Indeed, that's me!

"You should already have noticed some strange phenomena connected to you."

Lu Li: I sure have. A freaking system even showed up.

"If you are currently staying within Jinzhou and are willing to remain a little longer, may I ask you to meet me at the side court in Jinzhou City?"

"Though I cannot guarantee I can answer all your questions, I hope, if possible, to offer some assistance or grant you certain permissions to make things easier."

"This is not a restriction, merely a request. You are free to choose your own course of action."

"Thus, I also ask the people and soldiers of Jinzhou to extend our visitor any assistance and care you can, should the opportunity arise."

The holographic message ended, and Jinhsi's image slowly faded.

Chixia said, "Why do I get the feeling..."

Bai Zhi said, "The person the magistrate was referring to is..."

Lu Li planted his hands on his hips and declared proudly, "That's right! It's me!"

Chixia: "..."

Yangyang: "..."

Bai Zhi said expressionlessly, "Aside from your memorable form while running away, there is nothing particularly special about you."

I'm a man with a system!

Oh, well. How could I possibly tell anyone about something like that? A true master's heart is always lonely!

At that thought, Lu Li pressed a hand to his forehead, shook his head, and chuckled. "Ah... mortals."

Bai Zhi: "..."

After a soft laugh, Yangyang said, "All right, Magistrate Jinhsi was probably referring to Rover."

Lu Li was deeply unconvinced. I was completely confused when I woke up, too!

Why couldn't I be the person Magistrate Jinhsi was looking for?

Just because I'm not as strong as her?

Hmph... fortunes change. Never Underestimate a Poor Youth!

Rover shook her head slightly. "It's too early to draw conclusions."

Lu Li nodded approvingly. "Exactly. A Piao really gets it."

Chixia thumped Lu Li's shoulder. "Would you give it a rest already? Still... A Piao does sound pretty friendly."

Yangyang said, "A Piao is rather like Bai Zhi in that respect. What are your plans now?"

Clearly, Yangyang had accepted the nickname as well.

Rover smiled faintly. "Isn't there a festival? I thought I'd join the fun."

Chixia said, "We haven't even sorted out our festival leave yet. Things aren't really lively yet!"

The Moon-Chasing Festival was still several months away, and there really wasn't much of a festive atmosphere anywhere in Jinzhou.

Yangyang said, "If you're expecting a festive atmosphere right now, A Piao, I'm afraid you'll be disappointed."

"If you can stay in Jinzhou City a little longer, until the preparations for the Moon-Chasing Festival are complete..."

"I remember that when you saw the statue of Jinzhou's Sentinel in the valley, A Piao, you mentioned a memory of meeting the Sentinel's gaze."

"Though we cannot confirm whether that was a real memory, if what the magistrate said in her message is true, A Piao's origins and memories may be closely connected to Jinzhou."

"But whether or not you're the important guest the magistrate mentioned, you are an important visitor to Jinzhou, and our..."

"Friend!" Chixia finished.

"We've been through life and death together, after all. I've never run into that many Remnants in such a short time, and then that big one showed up at the end! Though A Piao took down most of them, hehe."

"Whatever happens, once we get to Jinzhou City, I'm treating you to Panhua Restaurant's specialties!"

Rover nodded slightly. "Then let's go."

After they left the Tacet Field, Lu Li rubbed his hands together and sidled up beside Rover, looking a little sheepish.

"A Piao... there's something I'd like to discuss with you..."

"Hmm?" Rover looked over, a gentle smile on her lips.

"My gourd is a little unusual. It can only absorb Remnants I defeat myself, but as you know, I don't really have any fighting ability right now, so..."

Understanding dawned on Rover's face. "So you want to steal my kills?"

"Hiss-" Lu Li ground his teeth at that, then corrected her. "How can you call it kill stealing when a Resonator does it? It's called landing the finishing blow!"

Rover gave him an I get it look. "All right. If we run into any Remnants, I'll leave them with a sliver of health, and you can finish them off."

Lu Li was satisfied. "Excellent. You catch on fast!"

Behind them, Chixia asked in confusion, "What are those two whispering about?"

Yangyang chuckled. "Neither of them knows much about this world. Perhaps they've found something in common to talk about."

Beside her, Bai Zhi said thoughtfully, "Rover should originally be from this world. She has simply lost her memories."

"But that man..."

Chixia suddenly slapped her forehead. "Oh! Come to think of it, we still don't know his name!"

Walking up ahead with A Piao, Lu Li heard Chixia's exclamation.

"Allow me to formally introduce myself. My name is Lu Li."

"Lu Li... I'll remember that. Once we reach Jinzhou, you must come with me to the Huaxu Research Institute first," Bai Zhi said expressionlessly.

A bead of cold sweat slid down Lu Li's forehead. Is she going to slice me up for research?

That's absolutely not happening!

I'll have to find a way to slip away when the time comes...

Just then, A Piao tapped Lu Li's arm, signaling for him to look ahead.

Two rocky, vaguely humanoid Remnants stood in front of them.

"I'll defeat one first, then leave the other with a sliver of health. You can come up after that," Rover instructed.

"No problem." Lu Li nodded.

Rover had easily dealt with a Remnant as powerful as Crownless. These two stone lumps looked weak at a glance.

Sure enough, Rover charged forward and dispatched one in just a few moves.

Then she slashed the other stone lump several times. It was left almost unable to fight and fell to its knees.

"Now!"

Lu Li glanced at the waists of the three women behind him.

Chixia had pistols holstered at her waist. Don't know how to use those. Pass!

Yangyang wore a sword at her waist.

Bai Zhi carried nothing, so she probably fought using You Tan.

Lu Li made a snap decision. "Yangyang, let me borrow your sword."

"Huh? All right..."

Lu Li drew the sword and charged at the stone lump.

"You beast! Taste my Dugu Nine Swords!"

The four pretty young women watched as Lu Li hacked wildly at the stone lump with the sword, without the slightest technique.

The stone lump let out an angry roar.

It felt that this swordsmanship did little damage but was deeply insulting!

Still, its health was already hanging by a thread, and it could no longer retaliate against Lu Li.

Within seconds, the stone lump vanished, leaving behind a golden Echo.

"Phew..."

Lu Li pulled up his sleeve and wiped the nonexistent sweat from his forehead.

"What a tough job that was."

Rover: "..."

Yangyang: "..."

Bai Zhi: "..."

Chixia said, "You barely did anything!"

The group approached the two Echoes.

Chixia said excitedly, "All right! A Piao, try absorbing them! The gourd should work this time!"