Chapter 340: The Power of Middle Fingers and Reincarnation

Bailu froze for a moment, her eyes narrowing as she studied the shimmering figures ahead. The aura they exuded wasn't that of ordinary people or regular Pathstriders—it unmistakably bore the mark of the Vidyadhara.

Her expression darkened as she connected the dots. Coupled with Pei Guang's earlier remark about their targets, it became clear: they were here for her.

Dan Heng, recalling Pei Guang's past admission of struggling against large numbers of enemies, voiced his concern. "There are quite a few of them. Are you sure you'll be fine?"

Pei Guang's lips curved into a confident grin. "Before we fought Phantylia, it'd have been a huge problem. But now? No problem at all."

Sure, Savory Truefire wasn't quite as potent as the legendary Samadhi Truefire, even if they had a very similar name, but it was fire nonetheless!

Against powerful opponents, his current flames might not inflict much damage, but for taking out weaker foes en masse? They were perfect.

As Pei Guang readied himself to strike, Bailu tugged on his sleeve. "Ah Guang… are these people really here to kill me?"

Pei Guang didn't answer immediately, but the assassins made their intentions unmistakable. The moment she stepped in front of Pei Guang, the assassins attacked, their movements swift and calculated.

These killers had no regard for their own lives—they were here solely to eliminate the "weak and unworthy" High Elder and the former High Elder/Imbibitor Lunae who dared to encroach on their power.

To a certain faction of Vidyadhara, the High Elder had to remain under their control. Only through their guidance could the Vidyadhara thrive and prosper.

Bailu, sensing the unfiltered malice radiating from them, felt an overwhelming wave of doubt. She was the High Elder of the Vidyadhara, wasn't she? Sure, her recent antics might have been a bit excessive, but she'd added an editing mode to the Arbor's seal. If they didn't like its appearance, they could always change it back!

All she wanted was to have a bit of fun. Did that really warrant assassination?

But Bailu wasn't naïve. She could tell that their motives went deeper than her turning the dragon seal into a pink bunny. They were targeting her because they wanted her gone!

Why, though? She admitted to being mischievous at times, but she'd always followed the rules when it mattered. This time, she'd even worked with Pei Guang and Jing Yuan to save the Luofu from the Lord Ravager!

Even so… she still wasn't good enough for the Preceptors? What more could she do?

The assassins remained poised, watching for an opening. They couldn't risk engaging Dan Heng directly, but they were waiting for the perfect moment to land a decisive blow on Bailu.

Their plan was straightforward: kill Bailu with a single strike when the two of them were distracted. Afterward, they'd pin the blame on Dan Heng and Pei Guang.

Feeling the unrelenting bloodlust directed at her, Bailu turned to Pei Guang with wide, uncertain eyes. "Ah Guang… did I do something wrong?"

Pei Guang snorted. "What? Just because a bunch of assassins are after you, you think you've done something wrong? That's nonsense! Listen to me: if assassins are coming to kill you, that just means they're the bad guys. You don't sit around wondering if you're to blame; you focus on taking out the bad guys!

Look at yourself. You've saved countless Cloud Knights, and they treat you as their benefactor. You played a critical role in taking down Phantylia and saving Luofu. You've healed countless people, and even when you were tricked, you still kept your promise to save that Banxia's scumbag boyfriend.

You're a hero. A virtuous doctor. A person of integrity who keeps their word. If these people want to kill someone like you, then clearly, they're the ones in the wrong.

Take me, for example. I've committed mass genocides, destroyed planets, and even been dragged before a military tribunal. The number of war crimes I committed are too many to count! But not once have I ever thought I was in the wrong. In fact, the judge agreed with me, and I walked away scot-free!"

Bailu's eyes lit up. "You're right, Ah Guang! That makes so much sense! These jerks… I'll beat them so badly that their own mothers won't recognize them!"

Dan Heng coughed lightly. "Uh… Bailu, these people seem to all be Vidyadhara…"

Bailu tilted her head thoughtfully. "Oh, right. They don't have mothers."

Pei Guang chuckled. "Exactly. In simpler terms, they're just a bunch of motherless bastards."

Bailu turned to Pei Guang with a puzzled look. "Why do I feel like I just got insulted too?"

Pei Guang pondered. "It's just a misunderstanding. I was stating facts. How about this? Let's just call them a bunch of dickless fools. Oh, wait... the Vidyadhara can't even have kids."

Bailu thought for a moment and grinned. "Then… let's send them all straight to reincarnation!"

Pei Guang mulled over it. The usual ways of insulting people didn't seem to work on these Vidyadhara assassins. But that didn't matter—he had a universal method, one that worked in almost any world. Raising his middle finger, he declared, "No offense, but all of you are trash!"

Standing in front of Pei Guang, Bailu mimicked his pose, proudly raising her own middle finger. "That's right! You're all trash! Today, I'll make sure none of you leave here intact!"

Pei Guang squinted. "Reincarnation, huh?"

Bailu nodded eagerly. "Yep! While learning how to reseal the Arbor earlier, I followed your advice about exploring new skills. And guess what? I think I've got something new to try. But… I'll need you to buy me a bit of time, and I can't promise it'll work. Hehe~ Can I count on you?"

Pei Guang gave her a confident nod. "Of course. Stalling is my specialty. Besides, look at these guys—they're too scared to come closer. This'll be easy. As for trying new things? Experimenting with skills is my bread and butter. Go ahead, give it a shot."

Bailu's eyes sparkled with excitement as she rubbed her hands together. "Awesome! Just wait—this will blow you away!"

Watching this exchange, Dan Heng couldn't help but place a hand on his forehead. He had a sinking feeling that Bailu was straying further and further under Pei Guang's influence. However, he also acknowledged that Pei Guang's good traits—his determination and focus on his goals—were rubbing off on her. 

Bailu, for all her antics, still had the Vidyadhara's prosperity at heart. Her idea of "reincarnation" wasn't outright destruction; it was a chance to guide these assassins anew after they were reborn.

Still, as he recalled Bailu's triumphant posture and her earlier middle-finger taunt, Dan Heng felt a chill run down his spine. Teaching good habits was tough; bad ones, on the other hand, were picked up in an instant.