"Just call me Hei Hui." the woman responded with a wide smile and took the fan. Even without needing to assess the level of her work, she was already pleased with the details of this work. However, she was even moreso pleased when she heard her words and examined the fan. It was a level seven Earthbound weapon.
"Then, you may call me Lotus." Lotus smiled.
Like this, the two have formed a close friendly bond that lasted even after she graduated from Night Raven College.
With this, Lotus began drawing a teleportation array as Hei Hui started talking with her as if they were old friends. Raaji looked to the two girls in bewilderment. They've only met for a couple of days and, now, they've become best buds!
"Sometimes there are people like that." Huo Wei said reading his expression, "Every people has relationship that can be formed as if they were destined to be friends according to fate. However, not many have the fortune to meet those people. Friends that are willing to stay by your side for life are rare as well. Some can go through a whole life time and never find those people."
"Then..."
"If fate has it in store for them, then their friendship may last for a life time." Huo Wei responded firmly.
Raaji looked to the two girls and wondered curiously. Then, he looked to Wes curiously as well and wondered if it was the same for them. If he hadn't spotted him amongst one of the gifts his uncle brought over, would he be shipped to a circus like his family had planned?
"Of course..." Huo Wei sighed in disappointment, "There is another factor at play here..."
"Huh?"
Huo Wei shook his head upon seeing the confused expression of the young boy, "Nevermind. I would like to know how you got to know Lotus and what she has been doing this whole time. As assassins we were told to target her, but we never found her at all."
Startled, Raaji stared at him wide eyes as he realized that he had forgotten that this guy here had been a stone cold killer just hours ago! Now, he was talking as if he was just another guest of the school! Isn't the change a little too sudden?
"W-Well..." Raaji hesitated nervously. Should he tell a stranger details about this girl that snuck into their school as a student?
Out of the blue a bright red apple appeared in his hands prompting the monkey to snatch it once again!
"W-Wes...!" Raaji quietly scolded the monkey and was already trying to grab it back. However, he had already taken a bit out of the apple!
Embarrassed and distraught, Raaji couldn't really argue back since he had pretty much caged the monkey under his bunk bed hiding him away from his roommates. After thinking long and hard, he breathed a heavy sigh and began recounting what he understood so far. Huo Wei was surprised by the contents that flowed from the little kid's mouth.
Not only did the gal managed to trick an ancient artifact with a conscious, but even orchestrated many point of view from her grades to her standing. Not to mention, from seeing her create an array and the gift she brought out with the following words, he knew that this woman was extremely talented. It was one thing to be capable of creating four different imprints on four different people, but she was also well-verse in alchemy, forging, and arrays. Since she mentioned that she could tame beasts then that would definitely make her a beast tamer as well. Seeing how smoothly she runs everything and how she always managed to foil her enemies' plans, it's natural to see that her life was much of that of a Mary Sue.
However, what would that mean in the future. Everything in life is a balance. When there's a good, there's also a bad. To get something good, a price of equal amount must be paid. Thinking of this, he pondered for a while thinking of how the early stages of her life has yet to be revealed.
Huo Wei knew from the many years of his life fighting that there's a balance in karma and the numerous ways those karma's are delivered. If he follows her, he could get treatment, but she could die if her fortune gets too much. However, It would be different if he regains his power and potential that had been suppressed by the poison. He pondered for a while wondering the choice he's made before making up his mind.
After having finished her array, Lotus was able to get it working with ease. She grumbled in dismay, "If I had more time, I can perfect it, but it's unfortunate that this is as far as I can go. I'll still need more practice..."
As expected!
Hei Hui smiled wide when she saw the perfect array. How could she lecture herself in this manner?! This was a perfect image of a teleportation array that she had ever seen! What did she mean that she still needed more practice?
