"...That's indeed the case, so I've decided to accept the Vidyadhara's invitation and settle everything with the High Elder Preceptors once and for all..."
"Vidyadhara High Elder Preceptors? You really trust them? Or, given what they've done..." Xiao Xi frowned. "So you're going there to fish for them?"
"Exactly. Stelle and I will go together. Given the High Elder Preceptors' personalities, they definitely won't sit by and do nothing. The evidence I've gathered this time, along with what happened at the Alchemy Commission, is already enough for Jing Yuan to keep them in check."
"That couldn't be better. I won't go with you this time, then. I promised March 7th I'd explore all the sights around Luofu with her." Xiao Xi wasn't worried that a mere High Elder could stir up trouble. She was worried that Dan Heng's mood might be affected.
After all, no matter what, making peace with the past was a difficult thing for anyone. But judging by the situation now, Dan Heng seemed to be doing quite well.
"Here, take this." Xiao Xi took out a crystal and handed it to Dan Heng. "There's a small locator inside. Just crush it, and I'll be there in an instant. I'll leave the rest up to you. Once you and Stelle get back, March 7th and I will take you out for a big meal."
"Mm."
Luofu Xianzhou—Exalting Sanctum
"Come on, come on! We've been on the Luofu for ages and haven't had a chance to relax and explore. This time, we're going to have fun to our hearts' content!" March 7th said excitedly, tugging Xiao Xi along.
"Let's head to that place up ahead, Evernight—whoa, whoa!" As they jogged along, March 7th suddenly stepped on something and nearly took a spill.
"Who tossed something on the ground? What tripped me?"
March 7th picked up the object. "This is... a Light Cone? Who would just leave a Light Cone lying around?" She stared at it in surprise.
"This Light Cone..." Xiao Xi realized something was off, too. "It recorded the moment we defeated Phantylia?"
March 7th took a closer look. "It really did. But how is that possible? There weren't any Memokeepers around us when we fought Phantylia."
"No. I can sense that this Light Cone contains an immense power. It reminds me of Fuli, the Aeon of [Remembrance]..." Xiao Xi replied, sounding uncertain.
"An Aeon! But..." Before March 7th could finish, the two of them suddenly felt the world spin. When they opened their eyes again, they were already in outer space.
"Ah, what... what's going on? Are we under attack?" March 7th grabbed Xiao Xi's sleeve and asked in alarm.
"No. This doesn't feel like..."
Just as March 7th was growing increasingly uneasy, a burst of laughter seemed to ring out across the starry sky. Countless figures made of masks suddenly appeared before them, accompanied by a song.
"The Aeon of [Elation], Aha." Xiao Xi guessed, somewhat surprised.
"Ehehehe, that's right, it's me, Aha~ Xiao Xi-xi."
What was with "Xiao Xi-xi"? Well, they certainly did call Aha the God of Fun for a reason.
"Aha... why did you use the Light Cone to bring us here?" Faced with a troublemaking Aeon like this, Xiao Xi chose to ask directly. If she let herself get dragged into the other's antics, it would never end.
"Already so cold to me right from the start? Aha is so heartbroken! Boo-hoo." Aha switched to a crying mask. Accompanied by the other's obviously fake sobs, the scene somehow had a touch of dark humor to it. That was Aha for you.