Under the misty rain, a person stands, lost in thought.
The rain shatters upon the ground.
The serene environment always stirs memories deep within the heart.
Those memories, spanning a lifetime, from childhood to adolescence, and then from adolescence to adulthood, are forever tied to the rain that never ceases.
“Brother is still as kind-hearted as ever…”
The girl holds an oil-paper umbrella, silently waiting for the boy’s return.
The rain is heavy.
So much so that the raindrops form an unbroken white line.
Her pure eyes reflect the tranquil world of the rain, along with that familiar figure.
For the girl, Xu Xi is her brother, a hero who would stand in front of her no matter the danger.
To her, such a hero, such a brother, was something she cherished immensely during her childhood.
He was her only support, the sole family member with whom she clung to in the harsh winters.
But Xu Moli also knew that her kind-hearted brother would always lend a helping hand to others.
Was she jealous?
Not really.
When she saw the common people of the Qiuhuo Army, she thought of herself in their place. She, too, felt sympathy for them and quietly used her powers to bestow them with health.
“Brother would be happy if I did this, right?”
She smiled, but only for a moment.
In truth, the girl still feels an unreal, dreamlike sensation.
She can’t believe it.
The brother who once bought her candy and searched through different markets.
The brother who cared for her growth and specifically enrolled her in early studies at the Heavenly Sword Sect.
The brother who, to save her, endured the pain of extracting his own spiritual roots.
He’s really back.
And he doesn’t blame her for anything.
Just as before, he gently strokes her head and comforts her with a soft voice, telling her not to cry.
It feels just like a dream…
The rain grows heavier, and the girl, holding the oil-paper umbrella, begins to lose focus.
Until the footsteps grow clearer, and her brother’s voice calls out, snapping her back to reality.
“Moli, why are you here?”
Xu Xi approaches.
He effortlessly takes the umbrella handle from her hand.
His movements are as smooth as ever, the umbrella slightly tilted to perfectly shield Xu Moli from the rain.
Even though, as an eternal supreme being, she would naturally be immune to the elements.
The girl’s eyes first glance at the umbrella above her, then at Xu Xi’s hand holding the handle.
She suddenly smiles, a radiant smile: “I just thought… maybe Brother needed me, so I came.”
Not for any particular reason.
Nor with any hidden motives.
Her answer is simple: she just wanted to help Xu Xi.
Just as Xu Xi had helped her without any expectations.
Xu Xi laughs: “You didn’t need to come. This task was simple, and I could handle it on my own.”
No, not really.
Xu Moli looks at Xu Xi by her side, savoring the rare moment of walking together in the rain.
She feels that this trip wasn’t a waste at all.
“Splash—”
“Splash—”
They walk along the slippery road.
Though it hasn’t rained long, the journey home is already filled with puddles of various sizes, each step splashing water with a crisp sound.
“Brother, who exactly are those people…?”
On their way back to the courtyard, Xu Moli asks Xu Xi about the origins of the common people.
She already has some idea, but she wants to hear it from him.
“Uh, how should I explain it to you…”
Xu Xi hesitates, then briefly recounts the events of the third simulation.
“I see…”
This was Brother's experience in the previous cycle...
The girl doesn’t know about the simulation.
But she understands the concept enough.
The entire simulation is regarded as the reincarnation of Xu Xi.
“Brother, you’re still the same as before, unchanged,” the girl says with a sense of relief, her smile quite charming.
“The same how?” Xu Xi asks.
“Always thinking about saving others, never considering yourself,” Xu Moli hums softly.
“Brother, this is not good.”
She lectures Xu Xi, telling him to think more about himself and not just others.
Even though she herself is someone Xu Xi saved.
But she doesn’t want, nor is willing, to see the hero who walks through the sun and thorns, bleed once more.
“Alright, I understand,” Xu Xi doesn’t argue. Instead, he reaches out with his free hand and gently places it on his sister’s head, lightly stroking it.
The girl isn’t really scolding him.
She’s showing her concern.
Who would be angry about someone else’s care?
Then, Xu Xi and Xu Moli continue walking, chatting amidst the incessant rain.
They talk about their shared past, precious memories no one else can replace.
Like their life in Black Stone City.
The two siblings sharing a big watermelon, Xu Moli eating until her stomach bulges, her eyes still fixed on the remaining watermelon.
It’s only when Xu Xi gently taps her forehead that she reluctantly looks away.
Or their life in the Heavenly Sword Sect.
When the girl grew a little older, during times of heavy rain, she would stand at the entrance of her cave dwelling, patiently waiting for Xu Xi’s return.
Xu Xi often feels warmth in his heart when he sees his well-behaved sister waiting for him. Nothing could be more comforting, yet he still reminds her not to wait for him every time.
As they talk, the two have walked quite a distance.
The heavy rain brings silence to the city, and the streets are lit with colorful lamps.
The lights, bright or dim, create a gorgeous scene through the rain.
“Moli, wait a moment.”
As if spotting something, Xu Xi suddenly stops.
He tells the girl to stay where she is, then enters a nearby convenience store. When he emerges, he’s holding several lollipops.
“Here.”
He hands the candies to the girl.
Quite ordinary.
Nothing special, just the typical candies found on any street corner.
“Brother is so silly…” Xu Moli murmurs softly, finding it a bit amusing.
She has transcended beyond the level of an Immortal Emperor, becoming a supreme being who has achieved eternal enlightenment. Yet, Xu Xi still treats her like a child, habitually buying her candy.
Such a brother… is really silly…
But also, really lovable…
Delicately pinching the candy, she peels off the wrapper and gently places it in her mouth.
The girl’s lips part slightly as she savors the sweetness of the candy Xu Xi gave her.
“How is it? Is it good?”
“Of course it’s good—anything Brother gives me is.”
As she answers, the girl looks up, her gaze seemingly piercing through the umbrella and the sky, reaching something far beyond.
In truth, she came to find Xu Xi not just to help him, but also because of a vague sense of urgency in her heart.
It feels as though something is approaching, making her want to fiercely“guard her treasure.”
Ah, how annoying…