"...My mother?"
The soft voice murmured instinctively, as if she hadn't quite processed it yet.
She, who represented wisdom, fell silent for a moment.
Mother, was it what she understood it to be?
The one who conceived and nurtured life.
But from the moment Nahida was born, she was alone in the world.
Unable to communicate with others, or leave her place of confinement.
Deprived of freedom meant her very existence would fade.
Now, not many remembered her.
This had been the case for hundreds of years.
Fortunately, Nahida had found Qin Yu.
Just having a few words with him was already enough to make her content.
"That's right, your mother."
Qin Yu recalled the white-clothed woman he had a brief encounter with in the forest.
Her perfect figure, and the gentleness that could soothe all spiritual wounds, were indeed unforgettable.
Qin Yu shook his head, feeling a touch of emotion.
It was a pity she was already married and had children.
Let's be clear, he wasn't a villain.
He just had a strange feeling of seeing a prize cabbage snatched away, and wanting to know who managed it.
Which scoundrel was so lucky?
"I don't have a mother, you've mistaken someone."
Nahida thought for a moment and said earnestly.
"Little sister, it's best not to say such nonsensical things casually in the future."
Qin Yu rubbed his forehead, feeling a headache coming on.
She was so serious about not having a mother...
What a harmonious and loving family relationship.
Had she triggered a child's rebellious phase?
Be careful, your mother might find out and spank you.
"I really don't."
The soft voice gained a hint of determination, as if she wanted to debate Qin Yu properly.
"Since you don't believe me, let me ask you a few questions."
Qin Yu thought for a moment and said softly in his heart.
This little girl actually wanted to debate with him like an adult?
Although his record against Signora in debates was a complete loss.
But she was a Fatui Harbinger from a research background, so losing was not shameful.
Facing Nahida now, Qin Yu felt very confident.
Could he really not debate with a little girl looking for her mother?
"Please do."
The soft voice responded calmly, its tone serious.
It sounded quite proper, indeed.
It was just that the undeniable childishness made one smile.
What a cute little girl.
"How are you contacting me now?"
Qin Yu smiled and threw out the first question.
"Of course, by..."
Nahida was about to say "intercepting the communication signal," but she paused, hesitant.
She just realized that Qin Yu wasn't wearing any communication device.
Then this conversation...
Was it a direct exchange between their mental consciousness?
"Why aren't you speaking, little sister?"
Qin Yu's lips curved slightly as he pressed his advantage.
As expected of a child, she couldn't handle even one move.
*Cough*, what was this irresistible sense of smugness?
"It's a new carrier."
Nahida sensed for a moment and finally discovered something.
Her consciousness could establish a connection with Qin Yu directly, without using her dream abilities.
Such perfect synchronization was beyond her understanding.
And this feeling of natural closeness...
Was it because of the mental resonance with Qin Yu that night?
"What exactly is it?"
The soft voice was filled with curious inquiry.
"It's something your mother gave me."
Qin Yu smiled and a ball of emerald green light appeared on his fingertips.
It was the "seed" that the white-clothed woman had entrusted to Qin Yu in the dream, hoping he would plant it.
"Do you feel a sense of closeness?"
Qin Yu picked up the green leaf and said softly.
This small leaf condensed the wisdom and power of the white-clothed woman.
"Such powerful life force."
Nahida's voice turned astonished, and she murmured.
"Do you recognize your mother now?"
"I..."
Nahida truly hesitated.
She did sense a familiar aura.
It was the vast energy contained within the green leaf, and its infinite wisdom.
"My will can integrate perfectly with this power."
Nahida said softly, feeling warm all over.
This feeling of returning to the source...
"Remember who your mother is?"
"I don't know."
After a long silence, Nahida said softly.
From a generally rational perspective.
She indeed had no evidence to prove that she did not have a mother.
Recalling the moment of her birth...
When she was weak, she was taken to the Akademiya, and her original form never had contact with the outside world.
And now, there was power of the same origin appearing.
"I have a mother..."
The God of Wisdom gave up thinking.
"Little sister Nahida, you need to be strong."
Qin Yu sighed softly and comforted her kindly.
It must be very difficult not to find one's mother.
"What is she like? Is she beautiful?"
Nahida asked softly.
If a mother truly existed...
For hundreds of years, why hadn't she come to see her?
"She's a very beautiful and gentle person."
"...Thank you."
A touch of girlish joy quietly crept into the soft voice.
Although Qin Yu was praising someone she had never met.
Nahida felt as if Qin Yu was praising her, and her heart rejoiced.
"To confirm, I can only meet her in person."
Even if that person wasn't necessarily her mother.
That power of the same origin was definitely closely related to her.
Just as expectation began to rise in Nahida's heart.
"I can share the related memories."
Qin Yu thought for a moment and came up with a good idea.
The next moment, memories related to the white-clothed woman appeared in Nahida's consciousness.
"She's not...!" Nahida was stunned.
"What's wrong?"
Qin Yu smiled, seeing her so excited about seeing her mother.
"She is the Greater Lord Rukkhadevata."
"Greater Lord what?"
Qin Yu frowned, what a strange title.
It sounded like an old man with a long white beard.
"She is the previous Dendro Archon of Sumeru."
Nahida murmured, reviewing Qin Yu's memories.
"?"
Both fell silent.
"So, you are the child of the Dendro Archon?"
Qin Yu took a deep breath, his respect growing.
Good heavens, the quality of netizens browsing the internet now is too high.
Even a god's second generation has appeared.
"To be precise, I am not a child."
Nahida corrected him in time.
Because she was the current Dendro Archon of Sumeru.
However, Nahida did not completely deny the possibility of being Greater Lord Rukkhadevata's child.
Because it was indeed possible.
The God of Wisdom was unknowingly tricked by Qin Yu.
"Okay, little sister Nahida."
"..."
After a brief moment of surprise, Nahida calmed her emotions.
She then began to study the green leaf in Qin Yu's hand.
"You don't seem to be looking forward to reuniting with your mother."
"Yes, it's over."
Nahida sighed softly and murmured.
Qin Yu was stunned, what did that mean?
"Your mother is gentle and beautiful, why wouldn't you want to see her?"
"If I have the chance, I'd want to meet everyone."
Recalling the beautiful and gentle white-clothed woman, he couldn't help but smile.
"Because Greater Lord Rukkhadevata has passed away."
"...?"
Qin Yu's smile slowly vanished.
She's gone?