"Qin Yu?"
Nahida saw Qin Yu staring blankly at her, her small face filled with confusion.
Why did he feel a pang of pity?
Clearly, clearly...
She had gained "freedom," and should be happy.
Nahida lowered her gaze, falling into silence.
This feeling of happiness had not transferred to Qin Yu.
Qin Yu realized, she wasn't truly free?
"Who is looking after your main body?"
Qin Yu asked softly.
All along, he had a feeling.
The spotless little angel wasn't happy.
With Greater Lord Rukkhadevata not around, was someone bullying her?
"I'm fine, don't worry."
"I live in a very beautiful big house."
"And someone is protecting my safety..."
Nahida extended her hand, smiling as if to comfort Qin Yu.
Although she was under house arrest by the Akademiya,
Being able to have such an experience was already fulfilling enough.
"Mmm... Qin Yu."
As she spoke, Nahida tiptoed.
"It's really okay."
She attempted, with some difficulty, to pat Qin Yu's head.
Every time Qin Yu patted her head, it felt so warm and comfortable.
Like sunlight illuminating plants, she liked it very much.
So, in return.
If she patted Qin Yu's head, he would become happier too, right?
Nahida moved a little closer to Qin Yu.
They looked at each other, silent for a long time.
"..."
Qin Yu gazed at the incredibly serious white-haired loli and sighed softly.
He gently lowered his head.
The next moment, a small hand tentatively touched his head.
Qin Yu couldn't help but smile.
To be patted on the head by a white-haired loli.
It was a strange feeling, but not bad.
"Be good, okay..."
Her small hand relaxed completely, and she gently rubbed his head.
Nahida, mimicking Qin Yu, had tenderness in her eyes.
She had discovered another thing Qin Yu liked to do.
She would remember it well.
"I'm not a child," Qin Yu smiled.
"Children don't have ages,"
Nahida lowered her hand and placed it on her hips.
Her serious, lecturing, adorable demeanor made Qin Yu chuckle.
This little angel was too healing and cute.
"Clang—"
Suddenly, strong winds and waves struck the sea, rocking the ship.
"Careful."
Seeing Nahida stumbling, Qin Yu steadied her.
"Thank you... My body is still a bit inconvenient."
A trace of annoyance flickered across Nahida's small face.
She seemed to understand the benefits of growing up.
"It's because you've only just been born, right?"
Qin Yu murmured, then suddenly paused.
In the end, the Nahida before him was just a part of her.
Essentially, it was still the power of Greater Lord Rukkhadevata.
"It's not like that."
Nahida gently shook her head and corrected him:
"You and Greater Lord Rukkhadevata combined, and together you created me."
Combined?
Qin Yu coughed lightly.
The words sounded a bit odd to him.
"Can you access Greater Lord Rukkhadevata's power now?"
He quickly pushed away the strange thoughts and asked seriously.
A proper person must not misunderstand.
"I should be able to."
Nahida closed her eyes gently upon hearing this.
After a moment, she raised her small hand.
A verdant green light ignited from her fingertips.
The rich life aura made Qin Yu's heart race.
It was a state of involuntary excitement.
"This is..."
Qin Yu also extended his hand.
His intuition told him this was power he could directly absorb.
The next moment, their fingertips gently touched.
Hummm—
The verdant green light rippled, spreading outwards.
A strange connection was thus established.
"How is it? Greater Lord Rukkhadevata's power."
Nahida opened her eyes and smiled.
"..."
In Qin Yu's eyes, gold and verdant green interweaved and brightened.
The feeling he had when he touched the realm of the gods returned.
"It feels very comfortable."
Qin Yu spoke his most honest feelings.
"If you run out of power, you can come to me to replenish it."
"It won't affect you, right?"
So...
Could Nahida also moonlight as a power bank?
"It's fine."
Nahida shook her head and gently cupped her chest.
Qin Yu and Greater Lord Rukkhadevata had activated the seed, which could continuously generate life-sustaining energy.
The seed had already begun to take root and grow.
"I understand."
Qin Yu nodded and smiled again:
"Let's go back to the room to rest and observe the subsequent effects."
If this were to harm Nahida, he would immediately stop drawing energy.
"Mm."
Nahida sensed Qin Yu's concern, and her small face broke into a bright smile.
She was growing to like this life more and more.
Having Qin Yu's company and care, and being able to do what she wanted.
"Qin Yu, I'm very happy."
Nahida turned around and looked at the city in the distance.
She cherished this brief freedom.
"Having you with me is enough."
She lowered her eyes and murmured softly.
Even if only for a moment...
Suddenly, a warm sensation enveloped Nahida's hand.
"Eh?"
Nahida's eyelashes trembled slightly, and she raised her face in surprise.
"If you need anything, just say it, and I'll help you."
"No matter how far away you are."
Qin Yu looked at the slightly dazed Nahida and said earnestly.
Joyful light sparkled in Nahida's verdant green eyes.
"Really?"
"Mm."
"..."
She lowered her head and looked at Qin Yu's large hand.
It was warm and reassuring.
"I will."
Nahida swayed Qin Yu's hand and revealed a faint smile.
This feeling of warmth.
Her resonance with Qin Yu had deepened by another degree.
Thank you, my sun.
"...?!"
Qin Yu slowly widened his eyes.
In the sunlight, the white-haired loli lowered her head, lost in thought.
But...
The green leaf in her hair had changed.
At some point, another leaf had unfurled.
Now there were two green leaves.
And in the dream, Greater Lord Rukkhadevata's hair had...
A total of three green leaves.
"This is?"
A flash of inspiration struck Qin Yu.
His combination of power with Greater Lord Rukkhadevata, plus Nahida, had activated two green leaves in total.
This had given birth to this seedling-like childlike body.
Then, if he found a way to activate the third green leaf...
What would he gain?
Qin Yu felt as if he was on the verge of grasping the truth.
Just then—
"Qin Yu, what are you two doing?"
Keqing walked over, her cheeks puffed out.
Ever since Nahida appeared...
Qin Yu had been paying most of his attention to her!
Keqing the cat was a little bristled.
"...I am?"
Qin Yu looked at the white-haired loli huddled beside him, speechless for a long time.
He had even taken the initiative to hold the little loli's hand.
Danger.
"The samurai is looking for you."
Keqing warned, shooting Qin Yu a glare, and picked up Nahida.
Keep her away from this bad guy.
Nahida had been silent since earlier, not responding.
"We've reached the shore, I'll go and liaise with the shore personnel."
Qin Yu smiled, got up, and left.
"Hmph, your brother really likes you."
Keqing said, a little sourly, after Qin Yu left.
She looked at Nahida in her arms.
Suddenly, her expression changed.
This child was so hot.
"Mmm... I feel so uncomfortable."
Nahida's cheeks flushed an unhealthy red, and she leaned against Keqing.
Greater Lord Rukkhadevata's power... seemed to be budding.
"You have a fever?!"
Keqing realized something was wrong and quickly carried her to the room.
...
At the same time, Qin Yu had also arrived at the shore.
Inazuma City, he had finally returned.