Hearing the kid’s words, Zhang Luan hesitated. Truth was, he didn’t have to get involved at all.

"Kid, let’s just go," a sweaty, bald middle-aged man wheedled, wiping grease from his brow. He flashed Zhang Luan a fawning smile. All he wanted was to escape this deathtrap. Let this sudden savior abandon him to rescue someone else? *Are you kidding? My life’s worth way too much!!*

Zhang Luan shot the man a strange look. He hadn’t decided yet—but someone else was deciding for him?

Maybe the guy was right. Too bad Zhang Luan hated being told what to do. He’d had enough of that in his past life. This time, he’d choose for himself.

The kid tugged Zhang Luan’s sleeve, trembling. He was terrified Zhang Luan would refuse to save her.

Zhang Luan ruffled the boy’s hair. Logically, this rescue made no sense—she might even be dead already. But logic didn’t matter. He wanted to go. That was enough.

Decision made. Zhang Luan ignored the bald man’s nagging. He drew a circle on the ground with Stellar Flame, trapping the group inside.

"Don’t step out. Consequences are on you." He turned to the kid. "Where’s that woman?"

The boy pointed to a half-collapsed building nearby. Zhang Luan’s eyes narrowed. He tossed the kid into the circle, then vanished in a flash—even the newly arrived bandits lost sight of him.

He reappeared at the building’s entrance. The ornate door looked wildly out of place. With a kick, Zhang Luan shattered it open. Inside lay an ordinary room.

Thick iron chains converged on a single spot. A black-haired girl sat bound at limbs and throat, her gaze dull and hopeless.

Something in that broken look resonated with Zhang Luan. He smiled faintly, waving his hands. Stellar Flame melted the chains.

"I’m here to save you. Don’t be afraid."

The girl tilted her head, nodded, then pointed at her throat and gestured in the air.

"You… can’t speak?" Zhang Luan freed her wrists, watching her silent gestures with surprise.

She nodded again. Grabbing his wrist, she traced two characters onto his palm with a small finger:

*Thank you.*

Zhang Luan patted her head, asking nothing more. He took her wrist to leave—but the bandits, abandoning their other captives, charged straight for the girl.

"Interesting. You’re not ordinary, are you?" Zhang Luan chuckled, reaching for the Azure Righteous Sword.

The system suddenly flashed a warning: *Durability critically low. Further use will destroy the weapon.*

He sighed, reluctantly sheathing the sword. Then the girl’s eyes gleamed strangely. She clasped his sword hand. A peculiar energy flowed from her palms into the blade. In seconds, the sword’s durability fully restored—to its state when they first entered the bandit lair.

Zhang Luan stared at her, stunned. The sword’s status panel blazed with five clear words:

【TIME REWINDING....】

And the trigger? Undoubtedly this silent girl before him.

Ignoring the closing bandits, Zhang Luan pinched the girl’s cheek. Her stats panel appeared:

【Abi】

Level: 1

Type: Magic

Race: Ancient Race

Profession: Star Oracle

Talent: 【Rewind】

Skill: 【Stellar Light】

Zhang Luan’s gaze locked onto her profession. *No wonder she’s special.*

Star Oracles only emerged among females of the Ancient Race. Never underestimate them—their power came from stars beyond this world. A master Star Oracle could drag an actual star from the void to crush enemies (though this world’s laws would weaken it). Best of all, advancing required only bonding with a personal star—far simpler than other professions’ grueling trials.

*So the bandits caught her for Yin Ke Duo?* Zhang Luan frowned. In his past life, Yin Ke Duo never had a Star Oracle.

Did she escape? Or was she killed later?

He shrugged. Not worth guessing. With a ripple of spatial energy, he cleared a path and strolled back to the flame circle, hand in hand with the girl.

The bald man’s face darkened with suppressed rage when Zhang Luan returned. *My life’s worth more than some brat’s!* If not for those bandits kidnapping him during a "business trip" with his secretary, he’d be luxuriating in his mansion right now.

He could’ve bribed his way out alone. But this kid—making him wait in this dump? Unforgivable arrogance.

*Just get me home,* he seethed inwardly. *I’ll hire mercenaries to break his bones. That’ll teach him.*

He stayed silent, though. He’d seen this boy slaughter bandits like grass. One wrong move, and he’d be dead. Not worth the loss.

Zhang Luan dissolved the Stellar Flame circle, a faint smirk playing on his lips. He’d felt the bald man’s glare. Since he was so angry… why not give him an outlet?

With a flick of his finger, a small Stellar Flame membrane enveloped the sputtering man.

"What are you doing?!"