"Isn't there a powerhouse with you? Just let him help you out."
Lily Bai's eyes widened. "How did you... how did you know?"
"Just a guess. Slipped up, didn't you?" Lord Faustin's voice was mischievous.
Lily Bai: "..."
"Anyway, you're so far away, I can't do anything about it. That's it, then! Don't contact me unless it's urgent, or people will get suspicious. Stay safe!"
Lily Bai: "Okay, Master."
After hanging up, Lord Faustin withdrew the barrier.
As soon as he did, a face appeared at the window.
"Ah!" Lord Faustin jumped in fright. "Young Master Leo, what are you doing? Why are you standing by the window so quietly?"
"Why did you put up a barrier, Lord Faustin? Who were you talking to just now?" Leo Li stared at him.
Lord Faustin coughed awkwardly and leaned over, showing Leo Li the cover of the book. "Wanna see? I'll lend it to you. It's full of pictures! Super realistic!"
Leo Li saw the title: "Silver Vase Plum."
He immediately looked away, as if just seeing those three words would burn his eyes.
"If you're reading this, you gotta put up a barrier and read it alone." Lord Faustin grinned wickedly. "Want it or not? I'll give it to you."
Leo Li turned and walked away. "You keep it to yourself!"
Shameless old man!
Lord Faustin waited until Leo was far away before he smiled and opened the book.
Inside, it really was all pictures.
All sorts of complicated array diagrams.
Beneath the outer cover, there was another title page: "Coiling Dragon Array Secret Scroll," by Bianca Whitefan.
...
Half of this small city was built on the mountain.
The other half lay below the mountain.
They found an inn with a wide view up on the mountain and settled in.
Then, following her master's instructions, Lily Bai waited until nightfall and set up an array.
The water from the moat silently rose into the air, forming a thin barrier that enveloped the entire city.
In the room, a Water-Mirror stood tall. Through it, Lily Bai could see part of the barrier.
"Azure Flame," Lily Bai called. "My cultivation isn't strong enough—I can't see the whole barrier. Can you lend me some spiritual power?"
Azure Flame heard her and suddenly said, "Baxa just woke up in the Life-pouch! I need to go check on him."
With that, she left for the room next door.
On her way out, Azure Flame grabbed Nine Li too. "You're coming with me."
Nine Li: "Huh? I—I—Senior Sister..."
The door closed.
Only Shenxiao and Lily Bai were left in the room.
Lily Bai glanced at Shenxiao but said nothing.
Shenxiao walked behind her and placed a hand on her back.
This... was way too close.
His aura pressed in on her—restrained and powerful, with a hint of hidden aggression.
Lily Bai's mind was a bit slow to react.
"Focus." Shenxiao said, slowly channeling a surge of immense spiritual power into her body.
Lily Bai's Heaven's Eye instantly cleared.
The entire city and the water-mirror barrier fell into her Divine Sense.
A flock of birds flew this way and crashed into the invisible water-mirror barrier. They flapped around in confusion, then finally circled up and around.
The bats were smarter.
They seemed to sense the barrier and simply flew around it.
Some other birds crashed into the barrier too.
Some even got knocked out. So silly.
"Pfft!" Lily Bai burst out laughing.
Shenxiao asked, "What's so funny?"
Lily Bai turned to look at Shenxiao and said, "Want to know? If you do, answer my question first—what is your true body, and why do you keep it hidden?"