Nizi, We've Both Grown Up

White clouds drifted lazily, specks of yellow sand scattered below, and moonlight spilled down in a gentle stream. The Elemental Tide over the Wasteland had finally begun to quiet. On this night when all living things ought to have fallen asleep, two figures tore through the sky, piercing layer upon layer of densely woven moonlight.

Bang!

Like giant birds losing their balance, they slammed viciously into the yellow sand. The powerful inertia drove them straight into the sandbank.

"Pah! Pah!"

A head emerged first from the sand, spitting out every grain in its mouth. One hand clawed at the dirt while the other covered his backside, and he wriggled out of the sand like a worm.

He raised his head and looked at the full moon hanging high overhead, like an enormous Sunstone. Its light illuminated the entire Wasteland, as though draping it in a veil of silver gauze. Amid that wondrous silver veil, a trail of footprints stretched to the very edge of sight.

There stood a forest soaring into the clouds. In the cold night, it resembled rows of upright giants, inspiring awe.

Countless raindrops fell from the sky, mingled with the high-pitched, excited cries of the Elves.

It was as though they were celebrating the end of this long migration.

"Ow!"

The pain in his backside woke him from the beautiful scene. He began to feel grateful for the sandbank; otherwise, he would have been smashed to pieces.

"Nicole!"

Li Ziran suddenly came back to his senses. The Frog had spat both of them out, so he hurriedly dug through the sand. Before long, he found Nizi beneath the sandy layer.

Nicole was completely unconscious. Li Ziran patted her cheek, but she did not react at all.

"Ah, women!"

Li Ziran gave a bitter smile. He seemed