Star's question caught him off guard.
Trust her?
Out of all the things she could have said, this was the last thing he would have thought of.
'Is she getting influenced by a part of Shuhu?'
Hanya had said before that she felt Shuhu's essence inside of Star. Being one of the victims of his attack many years ago, the attack that cursed both her and her sister to become eternal pawns for the Ten-Lords Commission.
She couldn't mistake the vile essence Star carried.
And now she wanted to do something to Bailu, who was currently in an extremely vulnerable, almost fatal state.
Yuuto's mind began to race.
Should he trust her? What will happen if he does? Will Shuhu take this chance to revive himself?
He didn't know how far the ability of an Emanator of Abundance goes.
It might make the already delicate situation turn even worse.
Yuuto's thoughts didn't relax before sensing a pair of eyes locked onto him. They didn't shake, didn't beg for an answer. They only wished for his honesty.
His breath paused before ultimately relaxing. 'It's already obvious.'
"Go ahead, I trust you."
"Yuuto?" Dan Heng looked at him.
Sensing his stare, Yuuto smiled but didn't change his answer. "Star, go save her."
"Mmm…"
She didn't wait another second before transforming into a ball of blue fire. It radiated heat that wasn't intense enough to burn but just enough to feel against his skin.
This fire plunged inside the center of Bailu's chest, and her body was covered in a light blue hue.
Yuuto and Dan Heng waited for any changes before finally relaxing when they saw Bailu's breathing and pulse returning to normal.
"How long will she stay like this?" Dan Heng asked.
"Not sure. It's my first time seeing her show off this kind of ability. It could be a few minutes to hours."
"...She mentioned before that she was poison that could harm the soul. Could…"
"Not all poisons are dangerous. Some could be used to save lives while cures could be fatal if used wrong. I trust that she'll be the one that Bailu needs."
Dan Heng stayed silent, hearing his words and muttered under his breath. "You trust people too easily."
"Nope, I just trust the people that can be trusted."
"That makes no sense…"
"I know."
Yuuto gave a small laugh and got up. "You know you're one of them as well." He poked Dan Heng's side.
"Thanks."
"Eh, such an empty response. Say it back, won't you?"
Dan Heng frowned when he continued to feel Yuuto poking him and glared at him.
Yuuto didn't mind and continued before turning his head. Looking toward the shadows where a person was hidden.
Watching them silently.
"Now who are you? Why did you help me lock Hoolay out of nowhere?"
He was too distracted when dealing with Hoolay that he completely disregarded the voice that called out to him.
Telling him the cell where Hoolay should be put in, along with activating the safety mechanics that would disable his abilities. Ending the ritual that Bailu was originally in.
Though it failed.
A white sword manifested in Yuuto's hands while Dan Heng latched onto his spear.
The figure felt goosebumps and walked out of the shadows. A long black robe covered his entire body, leaving the hood to hide his face.
The two didn't speak and watched as the figure walked closer to them and kneeled.
Huh?
To be more exact, kneeled in front of Yuuto.
"Exalted Sanctifier, this one greets you."
"".....""
Yuuto felt his mouth twitch while Dan Heng gave him a blank stare. As if questioning what he's been doing in his spare time.
Now being the center of attention, Yuuto gave a small cough and spoke.
"R-Rise."
"Yes."
"Now identify yourself…"
"As you wish."
The robbed man lifted his hood, and a youthful face appeared. It was no longer the weak and haggard appearance it once had but one that was full of energy.
It was a face Yuuto remembered vividly.
"Xiao Ju greets you once more."
The person who was once a member of the Sancutus Medicus and was one who was in charge of covertin— convincing. Convincing members of the organization to leave and instead stop the attacks that were supposed to happen in the story.
The plan proved to be effective, seeing as Dan Shu lost her power with the organization in the end. But that caused other events to take their place.
Such as Mauve Moon taking temporary control of the Ambrosial Arbor and using it to become a Saint.
