Chapter 423: Huang Quan

Can you simultaneously pull in the people of Xianzhou, the members of the Starry Sky Train, and even a Ling Shi?

His face remained impassive, only showing a startled expression: "Oh? So this actually exists. Thank you, Black Tower Lady, for clarifying."

He shifted his tone, asking as if in casual conversation, "But, seeing your current backdrop, Lady… it doesn't seem to be within my Luofu? When did you leave? It's a pity we couldn't extend the host's courtesy."

He was testing, trying to confirm who the "Black Tower" that previously appeared on Xianzhou actually was.

Black Tower's response was impatient: "I go wherever I want, need to report to you? The tea snacks on Xianzhou are just so‑so, the Space Station's coffee beans are running low, I'll go back restock, okay?"

She gave no explanation of her whereabouts, speaking as if it were obvious, with the arrogance typical of a genius.

"Naturally, naturally."

Jing Yuan's smile remained unchanged, flowing graciously, "I was presumptuous. Lady's affairs are busy; if there's nothing else…"

"Nothing."

Black Tower briskly cut off Jing Yuan's possible politeness, the projection flickered, "Got other business, leaving."

The light screen dimmed instantly, and the communication cut off.

The study returned to silence.

Beside them, Yan Qing was somewhat indignant: "General, this Black Tower Lady is too …"

He wanted to say "looks down on everyone," but Jing Yuan raised a hand to stop him.

"No problem."

Jing Yuan picked up the chess piece again, turning it on his fingertip, his gaze deep, "The reason a genius is a genius naturally has its reasoning, and also its privileges."

He paused for a moment, seeming to digest the information from the earlier conversation.

Gui Naifen's statement received partial confirmation from Black Tower.

Black Tower seemed indifferent to the Xianzhou trip, or rather, she might know something but was too lazy to explain.

Things were becoming more interesting.

"Yan Qing." Jing Yuan spoke again.

"Present!"

"Send the order to release that Gui Naifen girl. With no concrete evidence, and Black Tower Lady indirectly testifying for her, there's no need to continue detaining her."

"Understood!"

"However,"

Jing Yuan added, his tone calm yet unmistakable, "Her involvement is not yet fully clear. Notify Xue Yi and Han Ya, switch to protective observation. Her daily activities need not be restricted, but monitor the people she contacts and where she goes. If any irregularities arise, report promptly."

"Understood, sir!"

Yan Qing took the order, understanding the general's intent—release, but not fully, keep a covert watch.

Perspective shift.

A Xing walked along the main street of Pinokanni.

Her steps were neither fast nor slow, hands habitually in her pockets, golden eyes quietly scanning the bizarre surroundings.

Huge billboards streamed vivid colors, playing melodies and dances she couldn't understand; oddly shaped hovering vehicles glided silently over the street, leaving faint light trails; at shop entrances, neon signs that waved on their own and drifting soda bottles filled with tempting liquid created a scene almost fairy‑tale yet overly saturated and bustling.

A bit noisy.

The lighting is too bright.

The sweet, cloying scent in the air made her nose itch a little.

She didn't know where this was either.

Chang Ye Yue was gone.

All around were unfamiliar people and scenery.

A Xing stood still, blinked, her face expressionless, but she felt a bit bewildered inside.

Just as she wondered whether she should first find a local trash can to investigate for clues, the familiar, slightly lazy voice of Black Curtain Lady rang in her mind, and a few lines of clear textual commands and images seemed to appear before her eyes.

New Task.

Collect data.

Target list: Huang Quan, Huahuo, Robin, Xing Qi Ri…

A Xing finished reading, and the sense of bewilderment faded a bit.

Having something to do is better than standing stupidly.

She first pulled up the picture of the first target and examined it closely.

A tall woman, long hair fading from deep purple, skin so pale it was almost translucent, purple eyes empty and unfocused.

She wore an asymmetrical outfit with hints of purple and crimson, boots of mismatched lengths, and a long blade at her waist.

Her aura… seemed not very approachable.

Her name was Huang Quan.

A Xing memorized the face, then lifted her head, beginning to slowly scan the bustling crowd around, trying to spot a figure matching the description.

She looked very carefully, from this side of the street to that side, from near to far…

Then, her gaze halted.

Across the street, at the entrance of a dessert shop glowing with soft warm light, a person stood quietly.

She tilted her head slightly, looking at the cakes displayed in the shop window, but her gaze didn't focus on the cakes, more as if looking through the window at some distant void.

Deep‑purple gradient hair, pale skin, purple pupils, asymmetrical attire, mismatched boots, and the long blade at her waist that remained unusually still even in the dream‑like lighting.

Exactly the same.

A Xing tilted her head back slightly, a faint surprise flashing in her gray‑gold eyes.

What a coincidence?

She'd just received the task, and the target was staring off across the street?

This luck… is it a bit too good?

Anyway, the target is right before our eyes.

The bewilderment A Xing felt from the inexplicable teleportation completely vanished, replaced by a solid sense of having found direction.

Just as she was still pondering which way would make contact more natural, the person across the street staring absentmindedly at the shop window seemed to sense her gaze and slowly turned his head.

Separated by the endless flow of sparse pedestrians, their eyes met.

Huang Quan's empty, violet pupils seemed to flicker slightly upon seeing A Xing, like a tiny stone dropped into a calm lake, sending a barely perceptible ripple.

Then, she stopped looking at the shop window, stepped forward, crossed the street directly, and walked toward A Xing.

A Xing stood still, unmoving.

Huang Quan didn't walk quickly, but her steps were steady; her long boots made almost no sound on the smooth pavement.

She came to A Xing's side, stopped, and looked at her; in her empty violet eyes reflected A Xing's expressionless face.

"Xing."

Huang Quan spoke, her voice a bit low but clear, "What are you doing here?"

A Xing's face showed no change, and she quickly adjusted her strategy in her mind.

It seems we know each other; then let it flow naturally.

She lifted her hand and pointed at a trash can on the street corner, its shape oddly inviting exploration, and replied in a flat tone, "I think there might be something good there."

That answer didn't seem to catch Huang Quan off guard.

She was silent for two seconds, glanced at the trash can in the direction A Xing's finger pointed, then turned back to A Xing and said seriously, "I still advise you not to touch those things. It's not good."