“It’s me.” I met Joanna’s gaze without hesitation.
In the world of beasts, eye contact is a form of provocation.
To look away signifies weakness and submission, so neither side can afford to back down.
“Oh?” Joanna and the DoraGon both narrowed their pupils. “You’re quite bold, facing my dragon’s might without kneeling.”
What?
Dragon’s might?
No… I don’t feel anything at all.
“Your scent feels somewhat familiar.” The DoraGon twitched its nose and growled softly at Joanna. Joanna caught on immediately. “What’s your relationship with Yunxian?”
“That’s my… father.”
“Oh… interesting. Have you seen the Azure Dragon?”
“I even rode on its back once.”
“Really?!” Joanna’s eyes instantly sparkled like stars. “What was it like? Did you have to grab its horn or its scales? How does it fly without wings?”
“Uh…” The Little Princess’s attitude shifted so quickly that I was caught off guard. “The horns are thick, so you can’t grab them. It has hair on its head, so you grab the hair and sit among it.”
“No dandruff? Must smell like scalp oil, right?”
“Not at all. The texture is like the fur of a long-haired cat, you know that feeling? Soft and fluffy. Very dry, and no greasy oils…”
“Look at this guy!” Joanna suddenly slapped the DoraGon’s head.
The DoraGon drooped its head in grievance.
Joanna flipped off the DoraGon’s back, landing on the Bridge in front of me.
She rubbed her aching thighs, gritting her teeth. “I’ve really had enough of this tough skin, so hard and rough my legs almost have calluses.”
“Uh… maybe you should consider a saddle?”
“But Immortal Spirits need to possess frequently,” Joanna sighed, “and when an Immortal Spirit carries foreign objects during possession, it affects the synchronicity.”
“Then just take it off during possession, right?”
“This thing is so big, constantly putting it on and taking it off would be too much trouble.”
That really is quite tricky.
Looks like even a Legendary Master of Doragon has legendary troubles.
“I could help you make a saddle that won’t affect synchronicity…” I said.
“Huh? You say you can make an accessory that doesn’t affect synchronicity?!” Joanna frowned. “You’re just talking big without any proof, aren’t you? Everyone knows carrying foreign objects during possession affects synchronicity, that’s basic knowledge.”
“As long as the accessory automatically retracts during possession, it’s fine.” I tilted my head, puzzled. “Hasn’t anyone thought of something this simple?”
“Sounds easy, but with a DoraGon this size, how do you make sure the accessory retracts in time and automatically wears back when possession ends?” Joanna looked displeased. “None of the craftsmen I know can do that.”
“None can do it? Well, neither can I then.”
“…”
If you can’t do it, then what’s the point!
At that moment, breaking the tense standoff, a crisp “crack” sound rang out.
Joanna turned angrily toward the source, her fierce glare startling Sister Xinyue.
“?” Xinyue awkwardly raised the bag of chips in her hand. “So… do you want some? I still have a few bags here.”
“Hm?” Joanna squinted. “Where did those chips come from? I was watching from above just now. There was nothing here, no bags or storage pouches of any kind.”
Impressive memory!
So this girl memorized every detail of the surroundings while floating?
Xinyue looked at me for help, surprised at the Little Princess’s remarkable memory.
If this keeps up, the Storage Hairpin will be exposed!
I sighed and waved it off, signaling “whatever.” Exposure or not, it wouldn’t stay hidden much longer anyway.
Besides, from recent observations, Immortal Spirit power systems don’t favor item-based combat, so storage items aren’t that useful in battles.
“It’s this,” Xinyue said with my permission, pointing to the hairpin. “It can store things inside.”
“Such a tiny stick… how can it…?”
Before the Little Princess could voice more doubts, Xinyue pulled out a set of clothes, a pressure cooker, a giant body pillow, a freshly roasted chicken, and a full set of livestreaming equipment.
“Wait, wait, wait! Stop!” Joanna was completely stunned. “How much stuff can you really fit inside this?”
“About…” Xinyue gestured. “From one end of the Bridge to the other? I think you could fit several airplanes inside.”
“???”
Good grief, I saw the corner of the class president’s mouth twitch into a sly grin.
She’s definitely doing this on purpose! Trying to give this arrogant Lancelot Princess a little shock from the Immortal Spirit world!
“This thing…” Joanna, coming from a merchant family, immediately recognized the object’s value. “Logistics, personal storage—these features alone are unbelievably powerful… and the ease of retrieval. Where did you get this? Is it your awakened Soulforce Vessel?”
“This isn’t a Soulforce Vessel, just a little toy a friend gave me.”
“What?!”
It’s not even a Soulforce Vessel? Doesn’t take up a slot?
“Right, not a Soulforce Vessel. My friend has dozens more like this. Making these is easy for her… I guess? Maybe if she makes too many, it could be dangerous for the Sun System?”
The Little Princess was completely frozen.
“You… you wasteful fools! Do you know how precious this thing is?!” Joanna roared. “This kind of item probably involves advanced mastery of spatial laws! Simple to make? Impossible! Even I’ve never seen anything like this!”
“Just because you haven’t seen it doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist…” Xinyue shrugged. “Maybe you’re the one who’s… uh-hmm~”
No need to say “ignorant and narrow-minded,” but Joanna, familiar with Donghuang characters, could guess.
Her face flushed red with anger. “How dare you call me ignorant! How dare you… belittle the great Master of Doragon!”
“But you really haven’t seen it.”
Joanna immediately deflated.
“Tell me!” Joanna gritted her teeth, trembling all over. “Tell me! Who is this reclusive expert who made such a great artifact? Where are they? I’m willing to visit in the highest Lancelot family tradition!”
“Uh…” Xinyue glanced at me again.
She didn’t expect such a strong reaction from the Little Princess—this little Immortal Spirit shock may have gone a bit too far.
I sighed again and waved my hand once more.
“Why are you staring at her like that?” Joanna was annoyed at Xinyue’s constant glances toward me. “With such a divine artifact, your status is no less than a Legendary Master of Doragon. You have no reason to look to others for approval.”
“It’s not about looking at others,” Xinyue said innocently, nodding toward me with her chin, “the ‘reclusive expert who made such a great artifact’ is right here.”
“What?!” Joanna looked at me in disbelief.
“Basic move, stay calm.” I shrugged.