Chapter 320: Revival

After hearing his reply, Baili Qing couldn't help but scrutinize Yu Sheng carefully once more.

The latter's expression was earnest, but he clearly had no long-term plan—as always, he just had an idea and wanted to give it a shot.

But despite having no basis for it, Baili Qing suddenly had a premonition that something definite was going to happen: the Hallowed Seclusion Society was in trouble.

So she thought it over carefully for a long time before continuing, "You should know that the Special Service Bureau's duty is only to protect the safety of the Borderlands. Although we've been cracking down on cult groups like the Hallowed Seclusion Society, these actions are premised on the Borderlands' interests being threatened."

"I understand," Yu Sheng nodded. "I didn't expect you to directly send a fleet to help me attack the Hermit Society's lair—besides, even finding it is another matter."

"As you said, the Special Service Bureau's authority alone really wouldn't allow a direct fleet deployment for this," Baili Qing continued. "But then again... this time they've already threatened the safety of the Borderlands, haven't they?"

Yu Sheng raised an eyebrow.

"The appearance of Mist City wasn't accidental. There must be some scheme by those cultists behind this otherworld. And since they had the ability to hide an elite warship right under the Council's nose, that means they have the motive and ability to cause further destruction. That's enough to make the Council sit up and take notice," Baili Qing said unhurriedly. "On the other hand, the biggest problem we've faced over the years in combating the Hallowed Seclusion Society has been finding their hidden lairs, or catching them if we do find them. You're the first person ever to successfully infiltrate one of their capital ships and capture a ship of theirs intact. So, if you ever do find any 'leads' in the future, as long as the coordinates are clear and conditions permit, I can send you maximum support in the name of 'protecting the Borderlands' security and eliminating potential threats.'"

Yu Sheng thought for a moment, then tentatively said, "...A higher level of call-for-help authority?"

Baili Qing was taken aback by this phrasing, but soon seemed to smile slightly. "Interesting way to put it. Yes, a higher level of call-for-help authority. As for what level of support this 'call-for-help authority' can actually apply for in the 'outside,' I'll work out a detailed plan and rules acceptable to both of us and send it to you as soon as possible."

"Alright, that's all I need to hear," Yu Sheng laughed, then adjusted his position in the chair. "But in the end, this isn't something that can be done overnight. Let's talk about what's in front of us first."

Baili Qing was a bit confused by the shift. "In front of us?"

Yu Sheng's smile gradually became strained. He pointed grimly at the pile of books on the table (taller than Ai Lin). "Do I have to read all of this? I'm not questioning the professionalism of this... but does being a rookie captain really require learning this much?!"

"That's a spaceship, not an electric scooter," Baili Qing's eyelid seemed to twitch, though it might have been an illusion. "At least you don't need to learn basic piloting anymore. Under normal circumstances, a space crew member would need at least twenty years of growth and experience to become the 'captain' of a large vessel like that, and they'd need to assemble a full crew complement—it's not just about studying a few manuals."

She paused, then added, "I'll find a way to issue a navigation license endorsed by the Borderlands for your ship, along with a complete set of identification documents for you personally. That should ensure you can travel unimpeded on eighty percent of legal routes in the known universe. Don't forget, you're piloting a 'heretical warship' built by the Hallowed Seclusion Society. Without a high-priority identification code, the moment you enter another civilization's sphere, you'll likely be 'warmly greeted' by local garrison forces... you might not even be able to approach most legal star gates."

"Speaking of which, I should also remind you that it would be best to modify the ship's exterior as well. Don't just change the interior; at least scrape off all the Hermit Society markings on the hull. Otherwise, you'll have big trouble docking at any legal port."

Yu Sheng could tell she was genuinely trying to help him, and the things she mentioned were indeed "practical issues" he had never considered before. So he immediately dropped his grim expression and nodded very seriously. "No problem, no problem..."

***

Simultaneously, in a hotel somewhere in Border City that catered specifically to "foreigners," Xuan Che was sitting cross-legged on the bed, seemingly in a meditative state.

An ancient-looking spirit mirror floated beside him, its surface shimmering with a faint light, reflecting the image of a burning incense stick.

After an unknown amount of time, the incense in the mirror burned out. A crisp sound like jingling golden bells came from the mirror. Only then did Xuan Che open his eyes, regulate his breath, and slowly rise as he ended his meditation.

He put away the mirror, looked up at the smoke detector on the ceiling, and showed a hint of regret on his face.

Almost at the same time, the mirror in his hand suddenly emitted a hum.

Xuan Che looked down, quickly adjusted his expression and clothing, then carefully placed the mirror on the table. He brushed his hand over its surface and bowed respectfully. "Master."

Spiritual light rippled in the mirror, and True Person Yuanling appeared before Xuan Che—white hair, youthful complexion, with an immortal bearing. A faint smile appeared on the old man's face. "Good, good. Xuan Che, how have you handled the task I assigned you? Have you met the master?"

"I have met him," Xuan Che immediately answered with a bow. "Everything was as you instructed, Master. I presented the gifts, delivered the message, and considering the master dislikes formalities, I wasn't too stiff or rigid. I believe I left a good impression."

"Mm, good," True Person Yuanling nodded in satisfaction, but then noticed that Xuan Che's expression seemed odd, as if he wanted to say something. He asked, "Have you run into some problem?"

