The list provided by the mayor was extrely long.
It contained nas of all personnel connected to the Witch Association, including so mbers of the Disaster Control Bureau's security team.
Qingying felt dizzy just glancing at the densely packed nas.
With such "talented" people in place, how could the Disaster Beast problem in Jiangming City possibly have been properly handled in the past?
According to this "advisor" before them, to deceive the Witch Association, they first had to deceive their own people. Without doing so, how could they have protected the citizens during the crisis when the northern part of the city fell a year ago?
This list was evidence of their loyalty to Jiangming City's citizens.
However, considering the past actions of this mayor and his assistant, Qingluan felt a subtly uncomfortable feeling.
Anyway, whether it was about re-electing the mayor, reassuring Jiangming City's citizens, finding more evidence, or exposing all the Witch Association's cris—all required ti.
Fortunately, most matters didn't need her involvent. After venting her anger by scolding the mayor's assistant, Qingying took Yingwei back to rest at the Disaster Control Bureau's newly chosen location.
Originally, the Bureau planned to use two buildings as temporary bases, but all their Magical Girls strongly insisted on living in small single-story houses.
They had had enough of days involving free-falling from buildings, transforming mid-air, and instantly rescuing people.
Qingying also felt that single-story houses were more comfortable to live in.
Thinking carefully, she hadn't really rested these past two days.
Before going to support Beihai, she had just finished consecutive battles against five Class B Disaster Beasts. Those five beasts seed cast from the sa mold, though their abilities differed. Fighting them simultaneously was very troubleso as they coordinated attacks. She rembered the Witch Association called them the Five Disaster Beast Brothers.
Fortunately, she wasn't fighting alone. With other Magical Girls providing support, they successfully eliminated all Five Disaster Beast Brothers, sealing them into cards.
Afterwards, she circled the southern part of the city to clean up remaining threatening Disaster Beasts, then hurried to Beihai to check on Yuanwei's situation, where she suffered minor setbacks.
Then she rushed back to Jiangming overnight. On the way back, wild Disaster Beasts appeared again, delaying her so much that she arrived the next morning.
Finally returning to the Disaster Control Bureau, she had just poured water for the wild Magical Girl she picked up when, before she could take a sip herself, she encountered two new Class B Disaster Beasts deployed by the Witch Association.
Then there was fighting A-level Disaster Beasts until she couldn't transform anymore, being ambushed and controlled by the Witch Association's Regional Director.
Finally, she even encountered the Azure Cloud Sect Master, Shion, another Blooming-ranked Magical Girl, whose purple fire lotus technique was monstrously powerful.
She truly hadn't rested for a single mont, fighting from the night before last until this afternoon.
What a hellish 48 hours.
Qingying felt she had been quite diligent—a mature, calm, steady, alert, honest, non-competitive, and hardworking Magical Girl.
As for Yuanwei, with the crucial kill on the A-level Disaster Beast, achieving the greatest results with minimal effort, Qingluan was willing to call her the strongest in Jiangming City's Disaster Control Bureau. Nobody was allowed to call Yuanwei a carried player.
Therefore, she originally planned to first sleep well with Yuanwei, then treat Yuanwei to a nice al before returning to work.
After all, Yuanwei ca as support later; Jiangming City's work originally had little to do with her.
However, as a good friend, Qingying still hoped Yuanwei would keep her company longer. Having Yuanwei by her side gave her more strength.
Incidentally, it would be best if she could personally witness Yuanwei's complete transformation again.
The fact that she caused Yuanwei's inability to transform still bothered her like a fishbone stuck in her throat.
Fortunately, for so reason, Yuanwei's power had returned, and she should gradually regain her Magical Girl abilities.
But unless she saw it with her own eyes, Qingying couldn't rest easy.
Who knew if that fool would take her incomplete Magical Outfit to fight Disaster Beasts again and get herself injured?
Yuanwei had done such foolish things before.
Just as she lay down, Yuanwei suddenly sat up.
"Oh no, oh no! I forgot about Jiang Si! He won't have gotten into trouble, will he?"
Only then did Qingying learn that Yuanwei ca with a friend, tasked with protecting soone visiting Jiangming City for tourism.
But throughout this trip, she had been passionately confronting the Disaster Control Bureau and Witch Association, completely forgetting about her protection target...
"It's not my fault! He left in the car! And as soon as we arrived in Jiangming City, there was a major crisis! As a Magical Girl, I can't just stand by and watch!"
Yuanwei complained to soone, probably a Disaster Control Bureau mber from Beihai.
