Chapter 2597 / Chapter 2598

... No, what am I thinking?

Jingliu silently buried his face even deeper into the blankets.

"Then I'll go out and see how the Holy Grail War is going." Chen Li, fully dressed, turned to look at Jingliu, who was nestled in the blankets, and said in a relaxed tone.

For example... Baiheng?

Although I feel bad for Baiheng, two against one is definitely a much safer bet than one against one.

... No, what am I thinking?

Jingliu silently buried his face even deeper into the blankets.

"Then I'll go out and see how the Holy Grail War is going." Chen Li, fully dressed, turned to look at Jingliu, who was nestled in the blankets, and said in a relaxed tone.

"Yeah, go early and come back early," Jingliu replied sullenly.

"Go early and come back early? What do you want to do?" Chen Li paused, looking at Jingliu with some surprise.

"I do," Jingliu replied succinctly.

"... You should really get some rest." Chen Li rolled her eyes at Jingliu under the covers, then turned away helplessly.

Jingliu didn't speak, but his scarlet eyes peeking out from under the blanket revealed a chilling stubbornness.

The logic is simple: if you don't eat it, someone else will.

We absolutely cannot let Chen Li have any free time.

However, it's good to have this rest time. Because Jingliu's reserves of black and white stockings were all used up in yesterday's battle, and he might need to replenish some of his stock.

Keeping warm is nothing to be ashamed of.

After getting out of bed, Chen Li felt energetic and in excellent condition. He couldn't help but stretch and loosen up his muscles.

As Chen Li said, a qualified Miraculous Forger only needs to think about two things a day: what Miraculous Item to forge after waking up, and what Miraculous Item to forge before going to sleep.

Hmm, it's time to create Miraculous Item.

When Chen Li reached the door, his gaze fell on the door frozen by the Jingliu. After gently touching the ice with his fingers, Chen Li tilted his head in confusion.

It wasn't that Chen Li thought the seal was too strong; quite the opposite... he thought it was too weak.

While Jingliu's ice seal is indestructible to ordinary people, it is only at the Emanator. In addition, the Pixie's interference caused the soul recognition device to malfunction directly. Theoretically, as long as one's strength is strong enough, one would be fully capable of walking through this room last night.

Chen Li did indeed set restrictions on the use of Miraculous Item and teleportation in the ninth carriage, but even without using Miraculous Item, there were countless people in his Friends Circle who could easily break through the seals of the Emanator level.

Last night, Chen Li was completely absorbed by the Jingliu, so he didn't pay attention to the strength of the seal; otherwise, he would have strengthened it then and there.

After all, everyone in my Friends Circle has a unique skill...

For example... given Vita's personality and modus operandi, why didn't she take advantage of the opportunity to launch a sneak attack after learning that she was staying on the Astral Express that night?

This is extremely unusual.

What could be wrong? Did Vita cause some trouble in the Holy Grail War?

Chen Li became increasingly worried as he thought about it, then raised his hand and pointed.

"Click."

The ice shattered instantly, and countless ice crystals transformed into countless points of light that dissipated into the air.

But when Chen Li stepped out of the room, the scene that greeted him surprised him.

Chapter 2597

At the end of the corridor in the ninth carriage, near the porthole, a figure stood quietly with his back to Chen Li.

The morning light streamed through the porthole and fell upon the man, outlining a straight and dignified profile. His long golden hair shimmered softly in the light, and his hands were clasped in front of his abdomen, as if he had been standing there for a very long time.

The morning view of the Duality Paradise unfolded through the porthole, the dome of the New Penacony reflecting a pale golden light. But Pearl, looking at this scene, was clearly not appreciating the beauty.

When she heard the door behind her open, Pearl's shoulders stiffened slightly for a moment before she slowly closed her eyes.

All night long.

Pearl spent the whole night admiring the scenery here.

From being blocked outside by the ice wall of Jingliu at 3 a. m., to capturing the time-lapse effect of the camera at 7 a. m... until now, at 8 a. m.

During those long five hours, Pearl reviewed her Heavenly Garment plan from that day no less than twenty times, but she still couldn't figure out which part went wrong.

But Pearl didn't come to a realization; it was dawn.

"Good morning, my lord." Taking a deep breath and suppressing all her emotions beneath her sophisticated Intelligent Machines face, Pearl slowly turned around and gave Chen Li a slight bow.

