“You people from the Masked Hermit Society... didn't you say our vision was too narrow? So why are you... competing with us Rangers for this item now?”
Bai Feifei: ?
She was momentarily stunned, clearly not understanding what he meant.
What did he mean by “we” in the Masked Hermit Society were snatching things?
So they hadn't realized I took it?
At the same time, Xu Mo’s laughter echoed in her mind.
“Oho? Hahaha! Now this is interesting.”
“To think such a wonderful misunderstanding would occur. Tsk tsk, I wonder how these guys’ brains are wired.”
Even Xu Mo hadn’t expected that the nonsense he’d made up to give Bai Feifei a formidable, eccentric persona would plant the seeds for this situation.
They actually believed that a hidden expert from the “Masked Hermit Society” had been lurking in the shadows and had just stepped in to claim the Crown of Time Lag?
Honestly, it was a surprisingly plausible theory.
Bai Feifei lowered her head and quickly asked Xu Mo in her mind:
“What's going on?”
Xu Mo said with a chuckle:
“It's fine. Just listen for now and play along with them.”
He was curious to see how far these people would go in their mental gymnastics regarding the non-existent “Masked Hermit Society.”
Bai Feifei: ...
Hong Jiu was the first to turn around. He looked at Bai Feifei and solemnly cupped his hands.
“The philosophy of your Masked Hermit Society is indeed grand. I, Hong Jiu, cannot even begin to imagine such a vista.”
“Regarding what just happened, it could be seen as your senior stepping in to save us. Logically, I owe you a favor, so I thank you for that.”
“However, we Rangers still intend to contain all the Containment Objects in the world!”
“Could you please ask that senior of your organization to come out and meet us?”
Bai Feifei: ...
She didn't quite know what the other party was misunderstanding, but as for meeting... did he want to meet an Evil God of the Old Days?
On the other side, Li Gui looked at Bai Feifei and spoke up as well:
“Miss... Bai.”
“That Crown of Time Lag belongs to Dawn City. Please ask the expert on your side to return it. We can negotiate the specific terms.”
“Besides, we are likely the only ones who know the method to contain and seal it. That hidden expert must be under immense pressure right now.”
Li Gui was remarkably flexible, a master at tailoring his attitude to the person he was dealing with. His way of addressing others changed instantly depending on their status.
Now that he was facing Bai Feifei, he had even started calling her “Miss Bai.”
Bai Feifei remained speechless, truly at a loss for words.
At this moment, everyone else was staring at her as if she were some rare, exotic species.
Wan Qianhong’s gaze was complicated. Remembering the warning from her teacher, Prophet Liu Yun, she hadn't expected this girl’s identity to be so mysterious.
Ye Yu’s eyes were filled with admiration, feeling a sense of pride as if watching her idol show off their power.
The other Scavengers and Rangers all had varying expressions, but they all mentally noted the name “Masked Hermit Society.”
Bai Feifei almost wished the Evil God would take control of her body now. Even if he came out and made some shocking statements, it would be better than her standing here in this awkward silence.
She was naturally introverted, and having so many people staring at her made her feel like a celebrity under a spotlight.
Just as she was floundering, a voice suddenly broke the silence.
“Gah!”
Wu Xin, who had been following the East District team like a background figure, suddenly spat out a mouthful of blood and collapsed to the ground!
It was unclear what kind of severe injury he had sustained, but he was coughing up blood violently. The thick crimson spray seemed to contain solid clots—perhaps even fragments of his internal organs.
His sudden collapse drew everyone's attention. Wan Qianhong rushed over, intending to use her Word Soul to stabilize his blood and qi.
But Wu Xin waved her off, signaling that he didn't need it.
He wiped the blood from his mouth and pointed a trembling finger in a certain direction, struggling to speak.
“That way!”
“I felt it... that crown from earlier went in that direction.”
Bai Feifei: ??
Xu Mo: ??!
You bastard! What did you feel?!
Bai Feifei was dumbfounded by Wu Xin's words. She subconsciously rubbed the ring on her finger.
Wasn't the Crown of Time Lag inside her storage ring? What did he mean it “went in that direction”?
But the others didn't know that. Aries Hong Jiu’s eyes lit up instantly.
His body whipped up a scorching hurricane as he flickered and appeared beside Wu Xin in an instant.
“What happened?!”
Li Gui reacted just as quickly. After reaching Wu Xin, he even used rocks to shackle him, as if afraid he would run away.
“What do you mean, you ‘felt it’?”
Wan Qianhong frowned at Li Gui’s actions, clearly displeased with his treatment of one of her own.
Seeing that Wu Xin was in poor condition, she stepped in to explain:
“His innate ability allows him to detect the location of energy fluctuations.”
“However, if the fluctuations he detects are too powerful, he suffers a backlash. He’s likely been severely injured by the rebound from that crown.”
“Please release him. He needs treatment!”
Li Gui’s eyes sparkled.
He didn't care about Wu Xin's injuries at all. He only realized that a backlash of this severity could indeed mean he had sensed the Crown of Time Lag.
On the other side, Aries Hong Jiu didn't waste any more time. He transformed into a streak of fire and charged in the direction Wu Xin had pointed.
The other Rangers didn't even need orders; they immediately split into several groups and gave chase.
“After them!” Li Gui’s expression changed. He performed his Escape Art, turning into a cloud of dust as he surged forward.
Wu Jinyi and the rest of the Action Team followed quickly, though their pace was much more hesitant than the Rangers’.
Chasing the Crown of Time Lag and that unknown expert from the Masked Hermit Society?
That sounds like a suicide mission...
With the help of Wan Qianhong’s Word Soul, Wu Xin managed to struggle to his feet and said urgently:
“Quick, don't worry about me! Keep up!”
“The S-rank Containment Object is more important! I can still sense it, hurry!”
Seeing how tenacious he was despite his injuries, the members of the East District didn't think twice and rushed after the others.
Only Bai Feifei remained in the middle of it all, completely bewildered.
Watching all three groups acting so busy and urgent, she was utterly lost.
Wasn't the Crown of Time Lag on her person? And that hidden expert didn't even exist!
What on earth were they tracking?
Wasn't this just... me tracking myself?
Bai Feifei quickly asked in her mind:
“What are they doing? He must have sensed it wrong!”
“Sensed it wrong?” Xu Mo’s meaningful voice rang out in her mind. “He didn't sense it wrong.”
“He’s just up to no good!”
Rate on N.U.
