An Unexpected Reunion

The Sealing Incantation on the Holy Casket extinguished its light completely.

Bai Xiaowen's Eye of Evolution could see that the invisible threads connecting the seven Divine Colossus to the Sealed Holy Coffer had disappeared. As if it had lost its levitation power, the Sealed Holy Coffer fell gently to the ground with a thud.

The rough-looking old lady Sanya, and Dean Melda stood up at the same time.

However, Li Shuyi reacted even faster, leaping forward and reaching the Sealed Holy Coffer in a few steps, where she picked it up.

Spirit Realm Rules Message:

"S+ Rank Elite Tier Side Quest: The Monastery's Secret is complete. Please submit the quest after leaving combat."

"SS-Tier special Elite Tier side quest: The Scavenger has been completed. Please open the Sealed Holy Coffer and submit the quest after leaving combat."

Bai Xiaowen stood firm. The so-called combat state... naturally referred to Dean Melda and the other two. They had a clear tendency to attack Bai Xiaowen, and even without making a move, they would be judged by the Spirit Realm Rules as having entered a combat state.

"Dio Skellboom, hand over the Soul Stone and the Sealed Holy Coffer! Those are not things you should touch," Melda said, her tone still sharp despite her injuries. "According to our previous agreement, I can exchange them with you for the Divine Gift Page."

"Uh... the Divine Gift Page? Is this what it is?"

Bai Xiaowen gently peeled off a piece of parchment from the bottom of the Sealed Holy Coffer.

The surface of this parchment looks as if it has been sprinkled with magnesium powder, with tiny specks of light falling on it, making it very luxurious and clearly not an ordinary item.

Dean Melda nodded.

"But I already have the Divine Gift Page. It seems unnecessary for me to use something I've already obtained as a bargaining chip for you, right?" Bai Xiaowen said with a smile. "So please allow me to refuse this deal."

"Dio, if you truly wish to join the Imperial Army, I urge you to rid yourself of your greedy nature," Glandis said, frowning. "The Empire worships the Lord of Light, and North County Monastery is a natural ally of the Imperial Army. If you seize the Soul Stone and the Sealed Holy Coffer, it means you have chosen the evil side, and there will be no place for you in the Imperial Army."

Bai Xiaowen shrugged. "I'm sorry."

He was indeed very disappointed. After this expedition, Dio Skellboom's identity had gained considerable fame in the Aaron Plane World, which would be advantageous for any mission he took. However, if no faction was willing to accept him, this identity would be largely wasted.

The Resistance Army ' reputation has become hostile, and if the Imperial Army closes its gates again, the number of quests that can be discovered during the next eight days of Free Exploration Time will be greatly reduced.

Glandis's expression turned cold, and she snorted, "What a greedy outsider. Since you insist on being an enemy of the Imperial Army's allies, then I have no choice but to stand on Dean Melda's side and punish you."

Sword Saint Carlisle silently took half a step forward, the oppressive aura of a high-ranking leader bearing down on him.

Bai Xiaowen silently assessed the relative strengths of the two sides.

"Get out of here when the wind gets strong!"

Despite Sanya losing an arm and Melda being half-crippled, the opponents were still four Advanced Boss. If Bai Xiaowen had all his summoned creatures, he could barely put up a fight, but without the Butcher, he wasn't confident he could restrain the Sword Saint Carlisle.

Li Shuyi nodded, and the two of them ran towards the stone steps, one after the other.

"Stop them!"

Melda shouted sharply.

Suddenly, Bai Xiaowen felt a surge of heat in the Storage Space, followed by a blue light spot blooming around him, which quickly expanded into a blue portal.

Spatial fluctuations spread, and a long, straight leg stepped out of the portal first.

Then, Bai Xiaowen saw the person who had arrived...

"We finally succeeded!"

Qiao Rui appeared abruptly, dressed in a gold-embroidered openwork robe, with an amethyst inlaid on her crown, and holding a jade-green bamboo flute.

She spotted Bai Xiaowen immediately and smiled with relief, "I'm so glad you're alright."

"Senior...?!" Bai Xiaowen was a little confused; he hadn't expected Qiao Rui to suddenly appear here.

"I told you, if we're meant to be, we'll meet again in the Spirit Realm." Qiao Rui blinked.

emmm...

Bai Xiaowen recalled the heat emanating from the Storage Space earlier; the source seemed to be the mysterious crystal Qiao Rui had given him. However, he wisely refrained from mentioning it, simply smiling and nodding, "Yes, it truly is fate."

"Senior Qiao Rui is here! We can fight back!" Li Shuyi perked up; she was deeply impressed by Qiao Rui's strength.

Since following Bai Xiaowen into the Spirit Realm, Li Shuyi had been invincible. She had almost never experienced such an embarrassing situation as being chased around by the BOSS, and she was still a little unaccustomed to it. So when she saw new forces joining the fray, her first reaction was to fight back.

"Yes, there's really no need to run anymore."

Bai Xiaowen gave Qiao Rui a deep look; this beautiful senior seemed to be hiding many secrets.

As for why Qiao Rui hadn't arrived before, but only happened to arrive after the seven Divine Colossus had turned back into stone statues... Bai Xiaowen also had a fairly plausible guess.

Qiao Rui must have used some kind of teleportation device to get to Bai Xiaowen's side. She probably tried before, but the teleportation kept failing due to the "Spatial Lock Aura" of the Divine Colossus.

That's why Qiao Rui said "Finally, we succeeded" as soon as she appeared, and felt relieved when she saw that Bai Xiaowen was safe.

Thinking about it this way, Bai Xiaowen felt a little touched. It seemed that she really was very important to Qiao Rui?

This feeling wasn't narcissistic; Bai Xiaowen didn't believe Qiao Rui had fallen for him. Up to this point, Bai Xiaowen sensed more of an older sister's care for her younger brother from Qiao Rui, and as for how much romantic feeling there was, he couldn't say...

"Another outsider has arrived. Have you finished catching up?"

Glandis's voice rang out. "Dio, I'll give you one last chance. Hand over the Soul Stone and the Sealed Holy Coffer, and I can let you go and preserve your opportunity to join the Imperial Army."

"I refuse," Bai Xiaowen said.

"Let's do it, but be careful they don't get away, Ms. Glandis," Melda said in a deep voice.

"Sorry, but I think... you guys are the ones who should be running away," Bai Xiaowen said with a smile, clenching her fist and raising her hand.

Shadow Assassin, Bone Warlock, Skeleton Sword-and-Shield Soldier, Skeleton Champion... one summoned creature after another appeared.

A long, drawn-out howl rang out, and a giant wolf with glossy fur and a body as strong as an ox appeared, its Rageclaw outstretched.

"Aren't these four all enemies?"

Qiao Rui nodded slightly, held the emerald green bamboo flute to her lips, and a Soul Melody quietly began to play.

Battle is about to break out!

Sorry for the lateness. This is the first update. I'll continue writing; there will be more updates. Being a stay-at-home dad is tough. Please don't stay up all night like me. Enjoy this tomorrow morning, and maybe even give me a monthly pass (ω)