Lycoris radiata

Magical Alliance Headquarters, Xidehaimu

A humanoid figure cloaked in light stood before them, their features obscured, blurring the line between real and unreal.

In front of the figure was a teleportation magic circle, with Manzhushahua at its center.

“Manzhushahua, be extremely cautious on this trip… Unless absolutely necessary, do not intervene in anything.”

“That’s a bit tough. I’m heading out to settle things with Elera,” Manzhushahua replied.

“Does it have to be you? Couldn’t Xingyue handle it? You cannot fall to Elera—you’re one of—”

“I have to go. Xingyue alone might not be enough, and the situation over there has been chaotic lately.”

“Xingyue…”

The humanoid figure murmured the name, then continued, “She vanished for seven years. Even I don’t know where she went. She’s no longer fully trustworthy. You, however, must remember you’re being groomed as a seed of the Magical

Alliance. You cannot fail!”

“Teacher, you’re exaggerating. Xingyue is still a magical girl. Why wouldn’t we trust her? She’s needed for major operations.”

Manzhushahua cut off the figure’s words just in time.

At that moment, the teleportation circle’s glow began to intensify from the outer edges inward.

“Also, Teacher, please investigate that matter. Is there a traitor within the Magical Alliance? Who leaked the magic? This concerns the stability of the future.”

As she spoke, the circle’s light reached its peak, and her figure vanished.

In an instant, she crossed millions of miles, arriving in an inland city.

“It’s been a while since I’ve been to the mainland…” Manzhushahua sighed softly.

Though she’d come from Xidehaimu over the years, she’d only lingered around the Sea of Realms’ Passes, assisting briefly before returning, never truly exploring the mainland.

“Lady Manzhushahua.”

“Hm, go about your business. Don’t mind me.”

A local magical girl from the Magical Alliance branch approached, her face brimming with admiration, much like how others looked at Xingyue.

In recent years, among the newer magical girls, most idolized Manzhushahua, seeing her as the leader of their kind.

“Xingyue’s name still carries weight in this circle, but since she’s been absent, she exists only in the stories of new magical girls.

During her seven-year absence, compared to the invisible Xingyue, these new magical girls preferred to follow the tangible Manzhushahua.

Even now that Xingyue had returned, without some dazzling achievement, she couldn’t sway their loyalties.

“The air feels… murky.”

Manzhushahua maintained her transformed state, darting between rooftops.

Her figure was dreamlike, emitting faint golden light as she moved, vanishing in a flash.

Like a deity wandering through another dimension or a golden carp leaping through a dragon’s gate.

A single glance was enough to captivate, stirring longing in the heart.

“Her magic has advanced again. I can’t even comprehend what kind she’s using…”

“Lady Manzhushahua’s mastery of magic is beyond our reach. Of course you can’t understand it!”

Her fangirls gazed at her golden-glowing silhouette, hearts practically blooming with adoration.

Within the Magical Alliance, there was a consensus—Manzhushahua might not outshine Xingyue overall, but in magical prowess, she was undisputedly number one, even surpassing Xingyue.

“Huahai City is… that way, right?”

Huahai City Branch

Xingyue suddenly looked up, sensing someone approaching.

Her intuition was sharp—within a minute, a faint golden glow rippled outside.

It was subtle but pierced straight to the soul.

Then, the golden light passed effortlessly through the glass, entering Xingyue’s office.

“Xingyue.”

“You actually came.”

Xingyue left her desk and moved to the guest sofa, pouring a cup of tea for Manzhushahua.

Manzhushahua sniffed the tea and frowned slightly.

“What’s this? It smells odd.”

“Honeyed citrus. I’ve been into it lately,” Xingyue said with a faint smile.

“Give it a try. You might like it.”

Manzhushahua took a small sip.

The sweet-tart flavor was aggressive, hitting her senses hard, with a lingering bitterness in the aftertaste.

“How is it?”

