The World Tree! Jialianhui Makes Her First Appearance!

"Is it starting?"

Bai Xuan received Liu Mufei's message and set off at once.

A small pink door appeared.

He stepped through the portal, and the front line came into view. In the distance, flames leapt skyward, staining the horizon a smoky red.

"What's happening over there?" Bai Xuan hurried to Liu Mufei's side and asked quietly.

"Lu Tai is preparing to enter the Da Qi Serpent. The Investigation Bureau is creating an opening for him." Liu Mufei watched the distance. "First, they need to clear the foul miasma around it. The two Investigators who went in last time suffered mental erosion because of it."

"I see..." Bai Xuan nodded thoughtfully, then asked, "When do we move?"

"No rush. When the mantis stalks the cicada, the oriole waits behind it—"

"So we're the oriole?" Bai Xuan cut in.

Liu Mufei shook her head with a faint smile. "No. We're the birdcatcher."

"The birdcatcher?" Bai Xuan froze, then understood.

Someone else was the oriole.

"Oh, right." Bai Xuan turned to Liu Mufei. "That pocket watch you gave me last time came in handy. Thanks."

"Of course." Liu Mufei's lips curved. "I chose it carefully. It can freeze time for five seconds, and its cooldown is only twelve hours."

"Freeze time?" Bai Xuan's eyes lit up, but on second thought, five seconds was still too short.

It might prove useful at a crucial moment, but it was slightly less practical than Flash Speed.

He opened the World Book's Mission Map and focused on a huge red marker.

[World Quest: Da Qi Serpent]

[Difficulty: B]

[Location: Huaguo waters]

[Description: The legendary Da Qi Serpent lies here awaiting orders, intent on destroying the coastal defenses that are Huaguo's pride.]

[Hint: It is under the World Tree's control!]

[Reward: ?]

"Under the World