Lying on the bed, Chu Lian lazily stretched her slender waist and let out a comfortable sigh. "As expected, peaceful days without battle are still the best."
Looking at the drifting white clouds outside the window, she thought of the contrasting lives she'd lived yesterday and today, and couldn't help but feel wistful.
"It's time." She looked around. The girls were either lying on the beds resting or sitting on the balcony, but no matter who it was, each one held a pet in their hands.
For example, Anna was holding Kyubey by its long ears, tugging them playfully. From time to time, she would pull its mouth open, making it grimace in pain—but it still forced a smile, not daring to resist. That expression of forced cheerfulness made her all the happier.
Closing her eyes, Chu Lian entered her Consciousness Sea. There, a naked girl opened her eyes to look at her and softly said, "Lian, you're here?"
"Mm, Hare, how are you feeling?" Chu Lian nodded, walked to her side, and gently patted her head, her eyes full of concern.
"I'm better. At least, not as weak as when I just woke up." Hare smiled faintly, reaching out to embrace Chu Lian's equally bare body tightly, as if wanting them to become one.
"Hare, what's wrong?" Feeling the unease in her heart, Chu Lian had a faint guess but still asked softly.
"I'm so scared of losing you, do you know that? Those enemies yesterday... they were too strong. So strong that I couldn't do anything to help you." Hare's voice trembled, thick with affection and fear.
Having spent more than a year alone in the mysterious depths of the Consciousness Sea, the girl's heart had grown fragile. She truly couldn't imagine what she'd do if she lost the only person she relied on now.
"It's alright. Look, I'm standing right here, safe and sound. You have to believe that fate won't let me die so easily." Stroking her soft hair gently, Chu Lian's voice was calm and soothing.
"Don't leave me, Lian. Please don't leave me, okay?" Tears fell from Hare's eyes, landing on Chu Lian's shoulder and sliding down her fair skin. The look in her eyes gradually grew more resolute.
Gently pushing Hare Menjou away, Chu Lian looked straight into her eyes and said seriously, "Since I was the one who brought you back and let you awaken again, I'll never abandon you. If you don't believe me... then I'll prove it to you."
Hare looked at her with red eyes, not knowing how she intended to prove it.
Chu Lian gazed at her quietly for a moment, then suddenly leaned forward, pressing the girl onto the smooth ground of the Consciousness Sea—and kissed her deeply on the lips...
Hare's eyes widened. It was her first time tasting such a feeling, and she didn't know what to do. But under Chu Lian's practiced touch, she slowly melted into the kiss.
A white world, white light, white wings, and white figures...
"Now, do you believe me?" Chu Lian asked teasingly as she looked at the blushing girl in her arms.
Although she had acted on impulse, driven by emotion, Chu Lian didn't regret it. She didn't know how else to calm Hare's anxious heart—this was the only way she knew.
Even if her method of comfort was a bit unconventional, it worked. That was all that mattered.
"Lian, if you do something like that to me... you'll have to take responsibility, you know?" Hare lifted her head slightly, her cheeks still red, but her eyes searching earnestly for an answer—even if it was just a comforting lie.
"Well, of course. I just wanted you to know that you're mine now. I'll take full responsibility for you," Chu Lian said with a playful tilt of her head, her gentle tone finally putting the girl's heart at ease.
"Then I'll be able to help you even more from now on." Hare stood up from Chu Lian's embrace, her beautiful form unhidden before her, though Chu Lian's gaze didn't wander. Instead, she looked into her eyes and said, "Right now, what you need most is to grow stronger. But since we've formed a contract, when my power increases, you'll also be strengthened through resonance. It won't be as fast as Inori's growth, but it won't be slow either. Plus, as a Spiritkin, you have a natural advantage in cultivating spiritual techniques."
"I know. After transforming into a Spiritkin, all of their knowledge was automatically inherited by me. There's even a spiritual cultivation method in my mind. I just don't know how to extract it yet—but once I learn how, I'll show you." Hare sat down slowly, hugging her knees and facing Chu Lian directly.
"Lian, you have to promise me not to push yourself so hard. Even though I can heal your injuries, it takes time. And there are some wounds that are very difficult for me to treat. If that happens again, it'll be troublesome." As Hare spoke, she took Chu Lian's hand and placed it gently on her soft chest. "When you're hurt, I feel pain here too."
Hearing her words, Chu Lian froze for a moment. This girl's dependence on her had become truly deep—just like Inori's reliance on her.
"I will," Chu Lian replied, letting Hare hold her hand there. She knew she might not be able to keep that promise, but at this moment, what else could she say besides yes?
"Mm..." Hare murmured softly.
Time seemed to pause in that quiet white space. The two naked girls gazed at each other for a long while before Hare finally released her hand. "Can you hear my heartbeat? That rhythm—it's your melody."
"I know." After spending so much time together, their heartbeats had synchronized into the same tempo.
