The next day, Starskiff Haven Street was packed as always.
Wei Qing and Baiheng walked side by side through the crowded avenue.
"Woooow—this place is still insanely lively! I haven't been back in hundreds of years!" Baiheng said, clutching a skewer of Qiongshi bird and eating until her lips shone with grease. With her other hand, she pointed at a brand-new storefront and hollered like she'd never seen civilization before.
At this moment she looked like a country bumpkin visiting the city for the first time, drawing plenty of curious looks from passersby.
Wei Qing deliberately lagged half a step behind her, wearing a full "I don't know this person" expression.
"I'm saying… how old are you now? Can you act at least a little more mature?" he couldn't help complaining.
"What's there to be scared of? I'm Galaxy Ranger Bai Qing now." Baiheng didn't care, biting off another chunk. "Besides, I haven't tasted this in centuries. You're not even letting me get excited once?"
She shoved the half-eaten skewer toward Wei Qing's mouth. "Here, want a bite? Same old flavor."
Wei Qing tilted his head away. "I don't eat other people's leftovers."
"Tsk. Boring." Baiheng curled her lips and then, eyes lighting up, sprinted to a sugar-paint stall. "Boss, boss! Make me the biggest Mememaki roll!"
Wei Qing rubbed his temple. This fox was still as chaotic as ever.
He'd agreed to come out with her because Tingyun had quietly sent a message that morning:
Just like the original timeline, Dan Heng had already joined the Astral Express, and Kafka was preparing to bring the "Stellaron" to Herta Space Station.
The main story was basically about to start.
As for Yingxing—when the Abundance invaders pushed in earlier, he'd returned to help on the Yukong front, and only recently had he come back to Luofu for a short stay.
The moment Baiheng heard that, she'd dragged Wei Qing out under the banner of "blending in and gathering intel."
Right now, watching Baiheng return proudly holding a Mememaki sugar painting bigger than her face, Wei Qing felt a vein twitch in his forehead.
"I thought you came to gather intel," he said flatly. "What is this?"
"It is intel!" Baiheng declared righteously, licking the sugar. "Step one: integrate into the environment. Feel the local vibe. Look at us—who would ever suspect we're suspicious!"
Before she even finished, a child holding his mother's hand pointed at Baiheng and shouted, "Mom! That big sister eating candy looks like the fox next door sneaking snacks!"
Baiheng: "..."
Wei Qing snorted.
Baiheng's ears practically smoked with embarrassment. She devoured the rest in three bites, then grabbed Wei Qing's sleeve and shoved him into denser crowds.
"Go go go! Let's hit Changle Heaven. Teahouses there have the best gossip!"
They crossed Starskiff Haven, boarded a short shuttle, and reached Changle Heaven.
As soon as they stepped onto the district's boundary—passing near Sichen Palace—a faint, almost imperceptible presence locked onto them.
Baiheng's step stopped. The grin vanished from her face.
Wei Qing also halted, calmly looking toward a quiet side alley.
From the shadowed mouth of that alley, a figure walked out.
Long blue-white hair tied back. A face coldly beautiful and austere.
Jingliu.
"Lord Yi Qing. Lady Bai Qing," she said evenly.
"Forgive the intrusion."
Baiheng's heart thumped, but her face instantly brightened into a warm, overeager smile. She rushed forward like she was meeting a long-lost sister and tried to hook Jingliu's arm.
"Oh! Sister, you look so familiar. I'm Bai Qing, this is Yi Qing—what's your name?"
Jingliu shifted half a step to the side, neatly avoiding Baiheng's touch.
"Jingliu."
"Jingliu?!" Baiheng clapped a hand over her mouth theatrically. "The Jingliu who froze the battlefield with one sword on Yukong?! The famed Galaxy Ranger Jingliu?!"
"Long admired! Meeting you in Luofu—what an honor!"
Even Wei Qing shot her a look.
Jingliu's expression didn't move. Her attention stayed on Wei Qing.
"Lord Yi Qing's feat at Fanghu was extraordinary. I have a few questions. Could we speak privately?"
Wei Qing hadn't answered yet, but Baiheng cut in fast.
"Of course! I know a quiet teahouse ahead—nice atmosphere, good snacks. Let's sit!"
As she talked, she shot Wei Qing frantic eye signals: agree, agree, agree.
Wei Qing ignored her theatrics and gave Jingliu a slight nod.
"…Fine."
Baiheng beamed and led them to a secluded teahouse, securing a private room.
On the way, she chattered nonstop, trying to bait Jingliu into conversation—Yukong's war, Galaxy Ranger stories, local gossip. Jingliu responded sparingly, but her eyes kept drifting back to Wei Qing.
In the private room, after tea and snacks were set and attendants dismissed, the air turned delicate.
Baiheng cradled her teacup, eyes darting between Jingliu and Wei Qing.
Jingliu spoke first.
"Lord Yi Qing. Lady Bai Qing. I have traveled as a Galaxy Ranger for over eight hundred years."
"I have met most Rangers at least once. Yet I have never heard of either of you."
