However, just then, a sudden voice rang out unexpectedly, "Oh? Really? Because I clearly remember the deal at the time being for that shattered blade. No one ever said you could use my puppet."
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This sound came so suddenly that Fu Lin didn't react at all, and he instinctively blurted out, "Why not? At that time you knew I had taken a puppet, but afterward you didn't take it back. Doesn't that mean you gave it to me?"
The voice of the Herta puppet suddenly rose in pitch.
"Hey, you've got a whole set of twisted logic! Your reasoning is utterly absurd. Not reclaiming something doesn't equate to implicitly gifting it. Transactions must follow clear terms and agreements, not your random assumptions."
Everyone's gaze fell on the unfamiliar Herta puppet before them. Fu Shi nudged Fu Lin and reminded him, "Fu Lin, the Herta puppet came alive."
"Hm?" Fu Lin looked down, only to see that the once closed-eyed and still Herta puppet had now opened her eyes. With arms crossed and an expressionless face, she tilted her head up to stare at him.
Fu Lin's expression didn't change; there was even a faint, almost unnoticeable smile at the corner of his mouth. He cleared his throat and spoke slowly, "Long time no see, beautiful Miss Herta. I didn't expect you could truly descend here. I must say, I'm rather surprised."
The voice of the Herta puppet came out of that delicate puppet's mouth, tinged with a barely perceptible arrogance, "Hmph, descending into this puppet did cause me a tiny bit of trouble, but I am the genius Herta. How could such a little difficulty possibly stop me? Now speak, why did you summon me here? If you can't give me a satisfactory answer, you might end up dying a very miserable death!"
Hearing this, the smile at Fu Lin's lips stiffened slightly. After a brief silence, he spoke somewhat helplessly, "Uh… suddenly I feel like there's nothing much to say after all."
The Herta puppet's beautiful eyes widened in shock, "You don't think I'm free and idle, do you!"
Fu Lin quickly explained, "Alright, alright. Actually, I just wanted to ask if anything interesting has happened around you recently."
The Herta puppet's gaze grew sharper, her tone carrying clear displeasure, "Ha! You summoned me just for such a trivial matter? Do you think I spend my days doing nothing at all?"
Yet, after changing her tone, she continued, "However, I did hear that the Xianzhou Luofu will soon hold an important festival event. I think it's called something like the 'Luminary Wardance'. Though, I have no interest in such things."
Fu Shi's eyes lit up with excitement, "An exhibition ceremony? That sounds like a martial arts tournament, it must be really fun!"
But the Herta puppet clearly wasn't moved by Fu Shi's enthusiasm and replied impatiently, "Something like that, yes. Do you have anything else to ask? I don't have that much time to waste chatting with you all, I still have many matters to handle."
Fu Shi immediately hugged Fu Lin, exclaiming excitedly, "Oh wow! Fu Lin, let's go right now! I can't wait to join this exhibition ceremony and then become the champion! Hahaha…"
The Herta puppet pondered for a moment, then said, "You're planning to come? If it's within the next few days, you might make it in time. Also, the Astral Express members should be in Luofu as well."
After that, ignoring everyone else, the Herta puppet lowered her head and muttered to herself, "Hm, the power system of this world is quite interesting. The essence of the energy is still imaginary number energy, but it has the trait of corroding living beings. Yes… I'll come back to research this in depth later. As for this puppet, I'll leave it here for now."
With that, the Herta puppet suddenly entered a standby-like state, standing motionless as if she had just completed an important task.
Fu Lin ignored her last words before leaving, retrieved the Herta puppet back into the system, and then began to calmly arrange the next steps, "Alright, we're setting out tomorrow. Everyone should get a good rest tonight. I also need to prepare some items."
Fu Shi immediately agreed, "I'll listen to Fu Lin!"
At that moment, Kiana☆ stood up from Fu Lin's side, "Mm, I'll go inform Sirin first, or else she'll definitely stay up gaming all night and won't get up tomorrow morning!"
Mei☆ smiled gently and said, "Then I'll prepare the food. Tonight, let me take care of cooking."
Elysia hopped about cheerfully and said, "Since everyone has something to do, I'll go pack our things then~"
Everyone went off to their own tasks, some to pack, some to prepare food, while Fu Lin and Fu Shi left Kiana☆'s private apartment.
Following beside Fu Lin, Fu Shi asked curiously, "Fu Lin, what exactly are you preparing?"
Fu Lin didn't slow his steps, answering as he walked, "The Xianzhou Luofu , just from the name alone it's like Shenzhou of this world, or Liyue from Genshin. It would be a pity not to prepare some traditional-style clothes."
Fu Shi suddenly understood, but was still puzzled, "But if you're preparing clothes, why are you heading toward Old Antique's dorm?"
Fu Lin's lips curved upward slyly, like being hooked by an invisible line, showing a mischievous grin, "Heh heh, of course to get supplies! Especially Old Antique's three sets of special outfits, I'll definitely draw everyone's eyes. Then I'll be the most dazzling guy in Luofu!"
(Jing Yuan: M-Marshal!?)
Fu Shi pouted, "Then you'd be hogging all the spotlight! Besides, if you steal Old Antique's clothes and get caught, I think she'll beat you to death."
Fu Lin immediately corrected, "Take out the 'I think.'"
Saying that, he used the Herrscher of Wind's power, cleverly bending the refraction of light in the air to conceal himself, then added, "That's why we won't barge in, we'll sneak in. Once I find the clothes, I'll use my ability to make a copy and leave right away. We absolutely can't let Old Antique notice. Got it?"
Fu Shi stared in shock at Fu Lin suddenly vanishing before her eyes and exclaimed, "Fu Lin, where did you go?!"
Fu Lin also cast invisibility on Fu Shi and said proudly, "This is nothing more than a small part of the Herrscher of Wind's ability."
While chatting, the two arrived at Fu Hua's dormitory.
On the door hung a sign reading "Fu Lin and Dogs, No Entry." Without hesitation, Fu Lin used the Herrscher of Reason's recently acquired power to construct a key.
Fu Shi's jaw dropped in amazement, "Impressive, you're really skilled at using Herrscher powers for shady business."
Fu Lin didn't mind her comment and calmly replied, "Nothing special, just natural talent. From now on, let's communicate telepathically. Since Old Antique isn't around, we must act quickly, time is life!"
While Fu Lin carefully searched through the wardrobe, trying to keep everything as it was, Fu Shi went to the bed, crouched down, and pulled out an iron box from underneath.
The iron box looked aged, with a slightly worn surface, though still well preserved.
However, a thin layer of dust coated it, suggesting its owner hadn't taken it out in quite some time.
Hugging the iron box tightly in her arms, Fu Shi turned to Fu Lin, a smug smile curling at her lips as she spoke softly through telepathy, "Fu Lin, I found it."
Hearing Fu Shi's voice in his mind, Fu Lin was overjoyed. He quickly stopped what he was doing, poked his head out of the wardrobe, and looked at Fu Shi in disbelief.
"You found it already?" His voice was filled with astonishment.
Fu Shi smirked confidently and replied, "Of course. I have Old Antique's memories, after all. I know exactly where she puts her things!"