The next morning, Pei Guang and his group happily challenged Herta at the Herta Space Station, another championship contender.
She herself didn't care much for the match: after going through the motions and letting Pei Guang's group win, she quickly returned to her own business.
The data Pei Guang had given her last time still hadn't been fully analyzed. If not for the lack of funds and resources, she wouldn't have followed Topaz's instructions to act as a championship contender in the first place.
There was no helping it: even the geniuses of the Genius Society needed outside support for their work. If wasting a bit of time secured solid backing from the company, it was well worth it.
But because of that, when Pei Guang and the others received the badge from Herta, none of them really felt anything.
March 7th: "Feels like today's win… didn't feel like a win at all."
Pei Guang: "Naturally. She had no will to fight. When your opponent has no fighting spirit, victory brings no satisfaction."
Stelle: "Then let's head to the final one! Once we finish that, we just wait for the date and go all out in the finals!"
Stelle was raring to go—even though Herta didn't care, the rest of them were fully pumped.
Pei Guang: "Let's go, let's go!"
Pei Guang was getting ready to take the group to Belobog's Great Mining Zone for the final challenge, but just as the three of them were about to head out, Pei Guang's phone suddenly rang.
He glanced at it and saw the message was from Qingque.
Qingque: "Ah Guang! Not good! Help!!!!"
She also attached a photo, and after looking at the contents, Pei Guang's expression turned serious. In the photo, Fu Xuan stood before the Matrix of Prescience, surrounded by several Diviners.
Pei Guang: "Wait for me in front of the Divination Commission. I'll be there right away~"
Qingque: "Damn, I've really become the acting leader huh~ Alright~"
After replying, Pei Guang put his phone away.
March 7th noticed the change in Pei Guang's expression and leaned in curiously: "What's up?"
Pei Guang: "Hmm… seems like something's happened at the Divination Commission? Tell you what: you guys go to the next zone, I'll head to the Divination Commission to check it out. Probably not a big deal. Don't worry, if it's something fun, I'll call you."
March 7th: "Alright~ me and Stelle will go clear the next victory zone. If anything happens on your side, call us, and we'll head over right away~"
Stelle nodded as well. Neither of them thought much of it—after all, the biggest crisis on the Xianzhou Luofu had already been resolved. And Fu Xuan was the Diviner of the Divination Commission.
If anyone could predict the future with ease, it'd be her, right?
March 7th figured it was probably just a small headache of a problem, and those kinds of problems were perfect for the one and only Pei Guang to handle~
Plus, she and Stelle were a little addicted to Aetherium Wars right now, so they figured they'd ride the momentum and wipe out the remaining opponents in one go!
Meanwhile, outside the Divination Commission, Qingque was waiting leisurely.
"Qingque~ I'm here!"
Hearing Pei Guang's voice, Qingque's eyes lit up: "Eh? Ah Guang! You're finally here. I'm telling you, something's off with the Divination Commission today. Everyone's looking righteous and indignant, are they planning a workplace mutiny or something?"
Pei Guang thought aloud: "No way, right? Just yesterday Fu Xuan was talking to me about letting you take a day off to watch our finals together. Now suddenly she's getting overthrown?"
Qingque: "Huh? What? A day off? Seriously?"
Pei Guang nodded: "Of course it's true. Your Celestial Jade is pretty popular in Belobog, after all."
Qingque: "Tch! If that's true, then something's definitely wrong with the Master Diviner today. You wouldn't believe it: today, like usual, I was late, and I ran into the Master Diviner, but she didn't even mention my attendance record. And everyone else's foreheads looked dark, eyes unfocused, staring blankly... it was terrifying."
Hearing this, Pei Guang took a sharp breath: "Looks like our hunch yesterday was right! Fu Xuan really did run into a ghost? No biggie. From your description, it sounds like she and your coworkers are just possessed. Fighting monsters and ghosts is my specialty."
Qingque recalled: "Hmm? Possessed? There aren't any ghosts in this world, but I know something similar: Heliobus. I read about it in a book once. They're like spiritual embers that can change form at will, and they love to manipulate people's dreams and desires. If anything's a 'ghost,' it'd be them…"
Pei Guang: "No problem. Whatever the cause, I'm just gonna treat it like a ghost. I've got an anti-evil kit right here. Let's go take a look. If Fu Xuan is possessed, this stuff should do the trick."
Qingque looked at Pei Guang curiously: "Oh? Anti-evil kit? Can I take a look?"
Pei Guang: "Of course! Feast your eyes!"
Pei Guang pulled out a flamethrower. Qingque was familiar with the weapons used on the Luofu, but she was still a bit curious about the stuff Pei Guang brought out.
Qingque: "Oh? What's this?"
Pei Guang: "A flamethrower!"
As he explained, Pei Guang gave it a little demo. Seeing the burst of fire shoot out from the nozzle, Qingque went silent. But then she saw more of these so-called ghost-banishing tools, and listened to Pei Guang's enthusiastic explanations.
After a long silence, Qingque looked at Pei Guang and said: "Uh… you're sure this stuff is for exorcising and not… for assassinating the Master Diviner?"
Pei Guang: "Come on, I'm friends with Fu Xuan. Why would I hurt my friend? Of course this is for exorcising. Trust me, this stuff is super effective against monsters and ghosts! I've fought for my life in Silent Hill, had 800 rounds with spirits, dodged maniacs in mental hospitals… I'm a certified pro!"
Qingque took the flamethrower from Pei Guang and muttered: "But like… I feel like, if you use this, the Heliobus might still be around, but Fu Xuan's gonna be roasted. Please don't! If the Master Diviner gets cooked, I'm out of a job!!!"