Chapter Four: A Strange Reaction

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Inside the passenger cabin of the Yuanyi vessel.

After getting dressed, Tianming joined them in a room that resembled a rudimentary conference hall in the modern world.

“Please, young man, have a seat!”

As everyone entered the cabin, Hao, taking the lead, gestured for Tianming to sit in the seat of honor.

“Thank you. My name is Tianming.” Sensing the curious gazes upon him, Tianming showed no sign of panic, simply nodding before taking his seat.

“What?!”

Le Shi and the others, who had just sat down, sprang to their feet. Even Hao, who had maintained an unruffled demeanor throughout the journey, now showed a hint of surprise on his usually composed face.

The room's emptiness amplified their voices, nearly startling Tianming out of his seat. He froze, not daring to move.

The atmosphere grew unbearably tense.

The hall fell silent, as though deserted.

“Um… Did I say something wrong?” Only after a few moments of confusion did Tianming finally react, his words faltering with uncertainty.

...

Seeing no one respond, only staring intently at him, Tianming, who had been calm a moment ago, instantly broke out in a cold sweat.

Right now, Tianming wished he could just sink into the floor.

“Young man, what did you say your name was?” Le Shi glanced around meaningfully.

Tianming...

Good grief, the people on this planet are impossible to understand. Right now, Tianming just wanted to go home.

It was just a name; was such a reaction really necessary? Did they have to act so jittery about it?

Dora: “Don’t worry, the Cambrian is sealed off; you can’t go back.”

Tianming: “Go play somewhere else.”

...

“All right, let’s not make our guest feel awkward. In truth, there’s nothing much to it. Oh, we haven’t introduced ourselves yet. I’m Xin Yixue.” The woman dressed in snow-white attire, her unique gray-blue eyes sparkling, rose gracefully and covered her lips with a slender hand, her laughter gentle and warm.

The tension in the air vanished instantly.

“Hello, Sister Xue.” Smiling, Tianming rose and returned her courtesy.

So it was her—the woman who had let him on the ship and asked Yisha to give him clothes. She seemed to hold some authority, but she was kind, or at least to Tianming. Anyone who treated him well couldn’t be a bad person.

Xin Yixue smiled and nodded, then turned to the man sitting opposite Tianming, his expression unchanged but his gaze softer. “This is Tianhao, the most skilled among the five of us in martial arts. If you have any questions, you can ask him.”

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“Tianming, nice to meet you. You can call me Hao,” Tianhao replied, barely glancing at Tianming.

“Ah, so you’re Brother Hao. My apologies for not recognizing you sooner!” Tianming said, nodding with a smile and cupping his hands in greeting.

“Hee-hee… Brother Tianming, I’m Hao’s younger sister, Tianyue. You can call me ‘Yue’er’ like everyone else.” The girl’s clear, melodious voice rang out, her face full of innocence and gentle grace.

“Ahem, I see… Yue’er, you can just call me by my name.”

Tianming seemed to sense something but kept it to himself; some things were best left unsaid. He didn’t want to seem as though he was deliberately trying to get close to them, so he simply responded politely and bowed slightly.

“I’m Yisha, and this brawny fellow here is Leshi.” Unable to contain himself, Yisha quickly introduced the burly middle-aged man beside him.

“Do you need to introduce me? And who are you calling brawny?” Leshi grumbled but didn’t pursue the matter, instead leaning in to whisper in Tianming’s ear:

“Don’t listen to this kid’s nonsense. You don’t need to return those clothes; if he comes looking for you, just tell him I said so.”

Yisha shot Leshi a fierce glare.

“Fatty, are you bad-mouthing me? Hmph, don’t mind him, Tianming. This guy’s full of mischief,” Yisha said, raising his eyebrows.

“Thank you, but I don’t think I can accept. I already feel indebted for your care; how could I take advantage of your kindness?” Tianming considered their friendly smiles, especially Yue’er’s innocent one, and after a moment, whispered to Leshi.

Although Tianming spoke quietly, everyone else in the room was a martial expert or even stronger, so his words didn’t escape their notice. Still, their expressions remained unchanged; perhaps, out of caution, they hadn’t revealed their true abilities during introductions. Tianming, inexperienced as he was, didn’t realize and continued to whisper.

Someone cleared their throat, breaking the slight awkwardness.

Everyone chuckled, exchanging knowing looks with Tianming.

Tianhao nodded approvingly at Tianming, then turned his sharp gaze on Yisha, whose forced smile quickly faded.

Tianming, oblivious to the real reason behind their amusement, assumed it was simply a sign of their hospitality and responded with a friendly smile.

But as soon as he smiled, everyone except Tianhao burst out laughing.

Tianming…

Tianhao…

“Yue’er, what’s with them?” Tianming asked, utterly bewildered.

“Hee-hee…” Supporting her chin with a delicate hand, Tianyue smiled brightly, her eyes sparkling as she studied Tianming. She couldn’t help but recall the first time they met…

“By the way, Tianming, how did you end up there like that…?” Yue’er asked shyly, still unable to forget the scene.

“Well…” Tianming was suddenly at a loss; it was Yue’er asking, after all.

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Indeed, he couldn’t possibly tell them he wasn’t from this planet, but an alien from another universe. Even if he tried, they’d never believe him.

“Yes, yes, Tianming, tell us!” Yisha added, clapping his hands.

Aside from Tianming, who was too embarrassed to answer, everyone else was just as curious about the story behind his presence there.

“All right, there’s not much to it. I just longed for a world without conflict or restraints, so I ended up in that deserted place and made a life for myself.” Sighing, Tianming scratched his head, his tone tinged with melancholy as he spoke simply.

Though he had made up this explanation on the spot, wasn’t it, after all, a dream he truly harbored? To live each day at ease, basking in the beauty of nature—what could be more wonderful?

Tianyue and the others nodded; perhaps this was not just one person’s dream.

“But with your limited strength, how did you survive? Weren’t you ever afraid you might one day vanish from this world?” Xin Yixue asked, her concern evident.

Her elegant brows furrowed slightly, a faint worry shadowing her refined features, making her already striking beauty all the more moving.

Her enchanting gaze stirred up old memories for Tianming…

But he quickly composed himself. Perhaps, he thought, it wasn’t so bad to drift along with fate.

“Sister Xue, do you think I’m afraid? I want to say I’m not!”

“To this world, I am but a drop in the ocean, insignificant and at the mercy of fate. If I die, perhaps it’s a kind of release; if I live, it means my time here is not yet over. Meeting you all today, for example, must be fate. That’s why I never tried to avoid you.” His eyes grew distant as he propped his chin on his hand and spoke with feeling.

“Well said! I’m amazed someone so young could have such insight and wisdom. Remarkable.” Xin Yixue nodded in admiration, her gentle smile blooming.

“Thank you for your appreciation, Sister Xue.” Tianming’s sorrow faded as he smiled and bowed respectfully.

“Yisha, take him to the guest room.” Nodding, Xin Yixue produced a small ring of keys from thin air and tossed them to Yisha.

“Yes, Sister Xue.” Yisha nodded.

“Tianming, let’s go.” Taking the keys, Yisha rose and patted Tianming’s shoulder, speaking warmly.

Feeling the bond between himself and these people grow deeper, Tianming clenched his fists, vowing to work hard to improve his skills.

“Thank you, Brother Hao, Yue’er, Sister Xue, and the rest of you for your hospitality. I will repay your kindness one day,” Tianming said, rising and bowing to each of them in turn.

“You’re welcome.”

Their voices echoed together. Tianming knew that if he didn’t make an effort, this might be the last time they would ever meet.