Under the scorching midday sun, Hiroshi led Klee and Hinata Gokou towards Starfall Lake.
Meanwhile, Megumin, Ruri Gokou, and Fischl had teamed up to accept a quest at the Adventurers' Guild in Mondstadt.
In Ruri Gokou's world, it happened to be the weekend. She told her parents she wanted to take Hinata Gokou on a two-day trip. Initially, her parents disagreed, but after Ruri demonstrated her barehanded brick-breaking skills, her father skeptically tried it himself. Clutching his reddened hand, he agreed to the trip. After all, no petty thug would want to mess with a girl who can break several stacked bricks with her bare hands.
Previously, when everyone was still weak and unfamiliar with each other, they didn't dare to venture into unknown worlds easily. Issues like safety and basic necessities couldn't be well resolved. But now, after two group missions, everyone had gradually grown—both in strength and relationships. They could safely host group members who came to visit.
Watching the two little girls ahead, holding hands and chatting happily, Hiroshi leisurely followed behind. Along the way, passersby in Mondstadt would nod slightly in greeting to Hiroshi and then smile at the cheerful Klee ahead.
For Klee, who had never had playmates her age, Hinata Gokou was her first good friend of the same age. They shared everything, even sleeping in the same bed last night and chatting for a long time. So Klee was very happy, leading Hinata along the roadside flowers, chasing butterflies towards Starfall Lake. Today, Klee wanted to introduce her favorite activity to her good friend.
Behind them, Hiroshi opened the chat group.
Earlier that morning, Luo Xiaohei had livestreamed his defeat of Feng Xi and his group, then handed them over in their sealed state to the Guild. Because Luo Xiaohei had timely stopped Feng Xi's group's evil deeds, Longyou City hadn't suffered any significant damage. There was just some chaos due to the sudden emergency evacuation notice, which the city government brushed off as an emergency evacuation drill.
At Luo Xiaohei's earnest request and with Wuxian's influence, considering Feng Xi's group's good attitude in admitting their mistakes, the Guild merely detained them in an isolated place.
As they were being escorted to the isolated island, Feng Xi smiled and said to Luo Xiaohei, "Xiaohei, you're the most talented spirit I've ever seen. Maybe one day you'll truly find a way for humans and spirits to coexist peacefully. I'll strive to wait for that day."
Perhaps because he had never had a chance at success before, or maybe because of Xiaohei's immensely powerful talent developed in such a short time, Feng Xi didn't choose to commit suicide as in the destiny scenario. Instead, he accepted the Guild's supervision, going to an isolated place to spend the rest of his life, waiting for the day Luo Xiaohei described.
Luo Zhu, Xu Huai, and Tian Hu, originally only accomplices, and with Feng Xi taking all the blame, only needed to serve decades of sentence and would be free once confirmed they no longer posed a threat to social stability. However, the three chose to go with Feng Xi to the isolated island.
At that moment, Luo Zhu smiled and said to Luo Xiaohei, "Xiaohei, you have your own home now. Remember to protect what's important to you."
Then, turning to the apologetic Feng Xi, Luo Zhu hugged him tightly, his face showing a bright smile, "You're an important family member to us. Family should be together. Besides, isn't an isolated island a good place to live? With everyone around, any place can be home."
Feng Xi looked back at his brothers, seeing the determination in their eyes. He smiled relievedly and said, "Alright, brothers, we'll always be together."
Turning around, Feng Xi headed towards the Guild headquarters' dock, where the Guild enforcers escorting them were waiting.
Luo Xiaohei stood in place, watching Feng Xi and his group walk away. As Tian Hu and Xu Huai passed by Luo Xiaohei, they whispered apologies in his ear, then chased after Feng Xi.
Wuxian stood beside Luo Xiaohei, patting his head, and said, "Xiaohei, are you satisfied with this outcome?"
Shaking his head in confusion, Luo Xiaohei said from his heart, "I don't know if this is right or wrong, but since Feng Xi and the others did bad things, they should be punished. Yet, they were just trying to reclaim their homeland. But their plan would have hurt many innocent people."
Placing a hand on his chest, Luo Xiaohei closed his eyes. Reflecting on the outcome in the destiny scenario and the real events now, he made a choice in his heart.
"Master, I still think the current result is better." Opening his eyes and looking at Wuxian, Luo Xiaohei seemed to have figured it out and smiled, "Longyou City wasn't harmed, and Feng Xi and the others are alive."
"As long as they're alive, there's hope. As long as we don't go to extremes like Feng Xi did, there are more solutions than difficulties. If the solutions aren't enough, it only means our strength and wisdom aren't sufficient." After saying a bunch of things with a smile, seeing Wuxian's surprised look, Luo Xiaohei scratched his head and said, "These are the words Brother Hiroshi told me in a private chat last night. I didn't understand before, but now I seem to get it a bit."
A message came in the chat group. Luo Xiaohei opened it; it was Hiroshi @ing him.
Hiroshi: @Luo Xiaohei, Xiaohei, how did things go?
Luo Xiaohei: Brother Hiroshi, it's mostly settled.
Luo Xiaohei: Feng Xi and his group have been isolated on an uninhabited island to live, and the two spirits who assisted them will serve a few years for reform. Once confirmed they don't pose a threat to society, they'll be free.
Hiroshi: Are you okay with this outcome, Xiaohei?
