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Time flowed leisurely.
After several days, Bochang found himself once again in Belo's Lower District—Boulder Town.
Not much had changed here.
However, Bochang underwent significant transformations, greatly enhancing his strength and deepening his relationships with Stelle and March 7th.
As they stopped outside Natasha's Clinic, Bochang encountered an old acquaintance—Seele.
Her unkempt blue hair draped casually over her shoulders, with a tuft sticking up like an antenna, inviting the urge to touch it gently.
With a cold gaze, the girl in a blue dress leaned against the wall, cradling a large azure sickle in her arms.
Seeing Bochang, Seele showed no emotional fluctuation. Her voice remained icy as she said, "Meeting again so soon, Bochang. I thought it might be a long time before our paths crossed, but here we are..."
"I'm back to take care of some matters." Bochang examined Seele's tall figure from top to bottom. "I didn't expect to return this quickly either, but... seeing you looking so energetic is genuinely pleasing."
"And who is this?"
Stelle had never met Seele before.
Due to Bochang's intervention, the Astral Express Crew had limited knowledge about the Lower District.
"Seele, a member of the Earthfire Group. You must be Stelle, right? I've seen your portrait," the blue-haired girl introduced herself proactively.
Stelle nodded in acknowledgment.
Bochang had no intention of prolonging pleasantries and directly asked, "Seele, is Tingyun inside?"
"If you're referring to that peculiar person with ears and a tail, yes, she's in there."
Seele maintained her usual cold demeanor.
Unfazed, Bochang led Stelle past the blue-haired girl and entered the clinic.
As a renowned doctor in the Lower District,
Natasha's clinic was...
often bustling with patients.
Sometimes Natasha alone couldn't manage the workload, requiring Seele's assistance.
Before Bochang had taken more than a few steps, he spotted Tingyun seated in her wheelchair.
The Fox Lady was immobilized by numerous metal plates strapped to her body; she couldn't move at all, looking quite pitiful. Upon seeing familiar faces, tears welled up in her eyes as she said, "Benefactors..."
From Bochang's earlier conversation with Phantylia, it became clear that during their game of hide-and-seek, Tingyun had indeed been switched out for a decoy.
In a brutal act, Phantylia had tossed Tingyun onto Jarilo VI, causing severe injuries.
As for what happened afterward, Phantylia remained unaware, nor did she care—after all, she believed her actions wouldn't significantly impact the larger scheme.
Before Bochang and Stelle arrived, March 7th and Bailu had already come down to the clinic. However, now only the pink-haired girl stayed by Tingyun's side, while Bailu was busy discussing medical techniques with Natasha inside another room.
March 7th, who was attending to Tingyun, turned around. "You two got here pretty quickly..."
Ignoring March 7th, Bochang looked directly at the Fox Lady and said, "Long time no see, Miss Tingyun. We were terribly worried when we learned about Phantylia replacing you. I'm relieved to see you're alright."
Finally... Bochang's long-held wish was fulfilled.
Ever since uncovering Phantylia's plot, his thoughts had constantly been with this Fox Lady. Seeing her safe now lifted a heavy burden from his heart.
Feeling somewhat ignored, March 7th narrowed her eyes, determined to find an opportunity to show Bochang who's boss.
Tingyun, having learned from Bailu and March 7th that they were continuously searching for her, experienced a peculiar mix of emotions.
"I am truly grateful for your concern, dear benefactors. If not for your efforts... I fear it might have taken me much longer to return to Xianzhou Luofu..." Tingyun's fox ears drooped slightly, appearing somewhat dispirited.
The Fox Lady was merely an ordinary administrative staff member. Stranded on Jarilo VI, such a remote and impoverished place, without any unforeseen circumstances, her chances of returning to Xianzhou Luofu would have been extremely slim.
Fortunately, fate intervened. Bochang's arrival reignited Tingyun's hope of finding her way home.
Curious, Stelle asked, "Speaking of which... why did you end up here?"
"Well, you see..."
Before Tingyun could respond, Natasha emerged from the adjacent office, followed by a young dragon girl savoring white lotus petals.
It was evident that these were the same white lotuses Bochang had left behind earlier. Despite several days passing, they remained fresh as new.
"Tingyun was found outside the city by Sampo and brought here," Natasha explained. "Fortunately, thanks to the white petals you left, she recovered swiftly. Her condition was quite dire initially."
Natasha gestured with open hands.
When Tingyun first arrived at the clinic, she could only lie on the bed, unable even to sit up—a mere luxury at that point.
After several days of continuous treatment...
Tingyun finally managed to sit in a wheelchair.
With a gentle sigh, Bochang reassured her, "Don't worry, Tingyun, we've already avenged your mistreatment."
"I've heard about it, benefactor. Thank you very much," Tingyun replied courteously.
From the Fox Lady's tone, Bochang sensed a hint of unfamiliarity.
Indeed...
The time Tingyun spent with Bochang was brief, while most of their interactions later were actually with Phantylia.
This was not the genuine Fox Lady.
Bochang asked, "Tingyun, when do you plan to return to Xianzhou Luofu? Should we depart now with you, or would you prefer to recover here for some time before we come back to fetch you?"
"Let's leave right away, benefactor," Tingyun replied. "I wish to heal my injuries aboard Xianzhou Luofu."
Compared to Jarilo VI, Xianzhou Luofu offered far superior medical facilities.
"I've already caused much trouble for Dr. Natasha; I cannot burden her further." Tingyun tried to turn and look at Natasha beside her but, after a slight effort, gave up.
Bochang agreed, "Alright."
"So you're leaving again so soon?" Natasha suddenly spoke up, her red-eyed gaze fixed intently on Bochang and his companions.
Tingyun responded, "Once my wounds have healed, I'll visit again, Dr. Natasha. Your kindness will never be forgotten, and there will surely be a way to repay it someday."
Without Sampo and without Natasha,
Tingyun undoubtedly would have perished; how could she have survived otherwise?
"Saving lives is a doctor's duty," Natasha shook her head. "Miss Tingyun knows well that I do not seek repayment."
"Dr. Natasha..."
Tingyun seemed about to say something but ultimately held her tongue.
Initially, Tingyun indeed referred to Natasha as her benefactor. However...
Natasha disliked this title, so Tingyun switched to addressing her as Dr. Natasha instead.
"Now, Xianzhou Luofu believes Miss Tingyun has sacrificed herself. It would be appropriate for you to return; otherwise, they'll proceed with your funeral preparations." March 7th scratched her head.
While Bochang and the others were searching Jarilo VI for Tingyun, Xianzhou Luofu had already started organizing the funeral ceremony. Dan Heng, Welt Yang, and Serval had been tirelessly busy with the arrangements.
Bochang remarked, "Miss Tingyun returning now will surely give everyone quite a shock..."