Yuuto honestly forgot to check up on them, as he had gotten busy, so he didn't know the full extent of what occurred after.
He gathered his thoughts. "Thank you. First of all, how did you even get here?"
If he remembered correctly, this prison was locked from the outside and had some strong security as well.
Not to mention that he also sealed the prison to prevent any prisoners from the top layer from going down and vice versa.
Xiao Ju didn't mind and responded.
"As you ordered, we stayed on standby while also assisting the Cloud Knights in apprehending the remaining members of the Sanctus. It was going smoothly, but it took a turn as the situation on the surface turned dire."
Yuuto frowned at the ominous words and continued to listen.
"Rahu suddenly appeared. Its presence turned the Loufu upside down, and the General ordered an evacuation along with all members of the Cloud Knights and other Commissions to deploy regardless of their position."
"So that explains why the prison is so empty…"
Missing information began piecing itself together.
"We wished to contact you, but you suddenly became unavailable and clueless on how we should proceed; one of your summons reached us."
Yuuto blinked as he thought about who this was.
"It was a little heliobus."
"...Boo?"
The tiny Wubbaboo he saved back at Herta's Station. It seemed like after being separated, he found people to help him.
He deserved praise.
After taking in the information, Dan Heng couldn't help but ask. "You're saying Rahu appeared out of nowhere? How did the ship not notice?"
Xiao Ju glanced at Yuuto as if asking for permission to speak, and he waved him off.
He's an ally.
"...Yes, I'm not sure of the details, but that's what I managed to gather so far."
"How can this…" Dan Heng was stunned.
"That's not all." Yuuto didn't want to dampen the mood, but he had to. "There is also an Emanator of Destruction orchestrating behind the scenes."
Phantylia.
She was already trouble in the game, but the words she left behind made him unsettled.
[Well done, boy. But it's too late now.]
The object that Taoran desperately wanted to get from Bailu.
The Transmutation Arcanum.
The lost ritual that ended during Dan Feng's reign as a High Elder. She had gotten her hands on it.
Yuuto also knew for certain that Rahu wasn't a coincidence, and he had a strong feeling as to who else was involved. He reached into his back pocket and glanced at the card Sparkle left behind.
An invitation.
"What kind of messed-up stage did you invite me to…"
*RING*
Yuuto's eyes flickered, and he looked up.
He needed to go out now.
Xiao Ju noticed a shift and lowered his head.
"Xiao Ju."
"Yes, exalted one."
Yuuto ignored his tone. "If you're here, then that means you have a way to get us out quickly."
"Yes. One of our members worked as a jailer of the prison, so he knows passages that would get us out in no time."
Perfect. The type of words he needed to hear.
Without waiting, the three, along with the unconscious Bailu, went towards the path Xiao Ju led. The hallway was silent and reaching a certain point of the prison, Xiao Ju took out a key.
It was jade in appearance and slotting it into a hidden lock, it opened a passage that was akin to an elevator.
Dan Heng and Xiao Ju got on while Yuuto stared at the elevator.
"What are you waiting for?" Dan Heng noticed that he wasn't stepping in and saw how he was about to pass Bailu onto him.
He didn't mind and reached out, but before he could touch her, Bailu held onto Yuuto and didn't budge.
She had an iron grip on his clothes.
Yuuto smiled wryly. 'Is it Star telling me she doesn't want to leave…?' It can't be helped.
"What's wrong?" Dan Heng was now frowning, seeing Yuuto's odd smile.
"What, I can't smile?"
"You can, but I know that once you smile like that, you're about to do something troublesome."
"That's not nice. When have I ever done something troublesome?"
"You roam around. A lot."
Yuuto clicked his tongue. It's not his fault trouble seems to find him! He cleared his throat. "Remember what I said to you before?"
Dan Heng looked at him, confused.
"You said a lot of things, so be exact."
