Archwizard K’s Journey In The Cultivation World

Epilogue: Her journey in the cultivation world.

A cold day.

It was a day like any other in the season, with innocently white snow falling from the sky. Today, too, the town of White Lotus Sect was bustling with life, lit by the sea of hanging lanterns across the streets.

Somewhere in the city, a vendor began to open her stall for a busy night ahead.

Somewhere beneath the scrunched-up leaves of a tree, a chubby cat perched, silently observing the humans walk by.

Somewhere amidst the currents of people, a farmer squeezed his way home, carrying freshly harvested crops.

Somewhere in the corner of an alleyway, a beggar child draped a piece of cloth over its body, curling into a ball beneath it whilst holding onto a grilled sweet potato so that the warmth could be retained.

Somewhere... people were living. Even if their lives were hard, they still had tomorrow to look forward to. This was what made humans such hopeful creatures, and perhaps, just perhaps, it also made someone's effort worth it.

''...''

Ever since that fateful battle over a year ago, Kierra had always liked to visit the highest peak in all of White Lotus. There, she could most vividly observe the fascinating lives of the people she had helped preserve. 

A question she had long pondered about—how could the ordinary folks live such dull moments without a complaint?

If it were the old Kierra, she would have struggled to answer, but now, after all that she had been through, she would, albeit hesitantly, say that she knew it. Because just like her, they, the everyday men and women, all had something to be excited about, however insignificant it might be.

For her, it was a new opponent or a new research, a new breakthrough, etc., and for them, it could be as simple as a good batch of wheat or a meal.

There was something about the happiness they radiated whenever good things happened that drew Kierra into people-watching. 

'So I've come this close to humanity again, huh...'

Kierra thought she was moving further and further away from being a human as she got stronger, but now, she could not deny that it went the very opposite way.

The archwizard's eyes grew slightly unfocused. She was a bit lost in her thoughts. It wasn't until a few snowflakes had stacked on top of her nose bridge that a disturbance could be felt right behind her.

''Are you here to watch the people again?''

''...Chen.''

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Yu Chen's earring swayed gently to the wind's push. She briefly smiled at Kierra, then also turned her gaze to the town below. The archwizard's face was as cold as snow, yet after such a long time being by her side, Yu Chen knew that her lover could be sentimental sometimes.

''You know, capital has been flowing more into our sect recently now that everything has stabilized.'' She suddenly said. ''It's all thanks to you that we can expand the town and improve everyone's life.''

''...Is that so?'' Kierra barely muttered the reply.

''Mhm. We'll try our best to preserve the lotus, too—the lotus of light that you always love to see.''

Although not crucial or defining, the way White Lotus Sect planned its town allowed for a large lotus lit by street and building lights to be seen when the sun came down.

''...''

Kierra turned to Yu Chen with a slightly surprised face, but the latter's sincere smile somehow conveyed her thoughts—at least let us do this for you, she said.

Although the atmosphere was good—good enough for a kiss to happen—someone had to interrupt them,

''Don't forget the magical machinery the empire provided.''

''Oh, it's you.''

''I'm not 'you.' Respectfully call me 'Your Majesty,' will you?''

''I still can't believe someone like you is the head of state of an empire. Ugh...''

As usual, August and Yu Chen were bickering. If someone called over Mie Xieren, too, they would all be bickering with one another. That thought alone was enough to make Kierra smile.

''Hey, you three~! Stop slacking off and help prepare the dishes!''

''Oh, talk about the devil.''

When Kierra turned around to the familiar voice, she saw the abbess herself puffing out a breath of hot air, hands on her hip as if truly angry at her and the other two. Near her, Bai Qing and Kang Shuren each held a side of the wooden table, gingerly adjusting its position so that it wouldn't wobble when placed down.

Not long after, three more appeared. The White Lotus herself, Tian Yun, led the group whilst holding two large trays of various dishes. Despite basking her pure white hair and apron in the snow, she made sure to protect the food carefully with a qi barrier. The same could be said for the two pink-head following behind her.

