“So you didn’t change clothes?”
Little Ka was quick to catch the key point in Mo Shao’s words—or at least, what she considered to be the key point.
“This is the only outfit I have.” Mo Shao shrugged somewhat helplessly. She had tried on her old clothes, only to find they were all far too large.
They all practically looked like dresses on her. It was only at times like this that she truly felt the disparity of her former height.
“...Then what about your underwear?” After looking Mo Shao up and down for a moment, Little Ka’s gaze suddenly narrowed as a certain thought occurred to her.
“I don’t have any extras.” Mo Shao spread her hands. She had been a man before; how could she possibly have had any of those sorts of things?
It wasn't like she had been some kind of femboy back then.
“But the outfit I’m wearing is a Magic Raiment that comes with my ability. I can deconstruct and reconstruct it at any time, so I’m not worried about it getting dirty.”
To prevent Little Ka from continuing her line of questioning, Mo Shao added an explanation.
“I see... but what if you run out of mana?” Little Ka seemed determined to find a flaw in Mo Shao’s logic.
“Once it’s constructed, it doesn't require a continuous supply of mana.” Mo Shao smiled slightly. She had always found this feature to be incredibly convenient.
At the very least, it saved her a lot of trouble after a fight.
“And what if you’re out of mana and your clothes just happen to break?”
“I can actually turn invisible.” Mo Shao performed a quick demonstration for her.
“Streak... ing?” But Little Ka’s train of thought had veered off into some unknown territory.
“So that’s a last-resort measure when there’s truly no other choice.” Mo Shao rolled her eyes, giving her a look that said, “Are you slow?”
“Aren't you going to prepare some spare clothes?”
“I have some. I’ve kept a few of my old coats as backups.” Although she didn't have any clothes that actually fit her, her old coats were still usable.
In fact, because they were so large, a single coat was enough to wrap her current self up almost entirely.
“Alright, fine.” Little Ka waved her hand, looking a bit unconvinced, before changing the subject. “By the way, I feel like you’re...”
“Like what?”
“Like you’ve become a bit more normal?” Little Ka shared her impression. She felt that Mo Shao no longer seemed quite so NPC-like.
“Probably because the bath was so refreshing.”
“Changed your tune, didn’t you?” Little Ka smirked, placing her hands on her hips.
“Changed my tune?” Mo Shao recalled the moment for a second, then nodded seriously. “Yeah, I guess you could say that.”
Just as they were about to banter further on the subject, Zhang Xiao came over to call them.
“Ladies, the Double Ninth cake and chrysanthemum wine are ready!”
“Great! We’re coming!” Little Ka immediately replied with excitement, taking Mo Shao’s hand and quickening her pace. “Let’s go!”
She seemed so happy to hear about food... It was clear that Little Ka was starting to be influenced by the transformation, developing a fondness for finding treats.
Well, or perhaps it was the influence of being a “Drunkard Saintess”?
Or maybe Little Ka was just a pure foodie by nature, regardless of the transformation’s influence?
Once they arrived inside the cafeteria, Wu Yingzhe handed a plate over. “Would you two like to give it a taste?”
“The Double Ninth cake tastes pretty good.” Mo Shao gave her evaluation after taking a bite. “As for the wine... it’s mediocre.”
Pastries were one thing—they were always best when freshly made and eaten hot. But wine... that needed at least some time to settle.
This chrysanthemum wine could be described as rudimentary at best—not much different from just soaking chrysanthemums directly in liquor.
“Will that have any effect?” Wu Yingzhe asked with some concern.
“The effect is a bit weaker, but it’s better than nothing.” Mo Shao shook her head, not particularly minding.
After all, if she had tried to do it herself... how did one even make pastries again?
It was already quite good. At the very least, someone else had arranged everything for her—this was the advantage of being in a large group.
At least she didn't have to worry about logistics herself.
“My sincerest apologies. Time was too tight, and the raw materials were...” After hearing Mo Shao’s evaluation, one of the cafeteria workers apologized.
“It’s fine, I’m not blaming you. Being able to make this in such a short time is already impressive.” Mo Shao shook her head, offering a word of comfort.
“Yes, don’t sell yourself short. You did your best.” Wu Yingzhe added at the right moment before turning the topic back to Mo Shao.
“By the way, could I trouble you to explain the specific effects of doing these things during the Double Ninth Festival?”
Naturally, he was taking the opportunity to ask more questions.
Mo Shao had no intention of keeping it a secret. If she wanted them to do something, she had to let them know the benefits first.
“Well, eating Double Ninth cake, drinking chrysanthemum wine, appreciating the flowers, and wearing dogwood—these can all be summarized as prayers for longevity and good fortune.”
“Longevity?!” Ying Yusheng, who was standing nearby, couldn't help but blurt out. The others were only a moment behind him in their reactions.
After all, this was longevity—one of humanity’s greatest dreams. Even though the ability to live a long life was actually quite common in the apocalypse.
As long as one’s lifespan wasn't short enough to cause an immediate death, no one really cared. After all, how many people in the apocalypse could expect to live to old age naturally?
“It’s not that exaggerated.” Mo Shao shook her head. “Right now, the effect is just adding a bit of vitality and increasing your luck.”
“I see...” Everyone calmed down slightly.
Mo Shao continued her explanation. “Also, flying paper kites is about letting out the misfortune—in other words, reducing the chance of unlucky things happening.”
“That is indeed something worth doing.”
Wu Yingzhe nodded in agreement. Praying for fortune while casting off misfortune—between the two, their luck should become quite respectable, right?
Actually, it wouldn't. Luck was a mysterious thing; some people’s luck improved after just a small boost.
Others could be showered in massive amounts of fortune and still be just as unlucky as ever. It really depended on the individual.
“I remember... there’s also climbing high. What effect does that have?” Little Ka, who was standing to the side, also raised her hand to ask.
“The previous actions only have their actual effect when done while climbing high,” Mo Shao explained. “It’s like an environmental condition check.”
This was true for some later festivals as well; they required special environmental conditions or item checks.
Only when these checks were passed could the festival’s effects truly be reflected in reality.
“I see,” Little Ka said, realization dawning on her.
“But climbing high has its own use too,” Mo Shao added. “It allows one to see further.”
“Isn’t that just physics?” Tu Sisheng said, somewhat unimpressed.
“It’s not just standing higher to see further in a literal sense; it’s an actual expansion of one’s vision,” Mo Shao corrected her.
“We should be able to see the situation over at Seven Hills City.”
“Furthermore, we aren't clear on the situation along the route to Seven Hills City yet. This is a good opportunity to observe and confirm the road conditions.”
It was the same old problem. She knew the destination and the general path, but she didn't know what the conditions were like along the way.
“A logical arrangement.” Wu Yingzhe clapped in admiration, then took the opportunity to address Mo Shao.
“On the journey ahead, if there is anything we don’t understand, we’ll be counting on your guidance, Sister Hui.”
“If I know the answer,” Mo Shao nodded, leaving her statement open.
The previous Loot Drop Enhancement had made her realize one thing—even though she had been reborn, she still had blind spots in her information.
She couldn't afford to get overconfident...
Rate on N.U.
