After lifting the mutes on the other three and closing the chat group, Su Xiaoqi turned to Tokisaki Kurumi with a sigh. "Can you stop arguing with that woman every time you're in the group?"
Kurumi snorted. "She started it. And mark my words, the next time I see her, I'm ending her."
Su Xiaoqi's expression turned serious. "Kurumi, I won't interfere if you two fight. But if you genuinely try to kill her, I will stop you."
Before she could retort, he continued, "Don't glare at me yet. Infighting among group members can't be allowed. If others start copying this behavior, the group will descend into chaos—worst-case scenario, it might even disband."
Lu Linglong quickly pulled Kurumi away, exchanging a glance with Zhu Zhuqing and Zhi Jinhua. "Let's go talk some sense into her."
Half an hour later, Kurumi returned to Su Xiaoqi, her tone grudging. "Darling, I've thought about it. Fine, I won't kill her. But you can't stop me from teaching her a lesson."
Su Xiaoqi nodded. "Deal. But the fight happens under my supervision. And don't underestimate her lightning abilities—be careful."
Kurumi's lips curled into a smirk. "I knew you'd worry about me. Hug~"
Zhu Zhuqing yanked her back by the collar. "No hugs. Go prepare. Tonight, you can earn some extra points by taking out those Quanxing remnants. If you lose to her, you'll be the laughingstock of the entire group."
Kurumi scoffed. "As if I'd lose. I'll do a gacha pull first, just like Linglong. That bitch will be begging under my feet."
Lu Linglong chimed in, "I'll pass on the Quanxing points. Hua'er and I will hold down the fort at Tian Shi Fu."
Su Xiaoqi agreed. "Alright. Let's head there now and make arrangements."
At Tian Shi Fu, they met with Zhang Lingyu and Xia Ho. After confirming the plan, they waited for nightfall.
"Time's up."
"Linglong, we're moving out with Xia Ho. Any stragglers are yours to handle."
Lu Linglong grinned. "Don't worry. With me here, nothing's getting through."
Guided by Xia Ho, the group ambushed the Quanxing rendezvous point, waiting to strike until all key members had arrived.
As the appointed hour approached, the infamous "Three Troublemakers" of Quanxing—alongside named figures like Yuan Tao—showed up. However, from Xia Ho's intel, some low-level members had gone rogue and weren't present.
"No time to hunt the small fry. Let's move."
When the Quanxing members realized they'd been betrayed by Xia Ho, fury erupted—but their resistance was futile.
Su Xiaoqi and Zhu Zhuqing dismantled the Three Troublemakers, while Kurumi devoured the rest.
Xia Ho, witnessing Zhu Zhuqing and Kurumi's abilities for the first time, was stunned—especially by Kurumi's eerie power. She shuddered, grateful that Zhang Lingyu had persuaded her to leave Quanxing. Otherwise, she'd have been just another casualty.
Soon after the battle, Lu Linglong reported that the rogue Quanxing members attacking Tian Shi Fu had been reduced to charcoal.
With Quanxing's assault crushed, the system notification arrived:
[Notice: The "Luo Tian Da Jiao" arc is concluding. Non-"One Piece" world participants must depart within 4 hours. Failure to comply will result in forced repatriation and penalties.]
"So soon?"
Rushing back to Tian Shi Fu, Su Xiaoqi's group was met with roaring applause.
"Look, our heroes return!"
Baffled, they soon learned that news of their ambush—and the thwarted attack on Tian Shi Fu—had spread.
Seizing the moment, Su Xiaoqi fulfilled his promise to Zhang Lingyu. He spun a tale for the crowd, declaring Xia Ho a "deep-cover agent" within Quanxing. With the organization now crippled, her mission was over.
Even the Heavenly Master backed the story, going a step further by publicly acknowledging Zhang Lingyu and Xia Ho's relationship.
With Su Xiaoqi and the Heavenly Master's endorsement, Xia Ho's reputation was officially cleansed.
Zhang Lingyu approached Su Xiaoqi with a bottle of wine. "I know you dislike formalities, but… thank you."
Su Xiaoqi smirked, sniffing the wine (just in case) before clinking bottles. "Save the speeches. Bottoms up."
"Cheers."
Nearby, Xia Ho toasted Lu Linglong. "Shall we? I'll finish mine—you take your time."
Lu Linglong scoffed. "My man drank his all. I won't embarrass him. I'll finish—you take your time."
Yet, after just one bottle, Lu Linglong was drunk, clinging to Su Xiaoqi and slurring:
"Hic~ Xiaoqi, I really like you~ Being with you makes me so happy~ Hic~ Kiss me again~"
The crowd erupted in laughter.
Lu Linglong wobbled, pointing accusingly. "Whass so funny? Don't make me angry, or—"
"—or you'll have your man blow up Longhu Mountain. We know," everyone chorused.
Lu Linglong beamed. "Good! From now on, I'm your big sis! Any objections?"
They turned pleadingly to Su Xiaoqi. "Boss, please control your goddess. We surrender!"
As the party wound down, departure loomed. Su Xiaoqi sent Zhu Zhuqing, Kurumi, and Zhi Jinhua to escort the drunken Lu Linglong to bed, then sought out the Heavenly Master, Lu Jing, and Tian Jinzhong.
Lu Jing clasped his shoulder. "Xiaoqi, take care of my foolish granddaughter."
"I will."
"Next time, I expect a different form of address," Lu Jing teased.
"Count on it."
The Heavenly Master handed Su Xiaoqi a stack of manuscripts. "Tian Lao and I copied these for you. Our world's future rests with you youngsters. This old man can finally retire."
Su Xiaoqi bowed deeply. "Thank you, Heavenly Master. Thank you, Tian Lao."
"Go on. Say your goodbyes. You're always welcome here."
"Until next time."
Returning to the room, Su Xiaoqi found only Lu Linglong (asleep, still mumbling his name) and Zhi Jinhua. Zhu Zhuqing and Kurumi had already returned to their worlds.
"Hua'er, I'm heading back. If I pull any good abilities, I'll have Linglong pass them to you."
Zhi Jinhua hesitated, then whispered, "Can I… hug you?"
Su Xiaoqi embraced her. "Take care of yourself."
"You too." She pulled back, smiling. "Next time, I'll be even better. Oh, and… my cat can do backflips. You should visit."
Su Xiaoqi raised a brow. "Same color as last time?"
"That's a secret~" She winked. "I'll be waiting."
The moment he vanished, Lu Linglong's eyes snapped open. "Hua'er! Why didn't you confess?!"
Zhi Jinhua laughed. "Because we both want the perfect moment—not some rushed farewell."
Lu Linglong tilted her head. "Huh?"
"Never mind. Keep being your adorable, clueless self."
"Hey! And what was that about a backflipping cat?! Was that your way of flirting?!"
"Maybe~" Zhi Jinhua teased. "What, can't handle a little competition?"
Lu Linglong growled. "Oh, I'll show you a backflip—!"