Entertainment

[Part 1: Prophets and Alchemists]

"Duran!"

Bu Liuxing immediately found two helpers from the Fairy Tale Kingdom.

I need your help!

He briefly explained his purpose and recounted what had happened the previous night. To the General of Tears, it was just a simple duel story, but to Ars Claudia Duran, it was a painful choice between life and death.

"You mean," Ms. Duran crossed her arms defensively, "That tomorrow's duel will involve me sitting at the gambling table with you?"

Bu Liuxing nodded. "I know this sounds scary, and it could cost me my life."

He was a little nervous, and he knew that Ms. Duran was not good at fighting, but he needed the ability of [Timeline], and he also needed a partner. Without protecting the goal he swore an oath to, [Mr. Wei Meng Rap] could not unleash its full power.

"If it's really too much to handle, I can talk to someone else," Meteor said silently, fiddling with her fingers. She hadn't finished speaking...

"--I haven't received any systematic training from the Nameless Ones, General of Tears. In this turn-based game, your orders must be simple and easy to understand." Duran immediately agreed.

Meteor was taken aback for a moment, not expecting her blood donor partner to be so decisive.

Duran cut to the chase and said bluntly, "Remember last night? You told us to protect ourselves and then prepare to assassinate Gloria Sebastian."

"You mentioned something like this back then—"

"--As a hero, one cannot desert one's post."

"And I promised you, in front of Flavia, that I would do everything in my power to help you."

"Gloria has used her Soul Power on my loved ones more than once, manipulating their minds and altering their fate."

"To describe my feelings with a strange metaphor, it's like saving up for several months' wages to finally buy a new phone, and I'm even reluctant to peel off the screen protector—but then some despicable guy rubs the screen with his muddy fingers, and I'm almost driven mad with anger."

"Whether for public or private reasons, I should help you."

"Even hesitating for a second would be disrespectful to myself and to Flavia."

If a basin of cold water in the bedroom temporarily awakened Meteor, Duran's harsh and angry emotions had completely ignited him.

"Oh! Oh oh oh oh! Oh oh oh oh oh!~"

A Xing got excited, put his arm around Duran's shoulder, and swung his fist forcefully in the air.

"Hahaha! Big sister! What you said really energized me! It made me feel so much more spirited! Wow!"

"As for the platinum coins," Duran couldn't stand the General of Tears's spiritual pressure; she felt suffocated, yet still maintained her politeness. "Give them to whomever you like. Flavia and I are both blood-bound, unable to carry such evil-dispelling mediums around—we can't even touch them. Without physical contact, the medium can't create the Inspiration of blood and flesh. This thing is useless to us."

"We must get rid of Gloria Sebastian, or Cici and I won't be able to escape."

At this moment, Duran was more sober than most of the people present.

Since Flavia was influenced by the psychic power of [Sing For Me], the mind-altering effect of the life script originally written for her by [Hell Highway] has gradually weakened. She has become irritable and easily angered, and the evil thoughts in her heart have gradually surfaced.

Duran specially found a soundproof little room to receive the General of Tears, for fear that Flavia would hear these things.

From beginning to end, Flavia never considered Gloria Sebastian to be an enemy.

--This includes the other crew members, including Captain Quack, who possesses psychic abilities.

As long as the owner of the Church of Dionysus says a few more words, makes some clumsy excuses, and fabricates a fictitious story, any statement that passes the dice test can convince them and allow them to continue to stay at the villa in peace—the duchess who entertained them was a philanthropist from East Horse Port, a wealthy and generous Orthodox Christian.

Ms. Duran possesses [Timeline], which allows her to actively block some of the mind control from [Sing For Me]. She also has this resistance when facing [Fragrant Dream], and can find herself in her dreams.

During David Victor's interrogation, Duran's mental fortitude led the great writer to silently consider him a candidate for the next translator.

Both sisters were perfumers by trade, growing up working for Lawrence Madison on chemical poisons. These experiences shaped the White Snake's invulnerability to all poisons.

"One more thing, General of Tears," Duran emphasized, "This platinum coin in your hand is very important. It can counter the dice, and you will have to bring it with you in the final battle against Gloria. Even if you hand it over, you must give it to the right person."

The Bolivian girl gave Thumb and poked the doorway.

"The boatman and Captain Quack were having a blast in this godforsaken place. They got up at six in the morning and threw a party in the ballroom with the butler and maids, getting completely drunk."

"After waking up, I went to the chapel with the butler to pray. They didn't shy away from this Dionysian faith at all, treating it as a tourist activity to blend in with the local customs."

"If you were to say even the slightest bad thing about Lady Goelia to them, they would have a very hard time understanding this."

"Using silver coins on them would probably only cause more trouble—this matter is impossible to explain. It would be better if we collected four or five Wenlong coins and sent them out together."

Meteor suddenly realized. "You're so smart! I almost fell for that old hag Gloria's trick!"

