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Su Qing opened his eyes.
Once again, two hundred years had swiftly passed in this simulation, leaving him with a sense of having lived through another lifetime upon its conclusion.
The most interesting development this time was:
His disciple from the Jade Tower Cult ultimately ended up at Luofu by the end.
Su Qing felt a mix of emotions.
He truly seemed destined to have an unbreakable connection with this Luofu Xianzhou.
[Stelle: So, just saying...]
[Stelle: Can Su Qing now strut around Luofu fearlessly? With the current general being his closest friend and the new Grand Diviner as his disciple?]
[Sparkle: Indeed, it seems so.]
[Silver Wolf: Fearlessly? He could even be carried on a stretcher if he wanted!]
[Bronya: Being carried might draw some attention...]
As Su Qing stepped out of his room, he was greeted by bright sunlight and two energetic young girls cleaning the courtyard.
Upon seeing Su Qing, Guinaifen warmly greeted him.
Sushang, meanwhile, showcased her recent mastery of sweeping leaves with the grace of autumn winds using her broom.
[March 7th: Ha ha ha! Sushang is so cute and lively!]
[Qingque: @Sushang, @Guinaifen, well, I see you both found part-time jobs here!]
[Guinaifen: We can't just eat for free!]
[Guinaifen: Although we're sometimes guests here, Su Qing is too kind and often treats us to delicious meals. It feels awkward not helping out at least a little!]
[Sushang: Exactly, exactly! If we just ate without contributing, wouldn't that make us idiots?]
[Silver Wolf: ...Can someone tell me if it's winter now??]
[Sushang: Ah? You didn't find it funny? "Eating for free" sounds like "idiots," meaning if we dine without contributing, we'd be no different from fools.]
[Silver Wolf: Don't explain the joke even more, please?!??]
[Stelle: I thought it was quite amusing.?]
[Firefly: +1, but Silver Wolf's reaction is the funniest!!??]
Stepping outside, one could immediately enjoy the sunlight and the sight of two lovely girls, naturally lifting their spirits.
After greeting them, Su Qing headed towards the main hall first.
In the backyard, after finishing their cleaning duties, Sushang and Guinaifen gathered together, whispering about their recent encounter with Himeko.
Sushang placed the broom back in its spot, saying, "I knew it! With Su Qing being so handsome and his cooking absolutely delicious, there's no way he wouldn't have a girlfriend."
Guinaifen responded, "That... Big Sister Himeko? She's incredibly beautiful, and her conversation reveals how remarkable she is—indeed, they seem perfectly matched."
Sushang expressed her admiration wistfully, "Oh, if only I could be as elegant as Himeko! Unfortunately...I feel like I'm just incapable of achieving that!"
[Himeko: (says nothing) (gently twirls her long red hair) (gracefully lifts coffee)]
[Kafka: ...Chuckles, pretending again, aren't you?]
Guinaifen rubbed her chin thoughtfully, "But didn't Himeko mention she and Su Qing are temporarily apart? What's going on there?"
Sushang, with her straightforward nature, chimed in, "Probably broke up? Or maybe Su Qing has a new girlfriend now? Either is possible!"
[Himeko: ...(the coffee suddenly seems less appealing)]
[Jingliu: (eyes hidden behind black silk) (remains silent)]
[Seele: Ha ha ha ha, taking turns to tease, right?]
[Firefly: Girlfriends take turns, next year it'll be my turn!]
[Stelle: ??? Little Firefly, stirring things up again!]
[Firefly: It's not stirring things up; I've dreamt about it these past few days. My future prospects are definitely bright!]
[Silver Wolf: ?Le, caught in Penacony dreams, speaking in sleep-talk~]
[Firefly: ?? Hmph, Silver Wolf, just you wait and see!]
As Sushang and Guinaifen entered the main hall, Qingque had just finished her introduction: "...currently serving at the Divination Commission."
Upon hearing this, Su Qing's eyebrows raised slightly.
Qingque then spotted two figures emerging from the rear courtyard and exclaimed, "Sushang, Guinaifen, y-you... Are you living with Su Qing?"
"Qingque! What are you saying?!" Guinaifen rushed over, flustered, half-rebuking her while also greeting warmly.
From the tone of their conversation, it was clear that Qingque and Guinaifen were quite familiar with each other.
