General

"The president of the Hope Mutual Aid Society? But I recall that to show respect for the Aeon of Hope, the position of president has been reserved for the Aeon of Hope since the society's inception. Even if you are an Emanator of Hope, Xiao Xi, that shouldn't be possible...?" Welt asked, somewhat surprised.

"I was just as surprised when I first learned of this." Xiao Xi's expression turned strange as Welt mentioned the matter.

"As you all know, after the Hope Mutual Aid Society invited me to join a while back, I specifically took the time to visit their headquarters. It was then that... the Aeon of Hope, Xi, descended in person," Xiao Xi recalled softly.

"Descended in person!" March 7th exclaimed. "Does that mean you saw the true form of the Aeon of Hope, Xiao Xi!"

"That is correct." Xiao Xi nodded. "But what puzzles me most is... She descended personally to grant me the authority to use all of Her Path's power and to summon Her at any time. She also issued an oracle, saying..."

That day, a dazzling light suddenly streaked across the sky, and following the radiance, the white-haired, golden-eyed Aeon arrived to deliver that oracle: "From this moment forth, she is My proxy. She shall walk the mortal realm in My stead; she is Me."

"That is how it happened, and furthermore..." Xiao Xi said, hesitating. "I always feel that Her attitude toward me is very strange. The feeling She gives me isn't like looking at a believer or a Pathstrider of Hope; it's more like She is looking at a version of Herself that has walked a path She could never take?"

"Also, when I saw Her, I could feel a kind of... heartfelt intimacy? I'm not sure, as it really is too absurd." By the end, even Xiao Xi sounded uncertain.

"Let's put aside these things we can't figure out for now. In any case, I am definitely qualified to vouch for the Astral Express." Xiao Xi spread her hands, not intending to continue the topic.

"With your status, Xiao Xi, things will indeed be much easier to handle from here on out." Welt's tone lightened a little.

"As for the connection between you and the Aeon of Hope, 'Xi,' there are still too few clues to make an accurate judgment. But if we combine what you said earlier and make some bold assumptions, is it possible that you are Her... other half?" Welt's tone was also very uncertain.

"I can't figure it out. There will be opportunities to understand these things later. Regardless, let's head to the Palace of Astrum first; I imagine the Luofu side has been waiting for quite a while." Xiao Xi shook her head, not wanting to dwell on it any longer.

"Mm, that's fine too. Let's set off."

In front of the Palace of Astrum, Tingyun was already waiting for us. "My apologies, everyone. Due to the influence of the Stellaron, the signals on the Luofu Xianzhou have been quite poor lately, and messages are often missed. Since I didn't know when you would arrive, I could only wait here for you all."

Tingyun smiled warmly. "However, these are not major issues. I have already reported your intentions to Lady Yukong, so please follow me. However, I won't be able to accompany you inside the Palace of Astrum; there are still matters on the Luofu that require my attention."

"It's no problem, Miss Tingyun. We can go in ourselves; there's no need to trouble you with this trip," Welt replied calmly, then looked toward us.

"Let's go. It's time to meet the person in charge here."