Chapter 262

Page Seventy-Eight

Parent-Child Time

The floating jewel stopped spinning and remained motionless in midair.

Cherry Sauce supported her chin and summarized, “As I expected, there’s another space within the jewel. Mysterious Girl A’s hideout is inside, which explains why I couldn’t find her no matter how thoroughly I searched the entire village.”

“A jewel with hidden chambers?”

Sister Zǐ nodded knowingly and squinted, moving closer to the jewel to examine it carefully.

She said, “…There’s actually such a sophisticated technique here. It’s truly remarkable. If we could apply this in the construction of the research institute, it would be fantastic.”

Cherry Sauce placed her hand on Sister Zǐ’s shoulder and said, “Well, you might be disappointed. This jewel came from my master… the second-in-command Lord Hái. Even deities with divine power might not be able to replicate its effects, let alone through magical spells.”

Sister Zǐ added, “But you can’t see what’s inside from the outside. Aren’t you worried she might have teleported away?”

“She can’t leave because I’ve fixed the surrounding space, acting like a barrier, more like an anchor. No matter what method is used, this jewel won’t move from its current position until I exhaust my divine power.”

No wonder it was floating in the air.

However, it was impossible for her divine power to be depleted. Cherry Sauce had been sucking my divine energy since earlier, and my rate of recovery seemed faster than the consumption of the spell.

She was already accustomed to treating me as a living battery, and I didn’t know who was helping whom in this trial.

Sister Zǐ muttered, “Fixing space… What’s the principle behind this technique?”

It sounded like advanced technology, stirring her curiosity as a researcher. But before Cherry Sauce could explain, Mysterious Girl A’s voice echoed again from inside the jewel.

“Cough, cough, Xiao Lu Zǐ~ Can you let me out? If you help me, I can be your research institute’s magic consultant! You’re curious about the principles of miniaturization techniques, right? Including spatial techniques, I can teach you!”

Mysterious Girl A began enticing Sister Zǐ to defect, but the latter wasn’t swayed.

“Promises mean nothing if they’re not backed up. If you really want my help, show me something tangible.”

She was actually negotiating terms, so she was planning to release her?

Mysterious Girl A suggested, “Then I’ll teach you now. Come inside and see for yourself?”

“…Can I enter?”

Obviously, entering the sacred artifact was quite tempting for Sister Zǐ, who glanced back at me.

“If Lingmeng also comes in, I’ll consider helping you.”

“Hey! You little rascal… Alright, I’ll allow both of you to come in. Place your hands on the jewel and close your eyes, or you might get dizzy.”

Xiao Lei shouted, “I want to go in too!”

“No, I’m only receiving two people right now!”

“That’s not fair!”

Although the jewel itself was fixed in place by Cherry Sauce, the entry function seemed unaffected. Sister Zǐ and I followed Mysterious Girl A’s instructions and placed our hands on the jewel…

Then, our vision spun wildly before plunging into darkness.

“Grrr, Xiao Kai, Ojō-chan~”

I felt someone clinging to me, even wrapping around my face… obviously, Mysterious Girl A.

I couldn’t call her “Mom,” but she called me “Ojō-chan.”

What kind of relationship was this?

She added, “But you two really dared to come in alone. Didn’t you fear I might hold you hostage?”

My vision returned, and I surveyed the surroundings.

The space inside the jewel was about ten square meters, cluttered with various strange inventions, snacks, and clothes, resembling a junk heap. The ceiling was a transparent glass dome, allowing a view of the exterior. Beneath us was a messy double bed, and my mysterious mother was clinging to me… Was this really how a reunion between mother and child should be?

“Let go first!”

I pushed her off impatiently and said, “Once part of Cherry Sauce enters, she can open a two-way portal. So, you can’t keep us here… Here, eat this.”

From the notebook space, I took out the immortality elixir that Chang’e once ate. Seeing the pill-like object, she released me and retreated to a chair by the bed, looking disgusted.

“I told you, I won’t eat something that’s been preserved for over ten thousand years!”

“Lord Hái said it still works. Just trust her once. She can also alleviate loneliness by having someone accompany her in the Divine Court. Besides, once I officially become a deity, I’ll find a way to visit you!”

Even with my heartfelt persuasion, she just shook her head.

“Xiao Kai, many things aren’t coincidental… Ah! Don’t touch that!”

While Sister Zǐ was wandering near the bed, she picked up a spherical container, startling Mom.

