Two hours earlier...
"Lady Tingyun, your formal attire has been prepared. Please don't forget to attend the Victory Banquet hosted by the Radiant Flame later!"
At the Sky-Faring Commission, a gray-foxian girl gently knocked on the door engraved with the title "Reception Envoy" and called out softly.
"Mmm, just leave the attire by the door. I'll retrieve it shortly," a languid yet seductively charming voice flowed from inside the room, like a gentle stream, causing the foxian girl's heart to skip a beat momentarily.
"Understood." The girl sounded slightly disappointed but obediently complied, placing the attire by the door. She then bowed slightly toward the door before reluctantly turning to leave.
Time passed minute by minute. Only after nearly half an hour did the tightly shut door slowly creak open.
Squeak—
The door opened gently, and an extraordinarily beautiful foxian woman cautiously peeked out. After confirming that no one was around, she picked up the attire box from the floor and retreated back into the room.
"Ah, yet another tiresome banquet..."
Opening the box, Tingyun sighed softly as she gazed at the luxurious formal dress inside, embroidered with intricate patterns and adorned with precious gems. Her emerald eyes revealed traces of exhaustion and resignation.
Ever since she rose to prominence as the Chief of the Radiant Flame Trading Company and the Reception Envoy of the Sky-Faring Commission, business-related social engagements and banquets had come one after another in an endless stream. This troubled Tingyun greatly. If they were just ordinary gatherings—chatting with people, discussing business, or future prospects—she could handle them without issue.
But alas, she also happened to possess breathtaking beauty that could "make fish forget to swim and birds forget to fly." The men at these banquets, upon seeing her, would swarm around her like starving wolves catching the scent of prey. On the surface, Tingyun maintained her polite smile, but inwardly, she longed to smack them hard on the head with her folding fan.
Over time, she developed a strong aversion to such events. Yet, despite her reluctance, she had no choice but to grit her teeth and attend. This particular banquet, it seemed, was related to some tourism collaboration between the Interastral Peace Corporation and the Xianzhou Luofu. Prior to this, the other party had generously conceded nearly eighty percent of the profits. With such overwhelming sincerity, Tingyun—as the Chief of Radiant Flame—could hardly refuse without causing the Xianzhou to lose face.
"Ah... I really don't want to go to this banquet," Tingyun sighed again.
"Hehe, if Lady Tingyun doesn't wish to attend, how about this humble one takes your place instead?"
"Oh? Then I'll thank you—" Tingyun replied instinctively before suddenly realizing—this was her own room! Though it was just a dormitory at the Sky-Faring Commission and not her actual home, how could an outsider be here? Her eyes sharpened in an instant. The Path of Harmony surged forth as violet lightning crackled from her folding fan, lashing toward the source of the voice behind her.
"Hehehe, Lady Tingyun is quite fierce, aren't you? This doesn't seem very ladylike."
Bang!
Tingyun's attack struck its target precisely, yet it had little effect. Instead, a powerful recoil jolted through her wrist, forcing her fan from her grasp. Her delicate figure staggered back several steps.
Seizing the moment, Tingyun finally got a clear look at what had spoken. Before her eyes floated a cluster of eerie azure flames, suspended midair without any fuel, burning ominously.
"Who are you?" Tingyun frowned as she stared at the azure flames. Though foxians weren't as long-lived as Xianzhou natives, by human standards, she was old enough to be a grandmother. Yet in all her years, she had never encountered anything so bizarre.
The flames hovered silently, offering no reply. Just as Tingyun assumed it wouldn't answer, the fire flickered once more.
Under Tingyun's horrified gaze, the flames writhed and condensed, gradually taking human form—until it transformed into an exact replica of herself.
"Hehehe."
The other Tingyun picked up the dropped folding fan from the floor and flicked it open with a graceful wave. Covering half her face coquettishly, she smiled and asked, "Lady Tingyun, does this humble one look beautiful?"
Without hesitation, the real Tingyun turned and bolted for the door. She didn't know what this other Tingyun was, but it didn't take much thought to realize she stood no chance against it. If she didn't flee now, she might never get another opportunity.
"Oh? Why the hurry, Lady Tingyun? Don't you want to see me?"
The other Tingyun chuckled. A streak of azure light shot from her fingertip, landing on Tingyun's body. In an instant, the latter froze in place like a statue.
"Allow me to introduce myself."
Gazing at the immobilized girl, the other Tingyun covered her mouth with a coy smile. "This humble one is named Phantylia."
At the mention of "Phantylia," Tingyun's pupils contracted violently, her eyes filled with shock and horror—yet also a strange sense of resignation and confusion. Phantylia was one of the Lord Ravager's Emanators of Destruction! Why would someone of her stature target someone like her?
Phantylia noticed Tingyun's bewilderment but had no intention of explaining. Wasting time here was pointless—she had plans to carry out.
"Well then, Lady Tingyun... fare-well~"
The other Tingyun smiled sweetly as faint fluorescent light gathered at her fingertip, slowly pressing toward Tingyun's forehead. That glow was the power of Destruction—Emanator-level energy from the Path of Destruction. For an ordinary Pathstrider like Tingyun, even the slightest touch would erase her from existence entirely.
Watching the approaching finger, Tingyun's mind grew hazy. A look of relief and acceptance crossed her face.
'Perhaps... this is a form of liberation...'
Yet at that very moment—
"Draw tile!"
A jade-green Jade Abacus tile shattered the window, striking the other Tingyun's hand with tremendous force. The impact instantly dispersed the gathered energy of Destruction—along with half of the other Tingyun's palm.
"This Path energy...?"
Staring at her shattered hand, the other Tingyun frowned before raising her gaze to the petite girl who had crashed through the window and now stood protectively in front of Tingyun.