"Should I rest for a bit, or continue exploring?"
[Option 1: Let's rest for a bit.]
[Option 2: I'm not that tired yet, let's look around.]
Sister Guoguo, having just finished the quest to help Wende treat the sick and injured, found herself torn between the two options. If she wanted to push the game's story forward, choosing to rest was the more appropriate choice. But if she chose to look around... what if there was an easter egg?
Fully embracing the "leave no stone unturned" spirit of the Fourth Calamity, Sister Guoguo decisively began to wander around the accessible parts of the Alchemy Commission. However, aside from some Cloud Knights resting on the ground and others on night patrol, she didn't see anyone else.
Just as she was about to head back to the inn to rest, feeling a bit disappointed, a familiar figure entered her sight.
"Huh? Isn't that my wife, Tingyun? What's she doing up so late instead of sleeping?"
Seeing Tingyun standing at the inn's entrance, gazing inside at something unknown, Sister Guoguo decided to strike up a conversation.
"Ah, it's the Trailblazer, my benefactor. You're still awake this late?"
Tingyun seemed a bit odd when she saw the Trailblazer, but Sister Guoguo didn't notice.
"Hehe, Benefactor Ah Benefactor~"
[As expected of my waifu's voice actor, that voice is making me melt!]
[Nah, Sister Guoguo. Hearing her say 'benefactor' is a total turn-off.]
[? I don't think I understand that word anymore.]
After a moment of goofy simping for Tingyun, Sister Guoguo remembered the task at hand and looked at the three dialogue options that appeared.
[Option 1: It's so late, Miss Tingyun. Aren't you going to sleep?]
[Option 2: Good evening.]
[Option 3: Who are you?]
"I have to pick the third one! This is too hilarious!"
Never one to take the conventional path, Sister Guoguo decisively chose the most abnormal option.
"Ah? Hahaha, you're joking again, benefactor. If there's nothing else, you should get some rest. We have to go welcome the Master Diviner early tomorrow morning."
"Tingyun" was stunned for a moment before replying to the Trailblazer with a very awkward expression.
[Tingyun: My family, who gets it? This broke-ass worker who just got to the Xianzhou asks me, a tour guide, who I am. I'm literally done, I can't even~]
[Tingyun: You got a problem?!]
"Aww, she's so gentle!"
After gushing over her cute little Foxian girl, Sister Guoguo wandered around for a bit longer, snagging a few treasure chests along the way. Seeing there was nothing else interesting to do, she finally returned to the inn to continue the story.
---o---
"So, we just need to go and turn off those furnaces, right?"
March 7th gazed at the faint lights flickering within the distant clouds, then turned to Fu Xuan and threw up her hands.
"Correct. The fiends are attempting to use the fog to obstruct the Cloud Knights, but they seem overconfident. It appears they've forgotten about the few of you—our 'secret weapon.'"
A faint smile played on Fu Xuan's lips, her eyes filled with confidence, projecting an air of certain victory.
"Sigh, I'm reminded of a certain phrase from the Sky-Faring Commission's Master Yukong..." March 7th pouted, shrugging helplessly.
"So, to confirm, the fog has no effect on us?" Welt asked Fu Xuan, seeking final confirmation.
"Correct. Mara-Struck is not a curse that specifically affects humans, but rather an eternal nightmare for those trapped in long life. Therefore, the fog will not affect you," Fu Xuan explained patiently, dispelling Welt's concerns.
"Shortly, I will dispatch the Cloud Knights to launch a feint attack. You will use the chaos to infiltrate and shut down the alchemy furnaces. Once all the furnaces are deactivated, contact me immediately. I will absolutely not let you fight alone."
Seeing Fu Xuan's serious expression, the group exchanged glances before agreeing to give it a try.
"By the way, Miss Tingyun, this journey will be extremely dangerous. You don't need to accompany us," Welt said, turning to Tingyun who was standing behind them.
"Oh, don't worry, Mr. Welt. The General himself asked me to guide you. How could I be absent at a time like this? Besides, I'm still young, possibly younger than all of you benefactors. This fog can't do anything to me."
Tingyun, who had been timidly trying to avoid conflict, suddenly became assertive, insisting on going with the group.
"If that's the case, then you must stick close to us, Miss Tingyun! Don't worry, we'll definitely protect you just like before!"
Seeing Tingyun's sincere and unwavering loyalty, March 7th was quite moved. She patted her chest and gave Tingyun her guarantee.
"Mm, then I'll be in your care, March~" Tingyun said with a smiling nod, and the two began chatting again.
"..."
Wende, who was walking at the front, paused for a fraction of a second. His eyes flickered towards Welt, and he gave a slight shake of his head.
"..."
Welt silently pushed up his glasses, signaling that he understood.
"It's just ahead. As soon as the Master Diviner gives the order, we'll slip in during the chaos," Wende said, crouching behind a fence and looking down at the fog-covered area below before turning back to the group.
"Mm."
Stelle, beside him, nodded seriously. The moment Wende gave the word, she would charge in and go on a rampage.
---o---
"Remember, everyone hold their breath. Do not go in too deep. Just making a show of force will be a great success. Do you understand?"
Fu Xuan stood before the lines of Cloud Knights, her small frame radiating authority.
"Yes!"
"Good! Cloud Knights, hear my command! Charge with me!"
With Fu Xuan's order, she took an adorably deep breath, held it, and advanced towards the territory controlled by the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus.
"KILL!!!"
Rumble...
Accompanied by sky-shaking battle cries and the sound of footsteps like an earth dragon turning over, the Abominations of Abundance, who had been leisurely relaxing in the fog and mocking the weakness of the Xianzhou, were thrown into an instant panic.
"What's going on! Have these dumb soldiers lost their minds?!"
"Hehe, let them come. Perhaps their leader wishes to defect, and these people are his sincerity offering~"
As expected, the people from the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus were not right in the head.
Fu Xuan glanced at the two fanatics who were still fantasizing even with death at their doorstep, didn't give them a second thought, and continued to press forward.
Splurt...
Dozens of guandaos instantly chopped the two Mara-Struck fiends into several pieces.
"What's happening! How were they able to charge through!" one of the Alchemists of Abundance exclaimed in shock.
"I told you this stuff wasn't reliable! Quick, call for reinforcements! Have them drive all the丹兽 (dān shòu - alchemy beasts) over here! This time, we'll make sure none of them leave alive!"
"Are you insane?!"
"Hahahaha! For the sake of immortality! I've long been a madman!"
The Alchemist of Abundance laughed maniacally before charging toward the imposing Cloud Knights.
In an instant, nearly all the members of the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus gathered together, preparing to repel the advance of the Cloud Knights.