Although Ahri has arrived in a new and unfamiliar environment, the magic lurking around her is whispering, making her feel at ease. Ω She walked past a stall with dozens of baskets filled with all sorts of small items. There are smooth and round pebbles, seashells engraved with nautical legends, dice carved from oracle bones, and other novelties. But none of them resemble the style of the token in Ahri's hand.

"Do you want a gem like a clear sky?" The gray-bearded merchant asked. "If you want, a little blue bead will only cost the price of a crow feather, or a jubi seed. I don't pick. ”

Ahri smiled at him, shook his head, and walked on, clutching the pair of Sun Stones in his hands. She passed a variety of stalls and vendors, one bed filled with thorny orange vegetables, a child selling a fruit that changes color according to the weather, and at least three vendors shaking incense tin cans, each claiming to have found the most esoteric method of meditation.

"Divination! Fortune Divination! "A young woman is hawking, her eyes are the color of lavender and her chin is round." Find your true lover and use burdock root to dispel calamity. Or if you want to leave the future to heaven to decide, I can also answer your questions about the past. However, I would advise you to divinate yourself if you are in danger of being poisoned. ”

In front of the stall stood a tall cat-eared Vastaya, about to put a piece of spicy shortbread in his mouth. Hearing this, he was stunned for a moment, and stared at the soothsayer warily.

"The answer is no, you're free this time," she said as she greeted him, then turned to face Ahri. "Oh, looking at your face, there must be a dark and mysterious past. Or at least some wonderful saga too. Is there any pressing question for me, miss? ”

Through the heavy scent of smoke, Ahri smelled a smell of wet fluff and strong leather from the woman's neck, and she stopped talking.

"Thanks, no need," she replied. "I'll go shopping again."

"I'm afraid I won't find a second pair of Imero stones in this market," the woman said, nodding her head at the Sunstone in Ahri's hand. "The only pair is in your hands."

The back of Ahri's neck shuddered, and he couldn't help but take a few steps closer. She was secretly vigilant in her heart that she could not be carried away by the excitement. "You know this thing? Where do they come from? ”

The woman glanced at Ahri.

"I think it's the Emero Stone," she said. "I've never seen it with my own eyes. The amount he did in his life was minimal, and most of them were broken up during the war. A peerless rarity, no doubt about it. ”

Every word she said brought Ahri one step closer.

"I'm Xi Yan, I'm glad to meet." The woman said.

"Do you know where to find this craftsman?" Ahri asked.

Xiyan laughed. "I don't know. But if you're willing to come in and talk about it, I'd like to know everything. ”

Wrapping her cloak around her shoulders, Ahri excitedly followed the soothsayer around the stall and into a caravan with four walls decorated with animal skins.

"Tea?" Hi Yan said. "It was just made this morning."

She poured two cups of tea, the color of plum wine, and began to sip one herself. Her tea has a bitter oak bark flavor and is wrapped in a heavy honey flavor. Xiyan stretched out a hand to take the Sunstone, but Ahri still held on tightly.

"It seems that they have a special meaning for you," she said with a pouting smile. "Don't worry, I don't want to sell stolen Sunstones. It's detrimental to the reputation of the girl's family."

"Can you tell me where they come from?" Ahri asked, carefully handing over the stone.

Hi held the stone up to the light and looked at it.

"It's beautiful." She said. "I didn't expect them to fit together so perfectly. It's like no other. ”

Ahri didn't say a word. Curious, she stopped where she was, staring intently at the woman.

"Legend has it that there was a sculptor named Imero who specialized in collecting fossilized lizard eggs that had been in the dust for thousands of years and carving them into intricate shapes. In those ancient times when lizards lived, the Sea of the Ghetto had not yet turned into a desert. Today, the lizards are all fossilized and dusty. ”

Hi Yan coughed, and Ahri noticed that her breath was mixed with a sour tone, as if she had just drunk strong vinegar.

"Imero stones are small parts that can be embedded in larger statues," she continued.

The woman placed two golden stones in front of Ahri and shook them.

"Just as your past has left you with mysterious clues, these two stones may also have other parts that can be combined to form another shape. No one knows what will turn out of your search for your roots. If you can find the rest of the parts, you might have a surprise. ”

"It's all pretty words." Ahri whispered, eyes still fixed on the woman.

After a moment of silence, Xiyan chuckled. "A hint of authenticity, a hint of self-creation. The solution woven by the diviner must be seamless. ”

The woman pulled out a hunting knife from the cupboard.

"And I've woven just enough answers to keep you interested and stay here," she said. "Wait for the medicinal effects of the tea to numb your muscles."

Ahri let out a low growl between her lips. She was going to tear this woman to shreds. She tried to pounce, but her limbs wouldn't listen. She was imprisoned in place.

"Oh, it doesn't have to be that way, miss. I just want a tail. Many potion recipes are available and invaluable. I guess so. I've never seen Vastaya with a fox's tail. That cup of tea will relieve the pain and also stop your ...... Action. ”

Hi Yan wraps a bandage around one of Ahri's tails. Ahri tried to resist, but she couldn't move.

"You're going to wake up tomorrow and feel like nothing happened." The woman said. "Well, you'll have one less tail. But do you really need to use all nine? ”

Ahri closed her eyes and began to touch the magical energy field around her body. There was a lot of mature magic that could be harnessed in the environment, but she couldn't absorb it due to the effects of that cup of tea. So she turned to Xi Yan's mind, because it was easier to cast here, and then she took advantage of the situation.

Ahri opened his eyes and met the four eyes of Xiyan. Hija's lavender-colored eyes were now dim violet.

"Hey," she said. "Come closer. I want to see what the person who teased me looks like. ”

"Yes, Miss," replied Siyan stupidly. Her voice was empty and weak, as if it came from a deep well.

(End of chapter)