Chapter 698

“Emiya Shirou has been completely untraceable since then.”

After a busy yet fulfilling day, those who returned to Eternity Mansion late at night found Xiao Yan studying the medicinal properties of a luxuriant orchid emitting violet mist.

“He said he was going home to notify someone, but now we can’t reach him at all,” Xiao Yan asked. “Do you have any leads?”

“.”

Don’t know, but he’s probably still alive. With his current strength and physical resilience, even encountering a battlefield would be nothing more than a minor skirmish.

“Before he left, he asked me to ask you: is the Knight King still carrying the Divine Authority Sword and the Token of Power that Merlin gave? Should we return them?”

It seems the crossover between the Marvel Universe and the Type-Moon Universe was canceled, yet that damn Merlin has been inexplicably shuttling between the two universes.

Tony Stark was asking just a few days ago why the British Captain has a cowlick.

“Amen.”

Su Lin clasped his hands together and walked past Xiao Yan toward the interior.

All we can do now is pray that the rational and sensible Cowlick King won’t get involved.

“Lu Mingfei, you should start preparing the invitations and gift sets soon—there’s only a few days left, and some guests will arrive a day or two early.”

“We can help you with other matters, but this one you must handle yourself.”

Xiao Yan glanced at Lu Mingfei and said, “You’re about to get married and still acting like this? Don’t wander around with them these days—focus on your duties.”

“Isn’t this about resolving anomalies?” Lu Mingfei shrank his neck and gave a nervous smile.

Over these past few days, Xiao Yan truly acted like an elder brother—he didn’t let out his usual maniacal laughter, instead using Danfire to attempt refining the Tai Xu Jade Divine Pill for Su Lin, while also participating in the wedding planning for Lu Mingfei and Emiya Shirou, and spending his free time observing and learning from Bayi Yonglin’s pharmaceutical techniques.

“Isn’t that just playing spell card games?” Xiao Yan said.

“We owe it to Little Sakura-senpai—we wouldn’t have gotten into the Red Magic Mansion otherwise,” Huai Shi explained. “They’re using the real stuff over there.”

“Actually, it’s the bloodline of Su Lin-senpai and Meng Qi-senpai… uh, a body double crisis.” Song Shu felt he’d been tempting fate too much lately—he’d almost spoken without thinking.

Yet…

Xiao Yan stared at Song Shu’s face, the medicinal herbs slipping from his hand to the floor. “They have a child?!”

Song Shu: “.”

Looked at the sky.

Even thinking it through wouldn’t help.

Fortunately, Meng Qi-senpai isn’t here right now, and Su Lin-senpai is feeling disappointed because his recent display of divine power didn’t go as planned.

"White-senpai told me earlier that the Nine Continents Group One and the cultivation world have also prepared wedding gifts—I need to go back for a moment." Song Shu found a legitimate excuse for a strategic retreat.

Moreover, Emiya Shirou will be overwhelmed when the time comes—he still needs to go back and bring over Xianchu and other immortal chefs to help.

“I’ll take care of Sandy for you,” Kleine smiled faintly. “I once kept a hamster in the old days before the Elder Days—I feel nostalgic.”

“Kleine-senpai, Sandy’s a squirrel.”

Song Shu placed the squirrel in Kleine’s hands, instructed the little creature to behave, then hurried off.

“How do you even write an invitation, and what should the gift set include?” Lu Mingfei suddenly realized he’d never seen a wedding invitation in his life.

Back when he was in school, he just followed his uncle and aunt to banquets, where he and Fat Lu Mingze only had to stuff their mouths—he only ever heard his aunt tell him to eat more, that skipping even one piece of meat was an insult to the red envelope they’d stuffed into his pocket.

But now it was his turn, and he didn’t even know how to handle any of it.

As for the gift set… he’d only ever seen the candy wrappers left behind by Lu Mingze.

