Travel · Hangzhou Arc (Epilogue): Magic City! Concert! Mixue Ice Cream & Tea!

"You're setting off today?" Qingxiao's tone carried a hint of reluctance. "Aren't you going to stay a few more days?"

"There's nothing we can do, but we've been entrusted with this task, and today is the final deadline," Suisui said with a soft laugh. "It's alright, Yangyang and I will come back after this is all over."

"What about my disciples?"

"Brother Ling and the others..." Suisui glanced at Xiao Ling, who was on the phone, "Their original plan was to go directly from Hangzhou to the Imperial Capital, but someone invited them to Magic City along the way, so they temporarily changed their destination."

"After their Magic City, they'll probably go straight to Imperial Capital and won't go back to Hangzhou."

"Ha... Is that so? That's a real shame..." Qingxiao sighed softly, her expression slightly somber.

"If Sister Qingxiao is reluctant to leave, she can come with us," Suisui suggested. "But I don't think you'd like a neon-lit city like Magic City."

"Hmm... I really don't feel Magic City; Hangzhou feels much closer to me." Qingxiao shook her head slightly. "Besides, Heartfox hasn't taken human form yet and still needs my care, so I'll have to excuse myself."

"It's alright. Let's discuss it together when Yangyang and I get back, and then decide whether or not to go to the Imperial Capital," Suisui nodded.

"That's fine then," Qingxiao nodded.

"Um, Sister Qingxiao?"

Qingxiao heard a somewhat unfamiliar, energetic girl's voice calling her name, so she turned around.

"You are... Sigrika, right?" Qingxiao confirmed.

"Yes, it's me!" The girl with orange braids nodded vigorously twice. "To be honest, I was all prepared to reintroduce myself... I didn't expect Sister Qingxiao to remember me!"

"You have a unique charm," Qingxiao said with a slight smile. "You probably can't forget me even if you wanted to, can you?"

"Hehe..." Sigrika shyly accepted Qingxiao's praise, "Oh right, this is for you, Sister Qingxiao!"

She handed the photo, which she had been hiding in her hand, to Qingxiao.

"What is this?" Qingxiao asked, taking the photo with some confusion.

"Principal Roccia gave this to you on my behalf!" Sigrika said with a bright smile. "She said that although this is our first meeting, it's fate that we met, and this photo is a keepsake for you!"

Qingxiao flipped the photo over, and after seeing what it showed, a very faint smile appeared on her lips.

The photo shows them together on the banks of the Qiantang River. Each person's smile is unique, but without a doubt, they all shared the same joy at that moment.

Although they ended up getting soaked by the sudden surge of the tide.

Those who don't know Qingxiao might think she's a cold, aloof sword immortal who doesn't concern herself with worldly affairs, but that's a complete misunderstanding.

In fact, her love for the lights of every household in the world is no less than that of anyone else. During her years as Xuanji Bureau guarding Dreamland, it was this passionate feeling that drove her to fulfill her duties.

"I will keep it safe," she promised Sigrika solemnly.

Sigrika nodded, then added, "Oh, and the principal also said that if you accidentally lose the photo, you can contact her, and she'll give you a replacement."

"Then I'd rather never need it," Qingxiao said with a smile. "After all, the first thing you own is the most precious."

"But things lost and then regained are cherished even more!" Sigrika retorted playfully.

"Xixi, are you ready? We're leaving now!" Dania's voice came from afar.

"Okay, Yaya! I'll be right there!" Sigrika replied, turning around. "I have to go now! Take care, Sister Qingxiao!"

"You too, be careful on the road with everyone." Qingxiao said goodbye to her with a smile.

"Since things have come to this, we should get going. Call me if you need anything." Suisui smiled and said goodbye to Qingxiao.

"Sister Qingxiao, please take good care of yourself while we're gone," Yangyang said solemnly, nodding.

"Good."

After watching the Yang Sui sisters reunite with Xiao Ling and Xiao Ling group, Qingxiao tightly gripped the still warm photograph, made a hand seal, and rode away on her sword.

"A-Yu, whose phone is that?"

As soon as Xiao Ling ended the call, Aemeath leaned over and asked a question, her big, blinking eyes expressing her curiosity.

"My mom gave me a good scolding when she heard that I'd have to wait a while to see all of you pretty girls again," Xiao Ling said helplessly.

"When we get to the Imperial Capital, Ling, you'll have to make sure you appease Mom," Dania teased from the side.

"My attempts to coax her are useless; you girls can coax her every time."

"It sounds like we girls are even closer to our mother-in-law than her own sons?" Roccia light laugh.

"Of course, that's how it's written in the family hierarchy," Xiao Ling said, spreading his hands helplessly.

"But speaking of which, are Yangyang and the others alright?"

"Okay, okay~" Yangyang and Suisui came over to join them. "I chatted with Sister Qingxiao for a while, which took up some time."

"I just gave the photos to Sister Qingxiao, and she really liked them!" Sigrika said happily as she arrived.

"Really? That's good, then." Roccia smiled with relief.

"Xiao Ling, everything's settled here. Everyone can get on the bus now," Lynae waved to the Rover after unloading their luggage.

After giving a gesture of acceptance, Xiao Ling smiled and gestured to the girls beside him:

"Well then, let's set off; it's time to begin the next leg of our journey."

"Everyone, have you decided what you're going to do after you go to Magic City?" Xiao Ling asked the group in the car.

The concert starts on August 20th, and before that, they have five days to explore all of Magic City.

"Let's go hold a concert!" Aemeath was the first to answer.

"Let's go eat something delicious~" Dania followed closely behind.

"Let's go get Mixue Ice Cream & Tea!" Lynae exclaimed excitedly. "I want to see if I get my head blown off while drinking Mixue Ice Cream & Tea under the Oriental Pearl Tower!"

"Don't talk like that, Lynae!" Sigrika exclaimed with an exaggerated expression, "You'll disappear if you do!"

This action naturally drew continuous laughter from everyone on the bus, filling the air with a joyful atmosphere.

"Then when we get to Magic City, I'll arrange a Mixue Ice Cream & Tea for each of you, and then we'll go to the Bund to have it together," Xiao Ling chuckled. "Master Qiushui, let's go."

"Alright, driver Qiushui, it's a pleasure to serve you all!" Qiushui immediately stepped on the gas and turned the steering wheel. "Please hold on tight, the Black Shores tourist bus is about to depart!"

With the roar of the engine, the bus started up immediately and left the spot in an instant, heading towards the distance, full of wind and stories.