Stelle and Hu Tao smiled upon hearing this.
"Hehe, we all hear."
Lumine and March 7th also leaned over when they saw this.
The group was secretly plotting to sneak into the Fyxestroll Garden again at a snack shop.
On the other side...
In a secret room of the Alchemy Commission division.
Jing Yuan was chatting with several projections.
After confirming the effects of the Qingling Pill, Jing Yuan reported the matter to Marshal Hua.
Upon hearing the news, Hua immediately called for a meeting with the seven Arbiter-Generals.
At the head seat, Hua asked seriously:
"General Jing Yuan, are you sure this pill can really treat the Mara-Struck body?"
Jing Yuan nodded slightly.
"Yes, it's been tested, and the effects are very good."
Hua nodded thoughtfully.
"Who concocted this pill?"
Jing Yuan answered.
"It was concocted by the Dragon Lady of the Vidyadhara Clan, Bailu."
Upon hearing Bailu's name, the people present pictured her in their minds.
Bailu was very famous within the High Elders of Vidyadhara . Previously, she had even created a potion that could slightly suppress the demonic body.
This ability was unique within the entire High Elders.
Hua smiled faintly as she remembered her first meeting with Bailu, when she had appeared like a little adult.
Though she looked like a little girl, she had acted very mature for her age.
While taking Hua's pulse, Bailu had said:
"Mm, your pulse is a bit chaotic, and your energy is weak. You should rest more, no more staying up late, understood?"
Hua smiled.
"Looks like it's that little Bailu. Well, only she in the entire High Elders could make such a pill."
Fei Xiao, standing to the side, said:
"Marshal, I request to bring the Yaoqing High Elders closer to Luofu. Bailu's Qingling Pill is very important for our High Elders. Having Yaoqing nearby would help ensure its safety."
Hua immediately agreed.
"Very well, Yaoqing can set off immediately!"
Fei Xiao's heart was filled with joy.
Since Bailu's Qingling Pill had been confirmed to suppress the demonic body, Hua would likely strengthen protection around her.
Therefore, Fei Xiao had taken the initiative to take this task, bringing her Yaoqing vessel nearby.
The Qingling Pill could suppress the Mara-Struck body, but could it also suppress her Moon Madness?
The other generals secretly thought to themselves that Fei Xiao was quicker than them. They had wanted to take this task, but unfortunately, they were a step too late.
Hua swept his gaze around.
"Does anyone else have anything to report? It's rare for us to gather, so if there's anything, feel free to speak up."
Jing Yuan spoke:
"Luofu is requesting material support."
Hua, hearing this, lowered his head in thought.
Luofu had just experienced a battle and likely needed materials for rapid reconstruction.
"Mm, granted. Other Xianzhou ships, send supplies to support Luofu and help them rebuild quickly."
Fei Xiao, Huaiyan, and the other generals agreed.
At this point, Jing Yuan shook his head.
"Luofu doesn't lack building materials. What they're requesting is Stellar Jade."
Hua was confused.
"Stellar Jade?"
Jing Yuan slowly explained:
"Recently, the Astral Express Train visited our Luofu Immortal Vessel. On the train, there was a mysterious shop.
Inside the shop, items from all realms were sold, and in order to purchase, one needed a currency called Star Coins.
These Star Coins can only be exchanged with Stellar Jade.
The formula for the Qingling Pill was purchased in that shop."
Upon hearing this, everyone present was astonished.
They all knew that the Astral Express Train had visited Luofu.
Jing Yuan had mentioned it in the battle report a few days ago, noting that the train crew's help had allowed them to pass through the crisis without much loss.
Huaiyan laughed a few times, stroking his beard.
"I didn't expect the train crew had so many mysteries hidden in it.
I was curious about the people mentioned in the battle report who helped Luofu.
The girl with the big flame sword who is fighting the Lord Ravager that uses the Ambrosial Arbor to mold her body—such a mighty hero.
I'd like to go to Luofu and see for myself!"
Jing Yuan smiled.
"Old Yan, if you plan to visit, do inform me in advance. I'll be sure to welcome you."
Huaiyan laughed heartily.
"Good, I'd like to go, but I'm not sure if the Marshal will allow it?"
Huaiyan turned to Hua.
Hua thought for a moment before agreeing.
"If Old Yan wants to go, then go. How about helping to escort the Xingqiong to Luofu on the way?"
Huaiyan grinned.