Mom explained, “That’s a failed soul adhesive.”

“It sounds dangerous… like glue?”

Cautious Sister Zǐ put the container back on the ground.

“The effect is exactly as the name suggests. That adhesive can bind souls or personalities together. Even if two people are incompatible, they can forcibly merge using this.”

…Could this be meant for me and Cherry Sauce?

“—Souls are very delicate. Treating them too roughly will definitely cause side effects, which is why it’s considered a failure.”

“Will this be given to me after completion?”

“Huh? What do you need it for?”

Mom was taken aback. She hadn’t thought of using it for me.

True, aside from Lord Hái and Cherry Sauce herself, no one knew her ultimate fate was to become my knowledge.

“Don’t worry, then why did you make this thing?”

Mom continued, “This adhesive was originally for your father, to eliminate fear by blending two personalities. However, the effect wasn’t good.”

“Huh? He seems fine now.”

“I changed the method, removing the curse of Heavenly Path itself. So, this failed adhesive is useless.”

The light that resolved Father’s inner conflict indeed came from Mom.

I asked, “Then, what about this jewel? You not only stole from the commercial area but also took Lord Hái’s treasures?”

“What kind of person do you think I am?”

“A thief.”

“You think of me as a thief too?”

“Who else has said this?”

“Yuzu.”

“Isn’t that the truth?”

She puffed up her cheeks, similar to mine, making a cute face I would never do.

Yet, seeing her, I couldn’t even laugh.

“Why are you always like this, Xiao Kai? You don’t need to feel sorry for me.”

I said, “Yuzu said you have a way to survive. You should tell Cherry Sauce and me, at least let us help you.”

“No.”

“If you’re worried about my trial failing, I’ll be honest. I don’t care about the divine altar.”

“Still no. Success is extremely unlikely, so I can’t risk you and Cherry Sauce.”

“But you’re our—”

Her index finger covered my mouth, shaking her head.

She asked, “Xiao Kai, I’m not good at grand speeches, but as the Goddess of Beautiful Girls, you’re truly suitable… much more than that old man **.”

She also criticized Master Haliluya.

“There’s no point in discussing suitability for a meaningless divine altar.”

“It’s not meaningless. Look around you, everyone you’ve met, including yourself, is changing. Xiao Kai, you have the power to influence others, guiding everyone towards a better future.”

“They change because they follow their hearts. It’s not all due to me.”

Mom stroked my cheek and pinched my earlobe.

“They change because of the hope you give them. Everyone revolves around you because you shine brightly in their eyes, like a lighthouse in the dark… Xiao Lu Zǐ, do you agree?”

Unexpectedly, during the conversation, Mom threw the topic back at me. Sister Zǐ widened her eyes slightly and nodded silently.

“See, your girlfriend approves of you!”

Mom’s teasing made Sister Zǐ’s face flush.

I looked at the workbench behind her. The complex array of spells Yuzu mentioned was placed there, quite disorganized compared to what I had seen in the research institute.

“—I can’t understand it either. Is that really a functional spell?”

Cherry Sauce also commented.

“Is that your ace in the hole?” I asked.

“An ace is something decisive when used. Mine is just a piece of wood grabbed by someone falling into the sea.”

“Then, without asking about the methods, what’s the success rate of your plan?”

Mom smiled, “Ha, it’s probably like getting an SSR in a mobile game.”

“That’s incredibly low!”

Not even a one percent chance.

Why is she still smiling despite this?

Mom asked, “Do you know why Lord Hái created this jewel?”

“No.”

“Because she wanted to escape, even hiding in this small jewel. She used a technique to fix the Divine Court’s space into this jewel, trying to send it as a haven to the human world… but she failed.”

Mom closed her eyes, perhaps recalling moments with Lord Hái in the Divine Court.

I asked, “It seems the previous Lord Hái faced difficulties… Were you close to her?”

“Xiao Kai, remember what I said. Many things aren’t coincidental. Our meeting today might be prearranged.”

“By whom?”

She shook her head and didn’t continue.

“Lingmeng, Longtao is here.”

Hearing Sister Zǐ’s reminder, I looked up at the glass dome. Sister Tao entered the compartment.

“Looks like you’re leaving?”

“You should join us. There’s plenty of room.”

“…Won’t you run away?”

“This jewel must be kept by Cherry Sauce.”

I placed my hand on her shoulder.

For the first time, I actively touched my mother.

“From now on, I won’t let you leave anymore!”