Xiao Yan sighed helplessly. “Just write ‘Inviting so-and-so and family,’ add some polite phrases at the front, and fill the gift set with pills, minor artifacts, and spirit fruits.”

He’d been transmigrated for so many years, yet now he felt more modern than Lu Mingfei.

“Oh.” Lu Mingfei nodded.

Immediately, ink, brush, paper, and inkstone were prepared; Xiao Yan made a sample, glanced at it, and deemed it acceptable. Lu Mingfei then placed the items inside a red festive box along with the invitation and handed it to Huai Shi.

“Don’t forget to show up on time,” Lu Mingfei declared proudly.

“.” Huai Shi stared at the line reading “Inviting Huai Shi and family to attend,” and felt it was somehow hellish.

Lu Mingfei realized his mistake and quickly explained: “Uh, I meant invite you and your sisters to attend.”

That was truly hell—the specific hell reserved for Mr. Huai Shi.

“Thank you, Little Sakura-senpai,” Huai Shi sincerely said.

After all, this was the first banquet invitation he’d ever received—and from a legendary top star of the male host world.

Thinking carefully, if he’d ever encountered a yakuza heiress buying out his contract, he wouldn’t have resisted becoming a male host so much in the first place.

Looking back, if I had ever encountered a situation where a yakuza heiress bought out my contract and set me free, I never would have resisted becoming a host in the first place.

Tong Ji, that wicked woman, just woke up and told him to return—she’s going to help prepare the wedding gift as a contribution.

He had nothing to his name and had planned to play his cello on the street for entertainment, but now he had something presentable—if he returned and didn’t instantly die, get bagged and beaten, dragged into the Astronomical Society, or watched by the Rancher from some dark corner…

He had nothing to his name—originally he planned to play the cello on the street for tips, but now that he had something to show for himself, all he needed was to get back without ending up dead on arrival, getting beaten and stuffed into a sack, dragged off to the Astral Society, or being watched from some dark corner by a ranch owner.

Hard to say.

[Look around—who else would dare show up empty-handed? Your sister was once a respectable person. Hold your head high—don’t disgrace yourself!]

[Look around—who else would show up empty-handed? I used to be a respectable woman. Hold your head up. Don’t shame us!]

Fine—if the Astronomical Society catches me, I’ll hand over Tong Ji.

If the Rancher catches me, I’ll just say I’ve wandered half my life and beg him to be my adoptive father.

Passing through the Xuanguan, walking through the four-and-a-half-mat tea room, Huai Shi pulled out the “Legend” manga series, took a deep breath, and charged into the interdimensional gate.

“Wasn’t he wanted?” Su Lin, limping over, saw Huai Shi vanish and entered Himekami’s treasure chamber.

Shi Hao inside the Fountain of Infinite Life seemed to have entered a strange state—his 365 outflowing acupoints opened, revealing layers of dark, profound chaotic space, while the golden sea of suffering beneath his navel shimmered brilliantly, waves surging endlessly toward every acupoint.

Ye Fan remained conscious; using the City Lord Token of the Multiverse City, he opened a spatial rift and poured out an absurdly excessive amount of Five Element spiritual energy resources.

The attempt to create a new method seems to have begun.

Opposite Himekami was a dry landscape rock arrangement representing Mount Penglai; she sat on the corridor watching this scene when Su Lin approached. “What’s that on your leg?”

“A wild raccoon. Might carry trash-bin virus.”

Seeing Shi Hao and Ye Fan already occupied, Su Lin grabbed Xing by the back of his robe and yanked it off his right leg. “They’re supposed to lead the way to prosperity, but they just stole the cultivation technique outright.”

"It’s too late—I don’t have time to train for two and a half years in Shili Slope," Xing said flatly. "All the role slots on the Star Rail are taken. You’re responsible for this."

“.” Su Lin grimaced, his five fingers straining to move, then finally pulled out a Universal Communication Tablet.

Inside a theater blending Baroque and futuristic aesthetics.

