We strolled leisurely, stopping to admire the views while making our way. With my eight tails hidden, I wouldn't be recognized anymore.
Walking through the drizzle in the most pristine mountains and waters, we felt a freedom long lost in reality.
"Wait, I need to take a call..." Yingning suddenly halted, tapping her earlobe lightly with her index and middle fingers. "Hello? Fairy Sister?"
As a pet, I could overhear Yingning's conversation.
"[Bei Yatou, where are you? Got time? We got a prerequisite quest to unlock a five-player dungeon. Join us if you can...]"
"This... I..." Yingning glanced at me, hesitating.
"[No worries if busy. Prerequisite rewards are mediocre anyway. We'll do it alone and team up for the dungeon later. Quest allows five players to enter together, sharing rewards.]"
"Well, I'm tied up... Mid-quest already... If not urgent, let's meet later."
"[Fine. We're three: me, Qingyu, and his friend. Bei Yatou, invite one more person.]"
"Wow! Aloof Grandmaster Qingyu's personally involved!" Yingning gasped dramatically. "This dungeon's no joke... I'll wrap up fast! Coming now! Fairy Sister, don't you dare fill all slots without me!"
"[Relax~ my Chairman~ See you soon~ bye~]"
"See you~ bye~"
Yingning hung up, energy surging. She grabbed my hand and sprinted without a word.
"Hurry! We're short on time!"
"Master, who's Qingyu?" I blurted out.
"Like Fairy Sister, our Guild's vice-leader—an Assassin with insane skills. We think he's some Grandmaster's alt, but he hides his ID... Wait, why ask?" Yingning shot me a suspicious glance mid-run.
"As a proper pet, I must ensure my master has healthy relationships. It affects my future," I said solemnly. Thankfully, she didn't press.
"Really? Whatever—run! No time!"
We jogged breathlessly to the target: 2500 meters south of Zhenxin Village, outside a basin ringed by mountains.
The small range stood out starkly—barren slopes covered in exposed limestone, while nearby outer hills burst with lush greenery.
"Forum maps show three basin entrances..." Yingning pulled up the game forum, comparing as we pushed through thick bushes to find one.
"Phew... Well-hidden." She wiped sweat from her brow with a handkerchief.
"Beyond here is high-level monster territory... No one should be here," Yingning muttered. But as she spoke, several male players emerged from the cave in green gear, daggers in hand.
"[Chaoge] has this area reserved for leveling. Turn back!"
"Chaoge?" Yingning exclaimed. "They can monopolize this spot already? No wonder they're a Great Guild!"
Chaoge—I'd heard Yingning mention it. A massive guild rivaling, even surpassing, Jian Hui Tianxia.
"Naturally," the speaker smirked. "Sorry, ladies. I'd love to chat, but business is business... Guild Leader's orders: no outsiders today."
"Ugh... wasted trip. Other entrances sealed too?"
"Yep."
Herb spawns lay deep inside the basin—even outer points required cave entry. Yingning shrugged helplessly at me.
Suddenly, she shuddered, staring hard at the speaker. "Wait... you look familiar. Where've we met? What's your ID?"
Flattered but cautious, the player replied, "You seem familiar too, miss. Add friends after the guild event? Not now..."
His ID was hidden—standard for 90% of players here; the rest were non-player workers like idols or merchants.
"Oops! My peas dropped!" I yelled, "accidentally" tossing peas onto his feet.
[You initiated an attack on player Left-Hand Reflection]
"What the hell! Watch it!"
"Sorry, sorry!" I apologized repeatedly, but from the corner of my eye, I watched Yingning's face.
Expressionless—her sign of deep, unpleasant thoughts.
Yingning gripped my hand tightly and spun to leave.
—Left-Hand Reflection... That name, I could never forget.
—He was one of Jian Hui Tianxia's Executioners during the city massacre.
—An Assassin! A despicable kill-stealer. His name haunted our screens.
—[Left-Hand Reflection has killed you.]
—That system message still flashed before my eyes.
—So, as I suspected.
Yingning's face darkened slightly. "They're not from [Chaoge]. They're... [Jian Hui Tianxia]!"
