Inside Bonanus's Room
The two maintained the same posture for absorbing karmic debt as before—a seated position reminiscent of a power transfer technique.
On the bed, Xiao sat quietly with his eyes closed, breathing evenly, seemingly in meditation.
Behind him, Bonanus was starting to get drowsy. Her head bobbed back and forth, as if she might fall asleep at any moment.
There was nothing to do right now. If only she could read those "man books" she had bought in Mondstadt, she would definitely perk up.
But the problem was that she didn't have time to read them at the moment. How painful.
"Alatus, say something to your sister. I'm so tired." Bonanus said lazily. If she didn't find something to do, she would fall asleep for real.
"What would you like to talk about, Sister Bonanus?" Xiao opened his eyes and asked without turning around.
"Honestly, I don't know." Bonanus chuckled foolishly. Maybe it was the fatigue, but she sounded like she was drunk.
"Then... Sister Bonanus, can I ask you something?" Xiao thought for a moment, then spoke.
"Go ahead. As long as it's not too embarrassing." Bonanus licked her lips, curious about what Alatus would ask.
Xiao didn't think much of it. It was just a question. Nothing major.
"Sister Bonanus, will you ever get married?" Xiao took a deep breath and asked.
"Hmm... probably not. Your sister is planning to stay single forever." Bonanus sighed. How could she date anyone while wearing someone else's body? Just the thought of it made her uncomfortable.
"What if someone you're very close to confessed their feelings to you? How would you react?" Xiao's voice was calm, but he was nervous inside.
Bonanus didn't think much of it. She just assumed her little brother was concerned about her future.
He really was dense. Bonanus was truly the number one when it came to obliviousness.
"Then I'd just give him a nice guy card." Bonanus stuck out her tongue playfully.
"N-nice guy card?" Xiao used a questioning tone. What kind of card was that? A card given to good people?
"It's an interesting joke from the mortal world. It roughly means 'You're great, but we're not meant to be.'" Bonanus explained patiently.
"Sister Bonanus, do you really want to spend your life alone?" Xiao bit his lip gently and pressed further.
"Maybe. I just feel like now isn't the right time." Bonanus shook her head, speaking in riddles.
"Not the right time?" Xiao frowned. Then when would be the right time? His sister was becoming a riddle herself.
"That's my secret. A girl's secrets can't be shared so easily." Bonanus blinked her beautiful eyes, her tone casual and unconcerned.
"Fine." Xiao didn't press further. Maybe he would find out his sister's secret someday.
He had plenty of time. His relationship with his sister was like a battlefield—it required patience and steady progress.
He was confident he could change his sister's mind about staying single forever. Because she was his. Today, tomorrow, and always.
Still, the same thought remained—gentle persuasion didn't work, he could try other methods. Even special ones. He would keep his sister by his side no matter what.
Now that you're back, Sister Bonanus, stay here with me.
...
The Next Morning
Early Dawn
"Ahhhh~" After another night of absorbing karmic debt, Bonanus felt like a thousand bugs were crawling all over her. Her whole body ached.
Luckily, she was an adeptus and much tougher than ordinary people. Otherwise, she would be really worn out.
"This is killing me. It's just training my ability to stay up all night." Bonanus complained to herself. In her previous world, staying up two or three days straight was nothing.
That world was full of entertainment—phones, computers, games, videos. It was hard to fall asleep even if you wanted to.
But here? There was nothing to keep her occupied, and she had to stay up absorbing karmic debt. Even though she was happy to do it, the boredom and exhaustion were unavoidable.
"Do you want to rest, Sister Bonanus?" Xiao shifted positions, moved behind her, and gently massaged her shoulders.
"Not yet." Feeling her brother's massage, Bonanus shivered unconsciously. It felt so good.
"Do you have enough karmic debt now?" Xiao asked, trying to distract himself from her scent.
"Let me check." Bonanus opened the Hydro Moon Ring on her ankle and checked the count.
She wasn't prepared for what she saw. Wow! It was full!
Seeing the maxed-out karmic debt, Bonanus silently gave the system a mental thumbs-up. You're a reliable little system!
As expected of the system. That free speed boost was totally worth it.
While Bonanus was still marveling at the absorption rate, Xiao quietly wrapped his arms around her waist from behind, resting his chin on her right shoulder.
His sister's body was so soft and warm.
He didn't care if it was inappropriate. He didn't care if it might make her uncomfortable.
Right now, he just wanted to hold his sister.
Bonanus didn't mind his sudden embrace. She had hugged him before when they went shopping together.
She just saw it as a sign of sibling closeness. No big deal.
Alatus was so clingy. Like a little puppy.
"You wouldn't be able to feel it. Only I can." Bonanus shook her head. It would be strange if Xiao could sense the Hydro Moon Ring.
"Is that so?" Xiao didn't really care about that. What mattered was that his sister didn't push him away. But still—not yet.
"Oh, right. We should notify Rex Lapis and our brothers. It's time to act." Bonanus patted the puppy's head resting on her shoulder.
Hearing that, Xiao reluctantly let go. Time moved so fast. If only they could stay like that forever.
He stood up, his expression returning to its usual cool demeanor.
"I'll inform Rex Lapis. Sister Bonanus, go wait at the usual place."
With that, he vanished, leaving only a gentle breeze.
"I want to learn that too." Bonanus said enviously. When it came to speed, Alatus was unmatched.
She stood up, changed into a lightweight outfit suited for battle, washed up, and headed out toward the usual place.
And where was the usual place? The narrow mountain pass in Jueyun Karst.
That was where they had first used the spatial ability to bring Menogias back. And now, the last of the five Yakshas would finally return.
She wondered how surprised Liyue's own people and the foreign delegations would be when all five of Rex Lapis's greatest warriors were reunited.
They would finally be together. And now, the time had come.