The Red Dragon Trembles and Dares Not Speak

The first simulation lasted 19 years, during which Xu Xi and Xu Moli spent 18 years together.

The second simulation lasted 79 years, during which Xu Xi and Krisha spent 73 years together.

From a purely temporal perspective,

Xu Xi's life with the witch in the second simulation far surpassed his experiences with his sister.

If we exclude the time Xu Moli was forced to lie in bed unconscious due to a heavenly calamity,

the time the siblings spent together becomes even less.

So,

can we conclude that

his bond with his sister is far weaker than that with the witch?

Xu Xi believes this is not the case.

Emotions are not all the same; some shine through long companionship, while others become eternal in fleeting moments.

In Xu Xi's heart, there has always been a place for Xu Moli, the sister he watched grow up.

She was a foolish child.

Shivering from the cold, yet stubbornly waiting at the door for Xu Xi to return.

Still young, yet struggling to hold an oil-paper umbrella to shield Xu Xi from the rain.

On the brink of death, yet worrying that her illness would burden Xu Xi's future.

Foolish? Very.

Stupid? Extremely.

How many such foolish and stupid people exist in the world?

Xu Xi thinks there must be more than one, but the only one who truly connected with him, who relied on each other for warmth in the cultivation world, was Xu Moli.

Krisha has her own unique memories.

Similarly, Xu Moli has memories unique to her.

Those memories.

Those experiences.

Together, they build a one-of-a-kind emotion, precious and beautiful.

"..."

Outside the window, the chirping of birds could be heard as they flapped their plump wings, darting through the gaps of autumn's withered leaves, searching for the warmth of new sprouts.

Sunlight streamed into the study, slanting through the double-paned wooden window at an odd angle.

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

It fell on the crystalline, blood-red tear of eternal sorrow.

"Is Moli resentful of how I acted back then, and that's why she refuses to see me?" A sigh echoed in the quiet study.

Long ago, Xu Xi had a faint suspicion that his sister might be nearby.

But after several attempts to probe, he received no response.

Now,

he was certain that his clumsy, tearful sister was indeed close by, but unwilling to show herself.

Was it resentment? Anger?

Xu Xi didn't understand the thoughts of girls, but he knew he had to do something.

The misunderstandings formed during the simulations, the hurtful words he had spoken to her—now, as her elder brother, Xu Xi owed her a response.

But,

what could he do to see that familiar figure, deliberately hiding from him, once more?

Xu Xi gazed quietly out the window, his thoughts swirling like the dancing autumn leaves, pondering in the wind.

After a long while,

the study door was pushed open by Krisha.

"Master, here's your tea," the witch said, bringing in the afternoon tea. The porcelain cup was smooth and white, the liquid inside steaming hot, a familiar pale green.

"Thank you, Krisha," Xu Xi said, instinctively taking a sip. The familiar bitterness quickly assaulted his taste buds.

It was the taste of Spirit-Clearing Herb brew.

"...It's bitter," Xu Xi felt his tongue go slightly numb.

Thanks to the Spirit-Clearing Herb's refreshing effect, his mental energy became slightly more active, and his thinking speed increased just a bit.

But the question was,

did Xu Xi, a Sanctuary Magus, really need this minor boost?

"Krisha."

"Is there a problem, Master?"

"Don't use Spirit-Clearing Herb for afternoon tea anymore..."

"Understood. I will ensure it doesn't happen again."

Krisha wore a puffy black-and-white dress, her hands holding the tray as she listened attentively to Xu Xi's instructions.

Her enchanting eyes remained empty and lifeless,

still only reflecting Xu Xi's figure.

Quiet.

Pure.

Unchanging with time, unblurred by the years.

…………

Autumn in Yanshan City was cold and lonely.

But perhaps with the witch's presence, the courtyard seemed more vibrant.

Under the sunlight,

the Dragon's Blood Grass glowed faintly, defying the season as it grew luxuriantly, its swaying form a refreshing sight.

Sea Dragon's Blood Grass, Red Dragon's Blood Grass.

These two distinct types of Dragon's Blood Grass, under Krisha's care, displayed completely different splendors.

The former had a faint oceanic scent and possessed the miraculous effect of bestowing dragon blood. Snakes and fish that consumed it would transform into the lowest tier of demonic cultivators, gaining a slim chance to refine their bloodline and ascend to true dragonhood.

The latter was crimson and scalding. Beasts that consumed it would transform into dragonkin, while humans would gain fire elemental perception, becoming excellent candidates for Fire Mages.

Due to their thriving growth,

the harvest was abundant.

Xu Xi even sold a batch of Dragon's Blood Grass.

Of course, new Dragon's Blood Grass required fresh dragon blood to grow.

When the Red Dragon trembled as it flew to Yanshan City and saw Krisha, it immediately knelt in submission.

It claimed that as long as it wasn't killed, any amount of blood could be taken.

Krisha calmly accepted the Red Dragon's offer, finding Xu Xi's teachings quite useful—dragons were indeed docile and even willing to offer their blood.

The Red Dragon shivered, not daring to argue.

…………

The courtyard's daily tasks, household chores, and the cultivation of Dragon's Blood Grass were all managed by Krisha.

But Xu Xi's life didn't become any easier.

After obtaining the necklace transformed from the Supreme Crown,

Xu Xi worked almost nonstop.

He spent entire days secluded in the courtyard's training room, exploring the applications of Spatial Magic and Temporal Magic. Through his diligent efforts, he mastered several basic applications of Spatial Magic.

Short-range combat teleportation, long-range spatial teleportation.

Spatial Slash for attacking enemies, Spatial Barrier for defense.

"Offensive and defensive applications are just icing on the cake. I don't lack such methods."

"The real key lies in the use of teleportation and spatial travel."

"With Spatial Magic, I won't need to fly slowly the next time I travel far."

"As for Temporal Magic, it's truly difficult. It might take me becoming a deity to truly wield the power of time."

Nearly two months later, at dawn,

Xu Xi slowly rose, ending his cultivation state.

After two months of intense cultivation, aside from mastering Spatial Magic, he had also advanced to the Divine Transformation Stage—a small, unexpected gain.

The sky had been slightly dark, as if a lightning tribulation was about to descend, but it was shattered by a single glance from Krisha, restoring the clear skies faster than it had darkened.

It fled in haste.

Tap—

Tap—

Xu Xi walked out of the training room and returned to his own room. Looking at the display cabinet and the sugar jar that had returned to its original position, he sighed softly.

"Is Moli still refusing to appear…"