The black-and-white tides gradually calmed; the realms of void and existence vanished like illusions, leaving only sacred chants praising the glory of the Eternally Glorious, billions of voices singing the ancient poem.

A massive train, its wall lamps gilded with the luster of old copper, now rested here; after the hatch sealed with a hiss of steam, the panoramic windows reflected the luminous trails of hyperspace jumps, flowing like colored silk.

A massive train, its wall lamps gleaming with an aged bronze sheen, sat parked here; after the cabin doors hissed shut with steam, the panoramic windows reflected the flowing light of hyperspace jump, sliding like colored silk.

On a long table etched with star maps, a 3D route map continuously shifted.

On a row of leather sofas sat the silent members of the Star Rail.

“.” Huang Quan silently glanced at the crew members to her left, then at Sunday, who stared at an alien bonsai. “.”

“.” Huangquan glanced silently at the train crew to her left, then at Sunday, who stared at the alien bonsai: “.”

Her long blade slowly slid back into its scabbard. “No more fighting?”

They all simultaneously pulled out a Universal Communication Tablet—not belonging to any current interstellar communication device.

“.” Walter pressed his thumbs against his brow. “Forgive me, but our train is heading to pick someone up, then attend a friend’s wedding.”

“.” Walter pressed his thumbs against his brow and said, “Forgive me, but our train is en route to pick someone up, then attend a friend’s wedding.”

“What a coincidence—we can all go together and come back together…” San Yueqi tried to lighten the mood, then awkwardly smiled. “Right?”

“What a coincidence—we can all go together and come back together.” San Yueqi tried to lighten the mood, then gave an awkward laugh: “Right?”

Sunday: “.”

Huang Quan’s eyes lowered slightly; she thought for a moment, her gaze sweeping between the two sides. “So what’s the situation now?”

Huangquan’s eyes lowered slightly; she pondered a moment, her gaze sweeping between the two sides: “So what’s the situation now?”

“Damn it.”

Thud. A sturdy figure slammed into the wall of Dorm Room 210.

“Jiawen, feel this guy’s ass!”

“Holy shit, I’m a prince—I don’t like other guys’ asses! If you’re gonna touch, touch here!”

“Holy crap! You two fags, get away from me!”

In the dim bedroom, near the bathroom, Ge Xiaolun clutched his chest, staring in terror at the two “gay bros” before him.

In the dim bedroom, near the bathroom, Ge Xiaolun clutched his chest in terror, staring at the two “gay bros” before him.

He was met with a barrage of punches and kicks—muffled thuds echoed through the room until a shout came from the next room.

“Damn it… this kid’s clearly been training behind our backs! My fists are bruised to hell—look!” Zhao Xin raised his reddened fist, then pointed at Ge Xiaolun, whose terrible acting continued despite his groans.

“F***, get up—stop acting!” Cheng Jiawen kicked Ge Xiaolun. “What kind of divine pill did you take? Or did you jump off a cliff and find a martial arts manual?!”

“No, what are you two doing?” Ge Xiaolun gritted his teeth. “Can’t it just be because I’ve been working hard?!”

“F*** you!” Zhao Xin immediately waved his hand. “Lately you’ve been disappearing, coming back reeking of alcohol and perfume, then the next day training like you swallowed ten bottles of Viagra…”

“Can you not be so crude?!” Ge Xiaolun snapped at Zhao Xin’s flailing gestures.

“Hey hey,” Cheng Jiawen patted Ge Xiaolun’s chest. “Don’t blame us for not warning you—someone upstairs has noticed you. They told us to keep an eye on you. Get it?”

“Holy crap?” Ge Xiaolun blinked. “Me?”

“Your usual cocky behavior is totally abnormal. Last month, that alien armor you secretly kept from the battlefield…”

“Can’t I just collect loot from fallen enemies?!”

“When you fought those demon alien soldiers, the high-tech laser cannon you showed off in front of the goddess—our school doesn’t have that.”

