The interior of the temple was even more desolate than the outside. Standing inside, which resembled the entrance to a cave, Bai Xi could even feel the chilly wind blowing from within.
“He’s right here, but most of the time he doesn’t want to show up.”
Arunta turned around and said to Baixi.
"But if it were you, he would come out."
He lowered his eyes and paused for a moment, as if recalling Bai Xi's special qualities, before adding another sentence.
"You're right, she's the one I've been waiting for."
Before Bai Xi could answer Arunta's question, a slightly immature voice came from the air. Bai Xi subconsciously looked in the direction of the voice and saw a semi-transparent boy.
The individual is similar to the evolved Little Ghost and Roy, but appears to be smaller.
"you......"
Although she didn't know why, Bai Xi sensed a sense of familiarity with him, as if she had known him for a very long time.
Subconsciously, she felt that she might have found the target she was looking for.
"I am the original earth spirit, the last piece of the puzzle you are missing."
His gaze is long and deep, and he doesn't seem as simple as he appears. To underestimate him just because he looks young would be a mistake.
The age and appearance of elemental spirits have almost nothing to do with each other.
"You knew I was looking for you?"
Bai Xi asked with a hint of doubt.
"Yes, I've been waiting for you, but you're faster than I expected."
He nodded, speaking casually.
As he spoke, he looked at the god of the earth.
"Arunta, could you excuse yourself from what I'm about to say?"
The primordial elves were theoretically born only a few days after the Elemental King, so they could choose to obey or disobey the Elemental King's rules.
That's why Arunta can see him.
They have been together for tens of thousands of years and can be considered friends.
So when Arunta made the request, she didn't feel offended and simply agreed.
"Can."
Arunta nodded and left the 'cave'.
To be honest, Bai Xi was a little surprised when he saw how simple the depths of the temple were. However, considering that earth elemental spirits liked the environment, perhaps this was the pure land that Arunta had specially left for him.
"Durouso waited for you, and I waited for you too. It seems that fate will not change."
He sighed and mentioned another primordial elf.
"Was there an agreement between you?"
Bai Xi asked.
"No, it was an agreement we made with you."
He shook his head.
Is it Eros?
Bai Xi asked again.
"Yes, it seems you have already been to the altar."
The earth elemental spirit wasn't surprised, but the melancholy in its words was undisguised.
“Now that you’ve come, I’ll go with you. Remember my name—Hrul.”
Things went more smoothly than Bai Xi had imagined; she even managed to form a contract with the last elemental spirit without needing the help of the Green Tower.
Now it's time to go back to Hell and find Safa.
The thought of leaving this time and space made Bai Xi pause, as if she might never return.
However, as soon as the thought arose, Bai Xi smiled and dismissed it as just her wild imagination.
...
"Have you resolved it?"
Arunta was waiting outside. When he saw Baixi come out, he raised his eyebrows slightly. Although he didn't make any big gestures, you could read some joy in his expression.
He was happy to see Bai Xi.
"Um, sorry, I'll have to borrow your friend for now."
Bai Xi said jokingly.
“If he doesn’t want to, no one can take him away. But if it’s you, I wouldn’t mind if you forcibly took him away.”
Arunta's lips curled up slightly, and she joked with Baixi as well.
Are you going to be away for a long time?
He asked.
"Well, probably, it will take quite a while, but when I return, Tartarus will no longer be a threat to this world."
Bai Xi looked thoughtful before slowly answering.
"Okay, I believe you."
Arunta didn't ask any more questions; he simply stood on the side supporting Bai Xi, just as he always had.
Upon hearing this, Bai Xi felt a weight lift from her heart. It felt wonderful to have someone support her; at least it proved she wasn't fighting alone and that she was understood.
Thank you.
She nodded gently.
Time seemed to stand still at this point. Most people craved physical intimacy, but in that instant, Bai Xi seemed to sense Arunta's soul.
Tranquil and expansive, it seems to encompass everything in the world—mistakes, things we are powerless to change, things we feel guilty about—all these emotions vanish in an instant.
This feeling wasn't one of being cured, but rather a simple sense of emotional calm.
A subtle atmosphere lingered between the two. While Bai Xi was still in a daze, Arunta had already walked up to her and gently placed a kiss on her forehead.
It was like a feather caressing him, accompanied by his lover's whispers.
"Only in this way can we have a proper conversation, right?"
After he finished speaking, Bai Xi belatedly realized that she seemed to have no desire for Arunta at all, and the atmosphere between the two of them was very peaceful.
"Are you a woman now?"
Bai Xi asked, somewhat surprised.
Because it's a woman's body, she doesn't feel any attraction.
"Yes, so that you won't avoid me."
Even though Arunta is female, he is very tall. When the two are standing so close, he has to lower his head so that Baixi can see his expression.
"...Actually, it's not that exaggerated."
Bai Xi felt inexplicably embarrassed.
"No, for me, even one more minute with you would be worthwhile."
Arunta shook his head, seemingly also embracing the idea that meeting was a farewell, cherishing every moment spent with Baixi.
Upon hearing this, Bai Xi felt even more guilty.
"You don't need to worry. I have no intention of restricting you. Birds should naturally return to the blue sky. You only need to stay here for a while. I am already very satisfied."
He was willing to stay for Baixi, who could fly in the sky forever, and he could wait forever.
Time flowed by quietly, and even if Bai Xi wanted to stay a little longer, Tartarus wouldn't give her much time.
But even after Baixi left the Earth Temple, Arunta's words still lingered in her mind.
In fact, rather than admiration, Arunta's feelings for her were more like a believer's devotion to God.
She was like someone revered as a deity by the gods.
What she didn't know at the time was that after Bai Xi left, Arunta looked in her direction and silently touched her wrist.
That fleeting kiss, like a dragonfly skimming the water, was actually a kind of contract.
The earth could sense her life or death, and Arunta wanted to get to her side as soon as possible.
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