Chapter 106: The Heaven’s Cauldron and Lingering Thoughts

Alas, it feels as though complications are ceaselessly mounting.

Bai Yu shook her head, a sense of helplessness washing over her regarding the recent turn of events.

Her once tranquil life seemed to drift further and further away.

As Bai Yu felt the release of her arcanum, Xiao An was unsummoned the moment the sub-space gateway closed.

Currently, Xiao An’s status felt somewhat awkward; after all, when summoned, she could only manifest at the same rank as Bai Yu herself.

Yet, given Bai Yu’s inherent ability to challenge opponents beyond her own rank, Xiao An’s presence often felt rather ineffectual.

At best, she could serve as a distraction, and when Bai Yu faced a truly formidable opponent, Xiao An might even become a liability.

‘I wonder if there’ll be a way to strengthen Xiao An in the future.’

Bai Yu mused inwardly, considering that Xiao An was her summon, and the skill itself had originated from Lili’s dreamscape.

‘Could it be that I’ll have to encounter Lili again?’

A shiver ran down Bai Yu’s spine; she wasn’t eager to think of Lili just yet.

After all, Bai Yu remained uncertain about Lili’s true sentiments towards humanity.

If each of Lili’s appearances necessitated a massive human sacrifice, Bai Yu couldn’t help but feel a profound unease.

Moreover, Bai Yu had no desire to relive that dehydrating sensation.

Bai Yu’s face flushed, and she nearly stumbled, momentarily losing sight of the path ahead.

While the Dragon Summer Investigation Bureau wasn’t excessively far from Bai Yu’s home, an ordinary person would certainly find the walk tiring.

For Bai Yu, however, in her current state, it posed no challenge whatsoever.

‘Now that I think about it, shouldn’t I consider buying a car?’

Bai Yu found herself pondering this, noting that both Lu Yao and Cecilia possessed their own vehicles.

Back when Bai Yu had been a boy, she had yearned fiercely for a vehicle of her own.

Yet, constrained by financial limitations and various other factors, that dream had remained perpetually out of reach.

Furthermore, she didn’t even possess a driver’s license, so even if she had a car, she wouldn’t be able to drive it.

‘I wonder if being an Arcanist could somehow serve as a driver’s license, though that’s surely impossible, isn’t it?’

Bai Yu couldn’t help but shake her head, resolving to take the test when she had time, especially since her Mother had recently showered her with wealth.

With billions in Dragon Summer coins at her disposal, what was wrong with treating herself to a car?

She had worked so hard; she deserved it.

As Bai Yu indulged in these fantasies, the cowlick on her head swayed gently.

Before she realized it, she had already arrived at the Dragon Summer Investigation Bureau.

Having visited numerous times before, the old gatekeeper already recognized her.

The old man greeted her with a chuckle and opened the large gate for Bai Yu.

Unaware of her status as an honorary investigator, the old man had always assumed Bai Yu was the daughter of some high-ranking official.

Bai Yu paid no mind to his assumptions, jogging briskly inside.

She could barely wait to see her—no, not ‘her,’ but the Heaven’s Cauldron.

Bai Yu, familiar with the layout, made her way to the Director’s office, nearly barging straight in.

However, Bai Yu still politely knocked on the door; after all, despite her youthful appearance, she was a true adult!

The Director quickly opened the door, and upon seeing Bai Yu, immediately greeted her with a welcoming smile.

The elderly Director hastily poured Bai Yu a glass of water, his demeanor more anxious than if he were meeting a superior.

Her presence instantly brought to mind his own younger days.

He acted this way not for any other reason than Bai Yu’s identity compelled him to, even if Bai Yu herself harbored no such expectations.

“What do I need water for? Where’s my item?”

Bai Yu rubbed her hands together, her eyes sparkling with such eagerness that she seemed on the verge of simply snatching it.

“Ah, esteemed Bai Yu, you mean the wondrous item? I’ve had it ready for some time. Please, follow me.”

The Director dared not dally, leading Bai Yu to the storage room.

He guided Bai Yu until they stood before a formidable safe.

“Esteemed Bai Yu, only you know the password to this safe.”

Bai Yu nodded.

It had to be said, the Dragon Summer Investigation Bureau’s security and anti-theft measures were exceptionally thorough, especially for such invaluable resources.

“I shall take my leave now. Esteemed Bai Yu, please inform me when you depart.”

The Director promptly exited, as Bai Yu’s proximity consistently instilled a sense of tension within him.

Bai Yu nodded and began entering the password.

The password’s complexity was beyond imagination, not merely a single layer but a succession of intricate layers.

‘If an A-grade wondrous item requires this level of security, would an S-grade item demand hundreds of layers of passwords?’

Bai Yu’s lips twitched slightly, barely managing to hold back a chuckle.

Fortunately, after Bai Yu entered the password an unknown number of times, a spiritual aura finally emanated from within.

“Moweila, is this the real thing?”

Bai Yu didn’t forget to ask Moweila, as she had no idea about the extent of corruption, if any, within the Dragon Summer Investigation Bureau; she certainly didn’t want to end up heavily indebted only to receive a fake.

In such a scenario, Bai Yu would march straight to the capital to cause a scene.

[It is real. This spiritual essence, unique to Heaven, cannot be faked.]

Moweila’s voice finally put Bai Yu’s mind at ease.

Bai Yu nodded.

Just as she had thought, even if someone within the Dragon Summer Investigation Bureau harbored ill intentions, they wouldn’t dare to openly tamper with an item meant for her.

Bai Yu reached out, intending to place the Heaven’s Cauldron into her storage wondrous item.

However, the feedback she received indicated not a single stir.

“What’s going on?”

Bai Yu frowned, injecting spiritual essence into her storage wondrous item, taking an item out, and then putting it back in.

“There’s no problem with it, so could it be the Heaven’s Cauldron itself?”

“What am I going to do?”

Bai Yu was utterly speechless.

She gazed at the Heaven’s Cauldron inside the safe; it was almost as large as she was.

Surely, she couldn’t be expected to carry it back herself.

Bai Yu scratched her head.

“What am I going to do?”

‘I suppose I’ll just have to take it out first.’

Bai Yu approached the Heaven’s Cauldron, contemplating whether she could move it out.

With her current physical prowess, lifting this object would be utterly simple.

Bai Yu didn’t even resort to using her arcanum; her strength rendered such enhancements unnecessary.

Bai Yu’s petite frame drew near the Heaven’s Cauldron, and her slender arms wrapped around its body, effortlessly lifting it.

She then directly removed it from the safe and placed it on the floor.

“Whoosh… it really is quite heavy!”

‘To be able to lift a cauldron, what incredible strength!’

Bai Yu crossed her arms, her cowlick practically quivering with delight.

She felt a long-lost sense of masculinity returning.

Alas, she was still merely a loli.

Bai Yu circled the Heaven’s Cauldron.

This item bore little resemblance to the traditional tripods of ancient Dragon Summer Nation.

Naturally, as it was a Heaven’s Cauldron, some distinctions were to be expected.

Its body was adorned with intricate bas-reliefs of taotie and winged serpents, with a radiant red gem set prominently in the very center.

For some reason, merely gazing at the gem filled Bai Yu with an intense, burning sensation.