"Wait, if you do that, wouldn't it go against the principle of keeping things secret?" Sushang said.
"And Heliobi feed on emotions. They often manipulate victims into exposing hidden sides of themselves..." Huohuo added.
"If we post information about the victims online, could it... cause secondary harm? I-I-I'm definitely not criticizing you... I'm just raising some concerns."
Guinaifen shook her head.
"My view is that acting secretly and publicizing supernatural events don't conflict. In fact, they're the same thing."
"We hide the victims' names, leave only our heroic images of subduing ghosts, take some photos of intense battles, and add a slightly exciting title..."
"Something like, 'Paranormal Investigation, Yunqi Beauty Encounters a Ghost at Night, In Just Three Seconds, She Makes the Demon Regret Everything.'"
"We turn the operations to capture Heliobi into eye-catching entertainment videos. People will be half-convinced and half-doubtful about these kinds of incidents, and their panic will disappear immediately!"
"You're not done yet, are you? Why are you dragging me into this again? Though I admit what you said makes a lot of sense." Sushang curled her lips.
"Thanks for the support, dear friend." Guinaifen replied with a grin.
Then she continued, "Of course, I know everyone isn't very confident about this new ghost-hunting method... Give me a moment while I look through the information. Let's pick one case and try it first."
After saying that, Guinaifen started searching.
Very quickly, she found a post related to Bailu, made by a user called "Floating Lamb Meat."
The post said that while chasing after Bailu, the poster entered an alley and asked Bailu what she was doing there.
Bailu pointed into the empty alley and said there was someone inside.
But when the poster looked, there was nobody there at all.
The alley was completely empty, yet the laughter of children echoed from within.
The laughter grew louder and softer, farther and nearer. It was like a sharp needle hanging against the skin without ever piercing it, making a person itch all over and feel a chill in their heart.
When the poster turned around again, Bailu had silently disappeared from beside her.
Then, in the blink of an eye, Bailu came back.
But there was more than one Bailu.
The Dragon Lady was everywhere, inviting her to play hide-and-seek.
She was scared out of her wits and felt a chill run through her. How could she dare stay in that empty alley any longer? She immediately turned around and ran away.
After reading the post, Guinaifen shared the details with everyone.
The moment Bailu's escape was mentioned, Sushang spoke up first, "What's so strange about Lady Bailu running away?"
"I've heard people say those Dragon Elders keep a very close watch on her. And she's still a child. She runs away every few days."
"The frequency may have gone down later because of something, but that's not unusual."
"So the key issue isn't the escape. Sushang, don't rush me. Listen to the rest." Guinaifen said.
She then explained the part about Bailu disappearing out of thin air and said the matter was definitely unusual.
Judging from the replies, there were quite a few witnesses who had seen similar things.
And nobody had ever heard of Bailu knowing any kind of escape trick or magic-like disappearing act.
"It really does sound like something a Heliobus would do..." Huohuo nodded. "Heliobi are naturally skilled at manipulating the senses. Records often mention them creating illusions of themselves and pretending to be ghosts."
"Then what are we waiting for? Let's get moving and find those witnesses to ask around!" Sushang said.
Huohuo nodded in agreement.
"Before we leave, we really should prepare some intelligence first."
"If we can learn what the Heliobus wants and what it is capable of doing, it should greatly help us rescue the possessed host."
"Asking the witnesses is one option, but they know nothing about Heliobi themselves."
"I-I have an immature idea..."
As she spoke, Huohuo looked up at Cirrus floating beside Nero.
"What? You want to get information from me?" Cirrus narrowed her eyes and looked down at Huohuo. "And what exactly do I get in return? Surely you're not expecting me to work for free?"
"You judges get paid. But mortal wealth means nothing to me. What can you give me? Some food?"
Hearing Cirrus's gloomy tone, Huohuo took two steps back.
Fear was written all over her face.
"Cirrus, stop scaring people! You think this little coward is someone you can bully? Even beating a dog requires looking at its owner first. Did you get my permission?" Tail flew out and shouted at Cirrus.
"Uh... Master Tail, if you really don't know how to talk, you don't have to talk," March said from the side, the corners of her eyes twitching.
Phantylia, Cirrus, Tail, and that Huiyan from before...
Why did every Heliobus she met seem so good at talking?
Was the whole species like this?
"Since you know something, just tell us." Nero said to Cirrus. "Look at Huiyan now, then look at yourself. What more do you want?"
"What's a bicycle?" Cirrus asked.
"Uh... why are you worrying about that? Just tell us what information you know."
Cirrus, "..."
"There are countless Heliobi inside the Creation Furnace. Any one of them could be responsible."
"Out of revenge, curiosity, hunger... how would I know which one abducted this..."
"Ahem. But if we're talking about suspects, I do have one in mind. Since you want to know so badly, I suppose I can tell you."
"The one I suspect the most is Luxie..."
Cirrus abruptly changed her tone as she watched Nero slowly lower his sleeve, covering his smooth, jade-like white arm.
She secretly let out a sigh of relief.
This kid usually didn't interfere with her much, but she couldn't push her luck. Otherwise, she might accidentally end up sleeping again.
Huiyan didn't use schemes because he thought he was powerful. In reality, he wasn't powerful enough. He was just an arrogant brute.
But this child was different.
Even Heliobi found his methods strange.
And when he claimed he was stronger than the current Luofu General, nobody objected.
He disdained using schemes and preferred direct action because it was faster, simpler, and more convenient.
"That name sounds like something you just made up on the spot..." March said.
Forced by Nero's intimidation to honestly provide information, Cirrus rolled her eyes at March.
"Believe it or not. I'm not like humans, who love lies."
"Bah. If I hadn't known you before, I might've believed that. You're the one who likes playing tricks the most." Tail immediately exposed her. "But she is telling the truth this time."
Cirrus, "..."
"Anyway, Luxie loves having fun. It doesn't care about controlling mortals at all. All it wants is to run around and play freely everywhere."
"If we're talking about the fragments split off from Flint Emperor..."
"The one most likely to abduct this Dragon Lady..."
"Would only be it."
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