Chapter 99

He's still the same as before.

Sitting quietly at my desk, leaning slightly forward, I concentrate fully on my work, occasionally yawning and taking a short break.

His colleagues at the Earth-Balance Commission would often turn their attention to him, as if they were seeing a long-lost mascot.

And that is indeed the case.

When Bai Jun's colleagues, who hadn't seen him for a month, saw him arrive at work this morning, they swarmed around him like they'd been injected with adrenaline, asking him all sorts of questions and showing concern, as if they wanted to pour out everything they'd been holding back for a month.

Even though Jing Yan intervened and told everyone to go back to work, after a long time, one could still hear the soft conversations between the young men and women around them.

"Hey? I feel like Qing Yan has gotten even more handsome lately!"

"Right? Right? I think so too. If I used to be like a lazy, listless little raccoon, now I'm like a big, energetic raccoon basking in the sunshine—cheerful and gentle!"

"I can't stand it anymore, sisters! Should I go confess to him later?"

"It's only natural, but for you... let's just forget about it. After all, we'll see each other all the time, and it'll be so awkward to get along in the future."

"So you're already assuming I'll be rejected...?"

"Please, you are indeed good-looking, but you need to consider your competitors. Let me think... that ferryman from the Tianbo Division, that little fortune teller who always comes to our place, oh, and recently there's also that young lady from the Cloud Cavalry. Putting everything else aside, just looking at their appearances, do you think you can surpass any of them?"

"They surrendered."

The atmosphere inside the Earth-Balance Commission was a bit too lively. Even though Jing Yan kept sighing and rubbing her forehead, the young girls couldn't help but gossip among themselves.

It's not entirely their fault; it's worth emphasizing that Bai Jun is very popular within the Earth-Balance Commission.

It's not just his handsome features that's striking, but also the aura he exudes.

This was true in the past, and it's even worse now.

The main reason is that his inner and outer temperament seems to have been sublimated, making people subconsciously think of a sunny day in the sky, amplifying his already outstanding charm to an exaggerated degree, which is normal for other women to have fantasies.

Hearing the whispers nearby, Bai Jun, whose keen hearing was disturbed, lowered his head in annoyance and focused on his work, trying not to be affected by the surrounding noise.

There are a lot of backlogged documents lately. Although most of them are minor disputes between neighbors in Exalting Sanctum Street, they should still be carefully reviewed one by one and handled by assigned personnel.

To paraphrase Jing Yuan, he takes full responsibility for small matters, handles major issues personally, is always available in emergencies, and is always ready to go into battle.

Bai Jun was diligently handling one task after another when he suddenly noticed something and looked up, casting his gaze at Song Yan sitting across from him. That guy was still the same as ever, blatantly slacking off while reading the newspaper during work hours.

Song Yan Bai Jun with a sly smile on her lips, shuddered. She immediately sat up straight, guiltily shifting her gaze and casually closing the newspaper in her hand.

Bai Jun put down his pen, rested his elbows on the desk, and his slightly narrowed, azure eyes held a dangerous aura.

"Song Yan, you were peeking at me just now, weren't you?"

"Oh dear, Young Master Bai, everyone in this entire Public Office is looking at you. Why are you picking on me?"

Song Yan, with a long face, secretly hid the newspaper behind his back.

However, this little trick didn't escape Bai Jun's notice. He snatched the newspaper from Song Yan's hand and said irritably, "It doesn't matter to others, but you're an exception. Don't think I've forgotten who tried to sell my photos for money last time."

Ignoring Song Yan's pleas, Bai Jun unfolded the newspaper and began to read.

It was less like a newspaper and more like a gossip bulletin from some small workshop, listing various rankings related to Exalting Sanctum.

Several of the rankings made Bai Jun's eyes twitch.

"Most Charming Man - Number One: Bai Jun"

"Most Desired Man to Marry - Number One: Bai Jun"

"Third place: Bai Jun - I'd most like him to be a kept man."

"Who I most want to share a room with -- Bai Jun, second place"

"The person I most want to get drunk -- Fourth place: Bai Jun"

"The person I most want to feed is Bai Jun, number one."

"The celebrity most likely to greet you on the street -- Number one: Bai Jun"

What the hell is that?

Such unfamiliar and niche vocabulary.

For a moment, Bai Jun even thought there was something wrong with his eyes and couldn't believe that this thing actually existed.

