Chapter 96: The Red Dragon Trembles, Dare Not Speak

The first simulation lasted 19 years in total, with Xu Xi and Xu Moli spending 18 years together.

The second simulation lasted 79 years in total, with Xu Xi and Klisa spending 73 years together.

Viewed purely from the span of time.

Xu Xi's life together with the witch, and his life experiences within the second simulation, far exceeded that with his younger sister.

If one were to exclude the time Mo Li spent bedridden and in a coma while suffering from the calamity of heaven.

The time the siblings spent together was even less.

So.

Can a conclusion be drawn?

That the affection for his younger sister is far inferior to that for the witch?

Xu Xi felt that was not the case.

Affections are not all the same; some shine because of long-term companionship, while others are highlighted as eternal due to their fleeting disappearance.

In Xu Xi's heart, concerning Mo Li, the younger sister he had watched grow up since childhood, there had always been a place reserved for her.

She was a foolish child.

Clearly shivering from the cold, yet she persisted in waiting at the door for Xu Xi's return.

Clearly still young, yet she struggled to hold an oil-paper umbrella to shield Xu Xi from the rain.

Clearly on the verge of death, yet she worried that her sickly body would drag down Xu Xi's future.

Foolish? Very foolish.

Stupid? Very stupid.

A fool as foolish as this.

Exactly how many are there in the world?

Xu Xi felt there should be more than one, but the only one who truly formed a connection with him, cuddling together for warmth in the Cultivation World, was Xu Moli.

Klisa has unique memories that belong to Klisa.

By the same token, Xu Moli has memories that belong exclusively to Xu Moli.

Those memories.

Those experiences.

Together they pile up into a unique affection, precious and beautiful.

"…"

Outside the window came the chirping of birds; they flapped their plump wings, weaving through the gaps between the withered autumn leaves, searching for a warm place where new leaves might sprout.

Sunlight shone into the study, passing through the double-opening wooden windows at a strange angle.

It fell upon Xu Xi's face as he slowly closed his eyes.

It fell upon the blood-red, crystalline Eternal Sorrow Tear.

"Is Mo Li blaming me for going too far back then, which is why she refuses to see me?" Inside the study, a sigh echoed in the quiet space.

Long ago, Xu Xi had vaguely guessed that his younger sister was very likely right by his side.

It was just that after several attempts to probe, he had received no response.

And now.

He was finally certain that the clumsy and easily tearful younger sister was indeed by his side, just unwilling to come out and meet him.

Was it resentment? Was it anger?

Xu Xi did not understand a girl's thoughts, but he knew that he ultimately had to do something.

The misunderstandings formed within the simulation, the hurtful words once spoken to the girl—now, as an older brother, Xu Xi ought to give that foolish girl some sort of response.

It was just.

Exactly what must he do to see that familiar figure, who was deliberately hiding, once again?

Xu Xi gazed quietly out the window, his thoughts turning over in the wind along with the fluttering withered leaves.

A long while later.

The study door was pushed open by Klisa.

"Mentor, please have some tea." The witch brought afternoon tea; the porcelain cup was smooth and white, the liquid scalding hot, presenting a familiar pale green color.

"Thanks, Klisa." Xu Xi subconsciously took it and drank a mouthful; the long-lost bitterness rapidly assaulted his taste buds.

It was the taste of the spirit clearing grass magic drink.

"…So bitter." Xu Xi felt his tongue go a bit numb.

Thanks to the refreshing effect of the spirit clearing grass, his Mental Energy became a little more active, and his speed of thinking was also a little faster than usual.

But the problem was.

As a Sanctuary Archmage, did Xu Xi really need this slight boost?

"Klisa."

"Is there a problem, Mentor?"

"Don't use spirit clearing grass for afternoon tea in the future…"

"Yes, I understand. Please rest assured."

Klisa wore a fluffy black and white dress, her hands hanging down to support the cup and saucer, listening earnestly to Xu Xi's opinion.

That pair of beautiful eyes remained hollow and lifeless.

Still only able to reflect Xu Xi's figure.

Very quiet.

Very pure.

Unchanged by time, unfaded by the passing years.

…

Autumn in Yanshan City was cold and lonely.

But perhaps because of the witch's addition, the Courtyard instead appeared full of vitality.

Under the sunlight.

The dragon blood grass emitted a faint fluorescent glow, growing incredibly lush in an unreasonable defiance of the season; its swaying posture was a sight to behold.

Flood dragon blood grass, Red dragon blood grass.

These two completely different types of dragon blood grass, under Klisa's care, displayed a completely different kind of magnificence.

The former had a faint, fishy sea scent and possessed the miraculous effect of bestowing dragon blood; after consuming it, snakes and fish would transform into the lowest level of demon cultivators, thereby possessing a slim possibility of purifying their Bloodline and ascending to become a true Dragon.

The latter was crimson and scalding hot; beasts that consumed it would transform into a Sub-dragon Species, while humans who consumed it would gain fire Elemental Perception, becoming excellent seeds for fire mages.

Because the growth was overly gratifying.

It resulted in a bountiful harvest.

Xu Xi even sold a batch of dragon blood grass because of this.

Of course, the planting of new dragon blood grass required the nourishment of fresh dragon blood.

When the Red Dragon flew tremblingly to Yanshan City and saw the witch's figure, it immediately kneeled at light speed.

It claimed that as long as it wasn't killed, it would accept having as much blood drawn as necessary.

The witch calmly accepted the Red Dragon's request, feeling that Xu Xi's teachings were quite useful; the Dragon Clan was indeed very docile, even volunteering to offer up dragon blood.

The Red Dragon trembled, not daring to argue.

…

The daily life of the Courtyard, the household chores, and the planting of the dragon blood grass were all fully taken care of by Klisa.

But Xu Xi's pace of life did not become easier because of this.

After obtaining the necklace transformed from the Supreme crown.

Xu Xi was almost never idle.

He spent his days in seclusion in the Courtyard's training room, exploring the application of Space Magic and time magic. Through his hard work, he had already skillfully mastered several basic applications of Space Magic.

Spatial teleportation for short-range combat, and spatial transport for long-distance travel.

Spatial slash for attacking enemies, and spatial barrier for defending against enemies.

"The applications for attack and defense can only be said to be icing on the cake; I do not lack these two types of methods."

"What is truly critical is the use of teleportation and transport."

"With the help of Space Magic, the next time I need to go on a long journey, I won't have to fly slowly."

"As for time magic, it is indeed very difficult and hard to master in a short time. Perhaps only when I become a god will I be able to truly use the power of time."

On a morning nearly two months later.

Xu Xi slowly stood up, stopping his meditative state.

After two long months of hard cultivation, in addition to his skillful mastery of Space Magic, he had also advanced to the Soul Transformation Stage, which could be considered a small, unexpected gain.

At that time, the sky was slightly dark, as if a Lightning Tribulation was descending, but it was shattered by a single glance from the witch, restoring it to a clear, sunny sky even faster.

It fled.

Click—

Click—

Xu Xi walked out of the training room and returned to his own room. Looking at the collection cabinet that came into view and the sugar jar that had returned to the first position, he sighed softly.

"That child Mo Li, is she still unwilling to appear…"