"Uh, even though I don't know him, but I can't help but feel a little sorry for him..." March 7th's mouth twitched, a rare pang of conscience flickering inside her.
-----------------------------
Scott's vision blurred, as if he saw his betrayed old father standing before him, praising him in the unique tone of the Scott family.
"Hiss, this is strange, no, no, he's still locked up right now."
Muttering to himself, Scott's gaze gradually cleared, and his eyes immediately locked on a few hostile young girls standing before him.
"Oh yeah! As Cloud Knights, you dare beat me, a tourist with a slip-of-the-hand accident? You Xianzhou people are truly barbaric! I'm going to report this to the IPC! I'll report you to the Divination Commission!!"
"Especially you! As a Xianzhou native, you actually attacked a guest of the Xianzhou! I'll make sure the Cloud Knights throw you in jail!" Scott furiously pointed at Bailu, who had just taken out a delicate comb from who-knows-where and was slowly combing her tail.
Bailu slightly raised her eyes and looked at Scott with obvious disdain.
"No need to go through all that trouble, I'll give you directions myself. I hold a temporary position as a officer at the Alchemy Commission. If you have any complaints, you can find the current head of the Alchemy Commission and mention my name: Bailu, the 'Vidyadhara healer Lady.'"
"I don't care about what Vidyadhara, what medicine! What Healer… lady?"
Scott's voice grew weaker and weaker until it was almost inaudible.
He signaled to a nearby employee to confirm. One employee leaned in and whispered,
"Commissioner Scott, confirmed, she is indeed the 'Vidyadhara healer Lady.' What do you want to do?"
"Ahem, since she's the Vidyadhara healer Lady, of course I have to give her respect. Refusing would mean disrespecting the IPC, disrespecting the Alchemy Commission. Well, I've got things to do, so I'll be leaving now!"
Just as he took a step forward, his path was blocked by March 7th, who looked furious.
Scott was about to speak when his gaze was drawn to the gray-furred creature beside her.
"Come and go as you please? You must apologize to the little boss!"
March 7th thought making this obviously sharp-tongued guy apologize would be hard, but…
"Little boss~~ It's my fault! I shouldn't have said that. Please, be generous and don't hold it against me, okay?"
"Uh… um, it's fine." Mengming waved her hand, looking slightly dazed.
After apologizing, Scott quickly slipped away like a lone wolf.
"Uh, did I misunderstand him? He apologized so easily." Looking at the spot where Scott had disappeared in the blink of an eye, Mengming muttered.
"I don't think it's about that." Stelle spoke quietly.
In some ways, Scott really dared to take responsibility.
"No wonder I felt something good was happening today, it's because you guys are back."
Qingque looked at Stelle and March 7th, eyes lighting up.
"Come on, let's play a round!"
...
Having fled, Scott looked back and, seeing no one except a few employees following, breathed a sigh of relief.
"Phew, phew… Commissioner Scott, is that little Vidyadhara girl something special?"
One still clueless employee asked between gasps.
Isn't that little girl just a Vidyadhara? Haven't they seen at least eighty or a hundred Vidyadhara on the Luofu Xianzhou? What's there to be afraid of?
"You don't understand a thing, making the IPC look bad." Scott glared at the employee and spoke irritably.
"Was I scared? No, I was worried about damaging the IPC's image! If word got out that a bunch of IPC people bullied a little girl, how would I survive?"
That was the smaller issue.
As a lone wolf, Scott had investigated every notable figure in the Luofu Xianzhou, though not too deeply.
However, there was one thing about that Healer Lady's performance when fighting the Antimatter Legion: she smashed several Voidrangers to pieces with just her tail. Not someone to mess with.
And there was another big reason:
Her medical appointments were booked out for thirty years in advance, and she was often seen visiting the Scalegorge Waterscape. As a IPC elite assigned to the Luofu, Scott knew exactly what was there.
Any one of those reasons was enough, messing with her could easily cost him his life.
...
"Bang!"
Playing a tile, Qingque curiously asked,
"Isn't the Xianzhou hosting the Martial Exhibition? Jing Yuan sent an invitation to the Astral Express, so you came back?"
Stelle looked at the tiles, seemingly displeased.
"Yeah, so are you planning to join? With your skills, you could definitely win a prize." Qingque asked while discarding a tile.
"Nope, we just fought in Penacony and we're tired. We just want to relax now."
March 7th shook her head repeatedly.
She had no interest in joining any martial tournaments; sitting in the audience, eating snacks, and cheering was much better.
"Mm-hmm, March speaks my mind. Fighting to the death in that arena, what's the point? Better to study our tile strategies."
"Ha!" Qingque's eyes lit up, slamming her winning hand onto the table with a grin.
The others just shook their heads.
Indeed, playing against Qingque was hopeless, she had more energy for mahjong than for anything else.
If only the Divination Commission could combine work and mahjong, Qingque might actually work hard.
…Or maybe she'd quit playing entirely.
