ZhuQiu kept her eyes closed. She was not willing to look into the eye of the Nightmare. Selfish desires to survive tainted her heart as she pretend to be frozen.

She will not look. She will not look. She will not look. She will not look, ah!

"Autumn Chaser!!" The call came a second time, this time ZhuQiu finds that it belongs to BaXia. She peeked.

It was BaXia in front of her, his palms spread towards, but hesitant to touch her. ZhuQiu had a face of stunned bewilderment and looked around. There was no malicious presence in the tent.

Alexore, Kenatorus, the two Benniduos twins each holding a lamp around her.

GongFu stood near the entrance. There was another figure nearby, who peered from the outside the yurt. It was Shi DaMao. He had an eyebrow raised as if to say 'are you okay?'

ZhuQiu instinctively wanted to slow her breath to calm down and forgotten that she had no lungs. She thought she was suffocating. "I thought I saw someone coming in. I thought I saw they saw me looking and wanted to attack me."

BaXia looked at GongFu and Shi DaMao. GongFu looked at Shi DaMao.

Shi DaMao shook his head, "I heard noises and just arrived. I met no one on the way here." He then had a thoughtful look on his face and seriously looked around the interior of the yurt, as if looking for the intruder. GongFu blinked and looked around, too, to no avail.

BaXia looked at the four confused centaurs with sheepish eyes, "Our apologies, our friend here had been too new to her vessel. She is tired but wasn't able to sleep, so she must have hallucinated and woke you guys up."

ZhuQiu doubted herself too. Maybe she was mentally too tired, yet unable to actually sleep. Unable to fully distract herself, yet unable to fully face herself. She nodded her head and faced the four now skeptical centaurs. "I'm sorry. I will not do it again."

Alexore looked at Kenatorus, and then looked back at ZhuQiu when he spoke, "It's of no issue. However, we would like to let you know that if you need help, you can always confide in us. We may not be able to do everything, but we can try our best to help."

ZhuQiu shook her head, "Please don't be too kind. I will have to learn how to solve my troubles sooner or later."

Alexore pats Kenatorus's shoulders and refuted, "We insist to be of some help."

ZhuQiu was thoroughly embarrassed and had to nod to prevent further persistent offer of assistance. Alexore looked at ZhuQiu with serious eyes and did not pursue the the subject any further.

Shi DaMao left after a second checking on the residence.

BaXia check on ZhuQiu to confirm that she wasn't actually attacked. GongFu slunk back to his bedding, sat upright and began to meditate instead of sleeping.

The centaurs dispersed too. The twins was first to continue their slumber, while Alexore and Kenatorus softly discussing about their work before slowly falling back asleep.

ZhuQiu wanted the mattress to swallow her and never spit her out again. She had let herself imagine that the Nightmare was coming for her, scaring her out of her mind. To console herself, she searched through the sheets for the white toyger and find it missing.

Where did it go? ZhuQiu suddenly felt unreasonably angry. Maybe the Nightmare scare wasn't an imagination and have taken the little kitty. WTF.

Just as ZhuQiu was about to get off the mattress, a mewl resounded behind her feet. ZhuQiu turned and relaxed her shoulders. "Ai ya, kitty, you're going to be the death of me!" She bent down and scooped the kitty onto her arms. She noticed it had some fur blacken, as if it had a very close contact with fire and sooth. Did the little kitty went out to play near the fire and then ran back in fear when it got singed?

ZhuQiu chuckled and laid back down, vigorously tickling the toyger while relieving her stressful heart. The toyger, as if understanding her needs, did not pick up a fuss and purred comfortingly on her chest.

Of course, ZhuQiu wasn't able to meditate the whole night, uneasy with her still-wild imagination about the Nightmare. Thus, missing out in an essential change that took place within her. She tried to distract herself instead.

GongFu, on the other hand, have seen everything before BaXia and the centaurs had woken up just now. BaXia did not missed much, either. Shi DaMao had lied, but they trust him without doubt. ZhuQiu and the centaur was the only ones who did not know what really happened when ZhuQiu was 'attacked'.

