"Of course, there is a way. But why should I help you break free from the mist's restrictions?" Elinor spoke frankly without any reservation.

"Because— we are all priests of the Shadow Realm, aren't we?" Hao Yun asked with pretended concern, though in reality, he didn't hold any hope. He just wanted to ease his mood through conversation.

"Hehehe. Look at you, such a cute little trickster! Indeed, theoretically, we are colleagues. At least, for now. As for whether we will become enemies later, hehehe, who can say for sure?" Elinor responded playfully.

The cavalry slowly made their way deeper into the forest amidst this false harmony. Meanwhile, Elinor continued to chat amiably with Dao Lao, but Hao Yun, who followed beside them, clearly felt less at ease than Dao Lao. Because Elinor would occasionally cast a glance at him with eyes that seemed to hide sharpness, making him feel like prey hunted by a predator.

"Cough cough cough! Excuse me, Lady Elinor, what are you looking at? Do I have something strange on me?" Finally, Hao Yun couldn't help but ask Elinor.

"Hehehe, my apologies, Your Excellency," Elinor quickly apologized with a bow, then narrowed her crescent-shaped eyes and said with a smile, "I was just pondering why, having spent so long in the Shadow Realm, I have no impression of either of you? Especially this Lord Hao, why do I feel that your strength is quite ordinary, not like that of a seasoned veteran? And it seems you're not even a holy spirit."

"Oh? Hahaha! Lady Elinor, you have quite the discerning eye! While it's true that priests like us have the ability to conceal our aura and hide our true strength, this lad hasn't escaped your notice!" Dao Lao chuckled and said mockingly, "Indeed, this lad is a good seedling I unexpectedly discovered in the mortal realm recently. So I made a special request to bring him directly to the Shadow Realm. He's basically a novice, and as my assistant, he's here this time to see the world."

Hao Yun felt embarrassed because Elinor had seen through his strength. But more embarrassingly, although Dao Lao had mentioned that priests have the ability to conceal their strength, he hadn't taught Hao Yun this skill. According to Dao Lao's explanation, it was because Hao Yun was currently just a pure novice with no real strength, so there was no need to hide anything.

"Oh? So that's how it is! No wonder I always felt Lord Hao was so different. Turns out he's still just a rookie! Hehehe. In that case, Dao Lao, you really have some nerve, bringing a rookie like him to execute our apprehension mission. You—, you're not planning to use him as cannon fodder at a critical moment, are you?" Elinor teased.

It was evident that Elinor was somewhat dissatisfied with Dao Lao bringing such a novice. It seemed she viewed Dao Lao's actions as a slight to her strength. However, at the same time, Elinor also seemed more wary of Dao Lao and Hao Yun. Because Dao Lao's action of bringing a novice alone to capture her made Elinor wonder if there was any deception involved. Moreover, since Dao Lao had indicated that Hao Yun was a good seedling, perhaps Hao Yun had some unexpected tricks up his sleeve that could surprise Elinor.

The promotion of an ordinary person like Hao Yun directly to a priest would indeed surprise others. And since Elinor herself had been specially promoted to a priest, it was reasonable for her to believe Dao Lao's explanation. However, Hao Yun was well aware that he was no good seedling; Dao Lao was simply muddying the waters intentionally. His purpose was to increase the mystery surrounding Hao Yun, so that even though Elinor knew his strength was lacking, she wouldn't dare to act rashly against him.

"Hahaha! Lady Elinor, you really have a way with words! How could I use him as cannon fodder! Look at his silly appearance, even if I wanted a scapegoat, I'd at least find someone more astute!" Dao Lao bantered with Elinor.

"Your Excellency, as you know, there are many priests in the Shadow Realm, and everyone is usually very busy with their own affairs. So, it's quite normal for many priests to have no interaction with each other. For example, although we had heard of Lady Elinor's name before, if it weren't for this mission, we wouldn't have had the chance to meet you in person. I would not have been able to match your name with your appearance!" Dao Lao stroked his beard and continued.

At this moment, Hao Yun also quickly presented the Yin Envoy badge hanging around his neck. "Lady Elinor, why don't you verify our identities? To dispel any doubts you may have about us."

Then, Hao Yun took off the badge and prepared to hand it to Elinor. At the same time, Dao Lao also took out the identity badge prepared for him by Master Gu.

Seeing this, Elinor waved her hand and said, "That's not necessary! I was just asking casually. But it seems that Lord Hao is indeed a good seedling! Otherwise, how could you have obtained the status of a Yin Envoy shortly after joining?"

With that said, Elinor redirected her gaze back to Dao Lao and continued, "Since you two are priests who came specifically to apprehend me, then you must also know why I am wanted by the City of Spirits. So, I'm just curious why it's not the Miasma Energy Pursuers who have come to apprehend me."

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"Hmm, Lady Elinor's situation is naturally known to us," Dao Lao continued calmly, "We have also heard that the higher-ups have indeed dispatched Miasma Energy Pursuers to assist in handling this matter in our jurisdiction. However, we don't know exactly what they intend to do. But what we can be sure of is that it's precisely because the Miasma Energy Pursuers haven't found any interaction between Lady Elinor and other Miasma Energy, that Judge Yan dispatched us to carry out the apprehension task against Lady Elinor."

"It seems that the Miasma Energy Pursuers dispatched to the Shadow Realm are not just one person! Ah! I wonder if that other Miasma Energy Pursuer who's on good terms with Judge Yan and shares the same surname as you, Dao Lao, will come this time? I've heard he's always disliked me. Hehehe, looks like I really need to be extra careful. What do you think, Dao Lao?" Elinor said to Dao Lao with a cunning smile.