Respectful, concerned, composed... her expression was flawless; all the characteristics of a loyal strategist were perfectly embodied on Pearl's face.

"Pearl? What are you doing here?" Chen Li looked at Pearl in surprise, not reacting for a moment.

And you didn't stay out all night, did you?

"My lord has important matters to attend to today, and many people already know that you stayed overnight on the Astral Express last night. To prevent anyone from disturbing your rest, I have been keeping watch here all night," Pearl explained humbly and confidently.

"You kept watch... all night?" Chen Li was taken aback for a moment, then asked Heart Wings.

"That's right." Pearl nodded calmly.

Chen Li involuntarily turned his head to look at the door behind him that he had just unfrozen, then looked at Zhenzhu in front of him with Pearl calm expression, scratched his head, and for a moment did not know what to say.

No, you really stayed outside all night?

Pearl clearly noticed Chen Li's action, and her expression suddenly turned serious.

"But I never imagined that my lord would be so infatuated with beauty. With important matters at hand, he has become preoccupied with matters of men and women. This is truly inappropriate." Pearl's gaze swept from Chen Li's face to the few teeth marks on his collar that he hadn't had time to conceal, and her tone became more stern.

Does our lord lack ambition?

If Vita were here, she would definitely applaud on the spot... No wonder she's Intelligent Machines, she can lie so blatantly.

The Intelligent Machines's facial expressions are so precisely controlled. Looking at his righteous and stern demeanor, who would guess that this strategist also planned Night Raid last night, only to Night Raid?

"Hmm... the strategist is right." Chen Li nodded after a moment of silence.

Chen Li did not refute, and even showed a hint of approval in his expression.

Chen Li's favorite type of person is someone who can offer her feedback.

Regardless of whether Chen Li listens or not, you first need to let Chen Li know where he went wrong.

"It is truly my good fortune to have you as my strategist." Chen Li looked at the Pearl in front of him, his tone quite sincere.

Upon hearing Chen Li's words, Pearl's eyes flickered slightly, but she quickly regained her composure.

"But it's not too mentally taxing..." Chen Li added, changing the subject.

Upon hearing this, Pearl's serious, somewhat stiff expression instantly relaxed.

"I'm not criticizing you, my lord. I just hope that nothing unexpected happens today and that you can appear in the best possible condition." Pearl tilted her head slightly, her eyes filled with tenderness and concern, and said softly to Chen Li.

"I will." Chen Li nodded, looking at the Pearl in front of him, a rare hint of relief appearing in his eyes.

Chen Li had indeed rarely encountered Intelligent Machines as loyal and reliable as Pearl.

He could stand in the cold corridor all night for the safety of his lord, and the next day he could still fulfill his duties as a strategist without changing his expression.

In Chen Li's Friends Circle, most women harbored somewhat impure thoughts about themselves. Therefore, someone like Pearl... who purely saw herself as loyal to her lord, was exceptionally precious.

That's great! Not everyone is attracted to your body.

As expected, Intelligent Machines do have Intelligent Machines advantages.

Seeing Chen Li's expression, Pearl felt a sense of satisfaction as well.

Pearl was blocked from entering the ice gate at around 3 a. m. yesterday. The camera on March 7th was set to perform a four-hour time-lapse, and now it is 8 a. m., an hour has passed since the camera's effect expired.

The reason Pearl stayed here an extra hour was precisely to see Chen Li's current expression, wasn't it?

This expression—unguarded, trusting, and regarding himself as the most reliable strategist—is telling.

Chen Li's expression indicated that his wariness of his strategist had reached its lowest point. As a result, Chen Li would be more willing to share his thoughts with him, more reliant on his advice, and less likely to doubt his true motives for approaching him.

The lord is easiest to deceive in this state.

Until he actually devoured him, the other person thought he was just joking.

In short, the plan is working.

And he should thank us too.

"Thank you." Chen Li walked up to Pearl, gently patted Pearl shoulder, and said softly.

"You're welcome. But my lord should also pay more attention to his image." Pearl shook her head slightly, her gaze slowly moving down from Chen Li's face, finally landing on the few teeth marks that were not concealed at Chen Li's collar.

Looking at Chen Li standing right in front of her, so close, Pearl took a step forward, and the distance between them suddenly shortened.

Pearl raised her hand, her slender fingers pinching Chen Li's slightly disheveled collar, and slowly folded it up half an inch, perfectly covering the teeth marks left by Jingliu.