[Stelle: Quick question: Why are you so well-acquainted with Guinaifen, Qingque?]
[Qingque (sweating slightly): Don't ask, don't ask!]
[Seele: Aha, often skipping work to watch Guinaifen's performances, right?]
The camera view shifted slightly downward from Guinaifen.
Bailu squeezed forward, saying, "Alright, alright, if you want to catch up, let's chat while eating later."
The dragon girl reached into her pocket and pulled out her wallet. "I'm starving! Qingque, have you forgotten why we came here? It's for dinner!"
[Natasha (curious): Is this Bailu's allowance?]
[Bailu (puffed up indignantly): What allowance?! Do you think I'm still a child? This is hard-earned wages from my work!]
[Natasha (smiling): Oh, oh, apologies, apologies - it was a misunderstanding.]
Heeding Bailu's reminder, Qingque's eyes lit up. "That's right! Bailu mentioned this place has incredibly delicious food, so that's why we're here!"
Sushang and Guinaifen promptly agreed, assuring Qingque she had indeed chosen well.
By now, both were thoroughly impressed by Su Qing's culinary skills.
Guinaifen declared outright, "This is the best restaurant I've ever eaten at in all of Luofu!"
Sushang added, "Even considering Yaoqing, I haven't encountered any place tastier there on the Yaoqing Immortal Boat!"
Qingque became even more intrigued. "...Is it truly that good? I don't have much experience; you better not be tricking me!"
***
"Wow, it really is that amazing!!!"
Qingque looked at the table laden with dishes, utterly astonished.
Naturally, the four of them gathered around one table and ordered numerous delectable items from the menu.
With more people present this time, Su Qing felt quite motivated, fully engaging her culinary skills.
To Qingque's amazement, each dish was an unparalleled delight she had never tasted before, so exquisite it nearly brought tears to her eyes!
She even thought that if the Divination Commission could serve meals like these, she'd willingly sacrifice some opportunities for slacking off!
[Seele: Wow, that's high praise indeed from Qingque!]
[Stelle: If I could eat Su Qing's cooking every day, I'd gladly live in a mansion and cruise on yachts.]
[Silver Wolf: Stelle, come on! Don't be too greedy!]
[Sushang: Ha ha, has Qingque been won over at lightning speed?!]
[Qingque: Wait! Sushang, don't make wild assumptions!]
[Qingque: I just really enjoy Su Qing's food; it doesn't mean I've been swept off my feet!]
[Clever little bird asserts: Although Su Qing's cooking is superb and she's a great person, there's no intention whatsoever to get involved.]
["After all, the current contestants are getting stronger one after another, even including the Grand Diviner himself!"]
["March 7th: Qingque plays it safe, huh? Wise ones don't fall in love, right?"]
["Qingque: Or perhaps... those who indulge lose at love?"]
["Qingque: If you become infatuated with someone, constantly preoccupied, there'd be no more joy in slacking off!"]
The other three had previously tasted Su Qing's cooking, but this time they found it even more delicious.
During that moment of [Foresight], Su Qing's culinary skills had seamlessly integrated and advanced to a new level.
Sushang expressed her disbelief, "I thought there was hardly any room for improvement left!"
Holding her chopsticks, Guinaifen mused, "So, did Su Qing actually hold back before?"
The dragon girl, engrossed in eating, remained too occupied to join their conversation.
[Stelle: Ha ha, greedy little Dragon Girl—so adorable.]
[Jingliu: (Warm smile)]
[March 7th: Shocked! Jingliu actually smiled!]
[March 7th: Is this what they call loving everything about someone you adore?]
[Jingliu: (After a moment's thought)... Perhaps.]
[Bailu: ?, What are you guys talking about? I'm not quite following...]
After dinner,
Qingque opened the set of Diyuan Jade Tiles that Bailu had gifted her during their visit to the Alchemy Commission, inviting others to join for a game.
[Fu Xuan: ...I didn't even notice you accepted those tiles?]
[Qingque: ? Ha ha, aren't these great for improving hand dexterity?]
[Seele: Seriously, Qingque's two favorite pastimes—slacking off and playing cards.]
[Seele: Just this morning, your hands were cramping from shuffling tiles, and now you're back at it in the afternoon!]
Naturally, Sushang and Guinaifen joined the game.