"Do you think this is Gloria's scheme?" Duran asked.

Meteor huffed, "I'm in a hurry! I just want to give away the platinum coins so my crew can leave this place of trouble—there are only about ten crew members on the Nostalgia, most of them are ordinary people. Every one of them who can leave is a blessing!"

"Like you said, I took the money to bail out the people and sent Captain Quack away. The other crew members didn't understand what happened, and a whole bunch of trouble followed."

"Quack won't just leave like that. If he knew Gloria was Immortals, he definitely wouldn't let it go. The captain said—"

"--Every boatman in Eureka has a spine given to him by the old Khan. Every person in the railway administration has a spine given to them by an anonymous person."

"When a fight breaks out, that woman Gloria will hide behind the boatmen and gossip, and I'll suffer a psychological attack."

"This is too difficult to handle. If Ming Ge were in charge, he could definitely do it well. I don't have that ability."

"You're overthinking it," Duran disagreed. "Given the temperament and personality this Immortals has displayed, and yours..."

The White Snake in [Timeline] bites the hand of the shooting star.

Duran immediately sensed and experienced the various stories that had unfolded in the General of Tears's bedroom that morning.

"Judging from your experience and your interactions with her, I don't believe this was some kind of psychological maneuvering, nor was it something she did intentionally."

"Gloria gave you the money according to the bet, and she doesn't care at all how you use it."

"We genuinely want the boatmen to stay in the church without worry."

"I want to gamble with you thirteen times, and turn you into a collectible. This is my true feeling."

"As for your troubles, your embarrassments, and your fears—these are all psychological pressures that naturally arise when facing a formidable enemy."

"To put it simply, you're too weak. The weak often have the illusion that there are enemies everywhere in the harsh living environment, and that everyone is showing hostility towards them."

"General of Tears, we haven't worked together for very long."

At this point, Duran tilted his head back, straightened up, and pushed his companions away, creating a less intimate distance.

"I don't know you well, but from the perspective of fighting side by side—I'd much rather work with the War King. Your elder brother is much more mature and reliable."

"Now that you have a wife and children, you've become more vulnerable."

"It's as if you've studied for six or seven years; these experiences have made you refined and cultured. After the war ended, you spent every day with the Red Stone People and Lapis Lazuli people—some subtle changes occurred in you."

"Do you still have your stone with you?"

Upon hearing this question, Meteor immediately took out the rose ruby.

The pyroxene turned into a necklace. It was no longer set in the helmet of the Flash Butterfly Armor Suit, but became a close-fitting accessory. When the pyroxene came into contact with Meteorite's skin, it began to emit a surging, fiery glow.

"It seems your Radiant Stone still recognizes you, which is a good thing." Duran said, gesturing towards the door, "Now you can go back to your room and rest, or, to be more respectable, find Gloria Sebastian and speak with her."

Meteor asked in confusion, "Talk about what? What's there to talk about?"

"Let's chat, get to know her." Duran replied casually, "After we've chatted enough, thoroughly, let me take another bite. My soul power can flip your dog brain open—similar to the Detective King's [Hell Highway]."

"The more information you gather, the more accurately my [Timeline] can predict the future."

Of course.

Seeing the meteor stride out the door, Duran quickly called out to stop him.

You're not going to just ask directly, are you?

Meteor pursed her lips, looking like she'd done something wrong.

"What do you want to ask?"

Duran: "For example, who will be our opponent tomorrow? Where will the betting take place? What will the venue be like? For example, Duchess, what are the weaknesses of your Soul Might? These things..."

"Of course!" A bead of cold sweat appeared on A Xing's forehead. "Am I that stupid? They certainly wouldn't tell me so simply and directly!"

Half an hour later--

--Duran is still discussing the chocolate candy with Flavia.

While brewing tea for her lover, she considered the alchemical materials in the suitcase. She had plenty of catalysts, but lacked cocoa beans.

[Part ②: Open and Honest]

Bu Liuxing knocked on the door again, rushing back with a broad smile on his face.

Ms. Duran led the General of Tears to a small room, put on a pair of reading glasses, and turned on her phone and journal.

What did you talk about with her?

"She told me! She told me everything!" A Xing grinned, her joy overflowing. "She told me everything I asked!"

Duran: "Take your time."

A Xing: "I'll listen to you, let's find a topic to talk about first."

Duran: "You can start telling your story by starting with how the supercontinent Pangu was formed."

A Xing: "Okay! I'll ask her if she's had breakfast yet!"

Duran: "Hmm."

A Xing: "She said she's eaten and is going to the cricket ground. Want to come along?"

Duran: "Hmm."

A Xing: "I went to play ball with this woman, along with three or four caddies and a few boatmen."

Duran: "Hmm, good timing for the cut, very natural."

A Xing: "I asked her, 'Who's my opponent tomorrow?'"

