A similar question, but in a different situation. Mo Xi hesitated for only a split second before quickly making her decision.
She took a deep breath, looked at her with firm eyes, and then nodded heavily, a relieved smile gracing the corners of her mouth.
"Yes, even if the ending is destined, I will still move forward without looking back."
Acheron gazed deeply at Mo Xi.
This was the very question she had been interrupted from asking not long ago.
Now, hearing the answer, an imperceptible softness flickered in Acheron's purple eyes, and a faint smile tugged at the corners of her mouth.
"I am glad.
The answer is not important; what matters is that you have made a decision."
"Listen, touch, think—from these, you will gain feelings.
Cherish them. Through feelings, we are able to exist.
This is also the only answer humanity can provide in the face of [Nihility]."
"If [Nihility] is the most primal fear and trembling of life, any noble conviction seems insignificant under Its vast shadow..."
"...then behind this shadow, there must also exist the most intense light source in the world."
At this point, Acheron's deep, weathered gaze instinctively turned toward the moonlight.
"Just like every life marching toward death, toward the end of [Nihility]..."
"...we chase that first light."
...
On the bustling street, the sounds of peddling, laughter, and car horns intertwined, rising and falling in an endless stream.
Yet in such a clamorous place, Mo Xi felt as if she were isolated in another world, the surrounding noise fading into a blurry background hum.
Following Acheron's gaze, Mo Xi remained silent for a long time.
It wasn't until a moment later, after Mo Xin shook her arm and called out several times, that Mo Xi seemed to break free from a long train of thought. Her eyes gradually focused as she regained her senses.
Mo Xin's eyes were wide and round as she curiously sized up her sister, as if she had discovered something extraordinary.
"Oh my god, Sis, you actually understand Acheron's philosophical quotes?"
This genius college student's brain had nearly failed to keep up since the very first question.
Especially when Acheron suddenly threw out a bunch of profound-sounding words afterward, her head was buzzing, completely unable to follow the train of thought.
Mo Xin (๑°⌓°๑): 'As expected of Acheron! If this were a cultivation novel, she'd definitely be a hidden senior who's lived for hundreds of years!
Every time she speaks, she hits the nail right on the head. So profound!'
In short, Mo Xin was now extremely curious about Acheron's identity, wishing she could dig into her past right then and there.
At first listen, those words were vague and cryptic, the epitome of a "riddler," but after pondering them for a long time, Mo Xin had to admit—she really didn't understand.
Feeling her younger sister's probing and strange gaze, Mo Xi couldn't help but feel a bit dazed.
Mo Xi (σ-`д･´): "It's not that complicated. You're just being silly."
Mo Xi ignored her sister's resentful look, but her eyes uncontrollably drifted to the side, landing on Acheron's lonely back.
The dim yellow streetlights cast a long shadow of that figure. The evening breeze ruffled her purple hair. Though she stood on a busy street, she seemed out of place amid the surrounding clamor, exuding an indescribable sense of detachment.
Just now, Acheron's tone had held a depth born of experiencing many hardships, as if she had walked through endless ages.
Every word she spoke seemed to be reminiscing about some distant memory or recounting a past she had witnessed firsthand. Between the lines, she inadvertently revealed glimpses of her unknown history.
[Nihility]...
'An Emanator who shouldn't exist...'
Even now, Mo Xi still didn't understand the meaning behind it.
The cold night wind swept in with a chill, making even Mo Xi shiver for no apparent reason.
She shook her head, no longer dwelling on those distant and vague conjectures.
Just as she had her own secrets, Acheron's past might be heavy or complex, but so what?
She didn't need to know too much; she only needed to be clear on one thing—Acheron was her sister, and that was enough.
"Let's go. It's getting late. If we don't head home, Mom and Dad will start to worry!"
"Oh, okay!"
Mo Xin nodded slightly, picked up the snacks she had bought, and quickly followed.
Her steps were light, and within a few paces, she had overtaken her sister, intentionally shaking the bag of snacks in her hand with a triumphant smile.
Watching the skipping, relaxed figure ahead, Mo Xi's lips unconsciously curled into a gentle smile.
Looking at her sister's back, she murmured in a voice only she could hear, "Even if she can only be an ordinary person, being able to live a carefree life like this, protecting the people around her, is a rare kind of happiness in itself."
"Hmm? Sis, what are you muttering about? Hurry up!"
Mo Xin noticed her sister's expression suddenly soften and couldn't help but tilt her head, casting a puzzled look.
The latter shook her head slightly without explaining further and caught up with light steps.
Looking at her sister, she made a silent vow in her heart: no matter how many storms the future held, she would do her utmost to protect this rare innocence.
However...
Mo Xi (｡ŏ_ŏ): 'Strange... I didn't notice before, but why does this girl have a cultivation at the Qi Refining Stage?'
'Could it be that she actually had some unknown fortuitous encounter?'
Because they were family, Mo Xi hadn't paid special attention.
But details she hadn't noticed before now led her to discover her sister's aura and realm with surprise.
Even so, she didn't think for a moment that her sister might be working hard at cultivation.
After all, as her sister, didn't she know exactly how much of a slacker her younger sister usually was?
It must be due to the increasingly abundant spiritual energy in Muyun City.
The concentration of spiritual energy here was extremely high. Even an ordinary person who knew nothing about cultivation would have their body subtly nourished after staying for ten days or half a month. Strengthening the body and prolonging life were a given.
Her sister might even be born with a natural affinity for spiritual energy. In such an environment, her body had spontaneously absorbed spiritual energy and quietly broken through to the Qi Refining Stage—no wonder she had sensed something odd about her aura before; it wasn't an illusion.
Yes, that must be it.
After all, she knew better than anyone how hard it was to cultivate in this world where spiritual energy was scarce.
But...
'It's better to teach someone how to fish than to just give them a fish.
Since Mo Xin has such talent, it shouldn't be wasted. Once my strength is more solid in the future, I'll properly guide her.'
Just as Mo Xi was thinking this, Mo Xin, who was ahead, suddenly shuddered. A chill inexplicably rose from the back of her neck, as if someone were watching her. She muttered to herself, "Who is it? Someone's not trying to plot against me, are they?"
She looked back and saw that her sister had followed, but Acheron was still standing there, gazing at the moonlight, her figure appearing exceptionally lonely.
"Sister Acheron, time to go!" Mo Xin stood on her tiptoes and waved, her crisp voice ringing out clearly in the night.
The moonlight was like gauze, its hazy radiance gently enveloping Acheron's purple robes, making that cold and elegant hue appear even more mysterious.
She stood quietly, her cool, indifferent, beautiful face becoming clearer under the moonlight, her eyes slightly lowered, hiding her emotions.
The evening breeze softly blew through her hair, a few purple strands fluttering against her cheeks, yet they didn't disturb her composure in the slightest.
Her expression was serene, as if she had merged with the surrounding night, making it impossible to guess what thoughts were hidden in her heart.