While Pei Guang was off stirring up trouble with Todd, Bailu, who was accompanying Elysia to Scalegorge Waterscape, received a notification on her phone.
Taking a glance, she realized she'd just been added to a group chat. Not only her, but Elysia had been pulled in too.
It was a group Pei Guang had created, titled "Special Operation in Scalegorge Waterscape." As soon as Bailu and Elysia saw the group announcement, they almost choked.
Group announcement: "Just a heads-up, I'm bringing a scholar from the Intelligentsia Guild to Scalegorge Waterscape to seek immortality. I promised him I wouldn't report him by any means, so I'm letting you all know in advance so you can come watch the show. We'll arrive in about six hours. If you're interested, come and see how someone plans to use a Vidyadhara egg to gain immortality."
And the responses under that message made even Elysia find it amusing.
Dan Heng: "?"
March 7th: "Yay, something exciting to watch~ But Dan Heng, if that guy wants to use a Vidyadhara egg to become immortal, will that harm the egg?"
Stelle: "Let me nap first, then I'll go in the afternoon to watch the fun. This is rare: a guy daring to seek immortality on the Xianzhou Luofu? And not just that, he's planning to mess with a Vidyadhara egg? Who's got guts like that?"
Bailu: "Outrageous! Someone's trying to mess with the Vidyadhara egg! I'm issuing a task: who's going to help me beat the hell out of this villain?"
Stelle: "Say no more, we accept! As Trailblazers, how could we just stand by and watch someone harm unborn life? By the way, Ah Guang, do you know who this guy is? What's his deal?"
Pei Guang: "He's from the Intelligentsia Guild, but he gave me a quest, so I'll help him reach Scalegorge Waterscape and create a chance for him to approach the egg. Oh, and everyone, don't report him, okay? I gave my word that I wouldn't report him by any means."
Stelle: "Damn, this is even more brutal than reporting! I get it now: if he actually tries anything with that egg, I'll show him what real cruelty looks like."
March 7th: "Beat him all you want, I'll record the whole thing as evidence. With solid proof, there's no way he's escaping."
Pei Guang: "Exactly! After you all finish beating him up and completing Bailu's task, I'll also complete the quest on my end. Oh, and make sure to send me all the evidence afterwards~ That way, I don't even need to follow the old guy in."
Stelle: "Got it!"
Dan Heng: "…"
Seele: "Why do I feel like Ah Guang isn't just watching for fun? Can someone give me a quick summary of what I'm supposed to do?"
Pei Guang: "Nothing special. If you want to watch, come watch. If you've got any reliable friends or family who won't cause trouble, bring them too. This will be a historic moment on the Luofu: we might even learn something that helps with future Trailblazing."
Himeko: "I don't think your motive is just watching the fun, Ah Guang."
Pei Guang: "Sister Himeko, sharp as ever! Want to come? I'll definitely reserve you a VIP seat."
Himeko: "I'll pass. This kind of thing is better left to you young folks."
Welt, who had originally wanted to join, fell silent after reading that. With his youthful mindset, he immediately understood what Pei Guang was trying to do. It wasn't hard to guess: pretty much every player would think of doing the same.
If Himeko hadn't said anything, he might've tagged along secretly. But now that she had... as a senior, he should at least act like one. After all, he'd already been scolded by her in the past for various reasons.
After that, everyone continued to chat casually. Pei Guang didn't say much more, but everyone understood what the creation of the group was really for.
Reading the chat, Bailu broke into a mischievous grin. "Hehehe~"
She fully understood Pei Guang's plan now: simple and direct.
As a player, of course Pei Guang would complete the quest honestly. But if Todd, while fiddling with the Vidyadhara egg, happened to get spotted and mobbed by some passing, passionate Traiblazer… that had nothing to do with Pei Guang!
And if the Ten-Lords Commission ended up arresting him? Even less to do with Pei Guang!
Pei Guang had already corrupted Bailu a long time ago. Now, whenever there was someone to punish, her first instinct was to beat them senseless before swooping in to heal. As for medicine? No problem. Just spit a few times and it'd be fine.
But then Bailu suddenly realized something: while beating someone up was satisfying, it only solved part of the problem. The real issue was that people kept targeting the Vidyadhara eggs around Scalegorge Waterscape.
So, with Pei Guang conveniently in the group, she pulled out her phone and asked: "Ah Guang, Ah Guang! Beating this guy up might stop him, but there'll always be others eyeing the eggs. Got any ideas for something more intimidating?"
Pei Guang: "Easy. Just record the entire process of the beating and handling of the guy, then play the footage in every corner of the path leading to the Vidyadhara zone. Each person gets a solo close-up, then cap it off with a group beating. Loop the video across every route into Scalegorge Waterscape.