"Hohoho! Lady Elinor, please don't embarrass me! I'm just a grassroots priest of the Inspection Department of the Thirteenth Sector of the Shadow Realm. How could I compare to a distinguished priest like you!? And, Lady Elinor, you're also aware that there are many priests with the surname Dao. In our Inspection Department alone, there are countless priests with that surname. So, you really shouldn't mistake me for that Miasma Energy Pursuer just because we share the same surname! Such an offense to a mid-level priest is something I cannot afford!" Dao Lao explained anxiously, pretending to be afraid of offending the Miasma Energy Pursuer with the surname Dao.

"Ah! Dao Lao, don't get so worked up. I was just asking casually, not really doubting your identity! Besides, based on that gentleman's dislike for me, he either wouldn't bother with me at all, or he would take me down without mercy once he sees me. Hehehe, after all, that Dao is known far and wide for his methods against those he dislikes!" Seeing Dao Lao so anxious to avoid offending the Miasma Energy Pursuer, Elinor put away her cunning smile and put on a more friendly smile to comfort him.

While Dao Lao pretended to breathe a sigh of relief because the misunderstanding was resolved, he cursed loudly in the system channel: "Damn it! This Elinor is indeed very cunning! It seems she has set her sights on us. Hao Yun, when talking to her, remember to be extra careful not to fall into any of her traps!"

Hao Yun responded to Dao Lao while wondering why Elinor said that Dao Lao had always disliked her. Could it be that there was some history between Dao Lao and Elinor? Thinking of this, Hao Yun couldn't help but recall the unnatural expressions Judge Yan had whenever Elinor was mentioned, as well as the inexplicable tension between Dao Lao and Judge Yan before. Could it be that there was some untold story between these three?

The gossip in Hao Yun's mind flared up again. Dao Lao warned Hao Yun not to always think about things that the TV stations wouldn't allow. At the same time, he said that he would explain Elinor's situation later. For now, they needed to be fully focused to ensure they wouldn't expose any weaknesses in their conversation with Elinor.

On the other hand, Elinor was still conversing with Dao Lao. "Sigh, no matter what, Dao Lao, you shouldn't have brought an assistant priest who hasn't been promoted to a holy spirit to execute missions on the Elven Star, especially one from a lower-level time axis. You've seen it yourself, the elves on this planet are not ordinary creatures. It's really too much for this poor kid to come here on a mission!"

After saying this, Elinor looked very concerned at Hao Yun, but all Hao Yun could see from her face was a look of schadenfreude, anticipating his embarrassment.

So, Hao Yun responded calmly, "Thank you for your concern, Lady Elinor. Although I am just a mortal with a physical body for now, ever since I learned about the existence of the Shadow Realm and understood the true side hidden behind this world, I have already come to terms with it. Even if I encounter any dangerous missions in the future, even if I unfortunately die in battle, what's the worst that could happen? After all, my soul will be received in the Shadow Realm after death and continue to serve there. Moreover, once I shed my flesh, it means I can further accelerate my promotion to a holy spirit. For me now, death is not scary at all; it will actually allow me to enjoy the comfort of shedding my corporeal form and help me grow. So, if there are any dangers in the future, let them come!"

Although Hao Yun spoke boldly, he didn't actually want to die. No one hopes to die, even if you know death is just the beginning of another new journey. However, what Hao Yun said was heartfelt. Because he also knew that after becoming a Miasma Energy Pursuer, he would begin to face various abnormal events beyond human cognition. And in carrying out these tasks, he would face difficulties and dangers beyond human imagination. So, to help himself reduce worries and pressure, Hao Yun had been constantly reinforcing these thoughts in recent days.

Elinor seemed surprised by Hao Yun's openness to life and death, so she praised him admiringly, "What courage! No wonder Dao Lao chose you as his assistant. Ah! It's a pity that, due to formalities, I can't continue to execute soul extraditions. Otherwise, I would definitely do my best to extradite Mr. Hao's soul back to the Shadow Realm as an honor! Hehehe!"

"Then, why don't you come back with us now? I believe that as long as you confess and explain why you were misled by Miasma Energy, Judge Yan will definitely be lenient with you. And Mr. Hao and I can also intercede for you. Perhaps under our intercession, Lady Elinor, you will soon be able to return to your official position?" Hao Yun immediately followed Elinor's words.

"Hahahaha! Go back? Why would I go back? This place needs my help more than the Shadow Realm!" Elinor suddenly laughed in an unusual emotional state.

"Why do you say that? What happened here that makes you so engrossed in this world?" Hao Yun asked casually without much thought.

This time, Elinor didn't answer Hao Yun's question. Instead, her expression turned cold in an instant. Then, she looked at Hao Yun and Master Gu with a resentful expression and said in a stern voice, "I, Elinor, will never seek anyone's sympathy, nor do I need anyone to intercede for me! My fate is in my own hands!"

Just when Hao Yun and Master Gu thought that Elinor was angered by them and would surely be unfavorable to them next, Elinor took a deep breath, closed her eyes slowly, and struggled to suppress her anger. Then, she quickly put on a gentle expression and said, "Since both of you are curious about the situation here, why don't we temporarily set aside our dispute? Both of you, please follow me back to the camp for a rest. After that, I will slowly explain the situation here to you."