Even Bailu participated, taking a seat on one side with her cute legs swinging as she engaged in the match. "Ah, if only I could meet the inventor of Diyuan Jade Tiles... Such a stimulating and brain-boosting activity deserves wider recognition!"
Qingque, delighted, said nothing in response.
Whenever Bailu stretched her arms but couldn't quite reach the tiles, Qingque enthusiastically assisted by passing them over.
Su Qing, however, did not join in. He felt that using Avoiding Calamity and Seeking Fortune to play mahjong might be unfair—it would ruin others' gaming experience if he could effortlessly win with every draw.
As Su Qing observed the four lovely girls gathered in his shop, he suddenly realized something...
...Wait, am I surrounded by too many girls here?
[Silver Wolf: ?]
[Silver Wolf: When I use this question mark, it's not because I'm confused; it's because you should be questioning yourself!]
[Silver Wolf: You're only realizing this now?!]
[Fu Xuan: ...Master finally acknowledges it.]
[Himeko (with slight exasperation): This is precisely why I've always been troubled—there are just too many rivals.]
[Firefly: But initially, there was only me around him.?]
[Stelle: hhh, Asta: ?, Hello, may I ask who you are?]
[Black Swan (smiling): Seems like everyone harbors some resentment on this topic.]
[Silver Wolf: How can there not be resentment?!]
[Silver Wolf: Su Qing: Simulate, so satisfying!]
[Silver Wolf: All he knows is simulating day after day! Can't he see how the number of girls around him keeps growing, making his sins deeper?!]
[March 7th: Ha ha, little Silver Wolf here feels the pressure mounting as the reigning champion!]
[Bronya: Yet among us, many still haven't simulated.]
[March 7th: It comes down to individual charm issues...]
[Herta: As I've mentioned before, Su Qing has a natural affinity for creating love triangles, regardless of where he goes.]
[Sparkle: On that note, could it be Asta's constant presence kept Su Qing free from such situations until now?]
[Jingliu: ?]
[Himeko: ???]
[Firefly: ?????]
[Silver Wolf: Holy cow! The most significant discovery of the Amber Era! And they're actually connected?!]
[March 7th: Sparkle, you might be onto something!!!]
[Kafka: There's some truth to that...]
[Himeko: Indeed...]
[Himeko: Only someone with immense gravity like Asta could have restrained Su Qing, preventing this trait from manifesting earlier.]
[Seele: Asta's value keeps skyrocketing!]
[Stelle: Asta, were you silently guarding Su Qing all along? How tender of you!?]
[Silver Wolf: Laughing so hard.]
[Himeko: However, since the simulation's appearance, even Asta's gravity couldn't control the unfolding events...]
[Sparkle: Joyful Simulation!]
***
***
As Su Qing was engrossed in his phone, he suddenly heard a crisp "clack"—the sound of mahjong tiles hitting the table.
Turning to look, he noticed that after one round, Qingque and the others had paused their game temporarily.
Instead, Qingque picked up a tile and slapped it on the table dramatically, like striking a gavel. "Speaking of which, back then at Yu Que..."
[Stelle: Hey, what are you doing, Qingque?]
[Qingque: Hi there—just chatting while playing cards. We were discussing my trip to Yu Que, remember?]
[Qingque: Seeing everyone's curiosity about another Xianzhou, I figured as someone who's been there, I should share some insights!]
[March 7th: Qingque is quite spirited, almost like she's about to narrate a storytelling session.]
Upon hearing these key words, Su Qing put away his phone and approached them.
"Here!" Bailu, with her hand resting on the bench, endearingly scooted to the left, making space for him.
Smiling, Su Qing took a seat next to the Dragon Girl.
Qingque thrived on larger audiences, becoming more animated as the crowd grew. With an additional listener, her enthusiasm soared even higher. "In those days at Yu Que, amidst the star sea, evil creatures invaded and the Antimatter Legion held sway..."
"As the birthplace of the Divination Commission system, thanks to numerous diviners, they safeguarded the Xianzhou's journey..." As she continued narrating,
Qingque naturally mentioned the protagonist of the story she heard during their visit to Yu Que - Fu Xuan's master, the Grand Diviner.
However, due to needing to maintain Fu Xuan's secret, Qingque could only speak from a diviner's perspective about this Grand Diviner of Yu Que.
