OP Sister Chapter 474: Festival

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We walked back to the Heavenly Empress Palace, passing through the village surrounding it—or rather, the sprawling city that enveloped it. As I glanced around, I noticed hundreds of houses and thousands of people living here. Children ran through the streets, busy workers toiled daily, and the fields outside had never looked so lively. Now, there were even machines moving here and there—some people glared at them with wariness or hate, others with curiosity, and many with indifference. 

“I’m impressed there are so many machines here, Mother…” said Song. “Were you the one who allowed them inside?” 

“Yes, I gave a speech this morning and told the people that the machines would help with anything they needed,” Mother said. “But they’re pretty clueless about a lot of things too, so they’re being taught while working.” 

“I see…” Song nodded. “I wonder, though—won’t machines make people grow lazier if they leave every job to them?” 

“Not really. The machines aren’t servants; they’re helping out of goodwill. They aren’t slaves either, so they’ll stop helping when it’s no longer needed. I’ve already told Zero One their assistance must not be so overwhelming that everyone loses the drive to do anything,” Mother explained. “But well, that’s something we’ll have to address as this world progresses further.” 

I suppose there are indeed many problems that might arise. Even if they all get along eventually, the usefulness of machines is undeniable. However, people can also cultivate, channeling energies and powers that machines typically cannot, giving them an edge. This might balance their utility and strength, making it feel more… well, equitable? 

The prospect of a world built by cultivators and machines is… truly fascinating, to say the least. I don’t think I’ve ever read a book where this was a reality—at most, action sci-fi novels with cultivation elements, but those were far too different in the end. 

The city wasn’t just ordinary. Large stalls were being set up, and many houses, the main plaza, and the main street were all being decorated for some kind of festival. 

“What’s going on?” I wondered. “A festival?” 

“Yes, to lift the spirits of the people and honor those who died, I’ve decided to create a holiday of sorts,” Mother explained. “This will be the day the world’s peace is celebrated—the day Bestia’s people and machines stopped fighting one another, the day your father will be buried, and also the day you leave. It’s very significant.” 

“And what’s it going to be called?” I asked. 

“The Day of Hope,” she smiled. “It will be celebrated every year, bringing people together to toast for those who have left us and to look forward to a new future. I’m willing to invest in this day annually, providing food, drinks, and more for all people.” 

“Once things stabilize, I guess we’ll eventually return to the Nine Heavens?” Song wondered. 

“Yes… I don’t plan to remain down here forever,” said the Heavenly Empress. “My presence could make people, especially mortals, grow too complacent. Once the world stabilizes, once the machines’ project to restore the sunken continent is complete, and once the people migrate to the new continent and begin repopulating the planet… once I see a few new nations rise, I’ll leave. Song, you might come with me.” 

“Well… I’d really like to stay with everyone…” Song sighed. 

“I know, dear,” Mother nodded. “Don’t worry. By that time, thousands of years might have passed. You’ll have plenty of time to be with everyone and see many generations come and go. Eventually, you’ll realize how fleeting mortal lives are and may decide to join your peers, the immortals.” 

“…” Song seemed conflicted by Mother’s words. She didn’t phrase it perfectly, but I understood what she was trying to say. 

“Okay…” 

“Um, anyway! Let’s go see Wai Tian and Yin Sheng!” I said, grabbing my brother’s hand and running toward the palace. 

“A-Ah, yeah!” He nodded with a cute smile. 

We ran inside the palace, where we saw many immortals eating breakfast in the living room. Several servants moved here and there, serving all kinds of dishes—no machines in sight, though. 

“It looks like we’ve arrived at quite the time. Having a good meal, everyone?” the Heavenly Empress laughed lightly. 

“H-Heavenly Empress?!”

“Lady Venerable!”

“Ahh!” 

They panicked, quickly dropping to the ground and lowering their heads. 

“W-We are deeply sorry for our insolence, but we were really hungry…!”

“Please forgive us!”

“Your servants offered us food, and we couldn’t refuse…” 

“It’s alright! Why are you kneeling like that? Stand up and continue eating,” Mother sighed. “Ah, there you are! You two, how are you doing?” 

As I glanced at the table, I saw two people who hadn’t knelt on the floor—the Heavenly Empress’s pupils, similar to me in their connection to her, I suppose. 

“Hello, Master! Ah! Anna! Good morning.”

“Good morning, Young Master.” 

Wai Tian and Yin Sheng. 

They looked healthy and fine, which relieved me somehow.

The battle we went through yesterday… it took Father’s life, but it could have taken much more.

I was just happy they survived…

And, well, they’d changed a bit, actually. They were larger. Wai Tian also had a fluffy mane of white and black fur around her neck and looked more experienced. Yin Sheng now had three tails instead of one. 

I think the power of their Skills, especially the transformations they could undergo, had changed them permanently after they fought so much and evolved their powers through both cultivation and combat.

Part of those transformations had permanently altered their appearances. Perhaps they’d eventually fully assimilate those powerful forms as their base forms—their true appearances—permanently integrating that power into their bodies.

And then, when they use the skill again, they might even surpass that… I’m really sad I won’t be able to see the full extent of their growth, dammit! 

“Hug!” 

I ran toward them and hugged both, their fluffy and large forms irresistible as I rubbed my face against their fur. 

“A-Anna?!” Wai Tian blushed, surprised. Her stoic personality and expression instantly shifted—that was always her cutest side. 

“Y-Young Master…” Yin Sheng was equally surprised. 

“I’ll… be leaving in about twenty hours,” I muttered, finally letting go but holding their hands. “I’m sorry… I wish I could stay longer with you two…! But I wanted to tell you that you’re the best friends I could have ever asked for in this world!” 

“…A-Anna, you’re… leaving? Wait, best friend? Really? A-Ahahah… I’m so flattered…! Wait, but why are you leaving so soon?!” Wai Tian’s expressions shifted rapidly from flattered to sad. 

“I am truly honored you see me as a friend, Young Master Anna…” Yin Sheng smiled. “I also see you not just as a friend but as my dear master, the one who helped me see the light and walk away from the shadows of my own fears and insecurities.” 

“Y-yeah! Same! I just couldn’t put that into words as easily as him…” Wai Tian nodded nervously. “But why are you leaving?!” 

“It’s… complicated,” I said, sitting between them and placing my arms around their fluffy shoulders. “But let me explain…” 

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