However, she said nothing about it and went onto chat, "Regardless, your knowledge in magic and alchemy is not poor. Why not become a teacher in this school or those professors that are from college to teach for a bit? I recall that those in this profession have access to materials to conduct their own personal research with the school's funding."
Hearing this, Lotus raised a brow. Was her knowledge really that good in this world? However, it was regrettable that aside from alchemy and magic, she had no other expertise in this world. She shook her head sadly, "Although tempting, I'm afraid I have no interest to continue my researches in schools."
"Oh?" Hei Hui looked to her curiously, "Then, what exactly do you plan to do after graduation?"
"I plan to finish some business and return." Lotus responded which surprised her.
"You're going back to that world?" Hei Hui looked to her worriedly.
Lotus nodded her head firmly, "I have much unfinished business that can not be neglected."
Seeing the resolution in her eyes, the snake lady knew that this would be a futile battle with how headstrong she had been around them before. With her bold behaviour, it was obvious that she will do as she plans to and return to that chaotic world just as she said she would. Thinking this, Hei Hui frowned in deep thoughts before taking something out of her spatial ring and handed it to her, "Then, take this."
Lotus saw that it was a silver hairpin intricately decorated with purple jewel petals. The hairpin was laced with a thick layer of spiritual energy which surprised her that there would be something so powerful in the Scarabia dorm! Confused, she looked up to the snake woman who patted her head with a warm smile, "This hairpin is an old heirloom of the Diabolic Cobra clan from our world. It's long lost its meaning since coming into this world with me. Take it with you. It can protect you up to three times from a Martial General cultivator. Once in our world, you can use it to seek out my clan should you need help."
Shocked, Lotus's eyes widen in bewilderment and turned to her in disbelief, "But, the fact that you have your clan's heirloom... Are you sure you want to part with it? Something from your homeland?"
Hei Hui shrugged, "Does my clan exists in this world or have any powers in Twisted Wonderland? Since arriving in this world, this is the first time I've taken it out. It has been gathering dust in my spatial ring for many years. Let it be of use to you instead."
Hearing this, Lotus understood. If it had been in their world, the hairpin would've been of some use, but now that they have been separated by space and time, the hairpin have lost its value upon entering this world where cultivation arts could be nothing more than a myth or fantasy. She nodded her head and smiled wide gratefully, "Then, I will accept this! Thank you, Hei Hui!"
"Master."
Lotus looked up and saw Huo Wei walk over to her and bowed his head respectfully. Lotus raised a brow, "You've decided?"
Without hesitation, Huo Wei nodded his head, "After witnessing your skills for myself, I'm willing to become your loyal servant for the rest of my life."
Surprised, Lotus looked to him curiously, "For life, you say? Don't you want to travel the world or live your own life after I cure you of the poison?"
Huo Wei shook his head, "Even if I leave, I will be hunted down by the sect for the rest of my life. They are thorough with their roles and rules. Defecting from the sect is betraying the sect. They will wipe out those who dares to escape. Moreover, I have no other goals in life after I leave the sect. Since Master has already defeated members of the Twin Needle Sect, I will follow wherever Master goes and follow his orders."
Lotus could already see that he had long since changed his terms when referring to her gender and position wise. It seems that he was already determined to follow her since she already took down members of the Twin Needle Sect. However, it would a problem since it would already be difficult to survive and move around with just the twins by her side. However, having a powerful guard to work alongside Zhang Yong didn't sound all that bad either.
"Very well." She nodded her head, "You may work under me for life if that's what you wish. You don't need to bother me for my opinion for every choice in your life."
Hearing this, the young man was thrilled and knelt onto the hot sands with cupped hands and bowed head. Shocked as she realized what he was about to do, she stepped forward quickly to reach out to him!
"Then, under the Heavens and Earth, I, Huo Wei, swears that I shall remain loyal and serve under you for life! If I go back on my words, I shall be punished by the heavens and damned in hell!
A bright light radiated from Huo Wei's body and blinded them all as he knelt on the ground before them!