Kiana☆ looked up at him, her lips curling into a sweet smile, "Don't worry, I won't hurt the baby~"
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A sudden beam of light flashed, and the small vessel carrying Fu Lin and the others appeared out of thin air before the Entry Gate of the Xianzhou Luofu.
Everyone crowded to the porthole, gazing at the planet-sized warship suspended in the cosmos, their shock nearly overflowing from their eyes.
A massive ship floated silently in the boundless void.
And in front of the Gate, the entrance to Luofu, countless vessels were already packed tightly together, their hulls staggered in endless rows. The sight alone showed just how grand this Luminary Wardance was going to be.
Fu Shi pressed her whole body against the porthole, her voice filled with incredulous amazement,
"Wha... the Xianzhou ship is actually a real ship?!"
At her words, Elysia lightly tapped her chin with her fingertip, her eyes brimming with laughter, "So lively... this journey is bound to have all sorts of interesting happenings, isn't it～?"
Fu Lin agreed with a smile, "Yes, with this many people, it's truly bustling. But thankfully, this time the ticket didn't summon that embarrassing kiddie ride, or else we'd be the center of everyone's attention right now."
Fu Lin's gaze drifted back out the window, his expression thoughtful as he looked at the ships lining up in the distance,
"Those ships over there are queuing... I guess that's the entrance."
As he spoke, the small intelligent vessel slowly moved into the line. The glow of the Gate ahead grew ever more dazzling, and vague silhouettes of people could be seen busily moving about on the great ship beyond.
Just then, the communicator aboard the vessel rang, and a gentle female voice came through, "Welcome to the Xianzhou Luofu's Cloudford port. Ships ahead, please wait patiently for docking. The Gate is opening. On behalf of the 'Xianzhou Alliance's Xianzhou Luofu,' I welcome our guests from afar. Please follow the instructions and dock in an orderly manner, "
As the huge Entry Gate opened, Fu Lin's small ship slowly moved forward. The instant it passed through the glowing gate, a warm breath unlike the cold void of space rushed toward them.
After docking, the group had just stepped onto the Cloudford platform when the noise of surrounding chatter engulfed them, most of it revolving around the upcoming Luminary Wardance, so lively it made the very air restless.
Fu Shi spun around in circles, her eyes wide with wonder, "There are way too many people! All sorts of people too! If we get separated, it'll take forever to find each other again!"
"That's right, in a place like this, you'd better stick close. Don't go runni-"
Before Fu Lin could finish the word "running," Fu Shi had already dashed off, leaving only the sound of her light footsteps fading into the crowd.
He looked helplessly at the empty space ahead, rubbing his forehead with a sigh that was equal parts frustration and amusement, "Fu Shi is always so rash... she never listens to a full sentence."
Elysia stepped lightly forward, twirling a lock of hair around her finger, her smile relaxed and playful, "Fu Shi's clever. Even if she runs off, she'll find her way back～"
Fu Lin nodded, gesturing for the others to follow as he slowly led Kiana☆ into the throng.
All around them were visitors from different star systems, their voices overlapping in an endless stream, "I heard other generals will come..."
"More and more tourists are visiting Luofu..."
As they moved along with the flow of people, a familiar voice suddenly drifted to Fu Lin's ears. He froze mid-step and turned toward the sound.
Not far away, March 7th, Stelle, and Dan Heng were standing there, facing two tourists, one tall, one short.
Fu Lin murmured softly, his tone tinged with surprise, "Didn't expect to run into them right away. Could this be fate?"
Kiana☆ followed his gaze, and with her sharp instincts quickly spotted the trio. Tugging gently on Fu Lin's sleeve, she whispered for confirmation, "Are those the ones you mentioned before, Stelle, March 7th, and Dan Heng?"
Fu Lin nodded, then led Kiana☆ quietly closer, just in time to catch their conversation,
March 7th turned to Stelle, her voice soft and pleading,
"Stelle, you know this place best. Quick, give them some advice～"
Hearing this, Stelle gave a small nod, lowered her gaze in thought for a moment, then lifted her head with serious resolve, "Climb to the top of the Ambrosial Arbor!"
At this, even Dan Heng couldn't help but turn his head, looking at Stelle with faint exasperation. March 7th smacked Stelle's arm, her voice half-laughing, half-scolding, "Hey, don't give people such terrible ideas! They'll get arrested!"
But to everyone's surprise, the child with the fluffy ball of hair on their head eagerly agreed and immediately turned to run off toward the tree, with the golden-haired man hastily following after.
"Hey! Don't just run off like that! At least don't drag us down with you if you get in trouble!"
March 7th called after them, her tone filled with helplessness. Watching their receding backs, she sighed, muttering uneasily, "Sigh... they won't cause trouble, will they? This is worrying."
Meanwhile, the "culprit" Stelle stood with hands on her hips, her face openly demanding praise.
Fu Lin scratched his head. From March 7th's words, he could tell it was not a safe place.
But when his gaze shifted to the Cloud Knight beside him, who had also heard everything clearly, Fu Lin asked curiously,
"You're not going to stop them?" Cloud Knight gave him a sidelong glance, replying calmly, "They won't reach that place. Besides, if I stop them now, I'll lose the merit that's about to fall into my lap."
With that, the soldier strode off in the direction the two had gone. Fu Lin was left speechless for a moment before blurting out, "...Impressive～"
At that moment, Stelle seemed to sense something and turned, her eyes immediately lighting up when she spotted Fu Lin in his ornate attire,
His upper garments were primarily white and red, layered over black innerwear, with a long orange sash at his waist, dark and steady lower garb, and sharp boots completing the look.
[ A/N: The author felt this image best suited Marshal Hua.]
Stelle's eyes sparkled as she rushed over and clung tightly to Fu Lin's leg, her tone full of affectionate familiarity, "Ohhh~ dear Dad~ I didn't expect to see you here! Look at you, dressed all grand and elegant... cough, cough, so splendid, you must've made a fortune out there, right? Did you come this time to give your adorable Stelle some pocket money?"
Fu Lin cut her fantasy short without mercy, "...No. In fact, I came to ask you to pay back the fifty million credits."
Stelle's face instantly stiffened. She sprang up, brushed the dust from her clothes, and replied with stern seriousness, "Sorry, sir. I must have mistaken you for someone else."
Her change of attitude was so quick that Fu Lin's temple vein bulged, "Stelle, you're still as shameless as ever!"
"But Dad, you seem to have changed a lot."
Stelle scratched her head, looking a little embarrassed at having been complimented.
By now, March 7th had noticed them too. She stepped forward with a smile, "Fu Lin, you're here as well? Dressed so finely I almost didn't recognize you..."
Fu Lin replied coolly, "Are you saying I used to dress poorly?"
Dan Heng spoke warmly from the side, "It's been a while, Fu Lin."
"Yes, it has," Fu Lin responded casually before asking, "Aren't Welt and Himeko with you?"
"Himeko and Uncle Yang had another mission. This time it's just us three as the Express's representatives, here to attend the ceremony."
After March 7th explained, she glanced around but didn't see Fu Shi, so she asked curiously, "You must also be here for the Luminary Wardance, right? Did you come alone? Where's Fu Shi?"