How come I was the one being targeted?

"Ah, I also want to go to the Black Tower to confirm some things..."

"As luck would have it, if Mr. Bai Jun doesn't mind, I think we can walk together for a distance."

Screw Gumu put on his top hat again and politely offered an invitation. Bai Jun naturally had no reason to refuse. He was sandwiched between Screw Gumu and Ruan Mei. The three of them chatted while walking towards the Black Tower office at a leisurely pace.

"Have Mr. Screwgum and the Black Tower already guessed about my situation?"

Bai Jun blinked in surprise. It was the first time he heard of this.

"That's right, but at the time we only had a vague guess. We knew it was most likely related to the Envoy, or even the Star God. This sense of dissonance permeated the entire story, but no one dared to jump to conclusions on such a topic. So, it wasn't until you, Mr. Bai Jun, fully demonstrated that attitude that we came to a conclusion."

Screw Gumu turned his head to look at Bai Jun, and there seemed to be a human smile in his mechanical eyes.

"The journey of organic life is always full of changes, which always fascinates me. Take, for example, Mr. Bai Jun, your growth rate is truly astonishing. I've been following you for a long time, and after witnessing your battle yesterday, and witnessing the miraculous light and flames, emotionally speaking, I've completely become your supporter (fan)."

"You are too kind..."

Screw Gumu sometimes praises, sometimes teases, and sometimes makes jokes. He knows more about conversation skills than anyone Bai Jun has ever met, and his emotional intelligence is also incredibly high.

"How does it feel to have a whole new destiny within you? I hope we'll have enough time to get to know each other and find the answer to this question... Oh, and by the way, does the "abundance" within you tend to repel or collide?"

"No, it's more like the two are so compatible that they're practically one. I can switch between them whenever I want."

As he spoke, Bai Jun slowly extended his palm, and a emerald green flame, unlike any before, suddenly rose up, instantly bringing with it a surge of gentle breath and vitality. A cool touch flowed through his body, and even Ruan Mei, who remained silent at the side, widened her eyes and stared blankly at the emerald-like flame.

There is no momentum to destroy everything, no temperature scorching enough to melt everything. The flame lies quietly in the palm of your hand, bringing refreshing warmth and comfort at all times. Just by looking at it, the fatigue accumulated in your body for several days disappears without a trace.

“This is really…”

The Star God found it difficult to guess, and Screw Gumu had been very confused these past two days about the purpose of the power that the pharmacist had injected into Bai Jun's body.

Current research shows that there are only two paths for the development of destiny. One is that the broad destiny swallows up the narrow destiny, and the other is that the destiny collides, that is, the strong destiny eliminates the weak destiny.

But the current situation is indeed a little difficult to understand...

"Mr. Screw Gum, I've heard about the fate of destiny, but I'm curious. When this power grows stronger and stronger, and even becomes a true destiny, will I still be 'Bai Jun'?"

Bai Jun asked the question that concerned him most.

Possessing power rivaling that of a star god is certainly desirable, but what if the price is losing oneself and becoming like the "hunter" Lan? Does he truly have the courage to give up everything he possesses...

"I'm sorry, I can't give you a proper explanation, Mr. Bai Jun. Unfortunately, the club's members seldom come and go, and most of them have died at the hands of the Lord of Silence. Otherwise, perhaps I could find one or two members who are familiar with your physical condition, but..."

Screw Gum paused for a moment, then said seriously:

"But no one in this world can accurately predict the future. Even an omniscient being like the Lord of Knowledge can only constantly simulate and speculate within the information and experience available to him, seeking the most accurate possible outcome... The more you worry, the further you drift from your desired outcome. Conclusion: Day-to-day worrying is wearing away your soul."

The smile in ScrewGum's eyes gradually disappeared. It was no longer the gentleman's face with a gentle smile, but instead seemed to be pursuing absolute rationality... that kind of eager anticipation.

"Like a bonfire deep in the jungle, a lone stone sword points to the stars. The cancer of the myriad worlds spreads across all realms, plagued by calamities. Even the unobservable star gods are constantly changing and disappearing. The world is in chaos. Not just me, but everyone seems to be witnessing the birth of a miracle, the transition to an era called 'hope.'"