"Hey, Mr. Bai, don't look at me like that! This isn't something I made up. It's clearly the collective opinion of all the residents of Exalting Sanctum, the will of the people! Don't you understand the will of the people?"

Sensing the dangerous gaze from Bai Jun, which resembled that of a large predator, Song Yan instantly raised her hands in surrender.

"You mean the residents of Exalting Sanctum voted for them?"

Bai Jun's tightly furrowed brows relaxed in surprise. He glanced down at the newspaper again and asked, "Am I that famous?"

"They are indeed very famous, in every sense of the word, I mean it..."

I don't understand...

Seeing Song Yan repeatedly like a chick pecking at rice, Bai Jun sighed and noncommittally put the newspaper back on the table.

Just then, the Pure Ink Steward, holding a folder, beckoned to Bai Jun, signaling him to come over.

"You've seen the situation in the Public Office. Since work is relatively quiet today, I suggest you go out on duty. You don't need to do much, just stroll around the streets. The main thing is to let these people calm down."

The unspoken message is: I'm giving you a day off, so don't bother other people here.

Why wouldn't Bai Jun agree to such a beneficial act that could benefit both himself and the community? So he readily agreed.

After Bai Jun left the Public Office.

Jing Yan adjusted her expression, took out the instructions just issued by her superior from the folder, and gave them to everyone in the Earth-Balance Commission:

"Merlin's Claw of Yaoqing has recently arrived in Luofu. All units must conscientiously carry out security work during this period, and conduct a comprehensive and organized security inspection. The inspection must be thorough and all-encompassing, leaving no blind spots or potential future problems. Any issues discovered must be rectified promptly in accordance with the first-inspection responsibility system."

"At the same time, all units should, in accordance with the requirements of higher authorities and in light of the characteristics of their own systems and units, actively carry out security and stability maintenance work during this period."

Finally, Jing Yan put down the folder, smiled, and looked at everyone with a more gentle and approachable attitude:

"I don't have much to say. Just remember not to slack off and to work with even greater efficiency than usual. Don't let Luofu down in front of General Yaoqing. Let her see our might!"

"Ooooooo!!!!"

Everyone let out an excited and unified shout.

In the distance, remnants known as miracles can be seen.

Even though the Ambrosial Arbor has withered for thousands of years, and even though only the remnants of its branches remain, one can still see from that tip of the iceberg that it is a black giant tree that seems to soar straight into the sky, pierce through the firmament, and can reshape life at will and conquer death.

The ancestors of Luofu obtained a body with endless lifespan and transformed into Long-lived species by conquering the fruit that grew from the Ambrosial Arbor.

Reignbow personally chopped down the Ambrosial Arbor, thus ending the Abundance blessings. However, the remaining withered wood was hung high in the center of the city as a trophy.

Apart from those who are familiar with ancient books and history, most people in Xianzhou only regard it as an old piece of dead wood, and they don't even know its origin.

"How nostalgic... When was the last time I saw a view like this?"

The silver-haired Foxkin standing on the Ancient Sea gazed into the distance, his pure sapphire-like eyes slightly narrowed with a touch of nostalgia.

They swiftly and lightly crossed the street, ran up the stairs, and arrived at a slightly higher place.

Then she placed her hands on the railing and gazed at the ancient and desolate sea.

The deep ocean, its color indistinguishable, surged. Perhaps because the sea was so vast, the sky appeared low. The seawater crashed against the rocks, creating waves several meters high, and a thunderous sound echoed in this small space.

"How magnificent!"

She braced herself against the stone railing with both hands, leaning out as if she were about to fall off, her eyes fixed on the scenery of the Ancient Sea.

"Everyone says that Merlin's Claw of the Xianzhou Ship is always swift and decisive, seizing the initiative. Why didn't you go to the Shence Mansion to meet with General of Divine Strategy first? Instead, you've taken the time to come here to enjoy the sea and flowers?"

At the same time, she was drawn to a sudden burst of soft laughter.

On the stone steps facing upwards, directly below her line of sight.

Foxkin- woman with long green hair walked gracefully towards them, her dark purple eyes filled with a gentle smile.

Even from a distance, you can still tell that she has a gentle and generous appearance, and a beautiful and heroic air.

Upon hearing that familiar voice, Feixiao's eyes widened involuntarily, and she reflexively whispered, "Sister Yukong?"

The Foxkin- woman below stopped in her tracks, as if guided by the sea breeze, and looked up at her.