Qingying heard a very young girl's voice on the phone, sounding like she was about to cry. "I told you to watch Jiang Si properly! If sothing happens to him, how will I explain it to Keke!"
"Hey, don't worry, don't worry! Captain, getting anxious stunts your growth. By saving all of Jiangming, I saved Jiang Si too. Don't worry, casualties were low this ti—at most missing arms or legs, nobody died..."
"Missing arms or legs won't do! If sothing really happens to Jiang Si, how will I explain it to Keke? I'll hate you forever, Yuanwei!"
"Wow, don't say such hurtful things! I'm contacting him now..."
Yuanwei visibly shrank her neck at the other's tearful complaints, clearly feeling guilty and scared.
"He's here, he's here! He replied! Jiang Si says he's fine, still shopping with friends. See, I told you! Captain, why are you so anxious? Even if you like Jiang Si, no need to be this worried..."
"I do not!"
"Ah, I asked—he says he's shopping with his girlfriend..."
Silence followed on the other end, then a sowhat sour and dejected voice said:
"I knew it. Anyway, with her around, I don't need to worry..."
"It's just a girlfriend, don't be sad, Captain! Let , Yuanwei, teach you how to steal soone's partner..."
"I don't need that! And I'm not sad."
More bickering followed, but the problem was finally resolved.
It seed this person nad Jiang Si was quite important.
Yuanwei sighed with relief, which was quite rare for her.
"Ah! Seriously, this guy refuses to answer calls, so annoying! We're exhausted here, and he's out having fun with his girlfriend... how hateful..."
While listening to Yuanwei's complaints, Qingying prepared to sleep.
Then her own phone rang.
She had to get up and answer the call.
A bird flew out from her phone screen.
The bird transford in the air, eventually taking the shape of a blurred human figure that sat down by the table.
Since it was a temporarily borrowed room, the space was quite small, like a birdcage.
Though Qingying and Yuanwei were both petite, sharing a bed wasn't a problem.
But with two people already making it sowhat crowded, when the bird transford into a human figure and sat down, the room felt quite cramped.
The woman sitting by the table had her golden hair styled like a noblewoman's, wearing a retro French-style tea dress, legs crossed, holding a cup of black tea.
Her deanor, height, figure, and appearance were all unusually mature for a Magical Girl—a rare big sister type.
After elegantly sipping her tea, she slowly looked at the two. "Headquarters detected extrely large-scale magic releases in both Beihai and Jiangming City, within three days of each other. Which of you did it?"
Qingying smiled wryly. "You overestimate us, Sister Jintiao. Yuanwei's and my magic combined isn't that much."
A hint of confusion appeared on her dignified face. "The readings didn't show Polluted Magic either? Did the Witch Association do sothing else?"
"It was the Azure Cloud Sect." Qingman sat opposite Jintiao. "As previously reported to Headquarters—the largest free Magical Girl organization in East China, Azure Cloud Sect. Their Sect Master, Blooming Magical Girl Shion, used magic to cover both Beihai and Jiangming twice."
"Oh, well done."
Though she said this, Jintiao clearly didn't seem particularly interested.
"Her power exceeds normal Blooming level. Neither Yuanwei nor I stand a chance against her."
Jintiao showed slight surprise. "That's quite impressive."
After all, Qingluan and Yuanwei had perford excellently at Headquarters—no other Magical Girls from their batch outperford them.
"Perhaps it's related to Full Bloom..."
"Qingluan, I've told you before." Jintiao sighed. "You don't understand Full Bloom, and don't think about exploring it. It won't benefit you. Moreover, external free Magical Girl organizations basically can't achieve Full Bloom. Does she have her own ntal Landscape? Tell , what's the biggest characteristic of Full Bloom?"
Qingman lowered her head. "Personal rules overriding reality."
"Correct. To achieve that, one must rely on the ntal Landscape. And to master the ntal Landscape, one can only do so in the special magic domain specially opened by Headquarters. Free Magical Girl organizations don't have the capability to reach Full Bloom."
Jintiao spoke with a hint of disgust. "They won't allow free Magical Girls to reach Full Bloom either. Don't overthink it. No matter how powerful a Blooming is, they're still just Blooming, separated from Full Bloom by a huge gap."
"Regardless." Qingluan continued, "The Azure Cloud Sect isn't a vicious organization like the Witch Association, and they're quite capable. The Disaster Control Bureau should change its strategy for dealing with them."
"I'll discuss it with the council mbers."
Qingying didn't pursue the topic, instead asking, "How is Senior Jasmine doing?"
