Chapter 66: Divine Descent! Thank You, Star Rail!
When Sushang learned that she would have to duel the Cloud Knight, her expression immediately darkened with worry. Though impulsive at times, he was a responsible senior among the Cloud Knights. The thought of jeopardizing his undercover mission troubled her deeply.
Faced with their refusal to comply, Green Hibiscus remained firm. "There's no exception; these aren't my rules. If you refuse the trial, we'll ensure both of you keep our secrets forever."
"Wait, please wait... No, don't make us fight like this," the cloud knight pleaded desperately. "We came seeking longevity, not death. Suddenly forcing us into combat puts us in a difficult position!"
"It's not entirely compulsory for you to duel. Refusing is an option, but then neither of you will be allowed to leave."
"Alright... alright... Can I at least have some time to mentally prepare? I've never done anything like this before..."
"Time is precious; don't take too long."
As Sushang watched the situation unfold, she took several deep breaths. "What do we do?! What should we do?!"
"With our protagonist's strength, couldn't she just blaze a trail out with this cloud knight buddy?"
"We're not far from the Exalting Sanctum, so it might work..."
However, the cloud knight had a more clever idea than Sushang anticipated. "How about this... I've thought of a plan that lets you join the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus and allows me to escape unscathed..."
"You challenge me to a duel, and I'll deliberately lose, pretending you've defeated me. You can then claim to help dispose of the bodies, allowing us both to leave the scene..."
"This way, we can achieve our respective goals."
"Uh... considering your skills, please don't accidentally kill me for real..."
[I know my limits.]
[That's not reassuring...]
Sushang hesitated but ultimately chose the second option. After all, swords have no eyes!
And nearby stood a cultivator, a secret disciple of the Medicine King, observing them! With such circumstances, Sushang couldn't be certain of controlling her strength precisely!
"Don't overdo it... Be gentle... Ah, never mind, I got myself into this mess anyway. My fate now rests on luck. Just try not to kill me!"
[Entering combat]
Sushang muttered to herself, "Cloud Knight Eldest Brother, as the brave warrior who helped transcribe my books, I'll ensure you retain some health!"
It was Dan Heng's turn to act. Although his ultimate ability had cooled down, he didn't want to use it yet. Instead, he planned to employ a standard skill.
"I mean no conflict..." With a flurry like torrential rain, Dan Heng unleashed his attack.
Sushang froze in shock! She genuinely hadn't anticipated the cloud knight to be so fragile! Moreover, it exploited his Wind attribute weakness. With the bonus damage from exploiting this vulnerability, it was a perfect finishing blow! The Cloud Knight's health bar emptied instantly, and he collapsed to the ground.
"Ahhh, Eldest Brother, I didn't actually kill you by mistake, did I?!"
[ End Battle ]
Green Hibiscus approached, praising Sushang, "Truly impressive skills! You took down such a lively cloud knight just like that."
"It's good that you won. This fellow showed up in a cloud knight uniform, spouting nonsense about joining our cause. If he had somehow triumphed, I would've been concerned about whether we could really trust him."
"Violet Chrysanthemum, Blue Peach, find somewhere to dispose of this cloud knight."
[ I'll handle it. ]
"You will? Do you know how to take care of these things?"
[ I enjoy collecting them. ]
Sushang recalled the Luocha from earlier plotlines, carrying a coffin on their back—perhaps someone with similar interests.
Green Hibiscus, taken aback, said, "Uh...collecting? No problem, no problem. After all, one without quirks is unworthy of friendship."
"Hmm... that sounds reasonable. Our group has been spreading the teachings in Exalting Sanctum for several days now, likely attracting attention from those hounds... It would be safer if you handle it."
"Regardless... congratulations on becoming a cultivator! Your code name shall be... 'Grey Peony'!"
"Grey Peony, to avoid suspicion, let's part ways and reconvene elsewhere later. Farewell."
With a sorrowful expression, Sushang carried the cloud knight's body towards a safe location.
Suddenly, without warning, the cloud knight sprang back up!
"Pant... Panting..."
"Not bad with the fake death, huh?"
"That bunch is utterly deranged; be cautious when dealing with them in the future..."
"I'll head back to the Seat of Divine Foresight to report first. Please take care."
Sushang sighed deeply, patting her chest in relief. "Oh, thank goodness!"
"My fellow colleague, he's alright..."
Meanwhile, at the secret base of the scripture copiers...
The cultivators of Sanctus Medicus, including representatives from the Exalting Sanctum, were holding a clandestine meeting. Green Hibiscus respectfully addressed the man before her, "Lord Violet Rose, our missionary work has been increasingly challenging lately!"
"Not only have the locals of Luofu, but even those outlanders have become obsessed with that 'Honkai: Star Rail' game!"
"It took immense effort just to recruit these few individuals!" Green Hibiscus pointed behind her. Standing there were two bewildered outlanders and one cloud knight.
Violet Rose sighed, "Times are tense recently, and we've received no word from our leader. For now, let's advise our brothers and sisters to lie low."
"Once those Cloud Knight hounds lose our scent, they'll naturally give up," said Green Hibiscus.
"There seems little choice but to proceed cautiously," she added, turning towards the three newcomers.
"In these extraordinary times, the organization won't subject you to any formal trials," Green Hibiscus announced. "Since all of us seek ascension to immortality, please consume this elixir."
She handed each of them a pill.
The two outlanders eagerly swallowed their pills as if receiving priceless treasures. However, the cloud knight hesitated, staring at the capsule in his hand.
"Hey! What's with your hesitation? Are you perhaps a spy?" Green Hibiscus shot a meaningful glance at her subordinates.
With knives drawn, the two outlanders advanced toward the cloud knight.
"No, no, no! I was just mentally preparing myself!" The cloud knight's voice trembled noticeably.
He had a foreboding that consuming this pill would bring immense calamity!
But he had no choice!
Refusing it meant certain death immediately!
As the cloud knight placed the pill in his mouth, Green Hibiscus nodded approvingly.
"Excellent. From now on, we're all brothers and sisters under Medicine King's secret teachings. If anyone dares to betray our organization..."
Before she could finish, the door burst open.
A dozen squads of Cloud Knights descended like divine forces from the heavens, swiftly encircling everyone present!
Green Hibiscus and Violet Rose paled instantly, caught completely off guard by the swift action of the Cloud Knights!
Suddenly, the two outlanders who had consumed the pills collapsed onto the ground, emitting agonized screams. From their flesh, plant-like root structures began to emerge.
Witnessing this scene, the cloud knight hastily spat out the pill with a loud "Ugh!"
Raising both hands above his head, he signaled his surrender.
In the background, two plainclothes cloud knights stood nearby. One held a Jade Abacus device, documenting the entire arrest process. The other also wielded a Jade Abacus but was engrossed in streaming Honkai: Star Rail.
At that moment, the squad leader approached the cloud knight. He saluted Jing Yuan with a cloud knight's military gesture.
"Thank you for your hard work."
"This medicinal pill will serve as crucial evidence..."
"Uh, are you alright?"
The cloud knight removed his helmet, revealing a young and somewhat inexperienced-looking face, drenched in sweat. Seeing so many colleagues efficiently managing the scene, he broke down in tears.
"Wahh, you arrived just in time!"
"I was on the brink of succumbing to the Demonic Yin Body!"
With sympathy, The Captain patted him on the back.
"If anyone deserves thanks, it's Fu Xuan-sama and the developers of 'Honkai: Star Rail.'"
"Without them, our swift response and coordination wouldn't have been possible..."
The cloud knight vowed, "As soon as I get back, I'm buying ten 6480 bundles in 'Honkai: Star Rail'!"