She paused, then added in a measured tone, "I do not mean to accuse you. Lord Yi Qing is an ally acknowledged by Marshal Hua, and an恩人 to the Alliance."
"My question is curiosity, nothing more."
Baiheng's heart rose into her throat. She prepared to joke her way out—
But Wei Qing answered first, calmly.
"We've lived in remote starfields for a long time. Rarely interacted with other Rangers. It's normal you haven't heard of us."
A clean explanation. Hard to argue with, given how loose and unstructured the Rangers were.
Jingliu didn't immediately respond, as if weighing his words.
Baiheng quickly poured her tea and laughed too loudly.
"Exactly! We're just wandering slackers. You're the real big name, Sister Jingliu!"
Jingliu took a sip and finally continued.
"It was my own bluntness. Your power at Fanghu… was beyond expectation."
"May I ask—what is your view of the current Xianzhou Alliance?"
The question was direct, and sharp.
Baiheng held her breath.
Wei Qing set down his cup.
"The Alliance has nothing to do with me. I came only to fulfill an agreement with Hua. The agreement is now complete. When Bai Qing is done sightseeing, we will leave."
Jingliu nodded, her gaze cooling slightly.
"The Alliance faces calamity. Abundance and Destruction circle like wolves, while internal factions churn beneath the surface."
"To receive aid from a strong person like you is fortunate."
Baiheng instantly chimed in. "We're Rangers! Helping is what we do!"
Silence returned.
Then Jingliu asked softly, almost politely:
"Forgive my impoliteness. Lord Yi Qing—your strength is beyond ordinary Pathstriders."
"Have you received the gaze of the Hunt Aeon… and entered the rank of Emanator?"
Wei Qing didn't hesitate.
"Yes."
Jingliu's eyes flickered—small, but real.
Emanators of the Hunt were… particular. The Hunt's recognition was famously tethered to the Xianzhou.
Even Rangers, despite sharing the Hunt's ideals, rarely gained anything close to that.
Jingliu stared at Wei Qing a moment longer.
"From what I know, the Hunt's gaze rarely leaves the Xianzhou."
"Even we Rangers walk by our own resolve. Yet you—an outsider—were acknowledged."
"What deed, what turning point, drew the Aeon's notice?"
Wei Qing didn't answer the question.
Instead, he looked straight at her.
"You want to become an Emanator."
The room went still.
Jingliu's fingers tightened around the teacup.
She neither confirmed nor denied—but silence itself was an admission.
Baiheng coughed loudly and shoved a smile back on her face.
"Ah… Sister Jingliu is already absurdly strong! Becoming an Emanator is just a matter of time, right? Right, Yi Qing?"
She shot Wei Qing frantic eye signals again.
Wei Qing ignored them and waited for Jingliu's answer.
After a long moment, Jingliu spoke.
"Yes. That is why I came."
"I have lived over eighteen hundred years. Eight hundred years ago, for certain reasons, I began to crave strength."
"But now… I cannot see the road ahead."
"I have improved, but it is too little. Far too little."
Her voice remained calm, but the weight beneath it was unmistakable.
In this universe, Path was the hard currency. Emanatorhood was the apex.
Wei Qing watched her without speaking.
Then he said flatly:
"Sorry. That concerns my own secrets. I can't tell you."
How could he?
His Hunt "Emanator" status came from far earlier—back when he first arrived on Luofu. It wasn't a neat, teachable "method."
Jingliu's eyes dimmed—just a trace.
"I understand. I was presumptuous."
Baiheng exhaled, almost collapsing with relief, and immediately pushed snacks forward.
"Don't be discouraged! The Hunt might notice you tomorrow!"
"Come on, try the tea cakes—Luofu's craft is still top-tier!"
Jingliu didn't touch the cakes.
Her gaze lowered; she finished her tea in one quiet swallow.
"Thank you, both of you."
"I still have duties. I won't linger. Goodbye."
She rose, expression returning to distant frost, and turned to leave.
"Wait."
Wei Qing's voice stopped her.
Jingliu paused and looked back.
Wei Qing's tone didn't change, like he was stating a weather report.
"You're about to fall into mara."
The words hit like a blade.
Jingliu froze.
So did Baiheng.
"Mara…?" Baiheng's face went pale in an instant.
Jingliu… about to enter mara?
How?
Baiheng's first thought was absurd panic—because she remembered Jingliu had once received Wei Qing's Abundance "blessing" too.
Jingliu's voice was steady, but a subtle tension threaded it.
"Lord Yi Qing… why do you say that?"
"Literal meaning," Wei Qing replied. "You're about to fall."
Mara was the Xianzhou long-lifers' ultimate dread—the shadow chained to their longevity.
It was the price of Abundance.
And Wei Qing, as a candidate of Abundance, could see it clearly: Jingliu's mind-state was fraying at the seam.
Baiheng forgot her "Bai Qing" persona entirely. She grabbed Jingliu's arm, frantic.
"Jingliu! Tell me he's wrong! How do you feel? Anything off? Head? Thoughts? Dreams?"
Jingliu calmly brushed her hand away.
"Mara is the destiny of Xianzhou long-lifers. I have been prepared."
She spoke as if discussing someone else's illness.
