March 7th and Welt, still at some distance, could clearly see that Bailu and Godzilla's tail were swaying in perfect sync.
"Phew!"
Just then, a blast of hot breath whooshed out, making Bailu's body reflexively freeze.
The next second, a pair of vertical pupils opened.
An overwhelming pressure surged forth. Even without directly seeing the eyes, Bailu's instincts screamed at her:
A top-tier predator was watching his territory.
And was watching the little animal that had intruded into it.
------------------------------
"Sigh, I say, everyone, there's no need for you to be so anxious. Since I've given you my word, I guarantee there won't be any problems. That dragon girl is probably having a great time right now."
"Jing Yuan! I'm not joking with you this time. If anything happens to the High Elder, I will personally report you to the Alliance! Don't think you're the only one qualified to sit as the General of Luofu!"
The Vidyadhara Preceptor angrily struck the deck of the Star Skiff with his cane, making a thunderous noise.
Jing Yuan had no doubt that if provoked any further, this old man would jab a giant hole through the Star Skiff with his cane.
He had no desire to suddenly fall off mid-journey.
"Hmph." Seeing Jing Yuan back down, the Vidyadhara Preceptor let out a cold snort, then turned and left, grumbling in frustration.
The Vidyadhara are considered one of the top-ranked species in the universe.
Their unique reincarnation ritual adds a mysterious aura to their race.
Long-lived species like them are quite rare.
Even in massive IPC, most members are short-lived species.
He wasn't sure if Bailu held any appeal in the eyes of that beast. Even if the Vidyadhara's reincarnation wasn't attractive to it, Bailu's body alone might not be enough to dissuade its hunger.
Aside from a few verified righteous individuals, almost all Emanators in the universe are shrouded in mystery.
Moreover, from what he understood of the various Path Emanators, only one ancient emanator had a beast-like form of such magnitude...
Bailu's petite body wasn't even enough for an appetizer!
Regardless, the power of the Vidyadhara High Elder must not be lost!
...
Godzilla slowly opened his eyes. His vertical pupils dropped, locking onto the little dragon girl in front of him.
He could sense the vast power hidden inside her small body.
It must be the High Elder power of the Vidyadhara.
As a transmittable power, the Vidyadhara's strength had a traceable lineage through the ages.
While not at the very pinnacle of cosmic power, it was still formidable beneath the level of the Emanators. Of course, this was largely due to the mysterious disappearance of the Aeon of Permanence.
"Roar~" Godzilla let out a low growl.
Even though the energy within Bailu was considerable, it was still too little for him—especially after just absorbing a giant power source. Bailu's tiny form just didn't appeal to him now.
He flicked his tail upward. Stelle, who was in the middle of stretching and exercising, was flung into the air and then caught again by his tail.
This was a game he and Stelle often played.
"That's strange, why can't I hear that lady's voice anymore?" March 7th put her hand to her brow, curiously observing Godzilla.
Having personally witnessed Phantylia being sealed into a small box, she clearly remembered its endless chatter afterward.
It had only been a few days—no way Phantylia would suddenly go silent.
Clang.
Just as March 7th was searching for the small box containing Phantylia, a clang rang out.
Following the sound, she saw Stelle holding a bat and curiously knocking on a hexagonal bronze plate on Godzilla's tail.
"So this is the mechanism sealing Phantylia? It's got a pretty unique design. I think I've seen something similar at the Artisanship's Commission, but those were only meant for sealing small items. This is the first time I've seen one this big."
Qingque pinched her chin, closely examining the device rumored to imprison the Lord Ravager.
Emanators are incredibly rare in the universe, and even among the few that exist, most don't roam around freely.
Hmm, the current structure of authority isn't exactly relaxed either.
"Sorry to interrupt your fun."
While everyone was busy with their own activities, a Cloud Knight walked in.
It was Ji Yi.
Other than Yanqing, Ji Yi was the Cloud Knight closest to Godzilla. Having just returned from vacation, he was promptly drafted by Jing Yuan to help out.
