Evening—
The evening in Kankal City was peaceful, but the markets were filled with colors and life. The light of lamps on the streets shone like the sunlight of day, and the movement of common people and merchants could be seen far and wide.
Inside a large hall of the city— Snehwal, Lily, Master Jins, and Luna were seated on chairs around a round table.
At the center of the table— the squirrel was standing on her tiny chair, hopping up and down.
"All of you, pay attention to my words॥" she said in an authoritative tone.
Hearing this, everyone's expressions became serious and calm.
Then the squirrel leaned toward Snehwal and said—
"Child, you will have to spend some time cultivating with me."
Snehwal had already anticipated this matter. Without showing any particular emotion, he simply nodded in agreement.
But then— Lily asked curiously— "Senior, what should we do next?"
The squirrel flicked her tiny tail and replied—
"All of you should focus on your cultivation. For now, we must maintain patience and calm regarding this entire matter."
Then her gaze settled upon Lily.
"And yes— you should soon enter the Seventh Stage. That time is no longer far away."
Hearing this, a faint glimmer appeared in Lily's eyes. She looked toward Snehwal with a calm gaze, and a gentle smile appeared upon her lips.
The squirrel looked at everyone once before speaking in a serious tone—
"The challenge that lies ahead is extremely difficult..."
For a few moments, silence filled the hall.
Then she continued— "But it is not impossible."
Along with her words, a strange sense of determination spread through the atmosphere, as though the first preparations for the coming conflict were beginning right there.
Then suddenly—
A slight withering appeared on the squirrel's face. Her tiny eyes seemed to lose themselves somewhere far away. For a few moments, she remained silent before speaking in a soft voice—
"I do not have much time left... my end is near."
Her words made the silence within the hall feel even heavier.
Hearing this, Master Jins' heart trembled. His own age had also reached the point where a cultivator could only leave behind his entire life as a story. The squirrel's words reminded him of his own future.
Lily also shuddered.
A mysterious fear surged within her. Unknowingly, her palms became damp, and fine beads of sweat appeared upon her forehead.
It was not the sorrow of the squirrel's departure that frightened her the most, but rather the future that would come afterward.
Humbha... King Omas...
Neither of them would ever let them go.
The squirrel's sharp gaze immediately settled upon Lily's face. She had already read the fear rising within her heart.
Then she spoke in a calm yet firm voice—
"You should not be afraid."
"Rather, this is the very moment when you must complete your task."
Lily slowly lowered her head. She understood the meaning behind those words.
The squirrel continued—
"Before the competition arrives, within the Land of Consciousness, you must first remove certain Yakshinis from your path. Only then can the road ahead become easier for you."
"Besides, Omas is ill. He will either arrange all of this very soon, or directly hand the throne over to Humbha's host. If that happens, then in order to fight the rebellion and the battle for your rightful claim, you must first understand your cards well and keep them hidden."
After her words, deep silence once again filled the hall. No one spoke.
A few moments later, Snehwal rose from his chair.
"Alright, Senior... we understand what you mean."
Hearing this, the squirrel shook her head.
"No."
"You still do not understand."
There was a strange seriousness in her voice.
Then, looking directly at Snehwal, she said—
"You will come with me."
Without asking any questions, Snehwal nodded in agreement.
He walked toward the door and began leaving together with the squirrel.
But before stepping outside— He turned back one last time. At that very moment, Lily was also looking at him. Their gazes collided.
In that moment, there were no words and no promises. Only a silent and restrained emotion remained between them. As though the sky and the ocean were parting from one another...
As though both of them knew that the road ahead would not be easy.
And perhaps— This farewell was not merely for a few hours, but a sign of some great change woven by fate itself.
Far away, Liora was sitting upon a stone platform, gazing at the marketplace—or perhaps searching for Snehwal among every person who came and went.
Her heart was restless.
For this very reason, she was not with everyone else that evening.