The high-tech laser cannon you displayed when fighting demon alien soldiers isn’t in the school’s equipment.

"I"

Ge Xiaolun punched the wall and retorted: "I’m gifted, I love inventing—what’s wrong with that?!"

"And that poster of the blonde beauty on your bed—Baidu Image Search couldn’t even find the source!"

“That poster of the blonde woman on the wall—I couldn’t even find the source using Baidu Image Search. I’m not making this up.” Zhao Xin said.

"Fuck, she’s my sister, so what?!"

"Your sister looks like that?!"

"My sister Rakis is the most beautiful woman in Demacia!"

Only when saying this did Ge Xiaolun straighten his back, his tone utterly fearless.

Zhao Xin and Cheng Jiawen exchanged a glance, then immediately sprang into action, enthusiastically brushing dust off Ge Xiaolun: "We’re family—look at this whole mess."

"Get lost, get the hell out."

Ge Xiaolun brushed their hands away with disgust.

"You’re really not a good brother!" Zhao Xin cursed:

"Those bastards told us to keep an eye on you, but we ditched them—yet you? Today, either hand over the martial arts manual, or give us your sister’s contact info!"

"Bro, I’m with you heart and soul—you’re playing games with me," Cheng Jiawen sighed, lying down dejectedly: "It’s pointless. We treat you like a brother."

"It’s not—" Ge Xiaolun started to reply, then his expression changed—he sprinted into the bathroom.

Zhao Xin and Cheng Jiawen’s gazes snapped to the bathroom door.

After a while, Ge Xiaolun emerged, face beaming with delight.

"Only three minutes?"

"Two minutes fifty-four seconds—you counted wrong."

"Shut up!"

Ge Xiaolun pulled out an invitation, then glanced at the two men glaring at him in silence: "Don’t say I’m not a good brother—I’m taking you to see the world, eat some divine pills, and when you come back, you’ll take on those aliens like you’ve got god mode on."

Zhao Xin and Cheng Jiawen exchanged a look, then nodded frantically, grinning.

"Uh..." Ge Xiaolun scratched his head, glanced at the invitation, and said: "You’re not family, are you?"

At those words, a handful of yellow paper and incense candles appeared.

The two men grabbed Ge Xiaolun on either side, forced him to kneel with them toward the sky.

"Why not just swear brotherhood?"

The morning mist had not yet cleared when the torii of the Hakkai Shrine was already stained crimson.

Reimu rubbed her eyes, slumped against her broom like a spineless creature—she wouldn’t have left her warm bed if someone hadn’t been setting up here so early.

"How to put it..." Reimu yawned: "I used to treat that crow tengu’s newspaper as nonsense—but now someone actually wants to hold a wedding at the Hakkai Shrine?"

"Aren’t those entries in your diary just a schedule?"

"Hm?" Kaguya pulled out her small notebook, looked up toward the couple in wedding attire practicing their rehearsal—pathetic, like star-crossed lovers just discovering love: Mingfei and Hui Liyi.

"04.24, the Imaginary Tree. Already visited."

「

"04.25, go to Hakkai Shrine with Su Lin—someone’s holding a wedding there."

"It really is like that?"

She pulled out a pen, scribbled furiously, then ran up to Su Lin, holding out the notebook.

——[Su Lin-sama, when do we go to Pinoconny to have nightmares?]

"Madam, I swear on my family’s honor," Sunday bowed gracefully beside Su Lin: "From this day forward, Pinoconny will know only sweet dreams."

He gave Su Lin a slight nod, then walked over to assist the construction crew building the special space and expanding the venue.

"Tch," Kaguya clicked her tongue:

"I thought since I’d be getting the CG anyway, I’d just drag in Reisen and Tei as bedwarmers—haven’t you considered it?"

"You’ve said it seven thousand three hundred and two times," Su Lin replied flatly, shrugging.

"Oh?" Kaguya lifted her head, thought for a moment: "Wasn’t it just a few hundred?"