"Hey, Sushangng, don't you want to join? Think of the fame and glory, wouldn't that be great?" Guinaifen tempted her best friend.
Hearing that, Sushangng shook her head like a rattle drum.
"I don't want to, I heard the one guarding the arena this time is Yanqing, General Jing Yuan's right-hand man, a Cloud Knight Lieutenant, someone who can fight a hundred of me. How would I even dare?"
At this moment, Sushang was immensely grateful her mother wasn't in Luofu, otherwise she would have been forced to take the stage, and then a beating would be inevitable.
She, Sushang, currently served as an ordinary soldier of the Cloud Knights.
Yanqing, a Cloud Knight Lieutenant, had followed the General in expeditions since his youth, contending with the Xianzhou's great enemies such as the Denizens of Abundance and the Wingmakers.
He was recognized as a strong swordsman in Luofu apart from the prodigies of the previous generation.
Wouldn't stepping up just be pure punishment?
...
Luofu remained as peaceful as ever.
Alchemy Commission's cave-heaven.
Firefly looked at the bustling street, her nostrils flaring slightly, catching the fragrance of various medicinal herbs, which refreshed her spirit.
"To get to the Scalegorge Waterscape, I must pass through Alchemy Commission, but..."
Firefly slightly lifted her head, unintentionally bringing into view the Cloud Knights guarding the port.
These Cloud Knights were fully armed, their demeanor distinctly different from ordinary ones, true elite troops, capable of swiftly suppressing disturbances.
Not to mention that any commotion would immediately summon reinforcements from Alchemy Commission.
Firefly couldn't help but feel discouraged.
With such tight security, should she force her way through?
No, forcing through and being treated as an enemy by Godzilla would be bad.
Looks like she could only wait until nightfall, after these people had gone to sleep...
While thinking this, Firefly drifted off in thought, completely unaware of a figure quietly approaching. Only when that figure stood right before her did she snap back, looking at the person warily.
The newcomer was a woman, dressed in luxurious clothing. Even with Firefly's limited knowledge, the outfit alone was worth countless oak cake rolls.
Before Firefly could speak, the woman said:
"My name is Lingsha. I saw you standing alone here from the street corner, little sister. Could it be you have business at Alchemy Commission?"
Firefly's attire clearly marked her as an outsider, and ordinary outsiders came to Luofu for three main reasons: seeking medical treatment, tourism and trade, or pursuing immortality.
Regardless of the purpose, first-time visitors to the Xianzhou almost always visited Alchemy Commission.
Though Luofu strictly warned those who sought immortality, and in severe cases expelled them outright, who could resist the allure of eternal life? Anyone willing to cross the stars surely had their own reasons.
Looking at Firefly, Lingsha saw a girl who appeared sickly and seeking treatment, lonely and pitiful, so she approached to chat and perhaps find out whether she was an Abundance follower.
"Uh, it's nothing." Firefly shook her head, declining.
"Hehe, though I'm no expert physician, I can still tell that you seem to be suffering from an illness… If I've offended you, please forgive me. But as a healer, how could I ignore someone in pain?" Lingsha smiled lightly, then looked at Firefly, pondering for a moment:
"If I'm not mistaken, you're bedridden often, aren't you? Is it because of… restricted mobility?"
"Ah!? You… can tell?" Firefly was surprised by Lingsha's words.
"Observation, listening, questioning, and pulse reading, these are the basics of a Luofu healer. If I can't even master that, how could I get a job at this grand Alchemy Commission?"
Lingsha chuckled softly, then continued: "I've already shown you my skills. How about it, young lady?"
After some hesitation, Firefly replied:
"Since Physician Lingsha put it that way, it'd be rude to refuse. Sorry to trouble you."
"Not at all. By the way, I still don't know your name, young lady, may I ask?"
"My name is Firefly."
Half coaxing, Lingsha led Firefly toward Alchemy Commission, smiling warmly as she chatted, while glancing out of the corner of her eye toward where Firefly had been looking earlier.
'She was staring at the Scalegorge Waterscape earlier. Could she have some sort of plan? I'll have to question her carefully.'
Firefly also secretly glanced back at the now distant Scalegorge Waterscape, thinking to herself:
'Alchemy Commission is an official Luofu department; there must be an entrance to the Scalegorge Waterscape inside. Maybe I can sneak in during treatment.'
Both had their own thoughts.
...
At that moment, inside Alchemy Commission.
Yanqing and Yunli were diligently training with their swords.
With the Martial Exhibition Ceremony approaching, both, as leading figures of their generation on their respective Xianzhou ships, had great confidence in themselves, but neither underestimated their opponents.
Even if this remaining time couldn't dramatically improve their skills, it could still solidify their foundations.
There was also another major reason…
"Hmph, five minutes and six seconds, I'm faster this time," Yunli said proudly, crossing her arms and looking smugly at Yanqing.
"Heh, that's only because I was getting used to a new weapon and unfamiliar with the environment. Once I get used to it, your record won't stand for long!"
