Outside the window, the weather was clear.
The girl who fed him attentively was both warm and sweet.
Qin, embracing his beloved wife, looked utterly content.
This life of his was truly comfortable.
Thinking of this, he started getting restless again.
The breakfast dessert was also quite good.
"Teacher... you want to play tricks again."
Nilou twisted her slender waist, nimbly dodging his advances, and said with a pout.
Picking up the recording device from the table, she aimed it at Qin Yu to retaliate.
With a click.
Qin's expression and actions were captured.
"I'm going to post this on the Void, so the sisters in the tea room, especially Senior Sister Ayaka, can see it!"
Nilou playfully glared and raised the recording device, feigning a threat.
"Ahem... good Nilou, don't you trust your teacher?"
Qin Yu took Nilou's small hand and gently comforted her.
He was a man of utmost integrity, after all.
"Hmph... Teacher, you're naughty."
Nilou's face blushed slightly. She made a perfunctory effort to break free from his grasp.
Alas, she failed.
After a session of playful teasing and wrestling.
Nilou was once again pulled into his embrace, unable to escape for a while.
She struggled for a bit, then finally gave up and opened the recording device in her hand.
She posted a photo of the cute dog from the Grand Bazaar, Swan, on the Void, along with some text.
[Tonight, the Zuba'ir Theater has a performance meticulously prepared for you all. Remember to come and support us~!]
[(=^▽^=)]
Soon, Nilou received a flood of likes and comments.
"Oh? This recording device can connect directly to the Void."
Qin Yu was a little surprised. He rested his chin on Nilou's fragrant shoulder and asked curiously.
"A senior from the Akademiya helped me modify it. It's super useful."
Nilou fiddled with the new recording device, her voice full of admiration.
"Is that so... Who is it?"
Qin Yu, seeing Nilou's infatuated expression, deliberately drew out his words.
Who could be more amazing than her teacher?
"It's Senior Faruzan. She even used the Void to participate in Sister Candace's mechanical research."
Nilou chuckled, then gave Qin Yu's face a kiss.
Her teacher's slight jealousy and reluctant expression was so amusing. httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
"Oh... it's her."
Qin Yu realized, with a hint of familiarity.
She was a scholar with great insight into ruin exploration and mechanical knowledge.
A young girl who called herself an elder of a hundred years.
...
After breakfast.
Qin Yu stretched his body and turned to look out the window.
"Teacher, are we leaving for the desert?"
Nilou sat obediently at the dining table, her small hands resting on her thighs, and asked softly.
Her bright eyes held concern and hesitation.
"Yes, it's about time we set off."
Qin Yu took Nilou's hand and led her out of the small house.
Just like their usual peaceful daily routine, warm and natural.
"Do you want to go to the desert with me?"
"If you have any concerns, I can go alone."
Qin Yu asked.
Today was an important day.
The official explanation from the Akademiya was:
Acting Grand Sage Qin Yu would venture deep into the desert today to engage in friendly exchanges with various settlements and forces in the region who held differing opinions on the God of Dendro.
And incidentally, plant some trees and repair water conservancy projects.
So bringing along a mecha army composed of the Control Matrix was perfectly normal, right?
If the Fatui had any objections, they could voice them directly.
Qin Yu was a very reasonable person.
Of course, he had more important things to do.
Specifically...
Qin Yu's current strength was already enough to contend with the Heavenly Principles' Maintainer.
But that was not enough.
The world still held many unsolved mysteries.
Truly powerful beings were not limited to this [false world].
To become the [Heavenly Principles], one would inevitably clash with higher-dimensional beings in the universe.
Qin Yu needed even greater power... or rather, energy.
The first thing that came to mind was naturally the divine punishment from the heavens above, the Frostbearer.
He intended to subdue the Frostbearer and make it his own.
Of course, integrating the scattered forces of the desert was also part of the plan.
But the better person to accomplish the second task would be Nilou.
This was not just the will of the God of Flowers and the God of Dendro, but also a choice presented to the formerly ordinary dancer.
She was someone who had genuinely received a divine inheritance.
Possessing the divine power of the God of Flowers, she could easily reclaim the ancient Great Darshans and make them her dependents.
The Great Darshans possessed the power to tear through storms and the sky, and their strength was immense.
In the distant past, they were dependents of the God of Flowers, guardians of their land.
But then...
The changes in the ancient desert dynasties were not Qin Yu's primary concern.
His approach to the scattered, unruly desert settlements was simple.
To use absolute strength to make everyone willing to sit down and talk.
Qin Yu could manage the desert environment, restart the water supply facilities of the Scarlet King's civilization, and so on.
As for why they should listen to his reasoning...
Whoever had the stronger fist made the rules.
"Teacher."
The morning sun was a little scorching.
Nilou raised her hand to shield her forehead and pursed her lips.
That was the entire desert.
Could such an important responsibility really be entrusted to her?
"Relax, just trust your own judgment."
Qin Yu smiled slightly, not rushing for an answer.
No matter what Nilou chose, she would always be his cherished little cotton jacket.
That would never change.
After a moment of silence.
"...Nilou is happy to be able to help Teacher."
Her pleasant voice was still as sweet as ever.
Nilou, who responded earnestly, now had her eyes alight with a divine glow as brilliant as a sea of flowers.
The former little dancer, in her moment of confusion, had met the most important teacher in her life.
It was Teacher's presence that made Nilou even happier and more content.
She also wanted to impress her Teacher.
"Good."
Qin Yu took Nilou's small hand and squeezed it gently.
"Will you dance for me again then?"
"Along with your King of Trees, Sister God of Flowers, and little sister Nahida."
After all, he had enjoyed plenty of nourishing ingredients this morning and was full of energy.
"...Teacher!"
The girl's shyly annoyed voice, accompanied by the man's laughter, gradually faded.
A new journey had begun.
Although it wasn't a peaceful and tranquil daily life, it was incredibly fulfilling.
As long as she was by her Teacher's side, Nilou felt happy.
Her Teacher was the best.
...
Since then, new tidings began to emerge from the desert.
The eternal covenant between the desert and the rainforest had been restored.
At the same time, a brand new video was uploaded to the Void.
It was a tranquil night.
Beneath the vast expanse of stars, a silhouette clad in a pure veil appeared.
The girl, veiled, danced by the clear, pure water of the oasis.
A dreamlike radiance bloomed as she danced with ethereal beauty, like a celestial being.
Wherever her footsteps landed.
Vibrant green life took root and sprouted.
The falling sand was dispersed by the gentle dew.
The Eternal Oasis, carrying a sea of flowers, once again bloomed upon the barren land abandoned by people.
The deity who brought hope to the desert had returned.
"..."
More and more Treasure Hoarders silently packed their bags and returned to the desert.
With a homeland, they had roots.
Perhaps in the foreseeable future, the hardships that plagued the desert people would also change.
The unfulfilled dream of the Golden Sleep and the promise of the Eternal Oasis.
The eternal covenant...
This time, Qin Yu would fulfill it.