At first, Guinaifen thought this mission would be simple.
All they had to do was defeat the Heliobi possessing Bailu, seal it away with their tools, and call it a day.
Even now, she still believed that!
On the platform below the stairs, Bailu's voice rang out with resounding clarity:
"I just want to go out and play a little more! What's wrong with that?"
"Why do I have to live the way adults tell me to?"
Though the two Bailus were frolicking freely and innocently, not harming anyone...
"Sorry."
"I'm a merciless player!"
Guinaifen activated her sprint the moment she got close, trying to catch Bailu off guard.
But Bailu instantly shot forward like a spring-loaded rocket, darting several meters away in a flash!
While running, she even voiced her grievances:
"Adults always say, 'Don't fool around now, play when you grow up.'"
"But look at the grown-ups in the Alchemy Commission—they don't have time to play either!"
"Stop chasing me!"
"Can't you just let me have some fun?!"
Her words were so reasonable that Guinaifen was momentarily speechless!
But that didn't stop her.
She kept sprinting!
Yet—
Something felt off about the figure ahead.
Bailu's stubby little legs were moving way too fast!
Not just her legs—even her arms were swinging like turbocharged pistons. There was no catching up!
The gap widened so much that Bailu even deliberately stopped to wait for her!
Guinaifen took a deep breath.
Her blood pressure spiked.
Clenching her fists, she hugged the tightest angles around every corner.
"Cornering speed is true speed!"
After several sharp turns, she was finally about to catch Bailu at the last bend!
Guinaifen's eyes burned with the flames of impending victory!
"Almost... Got her—!"
But just as she drew level with Bailu—
Bailu suddenly predicted her move, slammed on the brakes, and U-turned!
A prompt popped up on the screen:
[Bailu anticipated your attempt to cut her off. As long as she's fast enough, she can do whatever she wants.]
Guinaifen's jaw dropped.
She immediately switched to Dan Heng • Imbibitor Lunae.
Her expression grew solemn and dignified.
"Folks..."
"This isn't about the mission anymore."
"This is a battle of pride!"
"You're in for a world of hurt when I catch you, Dragon Lady!"
Chat erupted:
"She's mad! The streamer's mad!"
"How are Bailu's stubby legs so fast?!"
"You think she escapes the Alchemy Commission for no reason?"
"Damn, Xiao Guizi is going all out!"
"Truly the future's most renowned Imbibitor Lunae!"
Guinaifen roared: "Cloudhymn Roar!!!"
Activating Imbibitor Lunae's skill, she surged forward in a whirl of water mist!
Dan Heng's skill was widely regarded as the best traversal tool in the game—it even allowed sharp cornering during dashes!
Today, Guinaifen pushed her limits, not hitting a single wall as she weaved through the narrowest alley gaps.
But!
Even then—
She still couldn't catch Bailu's stubby little legs!
Meanwhile, Bailu and Luxie taunted them with their "wisdom":
Luxie: "Adults always say their lives are harder, but isn't that weird?"
"Didn't they used to be kids too?"
"Why compare who has it tougher instead of just letting us play?"
Bailu nodded vigorously: "Yeah, yeah!"
"Why do they keep saying things I don't understand?"
"I just wanna go out and play!"
The sight of Dan Heng furiously water-dashing while Bailu zoomed ahead was absurdly hilarious!
Livestream viewers were in stitches!
Chat:
"Bailu: This is the current Imbibitor Lunae?"
"Imbibitor Lunae... you are not him."
"Even among Imbibitor Lunaes, there are levels."
"This is the power of the new generation! [Sweating profusely.jpg]"
Guinaifen was stunned.
"I'm almost out of Skill Points! How are you still sprinting after dozens of laps?!"
"Your speed... I acknowledge it!"
Just then, Sushang reminded her in-game:
"Close the gate ahead... then she'll have nowhere to run."
At first, Guinaifen's competitive spirit resisted.
But after realizing Bailu's stamina seemed infinite...
She had no choice but to resort to strategy.
"Lock the doors!"
Finally, after some maneuvering, they herded Bailu into a dead-end trap formation.
Trapped inside, Bailu cried out: "Let me out! I don't wanna be locked up!"
Huohuo explained gently: "Dragon Lady... please calm down. The Heliobi is influencing your thoughts."
"Lies! Lies! I've never had friends to play with before! Now that I finally found one, you're taking it away!"
The scene made even Guinaifen feel a pang of guilt.
Chat flooded in:
"Locking the door? Can't handle the L?"
"Her face is all red from crying, so pitiful!"
"Adorable~"
"She just wanted to play! What's wrong with that?"
"Bailu's locked up most of the time—she's lonely."
"Even without Luxie, you've still got us, Bailu!"
Bailu wept bitterly—until a figure suddenly appeared.
Luxie stepped forward.
To save its friend, it came despite knowing it was walking into a trap.
"Adults are so cruel... stealing away a child's rare moments of joy!"
[Hehe! I am cruel, aren't I?]
Guinaifen's face flushed.
Watching this from a third-person perspective, she felt terrible!
The guilt was overwhelming.
Luxie continued: "I wanted to bring you all into a world of fun and freedom... but since you insist on ruining the mood..."
"Then don't blame Luxie for speaking the only language you adults understand—violence!"
"Just like how you scold children, right?!"
For a moment, Guinaifen felt she was the villain.
[This battle is enhanced with Exorcism Arts...]
With the exorcism boost, the fight ended quickly.
Luxie clutched its head, whimpering: "Mmm... sorry, Lulu... I-I got scolded by the adults... I can't play with you anymore..."
Bailu sniffled: "Luxie... we pinky-promised never to listen to the adults. They can break promises, but can kids do that too?"
Luxie sighed. "But... I can't help it. Even the longest games have to end."
"Still... today was really fun! Let's play again next time!"
Guinaifen: "There won't be a next time! Huohuo, seal it."
Luxie chuckled weakly. "Luxie... won't see you for a while..."
"Life's long! From that perspective, it won't feel too bad~ For now... I'll go with these adults."
As Luxie was sealed into the green gourd, Guinaifen let out a sigh.
Honestly, this ghost-hunting mission wasn't thrilling—just bittersweet.
"Like childhood playdates... you never know which one's the last."
"Xiao Guizi's expression... seems like she's been through this too?"
"I also used to promise friends 'next time,' even when I knew there might not be a next time..."
"But next time they meet, Bailu might've become just another boring adult."
"Unfriended. My heart's broken."
"I came to play a game, not get emotionally wrecked!"
"Release Luxie right now!"
"Does Bailu look like she doesn't know if Luxie's evil?!"
To be continued…
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