Yanqing wasn't swayed by Yunli's words. To better prepare for the ceremony, he intended to practice with all eighteen weapons. Who knew what strange weapons opponents might bring?
Being prepared in advance would naturally decide victory.
"Besides, if I'm not mistaken, you were here yesterday for special training, so of course you're more familiar with the layout. That's normal."
Yanqing's tone of reason made Yunli grit her teeth.
"Heh, if you won't admit it, just say so. Why all the excuses? If I could come yesterday, why couldn't you?"
"I was helping the General handle official duties yesterday. Where would I find the time to wander around?"
"'So you mean I'm very idle?!'
"Hard to say."
...
Just as they reached the door, they heard the two people inside quarreling sharply. Lingsha gave Firefly a helpless smile, pushed the door open, and walked straight in.
"You two are both the pillars of our Xianzhou boats and future leaders. Don't draw your swords here in my small Alchemy Division; this little place of mine can't handle you two young heroes tearing it apart."
"Sister Lingsha!"
"Miss Lingsha."
Looking at the two greeting her, Lingsha noticed the dirt on their pants and said with a chuckle, "You didn't go wandering in my herb garden again, did you?"
At those words, even Yanqing stayed silent and gave an awkward smile.
"Hehe, well, who told Sister Lingsha to plant all those things there? We definitely want to go over and see."
They were talking about the new species Lingsha cultivated using the magical plants from the Scalegorge Waterscape, almost all of which had troublesome abilities.
For these two, who had extraordinary martial skills, but found ordinary enemies too weak and stronger ones too overwhelming, it was simply the perfect training ground.
Hearing Yunli's words, Lingsha shook her head slightly and said helplessly, "Those are all painstakingly cultivated by me. Some are even meant to be supplied to The Shackling Prison in the future, so don't go destroying them now."
"How could we? Those plants are as tough as swords, as flexible as my waist, and even my heavy sword can't break through their defenses or gain leverage from them. It's so frustrating."
She shook her head, recalling the physical training from some time back.
...
Anyway, they wouldn't actually destroy her garden; otherwise, the plants themselves would have driven them out or trapped them.
If they wanted to play, then just let them.
"Miss Lingsha, who is this behind you?"
Yanqing looked curiously at the person standing behind Lingsha.
"This is Miss Firefly, who came to Luofu for treatment," Lingsha introduced, then looked at Firefly and said,
"Firefly, whatever you do, don't get too mixed up with them. They have way too much energy."
Hearing Lingsha's advice, Firefly nodded obediently.
Energetic, just like Stelle's energy. When rummaging through trash cans, no one could stop her.
...
Meanwhile.
Divination Commission.
"With the IPC's intelligence, we have pinpointed the location of the "Red Tide.""
The short but extraordinarily capable Master Diviner frowned slightly, focusing intently on the revealed data.
'The Swarm Disaster has great enmity with the Aeon of Preservation, The Amber Lord. If the "Red Tide" catches their eye...'
Although Tayzzyronth had already fallen, no one could say for sure whether the Aeon of Preservation would act against swarms influenced by Godzilla.
After all, Godzilla carried too many mysteries, and anything the Aeon of Preservation deemed unfit...
Well, probably not, Godzilla had the temperament to stay dormant for hundreds of years, comparable to the IX.
The only concern now was the "Red Tide."
"According to our calculations, that ship has already entered the star system where the Celestial Comet Wall is located. It won't be long before-"
Topaz spoke up.
"But the Aeon isn't there."
Fu Xuan frowned and said,
"They're not after the Amber King's gaze. They don't even have that kind of status.
They just want to use the Amber King's divine power to scare off those bugs and maybe hope the Amber King will shatter these "Bugs." But they're not nearly capable enough for that."
Topaz snorted softly, mocking their thoughts.
Even hiding behind the Celestial Comet Wall wouldn't work unless they stayed there forever.
Otherwise, with the swarm's tendency to chase prey across the galaxy, stepping out even once would mean disaster.
"No matter what they're planning, Topaz, has the IPC found out who provoked the "Red Tide"?"
Shaking her head, Fu Xuan stopped questioning that and instead asked if they had caught the mastermind.
"The Technology Department and the Intelligentsia Guild pushed out some people, even contributing their research data."
"Just pawns pushed to the front."
"Exactly. But as long as the people behind it want to continue their experiments, they'll eventually slip up again, and it won't be long." Topaz smiled slightly.
She understood those people's mindset all too well.
They had already invested so much; if they didn't recover some costs, wouldn't this whole venture be a loss?
Besides, as long as they stayed hidden in the background and never showed their faces, who could tie them to it?
It was precisely because of all these reversals and pawns that it was so hard to detect them. Still, every action left traces.
The old guard was too rigid; it was time to step aside.
...
"Lanner Byrne, come with us."
"Can I at least change my clothes? It's not appropriate to go out like this."
Facing the IPC's team, Lanner smiled slightly and stood calmly.
"Please do, but make it quick."
They didn't refuse this request.
After preparing briefly and dressing appropriately, Lanner stepped out the door with a calm expression.