With a fully trained Jing Yuan in tow, Guinaifen eagerly continued her mission!
In previous story arcs,
She had been terrified of encountering the "Shapeshifters" from the "Sanctus Medicus."
Their lethality was incredibly high!
Each time, they would summon two "Withering Shadow" minions. Unless the minions were defeated, their piercing attacks would continuously drain health!
Even with team-wide healing, surviving was a struggle.
But now!
Guinaifen was practically itching for a fight!
Summoning minions?
The more, the better!
All of Jing Yuan's skills were AoE (Area of Effect)!
The moment the "Divine Punishment" landed, the damage was overwhelming!
And!
The special effects!
The sheer spectacle!
Unbelievable!
Meanwhile,
The mission related to the "Sanctus Medicus" had reached its second phase.
Dan Shu had completed her research on the "Draught of Draconic Surge."
She truly lived up to her title as the "Genius Alchemist," her vast knowledge leaving others in awe.
During the process,
They even accompanied Dan Shu to help a blind little girl.
Later, Dan Shu mentioned she would gift the Trailblazer something.
Guinaifen grumbled: "This mission didn't even give me a single enemy to fight!"
"I'm ridiculously strong now!"
"I'd even slap a dog on the street!"
Dan Shu's so-called "gift" turned out to be a life-extending elixir.
Named "Brumdew Concentrate Pellet."
At this point, two options appeared:
[Gulp it down in one go]
If this had been earlier, Guinaifen might have hesitated.
—Why would a heartfelt moment suddenly involve taking medicine?
But now, with Jing Yuan by her side,
She felt like she could "punch tigers in the south and kick dragons in the north"! Her confidence was through the roof!
Without thinking, she chose [Gulp it down in one go].
"(My head feels weird… What's going on…?)"
"(No… not good, my body feels hot, so uncomfortable… I can barely breathe…)"
In the visual perspective,
Vines suddenly appeared everywhere!
Creeping rapidly, wrapping around like a cocoon.
Guinaifen was stunned.
"W-What the heck?!"
"I've heard of a drug in the underworld—its symptoms are similar to what the Trailblazer is feeling now!"
"Did Dan Shu drug us?!"
"What kind of nonsense are you thinking?! Can't you see these vines resemble the Withering Shadows?!"
"Dan Shu turning on us? No way—she just helped a little girl! She's a good person!"
"(Something's off… This doesn't add up…)"
Guinaifen calmed down a little.
If the protagonist turned into a Withering Shadow, it'd be game over!
Rush to the Foresight Office!
By now, the screen was overrun with vines, their tips sprouting yellow leaves.
"(Ugh… my head's spinning again… Could Dan Shu's Brumdew Concentrate Pellet really be tainted?)"
"(What's going on? Isn't this the Foresight Office? Why are there so many Withering Shadows here?)"
"(No… can't let them get closer…)"
Guinaifen's long-awaited battle had finally arrived.
But it was against Withering Shadows.
Combined with the protagonist's current state,
Something was clearly very wrong!
Yet the fight had already started—no turning back now.
"By the might of the divine, heed my command—annihilate the wicked!"
She had equipped Jing Yuan with the best gear.
One skill plus an ultimate cleared the first life bar of the Withering Shadows.
Then the "Divine Punishment" finished off their second life bar.
"Jing Yuan's damage is insane!"
"These monsters die in just two rounds now!"
"Fighting feels amazing!"
"Wait, no! These monsters have human names above them!"
"These aren't Withering Shadows—they're Cloud Knights!"
Guinaifen finally realized the critical issue.
But the "Divine Punishment's" follow-up attacks couldn't be stopped—there was no way to halt the assault.
[Battle Concluded]
A voice called out: "Stelle! What's wrong with you?! Be careful—don't hurt her—!"
"Trailblazer! Trailblazer! Wake up! Are you okay?!"
Suddenly, all the vines receded.
As if swallowed by some unseen force.
"Thank goodness, you're finally awake. I thought something terrible had happened."
"You suddenly started swinging your weapon after entering the Divine Foresight Office."
"You looked just like those who've fallen to the Withering Shadows…"
Meanwhile,
When the Trailblazer showed adverse reactions after taking the Brumdew Concentrate Pellet, Fu Xuan immediately ordered troops to head to Alchemist Plaza.
Upon arrival, the Cloud Knights found nothing.
Dan Shu had already left, taking all her research and herbs with her!
Upon receiving this intel,
Fu Xuan's expression darkened.
"That woman… She really is a traitor to Luofu!"
"By my command, issue a bounty for Dan Shu across the entire Xianzhou!"
"And send envoys to the Alchemy Commission to investigate!"
"Dan Shu has lurked in Luofu for years. Now that her identity is exposed, she'll act desperately!"
As she barked orders, Fu Xuan kept calculating.
Suddenly,
A look of horror flashed in her eyes.
"The Stellaron… the Sanctus Medicus…"
"Could their target be… the Sacred Tree?!"
Meanwhile, in the Shackling Prison…
Jingliu and Luocha stood before Yanqing.
Jingliu's face was veiled in black gauze, her emotions unreadable.
Luocha wore a faint, compassionate smile.
He revealed a golden ornament.
A flash of cyan light—
Yanqing sprang to his feet.
His sharp eyes scanned the surroundings.
Realizing he'd been saved by these two, he relaxed slightly.
"Thank you, mister… and, uh… miss."
Yanqing's gaze hardened.
The veiled woman radiated danger.
Glancing at the ice sealing off the area,
Cutting them off from the Cloud Knights outside.
His lips trembled.
This situation…
Was beyond anything he'd expected!
These two were clearly no ordinary figures.
Still, Yanqing steeled himself.
"Both of you, help me capture these three fugitives. The Luofu will remember your kindness!"
On the other side…
Among the three Stellaron Hunters,
Blade's expression twisted into a grin at these words.
"Kekeke… HAHAHAHA—!"
"Kid, do you even know who that woman beside you is?!"
His lips curled into a blade-like smirk.
A "perfectly healthy" smile!
In an instant, he lunged at Jingliu!
Yanqing's eyes widened.
Instinctively, he drew his sword to block.
But—
Blade's strike descended like a blood-red crescent!
Yanqing's sword was sent flying!
Agony wracked his body!
Blade, like a beast, leapt high—
His weapon gleaming with a sinister crimson light.
A killing blow!
Just then—
A golden light pierced the frozen ceiling.
A massive blade descended.
Yanqing gasped in relief and joy.
"GENERAL!!"
To be continued…
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