A minute after leaving Mu Bai, TuTu and Jiao Jiao.
"Little sister, do you think we're just a burden to him, something he has to drag along because of our relationship?" the usually bubbly blonde asked sadly. The last-second briefing on the potential attack had clearly hit her hard.
"...I don't know. He keeps saying we're his future pillar of support, but then contradicts it by not sharing his plans. I've long noticed he carries a burden he doesn't share with us. Take that nervous breakdown when he learned Ling Ling's real age. That was totally abnormal, especially from someone always so confident like our guy. How does a simple age mistake turn into that?" Jiao Jiao said thoughtfully, biting her lip. His distrust stung her too.
"And those constant hints that the world's situation is way more complex than it seems? Near Kunlun, I caught him staring into its depths with fear for a split second. I chalked it up to imagination then, but now... not so sure," TuTu said with a shrug. She craved true family bonds with Mu Bai, but impossible until he truly opened up. "On the other hand, he trusts us enough to task watching Black Church influencers in Mingzhu. And he warned us of a possible stronger attack, so he doesn't fear for our safety. Maybe, like he says, we just haven't grown strong or cultivated enough for that info yet—what do you think?" Jiao Jiao asked her close friend hesitantly.
"Hmph, he could've dropped a hint! Acts all mysterious and strong, then freaks over a little girl's age. What's scary about that? The sea splits and crashes on China?" TuTu grumbled, puffing her cheeks offendedly, but without spark.
"Well, he drops hints constantly. Take Ling Ling's grandpa. Mu Bai said he's way stronger than yours, and yours is peak High-level! Not about who beats who in a fight—more like a massive power gap. And that only comes from..." Jiao Jiao's face started clearing.
"Cultivation level! Ling Ling's grandpa outranks mine in cultivation! But how?! High-level's the limit! Nothing beyond..." TuTu blurted, then pondered.
"Apparently not the limit. Remember Mu Bai saying he's calm for our psyche as long as we think so? I brushed it off then, but in this context..." Jiao Jiao bit her lip hard.
"He knows something terrifying and wants to shield us, to not break our will to self-improve and hone skills. Believes we'll be ready someday," TuTu breathed out.
"So even if he doesn't trust current us, he believes in our future. Believes we'll truly be his support. Otherwise, he'd spend all time prepping for that horror, not us," Jiao Jiao smiled. Way better than being dead weight to her love. It even added motivation to become "worthy" of Mu Bai's secrets faster.
"Hmph, he worries too much. We're not fragile enough to crack from extra cultivation level info," TuTu snorted good-naturedly. Her smile proved the depressive mood was gone.
"Well, men protect their women. Let's play along with our boy's attempts," Jiao Jiao winked at her friend, and they laughed together.
"Oh, look—those guys are heading into the abandoned meat processing plant. Secret org meetup spot?" TuTu spotted their targets' endpoint.
"Be careful. Mu Bai once told me rotten meat smell perfectly masks Black Church Black and Cursed Beasts' natural scent. Could be a big ambush," Jiao Jiao warned, pondering how to tail inside without blowing cover.
Ding! Notification on TuTu's phone.
"One of those guys who entered the abandoned plant sent all exam participants a photo posing with the Shadow Beast. Caption: waiting for the rest to fight for it away from teacher eyes. Hopes losers help winners safely cage the beast, guarding their fair win from non-participant students poaching," she paraphrased the message.
"That's blatant provocation! No victory-seeker skips it—later, can't beat a huge united mob heading to the cage! Better play by these rules, get group help defending potential win, than sure loss," Jiao Jiao analyzed.
"By the way, how'd you get that? We're not in the exam?" the brunette tilted her head puzzled.
"Hmph, asked a participant friend to forward all updates. Payment: a couple Mu Bai nude-style pics," TuTu said proudly, nose high.
"..." Jiao Jiao wasn't sure how to feel about trading their guy's body, but not the time to scold.
"Their plan's crystal clear. Lure tons of students here and slaughter. Gotta stop 'em now!" Jiao Jiao's mind raced for a workable plan. Storm in, confirm suspicions, alert Director Xiao? He'd handle it. Or overthinking—no attack, Mu Bai just hyped them?
WUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU! Citywide siren blared, violet smoke plume with blue flecks rising to the sky. Broadcaster's voice boomed:
"Citizens, no panic—a strong Warlord spotted dangerously close to the city, possible attack intent. All High-level mages report to city wall for security. Repeat: no attack yet, no need to worry."
"That's...!" TuTu paled.
"Too coincidental. Black Church tricks for sure! High-level mages must heed by law—we can't call 'em! No point anyway—strong Warlord's way bigger threat than a few lurking Deacons in Blue!" Jiao Jiao bit her nail.
"Damn, they planned too well! Heard notable Hunter Master groups left days ago for lucrative job. Luring out forces that could interfere! Attack's coming!" Jiao Jiao clawed her hair, brainstorming to avert tragedy.
"No thinking—storm in, stir the hornet's nest! Enough noise, students'll sense something's off, avoid obvious trap! At least enter prepared," TuTu declared firmly, heading straight for the plant to do just that.
"You're right—only way I see now," Jiao Jiao nodded grimly, hurrying after.