“Not really my thing.”

“That’s a shame.”

Xingyue’s demeanor shifted to serious.

“So, you’re here to discuss dealing with Elera? What’s your take?”

“That’s just the cover story.”

Manzhushahua’s closed eyes opened a sliver, golden light spilling from them.

“Taking down Elera is a pretext. Remember the incident at the Sea of Realms’ Pass?”

“Of course. Someone outside the magical girls used magic. Hard to ignore.”

“I looked into it afterward. I don’t have direct evidence, but I found some indirect clues. I’m here to verify them.”

Xingyue realized Manzhushahua’s findings must be significant.

“Significant enough to come here under the guise of ‘dealing with Elera,’ avoiding everyone else.”

Xingyue knew her style.

“Anything I can help with?”

“Yes, and you’re the only one who can.”

Manzhushahua took another sip of the honeyed citrus she didn’t like.

“I need to know where you were for those seven years.”

Xingyue’s eyes flickered.

“Why ask that?”

“It’s a key link in my chain of clues.”

“Can’t you share the clues first? I might have some insights.”

“Until I’m certain, sharing would only lead to pointless suspicion. Your reaction could alert the target. Better to say nothing. Also, about Feiyu—what do you know about her? I want everything.”

Xingyue’s eyes sparkled like a field of stars.

With a wave of her hand, a surge of magical energy formed a barrier, concealing them.

Moments later, the magic dissipated.

“That’s all I can say,” Xingyue said, relaxed.

“Good. I’ve got a lead now.”

Manzhushahua seemed to have a direction and stood to leave for her next destination.

But she paused and sat back down.

“By the way, I heard Elera might have settled in Huahai City. Is that true?”

“It’s just a rumor. This is where she first appeared. Why?”

“Didn’t you say dealing with Elera was just a cover?”

“It’s not about that. After what you said, the next clue in my mind points to her.”

“You’re looking for that… thing by her side?”

Xingyue’s eyes narrowed. Everyone was curious about the small creature trailing Elera that day.

“Not just that. I also heard rumors that Elera and Feiyu have some… special history. I need to talk to her about it.”

“But how will you find Elera? She made that bold challenge to all magical girls at the Pass but left no way to contact her for a duel.”

That was the trap Luo You had set.

She’d boasted about challenging all magical girls but left no channel for arranging a duel.

It left countless eager magical girls frustrated.

The only way to challenge her was through public channels—media or the internet—by openly calling her out.

Elera would surely hear it.

There were two benefits to this approach:

Win, and you’d don the victor’s mantle, gaining fame while avenging yourself or your seniors, bringing Elera to justice.

But high rewards came with high risks.

Lose, and you’d face public humiliation, forever branded with the shameful mark of “Elera was here” in the eyes of both magical girls and the mundane world.

If not for this restriction, Luo You would’ve been swarmed with challenges by now.

So, for Manzhushahua to find Elera, the only option was a public call-out.

But the cost was too high.

Everyone knew Manzhushahua wasn’t Xingyue, but she was still a figurehead of the Magical Alliance.

A public challenge to Elera would demand a result—either a just verdict or a brilliant addition to Manzhushahua’s record.

But her real purpose in seeking Elera was confidential and wouldn’t yield a public outcome.

If no news came of it, the outside world would assume the latter, dealing a severe blow to the Magical Alliance’s reputation.

“Xingyue, don’t hide it. I know you have a special way to contact Elera, right? Help me set up a meeting.”

Xingyue set her teacup down with just a tad more force than before.

It was a subtle motion, but to Manzhushahua, it was as good as an answer.

“I do, but unfortunately, that channel’s not available right now.”

“Then I’ll have to publicly challenge Elera.”

“Are you sure? I don’t think your odds are great.”

Xingyue frowned.

If even Manzhushahua fell, their relationships would get… messy, to say the least.

