March 7th was staring intently at her phone, her gaze not wavering for even a second.
Welt and Dan Heng stood nearby, keeping watch.
The scene resembled a typical outing where parents took their children out.
"Strange, why hasn't that Miss Tingyun arrived yet?" Welt muttered suspiciously.
"No relevant personnel, danger—Danger—"
Dan Heng glanced at the massive ship prepared by the Sky-Faring Commission.
Stelle was a Xianzhou native, but Dan Heng had no license and couldn't pilot a starship.
Meanwhile, March 7th and Stelle didn't seem to mind.
March 7th was watching a live stream of Xiao Guizi's story.
Stelle, on the other hand, kept replaying Jing Yuan's character PV [Gentleness of Heaven and Earth], looping it repeatedly.
"Sorry for the wait, everyone!"
Tingyun finally arrived.
"This humble one was delayed by some trivial matters. Please forgive me, and don't tell Lady Yukong."
"No problem, let's board the starship first," Welt urged.
Soon, everyone boarded the starship, piloted by Tingyun.
Of course, it couldn't compare to the Express.
"This humble one is Tingyun, a reception envoy of the Sky-Faring Commission's merchant group. You must be members of the Astral Express, correct?"
"yes"
[Roadblock at the entrance, magnetic field interference]—"
"Railway" 7*
"Oh, so this is the game you're playing?"
"Hehe… This humble one has heard of this popular game. Unfortunately, official duties keep me too busy to try it myself."
Welt: "Tch…"
Dan Heng: "..."
March 7th and Stele remained engrossed in the game.
Tingyun smiled awkwardly.
Her inner thoughts murmured: "Why is the atmosphere not what I expected? Could the game really have leaked some intel?"
"No way… It must be something else…"
"No use overthinking it. Let's just reach our destination first."
"Oh right, I should warn them in advance. If the Ambrosial Arbor's growth causes our ship to crash, that'd be quite the spectacle."
---
Xiao Guizi's Livestream
"Folks! As much as I'd love to watch the interrogation of Kafka, Lady Fu Xuan is about to begin the official questioning."
"We'll have to stay here in the plaza and wait for news from the Divination Commission's guide. But hey, I know this place well!"
Guizi manipulated her character to explore.
Soon, she noticed a crowd gathered in the square.
"Something's up! Let me check it out!"
As she approached, a cutscene triggered.
A Cloud Knight soldier on a stretcher let out a pained cry as golden ginkgo leaves covered his body, causing mutations to spread.
Suddenly, a figure dashed toward them at incredible speed, kicking up dust in their wake.
"Everyone, step back!"
A young Vidyadhara girl leaped into the air, spinning 360 degrees, her tail crackling with lightning as she swept it forward.
The previously howling soldier collapsed instantly.
The girl pulled a gourd from her oversized sleeve and handed it to someone nearby.
"Quick, make him drink this medicine so he stays still!"
Her movements were fluid and precise.
But the next moment, more Mara-stricken emerged, writhing as they rose from the ground.
"Uh… I mean…"
The girl let out an awkward laugh.
"Make them stay still!"
Sigh.
[Battle Start]
Seeing this tiny figure, March 7th let out a shriek.
"MEOW! IT'S MY DAUGHTER BAILU!!!"
Dan Heng and Welt jumped in surprise.
"What?! Bailu's here?!"
Stelle immediately rushed over to watch.
Dan Heng rolled his eyes, initially unfazed, and leaned against the window to rest.
He expected a major battle soon.
But then his gaze fell on Bailu in the cutscene.
She bore the traits of the Vidyadhara—dragon horns and a tail!
"Huh?!"
"She's… this generation's Dragon Lady?"
Suddenly intrigued, Dan Heng joined the viewing party.
March 7th gave him a strange look.
"No way, Dan Heng…"
"Don't tell me you're a Bailu fan?"
"I'm warning you—Bailu is my daughter. You better not—"
"You've lost it, March," Dan Heng sighed.
---
After defeating the Mara-stricken, the battle ended.
Bailu placed her hands on her hips.
"Taught them a lesson! Ah, the art of healing is truly profound!"
She turned to the Express trio.
"Thanks for helping stabilize the patients, uncles and aunties! That Knockout Anesthesia technique was impressive!"
"But now they're even more injured. I'll have to reset their bones and bandage them. Ugh, now I'm swamped!"
March 7th grinned, her fangs showing.
The story unfolded just as she expected.
She asked BalLu: "Where are your parents? Where's your dad?"
"Or your mom?"
"I don't have a mom either," Bailu shook her head, her big eyes full of sincerity.
March 7th in-game: "..."
March 7th in real life: "..."
"Wahhh—!"
"What have I done?!!"
Seeing March 7th's devastation, Stelle patted her shoulder sympathetically.
Then, she opened the comment section.
[Chat[
"LMAO I shouldn't laugh but I can't help it!"
"RIP, a week's worth of karma gone in an instant!"
"How to End a Conversation in Three Sentences – by March 7th."
"Honesty is the deadliest weapon."
"Flawless execution!"
"March 7th lying in bed tonight: 'I'm the worst…' (crying doge)"
To be continued…
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