Qingluan had just finished giving her report and returned home.
Although I haven't been back for a long time, the result is still the same: the room is very clean, and there is hardly any dust.
My father wasn't actually a germaphobe; it was my mother who was.
In Qingluan's memory, most of her childhood was spent with her mother complaining about her father for not keeping things clean.
Then the father went to clean up with a grin.
When she was with her mother, her father always smiled a lot, and Qingluan rarely saw him angry or upset.
He wasn't in a hurry either. As a shareholder of a large company, his father was already financially independent and had considerable power. He seemed to handle everything with ease, no matter what happened.
Until the day my mother died.
The father looked helpless and anxious, like a young boy.
Although my father rarely got angry or upset before, it wasn't uncommon. For example, once when we were out shopping, he found out that someone in the company had stolen secrets and given them to a competitor.
The father would purse his lips and shake his head. Although he would still smile when facing the mother, his expression would turn somewhat cold when he turned away.
After returning home, I sat on the rocking chair on the balcony, swaying leisurely, looking like a lion crouching in the sunset.
Although he didn't speak or make any sound, she could feel the immense anger and murderous intent just by looking at him from behind.
Mature people always control their emotions, whether it's anger or sadness.
That's what she always thought.
It wasn't until her mother passed away that she realized that even adults can't control all their emotions.
There will always be a time when things break down.
The father's breakdown was no different from anyone else's; he was agitated and furious, kneeling before the mother's body, holding her hand, and repeatedly begging her not to leave him.
At that time, Qingluan was still young and did not understand what death meant. She only thought that she was sick and that she could be cured by going to the hospital.
Just like before.
Only then did I learn that the dead cannot be brought back to life.
Death means eternal loss; never having a mother again, never seeing, touching, feeling her warmth, or hearing her voice.
She attended the funeral in a daze, and her father never saw her.
After the funeral, when everything had settled down, she returned home and her father looked at her.
He seemed still immersed in the funeral he had just attended; his eyes were bloodshot and his pupils were bloodshot, which was quite frightening.
So oppressive, so tragic, yet harboring a venomous tiger.
Young Qingluan didn't understand what her father was thinking. She just clung to her mother's photo frame, gently stroking the face in the picture with her pale fingers, trying to escape everything that was about to happen.
Later, Qingluan realized what that terrifying feeling was in her father's incomprehensible eyes back then.
Later, I encountered a similar look in someone's eyes.
I just remembered.
It was murderous intent.
Ah, so back then, my father really did want to kill me.
But her father didn't do that in the end; he just grabbed the cat she was keeping at the time and slammed it to the ground!
"Why did you have to care about the cat! It's all your fault! You're the one who killed her!"
The cat was beaten to death by the father.
His head was smashed to pieces by his father.
The Qingluan was terrified at that time.
She had never faced such rage from her father.
Her father rarely got angry with her, and even if he did, her mother would intervene or complain a bit.
Many things just pass by so easily.
That day, she realized for the first time that without her mother's words, her father's anger would not simply pass by.
She cried as she cleaned up the cat's body and buried it in the backyard.
Without her mother and having lost her cat, Qingluan had no other friends and could only cry alone in her bedroom, hugging the doll her mother had bought for her.
Until she met Little White, she became a magical girl.
He kept saving others, met more magical girls at the Disaster Countermeasures Bureau, and made his own friends.
Qingluan no longer cared so much about her father's hatred.
As I took off my shoes, put on slippers, and closed the door, Little White popped out of the bag.
It doesn't like staying in the Miracle Seed; usually, the Qingluan is kept in a bag.
" Little Qing, Little Qing, Iris is looking for you. She keeps saying she wants to talk to you. Hurry up, she keeps urging you."
"Okay, right away."
Qingluan responded with a single sentence, then, slipping on her slippers, headed back to her bedroom.
Halfway there, the door to the father's bedroom suddenly opened.
She quickly shoved Little White back into her bag.
Looking up, a middle-aged man, who looked much older, stood at the door. When he saw Qingluan, he seemed somewhat taken aback.
