This platform was situated atop the mountain, surrounded by peaks reaching into the clouds, creating a landscape reminiscent of a hidden valley. It boasted lush vegetation and ancient pavilions with rich architectural heritage.
Zeke couldn't help but think, "The Red Kite Immortal has not only land but also such remarkable buildings, worthy enough to be considered cultural heritage sites. Truly deserving of the title 'Immortal'."
"Get down now." He gently patted Kiana's small bottom on his back, issuing the command.
Obediently, Kiana slid off Zeke, clapped her hands, and her curious gaze darted around, unable to resist exploring.
"Huh? Don't see anyone here?"
"Then let's look for them."
"Oh, I'll check that building over there!"
Silently, Zeke watched without stopping her.
In a flash, Kiana burst through the tightly closed doors of the pavilion.
Though speechless, he didn't attempt to hinder her.
She had always been like this—unless it was a serious moment, she'd remain impulsive. However, Zeke found nothing wrong with her lively nature; it wasn't bad if she stayed spirited.
"Zeke! There really is someone inside!"
A few seconds later, Kia rushed back out with a loud cry.
The frantic white-haired girl scurried behind Zeke, her small body shrinking against his back as she clutched at his clothes, peering timidly from around his shoulder—seeking his protection almost childishly.
It wasn't that she was scared; she just enjoyed acting cute on purpose.
Zeke gave her a mild glance but ignored her antics. Instead, he lifted his head to appraise the woman slowly emerging from the door.
Gray hair and blue eyes framed by pristine white robes accentuated her graceful figure's curves. Her delicate features bore traces of bewilderment and unease, like something straight out of a painting.
"Who are you...?" Fu Hua stood by the doorway, tilting her head in confusion.
During the Siberian battle, she had burned away all her memories. After Otto revived her, she instinctively sought traces of her past at Taixuan Mountain.
And there she remained for over a decade, seemingly in the blink of an eye.
Apart from occasional outings driven by sudden whims to revisit places mentioned in her notes, she rarely ventured beyond this gate. If not for a major Honkai eruption or a summons from Otto, she might have stayed here indefinitely.
Though she had no memories, home remained a place of solace.
As Fu Hua gazed at Zeke and Kiana, her soft vulnerability lasted mere seconds. Swiftly, she straightened her slender frame, replacing all traces of fragility with an unruffled calmness akin to still waters in an ancient well.
"Where do you hail from, and what brings you here?"
Her first words were spoken in impeccable Mandarin.
Zeke's gaze scanned their surroundings before settling on a nearby stone table with three seats. He pointed towards it, suggesting they discuss matters there.
Fu Hua hesitated momentarily.
"My apologies, esteemed guests. Please take a seat while I prepare refreshments."
With that, Fu Hua turned and entered her dwelling.
Seizing the opportunity, Zeke swiftly reached behind him, grabbing the feigning white-haired girl by the scruff and flinging her upwards, then casually walked towards the stone bench.
Kiana executed a nimble 720-degree mid-air spin, only to land... face-first, with remarkable style.
Whump!
True to form, Kiana indeed!
Zeke glanced at the prone figure lying motionless on the ground, looked up at the sky, and said nothing.
When Fu Hua emerged carrying a tea tray, Kiana was still playing possum.
"What happened to her?"
"Oops, clumsy mistake. Just ignore her; she's embarrassed."
"But..."
"How do you even have tea and pastries here? Based on my intel, it seems like you haven't left this mountain for quite some time." Zeke frowned slightly, genuinely dismissing Kiana's antics with a hint of confusion.
As Fu Hua served the tea, she casually replied, "An old friend left behind some technologies here. I've forgotten most details, but suffice to say, I never lack essential supplies."
While explaining, Fu Hua felt somewhat surprised herself. It wasn't her style to discuss such matters with strangers, yet facing that face with white hair and blue eyes, she unconsciously lowered many of her defenses.
"Have we met before?" Fu Hua asked tentatively.
Despite Zeke's youthful appearance, Fu Hua, being ageless herself and acquainted with Otto, couldn't rule out the possibility of special circumstances surrounding him.
"I've heard your name long ago, but we've never met."
"Then, what brings you to seek me here?"
"To pursue knowledge."
"What kind of knowledge?"
"The 'Divine Sound' and your martial arts."
As their conversation continued, Zeke's responses were brief yet gradually furrowed Fu Hua's brow.
"Did Otto send you here?"
"Yes," Zeke replied without hesitation, betraying Otto as usual.
Fu Hua nodded understandingly.
She had stored information about her deal with Otto on separate memory feathers, ensuring that no matter how much she burned away her memories, upon awakening, she would still grasp her circumstances and some basic facts.
And among those backup memories was Fu Hua's knowledge of Otto.
From her perspective, it was entirely normal for Otto to seek someone to learn her techniques—perhaps he had already attempted this in her forgotten past, but due to unsatisfactory results, he dispatched another learner now.
"I cannot teach Divine Sound separately; it's an indescribable skill, not truly sound at all—we merely use 'sound' to describe it. Long ago, I integrated Divine Sound into my Taixuan Sword Qi, creating a tangible system. Even then, I cannot guarantee if you will be able to master it."
"That's fine. As long as you instruct and demonstrate it to me, it should suffice."
"This will require time."
"How much time?"
"Several decades at most, three to five years at least. Generally speaking, there's no shortcut."
Fu Hua responded calmly.
Zeke leaned back and glanced briefly at Kiana, who was squatting in a corner, drawing circles on the floor.
Didn't he remember this little dimwit mastering it within just a few months?
Ah, right—back then, Fu Hua existed as a consciousness residing within Kiana's body, allowing for direct mental instruction and close guidance. It made sense that progress would be faster under such circumstances; it couldn't be considered typical.
"I believe I'll learn relatively quickly. However, given my important duties, frankly, I cannot stay here indefinitely. Therefore, I hope the immortal can accompany me down the mountain and conduct the lessons at my workplace."
"That..."
Fu Hua hesitated visibly.
Clearly, she had reservations about leaving the mountain.
Currently, she still grappled with the emptiness of her memory loss, tending towards isolationism. She preferred spending her days lost in thought or meditating atop Taixuan Mountain.
Instinctively, she resisted venturing out and forming connections with others. Perhaps it stemmed from fear—the dread of causing harm to someone if she were to lose her memories again, akin to what happened with her disciple Lixue, whom she now only knew through written notes.
"This is part of the deal, O Immortal."
Zeke placed a badge on the table, which served as his identity to infiltrate the Sky Base.
Fu Hua, clearly recognizing the badge, fell silent.
Zeke raised an eyebrow; it was good she knew its significance. Otherwise, he would have had to show her a photo with Otto to make his point.
After a long moment, Fu Hua let out a soft sigh.
"Very well, I'll accompany you down the mountain. As part of this...deal."
Though somewhat resigned, Fu Hua showed no real discontent. Equivalent exchange—her personal feelings were insignificant compared to Shenzhou's safety.
And just like that, Zeke effortlessly brought back the Red Kite Immortal—a feat made possible thanks to Otto's selfless contribution; without him, it wouldn't have been achievable.