The centaur was suspicious but there was nothing they could do without being personally invited to be involved in this private matter.

Fully being able to shut down any further discussion of what happened that night, the culprit of the event stayed low under everyone's noses without remorse.

Come sunrise when BaXia and GongFu left for their respective schedule, leaving cursory glances at ZhuQiu who sat in daze as she try to remember the various designs she saw back on Earth. That's right! She could use them and show off a bit of Earth's culture.

Happily trying to mentally grasp all the bursting ideas circling her mind, ZhuQiu picked up the little sleeping kitty in her arms and left for the woodworking shop. The little kitty woke up and then falls back asleep as it sees that it wasn't being abandoned by the silly dummy.

This time, Zufior was a little late to the workshop. Although the entrance was not locked, ZhuQiu waited outside as she did not want to enter the shop without permission. Zufior arrived to see ZhuQiu walking in circles with the toyger on her head, it was a funny sight.

"Nice wig, Autumn Chaser." Zu greeted her and gestured for her to enter into the shop, "You need not wait for me, you know. There's no door to lock it."

"Won't you get robbed?" ZhuQiu looked and saw that the tools are still placed carelessly just as they had left them the day before. The toyger was now fully awake and swishes its tail on ZhuQiu's head like a ponytail.

"No such thing as robbing when the Nightmare stalks the street." Zu winked at the little kitty, who was in ZhuQiu's arms. The toyger sneered at him in reply.

"Oh."

This time, our silly dummy had plenty of plans and lots of inspiration, therefore getting straight to work was no problem for her. Unlike Bi'An at the exact moment, who was flustered by her current predicament caused by the centaur in front of her.

"Gate Guard, please. I know my wrongs. You need not be a wanderer. Stay here."

"The meeting is done. Please, move aside, your Highness." Bi'An's voice was stiff and cold.

"I promise you, it will be just like befo—"

"No such thing. I will be nobody's exotic concubine."

"You have mistake—"

"Move aside, your Highness, it is improper to be frivolous with someone you're not married to."

"Then marry m—"

"To hell, your Highness." Bi'An let go of the etiquette and shoved the centaur aside.

It was easy for Feruus to grab hold of her and force her to stay but what is the point if one had to battle to achieve empty status? So, King Feruus X watched Bi'An left with a dark eyes.

Bi'An sprang off as soon as she exited the building, utilizing her QingGong¹(轻功 qīnggōng) – The ability to lighten the body and move with great agility & swiftness. At high proficiency, practitioners of this skill can run across water, leap to the top of trees, or even glide through the air., not wanting to be in the view of the rejected monarch any longer than she had to.

YaZi whistled as Bi'An landed beside him, "Bad day?"

"Don't even."

Bi'An did not want to return to the yurt yet, therefore she and YaZi went to drop a visit on ZhuQiu at the workshop and saw that the mannequin was bent over with acute focus on her craft.

"Do you want me to call her?" Zufior approached them with a smile. He had seen them interacted with ZhuQiu once, so he knew they were her friends.

"No need." Bi'An decided to wait, studying the displayed skillful works. It was initially silent as Bi'An brood in her low mood, but YaZi soon got her to start discussing seriously but calmly about other things.

Our silly dummy, once again with great concentration, managed to not only finished the previous project but also produce another work in a spontaneous motivation. After presenting a sleek jewellery box and a locket pendant, Zu praised her greatly for the ingenuity. ZhuQiu refuted, humbly stating that she had copied the design she have seen many times on earth.

Zufior insist on giving her the credit and put her work in the front most display. This time, ZhuQiu noticed Bi'An and YaZi and called out to them.

"How was the dinner?" ZhuQiu beamed at the familiar face.

"Not bad." The tigress's face had not trace of contentment. "Do you want to go to Lotus Lab? I heard Ruby's here."

"Ruby?"

