Watching the total annihilation of the monsters from a distant hillside, an Abyss Lector: Fathomless Flames let his scrying spell dissipate.
"The experiment using Archon Residue and Abyss power to strengthen individuals is complete."
"Results are within expected parameters."
"However, a special individual has been observed. The power used does not match any known energy source."
"The primary manifestation is a form of inky Black Ice."
"Insufficient data for a detailed analysis."
"Lastly... your sibling appears to be very close to this special individual..."
"...Yes. I shall return immediately."
After communicating with an unknown party, the Abyss Lector opened a portal and vanished, leaving only a faint trace of Abyssal energy behind.
On the other side, after the battle, Xiao used Lemniscatic Wind Cycling to appear before Su Ming. "Your strength?"
"Everyone has a few secrets, Adeptus," Su Ming laughed, avoiding a direct answer.
Xiao didn't press him. "Very well. Cloud Retainer mentioned you are not of this world, but a traveler from beyond Teyvat's stars."
"Given that, having unique powers is normal. I have no intention of prying."
"The matter is settled. If there is nothing else, I shall depart."
Su Ming smiled and pulled out a pre-prepared serving of Almond Tofu. "Take this for the road. Or eat it before you go."
Xiao gave a rare, faint smile. "Thank you. I'll take it with me."
Xiao took the Almond Tofu and departed.
Shortly after, Su Ming heard footsteps approaching from behind.
A battered Millelith soldier arrived, a Geo Vision hanging from his belt.
"Thank you, Adepti, for your aid! If you hadn't stepped in, the consequences would have been unthinkable!"
Su Ming waved him off. "The Conqueror of Demons is indeed an Adeptus, but I am just a mortal. I was simply lucky enough to find favor with the Adepti and be taken as a disciple."
"It doesn't matter, it doesn't matter! Please, sir, leave us your name so I can report this to the Qixing and request a reward for your bravery!"
Su Ming sighed. "There's no need for rewards. I'm just a simple man of the mountains; I have no use for the Qixing's prizes."
"But that won't do... I..."
The soldier wanted to argue, but he was interrupted by Lumine, who came running over.
Lumine grabbed the soldier and whispered, "Come on, brother, if he says he doesn't want it, don't force him!"
"If you annoy him, won't that be worse for you?"
"This is a top disciple of the Adepti. He didn't step in for fame or money; he did it because he couldn't stand to see people suffer!"
"By constantly talking about rewards, aren't you insulting him?"
"Don't turn a selfless act of kindness into a business transaction!"
The soldier blinked. Something about her logic felt off, but it also felt like a revelation.
That's right! He's a disciple of the Adepti, living a life of quiet cultivation far from the world.
He only came down to visit his elders and helped out because it was the right thing to do.
And here I am, trying to measure his kindness with Mora. How shameful!
"Thank you for the guidance, miss! If you hadn't spoken up, I would have made a grave mistake!"
"I only have this much Mora on me, please don't be offended!"
With that, the soldier handed a small bag of Mora to Lumine, then hurried off to help the wounded.
Lumine stood there, weighing the bag of Mora in her hand. She turned to Su Ming with a bright grin. "So? I did pretty good, didn't I?"
"I got rid of that persistent guy in just a few sentences!"
Lumine put her hands on her hips proudly. "Don't you think you should give me a reward or something for helping you out?"
Su Ming chuckled. "Didn't he just give you a bag of Mora? You think I didn't see that?"
"That's different!" Lumine's eyes widened. "That was for my 'guidance'! It wasn't a reward from you!"
"What kind of reward do you want, Lumine?" Su Ming asked, throwing his hands up in a playful shrug.
"What do you have?"
"What do you want?"
"If you don't tell me what you have, how am I supposed to know what to ask for?"
"If you don't tell me what you want, how am I supposed to know if I have it?"
Lumine huffed. "Hmph! Whatever, I don't even want anything! Consider me blind for helping you this time!"
"You're sure you don't want it?" Su Ming prodded.
"I said I don't want it! Who cares!" Lumine puffed out her cheeks and turned her head away, refusing to look at him.
"Ah, what a shame. I actually had the perfect gift for you... but if you don't want it, I guess I'll just throw it away."
"What gift?" Lumine snapped her head back toward him, her mood shifting instantly.
The speed of her change in attitude was staggering.
"Here, look closely."
Su Ming held out his hand in front of Lumine.
A magnificent ice flower slowly bloomed in his palm.
Though it was made of inky Black Ice, it radiated a unique beauty in the orange glow of the setting sun.
Lumine stared at the flower, then looked up at Su Ming's smiling face.
After a moment of dazed silence, her face turned bright red.
"What? You don't like it? If you don't, I'll just let it melt."
"You wouldn't dare!" Lumine snatched the ice flower from his hand, clutching it tightly.
Strangely, the Black Ice the same ice that had frozen giant Geovishaps solid and caused the temperature to plummet didn't feel cold at all in her hands.
Seeing her treasure the little gift he'd made on a whim, Su Ming laughed. "You don't have to be that careful with it. Unless someone uses force, it won't melt easily."
"By the way, it's incredibly hard. You can use it to crack nuts if you want. If you don't believe me, try hitting it with your sword. I guarantee your sword will break first."
Lumine headbutted his chest in a huff. "Who would ever try that!?"
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