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Mobile Game Hall, VIP Area.
Beside Bailu.
Two little companions each sat on a stool.
Watching the ongoing storyline mission — [Evanesce Like the Morning Dew].
According to Big Sister Bai, this was the Dragon Girl's Companion Mission.
The little boy and girl widened their eyes.
In their minds, the Dragon Girl was a child about their age, the only difference being that she had a pair of dragon horns and a tail, but otherwise, she was pretty much the same.
However.
In the current storyline.
Facing the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus who had come knocking.
Bailu placed her hands on her hips and retorted without mercy, "Pah! Pah! Pah! Fix your big head! You meddlesome medicine jar, watch me whip you with my tail until your parents can't recognize you!"
The little girl covered her mouth in shock.
"Eek!"
"Bailu is so fierce!"
"Yeah."
The little boy wiped his nose and agreed.
"Just as fierce as Sister Bai."
They had no idea.
This "Sister Bai" they had just met might very well be the Bailu from the story.
Meanwhile, Bailu continued to focus on the plot.
She was eager to know.
Whether, in the end, she had helped Banxia fulfill her promise to meet her beloved in this mission.
Bypassing the Cloud Knights.
They arrived at the final destination.
However.
At that very moment, Banxia's Mara-Struck form erupted.
Flesh and armor fused together.
Her voice became rough and indistinct.
By the time she appeared before Bailu and Stelle, she had completely transformed into a Mara-Struck Soldier.
The two children, a boy and a girl, were terrified.
To them, witnessing this scene was no different from watching a horror movie.
One hid on Bailu's left, the other on her right.
Peeking at the screen with squinted eyes.
Seeing Sister Bai's grave expression.
They secretly marveled.
Truly, Sister Bai!
Even in such a situation, she remained composed, even more serious and focused than before.
They had indeed chosen the right big sister!
Banxia's muffled voice came through: "Has the Mara-Struck form begun to erupt? This is so... sudden."
"But, I still remember him, remember you all..."
"Has Lady Bailu's treatment taken effect? Thank you, if it weren't for you..."
Bailu, however, said, "Don't thank me!... It's my inability... I couldn't keep you in your original form."
"The Mara-Struck form is incurable. The fact that I can still speak to you clearly is already a miracle."
"Little sister, do you remember what I said before, in case it came to this..."
"Let's go, while I still have my senses."
Finally.
They reached the destination.
But the cautious Liangmu insisted that Banxia come alone.
The protagonist and Bailu had to temporarily step aside.
A man's cries for help echoed.
"Monster—"
"Help—"
Arriving at the scene.
Liangmu must have seen that the Mara-Struck form had fled, leaving only Banxia behind.
"I... can't go on..."
"Do it... don't forget... the promise!"
Bailu sighed.
As she entered the battle, she muttered to herself, "Even at this moment, she's still thinking about the promise."
"It seems Banxia truly loved this man."
It was Seele's turn to act.
She unleashed her ultimate skill.
"Let me set you free..."
It perfectly matched the current atmosphere.
Up to this point.
Bailu had thought this mission was like [To the Dim Star], a love that would last until death.
She was deeply moved.
Even her eyes began to redden...
Though she was still young and had never been in love.
That didn't stop her from empathizing with the characters in the story.
After catching up with Liangmu ahead.
Two options appeared.
[The Mara-Struck monster just now was Banxia]
[Banxia was busy and couldn't come]
Bailu pondered for a moment.
She decided to choose the first one.
In Bailu's view.
The tragedy had already happened; no amount of lies could cover it up.
When he went back to find Banxia, he would surely uncover the truth.
By then, he might feel even more regret and pain.
Liangmu sighed, "Banxia... how did she end up in such an ugly state?"
"Ugly? Are you too heartbroken to accept it?"
Liangmu shook his head.
What he said next.
Directly stunned Bailu and her little companions!
"So she changed her clothes, and now there's nothing to be found on this Mara-stricken monster."
"Damn it, she left nothing behind! That wretched woman tricked me!"
"Lover?"
"That was just her wishful thinking. I never considered such a thing. Don't tell me you all thought I was her lover too?"
"Ridiculous! We were all deceived. You should direct your anger at that wretched woman..."
The little girl asked sadly, "Wuwu... Sister Bailu, why is this man like this?"
"Adult emotions are complicated. This man approached Banxia solely for his own benefit. He's a complete scoundrel!"
"If I ever see him in real life, I'll beat him so badly even his own mother won't recognize him!"
What Bailu didn't know was.
Because of this Companion Mission, Liangmu, who was supposed to be sent back to his hometown, was attacked midway.
Some indignant players felt that beating him up in the game wasn't satisfying enough.
They found him in real life.
He is now severely injured and paralyzed in the hospital...
After calming down.
Bailu glanced at the clock on the wall.
There was still some time left.
She turned and asked her two little companions what storyline they wanted to see next.
"I want to see the Dragon Dan!" the little boy said excitedly.