Qingluan stood there, paused for a moment, and then said, "Dad."
The middle-aged man nodded, then glanced at her again. "You're back."
"Yes, I'm back."
The conversation was rather meaningless; in fact, this somewhat awkward interaction had been going on for quite some time.
As she was about to go back inside, her father called her back again, "What have you been doing all this time?"
She was sent to Jiangming City for support a few years ago, but she did go home occasionally, though very rarely.
However, her father seemed completely unaware that she was away from home for a long time.
After all, she spends most of her time at the company, and her father rarely comes home. Even when he does, the father and daughter don't talk much to each other and never visit each other's homes.
It's quite rare to not realize your daughter isn't home for so long.
"She went to Jiangming's school."
Qingluan did indeed attend classes at Jiangming's school, although she spent most of her time supporting the Disaster Countermeasures Bureau in fighting the Calamity Beast.
In fact, the Disaster Countermeasures Bureau must have informed my father a long time ago that he was going to Jiangming's school; it wasn't a secret.
He probably didn't remember it at all.
"Why go to Jiangming?"
"It was arranged by the school; they said it was better over there."
The disheveled middle-aged man scratched his hair, which hadn't been washed in a long time. "Oh, I see. What grade are you in this year?"
I'm a sophomore in high school.
"You're already in high school..."
I don't know if it's emotion or embarrassment.
"I'm going back to my room now."
Ultimately, there's not much to say; in reality, most of the time, there's only silence between the father and daughter.
She didn't really want her father to know that she had become a magical girl, but as for why...
Qingluan didn't know either.
It might be out of spite, or it could simply be because it's too much trouble.
"Oh, right."
Her father suddenly called her back, "I saw on the news a few days ago that a lot of people in Jiangming have died; it's a mess."
"Yes, so I'm back. I won't be going to Jiangming anymore."
The father hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "That's good."
"Oh, by the way, it's your mother's death anniversary..."
Just as the father was about to say something, the Incubators inside the bag finally couldn't hold back any longer and poked its head out again, " Little Qing! Little Qing! Iris is starting to scream frantically, we need to contact her right away!"
Qingluan was startled and instinctively tried to put Little White back, but it was too late; her father had already seen it.
After pressing the button twice, the Incubators still refused to go back, so they had to give up in the end.
The man stared blankly at the white Incubators. As he reached out to touch it, Qingluan instinctively stepped back to protect Little White.
Luckily, the Incubators's calls were all heard as meows by others, otherwise they would have been exposed.
The Incubators didn't know what was going on, only that the atmosphere seemed a bit tense, but the headquarters was pressing them urgently, and it couldn't stay in the bag any longer; it didn't want to stay there either, in the dark and stuffy...
Qingluan's father was also taken aback when he saw his daughter's actions, his hand awkwardly hovering in the air.
But she quickly stopped, saying, "I've got a cat again."
Although its breed looks a bit strange, it is generally considered a cat.
Qingluan lowered her head. "Yes, its name is Little White."
"Same name."
After muttering something to himself, the man simply sighed, "Fine, I'll keep it. Go ask your Aunt Yang to buy some good cat food."
"OK."
Relieved, Qingluan felt that her father seemed a little different too.
Compared to before.
"And one more thing," her father said finally, "No matter how good the relationship is, a pet is still just a pet."
"People are the most important thing, daughter."
This time, Qingluan did not reply to her father. Instead, she carried Little White back into the house, closed the door, leaned against it, and sniffed.
Little White glanced at her with some concern, " Little Qing..."
The Qingluan hugged its Incubators, "It's alright, I won't abandon you."
"Um."
Having lost her mother and her cat, and hated by her father, Qingluan found Little White in Xiaobai, who kept her company day and night, chatting with her about the wonders of magical girls and filling her with anticipation and longing for tomorrow.
It was because of Little White that she was able to get through that most difficult time.
Therefore, we will absolutely not give up on Little White!
Holding Little White tightly, Qingluan made this vow.
