A Promise, a Reunion, and Echoes of the Old World

In Little Nightingale’s blue eyes, Ming Yu saw a brilliant light for the first time. Their gazes met.

After a long moment, she slowly raised her hand, waving it gently before Little Nightingale. A faint sense of anticipation stirred within her.

If, as the promotional posters claimed, the blind could truly regain their sight in virtual reality…

Ming Yu found herself holding her breath instinctively.

As if sensing her hope, Little Nightingale revealed her most genuine, tender smile without reservation. She slowly raised a hand, intertwining her fingers with Ming Yu’s outstretched one and holding it tightly.

Little Nightingale tilted her head up, her eyes crinkling at the corners. Moonlight seemed to flow within their depths.

“I can see, Sister Ming Yu.”

****

Ming Yu was overjoyed.

Even though it was only virtual reality, she was still immensely pleased. She felt a profound happiness for Little Nightingale.

Suppressing the surge of emotion, she embraced Little Nightingale. An incomparable determination flickered in her deep red eyes.

“Little Nightingale, trust me…”

“I will find a way to make your eyes normal again…”

“This is my promise…”

Ming Yu clasped Little Nightingale’s small hand, placing it against her own chest, over her heart. Her expression was gentle, her gaze resolute.

“Mm-hm.”

Little Nightingale was already somewhat dazed by Ming Yu’s scent. Her eyes unfocused, she paid no mind to what was being said, simply nodding repeatedly in response.

Seeing Little Nightingale’s obedient demeanor, Ming Yu’s heart swelled with even greater tenderness.

Some matters, she realized, needed to be prioritized.

She wasn’t certain how much longer her own body could endure. Yet, every day she delayed meant one less day of light in Little Nightingale’s youth.

This was something Ming Yu could not accept.

Her fingers gently traced Little Nightingale’s brow, her thumb stroking back and forth. A strange, inexplicable reverence filled her as she carefully observed those blue eyes.

They were truly beautiful.

Like a butterfly reborn from its chrysalis, they now radiated a dazzling, resplendent glow.

“Little Nightingale, has anyone ever told you something like this before…”

“Mm-hm…” Little Nightingale mumbled, still hazy.

“Your eyes are very beautiful.”

“Mm-hm…”

“One day, your eyes will surely witness all the splendor of the world.”

Ming Yu’s hand slid from Little Nightingale’s brow and eyes, cupping half of her cheek. She gazed intently at her own hazy reflection in those blue pupils.

Her own indistinct form was mirrored within.

****

Above the gray mist, the commotion caused by the Locust Lord gradually subsided. The surrounding locusts had long since been annihilated, clearing a wide, empty expanse.

Its dying struggle was finally drawing to a close.

The Locust Lord, a high-tier insectoid with Level Nine psionic intensity, slowly dissipated into a wisp of green smoke.

Concurrently, a cold snort echoed, instantly eradicating all the lower-tier insectoids present, crushing them into mist.

Despite having recovered enough psionic energy to maintain her full size, Vera still retained her miniature form. She landed steadily on Ming Yu’s head from mid-air.

“Scum, scum! We need to leave quickly before the Overlord sends more troops. Where are you planning to go? I’ll come with you.”

Her voice suddenly chimed in, abruptly halting Ming Yu’s train of thought.

Although this was the periphery of the Swarm Will’s domain, allowing for an easy escape, she currently had nowhere to settle.

Only then did Ming Yu realize that Vera’s matter had concluded.

“Me? I… I want to find some beautiful scenic places to enjoy the views.”

“Vera, do you know anywhere we can see the starry sky?”

Ming Yu glanced at the golden-haired girl in her arms. This virtual reality journey had just begun, and she wanted to show Little Nightingale magnificent sights they wouldn’t normally encounter.

Much like the lake in the dense forest, where one could overlook the stars exploding, giving an immersive sense of wonder.

“The starry sky? What’s so special about the starry sky?” Vera questioned, puzzled.

In her perception, the starry sky was both a hunting ground and a habitat. All her life activities were inextricably linked to the sea of stars; she couldn’t be more familiar with it.

“Just take us to see it.”

“There’s no helping you, scum is scum… Fine, I’ll take you.”

“Thank you.” Ming Yu offered a small smile, expressing her gratitude inwardly.

“By the way, this human you’re holding…”

Vera’s tone was somewhat peculiar. Without any pretense, she asked directly,

“Is she your friend?”

Hearing this, Ming Yu shook her head.

“She’s my… family.”

****

When Augu and his companions arrived, Ming Yu was still cradling Little Nightingale, stroking her head, with a miniature insectoid perched atop her own.

Confirming Little Nightingale was unharmed, Augu breathed a sigh of relief. His gaze swept over Ming Yu’s face, then suddenly fixed on Vera, who was on her head.

‘Hmm?’

‘This is…’

Due to human genetic modification, Vera’s form was entirely different from her past self. Augu and his companions couldn’t possibly recognize her as an insect queen. However, they all simultaneously sensed terrifying psionic fluctuations emanating from the tiny insectoid.

‘A Psionic Domain Grandmaster!’

Augu swallowed hard, his gaze returning to the silver-haired woman’s face. He scrutinized her intently.

Being stared at so intently, Ming Yu could hardly fail to notice. She instinctively furrowed her brow, returning a direct, cold glare.

Their gazes met. Upon encountering those chilling, crimson eyes, Augu’s pupils constricted. A strange sense of foreboding inexplicably rose within him.

Receiving Ming Yu’s cold glare, he reacted immediately.

“Hello, I am Augu, a psionicist from the Azure Sea United Nations.”

“If my actions have caused offense, then I sincerely apologize.”

Despite the woman’s youthful and beautiful appearance, Augu dared not presume seniority. He treated her entirely as a psionicist of equal standing, his words steady and filled with profound respect.

Undoubtedly, this was the deference shown to a powerful individual.

To face the Locust Lord alone and emerge victorious… her very existence was a manifestation of a miracle.

Since the newcomer showed such respect, Ming Yu found it difficult to be aggressive. She withdrew the chill from her eyes, giving a slight nod, her expression calm.

“Hello, I am Ming Yu.”

“Ming Yu… Miss Ming, if I may be so bold, are you a citizen of the United Nations, or are you…”

“The United Nations? The Azure Sea United Nations?” Ming Yu asked, a hint of surprise in her voice.

“Yes.”

“Hasn’t the Azure Sea United Nations ceased to exist?”

“Ah, well, in that case, you are not a citizen of the United Nations… Alas, that is truly regrettable.”

Augu let out a long sigh, a bitter smile gracing his lips.

It was, in a way, expected.

If she wasn’t a citizen of the Azure Sea United Nations, then she must surely be from the Human Federation. Had the United Nations truly possessed such a monstrously talented psionicist, she would have emerged long ago, rather than only being encountered by chance in the Void Realm.

Ming Yu’s interest was suddenly piqued.

‘The Azure Sea United Nations…’

‘Wasn’t that the former world government that ascended to the Sky City?’

‘Could the AI of this virtual reality world provide me with information about Sky City?’

“You are people from the Azure Sea United Nations?”

“Yes, that’s right. We are from the United Nations capital.”

“Then, do you know about the Old World?” Ming Yu probed.

Hearing this, Augu’s brows furrowed.

“The Old World?”

“Wait, are you… from the Old World?!?”