Chapter 161

Chapter 29: Xiaoling is Worried About Her

　Yuan Xiaoling stood stunned for a while.

　She scrutinized carefully, Bai Ling didn’t seem to be joking around.

　”Is this really top priority?” the Blonde-haired Maiden cautiously asked.

　Bai Ling nodded seriously.

　”But I’ve uncovered the Yun Family’s secrets.”

　”Put that on hold.”

　”It’s related to today’s enemies.”

　”That can wait too.”

　”It might reveal their true intentions regarding the Foundation Stones.”

　”That can also wait…”

　Bai Ling slightly froze, her lips twitching, “Really?”

　”Why would I lie to you.” Yuan Xiaoling said confidently.

　Even though it was just speculation, trust in Xiaoling’s sharp little brain.

　Bai Ling fell silent for a moment. In these few minutes, she calmed down a bit.

　It did seem like this matter was more important.

　But no worries, Bai Ling had a plan.

　”We can call someone to find a tailor, order some clothes first, then go back and discuss things.” She suggested.

　Making clothes doesn’t happen instantly; it takes some time, right?

　About half an hour later, Yuan Xiaoling and Bai Ling returned to Tianhai University.

　Meanwhile, the Garrison Unit stationed in the Central District relayed some instructions to the people at the Grand Hotel. The Grand Hotel was once a temporary base after the merger of two factions, and later as various garrison units branched out, the Grand Hotel remained under the control of the original group of elders.

　At this moment, Luo Zou Cheng held a fax slip in his hand, furrowing his brows, his mood not entirely calm.

　”Lao Luo, Lao Luo, I’m here,” a man with long hair tied into artistic braids ran up, “What’s going on?”

　This was Wu Bian. He had heard that Bai Ling personally ordered someone to report back, so he hurriedly came up to find Luo Zou Cheng to see what major event had occurred.

　Luo Zou Cheng didn’t respond but silently handed over the fax paper.

　”Take a look yourself.”

　Wu Bian took it and upon reading it, well, Bai Ling herself decreed that Luo Zou Cheng and Wu Bian should seek out the best tailors in the city to make several outfits.

　He looked at the fax, then at Luo Zou Cheng, feeling somewhat perplexed, “What’s the deal?”

　Not that his ability could only detect others’ spiritual power levels, not life skill levels.

　Luo Zou Cheng waved him over, signaling him to calm down and sit before speaking.

　”I received the fax before you came up, thought about it for a while. I think, Miss White wants us to find talented fashion designers and skilled craftsmen.”

　After all, this kind of thing isn’t like historical generals or game characters with combat stats and named identities.

　Wu Bian was puzzled, “But if it’s such a simple request, why specifically assign it to us two?”

　”Perhaps for confidentiality.”

　Luo Zou Cheng turned around and handed him the second fax, which elaborated on Miss White’s requirements, mentioning preferably those who have experience in designing anime-inspired costumes.

　Wu Bian immediately relaxed his furrowed brows.

　”Got it, seems like personal… preferences.”

　No wonder trusted subordinates were assigned, indeed requiring some confidentiality.

　Luo Zou Cheng retrieved the two faxes and said, “Miss White specifically asked for the best, and directly sent it to us, indicating she has requirements for quality and speed. Therefore, we need to gather many top experts, using quantity to ensure both schedule and quality.”

　”And, we need a legitimate reason… let’s say it’s for reference for the upcoming costume system in the game.”

　After saying that, he sat down and took a sip of tea.

　”Brilliant,” Wu Bian praised, “Old Luo, still got it.”

　The artistic young man just flattered for fun; real insight comes from the bar owner in his forties.

　…

　As soon as Yuan Xiaoling returned to the dormitory, she informed her two roommates, hoping they could go out and play for a while.

　To be honest, even though Blonde-haired Maiden and White-haired Maiden often return together, whenever Gu Hui and Qiao Lili needed to “go out and play”, it was usually Gu Hui who noticed something amiss first and left proactively. This time, Yuan Xiaoling asking herself surprised the two roommates greatly.

　”Xiaoling, you haven’t taken any strange drugs, have you,” Qiao Lili was a bit worried, “Why are you suddenly… taking initiative?”

　Yuan Xiaoling looked confused, “First off, what you’re thinking is far from reality, and even if I am taking initiative, there’s nothing wrong with that, right?”

　”Generally speaking, it’s pretty good, but you’re different,” Qiao Lili said.

　When others take initiative, it’s normal to show enthusiasm. But your initiative feels forced, like you’re sticking your butt out to get hit, which… isn’t quite normal.

　”Ugh, I already said it’s not what you think, just go out and play for a while, we’ll talk about serious stuff. Next time, I’ll treat you to a seafood feast, pure and natural, no radiation.”

　After much effort convincing her roommates to leave, Yuan Xiaoling returned to her bedroom.

　Bai Ling had already sat by the bed, her delicate hands flicking to close the window and draw the curtains with telekinesis.

　”Psychokinesis sure is convenient,” Yuan Xiaoling tilted her head, “But can you turn the light on?”

　With the curtains drawn, the room was pitch black, and everything was invisible.

　Bai Ling realized her absent-minded actions caused a mix-up and stiffened her face in the darkness.

　”Just a sec, I’ll turn it on right away.”

　Saying that, she extended her psychokinetic force like a stretchable hand toward the wall switch…

　”Eek!” Yuan Xiaoling suddenly exclaimed, “What are you doing, touching me!”

　Taking advantage of the dark, pervert!

　”I’m reaching for the switch, but yours was too prominent,” Bai Ling said expressionlessly, “It was in the way.”

　Her psychokinetic force finally touched the wall switch, and with a click, the world lit up.