As if alternating with Screw Gum, Ruan Mei gently patted Bai Jun's arm and explained to him with a chuckle:

"What ScrewGum meant isn't that hard to understand, Mother Bai. You just need to know that the power of choice is in your own hands. Don't worry too much. Follow your heart and keep pursuing your true intentions. I'm also looking forward to your future."

"Thank you...By the way, what did you call me just now?"

It took Bai Jun less than two seconds to realize Ruan Mei's teasing and he couldn't help but complain.

"Nothing, come to think of it... do you hate me?"

Ruan Mei did not explain the joke just now, but stretched out her slender fingers, as if when they first met, and held Bai Jun's chin with her fingers and gently touched his neck, looking at him carefully.

"Giving you Veritaserum when we first met might seem excessive to you, right?"

"Yes, I was very angry at that time, and until now I have been thinking about taking revenge on you when I have the chance."

Bai Jun was stunned for a moment. After hearing her words, he had no intention of hiding anything and nodded honestly.

Ruan Mei slowly lowered her fingers and gently shook her head. "It's okay if I can't let it go. You don't have to understand my thoughts. It's just that—even if I were given another chance to go back in time, even if I knew you would resent me, I would make the same decision... But among the countless creatures I've met, you're the only one who has successfully proven an exception to my rule."

"No, I'm angry, but I don't hate you. On the contrary, I think you're very similar to me."

"Eh?"

Bai Jun's answer caused a hint of surprise and dullness to flash across his cold and rational light blue eyes.

If this is just Ruan Mei's bad character, something weird that is different from normal people, then maybe that's it.

But after spending some time together, Bai Jun realized that Ruan Mei was at least not a person with bad behavior. In fact, in many aspects, she showed the personality and logic of a normal person..... He always felt that Ruan Mei was very similar to himself in some aspects.

A tear falling from the corner of my eye, embroidery with a similar pattern, a past I deliberately avoid and don't want to touch...

——She was afraid, afraid of losing what she loved, afraid of leaving her, so she was unwilling to pour her feelings into it, and just wanted to escape and cut off the emotions and ties that were involved with her.

So, Bai Jun extended his right hand to her.

"Since you've done something excessive to others, you can't just shirk responsibility. So as punishment, you must be my friend. You are not allowed to refuse."

The connection forced upon her may be her greatest punishment.

However, looking at the outstretched hand, the woman suddenly smiled, and tears came out of her eyes.

"You're really weird. Don't you think you're childish when it comes to making friends?"

Bai Jun's skin wasn't thick enough to be as thick as a city wall, otherwise he wouldn't have been so embarrassed by his second-year remarks afterward. But even so, he forced himself to maintain his expression and reach out. Just as his heart grew colder...

The next second, the pair of soft and warm hands tightly grasped Bai Jun's palm, as if her determination could also be felt through her skin.

The cold beauty who used to be dull and silent now smiled like an innocent child.

"Then please give me your guidance, my friend."

The emotion and meaning imbued in this sentence are indeed shifting.

A layer of skin was shed and the shell was broken.

Maybe that's the way it is.

The nearby Screw Gumu nodded in admiration, as if he had discovered another quality of Bai Junxin's. "What a keen observation, able to see through appearances to see a person's essence. Is it a trait of fate? Or perhaps a person's personality..."

"You're so slow! You've already exceeded the agreed time by three minutes. I didn't expect you to make such a stupid mistake."

Heita's dissatisfied complaints had already reached the ears of the three people who had just opened the door across the huge office. Strangely enough, although Bai Jun was the last one walking among the three, Heita's eyes were fixed on him.

"Bai Jun? Why are you here too?"

"Hmm...it seems like there's really nothing else to do. Allow me to take my leave first."

Bai Jun also fell into deep thought. Indeed, his question had already been answered when he was chatting with Luosi Gumu. So there seemed no need for him to continue following, so he decisively chose Kairun.

