"You found me~ With [Prying Ears], tracking must be much easier now, right?"
"If you spot Kafka's traces in Jiuxing Harbor, activate this little gadget—don't let her escape."
With Tingyun's testing complete, everything was ready.
The Express crew set off for [Starskiff]—the shipbuilding hub of the Xianzhou Luofu.
Watching this, March 7th couldn't help but ask: "Starskiff Harbor… The game's plot already hints that Kafka is hiding there. Can't General Jing Yuan set up a trap in advance?"
"Hahaha…" Jing Yuan let out a polite yet awkward laugh.
"Miss March, you're thinking a bit too simply."
"If we can see this plot, why wouldn't the Stellaron Hunters and their allies see it too?"
March 7th knocked on her head: "I thought we had the upper hand. Now that everyone's seen the plot, aren't we back on the same starting line?"
"Not necessarily. Biding our time, leveraging terrain—each side has its own advantages."
March grumbled: "Your words are so hard to understand."
"It seems the General has long been prepared. We needn't worry," Mr. Yang explained.
Just then—
Jing Yuan, who had been composed, suddenly paled.
The holographic projection flickered violently before cutting off abruptly.
About eight seconds later, the projection stabilized, but Jing Yuan's calm had vanished, replaced by grave tension.
"Everyone, my apologies—urgent matters demand my attention."
"What happened? Did the Stellaron Hunters arrive already?" Mr. Yang asked.
But Jing Yuan seemed to have no time to explain. The projection vanished from the sand table, leaving everyone bewildered.
"Mr. Yang… what should we do now?" March 7th asked anxiously.
With Jing Yuan gone, Fu Xuan moved her seat to the center, as if declaring, "Now that Jing Yuan's left, it's my turn to take charge."
"Everyone, remain calm."
"Since General Jing Yuan said little, the situation isn't yet at its most critical."
"For now, I can buy you more time to review the plot."
"Once we confirm the Stellaron Hunters' scheme, we'll decide our next move."
"Lady Fu Xuan, you're really kind!"
Fu Xuan gave a slight nod, as if to say, "Obviously."
Meanwhile—
Jing Yuan was rushing at breakneck speed toward the Shackling Prison!
*Too fast!*
This time, it wasn't just Kafka—[Silver Wolf] had also made her move!
Along with Blade.
The Stellaron Hunters were treating Luofu like their home!
Jing Yuan hadn't had time to explain—the communication had been severed abruptly.
Suddenly, a message flashed on his jade abacus.
After a glance, Jing Yuan froze as if struck by lightning.
*What?!*
"Even she's here?!"
"And that… *Roche*?!"
Jing Yuan clutched his head. Normally, any one of these figures appearing on the Xianzhou would warrant massive alarm. Now, they'd all converged at Luofu's Shackling Prison!
Even if they were here to surrender, the prison wouldn't have space for them all!
"Yanqing… you must hold on."
---
Palace of Astrum
With Fu Xuan's reassurance, the group relaxed slightly and continued reviewing the plot.
Arriving at Starskiffg Harbor, they activated [Prying Ears] to trace clues.
"This is… part of a Cloud Knight's weapon, severed by something sharp…"
"That wicked woman must've done it! She has a long, fast blade!"
"This is a shipbuilder's access token—someone deliberately destroyed it after use."
As the streamer "Little Guizi" scrambled to gather clues in-game, the others watched leisurely. Even Fu Xuan took a sip of water. Though they were hunting Kafka, the mood remained light.
Mr. Yang, too, settled back into his seat like an unshakable boulder.
But unease was like a tossed bouquet—it soon landed in someone else's hands.
Dan Heng felt a sudden restlessness.
He glanced between the plot and the world outside Palace.
Jing Yuan's abrupt disconnection felt… uncharacteristically rushed for the ever-composed general.
Then, that cursed voice echoed in his mind again:
"Five names, three prices…"
Just as Dan Heng was about to speak—
The game's plot took a critical turn!
"When prey's traces vanish, hunters should beware—For it often signals the reversal of roles."
Kafka had appeared!
Everyone tensed. The chase was on—success hinged on their next moves.
"The door's shut? We'll bypass the conveyor belt!" Tingyun suggested.
On the other side of the gate, Kafka stood in plain view, making no move to flee.
"Welcome, Express crew. You've caught up~"
Her demeanor baffled even Fu Xuan and Mr. Yang.
"Why does this feel like a mom humoring her kid's hide-and-seek?"
"Is this part of her plan?"
"Are we really catching Kafka? Could this be an illusion? A puppet?"
"She's still smiling!"
"Checkmate, Kafka. Our arrival was within your calculations," Welt said.
"Not calculations—[the future]. We intervene among countless possibilities to steer the best [future] into reality."
"Don't resent us, Welt. The script's finale is already written."
March 7th frowned: "The 'best future'? For whom? I don't believe you'd care about others!"
"The entire cosmos—believe it? Of course: for me."
Her words sounded like nonsense to all, including streamer Guinaifen, who picked the bluntest dialogue option:
[Enough talk—let's fight!]
Welt: "We'll take you to the Luofu General. If you're truly innocent, explain it to him."
Kafka shook her head: "No, I hate dancing to others' tunes."
"Time's short. Fight now, or it'll be too late."
The first battle against Kafka began!
Fu Xuan prepared to record the fight—analyzing Kafka's abilities would aid future countermeasures.
With a smirk, Kafka whispered:
"Can you stand firm?"
Crimson threads lifted, paralyzing a character.
A prompt appeared:
[Use a skill to cleanse debuffs.]
"So this is Kafka's 'Domination'…"
Afflicted allies turned on each other, but "Xiao Guizi's" team held on, barely winning after two falls.
Next scene:
Cornered, Kafka lowered her guns—then spun them, unleashing a bullet storm!
Time seemed to slow as a girl strode through the barrage like a leisurely stroll, her movements elegant, as if erasing flaws from a painting.
"Petty tricks."
"Your every move…"
"Was foreseen."
A light step, and—
"The Divination Commission's Fu Xuan. "I'll take charge now."
On-screen, Fu Xuan closed her eyes, feigning serenity but inwardly, she was ecstatic
"It had to be me!!"
"Such a dazzling, graceful entrance!"
"I must save this scene—let Jing Yuan see it later!"
"Even Kafka could only raise her hands in surrender."
"I'm *amazing*!"
To be continued…
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