Yangyang changed the subject: "Let's talk about the clues we gathered yesterday."
Rover was the first to speak up since she had been the one confronted by the person tailing her the day before.
"The person who followed us yesterday claimed to be Camellya, a 'Bloom Bearer' of the Black Shores."
Lucian: "Bloom Bearer of the Black Shores? What kind of position is that?"
"I'm not sure either. She didn't explain in detail." Rover shook her head before speculating, "Maybe it's similar to a steward or something?"
Lucian: "Seems like the Black Shores are keeping a close eye on you. Did you get any other clues from her?"
Rover: "According to her, their goal is to recruit as many talented individuals as possible to save a world on the brink of collapse."
Lucian scoffed: "Save the world? I don't think Encore and Aalto look like the type to be saving the world…" Google seaʀᴄh NoveI~Fire.net
Rover thought for a moment before continuing: "She also said, 'The garden nurtures countless unripe fruits, and you will be the most special 'seed' in this garden…'"
"And her mission is to protect and cultivate such seeds so they may flourish."
"Only when the fruit ripens can it be plucked and its sweetness savored."
"?" Lucian frowned. "Why does that sound so… off?"
Chixia shuddered: "Ugh! It sounds like she wants to devour Rover!"
Lucian glanced at Rover's chest: "I'd say she's already ripe—urk—"
Rover slammed Lucian's head onto the table.
Yangyang stifled a laugh: "Any other information?"
Rover nodded slightly: "She also said, 'Just as the Tethys System foretold, she could sense the explosive potential lying dormant within me. One day, I would surely bear bountiful and beautiful fruit.' Do any of you know what the Tethys System is?"
Both Chixia and Yangyang shook their heads.
Rover turned to Lucian: "Remember that night we met with the Magistrate? Camellya said she was the one who secretly delayed the Fractsidus for us."
Lucian: "Well, that's… surprisingly nice of her."
Yangyang: "For now, it's unclear what this 'Bloom Bearer' intends…"
"So what now? Should we keep wearing the black flower and search for clues in Jinzhou like yesterday?"
Lucian waved his hand: "No need. I have a plan."
Everyone's eyes turned to him.
Lucian pulled out the Mirror of Inquiry, which could be used once per day—meaning its cooldown had already reset.
He pondered for a moment. Originally, he wanted to ask directly about the Black Shores, but since only one question could be asked, he decided it'd be better to locate one of their members instead.
"Mirror, mirror, tell me—where is Encore right now?"
Chixia blinked in confusion: "What are you doing? A magic mirror?"
Rover, sitting beside Lucian, leaned in to look at the mirror's surface.
After a few seconds, blue text slowly appeared on the glass.
[Jinzhou City, Commercial District.]
Rover gasped: "Wait, seriously?"
Lucian nodded confidently: "Certified genuine by the all-seeing eye!"
Chixia, intrigued, snatched the mirror: "Let me see, let me see!"
She stared at the text in amazement: "This mirror is that powerful?"
After a moment of thought, she asked: "Mirror, mirror, who is Lucian's favorite woman?"
A few seconds passed, but the text on the mirror remained unchanged.
Chixia shook it in frustration: "Why isn't it working?"
Lucian took the mirror back and stored it away: "It only answers one question per day. Since I already asked mine, it won't respond again."
Chixia tilted her head: "Lucian, where do you keep getting all these treasures? Did you dig them up from Uncle Chen's stash?"
Lucian shook his head mysteriously: "These are all hard-earned treasures I obtained through great hardship."
Even to those he trusted most, he would never reveal the existence of the System.
Yangyang, ever understanding, interjected: "Alright, everyone has their secrets. In that case, let's head to the commercial district."
Jinzhou Commercial District.
This was the heart of Jinzhou's commerce, where most trade and business took place.
The variety of goods sold here was relatively diverse, catering to all manner of needs.
The antique bonsai shop they had visited while searching for Verina was also located here.
Other notable landmarks included Huaipu Mining, Xunning Office, Treasure Sweets Theater, Jinzhou Theater, the Storyteller's Stage, and the Auspicious Lion Guildhall.
As they searched the district, they soon spotted two familiar figures—one in red, the other in green.
Chixia cheered: "They really are here! And Verina's with her too!"
Encore and Verina turned at the sound of Chixia's voice.
Encore's eyes lit up: "Ah! It's the 'Scammer of Immortality'—Big Brother Lucian!"
Encore dashed over on her short legs and barreled straight into Lucian's arms.
Rubbing his cheek against hers, Lucian smirked: "Encore, why did you give me a fake comms number?"
"Eh?" Encore giggled sheepishly: "That's because Mama said not to give my number to strange adults."
Chixia burst into laughter: "Pfft—HAHAHA! Lucian, I never knew you had that kind of reputation in Encore's eyes!"
Lucian, utterly defenseless against Encore's cuteness, could only demand she give him the real number.
Once his terminal confirmed the connection, he finally put it away with satisfaction.
Yangyang crouched down to speak to Verina: "How did you two end up together?"
Verina smiled: "I ran into her on my way back from the mountains. She looked like she was searching for someone, so I offered to help."
Encore nodded, then suddenly froze when she saw Rover standing beside Lucian.
She slipped out of Lucian's arms and circled Rover, staring intently at her face.
Rover frowned: "Is there something on my face?"
Without warning, Encore pointed dramatically and exclaimed: "Found you!"
Before anyone could react, a familiar voice called out from behind.
"Hey! Little Encore! You had me searching all over for you!"
Lucian spun around—sure enough, it was Aalto.
He immediately shielded Encore behind him: "Hah! Aalto, you fool! You've walked right into your doom! Today, only one of us leaves alive!"
Aalto's face twisted in fury: "You—! You still owe me two million Shell Credits from that scam!"
Rover, confused: "What's going on? Who is this?"
Chixia, grinning: "Fight! Fight!"
"Just a reminder—brawling in public gets you detained."
Lucian declared solemnly: "No need to hold back, Chixia. Today, this duel will settle our scores—and decide life or death!"