Longshan Crossing lived up to its name.
Many explorers seeking to find Mt. Firmament set off from here.
At this moment, a light drizzle fell from the sky as the two of them stood by the dock, gazing eastward.
The sea was shrouded in mist, making it difficult to see clearly.
Only the faint outline of a massive dragon's head could be glimpsed looming in the heights, flickering in and out of view.
Lucian sighed as he took shelter under a rain awning. "Why hasn't the guide arrived yet? Are we supposed to find our own way?"
"But we're already at the crossing…"
"How about…"
Lucian's eyes gradually lit up.
"How about what?" Rover asked, puzzled, unsure what scheme Lucian was concocting now.
"How about we transform into the Sentinel and fly over!" Lucian declared loudly.
Rover clicked her tongue. "Who knows if Mt. Firmament is still in a state of temporal stasis? If it is, wouldn't flying there recklessly be dangerous?"
"Besides… Sanhua also said the path to Mt. Firmament is treacherous and requires a guide to reach."
She stood on tiptoe, peering into the distance at the faintly visible dragon's head.
"Even though we can see the dragon mountain, there's no guarantee we won't get lost in the sea mist…"
Lucian sighed gloomily. "If only I could hide in your Tacet Mark like Abby does—just eating and sleeping all day, sounds perfect…"
Rover laughed. "No way, I still need you to share my burdens."
"But even if you can't hide in my Tacet Mark, you can hide in my arms."
Lucian's face flushed. "Rover, you're getting smoother."
Rover huffed. "Learned it from a certain someone…"
Just as the two were lost in their sweet moment, the sound of approaching high heels reached their ears.
"Are you two stranded here because of the rain?"
Lucian, still buried in Rover's embrace, didn't even lift his head.
"We're waiting for someone."
The newcomer chuckled lightly. "What a coincidence—I'm also waiting for someone. Lucian. Rover."
Hearing their names, the two finally looked up.
The woman held a paper umbrella, strolling gracefully through the drizzle, exuding an air of elegance.
Her long hair was a reddish-pink, tied into a ponytail at the back, the fiery ends swaying gently like the tail feathers of a mythical spirit bird, giving her a lazy, carefree aura.
Her golden pupils contained multiple black rings, as if staring into them would draw one deep into their depths.
She wore an outer robe primarily in red, white, and black, its hem split into several sections.
Lucian noticed her flushed cheeks and the gentle smile on her lips.
Her Tacet Mark was located conspicuously beneath her ample chest.
Clearly, she was also a Resonator.
But the most curious thing was her left hand and arm.
Unlike the skin tone of an ordinary person, her left hand and arm were entirely red—not because she was wearing gloves, but as if they had been "dyed" by some pigment.
[Option 1: Rush forward, grasp her hands, and say passionately: You must be my fated wife!]
[Reward: 50% reduction in pain when Rover smacks the back of your head.]
[Option 2: Snatch the paper umbrella from her hands and present it to Rover.]
[Reward: Item 'Under the Umbrella']
[Option 3: Ask for the black stockings on her legs and successfully obtain them.]
[Achievement: Stockings Collector]
Today is the day I, Lucian, secure a 50% pain reduction!
Sorry, Rover, but this is for the long-term good!
Lucian instantly took a step forward, intending to rush to her—only to find himself running in place.
He looked back and saw Rover gripping the collar of his clothes.
Lucian: "?"
Rover smirked coldly, her expression saying she had seen right through him.
After days of observation, she had noticed that Lucian would often act unpredictably around certain Resonators—especially the good-looking ones. He always had to flirt a little.
Moreover, she had discovered that whenever Lucian did these things, his strength would suddenly increase.
Though Lucian trained daily with Danjin or herself in the bamboo grove outside the City Hall, those were steady improvements.
Only when he engaged in these odd behaviors would he experience something akin to an "epiphany."
Rover had even studied the Rover's Speaker. Though Jinzhou had similar speakers, this one seemed to possess self-awareness, just like Abby.
It could even hold brief conversations.
Rover wondered if this was technology from Lucian's world?
She couldn't figure out the principles behind Lucian's power-ups or the origins of these strange items, but she couldn't let him continue like this!
Though these actions made him stronger, they also put her in a bad mood.
Rather than letting Lucian grow strong enough to leave her side, she'd rather keep him close where she could keep an eye on him!
Lucian tried to explain: "Rover, listen to me—"
Rover deadpanned: "Not listening, not listening, turtle chanting sutras."
Lucian: "…"
Is today the day I, Lucian, fail to complete even a single option?!
The woman holding the paper umbrella approached the two with a smile, first examining Rover, then scrutinizing Lucian.
The difference in her gaze was unmistakable, at least to Lucian.
Confused, Lucian asked, "Are you the 'guide'?"
The woman nodded slightly. "Changli."
"Changli?"
Lucian paused.
That name sounded familiar.
"You're that… Counselor Changli?"
As the saying goes, behind every successful man is a woman.
And the most trusted aide of the current Magistrate was this very Counselor Changli.
Having stayed in Jinzhou City for so long, Lucian had learned a bit more about her.
Her title was known to all in Jinzhou—none were unaware.
But the rumors about her varied wildly.
The Counselor rarely appeared in public, but those fortunate enough to have seen her said she always wore a gentle smile.
Her demeanor was the same whether she was dealing with generals or common laborers.
Yet when alone, she carried an air of quiet authority that made others hesitant to approach.
There were also some unsavory rumors about Changli, but she neither avoided nor seemed bothered by them.
Changli smiled and nodded. "Indeed."
She strolled to the shore, gazing at the hazy silhouette of Mt. Firmament in the distance.
"This rain won't last much longer—and we must head straight into it."
At that moment, while Rover was momentarily distracted, Lucian suddenly dashed forward and seized Changli's hands.
Rover: "?"
Changli: "…?"
But before Lucian could utter his line, he noticed the unusual warmth of her hands.
It was currently raining, the air damp and chilly, and Lucian's own hands were icy from prolonged exposure.
Yet Changli's hands were noticeably hotter than a normal person's, like a feverish forehead.
Lucian stared at their clasped hands in confusion.
Changli's lips curled slightly, though beneath her gentle smile lay something inscrutable.
"Is something wrong?"
Though puzzled, now wasn't the time to dwell on it.
Lucian cleared his throat and declared loudly:
"You must be my fated wife!"