall had left the place with a pristine, white snowfield, inviting the young spirits to come and release their playful energy.
''Be careful not to damage the house~!''
As Bai Qing breathed out, she saw a white gust of air coming from her mouth.
Looking at the clear sky, she thought about... just how far she had come. After merely two years, she had belatedly realized how powerful she had become.
Peak of the Nascent Soul Stage.
It was too sudden. With Kierra, she found herself soaring like her body wasn't her own anymore. It was scary. But with Kierra, she knew everything was going to be alright.
Kierra came to this world like a meteorite, leaving her mark deeply and permanently on this land, and Bai Qing was grateful she could accompany such an incredible person on her unforgettable journey.
''...''
More than anything, she became addicted to the archwizard's touches at night. Merely reminiscing those scenes in her head was enough for Bai Qing to blush. Fortunately, it wouldn't cause any incongruity since it was winter.
'Life is truly unpredictable.'
She could never imagine that the imposing woman whom she owed her life to two years ago would now be her lifelong partner, and she certainly could never entertain the thought that her master and her sect leader would be joining her.
''Qing.''
Talk about the devil.
Bai Qing turned around, just to be greeted with an otherworldly beauty, recognizable by her black witch hat. Letting herself be embraced by Kierra, Bai Qing received several kisses on her cheeks, forehead, and lips.
Kierra had been refraining from using lipsticks recently since... there was no reason to use them anymore. So, Bai Qing escaped the fate of being painted with marks of red lipstick.
So they stayed like that for a while, sharing warmth during the cold morning.
''It's peaceful.'' Bai Qing remarked, watching the children building snowmen.
''Hm.'' Kierra quietly agreed.
''Shall we go to sister Shuren?''
''Sure.''
Being the only two who were considered 'young' in the crew, Bai Qing and Kang Shuren naturally got very close. Kierra regarded this sisterly relationship as a rare occurrence in the landscape of things.
In summary, August, Yu Chen, and Mie Xieren always fought against each other for the number one spot. Tian Yun always sat comfortably at the second spot, and these two young women actually worked together to stay in the race.
'August always came out on top, though.'
''...''
''Boo...!''
''Agh, seriously!''
''Booo!''
For a moment, the blonde woman clenched her fist in frustration, her glasses on the verge of cracking from the sheer pressure her mana release caused. She nearly threw the heavy book in her arms toward the other woman, but she ultimately stopped.
'Stop, Angelica, stop. What would Master think of me if I made a big dent in her ex's forehead?'
Sprawling out on the table was a silly-looking woman with fluffy pink hair—a so-called disappointing beauty. Always cheerful, always positive, but also stubborn; however, she would shine brighter than any star could hope to be at times.
She was Diamante de Soleil, the phoenix princess.
''Just how long do I have to wait...?'' She whined. ''Just... how long...''
Diamante's big, round orange eyes were filled with unshed tears, reserved for her one and only love—her brilliant rose, which she would burn her infinite lives to get, and the lovely vixen, which she would pluck her feathers to warm.
It had been close to two years since both Kierra and August vanished.
Upon inquiring the Crimson Tower, Diamante was initially rejected due to her no longer being in a relationship with Kierra, but through sheer stubbornness, she was able to contact Angelica, the now temporary tower master and Kierra's first disciple.
Kierra had traveled to another dimension.
Diamante wanted to follow Kierra, but her power was for destruction, which was unsuited for such dimensional matters. So, she had to rely on the disciples' research to follow the archwizard.
''I told you. We're almost there.'' Angelica replied. ''Soon... very soon, we will reach master's place.''
''Yeah... I believe in you.''
Diamante quietly clutched the piece of jewelry on her right ear. It was attached to a beautifully craved ruby, which Kierra had given her on their twenty-fifth anniversary.
''Ki~erra!''
''Dia. How are you doing?''
''I'm good! I just... missed you!''
''A lot?''
''Yeah! So you have to take responsibility and stay with me tonight!''
''Fufu... of course. Tonight, tomorrow, and the day after... I'll be with you.''
A wry smile appeared on Diamante's face, threatening to break the dam and let the tears roll.
'Take responsibility, idiot...'
ocean-life