The problems were many.

Xuan Che's facial muscles twitched. He finally decided to report the most important matter first—at least, the one most important to his personal mental health.

"Master, that master... you've actually seen him with your own eyes."

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"Do you remember that head that appeared in your disciple's alchemy cauldron that day?"

True Person Yuanling: "...?"

Master and disciple stared at each other through the Spirit-Connecting Mirror, silence spanning the stars.

"It was him," Xuan Che said with a wry smile.

It was the first time he had seen such shock, bewilderment, and disbelief on his master's face.

It was a full half minute before True Person Yuanling spoke, and his first words carried obvious tension. "Xuan Che, when you saw him, did you show any disrespect?"

"No," Xuan Che answered immediately, then added, "I was naturally surprised, but I always remembered your instructions, Master."

True Person Yuanling seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. Then, organizing his thoughts, he continued with a subtle expression, "Then... what is the master's dwelling like? What kind of person is he?"

At this question, Xuan Che opened his mouth but didn't speak for a moment, his expression growing even stranger.

True Person Yuanling naturally noticed his disciple's expression. He rarely saw his mature and steady beloved disciple act like this, so he frowned. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing wrong, it's just that I'm thinking about how to explain the situation to you, Master," Xuan Che said as he quickly adjusted his expression, then began flipping through keywords in his mind—a house that is its own universe, the whole family living in an alien realm, the house full of noise but not a single normal "person" in it; a fox fairy from another world using a pressure cooker to concoct pills that greet people from their bowls; the fox fairy also has two guardian spirit birds that seem stronger than the crane Master has raised for centuries; the fox fairy's tail can be pulled off and fired as a projectile; the master also has an Alice doll with dimensions of 66.6 cm by 4; they all took down a den of heretics together; and the master used a fox tail to launch himself...

After these keywords cycled through his mind twice, Xuan Che felt as if his Dao heart had turned on vibration mode—he even suspected that if he reported these things directly to his master, his master's Dao heart would also tremble for a long time, and then a copper leather belt would tear through space from Thousand Peak Spirit Mountain...

But the next second, the voice from the Spirit-Connecting Mirror interrupted his wild thoughts. "No need to worry. It's not strange for the master to have some mysterious things around him. I am not an ignorant country bumpkin. Just speak freely."

Xuan Che steadied his heart, then took a light breath. "It's like this: First, the master's dwelling is an alien realm. He also has an additional cave dwelling, which is also an alien realm..."

He then began to narrate in detail everything he had seen and heard by Yu Sheng's side, but for the time being, he didn't mention the matter of the Hallowed Seclusion Society—that was too important and needed to be reported seriously later.

True Person Yuanling's expression had turned unusually serious halfway through. Then, while stroking his beard, he carefully observed Xuan Che's expression and state. After his beloved disciple finished speaking, he frowned slightly and broke the silence. "Xuan Che, come closer. Yes, open your mouth—ah."

Xuan Che was confused but instinctively complied, and then he heard his master speak again. "What pills did you eat today? When taking immortal elixirs, did you remember to use spiritual power to assist in refining them? Last night? Did you eat anything you shouldn't have before departure? There are ghost mist mushrooms on the back mountain—did you cook them thoroughly?"

Xuan Che then realized what was happening and was caught between laughter and tears. "Master, your disciple did not take the wrong pills. What I just said..."

"Is it all true?"

"All true."

True Person Yuanling continued to stroke his beard and fell into deep thought on the other side of the Spirit-Connecting Mirror.

After a long while, under Xuan Che's somewhat worried gaze, the immortal-baring old man suddenly sucked in a breath and let out a sigh. "A master indeed—able to contend with the Dark Angel, truly there are wonders. Xuan Che, this trip of yours may bring you a great opportunity!"

Hearing this, Xuan Che immediately bowed. "Speaking of great opportunities, your disciple did encounter an affair together with the master. This matter is of no small importance, and may even affect Thousand Peak Spirit Mountain."

True Person Yuanling's expression instantly became serious. "Oh?"

"We ran into the Hallowed Seclusion Society..."

***

Deep within the Pillar of Order, in the Saint's Coffin Chamber.

The pitch-black iron coffin still stood at a 45-degree angle on the platform connected to numerous pipes and cables, emitting a low humming vibration. The dark red lights on the platform and coffin lid slowly pulsed like breathing.

But suddenly, the low humming vibration from within the Saint's Coffin device stopped.

Even the other equipment in the room fell silent.

For a moment, the entire chamber was silent.

This silence lasted for several seconds, and then, accompanied by the sound of slight air valve release and mechanical operation, the heavy lid of the Saint's Coffin finally opened slowly...

A tall, slender figure slowly rose from the Saint's Coffin.

The "Artificial Saint" stepped out of the container, walked down the platform, and stood motionless in the empty Saint's Coffin Chamber like a statue.

No further movements, no change in expression, no words. The steel puppet was made only for slaughter. Even at this moment of "death and resurrection," no emotion could seep from her hollow face.

She just stood there blankly for a very long time, and then, as if suddenly "sensing" something, she turned her head slightly to one side.

The next second, her figure was suddenly wrapped in a writhing, rising darkness, and in the blink of an eye, she disappeared from the Saint's Coffin Chamber.

(End of Chapter)