But Ji Yi was more than happy to oblige.
Though he didn't understand the higher-ups' thoughts or political games, he felt completely at ease in Godzilla's presence.
As a middle-aged soldier, he carried significant pressure, but being near Godzilla's calming aura dissolved that burden.
This was his post, and he wasn't about to give it up!
"Mr. Ji Yi, is something the matter?" Qingque asked.
"It's nothing major. Just some word from our scouts—General Jing Yuan and the Vidyadhara Preceptor are on their way here. I think their target is probably... her."
"Eh? That Preceptor found us already?"
Upon hearing that The Vidyadhara Preceptor was coming, everyone instantly perked up.
As for Jing Yuan... at least Qingque had nothing to fear. She had a solid reason—Jing Yuan was at fault for what happened a few days ago!
"Run while you can!"
Hearing The Vidyadhara Preceptor was coming, Bailu turned and tried to flee, but barely took two steps before being pulled back.
"What are you afraid of? I, your big sis, am standing right here! If that Preceptor dares to act up, I'll shoot a hundred holes in him!"
March 7th stood with her hands on her hips. She'd had it with those Preceptors from the start—just a bunch of old men bullying a little girl. Shame on them!
Meanwhile...
A large crowd had already arrived at the Scalegorge Waterscape.
"Why did you stop? Not going in?" Jing Yuan asked with a light chuckle, noticing the Preceptor deliberately slowing his pace.
"Hmph, I was just thinking about how to persuade the Little High Elder to go back."With a cold snort, the Preceptor braced himself and walked ahead.
Watching his back, Jing Yuan silently rubbed his waist.
...
The Preceptor tried not to let his gaze drift toward the mountain range behind Stelle and the others.
He had seen giant beasts before. In his memory, the Star-Devouring Beast wasn't anything particularly rare. The Vidyadhara clan's records were far more detailed than those of ordinary factions.
But the one he saw today made his heart tremble.
A beast at the Emanator level—where could something like that even hide?
Even if ordinary people couldn't encounter one, how would someone like him, a Preceptor stationed on the Xianzhou year-round, not know of it?
Under the immense pressure radiating from that colossal figure behind them, the Preceptor chose to follow his heart.
"Ahem, Lady Bailu, you've been out for too long. It's time to return."
Jing Yuan stood to the side, the corners of his eyes crinkling with amusement.
This was the first time he had seen such an attitude from a Preceptor.
In the past, these Preceptors always looked down on others, thinking the Vidyadhara were superior.
Within their clan, they considered themselves even more superior than ordinary members. Speaking politely like this? A first.
Just as he was smiling, the smile suddenly froze on his face.
Next to Stelle, Qingque was trying to kill the scheming general with her eyes.
"No! I want to play here!" Bailu's eyes lit up. She keenly noticed the Preceptor's change in attitude.
This old guy was following his heart—great! People should follow their hearts!
The Preceptor's face stiffened.
"Hey, I'm telling you—if Bailu wants to play, just let her! What trouble could she get into on the Xianzhou?! And if you're really worried about her safety, can't you assign someone to protect her? Always acting so controlling like this..."
March 7th wasn't about to humor this old man. Just because he was elderly didn't mean she wouldn't argue back. An old man without shame or respect deserved every bit of her sharp tongue!
Sure, the Preceptor treated Bailu well, but that didn't mean he was friendly to the rest of them.
Over the past few days, he'd argued with Jing Yuan several times over the matter of Godzilla in the Scalegorge Waterscape.
Now, with Bailu sneaking out, his opinion of the others wasn't favorable.
Especially since Qingque, a Diviner, was among them. He'd seen her around recently and naturally assumed they were all staff like her.
"Hmph, since when do people like you get to meddle in matters of the Vidyadhara clan? Leave the Scalegorge Waterscape at once!"
If Jing Yuan weren't standing nearby, he would have been even more arrogant.
"Hmm? What are you laughing at?"
The Preceptor noticed the grey-haired girl nearby seemed to be laughing and immediately turned to question her.
The next second...