However, Little White quickly shouted again, "Hurry up! The Iris is about to cause trouble again!"
Qingluan then remembered that she was still in contact with the General Administration.
I immediately called Iris, and as soon as she answered, she yelled, " Qingluan! How dare you leave me hanging for so long! I'm breaking up with you!"
"Sorry, my dad was calling me just now."
"No, that reason doesn't convince me!"
"Dad probably wants me to go visit Mom's grave tomorrow; it's the anniversary of her death."
"I'm sorry."
"Nothing, so what's the rush?"
"Oh, right!" Iris's voice suddenly rose again.
Qingluan listened as she took off her clothes and changed into more casual everyday clothes.
"There's been a landslide in Hulin City! Yaoyao, you know that, right?"
" Yaoyao?"
"It's Magical Girl Xingxuan."
Qingluan suddenly realized, "I remember her, the junior who was obsessed with watching 'Doumo Continent,' always talking about something like Ten-Thousand-Year Spirit Ring."
"It was her. She discovered the lurking Witch Association in Hulin City. Someone counted them—over three thousand Calamity Beast, including more than two hundred B-rank Calamity Beast! Twenty years of planning and infiltration—once it erupts, it'll be a massive Calamity Beast attack!"
"I'm afraid Hulin City will become hell in an instant! It's terrifying."
Qingluan lay sprawled on her soft bed, her petite figure sinking into the fabric, as if she had returned to the time when she was held in her mother's arms. The familiar scent of perfume wafted over; it was the one her mother loved to use.
After her mother died, she often sprayed her mother's perfume in the room, which gave her the feeling that her mother was still with her, and only then could she fall asleep. Little White also jumped onto her stomach and lay there obediently.
After patting Little White, Qingluan said, "That Xingxuan is truly remarkable. She'll probably get a promotion this time, and her salary and benefits will increase too."
"Yes, but Xingxuan said that she didn't discover the Witch Association Witch Association in Hulin City, nor did she kill its leaders. It was an organization called the Holy Church. I'm not familiar with East China. Qingluan, have you heard of the Holy Church?"
After thinking for a long time, Qingluan shook her head. " In East China, I've only heard of the Azure Cloud Sect, not any Holy Church. Is it a recently emerged organization?"
"It shouldn't be. If it were something that appeared recently, how could they have discovered the Witch Association's twenty-year-old plan? It's most likely an old organization, but they've hidden it too well."
"Could it be related to the Azure Cloud Sect?"
"Unlikely. The Azure Cloud Sect wouldn't stoop to such methods. You saw it yourself; their leader prefers to be straightforward and never hides her identity. With such formidable strength, what's the point of concealing her identity? Although the Holy Church destroyed the Witch Association's twenty-year plan, Xingxuan said it was done using Filthy Magic Power. If you ask me, anyone who uses Filthy Magic Power is brain-dead. Maybe they were just fighting like dogs with the Witch Association."
Qingluan nodded. "That makes sense."
"Anyway, we absolutely mustn't let these shady roadside organizations get involved with our Azure Cloud Sect. The Azure Cloud Sect is the leader of the righteous path, and aside from her size, Miss Shion is my ideal of the perfect and strongest magical girl. To collude with such an organization is an insult to the Azure Cloud Sect! I absolutely will not allow it!"
"You're from the Disaster Countermeasures Bureau, Iris."
"Since you also want to join the Azure Cloud Sect, I can switch sides too."
"Stop fooling around," Qingluan whispered. "Don't talk nonsense. I just want to try it out; I don't even know how it will turn out."
"Anyway, once this Mental Image Remnants incident is over, let's go check out the Azure Cloud Sect Azure Cloud Sect. I've heard they have seven true disciples, the seven strongest magical girls in the Azure Cloud Sect. I might become a true disciple as soon as I enter, after all, I know the Mental Image Domain. But Qingluan, you'll have to work hard..."
She smiled helplessly, not taking Iris's seemingly joking words to heart.
She did want to join the Azure Cloud Sect, but she didn't really want to bring Iris with her.