Initially, Qingque provided a straightforward introduction. But as she spoke further,
driven by her admiration for Fu Xuan and, by extension, his master,
Qingque couldn't resist exaggerating slightly: "This former Imperial Bodhisattva of Yu Que was unparalleled in divination. One could say, his mastery of the Dao of Divination had reached an extraordinary pinnacle! Unmatched in the world!"
"With just a slight exertion of his abilities, he could strike fear into Emanators and earn nods of respect from Aeons!"
"Through his divinations, he guided the Jade Tower Immortal Ship on its most accurate course, securing countless riches and seizing numerous opportunities!"
[Fu Xuan: ???, Qingque! Have I ever spoken about my master like this to you?]
[Qingque (slightly embarrassed): Uh, well, that... This is just because mentioning your name was not allowed, so I had to embellish a bit.]
[Seele: Embellished indeed!]
[Silver Wolf: Giving Emanators the chills? That's true enough. After all, Phantylia wants to "die from love" for Su Qing ten thousand times over. 😂]
[Silver Wolf: But claiming the approval of Aeon...]
[March 7th: Now you're exaggerating too much, seriously!]
Initially, Su Qing listened with keen interest. Hearing others recount his experiences from a third-person perspective was genuinely entertaining. However, as the description continued, he began feeling uneasy.
Clearing his throat, he raised his hand to interject, "Um, Qingque, was the former Grand Diviner of Yu Que truly that remarkable? Isn't your portrayal stretching it a bit?"
[Sparkle: Oh, Su Qing seems embarrassed now.]
[Stelle: Su Qing: A nod from Stelle himself?! Am I really that impressive? How come I didn't even know?!]
From the audience's perspective, everyone assumed that upon hearing this question, Qingque would tone down his praise somewhat. After all, the subject himself had raised it.
But how could Qingque know he was speaking directly to the person in question?
Instead, the little bird waved dismissively and, feigning profound wisdom, exclaimed, "Aiya, Su Qing, you're mistaken here. Who knows the Imperial Bodhisattva of Yu Que better—me or you?"
"That former Imperial Bodhisattva, indeed, was just as remarkable, if not more so than I've described!"
[Sparkle: (bursting out with joyful laughter) Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!]
[Sparkle: Qingque's unwavering confidence, boasting right in front of the man himself—it's killing me with laughter!]
[Stelle: Hilarious! Qingque to Su Qing: Trust me, you truly are that exceptional, no doubt about it!]
[Firefly: Dying of laughter!?]
[Fu Xuan: Qingque...?]
[Herta: "Who understands the Imperial Bodhisattva of Yu Que better, you or me?"]
[Herta: Saying that right in front of him, @Qingque, shows your sense of humor indeed.]
[Silver Wolf: Ha ha, truly subtle and mysterious!]
Qingque's cheeks flushed, growing increasingly warm.
[Ahah! Suddenly, I understand what 'dark past' means!] exclaimed Qingque.
Upon hearing this, Su Qing's expression mirrored hers: (Struggling to Hold Back)(Suppressing Laughter).
After barely managing to compose himself, Su Qing bowed with hands cupped and said, "Of course, you understand best; you definitely know more."
Qingque nodded, satisfied. "Exactly! While I empathize with your astonishment, Su Qing, one must never apply ordinary reasoning to the Imperial Bodhisattva of Yu Que!"
[Sparkle: ???]
[Silver Wolf: ???]
[Qingque: Aaaaaaaahhhhhh!!!! (Covering Face)(Digging Toes In Embarrassment)]
Su Qing fought hard not to laugh.
He asked, "So, Qingque, do you have any other stories about this Imperial Bodhisattva of Yu Que?"
"Well..." Noticing the curious gazes from Sushang, Guinaifen, and Bailu nearby, Qingque thought for a moment and replied, "Yes, indeed."
Clearing his throat, Qingque began narrating, "Legend has it, on one fateful day, fertility fiends invaded. The Imperial Bodhisattva of Yu Que merely performed a simple divination, and just like that, they were terrified into retreating hundreds of miles..."
[March 7th: You're exaggerating more and more, aren't you?!]
[Seele: Impressive!]
[Silver Wolf: Are you getting addicted to storytelling now?]
Sushang and Guinaifen wore expressions of "Oh!" and "How impressive!"
