Guinaifen initially thought this mission would be simple.
All they had to do was defeat the Heliobus possessing Bailu and seal it away with a magical artifact.
Even now, that's what she believed!
On the platform below the stairs.
Bailu's voice rang out with conviction.
"I just want to go out and have some fun! What's wrong with that?"
"Why should I live by the rules of adults?"
Although the two Bailus were carefree and innocent in their play.
They weren't doing anything harmful to others.
But…
"Sorry."
"I'm a ruthless player!"
Guinaifen, after getting closer, immediately broke into a sprint!
Trying to catch Bailu off guard.
But Bailu also shot forward in an instant!
Covering several meters in a flash!
While also voicing her thoughts: "Adults always say: don't play around now, wait until you're older to have fun."
"But I see those adults at the Alchemy Commission don't have time to play either!"
"Stop chasing me!"
"Can't I just have some fun in peace!"
She made a compelling point!
For a moment, I couldn't even argue back!
But Guinaifen didn't stop her actions.
She kept sprinting!
However!
The figure ahead,
Something feels off!
Bailu's short legs are running way too fast!
Not just her legs, even her arms are swinging like they've got turbochargers attached. There's no way to catch up.
She's pulling so far ahead that Bailu even deliberately stops to wait for a moment!
Little Gui takes a deep breath.
Her blood pressure is rising!
Her hands clench tightly.
Every time she takes a turn, she hugs the wall as closely as possible.
Being fast on the turns is what truly matters!
And so.
After navigating several turns in a row, it seems like she's about to catch up to Bailu on the final turn!
Guinaifen's eyes seem to blaze with the fire of imminent victory!
Closer!
Got her!
However.
Just as she reaches the same level as Bailu.
Bailu suddenly predicts her move and slams on the brakes, turning around!
A prompt pops up on the screen.
[Bailu predicted your attempt to block her path. As long as she's fast enough, she can do whatever she wants.]
Guinaifen's jaw drops.
She immediately switches to Imbibitor Lunae Dan Heng!
Her expression slowly becomes solemn and dignified.
"Folks."
"The nature of this situation has changed."
"This is no longer about completing a task. This is a battle of dignity!"
"If I catch you, you're in for it, Dragon Lady!"
...
"She's getting desperate! The streamer's getting desperate!"
"Bailu's short legs are really running too fast, huh?"
"Otherwise, why do you think Bailu always manages to escape the Alchemy Commission?"
"I can tell, Little Gui is really going all out!"
"Truly worthy of being the future renowned High Elder!"
...
Little Gui shouts, "Cloud Chant Water Control!!!"
She activates Imbibitor Lunae Dan Heng's Technique.
With a swift turn, she charges forward, enveloped in a mist of water!
Imbibitor Lunae Dan Heng's Technique is widely recognized as the ultimate tool for map traversal.
It even allows for rapid turns during movement!
Little Gui has truly pushed herself today.
She hasn't crashed into a wall even once.
Every time, she navigates through the narrowest gaps between alleys.
But!
Even so!
She still can't catch up to Bailu's short legs.
Meanwhile.
Bailu and Luxie don't forget to throw out some "bold statements."
Luxie: "Adults always say that adult life is harder, but isn't that strange?"
"Didn't adults used to be kids too?"
"Why compare who had it harder with your past self?"
Bailu chimes in, "Exactly!"
"Why do they always talk about things I don't understand or can't relate to?"
"I just want to go out and play!"
Imbibitor Lunae Dan Heng is frantically using Cloud Chant Water Control behind her, while Bailu is zooming ahead.
The scene is inexplicably hilarious!
The viewers in the livestream are laughing their heads off!
...
"Bailu: Is this the current High Elder?"
"Imbibitor Lunae, you're not even a dragon."
"Even among High Elders, there are differences."
"This is the power of the new High Elder. Sweating bullets yet, old man?"
...
Guinaifen is shocked!
"I'm almost out of Skill Points! How have you been running dozens of laps without stopping?"
"Your speed, I acknowledge it!"
At this moment.
In the game, Sushang reminds her, "Close that door ahead… then she'll have no choice but to run in that direction…"
At first, Guinaifen is driven by her competitive spirit.
But upon realizing that Bailu's stamina seems endless…
She has no choice but to resort to this tactic.
Close the door!
Lock it!
Finally.
After some strategizing.
She successfully corners Bailu in a dead-end formation.
Trapped in the formation, Bailu cried out, "Let me out! I don't want to be locked in here!"
Huohuo explained, "Lady Bailu... please stay calm. You've been possessed by a Heliobus. The thoughts you're having aren't your own."
"Nonsense! Nonsense! I've never had any playmates growing up, and today I finally met one, but you all want to capture it..."
This scene.
Made Guinaifen feel a bit uneasy.
The barrage in the live stream room surged.
...
"Closing the door? Can't handle it, huh?"
"Her face is all red from crying, she looks so pitiful."
"So cute~"
"He just wants to go out and play! What's wrong with that?"
"Mainly because Bailu is locked up most of the time, she's very lonely."
"Even though you lost Luxie, you still have me, Bailu."
...
Bailu cried bitterly.
At that moment.
A figure suddenly appeared.
Luxie stood before everyone.
To save her friend, even though she knew there was a trap here, she still came.
".~ How despicable of you, adults, to take away a child's rare moment of happiness!"
[Hehe! I'm quite despicable, aren't I!]
Guinaifen's face turned red.
Watching this scene from a third-person perspective, she really was despicable!
The guilt was overwhelming.
Luxie continued, "I wanted to bring you all into a happy and free world of childhood, but since you insist on ruining the mood... don't blame Luxie for using violence to talk to you!"
"Violence, only violence is the language you adults understand and speak, right!? Just like how you always scold children!"
In that instant.
Guinaifen felt like she was the villain.
[This battle has been designated for exorcism...]
With the power of exorcism.
The battle was quickly won.
Luxie held her head and said, "Ouch, I'm sorry, A'lu... I, I got scolded by the adults, I can't play with you anymore..."
"Luxie... didn't we pinky promise not to go back with the adults? If adults can break their promises, can children do that too?" Bailu said pitifully.
"But, I have no choice. No matter how long the playtime, it always has to end."
"But, we had a lot of fun today, let's meet again next time!"
Guinaifen: "There won't be a next time! Huohuo, please."
"Luxie, the next time we meet... it might be a long time from now..."
"Our lives are long, from that perspective, it won't be as long as you think~ I have to go with these adults for now!"
Luxie was sealed into a green gourd.
Guinaifen let out a sigh.
To be honest.
This ghost-catching mission wasn't as thrilling as she had imagined.
Instead, it was somewhat poignant.
"Just like a certain playtime in My Childhood, no one knew it would be the last..."
...
"Looking at Little Gui's expression, it seems she has a story too?"
"When I was a child, I also liked to make plans to go out and play with friends, even if there might not be another chance to meet again..."
"But by the next time we meet, Bailu will probably have become a boring adult..."
"Deleted my friend, feeling devastated."
"I came here to play games, what are you all trying to do!"
"Release Luxie for me!"
"How could I, Bailu, not know whether Luxie is a bad Heliobus or not!"