Chapter 868: Eira?

The elf woman's hands trembled on her spear as she gritted her teeth in shame.

Her chest rose and fell sharply as she swallowed her pride.

For a brief moment, she hesitated, her gaze flicking between the serene man standing before her and the divine Loong bowing at his side.

Her fingers clenched around her spear until her knuckles turned white "You... will pay for this…"

Without another glance, she turned sharply and leapt into the air, water splashing beneath her feet as her body shot upward.

Looking at her dashing into the sky, Zhao Tian let out a soft chuckle "Stubborn."

The lake is now calm again. Only the faint ripples from the Loong's movement disturbed the lake's surface.

Turning slightly, Zhao Tian looked toward the creature beside him.

The Loong's enormous form coiled gracefully in the water with her scales glinting beautifully.

As he lifted his hand, she responded instantly and she instantly lowered her head until her massive snout rested just above the surface beside him.

Zhao Tian's fingers brushed lightly against the Loong's scales.

Feeling his touch, her golden eyes half-closed in quiet reverence.

"Easy," Zhao Tian said softly/

The Loong's breath came out as a rolling wave of mist "To see one of your essence again… I feared I would never witness such light upon this world."

He smiled faintly at that.

The wind brushed softly through the trees surrounding the lake.

Finally, Zhao Tian straightened and gazed up at the skies "Well…" he murmured, brushing a strand of white hair from his forehead, "…then I'll be taking my leave."

He looked down at the Loong again, "I will come and see you later."

The Loong's enormous body shifted slightly in the water, sending gentle ripples across the lake.

"Yes… Revered One. This lake shall await your return."

Zhao Tian gave a slow nod and the wind swirled around him before he disappeared from there.

Below, the Loong lifted her gaze, watching him go.

---

Now Zhao Tian is back in the dining hall of the Elven Citadel.

A long oval table of polished whitewood sat in the center.

Zhao Tian sat at the center of one side, and across from him Sylmeria, the Elven Queen, was sitting.

Beside Zhao Tian, Xia Shenyi is sitting gracefully, and a few loose strands of her dark hair brushed against her cheek as she reached for a cup of water.

At the far side, Freya was sitting beside Sylmeria, eating her food.

Then, Sylmeria set down her cup with a faint chime and looked toward Zhao Tian "You may stay here as long as you wish, Honoured One."

"The Elven Star belongs to you. Its waters, its forests, and its skies are yours to walk as you please."

Zhao Tian looked up from his plate, "Thank you, Sylmeria."

Sylmeria lowered her gaze slightly, "It is we who are indebted. Your kind built the foundations of our civilization. The first Honoured One's teachings still guide our scholars and our cultivators even now. To host another of her lineage within our star… it is an honor beyond words."

Xia Shenyi glanced sideways at Zhao Tian with a faint smile tugging at her lips, amused by how easily even a queen sounded like a disciple in front of him.

After a moment, Sylmeria turned her attention to Xia Shenyi, "I heard from Freya that you have an interest in the technologies and artifacts of our Star."

Xia Shenyi blinked and straightened slightly "Yes. I've studied artifact design and spatial constructs for a long time."

Sylmeria's eyes warmed at that "Our knowledge comes from the first Honoured One herself. The blueprints and the scripts are all inherited from her teachings. So, in truth…"

Her gaze flicked briefly toward Zhao Tian, then back to Shenyi "Everything we have here belongs to him by right."

"And as his partner, you have full access to our archives and research facilities. No door will be closed to you."

For a moment, Xia Shenyi seemed genuinely caught off guard by the openness in Sylmeria's voice.

Then her lips curved into a soft, graceful smile "That's… very generous. Thank you."

Freya, who had been quietly sipping her drink, smiled faintly. "I can take you to the Technica Spire tomorrow."

Xia Shenyi's eyes brightened faintly, "I would love that."

Zhao Tian, watching the exchange, simply smiled, and a subtle warmth flickered through his expression as his hand found the cup beside him.

As they were eating, suddenly they heard a loud yell "Mother. Where are you?"

Hearing the voice, Sylmeria sighed in her heart 'She is finally here.'

The door opened and a beautiful elf woman walked in, her long green hair cascading down her back.

Hm? Zhao Tian blinked in surprise looking at the woman's face 'She is...'

What? The woman stopped in her tracks, looking at Zhao Tian casually sitting on the seat, eating his meal.

Sylmeria stood up and muttered in a stern tone "Eira, you could have knocked."

Eira blinked, as if remembering where she was, and spoke "Forgive me mother..."

With a sigh, Sylmeria gestured to the newly entered woman "This is my eldest daughter, Eira."

Eira pointed at Zhao Tian and asked in confusion "Huh? Mother? What... what is this man doing here?"

Sylmeria frowned upon hearing her tone "Eira, Lower your tone. And mind your words. Address him with respect... he is the Honoured One."

"What…?" Eira's eyes widened in utter horror looking at Zhao Tian.

"That's impossible. The Honoured One is... he's just-" She stopped herself, realizing the sharpness in her tone.

Freya, sitting quietly at the far end, gave a small sigh and muttered under her breath, "And here it begins…"

Sylmeria's expression turned slightly stern. "Eira. You stand before the successor of the First Honoured One."

Eira's confusion deepened, but she held herself from speaking any further.

Her eyes, however, were still filled with disbelief.

Zhao Tian lifted his cup slowly and took a calm sip of his wine 'I see, so she's Freya's sister.'

Looking at Eira, Zhao Tian spoke "There is no need to be tense. She must be surprised to suddenly see a man in this star."

Sylmeria nodded her head and bowed slightly "Forgive my daughter's recklessness, Honoured One."

Shaking his head, he spoke "A parent shouldn't apologize for a child's mistake. The child herself should apologize."

Huh? Eira raised her head and looked at the teasing smile on his lips 'You...'

Sylmeria gently grasped Eira's hand "You are right, Honoured One. Apologize, Eira."

Eira turned to look at her mother "But, Mother-"

"Don't talk back, Eira."

Gritting her teeth, Eira lowered her head and spoke "Forgive me, H-Honoured One."

Chuckling in his heart, Zhao Tian nodded "It's alright."

Eira's eyebrow's twitched in irritation as she remembered what he did to her beside the lake 'You perverted bastard...'

'Now it makes sense why even Loong bowed her head to him.'

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