The middle-aged man studied Yun Chen for a long moment before saying, "You know Ran Xi?"
Yun Chen paused, cast his divine sense over the man again, then understood. "Ran Xi told you?"
"Yes. You truly know her?"
"Of course. She is a very important companion of mine. Where is she now? Can you take me to her?"
As the two volleyed questions and answers, staff at headquarters placed a call inside. Moments later, an elderly man with graying hair arrived, supported by his aide.
Yun Chen frowned when he saw him. He could tell the man's life was near its end.
Upon seeing Yun Chen, the old man grew agitated. "Honored guest, my aide has told me everything. You are right about what you said. But as the head of the Rebirth Department, this is the most I can do. My ability is limited. Can I entrust the rest to you?"
To Yun Chen, the elder felt like someone desperate for any cure. He did not agree immediately. Pressing his palms together, he said, "Amitabha. This monk's understanding is limited. I cannot resolve your crisis alone. I wish to meet my companions first."
The old man nodded. "Very well. I will have Ruo Bai take you to see Miss Ran Xi."
The one named Ruo Bai stepped forward. "Elder Nan, are you certain?"
Elder Nan nodded. "Go. I will not last much longer. While I can still hold on, do everything you can."
"Yes, Elder Nan."
Ruo Bai turned to Yun Chen. "Please come with me. I will take you to Ran Xi."
The black-clad man and woman who had brought Yun Chen blocked their way. "Minister Ruo Bai, this man must release the spirits he seized. Otherwise we cannot allow him to leave."
Ruo Bai glanced at Yun Chen, surprised that he, like Ran Xi, could collect souls bare-handed.
"Amitabha. These souls are unpurified and cannot reenter rebirth." He swept his sleeve and released the souls he had taken.
The black-clad man fumbled out a black metal box and, only after drawing in the spirits drifting about the office, finally let out a breath.
Ruo Bai's mouth twitched. He led Yun Chen out through headquarters' back entrance.
After they left, Elder Nan waved the others away. Supported to a chair, he panted heavily. Seeing his distress, an aide gave him an injection.
Another aide, heartsore, said, "Elder Nan, you did not need to meet him yourself. We do not even know if he can break this deadlock. What if he cannot?"
When Elder Nan's breathing steadied, he spoke, "This time it must work. Purification crystals are already scarce. If they remain in the hands of the upper classes, they will reincarnate within their families without limit and lock down all of Azure Star's resources. What of the common people?
If souls do not receive full purification, sooner or later there will be trouble. While I am still alive, they will not dare move against me lightly. I must address this.
The rapid rise of the Extreme Death Sect over the years shows they have sensed something and are resisting in their way. No one is truly a fool. Those above cannot deceive the public forever. The frequent paranormal incidents everywhere are only a beginning. The special division may suppress the news, but how long can they keep it down?"
The two aides pressed their lips together. One asked, "Elder Nan, how can you be sure these people can solve the problem?"
Elder Nan closed his eyes. "You saw Ran Xi and this Yun Chen's reactions. What did you notice?"
The two exchanged a look, searched their memories, then answered in turn, "They do not agree with the methods of our Rebirth Department."
"Both predicted that Azure Star will run into disaster, with the key being the souls we reclaim."
"And the two of them seem to understand souls more fully and deeply than we do. Their knowledge of rebirth feels different from ours."
Elder Nan opened his eyes. "You are not wrong. Our current rebirth system is nearing collapse. We must find a more reasonable way to sustain it. Because their understanding differs from ours, perhaps they can break the old to build the new and find us a way forward."
Ran Xi had not gone out in two days. People fear fame like pigs fear getting fat. Thanks to that one legendary shot, visitors surged to find her. Some came to court her, some to sign her for a debut, some to offer endorsements and commercials. Crowds jammed her temporary lodging all day. Annoyed, Ran Xi moved straight into Xia Mengmeng's RV.
Xia Mengmeng was reshooting interior scenes and had not left the Film City. Hearing Ran Xi's plight, she generously gave the RV to Ran Xi.
Ran Xi accepted without fuss. She had earned it. Five days later, the communication jade slip in her storage bracelet finally stirred. She took it out. The message was from Xun Kun.
"Ran Xi, I am at the Film City entrance. Where are you?"
Ran Xi finally smiled. She replied, "I will come get you," then drove the RV to the gate.
Xun Kun's divine sense had already found her. When the RV rolled to a stop, he got out too and strode toward Ran Xi as she hopped down.
"Xun Kun."
"Ran Xi."
At last, they reunited.
Ran Xi took in Xun Kun's look, black shirt and trousers, long hair casually tied back, black filigreed mask on his face, cool and sharp to the extreme. The style suited him. She smiled. "Xun Kun, seems your luck held. No heavy injuries. You are the first to find me."
Xun Kun was looking at Ran Xi as well. She wore a white dress, her long hair tied with a matching ribbon. A black storage bracelet circled her wrist, and a spirit-beast pouch hung at her hip. A furry head poked out, wide black-grape eyes staring at him.
Xun Kun's lips curved. "I saw screenshots of you on the starnet and came. You are doing better than I am, and you even picked up a spirit pet."
"Come on, let us talk in my vehicle."
"Alright."
Xun Kun had a bellyful to say to Ran Xi. They were from the same world and could speak freely as companions.
"Mr. Xun Kun."
A clear voice behind them made them stop.
Ran Xi had already noticed the blue-eyed beauty who had shared a car with Xun Kun, but since he had not mentioned her, she had not asked. She had not expected the young lady to speak first.
Xun Kun shot Ran Xi an apologetic look, then turned to Daphne. "Miss Sack, thank you for bringing me to my friend, and for your hospitality these past days. This is my return gift."
He offered her a black jade talisman. "This is a custom protective charm. It will preserve you through three life-threatening crises. From now on, we are square."
Daphne's hand froze as she took the talisman. She opened her mouth to speak, but Xun Kun had already turned and stepped into Ran Xi's RV.
"Daphne, let us go. Mr. Xun Kun has his own affairs to handle."