Miss Witch Doesn't Want to be a Diva

"Is it really that surprising?" The girl held a cup of iced tea, sipping it slowly, enjoying the sweet and cool sensation in the gradually hot weather, feeling quite comfortable.

"After all, it's a competition now, so having some precautions is quite normal." Audrey also picked up her tea cup and took a sip.

The day before yesterday, Audrey sent a communication to Tilan inviting her to visit the base.

"Probably because I don't have an obsession with winning at all costs, so I agreed easily." Tilan looked at the countless stars in the sky.

"If there was an important reason that forced me to win, I probably wouldn't have come."

"How honest you are, Tilan." Audrey said with a quiet laugh, covering her mouth.

"But that's also the reason why I like you."

"If it were someone else, my actions would definitely be treated as a banquet with hidden daggers."

"Oh, right, do you know about the banquet with hidden daggers? After all, it's quite an ancient story."

"I know, it's history from the Earth era before the Twilight Era." Tilan nodded.

"Tilan understands very well." Audrey placed her hands together.

"This should be nothing, right?" The girl tilted her head slightly.

"Not at all." Audrey shook her head.

"Even among The East people now, many don't know these stories anymore... After all, it's been too long since that era." After speaking, she sighed.

"You probably don't interact with many Eastern people regularly, Tilan, and don't know the current situation of the Eastern groups in the Federation."

"In truth, there are not many Eastern people who, like us, know about their own heritage and the various ancient stories and histories."

"Most people just stereotypically think that those with black hair and black eyes, wearing Huafu and using Ancient Swordsmanship are Eastern people. This mindset even includes most of the remaining Eastern people."

"Life's environment shapes one's worldview, and for those growing up in the Federation, the Federation's influence is, of course, far greater than that of a distant country in history."

"The family I belong to, because it's a Hong Hu Direct Lineage, will enforce the teaching of a lot of ancient texts from a young age, so I still remember and understand these things. For most other Eastern people, besides hair color, they're not much different from ordinary Federation residents."

"It's just because they know about this identity, they feel a little closer to traditional Eastern things."

"Did sister Luo Fenghua ever tell you what she's been busy with these years?" Audrey recalled something.

"She never talked about it with me." Tilan shook her head.

"Ah, she didn't tell you? Maybe she thinks you're still young or doesn't want you to worry in advance."

"Sister Luo Fenghua has been touring the Eastern Star Domain, managing and promoting various Eastern classical cultures, whether it's poetry, clothing, food, Transcendent skills, and so on."

"She's very committed to passing these things down."

"It sounds like a good thing, but I'm curious, what's the official stance on this?" Tilan wondered.

"The official doesn't endorse it, but they also don't stop it." Audrey pressed her finger to her chin.

"The Federation has a very diverse cultural style, with mainstream ones like the aesthetic culture inherited from the Elves, the strength and glory style of the Beastmen, the avant-garde sci-fi style of the Children of the Stars, the holy religious style of the Angel Church, and less mainstream ones like the nobility and blood style of the True Red Empire, the death and skull style of the Mercury Dynasty, the ocean and starlight style of the Mermaids, the steampunk style leftover from the big industrial era, and so on."

"Eastern cultural elements count as one branch of it, there's no need for any special targeting, in this regard, the Federation is still quite inclusive."

"I see." The girl pondered for a long time.

"These cultures, or style leanings, could be considered traces of human history, right?"

"Because the historical environment of that era created distinctly different lifestyles and life philosophies from now, compared to baseless imaginary works, these things at least have real foundations; they're more comprehensive and real, and also easier for people to immerse themselves in."

"As for why seek out these kinds of cultural styles which no longer exist in reality, it's because human nature rejects boredom, embraces curiosity, and loves fresh and interesting things."

"Tilan, you think very deeply." Audrey said with a smile.

"Although I agree with Sister Luo Fenghua's ideas, I'm not as committed as she is. To me, the White Swan is also a beautiful creature, and I wouldn't shy away from using it as a title just because there's no story about it in ancient Eastern tomes."

"As long as it's something beautiful, I like it. If you have to look at everything with a scrutinizing eye all the time, that's just too exhausting."

"Mm." Tilan nodded, though she had another thought in her heart, she didn't express it at the moment.

All the past must be inherited, but if one indulges in it without making any changes, in the end, they'll only become a shadow of the past, unable to make new progress.

The world is always changing, even ancient things continuously iterate in development, and blindly reverting to old ways is actually a step back.

Since we live in this new era, we must carve out new paths. Although she likes the various Tomes and Secret Arts of the Qing Luan Direct Lineage, she won't live like a disciple from the ancient Green Lotus Sword Washing Palace.

If possible, she might explore a path that suits more people in the future, passing down this heritage in a brand-new way.

...

"Ah, I almost forgot to mention, the real reason I invited Tilan over this time was to sign a mutual aid agreement with you." Audrey finally revealed the reason for inviting Tilan.

"Because our Star Cluster is in the Central Region, and such a four-fronted battle zone is too dangerous. Without finding a reliable rear, it's very difficult to resist attacks from all sides."