After all, no one knows what the Azure Cloud Sect is really like inside. What if it's not as good as they think? Wouldn't that harm Iris?
It's all the Incubators's fault for being so talkative; Iris found out about it, and now things are a bit troublesome.
However, she was determined to go to the Azure Cloud Sect to look for them, no matter what.
A way to save our predecessors.
I don't want to cause anyone else's death because of myself anymore.
Whether it's a mother or a senior...
"Oh, I almost forgot to mention, Qingluan, Senior Jinque said that you've been chosen to be one of the members entering the Mental Image Remnants. But don't be too happy yet. You need to train your Mental Image Domain as soon as possible, otherwise you'll only become a burden once you enter the Mental Image Remnants!"
"Then the Iris should be selected too, right?"
"Hmph, you're almost there! Don't get cocky! I'll have Senior Jinque test it again soon!"
He smiled and offered a few more words of comfort before hanging up the phone.
The Mental Image Remnants are closely related to the Full Bloom; she must find out exactly what happened.
It's not just about saving your predecessors; this is a problem every magical girl has to face.
Hopefully, things will go smoothly.
The Qingluan prayed thus.
However, the Incubators lying on her stomach said, "It will go smoothly. Even if there is any danger, as long as you are willing to Full Bloom, or if the Iris Full Bloom, the witch in the wreckage will not threaten anyone."
"Whether it's you or Iris, you can Full Bloom if you want."
Qingluan paused, looking at her Little White, "But, Full Bloom is very dangerous."
"But being a magical girl is always dangerous. If Full Bloom power can save your friends and defeat your enemies, then you should Full Bloom. Isn't that what you did, Senpai?"
"If it gets to that point..."
The Incubators beside her nuzzled her cheek. "Don't worry, Qingluan, I'll always be with you. I'm your best friend. No matter where you are, no matter what you become, I'll always be with you."
"... Little White, you'll be a good little kitty from now on, right?"
"It's not a cat, but you can have it if you like."
She held her seed, watching the Incubators for a long time.
For the first time, I felt a little unfamiliar.
Little White tilted her head. "What's wrong, Little Qing?"
"Nothing."
Little White has always encouraged himself to fight bravely, and nothing has changed.
But why add Iris- senpai...?
It's in Full Bloom.
Taking a deep breath, Qingluan closed her eyes, turned around, and hugged the rag doll her mother had left behind.
We must find out the secret of Full Bloom.
The Honghe felt as if a very long time had passed.
When she regained some consciousness and opened her eyes...
The pain of being crushed by immense force still lingered throughout her body. When she opened her eyes...
Then I felt that the surroundings were somewhat familiar.
The Witch Association's property: an underground bar.
"Three against three!"
"A royal flush! Smash it all!"
"Do you even know how to play?! We're just farmers!"
"I don't care if you're a peasant or a landlord, you're going to die! Airplane!"
"Stop messing around, stop messing around, this round is mine..."
Some noisy sounds came from nearby, and when I looked up, I saw my big toe pressing against my head.
The Shuangsheng, having taken off their shoes, placed their feet on the table, with their big toes resting on their heads.
Just as the Honghe was about to kick it away, she found that her body was becoming very strange.
I turned over and looked at my reflection on the glass table, and that's when I realized...
I turned into a mouse.
"Ah!"
I couldn't help but scream!
A Gu worm, a captain transformed from vines, and Shuangsheng —the three people playing cards simultaneously stopped what they were doing and looked at her.
"You're awake," Chilian greeted in a sarcastic tone, "Three hours and one second, sister."
"You need more practice, Honghe. Look at you, you died without even knowing who your opponent was." The captain sighed in exasperation. "How many times have I told you, when you're out in the world, you have to rely on yourself. Be extremely careful!"
The Shuangsheng pulled their feet back, took a sip of their carbonated drinks, and then reached out and tapped the Honghe's forehead.
"Welcome to the Witch Association's Post-Death Review Team. Now let's review how many forced mistakes and basic errors you made as the biggest war criminal in the fight against the Azure Cloud Sect!"