The bowed Feixiao looked down with delighted eyes.

Yu Yukong looked up gently with his dark purple eyes.

Two gazes, each carrying a similar sentiment, met once again under the clear blue sky after decades.

"Sister Yukong!"

"Wait a minute, you're a general now, you should be more composed by now... But it's been a long time, General Feixiao."

Unable to contain his joy, Feixiao leaped down from the height, meeting Yukong face-to-face with a helpless smile on his face.

"Yes, it's been almost thirty years since we last met, hasn't it? But... how did Sister Yukong know I was here?" Feixiao asked happily.

"The only person I saw in the Starcruiser Sea Hub was that pink-haired doctor with a strange name and an equally strange temper... What was his name again? I only remember that his name had something to do with scallions, ginger, or garlic? Never mind, that's irrelevant."

Yukong difficulty, but unable to recall it, he simply ignored the topic.

"Since I didn't see you, I wondered if you had gone somewhere to clear your head. But it turns out you're still the same as you were thirty years ago, always looking for high places with a view of the ocean."

"Yes, the sea breeze is refreshing and helps me think."

Feixiao nodded, then turned her gaze back to the Ancient Sea in the distance. "So, Yukong? If it's just to catch up, is it really necessary to travel this far?"

"You must have come here on the Marshal's orders, right?" Yukong nodded in agreement, then asked.

Feixiao shook his head to indicate that it wasn't what Yukong wanted, and then told the other party his purpose, "No, that's not it. I came here for reasons within Yaoqing, mainly to check on 'Hoolay'."

"That Hoolay? That leader of the Buli person War? Hoolay who has been imprisoned in the Luofu Prison of Deep Seclusion for over seven hundred years?"

"The greatest enemy of the Foxkin," "unforgivable for all eternity," "until the world perishes"... I can't remember all those pronouncements, but anyway, it was that guy.

"But visits to Hoolay have always been conducted by envoys sent by the Tianbo Division of the Yaoqing Xianzhou, once every hundred years. Why would you do it at this critical juncture...?"

"There's considerable concern within Yaoqing about Hoolay's situation, so I was sent here to reassure them."

Yukong's gentle face showed an elegant frown, while Feixiao continued to explain unhurriedly, "The routine visits that used to take place every hundred years are no longer enough to put the old folks at ease. Rather than a visit, this is more like a relocation—I'll personally oversee the transport of that guy Hoolay to Yaoqing."

"What a ridiculous reason... Didn't they assess the risks?"

"Yes, taking the most dangerous and powerful sinners from the Prison of Deep Seclusion is an inconceivable and foolish choice, no matter how you look at it, it should be like this..."

Although he said that, Feixiao's attitude remained unchanged, his tone resolute and extremely confident. "However! With me here, nothing is a problem."

"That makes sense, after all, you are the Merlin's Claw."

Seeing her confident and assertive smile, Yukong could only nod in affirmation with a wry smile.

"Speaking of which, Feixiao, you didn't come here with any other plans?"

What does "Sister Yukong" mean?

Feixiao tilted his gaze slightly, his clear blue eyes filled with great doubt.

Yukong didn't know whether she was pretending to be stupid or just acting naive, so he coughed lightly and took out the old chat history.

"Didn't you say your little lover was in Luofu? Aren't you going to go see him now that you're here?"

"Oh dear, Sister Yukong! How come you have such a good memory...?"

Yukong saw her fox ears twitching shyly, and a blush spreading across her fair and spirited cheeks. A mischievous glint in his eye struck him, and he leaned closer, asking, "Aren't you going to go find them?"

"I... I definitely have to go find him! In fact, that's the main reason I came here."

"Oh~ If you care about him so much, how could you bear to let him come to Luofu in the first place? Weren't you afraid he'd be snatched away by another woman?"

"No way, that guy is like a penguin, he cares about relationships like crazy. I've been chasing him for ages and still couldn't win him over, I don't believe any other woman could."

Feixiao nodded and sighed seriously, leaving Yukong speechless, unsure whether to feel sympathy or envy.

"Well, perhaps I should congratulate you on having such a loyal partner?"

"I do wish he were more faithful, though I have no right to say that since we're not officially in a relationship... But one thing is for sure: countless vixens and philanderers will be eyeing him..."

The silver fox ears trembled slightly, Feixiao suddenly widened its eyes, like a predator that had smelled blood, revealing a cruel and hungry smile.