"That you're one of the people I trust."
"What about it?"
Yuuto laughed at his expression and lowered Bailu gently against the wall.
"I still never heard you say it back to me."
"What are you on about now…"
"Dan Heng, do you trust me?"
His clear eyes suddenly made Dan Heng uncomfortable. It was strange; what has trust got to do with the current situation? He suddenly paused.
No way…
"What are you going to do…?"
This time Yuuto didn't answer and just stared at him. Dan Heng clenched his fist as he thought about this troublesome man in front of him.
Whatever! He knew that this guy was stubborn and that wouldn't change.
"Fine! I trust you, now what?" He gritted his teeth.
"Perfect! You said it yourself, so you can't be mad later."
"Huh?"
SHING!
Dan Heng's eyes turned wide as he looked down. A pure white sword made out of fragments pierced him through the chest. It happened way too fast for him to react.
Surprisingly, there wasn't any pain but the shock was still there.
Along with something inside him slowly waking up.
"Sorry. I need you to protect them while I deal with something. You're the only one I could count on."
Yuuto let go and watched as the sword faded away. Watching him fall unconscious, he looked at Xiao Ju, who remained motionless throughout the whole event.
"Bring him to where my friends are. He should be awake in five minutes and don't worry, he won't cause any trouble when he wakes up."
Though he should expect a scolding later.
Yuuto chuckled.
"Also…"
Flicking his fingers forward, a tall banner with a pure white flag manifested.
"Deploy all the members. Assist them while I'm gone."
"A-As you wish!!"
Xiao Ju felt his body trembling as the flag he once saw when he was at his lowest showered him with light.
He seared this moment into his memories.
Yuuto made the flag disappear and watched as Xiao Ju held the unconscious Dan Heng using his shoulders.
Seeing them disappear, Yuuto took Sparkle's invitation and carried Bailu closely.
The card swirled and expanded. Turning into a portal that would lead him to that annoying girl.
He stepped in.
***
Watching the scenery change, the prison he was once in was no more, and what was replaced was a dire land devoid of any life.
It was disgusting.
All he saw was countless openings that seemed like mouths stretching upwards, and a soft giggle entered his ear.
[You finally came!]
"So this is Rahu?"
[Why are you in such a rush? Aren't you excited to see little ole me again~~!?]
"As if."
Yuuto scoffed and he drowned out the complaints being shoved in his ear.
Sparkle huffed.
[Fine, be that way! It's not like I was the one who was happy to see you accept my invitation…unless?]
"No."
[Hmph!]
Sparkle voiced her displeasure before an annoyed snort made it out instead.
[This old woman is too stubborn…]
BOOOOOM!
An explosion from far away made the ground beneath him tremble and Yuuto used [Clarity] to see what it was.
Focusing his eyes, he saw countless mountains of ice being formed. It could roughly cover up a small town by how far it spread.
But that didn't catch his attention the most.
The fact that a full blue moon began manifesting in the sky. As if it wanted to crush the planet it shone upon.
It was way too familiar.
"Jingliu? What is she…?"
BOOOOM!
Yuuto saw a figure crash to the ground, causing a thick layer of ice to spread outwards.
There he saw a woman who was riddled with injuries, but that didn't stop her. All she wanted at this moment was to destroy the land beneath her.
Even if it meant that she would destroy herself.
"Is she getting mara-stricken!?"
Yuuto had a ton of questions pop up, but he decided that it should be put aside for now.
He pushed against the ground to move forward. As he moved forward, the slower he became. The floor was slowly trying to devour him as well.
"This is too slow."
Carrying Bailu and having the ground pull him downwards, it was becoming a burden.
"If that's the case…"
Yuuto manifested his cold mist to the limit. The Stellaron in him began to beat. The mist swirled upwards, connecting in a pattern that he once used.
Golden streaks mixed in. As if veins were turning this form alive.
[Engine of Creation.]