“Of course, my odds in a direct fight aren’t high. But I’ve analyzed Elera’s challenge declaration dozens of times. She never specified what the duel entails. I think she’s after a different kind of hunt.”

“This is just your theory.”

“Maybe. But I believe Elera’s grown tired of the old routine of overpowering magical girls with brute force. She’s chasing something that excites her more.”

Xingyue’s face stiffened slightly.

She’d thought of that too?

Despite staying in Xidehaimu with little grasp of outside affairs, this woman… Manzhushahua was truly unfathomable.

Sigh.

Finally, Xingyue let out a long breath and said, “I’ll figure out a way to get you in touch with Elera.”

“No pressure?”

“It’s a bit of a stretch, and I can’t guarantee success.”

“Then it’s in your hands. Contact me anytime.”

This time, Manzhushahua truly left, but as she stepped out, Xingyu happened to walk in.

“Manzhushahua? You’re already here?” Xingyu said, surprised.

“Yes, Xingyu. What brings you to Huahai City? Isn’t your sister handling things here?”

“Uh… well, something important came up.” Xingyu averted her gaze.

She was about to attend a birthday celebration with her sister but had come to touch base with Xingyue first.

Manzhushahua merely nodded. As she passed Xingyu, she suddenly said, “On my way here, a dimensional beast ambushed your jurisdiction. I took care of it.”

“When? I didn’t get any reports!”

No answer came. Manzhushahua passed through the wall and vanished.

Xingyu stood in silence.

She was the top power in that area. A king-level dimensional beast would’ve triggered a notification.

Unless Manzhushahua had dispatched it before anyone noticed—a feat her unique magic could indeed achieve.

To silently take down a king-level beast… her strength was unimaginable.

[During Xingyue’s absence, has she started to shine?]

Xingyu gazed in the direction she’d gone, her heart rippling with emotion.

“She’s like the wind, don’t you think?” Xingyue said with a smile, pouring Xingyu a cup of honeyed citrus.

“Hah… yeah, she does give off that vibe. But usually, she seems like someone who stays in the background, calling the shots, not moving easily.”

“And me?” Xingyue pointed at herself.

“I can’t quite read you.” Xingyu squinted.

She had some understanding of others, but Xingyue’s thoughts were a complete mystery.

“If I had to say, you’re the type who keeps an air of mystery?”

“Maybe.”

Xingyue leaned back on the sofa, gazing out the window.

Her thoughts swirled.

[As expected of you, Manzhushahua. Even suspecting me.]

With that, she picked up a petal blown onto the desk by the wind, blew gently, and let it dance into the air, falling into the fireplace where it burned to ash.

“Auntie! Look! Manzhushahua’s in the Huahai City suburbs!”

In broad daylight, Luo Zining suddenly rushed toward Ji Yue, waving her phone excitedly and shouting.

Luo You, just back from the studio, overheard clearly.

“Hm? Manzhushahua?”

That Manzhushahua!?

Luo You walked over, intrigued. “Let me see!”

“Yuyu? Don’t you only have free time at night?” Ji Yue frowned, her gaze instinctively drifting to Luo You’s hips.

After the barrage of antics this morning, could she even sit down?

Yet, Luo You sat smoothly.

As if to taunt, she deliberately perched with her hips slightly raised, drawing Ji Yue’s attention.

Luo Zining noticed none of this, too busy shouting, “Look at the video!”

In the video, Manzhushahua stood out in a nun’s habit, her golden wavy hair flowing with a soft sheen.

Her divine, refined features, captured by a passerby, caused a stir.

[She’s absolutely breathtaking!] Luo You marveled inwardly.

Though the nun’s robes concealed her well, Luo You’s eyes seemed to pierce through, spotting a figure that could only be described as explosive.

The same type as Ji Yue.

But while Ji Yue carried the “auntie” vibe, Manzhushahua exuded a “holy cleric” aura.

A captivating holy cleric Big Sister—definitely worth pursuing.