When Did You Learn This Trick, Director-General Shen?

Unsure whether Arad was actually dead or not, Bai Xiaodu spent a tense night crouching inside the orphanage.

Keeping Kalugar summoned required consuming his spell slots.

Thus, he had no choice but to temporarily recall him, intending to summon him again only when absolutely necessary.

There was no telling what rank this figure had held during his lifetime; even though his manifestation consumed Bai Xiaodu's spell slots and was only bolstered by transcendent cultivation, he had still managed to heavily wound Arad with a single strike.

This alone was testament to his incredible strength.

Xin Hai'an arrived late, her face filled with anxiety.

Seeing that he was unharmed, she let out a sigh of relief and happily tossed the mechanical heads she was carrying into the trash can.

Without giving him a chance to speak, she scooped Bai Xiaodu into her arms and spun him around lightheartedly.

“Those two early-stage transcendent Intellimechs were heading right for you, so I intercepted and killed them beforehand.”

“You really are something. Before I got here, I was preparing myself for a bitter battle, only to find the ground littered with the corpses of those you killed.”

“Why didn't you tell me you were this powerful earlier? You had me worrying for so long!”

In truth, there was one more thing Xin Hai'an didn't say.

She had been terrified that this slight delay would cause her to arrive too late to save Bai Xiaodu.

Bai Xiaodu didn't say a word. Instead, he stood on his tiptoes.

He leaned close to Xin Hai'an's face and gently kissed her.

Realizing what he was doing, her face flushed red as she closed her eyes.

However, a very awkward moment ensued.

He couldn't quite reach!

Bai Xiaodu's mind raced, wondering if he should construct a temporary Gust spell formation under his feet.

Suddenly, Xin Hai'an bent down, completing the final step for him.

An orchid-like fragrance bloomed in his mouth, and Bai Xiaodu narrowed his wine-red eyes in sheer enjoyment.

Unlike the last time, when he had coaxed Xin Hai'an into kissing him, this time he was the one taking the initiative.

Having just escaped the jaws of death, Bai Xiaodu felt that it was truly wonderful to be alive.

His movements were greedy.

The sensation of their lips and teeth meeting was absolutely magical.

Xin Hai'an had never been claimed so possessively before. For a moment, she couldn't help but let out a soft whimper.

After a long while, only when he noticed Xin Hai'an's legs trembling slightly did Bai Xiaodu finally let her go.

Xin Hai'an's delicate face was flushed red, her breathing uneven. She shot him a slightly reproachful look for his boldness.

Yet, no matter how one looked at it, that reproachful glance seemed to carry a hint of asking why he had stopped.

Moonlight, a beloved partner, and a deep kiss.

Bai Xiaodu checked her Affection using his system and found that Xin Hai'an's Affection was still rising.

Next, he would have to prepare some sweet, touching words. Who knows?

Perhaps he could strike while the iron was hot and unlock the next stage of rewards.

Maintaining his affectionate gaze, Bai Xiaodu was just about to speak when he noticed a sudden change in Xin Hai'an's eyes.

Her slender, fair fingers pulled up a section of a chain, shaking it curiously.

“Hey, Xiaobai, what is that around your neck?”

“?”

Bai Xiaodu's scalp instantly went numb.

He had no idea what special material Director-General Shen had used.

But this thing was incredibly sturdy.

Even after ascending to the Transcendent Rank, he had tried to rip it off.

However, other than making his neck hurt even more, it didn't do anything at all.

Bai Xiaodu quickly let out an awkward laugh.

“Well, you know how cautious I am. Since I was about to advance my rank, I figured it was better to be safe than sorry, so I spent some money online to buy some protective gear.”

“This thing has excellent cut and stab resistance. Want to feel it?”

Xin Hai'an touched his neck for a moment longer and found that it was indeed as Bai Xiaodu described.

She nodded in agreement.

“Hmm, though it's not quite a Wonder, it's still pretty good. To be able to buy this with just regular money, that seller is incredibly honest.”

