"See that airship hovering high above? That's the arena for the Wardance Ceremony."
Xianzhou Luofu, Stargazer Navalia.
After a quick meal and fleecing Jiaoqiu of his money, the group boarded a Starskiff and arrived at this location.
Yanqing pointed toward the colossal airship hovering above, providing a brief introduction.
"Wow~ it's huge!" March 7th exclaimed, following Yanqing's gaze. Even from a distance, she could sense the airship's immense scale.
"Hmm... ugh." Upon arriving, Lumina's gaze didn't immediately fixate on the Skysplitter airship. Instead, she briefly surveyed the surroundings, sensing the auras of the people around her.
Hmm... without a doubt, at least a few dozen Borisin are lurking around here, probably plotting something.
After checking her Cognitive Shielding and confirming it was functioning correctly, Lumina dismissed the Borisin from her mind.
Those fanatics, with their obsession with racial revival and worship of the Emanator... if they realized I was here, they'd probably try to greet me and then, right in front of me, foolishly try to capture Yanqing, Yunli, and the others, wouldn't they?
Even if they were exposed, it wouldn't be them capturing Yanqing and Yunli—it would be Yanqing and Yunli capturing them.
Normal people wouldn't foolishly rush in to offer themselves as easy targets.
But based on Lumina's previous impression of them, she couldn't entirely rule out the possibility.
After all, they really were that stupid—they might actually pull off something like that.
How bizarre... Lumina mused. Stupid or ugly, shouldn't you at least have one?
How can there be beings with neither?
Look at March 7th, for example. She's stupid, but she's as beautiful as a celestial being.
And Borisin is both stupid and ugly... I wonder what he considers his unique talent?
Hmm... being utterly stupid might actually qualify as a special talent.
Never mind, then.
"This is the Skysplitter, a warship repurposed from retired vessels of the Luofu fleet."
"I'd love to take you aboard for a tour, but unfortunately, no one is allowed to board until the official commencement of the Wardance Ceremony."
While Lumina was mentally roasting Borisin, Yanqing began giving the group a brief overview of the Skysplitter's history.
At the same time, Yanqing began to reflect on himself, sharing his own story.
"..."
After a moment, when Yanqing finished his tale, everyone present fell into a heavy silence.
"Yanqing, oh Yanqing," Jiaoqiu finally broke the silence, sighing as he appraised the young man. "Why do you sound like you're already ancient, even at such a young age?" He continued, "Yanqing, how old are you now?"
"Age has nothing to do with it," Yanqing replied. "Anyone who practices the sword would naturally understand my words and the feelings I expressed."
"Ugh... why does it sound so bitter?" After listening attentively to Master Yanqing's experiences, March 7th couldn't help but feel sorry for Yanqing.
But looking at him now, it seemed that whatever pity he deserved had been erased by some mysterious swordsman.
"Little March, it's not bitterness—it's the Xianzhou's kids' endless competition," Lumina explained, having absorbed every word of Yanqing's story. The more she listened, the more familiar his behavior seemed.
While others play, you practice your sword.
While others were sleeping, you were still practicing your sword.
While others were..., you were still practicing your sword.
Isn't this just the infamous "involution" that Xianzhou children are known for?
One willing to strike, the other willing to endure. Jing Yuan didn't force you to train; you insisted on it yourself. So, it's hardly a "tragedy."
Since it's not a tragedy, it must be involution.
"Involution? What does that mean?" March 7th, unfamiliar with the term, asked curiously.
"Exactly what it sounds like," Lumina replied with a smile, offering no further explanation.
"Huh?" March 7th scratched the back of her head, her eyes radiating a pure, innocent bewilderment, signaling her inability to grasp the meaning of the word.
Why is it that March 7th can understand the two characters separately, but when combined, she can't make sense of them?
Is this the legendary Xianzhou script, so profound and intricate?
"Sigh... the children of the Luofu really have it tough," Jiaoqiu sighed again, understanding Yanqing's situation after hearing his story.
Shaking her head, she shifted her gaze from Yanqing to Yunli and asked, "Miss Yunli, do you have any thoughts on this?"
"Just a reminder, whether you're on the Luofu, the Yaoqing, or the Zhuming, asking a girl's age is considered extremely impolite," Yunli said, crossing her arms and wearing a slightly displeased expression, clearly unwilling to reveal her age.
"Mr. Jiaoqiu, regardless of a girl's appearance—unless she looks very young—please assume she's eighteen," Lumina helpfully chimed in, uttering the classic line.
Asking a girl's age is universally considered rude. Therefore, regardless of her personality or looks—unless she's barely over a meter tall—you can always treat her as a beautiful, eternally eighteen-year-old maiden.
"I see... my apologies for the abruptness," Jiaoqiu said, bowing slightly. Even though he hadn't intended to ask Yunli's age, Lumina's remark compelled him to apologize.
After apologizing, Jiaoqiu turned back to Yunli and asked, "Miss Yunli, do you have a dream like Brother Yanqing's?"
"Hmm..." Yunli didn't answer immediately. Instead, she stared at Jiaoqiu for a moment, as if reaching a conclusion. She waved her hand and said, "I think you're more like a host than a chef."
Jiaoqiu: ...
"Heh heh heh..."
Hearing Yunli's words, Jiaoqiu's face froze for a moment. He then forced a slightly stiff smile and chuckled awkwardly, explaining, "Miss Yunli, I'm neither a chef nor a host. I'm a physician."
Though he maintained his cheerful demeanor, the strained smile betrayed his frustration. It was clear he was gritting his teeth in barely concealed impatience.
"Mm, alright then," Yunli said, pausing for a moment before nodding. She didn't press the issue further.
Yunli shook her head, answering Jiaoqiu's earlier question: "I don't have dreams like Yanqing's."
"I came to the Luofu for the Wardance Ceremony simply because of my grandfather."
"I promised him I'd win the treasured sword he gifted to the ceremony."
"You're obsessed with swords!" Yanqing couldn't help but blurt out after hearing Yunli's words.
"I—" Yunli retorted before launching into a story.
"Hmm... I understand now. The children of Zhuming suffer too." After hearing her story, Jiaoqiu reached the same conclusion as the Luofu.
"What about the children of Yaoqing? Do they suffer too?" Lumina asked, her curiosity piqued.
"The children of Yaoqing... Hmm." Jiaoqiu propped his chin on his hand and pondered for a moment.
Then he opened his eyes, a hint of melancholy in his gaze.
"Suffering... They all suffer."
"Everyone suffers..."