Both Diamante and Lan had a tray on top of their heads, and although it wouldn't help them with balancing, they kept looking up at the bottom of the salvers, making it quite an endearing sight. Of course, there was also a tiny fox perched on the little pink-headed girl's shoulder.

''M-Master! You have to watch your steps!'' It screamed.

''I k-know! But what if the soup is spilling...?!'' 

''It's not, so please pay attention...!''

For whatever reason, Lan seemed to have inherited Diamante's clumsiness, even though she wasn't actually her daughter.

''Hahah. I get all nostalgic whenever I watch those kids fooling around.''

''Oh, isn't this the Heavenly Shura?''

''Please call me comfortably, Your Majesty. We are in this setting, after all.''

''And look who's calling me 'Your Majesty'?''

''You just told me to call you that earlier.''

''Quiet, you little rat.''

Yu Chen's timely(?) intervention in August and Wen Zhuwei's conversation allowed the latter to greet the pinnacle of magic properly. The Heavenly Shura sent a quick bow while smiling, and the archwizard nodded back. If she turned her gaze below, there might be another Immortal woman who was already trying to hug her legs, but she decided to ignore that for now.

''W-Woah...!''

''Oh, she might fall for real this time.''

There was a bit of amusement in the air as everybody watched over the two clumsy girls, but in the end, however, they all made it safely to the table, and once every dish was set, it was time to settle down. It was around this time that Cosmos, who was now in her humanoid form, mysteriously appeared.

One by one, the women seated themself around the table, which was now filled with steaming hot dishes.

''Sorry~! I'm late...''

''Hello.''

Finally, as the last two guests—Angelica and Valentine—arrived, the feast officially began.

''Then, it's time to dig in, everyone!''

It was the Lantern Festival.

As sentimental as Kierra might be, she wasn't so absorbed in the thoughts that she became indifferent to her surroundings. She liked watching people, and if they were people she knew and loved, even more so.

The sight of Yu Chen and Tian Yun enthusiastically discussing magic while munching on dumplings.

The sight of Bai Qing and Kang Shuren having girly chats as though a pair of long-time friends.

The sight of Diamante tentatively feeding the little phoenix lady and her pet with various expressions of fascination.

The sight of Cosmos awkwardly trying to converse with Mie Xieren.

About the way Angelica and Valentine still had the energy to talk work during the meal, the way Wen Zhuwei continued to pick food for Yan Shi, who was clearly flustered, or about the way August leaned on the archwizard's shoulder, refusing to move an inch.

Kierra knew she fell in love with this scene, with these people, and with the new self, one she had discovered during her time with them.

They say the lanterns in the Lantern Festival sometimes represent people's old selves that they would let go... but Kierra didn't want that. To her, the old self was proof of what she had been through all her life—of her hard work and dedication, and regardless of the mistakes that she made, she would still love herself.

Lover herself, only then could she love other people. That was why...

''...Huh.''

As flickering lights began to fill up the dark sky, Kierra's unfocused eyes regained their luster once more. 

''Whoa... look at that.''

''It's beautiful, no matter how many times I see it.''

''Right?''

From all corners of the sect, red sky lanterns rose to the higher atmosphere, weaving amidst the rain of snow falling to the ground. The archwizard's eyes were glued to these little pouches of hope, brightening as each lantern passed by.

'Ah... so that's it.'

Upon realizing what she had longed for, a smile was present on her face.

It wasn't anything complicated. Like typical wizards, Kierra was merely overthinking all along. If she had honestly listened to her heart, she would have long admitted that she only wanted to spend time with her loved ones at next year's festival just like this.

''Kierra. Darling, say 'ah'...''

''Wait, that's cheating! You sit right next to her!''

''I'll help us with that! Ei...!''

''Get out of the way. Don't mess with food.''

''You witch! I swear—''

Letting out a chuckle amidst the fighting, Kierra once again glanced toward the far sky. Holding it close to her heart, she swore to herself that as long as her beloveds were still there with her, they would gather here as many times as lanterns were flying...

...and as long as she had them still, her journey in the cultivation world would never truly end.