Wan Qianhong’s words were vague, but her meaning was clear.
The “person behind her” she referred to was the Masked Hermit Society.
She didn't want to pry into Bai Feifei’s secrets, so she had avoided mentioning the organization. In reality, however, the name of this organization already echoed loudly among the upper echelons of Dawn City.
This was one of the reasons Bai Feifei’s entry into the Inner City had been given a green light. Although the result seemed simple, the undercurrents swirling behind it were deeper than anyone could say.
Bai Feifei nodded. She knew nothing about this Masked Hermit Society herself, so she could only silently accept the stone.
A soft, pale blue light emanated from the gray stone in her palm.
Light and shadow coalesced in the air, and within seconds, a phantom of a woman’s torso floated in the center of the room.
Prophet Liu Yun.
She was wearing her robes this time, and for the first time, Bai Feifei saw a face that was much younger than she had imagined.
Bai Feifei instinctively stood up from the bed.
“Bai Feifei,” Liu Yun’s voice came from the phantom, sounding slightly more ethereal than her real voice, yet her tone remained peaceful. “Hello.”
Her phantom stood with hands behind its back; the projection was clearly a pre-recorded video.
“Give my regards to that person from the Masked Hermit Society—Sinking Black.”
Bai Feifei: ...
She knew that the so-called Sinking Black was merely the state the Old-Timer took when he controlled her body to use the Evil God’s power.
“I have received the message he sent me,” Liu Yun continued. “My student, Wan Qianhong, was able to return safely this time thanks to his intervention. Liu Yun offers her thanks.”
She paused and spoke again.
“Bai Feifei.”
“Yes,” Bai Feifei replied, even though she knew it wasn't a live broadcast.
“You have achieved great merit this time and should have been given better treatment.” A faint, almost imperceptible trace of apology colored Liu Yun’s voice.
“However, there are certain difficulties regarding some matters within Dawn City. I ask for your understanding.”
“In the future, your status and all your actions within Dawn City may be as you please. I will do my best to provide convenience for you and will not allow any petty troublemakers to harass you.”
“But there is one point—”
Liu Yun’s gaze sharpened slightly. “Please do not publicize your identity as a member of the Masked Hermit Society.”
Bai Feifei nodded in deep agreement.
Who would want to publicize that? She still hadn't figured out what that organization was even about.
“Finally.” Liu Yun’s voice became somewhat faint. “If your organization has any guidance to offer, you may seek me out at any time.”
After saying this, her phantom gave a slight nod.
The light and shadow dissipated, and the stone returned to its dull gray appearance.
The room fell silent for a few seconds. Then, Xu Mo’s sneer rang out in Bai Feifei’s mind.
“Heh, this lady really knows how to play the game.”
“Alright, she’ll be your backer in Dawn City from now on. When you have a background, you walk with your head held high. Don’t be polite.”
“If you encounter anyone testing you or looking for trouble in the future, just slap them! You’ve got a Prophet to clean up after you anyway, hehehe.”
Bai Feifei: ...
She felt like the Old-Timer was already starting to have some wild ideas.
Bai Feifei returned the stone to Wan Qianhong and said, “Senior Wan, when can I take the rank test?”
Wan Qianhong looked at her and couldn't help but roll her eyes.
“You really are a workaholic.”
She shook her head, but a hint of a smile touched the corners of her mouth as she continued, “I can arrange it for you as soon as possible, but...”
As she spoke, Wan Qianhong reached out her hand toward Bai Feifei.
“Come, give me your hand.”
Bai Feifei was startled. “What?”
“Use some strength. Let’s see what you’ve got.” Wan Qianhong shook her right hand.
“Let me check your vitality and estimate your strength to see what rank of Scavenger you might reach.”
Bai Feifei hesitated for a moment before reaching out.
The moment their hands gripped each other, Wan Qianhong’s pupils contracted sharply.
She felt an incredibly powerful force, as if she were squeezing a block of alloy.
Although Bai Feifei was currently a Rank 4 Scavenger, her vitality had been specifically enhanced by storyline rewards and the Heart of the World.
Bai Feifei looked at her, flexed her wrist slightly, and asked:
“Senior Wan, shall we begin now?”
Wan Qianhong’s expression stiffened for a moment. Her opponent hadn't even used her full strength yet?
She shot a strange look at the girl across from her, shocked by how such power could exist within such a petite body.
Taking a deep breath, she realized this was no longer just a test; a hint of competitiveness had risen in her heart.
“Come on, use your strength!”
...
Inner City, Scavenger Office.
It was a spacious three-story building with off-white exterior walls, bright windows, and two potted green plants by the entrance. It was a product of a completely different world compared to those dilapidated outposts in the Outer City.
In an office on the first floor, a stream of cursing could be heard.
“What the hell is this? They want us to host a temporary rank test?”
The speaker was a woman in her early forties with short hair and a plump face, her eyes squeezed by the flesh on her cheeks.
She held a freshly printed notice, her expression extremely displeased.
“A Scavenger from the Outer City?”
“What a nuisance. These things really can’t wait a single day to come into our Inner City and enjoy themselves.”
She slapped the notice onto the desk.
“I was planning to go for a beauty treatment, but now I have to wait specifically for her.”
Another female employee standing nearby was younger, in her thirties, with a round face and a pleasant look.
“Oh, Sister Zhao, don’t be so angry.” she advised with a smile, handing a cup of water to the woman named Zhao.
“They’re just following the rules. We should just prepare what needs to be prepared.”
“Prepare my ass!” Sister Zhao took the cup and slammed it onto the desk, splashing water everywhere. “Following the rules? Why the hell is a Rank 1 Scavenger in such a rush to promote to Rank 2!”
“That’s true.” The round-faced woman agreed with a smile.
“But word is this person is quite highly capable. She used to be a sinner, but she managed to work her way out of it. Apparently, she even achieved some great merit.”
“Highly capable?” Sister Zhao reacted as if she had been pricked by a needle, her voice suddenly rising. “Then why hasn't anyone said a word to me?”
“If she was a sinner, why didn't she just die out there?”
“Keep it down, Sister. She has people above her.” The round-faced woman offered a slow consolation, but it sounded more like she was fanning the flames.
“Don’t talk to me about ‘people’ when it comes to Outer City scum!” Sister Zhao stood up abruptly, her face flushed with anger.
“Who knows whose bed that Outer City little bitch climbed into. If some beggar from the Outer City wants to come to our Inner City, they’d better behave.”
“I’m telling you, we have to block her path a bit. Let her know who’s boss!”
The round-faced woman stopped speaking, her eyes lowered slightly.
Her surname was Li, and her name was Li Li.
She didn't know much about this Bai Feifei’s background, only that the girl had likely done something down in the Black Smoke Coal Mine—the same mine where a major figure like Li Gui had been sacrificed!
People from the main family had told her that if the opportunity arose, she should provoke the girl’s temper. It would be best if she could get her to make a mistake in the Inner City so they would have some leverage over her.
But she didn't plan to do it herself. A little fanning of the flames was enough to get this Sister Zhao to do the work.
Heh... she didn't know what this Outer City brat had done, but it was truly pitiful.
To think she had offended the most powerful family in the Inner City before even stepping foot inside. Her life ahead was likely going to be miserable.
Rate on N.U.