"No signs of waking yet, but you needn't worry too much..."
The atmosphere grew heavy. Just as Qingluan considered whether to ntion her thoughts about joining the Azure Cloud Sect,
Yuanwei suddenly leaned over, chattering excitedly, "Sister Jintiao, Sister Jintiao! I recently developed a promotion thod more suitable for us! I strongly recomnd Headquarters implent it!"
Jintiao also smiled. "Oh? Let's hear it. What has our little genius Yuanwei co up with?"
"I call it the Magical Girl Hundred-Level Six-Step thod!"
Crossing her hands and resting her chin on them, Jintiao listened with interest as Yuanwei explained this so-called Magical Girl Hundred-Level Six-Step thod.
"...After accumulating magic to one hundred levels, then developing one ability counts as completing one step. Therefore, every major rank's Magical Girl must complete these six steps to advance."
"And these six steps, genius Miss Yuanwei nas them: Initial Entry, Ordinary, Advanced, Peak, Ultimate, and finally, Perfection!"
Beside her, Qingluan facepald, utterly speechless.
Expecting Jintiao to dismiss Yuanwei's nonsense, Qingluan was surprised to see Jintiao's expression grow more serious instead. "I think it's quite good. Did you really co up with this, Yuanwei?"
"I referenced a little bit." Yuanwei guiltily avoided Jintiao's gaze. "B-but overall, it was my idea."
"Ah, whatever, as long as it works."
Jintiao didn't press further, pondering for a mont. "I'll propose it at the next eting, but it probably won't be implented quickly. Don't get your hopes up."
Yuanwei nodded repeatedly. "No problem, no problem! Just getting it implented is good. I think this is very scientific! Also, after implentation, although I'm currently a two hundred level Ordinary Blooming, I'll eventually beco a six hundred level Peak Ultimate Perfection Blooming! As for Qingluan, you're probably just an eighty level Initial Entry Blooming."
Hehe, although the Nine Revolutions thod was good too, "Blooming Early Peak" and "Blooming Early Eight Revolutions" sounded far less impressive in terms of gap compared to "Eighty Level Initial Entry Blooming" and "Two Hundred Level Ordinary Blooming."
She, Yuanwei, must stand high above Qingying!
Qingying felt a headache coming on. "Are we really doing this?"
"A more detailed classification would help with task assignnts. Because everyone is broadly categorized as Blooming Magical Girls, but their actual strength varies greatly, leading to many Blooming Magical Girls failing against A-level Disaster Beasts. This is an opportunity."
Jintiao said calmly, "They don't care about Magical Girls' lives, but we must pay attention ourselves. Moreover, the monitoring division sent news—the ntal Landscape Ruins seem about to open again. The slightest misstep could bring another huge disaster. We need to select sufficiently powerful Magical Girls to handle it."
"ntal Landscape Ruins..."
Hearing this, Qingying showed anger and hatred.
"Senior Jasmine was because of the ntal Landscape Ruins!"
"This ti's scale is larger." Jintiao said quietly. "It's a complete ntal Landscape Ruin."
Even usually optimistic Yuanwei looked serious.
"Perhaps we'll face the power of a Magical Girl at Full Bloom peak."
......
When Qianjing went to the Disaster Control Bureau to pick up the unconscious Shui Ling,
Bai i leaned on her cane, standing by the roadside. People ca and went, brushing past her,
but never touching her.
Occasionally, so young people would approach—shyly or cheerfully—greeting her and asking if she needed help.
Bai i only shook her head.
Every ti she went out, she encountered many people offering help.
Bai i wouldn't humble herself unnecessarily—her looks were decent, plus she always appeared sickly with closed eyes,
inevitably attracting so boys trying their luck.
Bai i occasionally thought about those persistent, ill-intentioned pursuers common in online novels.
Usually used for the protagonist to humiliate, then highlight the female character's special treatnt and affection for the protagonist.
Bai i actually wanted to try it once.
She wanted to be that female lead who showed favoritism, treating the protagonist specially.
Of course, the protagonist could only be her master.
She wondered if her master would like such things.
The idea was good; the only problem was that persistent pursuers were hard to find.
At least, after Bai i politely refused, basically nobody pestered her further.
Probably because although Bai i's looks weren't bad, they weren't at the devastatingly beautiful level described in online novels.
If it were her master's Magical Girl form, perhaps it would work.
Thinking this, Bai i suddenly realized she could also be the protagonist doing the humiliating, with her master as the female lead...
The only problem was that her master wouldn't treat her specially.
