“Sometimes, I wish I was just a regular girl.”

Xiao Lee stayed still in his cross-legged position floating in the air. He had spent the last few minutes simply listen to Lisa rant, content to only provide silent support. She had raged without a particular target, cursing the bootlicking officials in every country they went, the people only looking for connections because of her parents. Even the Lasvanian system that gave her privileges because of her birth.

Mostly though, she had cursed her mother. Lee really hoped he did not meet Joha Feltham anytime soon, because he would find it difficult to control himself in front of someone who could blink him out of existence, which was not an ideal situation. Still, he listened, even as she talked about her father, who she had only recently met. Of course, he just happened to be a Lone Power for a Lasvanian rival, who could not acknowledge his daughter for whatever reason.

Knowing all of that really put her behaviour into context. He had known it was bad, but he had not quite realised to what extent. Though he’d lost his own parents early, the Dragon Lord and his senior disciples had basically raised him, and though they had been harsh taskmasters, they had been fair. The mere thought of treating a student the way the Lone Walker treated Lisa would likely infuriate his master.

“Some people might call me ungrateful, and I’ll be lying if I didn’t enjoy some of the perks, but I hate it. I hate the way it feels like I’m the most talented in my generation because of my background. I know my talent and hard work brought me here, yet I can’t deny the benefits of her influence.

“You know, being born as a normal person isn’t even a bad thing, not anymore. In Lasvania, you can basically get access to the same luxuries regardless of your background. Even intergalactic travel to our farthest colonised worlds is now free for all citizens, with free access to all the hotels, resorts and everything. Automation is good enough that most people don’t need to work. Even with cultivation, absorbers are good enough now that the difference is not nearly as insurmountable as it once was. There’s still stuff that only being rich and powerful gets you, but its far less than it once was. I know I’m rambling, but I just wish I didn’t always have Joha Feltham’s shadow over me.”

Lee nodded, but still did not respond, not sure if she had gotten everything out of her system.

“I’m sorry for taking so much of your time. I wonder what all those adoring fans would say if they saw their Shining Star reduced to a bumbling wreck,” she barked a short laugh that contained little humour at that.

“I think,” he spoke for the first time. ”That anyone who looks down on someone having a well-earned venting is not a person I particularly care about. Especially when that the one venting is a good friend. And I truly believe you have earned the right to rant about anything.”

He truly meant it. He had watched Li, his friend and Dao brother on Xenus, listen to the worst breakdowns that Bai Liu went through. Even he had been on the receiving end on one of the man’s listening sessions, where he felt comfortable enough to release everything in his heart, sure that his Dao brother would listen to him.

After listening to her, he believed she needed someone to talk to who would simply listen silently like Li often did. He doubted it would solve her problems, but it was a start.

He sat there in silence, waiting to see if she would continue. She didn’t, instead choosing to stare into space. Still, he refused to leave just yet.

“Lee,” she said softly. “Could y- could you stay for a little bit. And maybe talk about cultivation.”

He could clearly see how much it ate at her to just ask for that simple request. He did not consider himself to be particularly emotional, but the sight of someone who was always strong looking so vulnerable touched him. So, he stayed there for a few more hours, talking about random bits of his cultivation. From his insights into the Dao, to some random encounters back on Xenus.

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Finally, after hours, he left her, trusting she was good enough to handle herself for the night.

*

The next day, they had a meeting with the sect masters of all the important sects in the country. It was easily one of the biggest tests of patience either of them had faced and definitely qualified as the most difficult part of their diplomatic journey so far.

It turned out, putting 50 competing sect heads, some of whom hated each other's guts, in the same room for a meeting was a recipe for disaster, and it was only a miracle that the building was still standing. Or perhaps it was just fear of the emperor.

Either way, after arguing about the same topics multiple times and achieving nothing, the meeting finally concluded, much to his relief. The sects had little control over the empire’s foreign policy or Cascade’s war of expansion, so there was little they could actually offer. Not that it stopped them from trying.

He spent the rest of the day simply cultivating, not trying to form a technique or do anything particularly fancy. Simply breathing qi in cycling it refreshed him more than anything else.

The next day was their final meeting with the emperor. It was the one Lee was looking forward to the least, primarily because they would have to explain to him that he would need to give up his newly conquered territories. He doubted that would go down well.

Lisa felt better, even with the horror show that was the sect leaders’ meeting. She was back to her usual expression, still serious, but not nearly as hostile as before. He also noticed that she seemed less affected by the things people did around her. He still noticed the occasional lost staring into space in a way that was uncharacteristic, but even then, she still caught herself quickly enough. Besides, he did not expect her to be completely without issues so easily.

They met in the morning of the meeting with the emperor to discuss strategy one final time. They had already talked about it extensively back at Lasvania with the Ministry, but wanted to see if there were any new insights.

At the end, they decided to go along with the method that had been decided on already, seeing no real reason to make any changes. They went to the emperor’s palace with not a small amount of anxiety. At least he did. Lisa likely did not particularly think much of pissing off the High Cultivator whose country they were currently in. He had made progress, but it would be a while before he could achieve that level.

They were led to a fancy throne complete with paintings and statues of Cascade in various flattering poses. The emperor himself was sitting on a large throne room made of what was likely a very precious material. He angled his head slightly when they got to him.

“Lisa Feltham and Ascendant Xiao Lee.”

“Emperor Cascade,” Lisa said with a nod.

“Tell me, why would the big bosses in Clover consider little old Cascadia important enough to send their brightest prodigies to?”

“Cascadia was simply a logical step in our international tour, being fairly large and close to home.”

“Oh, I know what you’re not saying, young Feltham. Cascadia is not a Lasvanian ally, and I don’t have anything particularly of note to offer you. So, I think you went sent for something else. Something I might not like, perhaps? Is this the work of the High Congress? Or did Liam finally grow some spine?”

“We were indeed sent for a reason. And you are correct in assuming you will not like it.”

Then she brought out a red envelope, complete with what looked like an official signature, and handed it to the emperor.

The man collected it silently and opened it, quickly reading through its contents. When he was finished, Lee could see signs of growing anger in the tightening of the man’s mouth and visible twitching.

“So, you come to my country, and have the guts to tell me to give up my lands, eh?”

“We are simply messengers,” Lisa said. “The envelope contains the seal of President Liam., so you know who to take your complaints to.”

“Well then, perhaps I will do just that. Is there anything else that our overlords have decided they want to take too? Perhaps the head of my first child?”

His tone dripped sarcasm, and Lee sensed their time was almost up.

“There is nothing else, no.”

“Good. Now get out.”

Before he could do anything else, he found himself back in the lounge in their living quarters with Lisa.

“Well, that was to be expected,” he said.

“Indeed, it was,” was the reply.

His reaction was one of the most likely, which was why the forced teleportation had not been disrupted. It was their last day in Cascadia, so they simply stayed in their rooms till it was time for them to leave, after which they left quickly, both rather eager to be out of there. Lee in particular was interested in their next destination. One teleportation later, they found themselves on the other side of the world, welcomed by a woman with fox ears and five tails clearly visible behind her.

“Welcome to Nine-tailed City, Lisa Feltham and Ascendant Xiao Lee.”