The meaning of the Witch Gathering was much like a company’s annual meeting.
Witches from various departments reviewed their achievements, compared themselves to one another, and organized some social activities for their followers.
It wasn’t quite as grand or lofty as Wu Xiaomi had imagined.
[Why do witches have to open shops?]
Wu Xiaomi finally asked the question that had been on her mind for a long time.
For beings with their level of power and status, they shouldn’t have to worry about material wealth or resources at all. Shouldn’t they just be enjoying a leisurely life?
“Witches are still human, and humans get bored,” Se Se said. “They need something to do.”
Such a capricious reason.
“Besides, even witches can’t expect things to fall from the sky if they do nothing.”
Witches care about material comforts too?
“Arrogance, Greed, and Gluttony—those three especially care about quality of life, their daily expenses are huge. Jealousy, Wrath, and Sloth spend a bit less but still a lot.”
[What about you?]
“I’m not lacking for much.”
“Of course you’re not lacking. You have an entire kingdom backing you up, you don’t have to struggle like the rest of us…” Jealousy snarked from the side.
Kingdom?!
Wow, what exactly is the deal with the Mistress of Lust…
The noise all around made it hard for Wu Xiaomi to get used to this kind of setting.
She still didn’t understand why the witches had brought her here.
Thankfully, she didn’t have to stay long.
The teleportation portal pressed against her cheek again, and the noisy crowd faded away.
She was back at the Witch’s Hut—the drafty four-walled version.
“All right, you want to say goodbye, right? Use your original identity to bid farewell to Bai Xiaozhi.”
!!!
It’s coming, it’s finally coming!
Wuwu, my long-lost little Xiaomi, you’re finally coming back?!
“First, your original body is impossible to recover.”
Scribble.
“Shaman Sequence 72: Shadow in the Mirror can continuously cast illusions around its user, twisting the air and altering the caster’s appearance and voice. Though it’s just an illusion, as long as there isn’t excessive physical contact, it’s enough to fool others.”
So I have to learn Shaman Sequence 72?!
“This Seal Sequence Bottle contains enough Shaman Sequence 72 to use for seven days. Pour it over yourself, and you can use it.
According to our agreement, since you accompanied me to the Witch Gathering just now, it’s yours.”
Yay——
“Of course, you’re currently a little blind and mute, so Bai Xiaozhi will naturally be suspicious. Drink this.”
Hmm?
Gulp gulp gulp
“Cough! So spicy—”
Wait.
I can talk now?
“The Prophet Potion doesn’t need your eyes. As long as you have perception, it can project images around you directly into your mind. It also bypasses the vocal cords by vibrating the air around the throat to produce sound. It’s a drug used to enhance the Spirit Hunting Instinct.”
Witches.
Wuwu.
How can you be so good!
That just now… counts as attending? Is the deal already done?!
Only after writing the words did Wu Xiaomi realize she no longer needed to write.
Not quite used to it.
“Of course it counts. Everything that needed to be done has been done. The other witches have already taken note of you. From now on, your adventures will be very interesting… heh heh.”
Am I falling into a trap again?
Doesn’t matter~~~
Down~!
She poured the entire bottle over her head.
“Has it taken effect?”
Wu Xiaomi couldn’t see herself.
“It has,” the witch nodded.
“Remember, you can’t bathe for seven days, and you can’t have excessive physical contact with anyone. Holding hands is allowed, but no hugging!”
“Understood!”
“Alright then, good luck.”
Watching Wu Xiaomi’s departing back, the witch lowered her head and continued organizing the potions in her hands, murmuring as she shook her head.
“Better that she doesn’t cry…”
Wu Xiaomi had rehearsed this farewell countless times in her mind.
First, she had to act reliable and strong.
Only by being strong enough could she avoid Bai Xiaozhi’s worry.
Second, she needed a solid reason to explain why she had been out of contact for so long.
Finally, she needed a good excuse for her departure.
Otherwise, if she stayed beyond seven days, she would instantly transform and be exposed.
So…
Soon, a dusty, weary young man arrived at the Ancient Burial Registration Office.
“Who are you…?”
“Haha, sorry, I’m also called Niao Xiaomi,” Niao Xiaomi smiled as she stood in front of the registration desk. “Just happens to share a name with that super cute big star.”
“Is that so? Then I suggest you change your name. Otherwise, people might think Xiaomi changed genders,” Nurse An at the counter chuckled.
“No way, I’m not used to changing my name. I’m just here traveling, will stay for a few days and then leave.”
“Traveling?”
“Yes, I’m a Exploring Adventurer. You’ve probably heard of us.”
“Oh…” Nurse An suddenly realized. “I’ve heard of your group. Our Xinhua’s goal is to record the Earth as it once was and restore it. Your task is… to record the present, so that once Earth is restored, we can preserve our current experiences.”
“Exactly. The post-apocalyptic world is rare and offers great insights into human society’s development,” Niao Xiaomi tightened her grip on her travel bag straps. “And everything about the Nelifa world is genuinely fascinating. Exploring here is a very enjoyable process.”
“Enjoyment depends on strength, you must be strong, right?”
“Nope.”
“I wish you could stay in the Burial District.”
“No no, haha, I just came to see my sister…”
“Sister? Who?”
“Bai Xiaozhi.”
Nurse An’s jaw almost dislocated.
Bai Xiaozhi???
That strong-willed woman actually has a brother?
—The older members of Xinhua knew about this, but Nurse An joined later and didn’t witness the initial awkward rescue operation at Xinhua’s arrival.
Still, even veteran Xinhua members were deeply shocked by this fact.
So she really exists?!
“Where is Xiaozhi?” Niao Xiaomi asked, clearly just making conversation.
“Over there…” Nurse An blankly pointed toward the Little White Building.
Bai Xiaozhi felt sadness and regret over Kang Jie’s departure, but her reaction wasn’t as intense as Wu Xiaomi’s.
She was simply reading more books.
She sometimes rested her tired head on the desk.
After absorbing so many thoughts from human sages, Bai Xiaozhi often fell into confusion.
Why do people live? Sartre and Camus argued over this for a century. Every sage has stumbled over this question, and even now, people have yet to find the answer.
As Kang Jie said the other day: from a genetic perspective, all life exists only to pass on genes.
But humans possess subjective initiative and contemplate meaning—thought, originally a byproduct of evolution, now dominates. Unwilling to be slaves to their genes, humans seek additional meaning.
In this post-apocalyptic world, what else can there be besides survival?
At first, Bai Xiaozhi didn’t understand either. She built Bi An only to find her brother more easily, to survive better.
But after Kang Jie died…
She began to seriously face the question.
Should she, like Kang Jie, find some other goal besides survival?
For example…
Some cuddling?
But first, she had to find that guy. Otherwise, she couldn’t settle down.
Knock knock knock—
Someone knocked on the door.
Without Bai Xiaozhi needing to get up, Lulutina had already darted to the door.
“…Who are you looking for?”
“Is Bai Xiaozhi here? I’m her brother.”