For Bai i, though sowhat regrettable, without the classic persistent pursuer trope, she could only give up on this idea.
Gratefully acknowledging others' admiration, never trampling on their feelings, and never giving them any unrealistic hopes.
As a sword cultivator, she must be upright and have a clear conscience.
It was just unfortunate that in reality, shaless, dignity-less, ill-intentioned villains were ultimately few, preventing her from recreating online novel scenarios.
Passing a familiar small shop, she took a bottle of water.
The shop owner was a young boy. Actually, she had been here several tis before—sotis an old grandmother, sotis this young boy.
His parents died because of the Witch Association's Disaster Beasts. Bai i happened to pass by and saved him.
Later, she occasionally ca to buy water. Because of her lifesaver status, she got discounts.
Bai i wouldn't take things for free, but she wanted small discounts.
A one-yuan water bottle for only eighty cents—though twenty cents wasn't much, it made Bai i happy all day.
"Just take it for free..."
Both the old woman and this young boy said this, but Bai i never actually took things for free.
After paying, as she turned to leave, the boy chased after her with an umbrella, stamring:
"It rained earlier, might rain again later. Jiangming weather changes fast. H-here, take this umbrella. Free, no charge..."
Bai i slightly bowed to express thanks, then declined his kindness.
As she left, her Mind's Eye naturally saw the boy's dejected expression behind her.
She could understand.
When her master and Bingtang saved her, she wasn't much different from him.
She wasn't any more special than this roadside shop boy; Bai i was just luckier—
She t her master.
Because her master was special, Bai i seed sowhat special.
If she hadn't t her master, Bai i wouldn't have obtained her own Miracle Seed.
If she hadn't obtained her own Miracle Seed that day, Bai i would just be another ordinary little girl craving attention.
Everyone was the sa.
Crossing the street, she arrived at a secluded urban riverside, where several Class B Disaster Beasts were disappearing.
A purple-haired Magical Girl slowly walked from the river surface to the shore, holding several Grief Seeds, intently observing them and several other Calamity Eggs.
"Master."
She called softly. The purple-haired Magical Girl turned by the shimring river, the scattered light behind her appearing illusory and hazy. "Oh, it's Bai i. Where's Twins?"
"I sent her to buy train tickets for us."
"You're returning to Beihai?"
"Yes, Lady Bingtang said she has matters to discuss with ."
Shion nodded, not saying much, casually tossing the dimd Grief Seeds into the river, creating ripples. "What could it be? Probably just reports. She loves that stuff..."
Bai i smiled; she dared not comnt on the relationship between her master and Lady Bingtang, saying softly, "Master, how do you plan to handle that child Ruo Yun?"
"Temporarily active as a Saint Hall mber." Shion said casually. "Quite convenient. Has so talent."
"Making Master see sothing shaful..."
"Azure Cloud Sect never forces anyone to stay." Shion reminded her. "Whoever wants to leave, let them. Just handle aftermath properly."
"Your disciple understands."
Walking to Shion's side, slightly turning, Bai i asked, "Are you leaving this afternoon?"
"Yes, returning to prepare for college entrance exams. I need to search university research institutes for Full Bloom information."
Shion said while taking out her seed, preparing to cancel her transformation.
Unexpectedly, Bai i beside her suddenly opened her eyes.
Those starry pupils shimred with watery light, making the nearby river seem pale in comparison.
Reaching out to grab Shion's wrist, but Shion naturally avoided it.
Shion just tilted her head looking at her. "What, want to spar?"
Those beautiful eyes stared at Shion's, but Bai i involuntarily looked away, finally settling on the seed in Shion's hand.
"No, I just thought... could Master maintain this form a bit longer?"
"Why?"
Sighing softly, Bai i closed one eye, using only her sparkling right eye to look at her master. "Because this allows Bai i to temper her Dao Heart. It also makes my sword heart more transparent."
The breeze ruffled layers of folds on the river, the warm brilliant sun swaying and shimring in the water's light.
The rushing river sounds were sowhat deafening, almost drowning out heartbeats.
"Really?"
Shion looked at her suspiciously, holding the seed but not hurriedly canceling her transformation.
The girl in white clothes showed a sowhat sly smile, then pursed her lips, hands behind her back, leaning forward slightly, blinking her starry eyes. "Absolutely true, Master."
After brief consideration, the small authoritative master put away the seed, slightly nodding.
"Alright."
Just as a small, triumphant glee rose in her heart,
she heard her master say, "Later, let see the effect—whether it's truly transparent."
Bai i's eyelids drooped, her smile fading.
Trouble indeed.
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