"Wait, now that we're here, let me tell you something."

However, Heita suddenly stopped him, ruffling the hair beside his cheek while casually saying, "When you first came to the space station, didn't you keep pestering me for the technology to make dolls? Since you helped the space station once, I'll make an exception..."

"Could it be that Heita, you have finally figured it out and want to teach me?"

"What are you thinking about?"

Before Bai Jun could get excited, Heita shook his head and made a big cross with his arms in front of his chest.

"It's not that I don't want to teach you, but puppetry involves a lot of private secrets, which isn't really appropriate from your perspective as a Xianzhou person... But if you're willing to give up your status there and become a little follower in my house, not only puppetry, but anything you want, I can give you~"

A meaningful and lovely smile appeared on Heita's delicate face.

"Please allow me to refuse."

"Tsk, you're so decisive in rejecting me. I hope you won't be so stunned when you see my true form next time."

Heita snorted in annoyance and didn't continue to keep the secret. "Although I can't teach you the technology of making puppets, I have no problem making a few for you for free. The time is not a problem. Just tell me the various data of the body when the time comes."

"Puppet? I didn't expect Mr. Bai Jun to be interested in this field..."

Screw Gumu and Ruan Mei almost simultaneously turned their gazes towards Bai Jun, especially the latter, whose eyes seemed to be almost emitting rays of light.

Bai Jun smiled awkwardly, scratched his cheek, and explained somewhat sheepishly, "I'm not interested in this field. I just wanted to fulfill a certain idiot's wish to taste dessert."

--------

"The Ten Kings' holy decisions are eternal."

As the moonlight gradually set, a judge in snow-white clothes walked out from the depths of the street, blocking the fox man's last way out.

"It's endless. Do you really think I'm afraid of you?"

In desperation, the brown-haired fox man gave up his plan to escape. Determined to get a new one even at the risk of his life, he let out a howl and swung his sharp claws towards the judge in front of him.

The judge reacted quickly and just before he could respond, the iron chain he was carrying was stretched into a loop, trapping his attacking claws.

Amazing sparks were ignited from the contact between the claws and the iron chain, briefly illuminating the darkness deep in the alley. The force carried by the claws made it seem a little difficult for the iron chain to connect, and the fox man seized this opportunity. The moment his left claw broke away, his body spun at high speed, and his right claw attacked the snow-covered girl from another angle.

The cold moonlight drew a trace, and with its astonishing power, it collided with the Judge's Demon-Breaking Cone, producing a large amount of sparks and a piercing wail.

The fox man looked at his right hand which was twisted into an unnatural angle. Instead of feeling any fear, he burst into laughter.

At the end of the sight, there were several hideous claw marks on the left shoulder of the judge in white clothes. There was no blood flowing, but a faint electric current spreading and parts collapsing.

"It turned out to be the stinky machine of the Ten Kings. I thought it was something else... A mechanical body is ultimately inferior to the bodies of us immortals. Its potential is unfathomable."

The next second, his broken left hand was forcefully straightened, and after the terrifying cracking sound faded away, his left hand returned to its intact state.

However, the object of ridicule did not waver at all. Xue Yi's eyes were still as gray and cold as ice, as if everything happening before her was extremely boring and not worth mentioning.

He grasped the iron chain and the Demon-Breaking Cone Snow Coat and quickly retreated, preparing to create some distance between him and the enemy. The confrontation between the enemy and me was as delicate as a balance. If one side tilted, the other side would inevitably take advantage of the situation.

“Too slow!!!”

Seizing this fleeting opportunity, the fox man's figure blurred into a brown storm, leaving a sharp footprint on the spot. He used his body as a taut bow and an arrow, and launched a surprise attack on the ground.

The high-speed and violent claw strikes are like a mad beast fighting in a trapped state, abandoning all skills and thinking, relying entirely on the beast's bloodthirsty instinct and desire for destruction.

The left claw that struck the ground first swung out a cold arc in the air, and then the right hand curled up the fingers into a claw, like a sharp spear thrusting straight into the chisel. The smooth attack like flowing water did not give the judge a chance to think or hesitate. While she dodged the left claw by turning sideways, the right hand took the opportunity to stab in.

