Blackout

Stacy picked up the half-full glass of juice from Zijin and poured in the "water of life" until the glass was almost full. "Is this about right?"

Zijin was still hesitating. Without saying a word, the two ladies pulled her up from the sofa and dragged her to the exit of the banquet hall, one on each side. Sure enough, through the window, they saw Su Ming's figure, standing quietly in the snow-covered garden not far away.

Chloe draped a thick coat over Zijin, while Stacy shoved the glass of mixed juice and spirits into her hand, then patted her on the back. "Go, brave girl!"

Then, the two of them worked together to gently push Zijin out of the warm banquet hall.

With a soft "bang," the heavy door slammed shut behind her.

Zijin subconsciously turned around and found her two friends' heads squeezed behind the window glass, looking out with great interest.

She took a deep breath of the crisp, fresh air, as if drawing courage, and then took a step forward, walking towards the familiar figure ahead.

Because it was deep winter, the garden was a completely white world covered in silver. Most of the plants in Northern Ice Island had already lost their leaves, leaving only bare branches, which were almost all covered by a layer of crystal-clear ice, shimmering under the starlight.

The night sky was filled with countless stars, so clear and cloudless that not a single wisp of Stars could be seen. The starlight was steady and bright, without the slightest flicker. Su Ming had never seen such a clear and pure starry sky on Earth.

He didn't dare look any longer and quickly looked away.

Su Ming hasn't had enough time to adapt since his last advancement in cultivation level. Although gazing at the starry sky may not necessarily bring new insights or resonance, it's always better to be safe than sorry.

Just then, a series of soft, rustling sounds on the snow caught Su Ming's attention. He turned around in the direction of the sound and saw that familiar, slender figure—casually tossing the cup she had just finished drinking into the snow and walking gracefully toward him.

The garden was dimly lit, with only starlight filtering through. Su Ming blinked gently, and magical light flowed deep within his pupils, revealing his Low-Light Vision.

The girl had clearly just come from the warm banquet hall, still carrying a faint trace of warmth. Her coat was casually draped over her shoulders; she wore neither gloves nor a scarf. Her fair cheeks and exposed neck were slightly flushed in the biting cold wind.

Su Ming immediately stepped forward, took off his thick scarf without hesitation, and gently wrapped it around Zijin's neck.

"You should at least put your clothes on before coming out," Su Ming said, with a hint of reproach in his voice. "Or you could activate a magical shield—you know you can't accept healing magic."

Zijin didn't speak. Suddenly, she reached out and grabbed Su Ming's shoulder tightly, then looked up at him directly.

The girl's bright eyes reflected the starry sky, and Su Ming's next words caught in his throat.

The next moment, Zijin's body went limp, and she collapsed into his arms without warning. No matter how Su Ming called out to her, she did not respond.

****

In the morning, Zijin slowly awoke from her deep sleep and found herself lying on the soft bed in a guest room of the Feather Race's palace.

Upon seeing her awaken, the Feather Race maidservant who was waiting by her side immediately poured her a cup of warm water and respectfully offered it to her.

Zijin slowly sat up, feeling a slight headache.

Was it some kind of Magic Power overdraft? She subconsciously circulated her Magic Power, and her right eye habitually glowed blue, but found that the Magic Power flow within her body was smooth and there was nothing abnormal.

She tried hard to recall what happened last night, but her memory only stopped at the moment she went to the banquet hall, and then it was all blank and ended abruptly.

Upon learning that she had woken up, Stacy rushed over.

After exchanging a few words, she exclaimed in surprise, "So, you don't remember anything about what happened last night?!"

"Yes, so... what exactly happened?" Zijin asked, puzzled.

Stacy sighed and covered her head in frustration.

Last night, all her and Chloe's efforts were in vain; it was all wiped out!

In the next room, Su Ming was already preparing to depart. Today's plan was to conduct surveying work on the subglacial terrain of other mining areas of the Feather Race.

He came over to check on Zijin and found that she didn't look well, so he suggested that she rest for a while.

"No, I'll go with you," Zijin insisted, her tone leaving no room for argument. "It'll be safer that way. There aren't many people in this world who can threaten me anymore. But there are still quite a few who can hurt you."

"I understand." Seeing her resolute attitude, Su Ming did not insist any further.

He turned and brewed a cup of liquid with a faint medicinal aroma, handing it to Zijin. "This is medicine to protect the stomach lining. It's also a hangover remedy; I gave it to you last night after you passed out."

"Am I... am I drunk?" Zijin exclaimed in shock.

"Yes." Su Ming's tone was clearly displeased. "In the short few minutes I was out of your sight, you got yourself completely drunk." He paused, emphasizing, "And it was strong liquor. Don't you want to eat your stomach?"

Knowing she was in the wrong, Zijin lowered her head and obediently listened to Su Ming's scolding. Then she downed the not-so-pleasant-tasting potion in one gulp. "... I won't do it again next time."

"Alright," Su Ming said, not pressuring the matter further. "Let's go to the restaurant and see if they have any porridge or something."

"By the way," Zijin looked at Su Ming with suspicion, "Why are there two corpses in your room? And they were just dug up not long ago, the soil is still fresh?"

Last night, after the banquet ended, I returned to find this extra item in my room.

Clearly, the Feather Race maids had taken his words to heart!

"These details aren't important—" Su Ming said helplessly, then raised an eyebrow at Zijin, "You didn't start looking around my room with your Omniscient Vision as soon as you got up, did you?"

"No, I didn't," Zijin denied immediately. "I was just... being routinely vigilant about my surroundings!"

Chloe and Stacy exchanged a glance, both seeing deep helplessness and frustration in each other's eyes.

"I think," Stacy said through gritted teeth, feeling as if her stomach was already overflowing with something invisible, even before she'd had breakfast, "We should lock those two damn guys in one of those rooms where they can't come out unless they do that!"

"I agree!" Chloe nodded in deep agreement, adjusting her non-existent glasses. "Let's discuss the possibility of realizing such a room through Magic Power arrays and rune technology?"