In the livestream, Xiao Guizi was making her way to the marked coordinates on the map while explaining:
"The recent 'Mysterious Disappearance of the Dragon Lady' incident is likely the work of a Heliobi."
"As the first mission of our Ghost-Hunting Squad, we have to take this seriously."
"With me, Sushang, the Trailblazer, and Huohuo all on the case, we'll definitely find the Dragon Lady!"
Hearing Xiao Guizi's words, Bailu, watching from behind the screen, blinked her large eyes in curiosity.
"A Heliobi?"
"So in this storyline, I've been targeted by a Heliobi?"
"I've heard of these creatures—they're like ghostly flames that possess people and feed on their emotions and desires..."
"So it's all true."
Jing Yuan spoke up: "Miss Bailu, from now on, I'll have the Cloud Knights ensure your safety."
"Whether it's the previous assassination attempt or the risk of Heliobi possession... I'll do everything I can to eliminate such dangers."
Instead of being pleased, Bailu looked dismayed: "Nooo, General!"
"It's already hard enough to shake off the medical attendants—if you send Cloud Knights to watch me, I'll have no freedom left at all!"
"Uh, um... Dan Heng! In the story, we're kindred spirits, right? Say something for me, please! Talk the General out of it!"
Dan Heng: "..."
"I'm not really good at this sort of thing..."
After a moment of thought, he said: "Jing Yuan, maybe we shouldn't put too much pressure on Bailu?"
"Why don't we watch the story unfold first and see if the Heliobi really poses a threat to her before making any decisions?"
Jing Yuan nodded. "Very well."
Everyone turned their attention back to the livestream.
...
In an empty alley, Guinaifen called out: "Miss Bailu! Miss Bailu, where are you?"
Sushang joined in: "Dragon Lady! Come out and play with us!"
Bailu shook her head slightly.
"Do they really think I'm a child?"
"Did they expect me to respond just because they called out a few times?"
"How naive!"
But in the next second—
Huohuo looked to the side and hesitantly said: "Why... why are there two Dragon Ladies...?"
The scene shifted.
On the adjacent street, Bailu—her actual self—appeared, grinning happily:
"They're calling for us to come play!"
But!
Right beside her... was another Bailu who looked exactly the same!
No, no—even Bailu herself couldn't tell which one was the real her!
"Silly, they're trying to trick you! They just want to drag you back!" the other Bailu crossed her arms and said sternly.
"Let's play a game—'Don't Let Them Catch Us'!"
The two Bailus exchanged a glance and grinned.
"Run for it!!!"
Seeing this plot twist for the first time, Bailu was stunned.
Soon, her shock turned into sheer delight.
"There are two of me?!"
"A Heliobi can do something like this?!"
"This storyline... is way too fun!"
She couldn't help but clap her hands, completely immersed in the story, cheering for her in-game self and her new Heliobi companion.
"Run!"
"Don't let those ghost-hunters catch you!!"
Jing Yuan smiled faintly as he watched Bailu's excitement.
"This child really is one of a kind."
Most kids would be terrified after encountering something like a Heliobi—if they didn't get a fever for two days, it'd already be a miracle.
But look at our Dragon Lady—she's actually befriending the Heliobi!
"Truly Bailu's style!"
Unfortunately, the three people beside him were all quiet types.
The only ones who could share his sentiments were the viewers in the livestream.
[Chat reactions:]
"Two Bailus? I'm over the moon!"
"Double the cuteness!"
"The Ghost-Hunting Squad's first mission is already this wild, hahaha!"
"Why do they seem to get along so well?"
"Congrats to my Bailu for finding her other half."
"Right now, the only lolis are Bailu and Huohuo. Since Bailu can't find friends her age, she has to play with herself."
The two Bailus dashed off and disappeared into a building in the Golden Alley.
The Ghost-Hunting Squad quickly set up their tools, ready to capture the dangerous Heliobi that had lured away the child.
At this moment, the dungeon interface popped up on the screen:
[Illusory Maze: Luxie]
"The laughter of two Bailus seems to be coming from the entrance..."
Xiao Guizi adjusted her team—a Physical MC, Dan Heng • Imbibitor Lunae, Luocha, and Tingyun—perfect for handling the dungeon's enemies.
Confident, she declared:
"Now all we have to do is find Bailu and defeat the Heliobi possessing her, right?"
Upon entering the dungeon, Sushang took the lead, stepping forward and calling out to the two Bailus in the alley:
"Hey, you Heliobi! Let the Dragon Lady go!"
[The other Bailu] pouted angrily:
"You troublemakers! We were having so much fun playing together! Lulu doesn't want to go back with you!"
Bailu hesitated: "Luxie, they're here for me... It's getting dark. Shouldn't I go back?"
Luxie grew anxious.
"Lulu, didn't we promise not to let any adults find us? And never to go back with them? You... you're breaking your word so quickly?"
Bailu's tone firmed up: "Uh... You're right! Adults can break their promises, but we won't!"
Luxie cheered: "Exactly! If you're hungry, I can conjure endless Qiongshi Bird Skewers for you! If you're thirsty, I've got infinite Star Taro Boba!"
Bailu's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Yay! Do it, do it!"
Luxie giggled. "Not yet~ Let's play a game first! You troublemakers—you're invited too!"
"Lulu, let's run away together. As long as these mean adults don't catch us, I'll give you all the yummy food and drinks!"
Bailu was completely convinced. Her eyes shone brightly.
"Okay! Then what are we waiting for? Let's go!"
Sushang tried to grab them, but the two Bailus darted off in a flash—utterly uncatchable!
Their cheerful voices echoed:
"Free and unrestrained! Let's play until the world turns upside down!"
This plot development left Guinaifen dumbfounded.
This wasn't a Heliobi morphing into some monster to threaten Bailu—
Instead, it had become another Bailu, and the two were happily playing together as friends!
Now, they were even playing a game of tag—except the Ghost-Hunting Squad were the "ghosts," while Bailu and the Heliobi were the ones being chased.
"Wait, this Heliobi seems... kind of nice?"
"Not only is it playing with Bailu, but it's also promising her endless Qiongshi Bird Skewers and Star Taro Boba?"
"Oh my gosh~ That sounds like heaven!"
"If it were me, I might've run off with Bailu too... Wait, no no no!"
"I'm a member of the Ghost-Hunting Squad!"
"I have to stay resolute!"
"You're testing me with this? What kind of streamer do you take me for?!"
The livestream chat exploded:
"Two Bailus are too adorable!"
"Yay! Free and unrestrained! Let's play until the world turns upside down!"
"Oh no! I want to join the two Bailus!"
"Forget ghost-hunting—I'm switching sides!"
"Damn, I want a Heliobi friend like this too!"
"If Heliobis didn't possess people, they'd actually be pretty great..."
"I also wanted a friend like this when I was little."
To be continued…
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