"Engelina's elder female compeer²For those more familiar with Chinese term, it's better known as "ShiJie". We're going to meet her, to see how she's doing." Bi'An smiled.

"Okay, let me ask Z—" Before ZhuQiu could complete her sentence, Zufior answered for her.

"Go on. You did great work today. You deserve some break. Go play, come back tomorrow. I have much better task more suitable for you."

ZhuQiu blinked. When it sunk in that she was told to take her break, she clapped her hands and bowed in excited appreciation. "Thank you! I will keep working hard!"

The toyger decide to remind ZhuQiu of its presence. Meorrww, it trilled at ZhuQiu. Bi'An and YaZi shared a knowing glance. The little kitty saw their secret eye and proudly ignored them.

"Yes, kitty, you definitely coming with us."

Meow. (Obviously.)

ZhuQiu noted the arrogant mewl and helplessly scratched its ears, "Were you being sarcastic? I should give you a spank."

Zu, Bi'An, YaZi & 'Little Kitty': ………

***

Like a proper guide, Bi'An summarized about The Four Fairies and how Lotus Lab came to be.

"Ruby, like Engelina Trees, is one of the Four Fairies, all of which are considered to be YaoJing. Originally, they were objects that gained sentience through external means. The immortal, that carefully cultivated them, had been infamous for his medical skills. There was no being that he cannot heal. However, due to the constant torrent of overwhelming request, he searched for a disciple and was not satisfied with everyone that volunteered. Thus, he decide to make his own disciples out of objects instead."

"At first there were ten crystalline object under his careful deliberate cultivation, and all succeeded to gain sentience, becoming demi-YaoJings. Instead of immediately passing all his skills to them, he decided to place them in various planets to allow them to develop on their own for a period of one thousand years. Not only will they have to develop on their own, they would have to face trials of mortal on their own, learning empathy and true conscience, He did not wanted clones, he wanted beings with distinct personalities, life, and moral compass. That way, there are no hive mindset, and what one cannot do, the other can."

"But, as all living things, some of the disciples gets obsessed with the worldly affairs. Seven of them fell into their own desires. The time comes when the immortal came back to each places to collect his disciples, he had to leave behind the tainted ones, because he believes in purity. What was left was the three original disciples who followed their master closely in his footsteps, cultivating and studying the old-fashion way."

When ZhuQiu voice the part that sounded off, Bi'An smiled and continued.

"The fourth disciple was another demi-YaoJing as well, of similar category of objects that the immortal had cultivated. The difference was that that fourth disciple, who was considered as the first disciple, was looking for the immortal when he had just left the original ten demi-YaoJings in various places to develop themselves. She became the Senior disciple due to the fact that she was persistence and followed in his footstep even when he did not let her to. That first disciple is a Jade YaoJing (Jade Fairy), who moved the immortal's heart into accepting her for her diligence. He was willing to accept her even though he did not create her and that she had selfish motives. She had wanted to learn the art of healing to heal someone she had fate with."

"Have fate with?" ZhuQiu tilted her head in amusement while scratching little kitty's head. Fate still exist?

"That's what we call the person we're fated to accompany for life. It's like having a spouse and living with them until you die." Bi'An patiently answered.

"Oh"

Bi'An continued to explain, after a subtle glance at the little kitty who preened.

"When the Jade Fairy healed her fated person after she ascended as an immortal, she was betrayed by that very same person. Jade Fairy then swore to never help anyone again, and decide to follow her master for the rest of her life."

"Oh... even fate can be ignored, ah." ZhuQiu muttered. Then she hastily asked Bi'An to continue when she realizes her interruption.

Bi'An smiled and continued, not commenting on the little kitty's 囧 expression.

"The three disciples of the immortal passed thought the final mortal cultivation rank of ChengXian (Ascending Immortals) without falling into Qi Deviation and eventually became YaoJings. The three Fairies are Engelina Trees of the Emeralds, Ruby of the Rubies, and Blue of the Sapphires. The Jade Fairy recently changed her name to Yu³玉(yu) meaning Jade."