And if it still doesn't feel enough, give Dan Heng his own special highlight reel. Oh, and I'll fund three hundred million credits for the campaign. Don't worry about a thing, Bailu—just have fun with it."
March 7th: "Savage! Physical punishment, psychological devastation, and total social ruin all in one go."
Stelle: "Do it like that, and I doubt anyone would dare go near Scalegorge Waterscape again…"
Bailu: "Honestly, I think this is a great idea! Some illnesses need extreme treatment. The Vidyadhara have been too weak lately, no authority at all! Let me be the one to show them the might of the Vidyadhara. People need to know what happens when you mess around in our sacred place. But still, Ah Guang, no need to spend your own money: I've got plenty!"
Pei Guang: "It's not really a waste. That three hundred million was earned thanks to you and the Vidyadhara. I don't have a use for it myself, so just take it and have fun with it."
It wasn't because Pei Guang felt guilty for extorting people: it was because he thought this would genuinely help Bailu.
And Bailu was his ally.
Players were always generous to their teammates. No player would ever skimp on resources for the characters in their party when they had the means to invest.
Bailu was his ally, and by extension, the entire Vidyadhara clan was on the players' side. Boosting the strength of his faction was never a bad deal.
Meanwhile, Dan Heng, reading the message, brought his phone closer to his face. He wasn't sure if it was just his imagination, but he had the distinct feeling that the Vidyadhara on the Xianzhou Luofu had taken a rather… drastic turn.
But after a moment, Dan Heng relaxed and smiled. The direction this was going in was a bit absurd, but not necessarily a bad thing for the Vidyadhara. Reputation alone meant nothing: what mattered was power.
If the Vidyadhara had the strength to back it up, no one would dare laugh even at something that looked ridiculous on the surface.
Once everyone in the group chat was ready, Pei Guang set off with Todd. Todd's first destination was the Alchemy Commission: according to him, his mentor had left some clues there.
And sure enough, once they arrived at the Alchemy Commission, Todd used some of his special equipment and actually retrieved a few pieces of useful information.
Watching Todd wave his camera around, Pei Guang got curious and pulled out his own cute pink camera, pointing it in the same direction.
From the Alchemy Commission to the Scalegorge Waterscape, Pei Guang didn't say much. He didn't ask any questions either, he just moved forward steadily and calmly.
On the way, a few Cloud Knights stopped them to greet them. Todd was initially terrified, but after seeing Pei Guang casually wave them off with a few words, he quickly relaxed.
At that moment, Todd felt like hiring Pei Guang was worth every credit. Of course, he conveniently forgot that Pei Guang had already extorted him to the brink of bankruptcy.
Todd's aging body suddenly felt reinvigorated. His steps were light, filled with determination.
And so, the two of them proceeded slowly but steadily. After about half a day, Todd turned to Pei Guang: "We're almost at the Scalegorge Waterscape. Looks like my direction was correct after all. But I still need to verify some information. The most important clue is in the Waterscape itself…"
Upon arriving at the Scalegorge Waterscape, Todd took in the view. Based on all the literature, research, and descriptions he'd read, the Scalegorge Waterscape was supposed to be a sacred place for the Vidyadhara: majestic and holy.
But the moment he actually saw it, Todd was stunned. The place didn't feel majestic at all! In fact, it gave off a whimsical, almost childish vibe. The pink, cutesy rabbit that parted the sea, the sealed dragon head that had turned into a sleeping, cuddly bunny, and the sea breeze filled with never-ending meows.
This was the sacred ground of the Vidyadhara? Was this not a nursery?
Sensing Todd's confusion, Pei Guang reassured him, "Don't worry. This is definitely the sacred land of the Vidyadhara. Look! There's even a statue of the High Elder."
Following Pei Guang's finger, Todd spotted the statue and breathed a sigh of relief. "But why does it look like this?"
Pei Guang replied, "Side effects of the Stellaron. Don't worry about it~ You wanted to see the Vidyadhara egg, right? I'll take you to the entrance to the inner sanctum, after that, you're on your own."
Todd asked, "You're not going in? Are you planning to report me?"
Pei Guang: "Why would I report you? Go on in: I'll wait for you right here. Even if the Ten-Lords Commission or Luofu's officials show up, I'll keep them off your back."
Todd: "Thank you!"
Pei Guang, with perfect composure, explained, "No need to thank me. I accepted your commission, so it's my job to make sure you can do what you came here for. No matter what happens in the Waterscape, once you're inside, I won't let anyone else in, not even members of the Vidyadhara, unless you say so."
Pei Guang's words genuinely moved Todd. He walked forward, but just as he was about to enter the Scalegorge Waterscape, something felt off.
Because he noticed… trash bins and garbage cans placed inside the sacred grounds.
"Why are there garbage cans here?"