The movements were gentle and natural, like a competent strategist tidying up his Family Head's appearance, so natural that not a single flaw could be found.

It's hard to say whether this counts as a strategist's job or not...

"Click."

Just then, the door to the ninth carriage opened, and Baiheng walked in, rubbing his messy hair, clearly having just woken up.

"Hey, Chen Li, you're right here! Have you seen Jingliu? Her clothes are still in my room, but she's nowhere to be seen. I tried contacting her through the help system, but she's not responding..." Baiheng spotted Chen Li's back in the corridor at a glance, his eyes lighting up as he waved to Chen Li as he walked.

But Baiheng's words came to an abrupt halt... because from Baiheng's perspective, a small golden head suddenly appeared beside Chen Li, who was facing away from him.

The golden head peeked out from beside Chen Li's shoulder, its calm eyes staring straight at him.

"Oh... The Lady. Pearl? What are you doing here... Uh, did I come at the wrong time?" Baiheng's steps suddenly stopped, and he subconsciously took a step back, stammering as he spoke.

Baiheng didn't think it was his fault, because any normal person seeing this scene from this angle would have some abnormal associations.

"That's not it, Miss Baiheng. You may have misunderstood. I was just tidying up the Lord's clothes. He just got up, and his clothes are a little disheveled." Pearl calmly stepped aside from Chen Li and explained with a composed expression.

"Oh... I see! I misunderstood. You scared me." Baiheng scratched his head and let out a sigh of relief.

Chapter 2598

However, Baiheng had to admit that the moment he saw Pearl's head pop out in front of Chen Li due to the angle, Baiheng mind had already automatically conjured up a 100,000-word love story between a human and a machine.

And at that moment, Baiheng was indeed overwhelmed with a series of absurd curiosity...

For example, is it possible for humans to coexist with Intelligent Machines?

If possible, do Intelligent Machines have the ability to reproduce? And... are the body parts of Intelligent Machines really realistic?

"Miss Baiheng, what do you think has happened?" Pearl asked calmly, looking at Baiheng without changing her expression.

"Aha... I thought you and Chen Li were hugging." Baiheng chuckled dryly and waved his hand.

"Like this?" Upon hearing Baiheng's words, Pearl slowly nodded and then looked at Baiheng.

As soon as she finished speaking, Pearl took a step forward, and the distance between her and Chen Li, which was already only half a step apart, was completely reduced to zero at that moment.

Pearl pressed her body directly against Chen Li 'Chen Li chest, her hands wrapping around his waist slowly and gracefully.

At the same time, Pearl's gaze remained fixed on Baiheng's face the entire time, never wavering for even a moment.

But when Pearl's body pressed against Chen Li's, Chen Li's body visibly stiffened.

"Yes, yes, that's it... Wait a minute, the Lady. Pearl, you, you, you..." Baiheng nodded twice, then suddenly came to his senses, his mouth wide open, his finger trembling as he pointed at the scene of the two people in front of him.

Upon hearing this, Pearl smiled gently, then slowly released her arms from Chen Li, took a half step back, and crossed her hands in front of her abdomen again, resuming her dignified and proper strategist demeanor.

"It was merely a demonstration for Miss Baiheng, and also to clear my lord's and my name of any wrongdoing. If Miss Baiheng were to suspect that my lord and I had engaged in intimate behavior just now, it would damage my lord's reputation."

"How is it? Can you now accurately distinguish between 'adjusting the collar' and 'hugging'? Would you like me to demonstrate it for Miss Baiheng again?" Pearl's expression was sincere and her words were calm, as if she completely regarded the previous action as a demonstration.

But Pearl never glanced at Chen Li, instead keeping her gaze fixed on Baiheng. This made it hard to believe that she was merely trying to explain, rather than avoiding Chen Li's gaze out of shyness.

At least... in that instant when his body pressed against Pearl's, Chen Li seemed to feel Pearl's heartbeat suddenly quicken.

I don't know if it's just my imagination.

But... do Intelligent Machines have heartbeats?

Or should it be called a power furnace?

"No, no, no need! I believe you, I believe you, okay? Um... it seems Jingliu isn't here. I'll go look elsewhere." Baiheng shook his head and waved his hands repeatedly, speaking at least twice as fast as usual.

After saying that, Baiheng took a step back and fled from the ninth carriage as if he were escaping.

The moment the door to the ninth carriage closed behind Baiheng leaned against the wall outside the door, his eyes glazed over.