Succeeded——!

The touch from his right hand made the fox man smile with joy. In his eyes, this cunning judge had already sentenced him to death. The fox man smiled and wanted to pull out his right hand, but it was firmly dragged away. Several circles of chains were intertwined with each other, like spider silk, tightly entangling his arm.

"Now, you can't run away, right?"

The judge did not feel any pain from the piercing of his shoulder blade. His eyes sparkled among his black hair, and his expression reminded the fox man of a predator that smelled blood.

"Stop pretending to be such a fox! Do you really think I'm the one who can't escape? You're the prey, right?"

The beast trapped in the trap struggled frantically. The fox man pulled the chain hard, and every inch of his muscles squeaked as they were tensed. The chain was pulled so hard that it made a teeth-grinding sound of dislocation, and the shadow formed by the giant claw of his left hand attacked the judge's head.

At this distance, the Judge had no room to dodge, but her expression did not change. She just slowly stretched out her right arm, across the path of the giant claw's attack, trying to block the attack with her slender and fragile arm.

A ferocious smile appeared on the corner of the fox man's mouth, as if he had already seen the scene of the judge's head being chopped into pieces by his claws in the next second.

However.....

The judge's thin arm easily blocked his claw attack, sparking dazzling sparks that illuminated the fox man's astonished face.

"How, how is this possible? What on earth did you do!!!"

The fox man, caught in confusion, tried to flee backwards, but the chains that he could not break free of forced him to lose his balance. The next second, he was responded by the sharp and heavy magic-breaking cone.

Like the tip of a sword piercing his wolf-like jaw, the fugitive, possessed by the madness, flailed left and right, unable to shake off the tightly gripping Judge. He writhed in agony for a long moment, blood gushing out before he lost consciousness and collapsed into a heap.

The judge slowly pulled out the demon-breaking cone, and blood soaked her whole body.

"Master Xueyi! I, I'm here! How's it going here? Are you okay?"

"I'm fine, just some minor injuries that are not worth mentioning."

A small matcha-flavored cake came anxiously with a spirit-calling banner, and the judge in blood-stained clothes stood up from the fox man's body and lifted his blood-stained hair as if nothing had happened.

"You, you're saying that again, always taking your own body for granted... I've stuffed all the best, hardest, and most sensitive parts into Master Xueyi's body, but your injury and damage rates are still the highest in the department this month... The craftsmen in the Questioning Department are starting to complain."

She saw Huo Huo's fox ears wiggling. Was he expressing frustration?

"Also, Master Snowcoat, your attendance rate this month is a bit too high. Master Jackdaw has told you countless times to take good rest."

"Sorry, I just wanted to... No, it's nothing, I'll just take a few days off."

Xue Yi stood on the eaves, and in the moonlight she could clearly see the black-patterned arm armor. There were more than twenty shallow scratches on the arm armor, like a warrior's medals, and each one represented a fatal attack that had been blocked for her.

She unconsciously stroked the traces of the marks, as if she could feel the warmth of that person through the cold armor. Whenever she thought of this, Xue Yi felt an indescribable emotion in her heart.

She hadn't seen Bai Jun this month, although she had heard that he was leaving Xianzhou temporarily for a trip, but... she had rejected his invitation a few days before he left Xianzhou. Because of the hesitation and entanglement in her heart, she missed the opportunity to see him for the last time.

Self-loathing was swirling in her heart. She reflected on her behavior, blamed herself, and regretted not seeing Bai Jun for the last time before he left.

Although it was only a short separation of one month, Xue Yi felt a sense of loss and loneliness that she had never felt before. Her heart seemed to be constantly burning in fire. She was so painful that she wanted to find Bai Jun right now and bow to him to apologize.

So painful, so regretful...

It was as if he wanted to use countless battles to dispel the slight pain in his heart, but every time this arm armor saved his life, this pain in his heart would surge up again, counterproductively turning into an even stronger emotion.