Once the affection level is maxed out, the rivalry begins!

"I... originally intended to steal the treasures of this other world, the Silver Star, and the Fox Spirit Mask that can alter perception."

Under Bai Ze's persistent questioning, the phantom thief reluctantly spoke, "Who knew that in the Qingqiu Girls' Academy, a reflection of another world, there would be such a ridiculous rumor about a phantom thief, the Saint Maiden!"

Similarity and similarity can generate power—this is the first principle of sympathetic magic and the oldest anomalous effect.

Just as believers emulate God to gain courage and support, they carve idols resembling God for worship.

Therefore, if the legend of the phantom thief Saint Tail exists in another world, and then a phantom thief actually steps into it, two possibilities will arise.

Firstly, Miss Phantom Thief's power is sufficient to contend with the master of another world, allowing her to maintain her independence.

Secondly, she was absorbed by a higher-level anomaly as an anomaly, and became a familiar according to the settings of the other world.

To give an analogy, just as Mingming at her peak played the role of the Lord of the Underworld in another world, if an anomaly weaker than her, born from the same human understanding of the myths of the afterlife, were to enter her realm, there would be a considerable probability that it would become her subordinate.

That's right, just like the Yellow Springs Guide that Bai Ze destroyed.

He mocked maliciously, "So, if you hadn't found the Fox Spirit Mask in time to put it on and differentiate yourself from the Phantom Thief Saint Tail character, you would have almost been swallowed up by another world? How shameful!"

"Say what you want..." the phantom thief girl gritted her teeth.

"Your trick of disappearing into thin air just now wasn't actually your own ability, but rather proof that you've partially merged into another world, right?"

Bai Ze had wondered why she didn't use the method of avoiding the evil spirits to escape from him.

It turns out that she and the evil spirits were practically the same kind!

In this alternate world setting, the Phantom Thief Saint Tail is probably an immortal hero who fights evil spirits at night.

"But there's a problem."

Bai Ze picked up a withered blade of grass and poked the phantom thief's body.

"Why should I help a thief like you who impersonates the Serpent of Eternity and steals the witch's power?"

"If you are a member of the Eternal Serpent, why would you help the witch?!"

The phantom thief asked incredulously, "Aren't you enemies?"

"I hate kids like you with such keen intuition. It's better not to press for the truth, okay?"

Bai Ze threatened with a smile, and the phantom thief shut his mouth.

"In short, you need to give me a reason to rescue you."

"Would a righteous detective stand by and watch someone in distress die?"

She stubbornly raised her face, as if to lift her bound hands.

"Well said. It's a pity the righteous detective is sleeping in the house, and the one speaking to you now is the evil henchman."

The favorability rating has obviously decreased.

This is the first witch Bai Ze has encountered whose favorability rating is negative, or rather, whose original function is to generate hatred.

It is also an anomaly that possesses both the characteristics of a phantom thief and a witch.

After a moment, the phantom thief rephrased his statement: "...I can give up targeting the War Witch and prioritize her simply because we are of the same kind."

When she confessed that she was a witch, Bai Ze finally received a hint.

Xia Yunli

[Witch transformation: 9%]

[Dominion: Usurpation/Theft]

This also revealed the answer, which was not in doubt at all.

She really is the detective's sister.

Bai Ze had already guessed some of her motives.

I've never blamed my sister; it's just that I'm too weak. If I were as strong as you, brother, I could have gotten away with it even if I were caught up in this situation today.

These were the other party's exact words after they left the underworld.

What she was eyeing was Lin Tingwan's power.

It was enough to overcome her sister's cursed constitution.

"I possess the ability to steal spirit essence and usurp power."

Xia Yunli, completely unaware that her disguise had been exposed, continued to explain, "The target is limited to anomalies of the mythological and legendary category."

"Actually, a total of four notices were sent out. The highest priority target was the War Witch, the two alternative targets were the Lord of the Underworld and the master of this other world, and the most dangerous target was the high priest of the cult who recently arrived in Fuyuna."

The witch may have once been worshipped by humans as a mother goddess—Bai Ze recalled the knowledge that Rhea had mentioned.

They are myths.

She listed them one by one: "The Lord of the Underworld was severely injured by you, and the nature of this other world clashes with mine. If I give up the War Witch, I can only choose the High Priest of the Order."

"Shall we cooperate? You help me escape this other world and find the true form of that high priest of the cult. I have a way to destroy him in one blow."

Even through the fox mask, one could almost feel her intense gaze fixed upon them. "You and the Order must be enemies, right?"

Indeed, Bai Ze himself has had quite a few conflicts with the Holy Trinity Church.

Although he wouldn't actively seek trouble with them, an opportunity to significantly weaken their power was certainly desirable, especially since he had found the cult's modus operandi quite repulsive since he had been dealing with them.

"We can cooperate, but I have one last condition."

Bai Ze dropped the weeds he was holding, leaned close to the girl's ear, and whispered, "You actually wish it were your older sister who would save you, don't you?"

For a moment, her body stiffened.

"I don't understand what you mean..."

"First of all, just knowing that I beat up Mingming and being able to call her over remotely is enough to arouse suspicion; secondly, it's a secret, but I have solid evidence."

Bai Ze gently pressed her shoulder. The swallowtail dress, created in another world based on the rumor of the Phantom Thief Saint Girl, exposed her shoulders, and her skin seemed to carry the heat of the girl's racing heartbeat, which was transmitted to his palm.

"You are Xia Yunli."

"No! I don't know anyone with that name!"

Her reaction was as intense as if a cartoonist who draws pamphlets were called by their pen name in real life.

Bai Ze couldn't help but feel very irritated.

What's wrong with wanting to have enough fighting power to not care if your family gets caught up in misfortune, so you can stay by their side forever?

Even if she used improper means, she did not actually carry out the act, and even according to the law, she was still in the stage of criminal preparation.

Why be so afraid to admit your true identity?

"Ultimately, I think the person you should have the most frank conversation with is your sister—should I call her over?"

"If you dare leave, I'll take off my mask and kill myself!"

Xia Yunli, like a rebellious little devil, bounced around on the ground in protest even though she was completely bound.

Does she not want her detective sister to know that she is involved in the theft business?

Bai Ze's tone gradually turned angry: "Isn't that tantamount to admitting it?"

"I didn't admit to anything! Anyway, don't you dare call the detective!"

"You brat! If you really don't want to be separated from your sister and are racking your brains to overcome her constitution to stay together, then tell her!"

"I don't have a sister! Stop talking nonsense! If you want to torture the captured phantom thief, then go ahead!"

"Fine! You said it!"

The string of reason wavered slightly amidst the argument, and Bai Ze pressed down on the knot on the girl's sternum.

She made an "Eek!" sound, like a piano key being pressed.

The soft texture sways in the cup like a bowl of pudding.

"See? It feels exactly the same. Can you still deny it now?!"

"Go to hell!!"