"So when it aches, I'll feel that pain too. That's what resonance means." She smiled faintly, believing her own words.
"Mm."
"Ya's injuries have recovered," Hare continued, her tone now steadier. "But you need to be careful next time. I might not make it in time if it happens again."
As she waved her hand, a crystal coffin appeared within the Consciousness Sea. Inside lay a girl dressed in a bright yellow gown.
The girl was beautiful—her oval face delicate, her lashes long and curved, her jade-like nose perfectly sculpted, her lips forming the most graceful shape. She exuded a breathtaking charm.
There was no sign of the pallor from blood loss, only the healthy glow of rosy cheeks and fair skin. She seemed to have fully recovered.
Although Chu Lian wanted to reach out and pull her into an embrace, she knew this was merely a projection. To truly bring her back, she would have to return to the outside world.
"Lian, go back now. You all deserve some time together." Having released all her pent-up emotions, Hare Menjou no longer tried to monopolize Chu Lian.
"I'll come to see you often." Chu Lian nodded. Her body began to glow faintly, gradually fading from the feet upward.
Just before her upper body vanished completely, she added, "Oh, Hare—come out and walk around more when you can. They're actually really easy to get along with."
"I'll try..." Hare waved gently, watching as the girl disappeared entirely before sitting back down.
"In this space, even though I can feel her presence, it's like being deep under the sea—still so lonely. Maybe I really should try going out and being with them?" The long solitude had left her with lingering social anxiety, making her hesitate, torn between fear and desire.
"Phew... Ya, it's time for you to wake up now." Opening her eyes, Chu Lian stood up and walked to the center of the room, speaking softly to herself.
Then, with a wave of her left hand, a burst of faint white light flared—and the crystal coffin appeared before her.
Sunlight shone upon it, scattering like rippling waves of liquid brilliance.
The other girls immediately understood what that meant. Cai Ya was returning. Everyone stopped what they were doing and held their breath, watching Chu Lian's every movement.
Gently opening the coffin, Chu Lian leaned down and lifted the girl in the yellow dress into her arms. Seeing her long lashes flutter slightly, she turned and placed her on the bed.
The moment Cai Ya's eyes opened, the first thing she saw was Chu Lian's face—filled with both relief and joy. Reaching up to touch her cheek, tears streamed down her face, yet her lips curved in a trembling smile. "Chu Lian, you're alright... that's wonderful..."
"I'm fine, but you almost weren't. I'm so sorry, Ya'er..." Chu Lian caught her hand and pressed a gentle kiss to the back of it.
The girl's face flushed instantly. She knew there were others in the room, and though Chu Lian clearly knew it too, she still did that—no wonder she felt so embarrassed.
Cai Ya gave a soft tug, pulling her hand back. She didn't dare meet Chu Lian's gaze, tears still falling and dampening the pillow and her silky hair.
"Be good. We've made it back. Everything's been taken care of. Tomorrow, we'll finally be home." Chu Lian didn't press her further, only holding her hand gently, her touch warm and tender.
"That's good. Going home means this nightmare is finally over." Cai Ya's smile was radiant, though inwardly she was dying of embarrassment. Ahh, doesn't she realize there are so many people here? And she still acts like this... But if I resist, what if she misunderstands?
Her heart tangled with conflicting emotions before finally melting into quiet acceptance. Fine, just this once. But if she ever touches me like that again in front of everyone... I'll ignore her for real.
"Mm. Do you know what we went through?" Chu Lian asked softly. She knew that Cai Ya hadn't participated in the later battles and that this experience had given her little chance for growth. More importantly, she might now feel distant from the other girls, her bonds with them slightly weaker.
But that couldn't be helped. Things in life rarely go as one wishes. What mattered was that she had returned safely. The things one cannot have... perhaps should be given up as the price of survival.
"Tell me. I'll listen." Cai Ya's voice was still weak. Though Hare's healing had restored her health, her physical exhaustion couldn't be dispelled so easily.
Seeing her like that, Chu Lian simply climbed into the bed beside her. Ignoring Cai Ya's faint protests, she gently wrapped her arms around her and began recounting everything that had happened in her absence.
The other girls, watching this scene, exchanged subtle glances. Their eyes carried a mix of emotions, but none of them spoke. They understood.
Chu Lian, having nearly lost someone dear, was overwhelmed by the relief of getting her back. Anyone in her place would feel the same.
They all believed that if something like this happened to any of them, Chu Lian would do exactly the same—just as she had for Liu Yanran before, and now for Cai Ya.
Outside the window, white doves soared across the bright sky. The once foggy city had become clear again.
And inside, a girl held another girl in her arms, speaking softly as she told the story of their trials.
It was a tale that sounded almost like a legend—an unforgettable chapter in their shared lives.
Even those who felt a hint of envy couldn't help but feel proud—proud of her, proud of them all.