Bailu, on the other hand, seemed skeptical with her "Really?" and "Is he truly that remarkable?"
Yet, despite her doubts, the Dragon Girl's focused gaze and swaying tail indicated she was equally engrossed.
Regardless of whether they believed Qingque's tales or not, their expressions showed clear enjoyment—a hallmark of storytelling after all.
No one would be interested in hearing about the Grand Diviner diligently working day after day at the Divination Commission; it would undoubtedly bore the audience. However, recounting how the Imperial Bodhisattva of Yu Que suppressed evil creatures across vast distances with a single divination symbol? Now that captivated listeners!
[The live audience finds the tale engaging, but Qingque is starting to feel overwhelmed.]
[Qingque: Aaaaaah!]
[Qingque: Stop it, stop it, please! I can't bear this anymore. Please, don't say any more.]
[Qingque: If Su Qing turns out to be who I think he is, how awkward will it get?! Might as well dig a hole to bury myself!]
[Sparkle: Alright, alright, just waiting for this reaction!]
[Stelle: Enjoyable, +1]
[Silver Wolf: Enjoyable, +2]
[Qingque: ?????]
[Qingque: Previously, I enjoyed watching others squirm, but now I'm experiencing the same embarrassment firsthand!]
Despite Qingque's internal turmoil, his impromptu storytelling garnered excellent responses from the audience.
Initially, Su Qing struggled to suppress his laughter, finding it somewhat challenging to maintain composure. However, as he listened further and became engrossed in Qingque's engaging tales, his expression brightened with interest.
When Qingque finished one story, Su Qing was the first to applaud enthusiastically. "Bravo! Another one! Tell another!"
[Sparkle: LOL, hahahaha, Su Qing always cracks me up during moments like these!]
[Seele: Hilarious! So Su Qing just quietly watches while Qingque spins her tales, huh?]
[March 7th: Ha ha, not so quietly—he actively encourages Qingque with great enthusiasm!]
[Firefly: Su Qing is such a mischief-maker, I absolutely love it!]
Encouraged by everyone's support, Qingque proceeded to share several more legends about the former Imperial Bodhisattva of Yu Que.
Qingque needed to keep Fu Xuan's secrets while still conveying the stature that Master Fu Xuan deserved. To achieve this, she adapted some legendary stories she had heard from storytellers, fitting them to her narrative.
After all, in Qingque's mind, since Su Qing ultimately represented Xianzhou and attracted the descent of the Imperial Bow, any amount of praise for such an extraordinary figure couldn't be excessive, right? Compared to those storytellers who embellished even moderately impressive characters beyond belief, Qingque genuinely felt she was being quite restrained!
[Silver Wolf: Indeed, Su Qing: Summoned the Imperial Bow, vanquished evil creatures, hailed as Xianzhou's finest, with remarkable achievements on record!]
[Stelle: Those achievements on record are seriously impressive!]
Bailu curiously asked, "Qingque, where did you hear so much about the story of the Imperial Bodhisattva of Yu Que?"
While everyone acknowledged some exaggeration in her tale, the initial details sounded quite credible.
"Aiya, well..." Qingque shook her head, "As the Buddha said: 'Unspeakable, unspeakable.'"
[Fu Xuan: (nodding) Hmm, it seems Qingque indeed excels at keeping secrets.]
[Stelle: Ding! Fu Xuan's fondness for Qingque increased by five!]
[Sparkle: So now, @Fu Xuan, any thoughts on taking her as your junior sister?]
[Fu Xuan: ...No way!]
After Qingque's storytelling session concluded,
Su Qing recalled her earlier self-introduction and queried with interest, "Qingque, I remember you mentioned working at the Divination Commission. How skilled are you in divination?"
Qingque pondered briefly before responding, "Just average, decent enough."
In their brief interaction, Su Qing, known for his keen insight, found Qingque intriguing and sensed that she was genuinely intelligent.
He suggested, "Why don't you demonstrate your skills for us?"
[March 7th: This development suggests that Su Qing holds Qingque in high regard and is quite interested in her divination skills...]
[Sparkle: @Fu Xuan, whether to apprentice or not isn't entirely up to you, oh~]
[Fu Xuan: !!!]
[Fu Xuan, observing the situation, sensed growing unease.]
[Could it be that Qingque truly becomes her junior sister?!]