"She just..." Duran was surprised by Gloria Sebastian's straightforwardness and courage—was she really an Immortals? This girl had a fatal flaw; how come this arrogance hadn't killed her?

A Xing nodded, his attitude becoming unusually serious. "Yes, she explained it very clearly. A singer is coming to the Spring Breeze Grand Theatre in East Horse Port."

"Besides this singer, there's also a manager."

"They know Derrick Jokic; they all know him through the Church of Dionysus."

"This singing girl has been unable to speak since childhood. She is a pitiful person who has suffered all kinds of humiliation. Even getting married is a problem. In Great Xia, women who cannot get married are the most miserable—they are not even as good as poultry and can't be sold for much money."

"The old tailor Derek introduced her to Dionysus."

"Gloria Sebastian bestowed upon her holy blood and taught her to sing."

"In return, after she became famous, she consistently donated money to the church and taught the old tailor's daughter to sing. Christina's diva costume was also designed by this big star and the old tailor together."

"Her name is Lü Piaopiao, and her stage name is Madam Bailan."

"Hunwei's true name is [Entertainment], and its specific ability..."

Duran became increasingly uneasy as he listened. "She told you everything?"

Meteor nodded vigorously. "Yes, that's why I also find it very difficult, and I feel a kind of panicked sense of helplessness."

Duran: "Another agent?"

"Gloria seems to know I'm looking for help!" Meteor nervously swallowed, gesturing wildly as he described, "So the second duel will be increased to two platinum coins—it's two against two."

Duran: "What else did you ask?"

"I'll continue," Meteor said somewhat embarrassedly, feeling like a baby in front of Gloria. "I'm saying, your psionic abilities are really amazing, don't you have any weaknesses?"

Duran: "You actually asked her directly? Wasn't she angry? Didn't she feel offended?"

"She wasn't angry, not even..." Meteor found it hard to describe the feeling. "She was holding a parasol, her arm outstretched, and the sunlight left a charred scar on her skin."

"Look! The sun is hurting me!"

"As she said this, she hit a ball and then threw the dice out."

"The first die was thrown, and it landed with a [3] mark."

"Look closely! Look closely!"

Bu Liuxing imitated Gloria's tone.

"Life will always have failures, but failure itself is not terrible."

"The terrible thing is what happens after failure--"

"--In that brief instant, before getting back up, in the second before making a desperate gamble."

Even though the second die landed, the ball still didn't go in because Gloria was too strong and flew too fast; it was too late.

Duran understood now; even Gloria Sebastian couldn't defy the power of the Dice of Fate.

She can cheat by rolling the larger of the two dice, turning what should be an absolutely fair gambling game into a one-woman show for her.

However, it takes time to roll the dice and confirm the result of the first die. There is only a fraction of a second in between before the second die lands. If you can beat this woman so badly that she can't even roll the dice during this time, then the result of the first die will be settled immediately, Gloria will have to bear the penalty for failure.

"That old hag." Duran called out to the White Snake, watching the entire communication process again.

When Gloria spoke of these things, revealing her own Gate of Death, she showed no awkwardness, no resentment, and no embarrassment—she spoke of her Soul Might traits to the General of Tears like a studious junior.

Victor once said that psychic traits are like a warm rectum, which can only be given to a lover as a wedding ring. They should not be exposed to others, especially enemies, because no one wants to hand over their rectum weakness to an enemy.

Gloria Sebastian's actions have exceeded Duran's comprehension.

--[Timeline] It's also difficult to predict Gloria's next move; she's like a freak, only heaven knows what she'll do next.

"My head hurts." Duran was dizzy from reading it, feeling both annoyed and amused. "She's right about one thing, though: the General of Tears."

Bu Liuxing asked, "What are you saying right?"

"She really is like Red Stone People like you." Duran tapped the journal lightly. "Look at what she's asking! She's actually asking you for help?"

Is there any way to make both dice land at the same time and reveal the result?

"Can I become stronger? Live longer? That way I can find more fun!"

"I don't disrespect Judas, it's not what you think. I just find him boring. Our relationship was just a business transaction where each of us got what we needed—what's the point of living if it's just about survival?"

"You can cook? And you're quite good at it? Why don't you try your hand in the kitchen? I don't believe it."

"Poisoning the food? You think I'm afraid of poison? You look down on me? I'm so angry!"

"What exactly did you two talk about? Were you flirting with her?"

Duran was swearing and cursing.

"--If I send these records to your wife, you probably won't last a minute in the wolf mother's mouth. Neither Ming De can protect you."

"Uh..." Meteor was speechless for a moment before daring to speak.

"--This is called using your male charm. I learned it from Ming Ge. How can you open her heart if you don't try to get close to her?"

Duran was furious, and then he thought of that good-for-nothing Cici.

She was both amused and exasperated, and in the end, all she could do was shout it out.

6.