ZhuQiu kept a poker face when she heard some of the names. There really is not much creativity, ah!

Bi'An looked at ZhuQiu's expression and laughed, "It's natural, as they do not usually have much attachment to statuses and titles."

ZhuQiu nodded to show her understanding. Bi'An continued onto the topic of the Lotus Lab's establishment.

"Lotus Lab could be said to exist a long way before the official establishment date, just that it wasn't exactly a place yet. It was more like a service as the immortal travel along, bringing that service wherever he goes. It only began to become actual establishment after the Four Fairies' ascension, and then Engelina Trees was assigned to take over. However, Engelina is only one person. Ruby did not want to be limited to servicing others for the rest of her lives. Blue was more interested in robotics. I'm sure you've seen Achelois. It's the work of Blue but since she had doubts on her leadership and decision-making skills, she programmed the Artificial Intelligence to obey and assist Engelina. You may have seen Blue when you were in earth, she would appear as a teen with blue skin."

"I actually haven't," ZhuQiu scratched her head, she did not remember any with blue skin.

"Then she must be isolating herself in her work. You can meet her next time." Bi'An stroked her nape.

ZhuQiu nodded. "What about Yu? And the immortal?"

"After a while, the immortal left for celestial realm urgently about a few thousand years ago. No one really know if he's alive anymore. But thing is, a few months ago, we received news that Yu descended into mortal realm! We don't know where she currently is, though"

A few thousand years ago?! Then Engelina is about more than a few thousand years old?! "A-an immortal can die? I thought they are immortal... "

"When an immortal dies, they reincarnate."

"Oh." ZhuQiu wasn't sure how reincarnations worked. "Then are we going to Ruby to ask about Yu?"

Bi'An shrugged, "I'd ask about Yu, but knowing Ruby, she probably won't even question Yu. She takes the seniority roles seriously."

The minor impromptu bonding session ended when they reached Lotus Lab.

There was no obvious sign of having a visiting YaoJing inside. The NurseBots proceeds to slowly wheel past towards their own errands and there was some local visitors idly loitering. But before Bi'an could call out for one of the NurseBots, there was a shout from the outside. ZhuQiu simply swiveled her head back without thinking, to look at the source.

A feminine figure dashed in from the curtained entrance, and toppled onto the floor with lost balance. The figure hastily crawl further inside, away from the entrance where a mob of kalaviṅkas screamed at the sprawled figure. The female figure panted and smirked at the angry bird-women, who went berserk. The female figure then stood and wiped her hands on her tattered faded grey cloak. Her exposed hands were an gradient of mint green, at the tip of the fingers, and reddish-brown, at the wrist. She also had crown of peony on her head, sitting atop the green fern-like hair. There was five pink peony petals in a circular formation marking on her forehead.  ZhuQiu noticed that her eyes were very green.

Before one kalaviṅka dared to stepped in to drag the escaped female away, a barrage of ovoid robots, different from NurseBots but similar to the very first robot ZhuQiu had seen, formed a neat obstruction to prevent anyone from entering. Apparently, they are the GuardBots.

"Let us in! That wrench stole from us."

"I ain't taken nothin'!" The fern-haired fingered female scoffed, pulling out a small loaf of bread and bit into it.

"You stole that bread, wrench!" Another kalaviṅka shouted.

"Did not."

"Let us in, you machine morons!"

"Stating a warning: No violence is allowed in Lotus Lab. Please calm down before entering, or we will be forced to take appropriate measures."

"Then bring that wrench out!"

"Stating a fact: Those who seek refuge within Lotus Lab shall receive refuge. None official personnel may request to break into the sanctuary."

"Bloody aliens' oppression! Injustice! They bring unsavory creatures into our land and spread their propaganda!" The bird-women at the back screamed and the other kalaviṅkas began to chant.

"Deport the Aliens! Deport the Aliens! Throw them back into space!"