　Then Bai Ling saw Yuan Xiaoling glaring at her angrily, her blouse wide open, exposing a pair of large Dabeitù that seemed to glare at her too.

　”Where’s your button?”

　”You knocked it off!”

　”…”

　Bai Ling lightly twitched her lips, wanting to argue but ultimately said nothing.

　It was just a gentle brush, but with fifth-tier strength, it was a bit too much.

　”Anyway,” Yuan Xiaoling sat beside her, “Let’s talk business.”

　Today, while Bai Ling was talking with Grandma Li, Yuan Xiaoling was sitting in the lobby downstairs, experiencing intense cerebral storms, her CPU running at high speed for hours.

　”…According to intelligence confirmed by my family, all clues point to one thing. This means they might be able to use the power of the Foundation Stone to mass-produce monsters they need, true loyal soldiers.”

　A loyal soldier refers to someone who fearlessly dies to complete a mission, or a semi-living special existence, and they fit both definitions.

　”I faced them today, third-tier and fourth-tier strengths. Although they don’t possess the rich and varied skills of true Spiritual Energy Manipulators, their inherent strength is already formidable enough. And intuitively, I feel they probably held back some ultimate moves before retreating.”

　Yuan Xiaoling talked a lot, catching her breath briefly before Bai Ling finally interjected, “Why did they retreat then?”

　At that time, the situation was very dangerous for Xiaoling, always on the brink of defense collapse, needing help.

　At that point, Bai Ling was ready to act, helping her eliminate stragglers, but the enemies suddenly retreated.

　”I don’t know either,” Yuan Xiaoling blinked, “I’m also puzzled.”

　…

　In an unnamed neighborhood in the Eastern District, in a mysterious section, many people walked in, but disappeared after a few minutes.

　But on the vacant land, rows of short trees appeared.

　Xin Lan rushed upstairs but was stopped by the guards at the door—she was always stopped.

　”Sorry, Miss Xin,” the guard said monotonously, “Young Master gave orders, no one is allowed to enter during non-leisure times.”

　”This is an emergency!” Xin Lan said excitedly, “Do you know what just happened? Do you know how serious it is?”

　”I don’t know,” the guard yawned, “All I know is, Young Master isn’t worried.”

　”You!”

　Xin Lan was extremely angry but couldn’t refute it, so she decided to calm down and explain the situation thoroughly.

　”…It was almost done, you know, just a little more, and Yuan Xiaoling would have been defeated under our blades, leaving the entire Tianhai City leaderless. But Brother Yun Liang withdrew the troops at that moment. Tell me, why?”

　Seeing her incessant chatter, the guard casually responded, “Maybe Young Master thinks she’s pretty and doesn’t want her dead?”

　”How could that be! What nonsense!”

　Xin Lan exploded, indignantly saying, “Brother Yun Liang is an extraordinary person, how could he be like you, liking shallow women. Don’t use your vulgar thoughts to guess Brother Yun Liang’s mind!”

　Then came a string of complaints, something about ruining the Yun family style, Shuonan below, and dried fish roe…

　The guard silently stepped aside, thinking he shouldn’t have spoken.

　…

　As Yuan Xiaoling narrated, Bai Ling understood.

　It meant that the Yun Family had laid out plans worldwide, appearing wherever Foundation Stones were unearthed. However, their purpose wasn’t solely to fuse with the stones and reach sixth-tier, but rather to develop the power of the stones themselves, using them to create their own army.

　This explained many mysteries from the previous life, like how the Yun Family slowly dragged their feet in Tianhai for ten years, unhurried.

　”Regarding the reason, I’ve thought about it for a long time. First, their family head is probably just sixth-tier. If they create another sixth-tier member of their own family, they’d be on the same level, causing internal instability. Moreover, the higher the tier of the Spiritual Energy Manipulator, the harder they are to control. To avoid unexpected complications, manufacturing monsters using Foundation Stones is a more stable and efficient production method.”

　Yuan Xiaoling continued explaining her conjecture, Bai Ling wanted to listen attentively, but the truly crucial points had already been covered.

　And every time she looked down, she saw a pair of large Dabeitù glaring at her, cutely fierce, swaying with the girl’s breathing, making it hard to concentrate.

　This was Xiaoling’s fault, who told her to leave buttons unfastened. As for who unbuttoned them, Bai Ling had forgotten.

　”So, they will definitely use the Inner Stone of the Mind to create a Ghost Army,” Yuan Xiaoling suddenly said, “We need to handle it as soon as possible.”

　Bai Ling snapped out of the Dabeitù’s stare, slightly startled.

　”Do we…need to act quickly?”

　Yuan Xiaoling blinked, noticing the fleeting hesitation in Bai Ling’s eyes, and changed her words, “It’s not necessary to rush dealing with the stone. Strengthening vigilance, interfering or even preventing the Yun Family’s actions is also acceptable, after all, the stone is under our control.”

　”Hmm, I understand that.”

　Bai Ling nodded calmly, seemingly no different from the previously icy killer schoolmate.

　But Yuan Xiaoling secretly wondered inside.

　Although the System’s task text always follows the timeline of the last life, this time… could she really be lost?

　Fang Hui and Gu Hui need to help figure out the reason for her confusion. This isn’t just for the Weekly Task, but also out of concern from an older schoolmate for a younger one.

　Xiaoling is worried about her.

　——————Divider——————

　PS: In the last chapter, I didn’t clarify clearly. Grandfather has already become an elemental entity, not relying on human senses of sight, hearing, and touch, but instead requiring elemental perception. That is to say, if playing games, one needs to access the electrical information on the circuit board… Mine, I didn’t explain clearly (## Little Luo crying).