Cultivation resources, a larger bedroom, meals that can actually fill a stomach completely, promises of this nature are what the guardians tend to offer—for the better their adopted children perform in the selections event in the future, the better their own standings would be.
In a way, one could say that the relationship between a guardian and a child is akin to a master and a disciple.
Underhanded schemes won't be allowed during the selections event, but considering what is at stake, a fierce competition is unavoidable.
At the same time, although there isn't much purpose for Colony Three to take part in the selections event—not doing so demonstrates weakness. And this show of weakness will be especially detrimental once another colony merges in.
That being the case, it is necessary for Colony Three to take part—as a means to display strength ahead of time, to prevent this issue from sprouting.
The political complications of the star region aside—in the face of the various guardians' offers, Ling Cang Xue would bring up the condition of them having to accept her little sister as well, and towards this condition, the guardians would raise a subtle frown.
It's common knowledge within the orphanage that Ling Xue Luo wouldn't be able to live for very long, accepting her shouldn't be too great of a deal, so long as one has enough wealth to feed an extra mouth.
However, the secondary condition that Ling Cang Xue had for the guardians was to find a way to cure Ling Xue Luo.
"Unless you're able to promise me that as well, I'm not willing to sign this."
Having said these words—whenever a guardian would make an attempt to adopt her, Ling Cang Xue had already lost count of how many times she had repeated them.
And knowing that Ling Cang Xue is set on these conditions, all the caretakers could only sigh.
As the guardian leaves, a caretaker turns to Ling Cang Xue, and says—
"Cang Xue—your secondary condition, it's far too difficult to fulfill."
"The records say that there exists natural treasures of Heaven and Earth that can cure any diseases and injuries. Couldn't they-?"
Shaking her head, the caretaker explains—
"In the past, treasures of this nature do exist. But ever since the natural energies of Heaven and Earth had dried up, treasures of this nature—the ones that remained, they were either consumed by others to prolong their life, or had withered away."
"…"
Raising a frown, Ling Cang Xue asks—
"It's been over seven years since the revival of natural energy, couldn't they grow those treasures again?"
"They have started to cultivate them again. However, even if these natural treasures are in an environment—where there is a dense amount of natural energy, they can still take anywhere from a single century to god only knows how many years to reach full maturity."
"…"
Hearing this, Ling Cang Xue's expression darkens, as she mutters—
"So my little sister was born just to die? Isn't that far too cruel…?"
"…I'm sorry."
Unable to say any other words of comfort, the caretaker could only sigh.
As the caretaker leaves, Ling Cang Xue thought—
(…If it's impossible to find natural treasures here, then what if we headed to some other star region?)
...…
"…"
Reading through another chapter of a story on her smartphone, Ling Xue Luo frowns, as she reviews the content that she had just read.
"Uh…!"
Pressing her eyes together tightly, Ling Xue Luo quickly pulls a tissue out of the box beside her, and coughs into it.
"…"
Removing the bloodstained tissue from her lips, and getting over the scent of iron that is in her throat, Ling Xue Luo tosses the tissue into the trash bin that is half-way filled.
Having gotten used to these coughing fits, she quickly returns her attention to the smartphone, and types out a comment, asking—
[Why is it that the main characters in your stories are able to accept death so readily?]
Staring at the comment for a few moments, Ling Xue Luo heaves a sigh—feeling embarrassed for asking something so random.
"…"
Not expecting an answer, Ling Xue Luo was just about to set her phone to the side; however—
*Ping.* a notification informs her that her comment has been responded to.
[Because death is not the end—both in these stories and in real life.]
"…?"
Towards the reply, Ling Xue Luo can't help but tilt her head.
...…
Wishing to See Snowfall: What does that mean?
The Walker of a Thousand Dreams: Reincarnation exists. The main characters of my stories, they know this.
Wishing to See Snowfall: This wasn't ever explained in any of the stories.
The Walker of a Thousand Dreams: There was never a purpose to mention this. After all, each story was meant to tell the tale of a single lifetime; the story itself ends the moment the narrator dies.
Wishing to See Snowfall: …You mentioned that reincarnation also exists in real life, is there a way to know what a person would end up as in their next life? And is there any way for the person who gets reincarnated to make their way back to their previous life's family?
The Walker of a Thousand Dreams: Under normal circumstances, there's no way to know what a person would end up as in their next life. As for whether or not they would be able to make their way back to their previous life's family… It's not impossible, but their memories of their previous life would be erased following reincarnation. At that point, even if the two parties met again, they'd just be nothing more than strangers to one another.
Wishing to See Snowfall: …That's rather sad.
The Walker of a Thousand Dreams: Still, you never know? Perhaps a miracle might happen—in which, both sides actually do recognize one another?
...…
"…That would be nice."
Muttering this, Ling Xue Luo thanks "the Walker of a Thousand Dreams" for their replies.
And just as Ling Xue Luo sets the smartphone aside, the bedroom door is abruptly opened—with Ling Cang Xue walking in.
Moving over to the bedside, Ling Cang Xue says—
"Xue Luo, let's go to another star region together—somewhere with snow, haven't you always wanted to see snowfall?"
"…?"
Towards Ling Cang Xue's words, Ling Xue Luo blinks her eyes, and with an awkward expression on her face, she asks—
"…Elder sister, what caused you to want to head to another star region?"