Chapter 197 Xi Lian: Do you think I'm stupid?
Seeing this, Yu Xiaogang became even more smug, his face beaming with self-importance, his tail practically wagging in the air.
Especially after seeing that his words had awakened the entire population of Douluo Continent, he felt even more justified in taking all the credit for himself.
In his narrow-minded view, if he hadn't pointed out the truth in time, the people on the entire continent would have been kept in the dark like fools, completely unaware of the danger.
However, Yu Xiaogang didn't dare to say anything too outrageous, for fear of getting himself into trouble and incurring public resentment.
He immediately suppressed his smugness, put on a pained and regretful expression, and sighed heavily at the sky.
"Alas, Miss Xilian, Pioneer, you clearly possess formidable strength, capable of directly seizing the Law Fire, and also have the absolute ability to escape unscathed from the clutches of everyone."
"But now, you've foolishly drunk this cup of wine that contains hidden problems... Your next actions will likely become extremely passive and subject to constraints at every turn."
Yu Xiaogang said he was worried about Xiao Huimao and Xi Lian's safety, but anyone could hear the sarcasm and condescending arrogance in his tone.
He secretly calculated in his heart that if he were there, he would never be foolish enough to drink that glass of wine.
Instead, she would smash the wine glass on the spot and publicly test the poison inside, turning the tables on Hathaway and leaving her speechless.
In this way, they could legitimately eliminate Crydella's most capable assistant, greatly weakening Caesar's side.
Dealing with Kruldra and seizing the Law Fire will be infinitely easier then, a piece of cake.
The more he thought about it, the more flawless his plan seemed. He even looked down on Xi Lian and Little Gray Hair, thinking they were too stupid and couldn't even compare to a single hair of his.
In the previous cycle, they seized the fire by directly killing the Titans—a simple, brutal, and effective method.
This time, the spark did not fall into the hands of the Titans, so it should have been easier to obtain it. Why be so hesitant and cautious?
Listening to Yu Xiaogang's nonsensical and self-righteous talk, Xi Lian, standing beside him, still wore a gentle and calm smile, showing no anger whatsoever.
She didn't want to pay attention to this person who only talked the talk but had no practical experience.
However, there were too many doubtful and worried people on the Douluo Continent, and discussions were constant.
If the reasons are not explained clearly, then there is no point in me sitting here as an explanation.
This is why she must step forward now to answer everyone's questions.
So Xi Lian gently raised her slender hand and waved tenderly to the anxious crowd under the sky, soothing their emotions.
She smiled sweetly and began to explain in a soft yet firm tone.
"Hehe... I know everyone is worried about my safety and that of my partner, but please don't worry. With me here, I will absolutely not let my partner get hurt in the slightest."
"The reason we weren't on guard against Miss Hathaway wasn't just because she drank that cup of honeydew right in front of us. More importantly, she and her companions had already eaten and drunk quite a lot at the banquet."
"If Little Caesar really wanted to use such underhanded tactics to harm us, we would have fallen for it long ago. It's better to act naturally and openly, so that Caesar can completely trust us and understand that we genuinely want to assist her."
"Look, a miracle has happened!"
Xi Lian slightly turned her body to give way to the view, and the plot on the sky immediately continued to scroll forward, the picture becoming clearer.
Heather deliberately lowered her voice, her tone mysterious and solemn, and slowly said to the two of them, "Just like at this moment, you two will witness the true secret contained in this honey dew..."
"Now, turn your head away quietly—without making any noise so as not to disturb others."
Above the sky, Little Gray Fur and Xi Lian slowly turned their heads, exchanging a knowing glance.
Then Little Gray Fur suddenly turned his head to look. Xi Lian was startled by this sudden action and couldn't help but let out a cute and charming gasp.
"ah..."
At this moment, everyone under the sky could see it clearly, and their eyes were all fixed on the center of the screen.
Below the wide, prominent steps of the banquet hall, Lai Gushi stood tall and quietly in place.
Meanwhile, Cerudela stood atop several steps, her small frame framed by one hand on her hip, speaking in a low voice to Lycus with a serious expression.
That location was extremely conspicuous, with a wide field of vision; theoretically, it should be visible at a glance.
The two wandered around the venue for a long time, going back and forth, but still couldn't find the little Crydella.
Now, with Heather's secret help, they finally saw Caesar's figure clearly.
The little gray-haired boy, filled with confusion and his round eyes wide with bewilderment, softly asked Heather, "What is this? What did you do...?"
Heather kept her voice down, trying to avoid being overheard, and slowly explained, word by word: "The honeydew of all the other gods can intoxicate and bewitch people, but only the honeydew of the god of feasting..."
"It is the 'antidote' that can completely awaken people from the bewitching songs of the siren."
"From the start of the banquet, all the guests were silently hypnotized by my singing, and they could not see the presence of Caesar and the priest."
"But you two—I sincerely hope that you can have a clear and unclouded vision."
Xi Lian was exceptionally cautious, looking at Heather and asking in a low voice, "Is this... Caesar's instruction?"
Hazel's gaze sharpened slightly, her expression instantly turning serious, and her voice low: "It was my personal request. I... cannot trust that priest from the bottom of my heart."
"Since he descended with the Oracle of Oronis, bringing the prophecies of the stars to Ohmar, the Fire Chaser has been completely transformed. His whispers are seductive and irresistible, harboring malice within, leading ambitious people one by one into deadly traps."
"You are the prophesied 'saviors,' and you know him far better than I do. Perhaps only you can detect a hint of danger in his words and actions..."
Heather paused, then continued with a firm gaze, "Then, guide Caesar and show him the right path."
Xi Lian looked incredulous and said softly, "But isn't doing this... blatantly acting on one's own initiative?"
Heather gently placed her hand on her chest; she appeared delicate, but her voice was incredibly firm and powerful.
"Omphalus is too fragile; even the heroic act of defending her must be hidden beneath the calm surface. As Caesar's sharpest blade, I must pave the way for her in the undercurrents…"
Hazel raised her eyes, her gaze sharp as a sword, pointing straight to the core: "Then, point the sword at the real enemy without hesitation."
A soft sigh drifted through the quiet flowerbed, carrying with it endless helplessness.
Xi Lian looked at Heather with an extremely serious and solemn expression: "Miss Heather, could you grant me a small request?"
Heather nodded gently, her tone calm: "Please speak freely."
Xi Lian immediately and urgently stated her position, fearing that the other party might misunderstand in the slightest: "My partner came here to stop that bad guy's conspiracy. Our positions are completely aligned."
"But Caesar's final choice... was never presumptuous of his companions. We simply wanted to tell them everything we knew honestly and without reservation."
"I believe that with Caesar's wisdom, he will be able to distinguish right from wrong and make the right decision."
Heather blinked and replied softly and sincerely, "Of course, I have no doubt about your loyalty and will certainly convey the message to Caesar truthfully."
"But the premise is that you and I must gain the upper hand in this dangerous tug-of-war."
As Heather spoke, she gently handed the still-warm wine glass back to Little Grey, and continued to whisper her instructions.
"Now, go back to the crowd at the banquet. Take this glass, keep a safe distance, and pretend you're still immersed in the siren's illusion..."
"I will secretly control the surrounding water vapor so that you can hear faint sounds from afar, just like deep-sea whales, and clearly hear every detail of Caesar's conversation with the priest."
"I wish you both a successful start."
(End of chapter)