Bailu

"Uh, this... this." Facing Xiao Xi's question, Bailu looked rather guilty, scratching her head and failing to explain herself clearly for a long time.

Just then, the sound of footsteps suddenly approached from afar. Bailu's expression changed instantly; her eyes began to dart around, and she instinctively hid behind Xiao Xi and Stelle.

Witnessing this scene, Xiao Xi and Stelle quickly associated it with the messy business the Vidyadhara had been involved in earlier, and the two exchanged a glance.

"Be careful." Xiao Xi reached out to pull Bailu behind them, then casually cast a concealment spell on her.

The footsteps grew closer, and several people walking in a hurry emerged from around the corner.

And the arrivals were a physician from the Alchemy Commission and a Vidyadhara?

It had to be said, this combination of personnel was absolutely suspicious in every possible way; Xiao Xi silently signaled to Stelle.

"What are you doing, acting so furtively? I recall that the Alchemy Commission and the Vidyadhara are supposed to be undergoing inspection right now, aren't they?"

"You are traveling privately and moving in such a hurry—could it be that you have a guilty conscience?"

Xiao Xi didn't give them a chance to speak, preemptively questioning them.

"Th-this is not the case. I am the handmaiden of the High Elder; I have come to find the High Elder Bailu, certainly not to evade inspection," the Vidyadhara explained in a panic.

"The High Elder? But as far as I know, the High Elder Bailu was already handed over to the Divination Commission for care some time ago. Come to think of it, I was present when that order was issued; I heard it with my own ears."

"It was precisely because of collusion with the Abundance that the Vidyadhara and the Alchemy Commission were placed under inspection, and why the High Elder Bailu was entrusted elsewhere. Now that you claim to be looking for the High Elder Bailu, it is not only illogical, but it further proves that you are up to something."

"Moreover, the scent of the Abundance on you is extremely thick," Xiao Xi added, twisting the knife.

"No... no, it's not like that, you've misunderstood," the Vidyadhara stammered, trying to explain.

"Enough. Stelle, go call the Cloud Knights; I will keep an eye on them here," Xiao Xi decided decisively.

"No problem, leave it to me," Stelle replied confidently.

"No... no, you can't do this, I am the High Elder's handmaiden!" Accompanied by the Vidyadhara's desperate cries, they were all directly restrained by Xiao Xi.

In the distance, Stelle had already brought the Cloud Knights over.

"Everyone, oh? You are the Nameless of the Astral Express? What happened here?"

"It's these people from the Alchemy Commission and the Vidyadhara. For some unknown reason, they were trying to take away the High Elder Bailu, who has already been transferred to the care of the Divination Commission."

"We have reason to suspect they have malicious intent, so for the sake of safety, we thought to bring the Cloud Knights here to resolve it," Stelle explained.

"Is that so?" Hearing this, the Cloud Knight's expression turned serious. "The Alchemy Commission and the Vidyadhara are indeed currently undergoing review by the Divination Commission to ensure that no one colluding with the Abundance is hiding among them."

"And for these people to appear here is absolutely against the rules. I will report their matter to General Jing Yuan. We owe you our thanks for this."

After expressing gratitude to Xiao Xi and Stelle, the Cloud Knight looked coldly at the others. "Leaving without authorization during the review period is a matter we will handle strictly. Now, take them away."