Upon hearing that Sushang would have to duel this Cloud Knight,
Sushang's expression immediately filled with concern.
Although somewhat impulsive, he was a responsible senior among the Cloud Knights...
If her presence led to his undercover mission failing,
Sushang genuinely felt deeply troubled by it!
Faced with their refusal, Green Lotus remained steadfast. "There's no exception; I didn't set these rules. If you're unwilling to complete the trial, we'll have no choice but to ensure both of you keep our secrets forever..."
"Wait, just wait... No, please don't make us duel like this," the cloud rider pleaded frantically. "We came seeking longevity, not death. Suddenly forcing us to fight puts us in a tough spot!"
"It's not entirely compulsory for you to duel. Refusing is also an option, but then neither of you will be allowed to leave."
"Alright... alright... Can I at least have some time to mentally prepare? I've never done anything like this before..."
"Time is precious; don't take too long."
As Sushang watched this unfold, she took several deep breaths.
"What do we do?! What should we do?!"
"With our protagonist's strength, couldn't he just blaze a trail out with this cloud rider buddy?"
"We're not far from the Exalting Sanctum, so it might work..."
However, it was clear that the cloud rider had a more clever idea than Sushang anticipated.
"How about this... I've thought of a plan that lets you join the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus and allows me to escape unscathed..."
"You challenge me to a duel, and I'll deliberately lose, pretending you've defeated me. You then claim to help dispose of the bodies, allowing us both to leave the scene..."
"This way, we can achieve our respective goals."
"Uh... considering your skills, please don't accidentally kill me for real..."
[I know my limits.]
[That's not reassuring...]
Sushang hesitated but ultimately chose the second option.
After all, swords have no eyes!
And nearby stood a cultivator, a secret disciple of the Medicine King, observing them!
With such circumstances, Sushang couldn't be certain of controlling her strength precisely!
"Don't overdo it... Be gentle... Ah, never mind, I got myself into this mess anyway. My fate now rests on luck. Just try not to kill me!"
[Entering combat]
Sushang muttered to herself, "Cloud Rider Eldest Brother, as the brave warrior who helped transcribe my books, I'll ensure you retain some health!"
It was Dan Heng's turn to act. Although his ultimate ability had cooled down, he didn't want to use it yet. Instead, he planned to employ a standard skill.
"I mean no conflict..." With a flurry like torrential rain, Dan Heng unleashed his attack.
Sushang froze in shock! She genuinely hadn't anticipated the cloud rider to be so fragile!
Moreover, it exploited his Wind attribute weakness.
With the bonus damage from exploiting this vulnerability, it was a perfect finishing blow!
The Cloud Knight's health bar emptied instantly, and he collapsed to the ground.
"Ahhh, Eldest Brother, I didn't actually kill you by mistake, did I?!"
[End Battle]
Greensea approached, praising Sushang, "Truly impressive skills! You took down such a lively cloud rider just like that."
"It's good that you won. This fellow showed up in a cloud rider uniform, spouting nonsense about joining our cause. If he had somehow triumphed, I would've been concerned about whether we could really trust him."
"Violet Chrysanthemum, Blue Peach, find somewhere to dispose of this cloud rider."
[I'll handle it.]
"You will? Do you know how to take care of these things?"
[I enjoy collecting them.]
Sushang recalled the Luocha from earlier plotlines, carrying a coffin on their back—perhaps someone with similar interests.
Greensea, taken aback, said, "Uh...collecting? No problem, no problem. After all, one without quirks is unworthy of friendship."
"Hmm... that sounds reasonable. Our group has been spreading the teachings in Exalting Sanctum for several days now, likely attracting attention from those hounds... It would be safer if you handle it."
"Regardless... congratulations on becoming a cultivator! Your code name shall be... 'Grey Peony'!"
"Grey Peony, to avoid suspicion, let's part ways and reconvene elsewhere later. Farewell."
With a sorrowful expression, Sushang carried the cloud rider's body towards a safe location.
Suddenly, without warning, the cloud rider sprang back up!
"Pant... Panting..."
"Not bad with the fake death, huh?"
"That bunch is utterly deranged; be cautious when dealing with them in the future..."
"I'll head back to the Seat of Divine Foresight to report first. Please take care."
Sushang sighed deeply, patting her chest in relief.
"Oh, thank goodness!"
"My fellow colleague, he's alright..."
Meanwhile, at the secret base of the scripture copiers...
The cultivators of Sanctus Medicus, including representatives from the Exalting Sanctum, were holding a clandestine meeting.
Greensea respectfully addressed the man before her, "Lord Violet Rose, our missionary work has been increasingly challenging lately!"
"Not only have the locals of Luofu, but even those outlanders have become obsessed with that 'Honkai: Star Rail' game!"
"It took immense effort just to recruit these few individuals!" Greensea pointed behind her.
Standing there were two bewildered outlanders and one cloud rider.
Violet Rose sighed, "Times are tense recently, and we've received no word from our leader. For now, let's advise our brothers and sisters to lie low."
"Once those Cloud Knight hounds lose our scent, they'll naturally give up," said Greensea.
"There seems little choice but to proceed cautiously," she added, turning towards the three newcomers.
"In these extraordinary times, the organization won't subject you to any formal trials," Greensea announced. "Since all of us seek ascension to immortality, please consume this elixir."
She handed each of them a pill.
The two outlanders eagerly swallowed their pills as if receiving priceless treasures. However, the cloud rider hesitated, staring at the capsule in his hand.
"Hey! What's with your hesitation? Are you perhaps a spy?" Greensea shot a meaningful glance at her subordinates.
With knives drawn, the two outlanders advanced toward the cloud rider.
"No, no, no! I was just mentally preparing myself!" The cloud rider's voice trembled noticeably.
He had a foreboding that consuming this pill would bring immense calamity!
But he had no choice!
Refusing it meant certain death immediately!
As the cloud rider placed the pill in his mouth, Greensea nodded approvingly.
"Excellent. From now on, we're all brothers and sisters under Medicine King's secret teachings. If anyone dares to betray our organization..."
Before she could finish, the door burst open.
A dozen squads of Cloud Knights descended like divine forces from the heavens, swiftly encircling everyone present!
Greensea and Violet Rose paled instantly, caught completely off guard by the swift action of the Cloud Knights!
Suddenly, the two outlanders who had consumed the pills collapsed onto the ground, emitting agonized screams.
From their flesh, plant-like root structures began to emerge.
Witnessing this scene, the cloud rider hastily spat out the pill with a loud "Ugh!"
Raising both hands above his head, he signaled his surrender.
In the background, two plainclothes cloud riders stood nearby.
One held a Yuzhao device, documenting the entire arrest process.
The other also wielded a Yuzhao but was engrossed in streaming Honkai: Star Rail.
At that moment, the squad leader approached the cloud rider.
He saluted Jing Yuan with a cloud rider's military gesture.
"Thank you for your hard work."
"This medicinal pill will serve as crucial evidence..."
"Uh, are you alright?"
The cloud rider removed his helmet, revealing a young and somewhat inexperienced-looking face, drenched in sweat.
Seeing so many colleagues efficiently managing the scene, he broke down in tears.
"Wahh, you arrived just in time!"
"I was on the brink of succumbing to the Demonic Yin Body!"
With sympathy, The Captain patted him on the back.
"If anyone deserves thanks, it's Fu Xuan-sama and the developers of 'Starry Sky Ironway.'"
"Without them, our swift response and coordination wouldn't have been possible..."
The cloud rider vowed, "As soon as I get back, I'm buying ten 648 bundles in 'Starry Sky Ironway'!"