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Seeing these options appear, Bochang was momentarily taken aback.
The "Dating Options" presented a straightforward choice:
By continuing to walk ahead, he could earn a reward, and doing so would likely...
Decrease the chances of encountering Phantylia.
This wouldn't technically violate his agreement with the Stellaron Hunters either, as they couldn't guarantee that Phantylia would definitely strike—it was merely a possibility.
"In that case... how should I decide? Should I confront Phantylia or avoid the battle altogether?"
After careful consideration,
Bochang ultimately chose the second option.
"Stelle, let's take a look down this way."
Bochang stopped, gazing at the adjacent alley. Its neatly paved gray stone path indicated that it once bustled with artisans' activity. However, due to the current chaos within the Artisanship Commission, not a single person was visible.
"The alley? Isn't it empty inside? What's the point of going there?" Stelle looked puzzled.
Bochang smiled, "Precisely because it's empty, there's value in exploring, isn't that right?"
Stelle glanced sideways, frowning slightly... After a moment of contemplation, her golden eyes fixed on Bochang without blinking. "Do you wish to do something Sese-like?"
"Cough... No, I just want to take you around for a stroll." Bochang gently took Stelle's hand, expressing his determination through this gesture.
"Oh... I see, let's go then."
Stelle revealed a gentle smile. For someone who often wore a cold expression, her sudden warmth was quite captivating. Her face resembled a flawless painting, with defined features and luminous fair skin. When she smiled, it added an enchanting charm, making even the surrounding scenery seem to lose its vibrancy.
Gazing at Stelle's bright eyes and radiant smile, Bochang unconsciously tightened his grip on her hand.
"Let's walk together."
Bochang led Stelle down the quiet alleyway. The houses on both sides exuded an ancient aura, some adorned with various signs hanging over their entrances.
The Artisanship Commission wasn't merely a workplace for artisans; it was also where they lived. Compared to the Divination Commission, the sense of community life here felt stronger. Outside, there was even an entire commercial street dedicated to trade.
This alley catered specifically to visiting tourists seeking mechanical trinkets.
As Bochang entered the narrow lane, he immediately sensed eyes watching him from the shadows, detected by his Spider Sense.
However, those gazes seemed restless and distant.
Bochang decided against alarming the potential threats prematurely.
After walking for some time...
The hidden figure could no longer resist revealing its fangs.
Bochang distinctly felt intense malice emanating from behind, as if needles were pricking his skin.
Despite hearing no sound of movement, he knew...
An enemy's attack was imminent.
In such a situation, Bochang couldn't afford carelessness. He swiftly turned around, instantly drawing the Vow Spear from his pouch with a thrust forward.
With any other item, Bochang might have needed to search through his pouch momentarily. However, the Vow Spear required no such effort. As soon as he opened his pouch, a single thought summoned it forth, ready for combat.
The long blue spear emerged promptly,
clashing forcefully with the uninvited guest behind him, producing a resounding boom.
Bochang also recognized his assailant.
It was a charming and delicate fox-girl, wielding a small palm-leaf fan that should have effortlessly blocked the Vow Spear—under normal circumstances.
However...
In the next instant, Bochang pierced through the fox-girl's palm-leaf fan with ease, unleashing over a hundred rapid thrusts, forcing her back.
Without even needing to think, Bochang knew this foe was likely Phantylia's shapeshifted form.
"Who are you?!" Stelle drew her baseball bat from behind, "Why are you attacking us?"
"I never expected to encounter my benefactors here; it seems our fates are truly intertwined." The black-haired fox-girl gracefully descended.
Recognizing the familiar tone, Stelle's eyes widened slightly as she took a closer look, finding the girl somewhat recognizable.
The fox-girl gently waved her damaged palm-leaf fan, restoring it to its original state after just a few flicks—a mysterious ability indeed.
Bochang asked, "Phantylia... why haven't you left Xianzhou Luofu yet?"
"I didn't expect my benefactor to discern my identity so swiftly... How truly surprising..." Phantylia showed no haste to attack.
Bochang was equally unhurried; he awaited Silver Wolf's signal to pull everyone into distorted space. Engaging in combat directly within the Artisanship Commission could not be risked, as it would undoubtedly cause significant damage to Xianzhou Luofu once again.
"As for why I haven't left Xianzhou Luofu... Heh-heh-heh... Whether I choose to depart or stay is entirely up to me. What does this have to do with my benefactor?" Phantylia narrowed her bewitching eyes slyly.
The appearance of this foxfolk girl closely resembled the colossal Phantylia they had encountered at the seal of the Tree of Foundation.
Based on intelligence from the Stellaron Hunters, when Phantylia discovered that Xianzhou Luofu was protected by both Emanators Herta and Jing Yuan, she realized her chances of victory were slim. Consequently, she strategically divided part of her Stellaron and Tree of Foundation energy.
Using the unremoved roots of the Tree of Foundation still present in the Artisanship Commission, she crafted another body—a cunning strategy akin to having multiple escape routes like a wily fox.
This new form also possessed both the powers of Destruction and Abundance, albeit not as potent as her original body derived from the tree roots. Nonetheless, it was significantly stronger than the hastily created decoy she used earlier. However, due to sustained injuries from simultaneous attacks by Herta and Jing Yuan, she couldn't fully unleash this body's potential, making her currently weaker than even her previous decoy guise.
While not as formidable as her body connected to the Tree of Foundation's roots, it was significantly stronger than the hastily crafted fake Tingyun.
However, due to sustained injuries from Jing Yuan and Herta's onslaught, Phantylia could not fully utilize this new body's capabilities, leaving her weaker than even the initial fake Tingyun.
"Phantylia...how did you appear here?"
Just as Stelle finished speaking, the surrounding space rapidly collapsed.
In the next moment, their surroundings shifted dramatically.
Bochang, Stelle, and Phantylia were instantly pulled into a distorted space by Silver Wolf.
They found themselves in a pitch-black world, eerily silent yet unsettling.
"???"
Both Phantylia and Stelle typed out multiple question marks, feeling bewildered and unsure how to react.
Honestly, after Bochang repeatedly obstructed and annoyed her, Phantylia had been itching to give him a resounding slap. Seeing him alone with Stelle, she simply couldn't resist launching her attack.
Initially, Phantylia only intended to harass Bochang—engage if possible, retreat otherwise. She was confident in her ability to escape.
She hadn't anticipated being dragged into this distorted space, which now posed a significant challenge.
Bochang's eyes blazed with fury as he followed his script, "Well done, Phantylia! I didn't expect you to possess such tricks. My teleportation ring is rendered useless here; it seems we must engage in a decisive battle."
"Huh?"
Confused, Phantylia had initially thought Bochang orchestrated this...
But now it appeared...
This might not be his doing after all.
"Who could it be then?"
The possibility of someone else lurking nearby raised her alertness. Just as she was about to explain, she saw Bochang engulfed in flames, charging at her like a madman.