Following Bailu down the main street of Starskiff Haven, the three of them drew the attention of every passerby.
Bailu, as the Vidyadhara Dragon Lady, was naturally conspicuous. And the attire of Ruan Mei and Herta was hardly ordinary.
Ruan Mei instinctively took out a dose of Neglect Serum for herself.
Herta extended her hand.
"Give me a dose of that Neglect Serum too."
Ruan Mei handed the remaining serum directly to Herta. Herta froze.
Indirect... indirect k—
N-no way... this... Ruan Mei...
Herta's mind went completely blank.
Ruan Mei, meanwhile, remained perfectly calm, occasionally glancing toward the Jade Gate as if nothing had happened.
Bailu turned to look at Herta.
"Madam Herta, what's wrong with you? And where's Madam Ruan Mei?"
With a thought, Ruan Mei nullified the Neglect Serum's effect on Bailu.
"Just a minor discomfort."
"Herta. Is there something wrong with the serum?"
"I— It's fine, alright?!"
Herta downed the serum in one gulp, then feigned composure.
"It's passable. Ruan Mei, next time, change this orange-flavored stuff to mint."
Bailu immediately perked up, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.
"Madam Ruan Mei! Something tasty? Can I have some?"
Seeing Bailu tugging at Ruan Mei's dress, Herta grabbed her and pulled her away.
"If you use the Neglect Serum, who'll take us to buy pastries? Just do your job as our guide."
Bailu looked at Herta, confused.
"Neglect Serum? What's that?"
"Literally what it says. Makes people ignore you—unable to perceive your existence for about six system hours."
Hearing this, Bailu rushed back to Ruan Mei.
"Big Sister Ruan Mei!! Can I have a bottle of that Neglect Serum? With it, that guy Taoran won't be able to catch me!"
Herta stepped in front of her again.
"Bailu, this is for humans. Using it as a Vidyadhara might have side effects. And don't call her 'big sister'—call her 'madam'!!"
"Ugh. Fine."
"Wait."
Ruan Mei lowered her head and gently touched Bailu's head. In an instant, her life-spiral structure analyzed everything about Bailu.
Vidyadhara, but with traces of foxian bloodline. And the power of immortality in her dragon tail was sealed.
In mere seconds, Ruan Mei formulated a Neglect Serum specially tailored for Bailu and handed it to her.
"Bailu. Remember, this serum only works on humans and Vidyadhara."
Bailu accepted it gleefully.
"Thank you, Big Sister Ruan Mei! Now that guy Taoran will never catch me again!"
"Come on, come on! I'll take you to the Xianzhou traditional snack shop for some Mofu rolls!"
---
At the same time, inside the Divine Foresight's Office.
"Grandfather! Several borisin appeared on the main street of Starskiff Haven just now. Will something go wrong at the Luminary Wardance?"
Huaiyan smiled serenely.
"It's fine."
Seeing how calmly he took everything in stride, Yunli added,
"Oh, and Grandfather. If I happened to cause some trouble outside... annoyed someone I shouldn't have... and said something about 'don't bully a young lass in poverty'... what should I do?"
"Work hard. Learn from your shame and strive forward. But remember, martial virtue comes first. Understood?"
Yunli laughed awkwardly.
"Well... Grandfather. What if that someone is a member of the Genius Society? How much chance would I have to show them martial virtue then?"
"Who exactly did you provoke? Tell me everything. No omissions."
Sensing the shift in Huaiyan's tone—a mix of resignation and reproach—Yunli continued.
"I took some young guy's stray flying sword and accidentally ran into Madam Ruan Mei. I said some... less than polite things before I knew who she was."
Huaiyan's expression turned serious. He opened his eyes—a rare occurrence—and recalled the rumors of the Starcrusher Swarm King's creator.
Then he smiled helplessly and closed his eyes again.
"Yunli. Even I know very little about Madam Ruan Mei."
"Elder Yan, who are you discussing with Yunli?"
Yunli and Huaiyan turned to look at Feixiao.
"Ruan Mei."
"Ah, Madam Ruan Mei of the Genius Society? Elder Yan, does the Zhuming have business to discuss with her?"
Huaiyan shook his head and sighed.
"Sigh. This child spoke without thinking and offended Madam Ruan Mei. Speaking of which, where's Jing Yuan?"
Feixiao shrugged.
"He should be here soon."
The moment Jing Yuan appeared with Yanqing and Stelle, Yunli and Yanqing's eyes went wide as they glared at each other.
"It's you!!"
"It's you?!"
"Oh? You two know each other?"
"General, it's like this..."
After Yanqing explained everything, Huaiyan immediately scolded,
"Yunli! Apologize to Yanqing right now."
"No way! I won't! Because of him, I offended Madam Ruan Mei!!"
Yunli stormed out. Huaiyan could only sigh deeply.
"Everyone, forgive her outburst."
"You there, young friend from the Astral Express. Could you go comfort Yunli for me?"
"Any Stellar Jades?"
"Well... This old man forgot to bring any today."
Stelle crossed her arms. Ever since Ruan Mei had given her ten thousand Stellar Jades, she'd changed. If you want her to do something, no Stellar Jades means no deal.
"So that's a no."
"Then this old man owes you a favor."
"And how many Stellar Jades is a favor worth?"
Huaiyan sputtered. In all my Amber Eras, no one has ever spoken to me like this!
Jing Yuan couldn't help but laugh.
"Calm down, calm down. Here's five hundred Stellar Jades."
Feixiao stepped forward and handed a bag of Stellar Jades to Stelle.
Stelle nodded coolly and slowly walked out.
---
"Waaah... Seriously. First I offend Madam Ruan Mei, then I run into that Yanqing guy, and then Grandfather scolds me."
"Did I check the calendar wrong when I went out today?!"
Sobbing echoed from a corner.
When a freshly made Mofu roll and a skewer of Jade Fruit appeared before Yunli, she froze.
"Choose one. No being greedy."
That cold, distant voice reached Yunli's ears. She looked up in disbelief.
"Ma... Madam Ruan Mei? What are you doing here?!"
Ruan Mei gestured toward a nearby stall. Bailu and Herta sat by a table, eating Mofu rolls.
"On a date with a friend on the Luofu. And you? Crying?"
Ruan Mei took out a handkerchief embroidered with cold plum blossoms and gently wiped the tears from Yunli's eyes.
"Ah. I... I wasn't crying!"
Ruan Mei said nothing. She simply handed Yunli the Jade Fruit skewer and turned to leave.
"Thirty years pass, and rivers change their course. Little Yunli. I'll be waiting."
"You!! Wait, then! I won't let being a genius intimidate me!"
"I will catch up to you!! I will!!"
With that, Yunli pouted and devoured the entire skewer.
Hmm. Come to think of it, the Jade Fruit Ruan Mei gave her was sweeter than the others.