"Honestly… to have lasted this long, I should be satisfied."
That admission slammed into Baiheng like a meteor.
"You already knew?" Baiheng's voice tightened.
"I felt it," Jingliu answered flatly. "Occasional agitation. Old obsessions growing heavier. I didn't expect it to be so soon."
Then her eyes sharpened slightly as she looked back at Wei Qing.
"You saw this at a glance. That is not merely the Hunt's perception."
"Do you also… walk Abundance?"
Before Wei Qing could answer, Baiheng's disguise shattered.
She stepped forward and hugged Jingliu tightly.
The sudden intimacy made Jingliu's body stiffen.
She looked down at the "human girl" clinging to her—and the next instant, the human features peeled away, revealing fox ears and that too-familiar face.
Jingliu's eyes widened, the first real crack in her composure.
"…Baiheng?"
"It's me," Baiheng said, raising her head. Her voice shook, but it was undeniably hers.
She'd stopped caring about plans, masks, roles.
Jingliu stared at her for a long second, emotion surging under ice—and then she exhaled.
She didn't push her away.
She simply let Baiheng hold her, voice lowered.
"Yi Qing… Bai Qing…"
"So that's it. I should have realized earlier."
She turned her gaze toward Wei Qing.
"If Bai Qing is Baiheng… then Lord Yi Qing…"
Jingliu's eyes narrowed.
"You are Wei Qing, aren't you?"
Wei Qing didn't bother denying it.
The "Yi Qing" facade rippled and vanished, revealing his original face.
"It's me," he said plainly.
"Eight hundred years. Long time no see, Jingliu."
Join here to read ahead.
In Star Rail, Ultra-Beast Armored — Have I Caught "Equilibrium"? l (Chapter 80)
Uma Musume, But I Only Have Five Years Left to Live (Chapter 178)
Zenless Zone Zero: I'm a Doctor, Not a Bangboo (Chapter 165)
Ben Tennyson Wants to Join the Justice League ( 126 )
TYPE-MOON: Redemption Beginning with the Holy Grail War (Chapter110)
Yu-Gi-Oh! — Transmigrated into the White Dragon Girl (Chapter220)
"Is this chat group even serious?" (Chapter125)
I, Lord Ravager, Utterly Loyal! (This matter is completely finished.)
Can Playing Games Save the World? 65
Crossover Anime Multiverse: The Demon Hunter of an Unnatural World 77
From Junkman to Wasteland 66
Weekly Refresh of Overpowered 31
I'm Grinding Proficiency Like 46
From Kiana, Lord Ravager, Onwa 220
Honkai: Is This Still the Prev 42
Elf: My Starter Pokémon Is Inc 65
Warhammer: My Primarch Is Remi 185
From Demon Slayer to Grand Ass Volume2/20
The Way the Umamusume Look at 68
Uma Musume, but My Cheat Power 248
Naruto: Weaving the Future, Be 65
Zenless Zone Zero, but Kamen R 76
Multiverse Crossover: The Perf 66
My Cyberpsycho Girlfriend 65
Uma Musume: The Dark Trainer 230
Uma Musume: A Calamity Born fr 154
I, a Reincarnation-Loop Player Volume4/40
The Violent Girl Group Is Beat 125
Uma Musume: The Horse Girl Who 67
Uma Musume: From Beginner 145
Becoming a Horse Girl, I Will 85
Uma Musume: I Want All 120
I Can Copy Unique Skills 115
Summoning an Evil God, but the 75
Supernatural Multiverse 110
My Harem Is Indescribable 100
Jujutsu Kaisen: Heroic Spirit 105
"I'm just a Valkyrie passing through." 67
Uma Musume: Today Is Another Romantic Battlefield 105
Still playing traditional Honk 80
The Most Filial Son Under Heav 85
What Should I Do After Switchi - Volume2/3
Reincarnated as a Demon, Skill 78
Hell-Difficulty Dungeon? 55
Transmigrated as Sukuna 80
Checking In in Demon Slayer 85
The Reincarnating Trainer of Tracen Academy 100
I Refuse to Become a Heroic 85
My Best Friend Into a Slime? 80
A Saiyan Stands Above Marvel 90
What Do You Mean by Using a Lab Mod to Be the Hero? 75
Tanya Starts from Re:Zero 85
Why did they assign me to Uma 75
MYGO Beauties 70
DanMachi: Emiya the Giant Hero 75
The Gacha Merchant Who Started 80
Honkai's Otherworld? Wait—Who Are You People?! 100
Emiya Shirou, Determined to Slay Every Curse and Evil Spirit 60
The Uma Musume Who Became 60
I'm Definitely Not the King of 80
After Maxing Out Every Class 80
Naruto: I'm Konoha's Local Men 44
Honkai: World Modulation Mode 57
I, the Elden Sword Saint 50
Dio Brando Is Challenging FGO 43
No One Knows Pokémon Better 50
I, Sakazuki, Won't Go Down Tha 45
From Trilobites to Titans 45
Chainsaw Man: Contracted with 55
DanMachi: My Party Members Are 60
An Anime Heroine Darkened 55
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