My heart skipped a beat. To infiltrate the Du'an tribe, I had already altered my appearance and usually spoke in a hushed tone. Coupled with my rapidly growing physique, I was confident that even my own mother wouldn't recognize me if she stood before me!
How could she possibly see through me?!
This bitch is bluffing!
"What are you talking about? Of course, I'm not from here. My tribe has already been wiped out..."
A hint of sadness flickered in my eyes, and a profound sense of desolation washed over my face.
The acting I unleashed in that instant was on par with veteran actors. If I were out there, I might even win an Oscar. There wasn't the slightest hint of a flaw.
As expected, Pan Lili glanced at me suspiciously and didn't press further.
"Oh, I thought you were someone I knew. I must have mistaken you."
This woman was indeed trying to trick me!
I cursed inwardly. Pan Lili, in the past, was all bust and no brains, a mere decoration. Now, after associating with that cunning old fox, she was even employing military tactics against me!
"Saintess, if you have something to say, hurry up and say it! I'm responsible for guarding the temple's security and don't have much time to play games with you!"
I feigned indifference, wanting Pan Lili to quickly reveal her intentions. The fact that she dragged me to such a secluded spot meant she undoubtedly had something illicit planned.
"Tsk, don't be so stingy. I'm such a great beauty standing before you, is it too much to ask to just chat for a bit?"
Seeing my cold demeanor, Pan Lili adopted a shamelessly persistent attitude, resorting to outright pestering.
Pan Lili's words actually made me laugh in anger.
Damn it, how could Pan Lili be so shameless now? Did she really think she was an unparalleled beauty and that every man would revolve around her? Was she the sun?!
"If you have something to say, say it. Otherwise, I'm leaving!"
I had no intention of wasting time with Pan Lili. My time was precious and couldn't be frittered away on this woman.
I turned to leave, but seeing my resolve, Pan Lili panicked. She moved in front of me and spread her arms to block my path.
"No, you can't leave!"
Damn it, my legs are my own, are you going to dictate whether I leave or not?!
"Saintess, please have some self-respect!"
"Oh dear, I was just teasing you. You're really not one for jokes!"
Seeing that I wasn't falling for her act, Pan Lili immediately changed her tactic, putting on a look of utter yearning.
"Actually, I brought you here because there's something very important. Can you help me?"
Oh?
Pan Lili's words immediately piqued my interest.
I knew Pan Lili like the back of my hand: lazy, unintelligent, always looking for an easy gain. Apart from a bit of looks, she was a complete idiot.
Even now, as an unmarried woman, while her material conditions couldn't compare to the outside world, she held a high status within the Du'an tribe. She lacked for nothing in terms of food or clothing, so what troubles could she possibly have?
"What is it? Tell me about it."
I knew Pan Lili's nature: she only approached people when she needed them and cast them aside when she didn't. The fact that she was acting this way towards me now meant that whatever she was asking for must be significant.
"I'm being held captive. Don't let the fact that I'm the Saintess fool you; I have no freedom at all. Right now, only you in the entire tribe can help me. Can you take me away!"
Seeing that I had softened, Pan Lili clutched at me like a drowning man, pouring out her woes.
In her account, she was now a mere puppet controlled by others, with even her meal times and movements dictated. She even admitted that her meeting with me was a clandestine affair.
"What are you saying? You're the Saintess now, with a status second to none. Who would dare to imprison you!"
As soon as I heard Pan Lili's tearful lament, I immediately understood. She must be referring to that mysterious man. This aligned with my initial suspicions. He was just a figurehead.
"Do you think I wanted to be this Saintess!"
My words seemed to strike a chord deep within Pan Lili. She looked upwards, as if recalling a deeply painful experience.
"After that person brought me here, a few androgynous figures wearing masks pinned me down on a seat and plucked out all the hair from my body, one strand at a time. They even used knives to carve these strange patterns onto my face!"
"Do you know what a terrifying experience that is for a woman!"
"And ever since these patterns were tattooed onto my face, another voice has frequently appeared in my mind. I can't understand what he's saying, but it fills me with profound dread!"
"Lately, this voice has become more frequent. I have a premonition that my time is running out, and I must escape!"
Pan Lili's appearance was horrifying at this moment. Her neatly tied-up long hair had come undone, cascading down. Through the strands of black silk, the patterns revealed in the center seemed to glow with an eerie light.
Damn it, is this woman losing her mind? She's showing signs of a split personality.
I paused, then subtly took two steps back.
"Why me?"