Bailu tugged at Lingsha's sleeve, her eyes filled with anticipation for the upcoming banquet feast.
"Looks like the Luminary Wardance finals are over. Shouldn't we head to Yukong's birthday banquet?"
Ruan Mei stood up and walked toward the exit. Herta, Bailu, and Lingsha followed.
Herta glanced at Lingsha with clear impatience.
"Didn't Ruan Mei tell you to take Bailu and represent your Alchemy Commission at the banquet?!"
Lingsha covered her smile. She quite enjoyed seeing Herta flustered and irritated, yet unable to do anything about it.
"Just happens to be on the way. Madam Herta, did you personally pave every road on the Luofu or something?"
Lingsha's teasing expression and Herta's speechlessness made Herta grit her teeth.
"On the way? Hmph. I'll make sure there's no road left for you."
Herta summoned her magic key. A [Mirror] space directly connected to the Hall of Karmic Clouds. She grabbed Ruan Mei and teleported away.
The moment Lingsha tried to step through, the mirror closed. She collided with a passing March 7th.
March 7th clutched her head in indignation.
"Oww!! Watch where you're going!"
Stelle moved to help Lingsha and March 7th up—but Firefly was faster, reaching them first.
"Thank you."
Firefly shook her head.
"Glad you're both alright."
When March 7th came to her senses and saw Bailu beside Lingsha, memories of Changle flooded back.
Bailu crossed her arms casually.
"March 7th, why do you have that guilty look on your face again? Didn't I tell you last time? No need to worry about it."
March 7th scratched her head sheepishly.
"By the way, are you all heading to the Hall of Karmic Clouds for Yukong's birthday banquet too?"
"Yes."
"Then let's go together. More the merrier."
Bailu glanced at Lingsha. Lingsha nodded.
"Sure. Oh, and who's this silver-haired lady?"
"Hello, I'm Firefly. A temporary guest on the Astral Express."
Bailu looked at Firefly curiously. Temporary guest? She decided not to ask and focus on the feast ahead.
---
Outside the Hall of Karmic Clouds, Ruan Mei stood waiting for someone.
"Who are you waiting for?"
"Feixiao."
Herta crossed her arms.
"What for?"
"Remember that starskiff you found the other day?"
"A little. What about it?"
"It's something Feixiao needs now."
Herta sighed.
"Fine. I'll find Yukong first and deliver the Genius Society's gift."
"Yes."
Shortly after Herta left, a streak of light flashed and came to an abrupt halt. Feixiao appeared.
"Apologies, Madam Ruan Mei, for keeping you waiting."
Ruan Mei handed Feixiao a box containing all of Tingyun's belongings.
"This is the gift Yukong most wants right now."
Feixiao carefully accepted the box.
"Thank you."
Feixiao offered Ruan Mei her foxian jade abacus.
"Madam Ruan Mei, if you ever need anything, I'll come at once. I should find Yukong now. See you inside."
Feixiao vanished in another streak of light.
Ruan Mei pondered. No new flawless crystal fragment? Feixiao's wish hasn't been fulfilled yet?
Perhaps it hasn't reached Yukong's hands. I'll wait.
...
Half an hour later, Yukong's birthday banquet began under a brilliant fireworks display.
Guinaifen and Li Sushang served as emcees, livening up the atmosphere.
"The Divination Commission's Fu Xuan and Qingque gift: a considerable sum of credits, and a foxian jade hairpin."
Li Sushang whispered to Guinaifen.
"Guinaifen, why are the Grand Diviner and Qingque's names together? Are they family or something?"
"No idea. Let's just move on to the next one."
"The Alchemy Commission's Lingsha and Bailu gift: a considerable sum of credits, and a Longevity Peach of Boundless Years."
...
"Genius Society's Herta and Ruan Mei gift: a Spacetime... Spacetime?"
The guests looked confused. Guinaifen turned to Li Sushang.
"Sushang, I don't recognize this word."
"Let me see."
Li Sushang scratched her head, equally stumped.
"Hold on. I'll look up the full curio name on my jade abacus."
"Found it! It's called a Spacetime Prism. Legend says it's forged from fifty thousand Stellar Jades and a mirror of spacetime. Worth... ten... billion credits?!"
Yukong approached the stage.
"What's wrong?"
"Madam Yukong, take a look. This is the gift from the Genius Society."
Yukong examined the Spacetime Prism. She froze.
"Forgive me, everyone. I need to step away for a moment."
Yukong went straight to Herta and Ruan Mei.
"You two. This gift is far too precious. I cannot accept it."
Herta casually smoothed her hair, dismissive.
"Just a curio. I had one teleported over from the space station. No need to fuss, Helmsmaster Yukong."
As she spoke, she shot a provocative glance at Lingsha in the distance.
(See? Even our gifts show the gap.)
Lingsha felt Herta's gaze and deliberately looked away.
Yukong still looked troubled.
"Madam Herta. This curio may be nothing in your eyes, but to others—to me—it's worth an astronomical sum."
"I simply cannot accept something so precious."
Herta opened her eyes and stared at Yukong.
"You're refusing my gift?"
"Madam Herta, I... of course I respect your generosity. But this curio... sigh."
Yukong felt a headache coming on. Centuries of experience, and she was still at a loss before Herta.
Ruan Mei spoke softly.
"Helmsmaster Yukong. Please accept it. It's your birthday."
"Besides, Feixiao is waiting for you."
Yukong sighed helplessly.
Internally, she resolved to return the Spacetime Prism to the space station herself whenever she had the chance.
"Excuse me, then."
"Yes."
Yukong bid them farewell and went to Feixiao.
"Sister Yukong, are you alright?"
Yukong smiled naturally.
"Everything's fine."
Feixiao presented the box containing Tingyun's belongings.
"What's this?"
"Open it, Sister Yukong."
The moment she recognized Tingyun's belongings—the very ones released on that starskiff—Yukong froze. Tears welled in her eyes.
"Sister Yukong? Are you—"
"You've worked hard, Feixiao."
Yukong's tears gave way to a smile as she carefully accepted the box.
"Thank you, Feixiao."
Seeing Yukong's joy, Feixiao didn't press further.
Foxians could sense items belonging to their kin. She already suspected the truth.
Tingyun... will I win her back?