“Can you tell me where you bought it? I'd like to get a few for the younger generation in my family who need them for combat practice.”

Bai Xiaodu shook his head hurriedly.

“Good things sell out fast. The shop owner is completely out of stock.”

“That's a bit of a shame.”

“Actually, I still have a few left.”

Hearing this sudden interjection, which sounded like it came from some phantom out of nowhere, Bai Xiaodu's face paled!

His first instinct was to turn around and run, but the moment he made a move, he obediently froze in place.

If the collar was already this powerful, its owner was bound to be even more terrifying.

What rank was this woman surnamed Shen? Why on earth had she come to a tiny place like Pingshan District just to smurf?!

A tall figure slowly stepped out from the darkness, Director-General Shen's emotionless, cyan-blue eyes gradually coming into view.

Xin Hai'an was momentarily taken aback. Although she was a bit confused by the situation, she still greeted her politely.

After deciding to help Bai Xiaodu, Xin Hai'an had asked her sister to help look into Director-General Shen's background.

Even the most superficial information made one thing abundantly clear:

She was strong—exceptionally strong.

The Shen Clan was originally an influential family of the Eastern Continent, and she was the most outstanding genius among the younger generation.

“Hello, Director-General Shen.”

“Were you drawn here by the commotion just now? The battle is already over.”

Truth be told, Xin Hai'an was feeling a bit nervous, and she even began to raise her guard.

She knew that Director-General Shen belonged to the 【Autocracy】 Pathway and had played a part in helping Bai Xiaodu raise his rank.

But what exactly was her motive?

Transcendents of the Autocracy Pathway loved using others as tools.

She wasn't sure if the Director-General Shen standing before her was targeting Bai Xiaodu for his utility.

After all, there was no such thing as a free lunch, and Bai Xiaodu's ascension ceremony had been conducted entirely using someone else's materials!

Director-General Shen shook her head slightly.

“No.”

“I lost my dog. I'm looking for him.”

So that's what it is. Xin Hai'an let out a sigh of relief and smiled.

“I didn't know you liked cute cats and dogs, Director-General. I have a younger sister who loves raising them. What breed do you prefer? She has a few newly trained ones that are absolutely adorable.”

Director-General Shen shook her head once more, her finger pointing unerringly at Bai Xiaodu.

“No need. I already have one. He's quite a handful, so raising just this one is enough.”

After confirming repeatedly that Director-General Shen's finger wasn't pointing at the wrong spot—and noting that her finger even tracked Bai Xiaodu wherever he quietly shifted...

Xin Hai'an: “?”

Bai Xiaodu couldn't help but raise his hand.

“Haha, Sister Hai'an, don't mind her. It's just a verbal habit of Director-General Shen. Didn't I register with the Transcendent Association before? I've been working under her ever since. Besides, foxes are part of the canid family. Director-General Shen and I usually get along quite well. When we joke around, she calls me her dog subordinate and things like that.”

Although her heart was still filled with all kinds of doubts, seeing Bai Xiaodu's firm expression, Xin Hai'an still nodded.

Doing this was a bit too...

Feeling inexplicably a bit sullen, Xin Hai'an turned around, preparing to lead Bai Xiaodu away.

However, from the corner of his eye, Bai Xiaodu caught a glimpse of something.

Director-General Shen had whipped out her phone from somewhere. On her usually deadpan, beautiful face...

...there was actually a hint of... a mischievous smirk?!

Realizing what she was about to do, Bai Xiaodu immediately broke free from Xin Hai'an's hand and yelled.

“Holy shit, don't—”

But it was already too late.

Director-General Shen tapped on an audio file, having already turned the volume up to the maximum.

“Woof, woof! Xiaobai is coming right now!”

“Ohohohohoho, Director-General Shen! When did you learn this trick?!”

“...”

Haha.

Watching Xin Hai'an's rapidly changing expression, a look of peaceful resignation appeared on Bai Xiaodu's face.