"I... I want to see the big sister's storyline!"
"Then let's play rock-paper-scissors. Whoever wins gets to choose," Bailu said fairly.
The little boy grinned.
He won.
He was so excited he almost drooled.
"Imbibitor Lunae Dan Heng... Dragon Dan... hehe, so cool!"
"I want to become a cool and handsome man like Dan Heng in the future!"
Bailu glanced at the little boy, who was grinning from ear to ear.
She shook her head.
"You still have a long way to go."
"Dan Heng's storyline... let me look for it."
"Found it, it's this one!"
Among the messages.
Bailu found the one sent by Dan Heng.
[Do you have some time recently?]
[There's something I'd like to invite you to join me in...]
[I want to meet the current High Elder of the Vidyadhara clan in Luofu.]
[I want to inquire about some past events to better understand what I can do next, to make up for things in my previous life.]
[Accept the mission—[Dragon's Return Home]?]
Seeing this description.
Bailu's heart jingled!
The current High Elder—
That's herself!
Who would have thought!
She would actually appear in Dan Heng's Companion Mission?
This young lady is really busy.
She has a role everywhere!
Following the mission's guidance, she arrived at the Ruomu Pavilion in Exalting Sanctum.
When she saw Dan Heng, he was talking to a Vidyadhara woman.
Bailu took one look at this person.
And a slight smile immediately appeared on her lips!
"Isn't that Huanxi?"
"The maid who's supposed to be watching over me..."
"She must be searching all over the streets for me right now."
At the thought of this.
Bailu quickly proceeded with the plot.
She wanted to play a little longer before being discovered!
Just then, Huanxi's voice could be heard: "The process by which Miss Bailu became the High Elder was neither in accordance with regulations nor her own wishes—it was the result of the former High Elder, Dan Feng, acting willfully. His arrogance and autocracy led to the severance of the Luofu High Elder lineage."
"When the Preceptors heard the news of Lord Dan Heng's return, they were unsure whether it boded well or ill. But everyone speculated that the Luofu High Elder lineage might be restored and unified once more, which would be a cause for celebration."
"Whether it's selecting a new capable leader according to clan regulations, or... or having you reclaim the position, there is still room for maneuver."
"However, if Lord Dan Heng were to leave everything to Miss Bailu to inherit, it would likely stir up a huge storm and bring her no benefit at all."
[I can see she doesn't really want to be the High Elder either.]
"Twelve years ago, I was chosen as a maid, accompanying my master daily as she studied medicine and trained. I witnessed her countless attempts to escape, only to be caught and brought back each time, unwillingly."
"By the standards of Xianzhou, a child like her should be living a happy and carefree childhood. But as a High Elder burdened with a hollow title, Miss Bailu is deeply constrained, with no freedom to move as she pleases."
"I cannot bear to see this, and I dare to ask you to consider this child's well-being."
Seeing this scene from a third-person perspective.
Bailu couldn't help but feel a ripple of emotion in her heart.
"Huanxi has been quite good to me... It makes me feel a bit guilty for running away for so long and causing her so much worry..."
"Hmm... I'll go back after finishing this quest."
The little girl asked in confusion, "Sister Bai, what are you talking about?"
"Ah, nothing, nothing. Let's continue watching the plot."
...
At the Vidyadhara stronghold.
Aside from the group of Preceptor elders, there were also other Vidyadhara clansmen who opposed Bailu being revered as the High Elder.
All gathered here.
On the screen before them.
Was the completed quest [The Return of the Dragon].
One of the Preceptor elders spoke up: "This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and our only chance."
"The reincarnated Imbibitor Lunae has appeared at the Alchemy Commission, while the Dragon Maiden Bailu has sneaked off to Aurum Alley."
"If we capture Imbibitor Lunae, through him... we can recreate the [Dragon Transformation Art]."
"Then, in secret, we can eliminate the Dragon Maiden..."
"Thus, the power of the new generation of High Elder will be entirely in our hands!"
Although they had all seen the plot.
They refused to believe that the current Dan Heng had no connection to the previous Imbibitor Lunae!
Nor did they acknowledge that Bailu possessed any unique qualities!
This was a deeply ingrained belief, even an obsession...
Of course.
Some elders and Vidyadhara clansmen, after watching the plot, let go of their obsessions.
And chose to withdraw from it.
Those who remained could even be said to carry a certain degree of fanaticism.
"Huanxi has already made her move... Although by the end of the plot, her identity as an assassin was also exposed."
"But for now, this fact should still be hidden, and there's still time."
"Her identity as Bailu's maid still holds some value."
"The rest of you, follow me."
"The power of Yinyue must be his full strength. With the secret arts of the Vidyadhara, we are sure to capture this traitor!"
"If he personally reveals the [Dragon Transformation Art], he might be spared some pain."
"If he truly claims ignorance as in the plot..."
"Then he can only become our experimental subject..."
"After all, the power of the High Elder surpasses all."
"This is the meaning of our lineage's existence!"