"Didn't expect I'd be doing work even when I go on vacation. Life's hard!"
Though Huaiyan was old, even Hua respectfully called him "Old Yan."
This was a tradition passed down in the Xianzhou Alliance—respecting the elderly and loving the young.
Jing Yuan thought for a moment.
"Three generals gathering at Luofu might attract unwanted attention. How about I set up an arena and have the younger generation spar under the pretext of martial arts?"
Upon hearing this, Huaiyan thought of his obedient granddaughter.
"That works. I can take my little granddaughter out and show her some of the world."
Hua nodded.
"Then it's decided. Jing Yuan, once you return, get me a list of the shop's items.
Meeting adjourned!"
With Hua's command, the meeting came to an end.
The first batch of Qingling Pills, twenty in total, were sent to various Xianzhou Ships.
Jing Yuan left the secret room and arrived at the Seat of Divine Foresight Hall.
At that moment, a Cloud Knight came to report.
"Report! General, someone is asking for you at the door."
Jing Yuan went to the door and saw Jingliu waiting for him.
Jingliu spoke as soon as she saw Jing Yuan.
"Come with me. I need to ask you something."
The two of them went to a secluded place, and Jingliu asked:
"Who is capturing Bailu?"
Jingliu's tone was very calm, but Jing Yuan, familiar with her, could tell that she was about to explode.
Jing Yuan thought that since Jingliu had gone to check on Bailu, it was likely that the Vidyadhara Master had sent people to capture her, and Jingliu had caught them in the act.
"It's a few old people from the Vidyadhara Clan."
Jingliu, upon hearing this, turned and left.
Jing Yuan, as the general of Luofu, couldn't easily take action against those old men, but Jingliu wasn't bound by the same rules—she didn't belong to the Xianzhou Alliance.
He would just put on a show, implement martial law for two days, and that would be it.
Jing Yuan called a trusted subordinate.
"The surveillance near the Alchemy Commission needs maintenance. What do you think?"
The reason this subordinate was a trusted one was clear: one sentence from Jing Yuan, and the subordinate understood the meaning immediately.
"I agree it needs proper maintenance. I'll arrange for people to handle it right away."
After the subordinate left, Jing Yuan returned to the Seat of Divine Foresight Hall, where he saw Qingque preparing to sneak off after work.
Since Fu Xuan had been working in the Seat of Divine Foresight Hall, Qingque had naturally been called in to help.
Lately, Qingque had been struggling—ever since she came to the Seat of Divine Foresight Hall, she hadn't touched the Imperial Yuan Jade.
Jing Yuan, seeing Qingque glancing at the time, clearly eager to leave, smiled faintly.
"Qingque, come here. I need you to do something for me."
Upon hearing her name, Qingque felt like the sky was falling!
The Imperial Bow and Command were up high! After finally getting an early shift, she had hoped to handle a bit of the Celestial Jade... but now it was all over!
***
Qingque tearfully came before Jing Yuan.
"General... what are your orders?"
Seeing Qingque's expression, Jing Yuan chuckled.
"Come with me somewhere."
With that, he turned and walked out of the Divination Commission.
Qingque nearly passed out on the spot.
It's over, totally over—farewell, Celestial Jade!
She followed Jing Yuan onto the Starskiff, and the two headed for the Astral Express.
Not long after, in Ye Yun's shop—
Qingque was full of curiosity. Why did the General bring her to this place?
At the moment, only Welt and Dan Heng were inside. Noelle had something to do today and wouldn't be coming so soon.
Jing Yuan greeted the two.
"Mr. Welt, Dan Heng, good morning."
The two responded upon seeing Jing Yuan.
Jing Yuan glanced around.
"Have you seen Bailu?"
Dan Heng replied, "In the lab."
Jing Yuan nodded slightly and turned to Qingque.
"Qingque, you don't need to report to the Divination Commission anymore. I've arranged a new job for you—a very important one."
As soon as Qingque heard the word "important," she didn't want the job at all.
All she wanted was to slack off—don't assign something important to her!
The more important it is, the less slacking off she can do!
Jing Yuan brought Qingque to the small bar.
"These two monitors display lots of product information. Your task is to record them. Understood?"
Qingque heard this and thought—this is it? She was expecting something worse. This was simple!
"Got it~ General."
She pulled out her laptop and began recording. It was still early—just noon.
If she finished quickly, maybe she could squeeze in a game of Celestial Jade today.