"First, the dirty horsemen. Then, the arrogant aliens. We must take back our freedom, fellow Kalaviṅkaes!"

The GuardBots nearest to the entrances touched the wall and the whole entrance closed. It now looked like a solid wall.

It was the very first time ZhuQiu faced such blatant opposition. Bi'An and YaZi did not looked fazed, as if this was common.

The fern-haired girl wiped her mouth and stuffed the unfinished bread into her pocket and looked around, ultimately spotting what looked like cyborg with head facing the wrong way, staring at her. She toss a wicked grin and skipped away in another direction.

ZhuQiu didn't know what to say and followed Bi'An and YaZi in search for Ruby.

Ruby is a stunning woman, like Engelina, who had ombre of scarlet complexion with some hint of rosiness. Her ears, like Engelina, is elf-like, but unlike Engelina, Ruby is aloof and much cooler in demeanor.

When Bi'An, ZhuQiu, and YaZi entered a room, they see Ruby calmly sorting the herbs into the alchemy cauldron. She glanced at the group briefly and continued to pick at the herbs.

"Ruby." Bi'An greeted.

"I thought you wouldn't come to Centalos II." Ruby added some distilled water into the cauldron.

"Treaty is treaty." Bi'An shrugged and reached into her briefcase. "Got something for you ..."

Ruby snapped her fingers and flames danced underneath the cauldron, making ZhuQiu almost whistled in awe. YaZi just stretched and leaned on a table, looking around the room. It's got a shelves full of books and herbs. On a corner, there's a box of tools and an incomplete NurseBot beside it. The mechanics in the ovoid casing exposed and the appendages are limp.

Bi'An pulled out a bottle seemed to be filled by water and places it near the cauldron.

"Is it the Magic Spring?"

"Yep!"

Ruby's surprised expression broke her chilly demeanor, "How?"

"It's secret, can't tell." Bi'An beamed.

Ruby opened the lid and sniffed, "It's truly..." She shook her head, "You're becoming too capable." Ruby nodded approvingly at the tigress female before her.

"Learn it from the best," Bi'An winked, and YaZi seemed to stilled. ZhuQiu noticed his raised eyebrows.

"Modesty, Gate Guard." Ruby lightly chided.

"Okay, okay! Tell martial aunt Jade we said hi!" Bi'An motioned for YaZi to get up and linked her arms with ZhuQiu, effectively bringing them out of the room.

They walked a few steps until YaZi couldn't hold back any longer. "Ruby is our sect master?!"

Bi'An had a twinkle in her eye, "Who do you think, that is so unfettered to form Space Pirates? Why do you think we're working so closely with the Lotus Lab?"

YaZi felt like an idiot. ZhuQiu was enlightened too, but was not as affected as YaZi. Naturally, our silly dummy is almost used to being surprised, she can take it no problem!

"And the Magic Spring... is it.. um, from that?" YaZi tries not to look at the toyger in ZhuQiu's arms, who is lazily eyeing him at the moment. He could feet the pressure form its stare.

"You bet. Yu was looking for it. She probably came to mortal realm for that." Bi'An affirmed.

To ZhuQiu, it did not make sense, but she also was aware that she have yet much to learn, so she decided to just keep the information at the back of her mind without a second thought.

The entrance have been re-opened. There was no longer riots and the GuardBots are no around. Bi'An went to a nearest NurseBots to gather updates. ZhuQiu didn't have much interest in requesting for Drystals either, given that she still had some left over to use. YaZi leaned on the wall, watching the room and occupants that entered and left. ZhuQiu looked around and spotted the fern-haired girl she saw earlier and saw that she had changed her garb. She was now in what looked like pale blue jumpsuit, chewing on her nails. The fern-hair girl felt the glance and met ZhuQiu's eyes.

ZhuQiu smiled and nodded, wanting to not seem rude.

The fern girl looked around and then gestured hurriedly for ZhuQiu to come to her. ZhuQiu saw that Bi'An was still busy and began to approach the fern girl.