Luo Xiaohei: Yes, Brother Hiroshi, I understand what you said now. With so much future ahead, Master and I will work hard, and one day we'll achieve our wish.
Wuxian: Hiroshi, thank you for enlightening Xiaohei.
Hiroshi: Hehe, no need to thank me. Since Xiaohei calls me brother, how can I not look after my little brother?
Hiroshi: Xiaohei, remember one thing: the only constant in this world is change!
Hiroshi: The world changes every minute and second. We just need to strive to become stronger, steering the future towards the direction we hope for. There's nothing eternal and unchanging.
Hiroshi: With the power you and Wuxian have, in this chat group that connects infinite worlds and possibilities, you'll definitely get what you want. And if worst comes to worst, we can all help together.
Kazuma Satou: Remember to call me when the time comes, Xiaohei.
Kazuma Satou: But why is it that even though I'm already [Legendary], Xiaohei is still much stronger than me? I feel like he could easily pin me down.
Luo Xiaohei: Kazuma-oniisan, it's not like you said; I'm not that strong.
Hiroshi: Xiaohei, you don't have to be modest. Let him face reality, so he won't keep boasting every day.
Hiroshi: Don't you have any self-awareness? Can your talent compare to Xiaohei's?
Hiroshi: Xiaohei's talent is the strongest in our group now. Even Klee doesn't match his talent.
Hiroshi: Although before Epic level, Xiaohei's physical potential is slightly lower than Klee's, he naturally has Domain and Initial Space. Now that I've broken through to Legendary level, I'm beginning to understand some things.
Hiroshi: Think about it carefully—it's ridiculous. To reach Legendary level, you have to elevate your basic abilities to Legendary level, but Xiaohei naturally has two Legendary abilities.
Hiroshi: And to break through to [Immortal Level] or [God Level], the key is the world. Either comprehend the world's rules to become a ruler and break through, becoming the world's administrator, or nurture a new small world yourself to break through.
Hiroshi: And the prototype of a world, besides special treasures, can only be achieved by elevating one's Domain. But most elevations can only produce a half-baked Divine Kingdom. But Xiaohei is ridiculous; his Domain and Teleportation directly reach Legendary. What's more absurd is that in Xiaohei's world, everyone has a seed of a small world.
Kazuma Satou: ???
Kazuma Satou: What terrifying things are you talking about? Everyone has one?
Hiroshi: Didn't you watch Xiaohei's destiny scenario?
Kazuma Satou: I only watched the movie version. I didn't like it when Xiaohei's hair turned white later, so I didn't watch.
Hiroshi: ??? So you only follow the show if you like the setting? Not watching if you don't like it?
Hiroshi: Fair enough.
Kazuma Satou: If you put it that way, then why, as fellow ordinary people, are you stronger than me even at [Legendary] level?
Hiroshi: True Dragon Bloodline lv5 (30 Constitution points awaken divine abilities; under Constitution sublimation, awaken ancient bloodline. Gain True Dragon Bloodline bonus)
Hiroshi: Look at this.
Kazuma Satou: Emmmm
Hiroshi: Constitution: World Affinity Physique lv4 (Favored by the world, body potential increases. Each level-up increases each attribute by 5 points, free attribute points increase by 5. Divine ability awakening rate 100%)
Hiroshi: Look at this again. Do you think your Luck Physique is a combat-type physique?
Kazuma Satou: Uh...
Kazuma Satou: Fine, fine. But is Xiaohei's world really that ridiculous?
Hiroshi: Anyway, you just need to know that in Xiaohei's world, everyone has a spiritual space. As long as they walk the path to immortality and follow the steps to transform their spiritual space, they can become gods or immortals.
Hiroshi: I even suspect that Xiaohei's world is some giant world's talent cultivation base.
Luo Xiaohei: Brother Hiroshi, is it as amazing as you say?
Hiroshi: Anyway, Xiaohei, be cautious. Remember to check the past history at the Guild if you get a chance.
Wuxian: I checked before. Historical records have been cut off since five thousand years ago.
Hiroshi: Uh...
Kazuma Satou: @Hiroshi, I'm back. Where is everyone?
Hiroshi: I'm with Klee and Hinata. Ruri, Megumin, and Fischl have gone on a quest.
Hiroshi: Do you want to come to Starfall Lake to catch fish? We're on our way there.
Kazuma Satou: Sure, I'll be right there.
Hiroshi: @Luo Xiaohei, Wuxian, are you done with your matters? Want to come over for a few days?
Hiroshi: I plan to strengthen myself in the next few days, and help Hinata and the others get familiar with combat. There are plenty of monsters outside Mondstadt that need clearing.
Wuxian: Yes, we'll come over after we're done here. Just right to take Xiaohei around.
Hiroshi: When approximately? I'll prepare.
Wuxian: We'll set off tomorrow morning. Just let us know.
Hiroshi: Alright.
Kazuma Satou: I'm almost there; I can see you guys.
Hiroshi: Oh, sensed you. Alright, logging off now. Talk tomorrow.
Luo Xiaohei: Okay, Brother Hiroshi, goodbye.
Wuxian: Mm.
Closing the chat group, Wuxian took Luo Xiaohei to register at the main Guild.
Meanwhile, Kazuma Satou met up with Hiroshi. He took out several newly bought fishing rods, eager to try them out.
Seeing Kazuma Satou full of anticipation to catch big fish, Hiroshi silently made the sign of the cross for him.