Jing Yuan, seeing her get to work, felt assured—Marshal Hua's task was settled. Now it was time to meet Bailu and discuss refining the Qingling pill.
While transcribing, Qingque suddenly started scanning the screen up and down, something felt off.
What was off? The products? No, not that.
Until she noticed the infinity symbol—representing an endless list of pages.
She gasped sharply and burst into tears.
"General! You have no heart!"
Miserably, Qingque began copying the endless product data. Life felt hopeless.
For some reason, she started missing Fu Xuan. At least the tasks Fu Xuan gave always had an end.
Time passed quickly—two hours later.
Jing Yuan returned after his discussion with Bailu to check Qingque's progress.
Seeing Jing Yuan, Qingque couldn't hold it in anymore.
"General! I can't finish it! It's impossible!"
Jing Yuan glanced at the infinity symbol she pointed to.
"All right, no need to overdo it. Just submit 100 product entries a day."
Qingque nearly cried with joy. Finally, hope!
Later—
Jing Yuan and Welt went to the lounge to drink tea and play chess.
While Qingque continued copying, a noise came from the entrance.
She looked over and saw Stelle and the others entering from the train door. Guinaifen and Sushang were also with them.
Stelle said, "Let's rest first, then go to the Fyxestroll Garden tonight for some excitement, hehe~"
They had discussed earlier and decided it was better to go at night—more thrilling.
So Stelle suggested heading back to rest first, and going later.
As soon as Stelle entered Yeyun's shop, she saw Qingque at the bar copying product data.
"Yo, isn't that Qingque? What are you doing here?"
Qingque wasn't surprised, given Stelle's identity. She was a Nameless, and this was the Astral Express. It was natural for her to be here.
"The General assigned me a task."
Stelle remembered that Qingque had promised to teach her Calestial Jade.
"Qingque, didn't you say you'd teach me Calestial Jade? Got time now?"
Qingque made a miserable face.
"Still working… sigh~"
Guinaifen chimed in.
"Calestial Jade? I know how to play. I'll show you."
Stelle got excited and went to buy a set of Calestial Jade from Ye Yun's shop.
Hu Tao and Lumine brought over a square table, and Stelle placed the game set on it.
Lumine, Hu Tao, Guinaifen, and Stelle each took a seat, and the game began.
Sushang and March 7th sat nearby to spectate.
Guinaifen explained as they played, "So, this Calestial Jade…"
Soon, Stelle, March 7th, and Lumine learned the rules and were confidently drawing and playing tiles.
Stelle: "Three characters."
Lumine: "Here, seven bamboo."
Guinaifen: "Three bamboo."
March 7: "Wait, I looking for that!"
The sounds of gameplay echoed in Qingque's ears like devilish whispers, making her twitchy.
In her mind, two little Qingques appeared.
One said, "No! Finish your task first!"
The other said, "Relax~ just 100 items. Finish after one game."
Qingque wavered.
Until Stelle said—
"This is kinda boring. Wanna play with stakes? How about a one-star-coin base?"
Qingque snapped.
"Hold it! Count me in! Loser rotates out!"
Stelle agreed. "Sure, whoever deals the winning tile swaps out."
Qingque's eyes sparkled. She happily grabbed a stool and sat beside Guinaifen, waiting for her turn.
Once Qingque got on the table, she rarely got off.
The others even postponed their Fyxestroll Garden trip—Calestial Jade was too addicting!
They even came up with an excuse—since they'd been caught earlier in the day, the Ten-Lords Commission would likely tighten security tonight.
So they played all the way until midnight.
Halfway through, they changed locations since Ye Yun's group needed the shop for dinner.
They moved to the party car.
Qingque sat at the table happily counting her winnings, when her phone buzzed.
She checked—and froze.
It was a reminder from Jing Yuan, asking for the product data.
Qingque glanced at her progress—not even halfway done!
She dashed back to the shop and frantically started copying again at the bar.
Back in the party car, the girls stared, baffled, as Qingque ran off in a panic.
Hu Tao asked, "What's up with Qingque?"
Stelle shrugged. "No idea~ Who cares. Let's keep playing! Someone fill her spot!"
March 7th slid into Qingque's seat. "I'm in! I've been watching—I want to try too!"
Midway through the game, Hu Tao remembered—
"I've got to go too. I need to check on the new internet café setup tomorrow."
She looked at the others. "Wanna drop by and check it out?"
The group agreed, postponing the Fyxestroll Garden trip for two more days.