A poem in praise of him reads: "With eyes closed, he commands from the center, scorning the shackles of fleeting fame. When his gaze lifts and his glaive moves, lightning startles the heavens. He hunts demons, cleanses corruption, and reveres the Divine Archer."
This describes the Divine Foresight General, Jing Yuan.
A Stellaron descended upon the Luofu, triggering a mara-struck catastrophe at Cloudford. This matter could not be considered trivial. Most especially, the circumstances of the Stellaron were bizarre.
The Luofu is governed by six commissions, among which the Divination Commission is responsible for charting the stars, divining fates, and predicting fortunes.
Yet in this incident, the culprit managed to deceive everyone, bypassing the inspections of the Sky-Faring Commission and the divinations of the Divination Commission.
Even now, the Divination Commission still has no idea where the Stellaron came from, nor where it currently resides.
Jing Yuan had some clues, but not enough.
Just then, the situation took a new turn.
Mere minutes before the Astral Express crew arrived at the Sky-Faring Commission, inside the Seat of Divine Foresight, an independent grotto-heaven adjacent to Central Starskiff Haven.
On a high platform in the main hall, the desk was covered with scrolls and audit reports submitted by various departments that day. A smile on his face, Jing Yuan put down the report in his hands.
"The test results confirm that they have indeed recovered from a fully mara-struck state. The method of salvation is quite peculiar. Master Diviner Fu, what are your thoughts?"
Jing Yuan looked at the figure before his desk.
The young woman was picturesque, with pink hair in a high bun adorned with a golden pin. Her skin was like ice and snow, her fingers soft and supple. White silk stockings embroidered with clouds wrapped around her beautiful legs, and her flowing violet skirt accentuated her exquisite figure. She could truly be described as absolutely beautiful!
"I'm no Dan Shu, with profound attainments in the medical field. Specialized matters require specialized personnel."
The speaker showed no deference just because she was addressing Jing Yuan. She retorted unceremoniously:
"Am I supposed to divine the method with a prophecy? That wouldn't determine the fundamental nature of the technique, so what's the use?"
Divination was divination. The Omniscient Inquiry Array was powerful, yes, but its strength lay in deduction and calculation. You want the Omniscient Inquiry Array to deduce a cure for the mara-struck affliction?
That's not divination, that's making a wish!
Fu Xuan placed a hand on her hip.
"Setting aside the methods for a moment, this report alone offers a glimpse of some extraordinary abilities. If they can truly help the Xianzhou overcome the mara-struck crisis and save the people from their suffering... then we should befriend them by any means necessary!"
"Yes, yes, Master Diviner Fu strategizes a thousand miles ahead. You have the makings of a general!" Jing Yuan offered his daily flattery.
Upon hearing this, Fu Xuan couldn't help but feel a little smug, her gaze sweeping around. "If that's the case, then why not hurry up and pass the general's seat to me?"
"Ah!" Jing Yuan sighed helplessly, speaking with utmost sincerity, "When the time comes, Master Diviner Fu will naturally be able to take my place. However, the Xianzhou is currently beset by crisis. If I were to let you take over and leave at a time like this, and some unforeseen variable were to arise, you would have to bear the responsibility alone. Wouldn't I be placing you in an untenable position?"
Jing Yuan's tone was as sincere as could be, and Fu Xuan's willow-like brows furrowed slightly. It sounded like he had a point?
No, wait!
Just as Fu Xuan was about to say something more, Jing Yuan, who had been pacing with his hands behind his back, paused.
"The guests have arrived."
As the general, Jing Yuan had naturally received the news the moment the Astral Express arrived, including that their guide, Tingyun, was leading the Express crew to the Sky-Faring Commission.
Fu Xuan opened her mouth, then snorted and fell silent, watching as Jing Yuan used his general's authority to directly connect with the equipment at the Sky-Faring Commission.
Watching the virtual projection that appeared before them, the general and the Master Diviner quietly listened to the conversation between the Express crew and Yukong.
Jing Yuan and Fu Xuan's first focus was on Bronya and Seele, the ones who had been saved from the mara-struck state. After observing them for a moment, their attention shifted to the group's representative, the mature-looking elder, Welt.
The timing of the Astral Express's arrival was too coincidental. Even Jing Yuan couldn't help but be suspicious. Therefore, he planned to test them first.
He would have Yukong play the bad cop, and then he would play the good cop to get acquainted with the Astral Express.
Welt and Yukong's conversation went mostly as Jing Yuan had anticipated, until Yukong asked the two questions that Jing Yuan was also very concerned about.
How did the Astral Express know about the crisis on the Xianzhou?
Were they connected to Silver Wolf, or even the Stellaron Hunters?
What happened next, however, was completely beyond Jing Yuan's expectations, and it shocked Fu Xuan.
When Stelle boldly declared, 'My mom, Kafka!', even Jing Yuan was stunned for a moment.
"Pfft!"
Fu Xuan nearly spat out the tea in her mouth. Her expression changed, and she whipped her head around to look at Jing Yuan's back, her voice urgent.
"Jing Yuan! They…"
Before she could finish, she heard the other gray-haired one jump out and claim Kafka was his wife.
"Huh… what?"
Fu Xuan was completely dumbfounded. Her normally clever little mind, which could account for every possibility, was having trouble processing this.
Jing Yuan's expression had also become extremely strange.
He had been almost certain that the Astral Express was not involved in this matter.
After all, the Stellaron Hunters had not only openly lured the Astral Express here but had also, after hacking in, provocatively left their mark in the Jade Gate system, as if afraid people wouldn't know it was their doing.
No matter how you looked at it, this was a move to attract the Luofu's attention and guide the Luofu into conflict with the Astral Express. This would force the already chaotic Xianzhou to deal with not only more complex internal troubles but also the external threat of factions friendly with the Astral Express.
But what was happening now!?
These two gray-haired twins…
Surely no one would be joking at a time like this?
Wait!
"This is!"
Just as Jing Yuan was focusing all his attention on Caelus and Stelle, trying to gauge their depths, the feedback the Lightning-Lord transmitted to him made his eyes fly open.
"What is it?"
Fu Xuan quickly asked, but Jing Yuan raised a hand to signal her to be patient.
He was worried that under these circumstances, Yukong would order the Cloud Knight guards of the Sky-Faring Commission to start a conflict with the Express crew.
The next second, Jing Yuan connected to the Sky-Faring Commission via projection, taking over the lead in the conversation from Yukong.
While Emanators of other Aeons would find it difficult to sense their god's attention on followers of other Paths, The Hunt was an exception.
To counter The Abundance, Lan had granted the Xianzhou marshals and seven Arbiter-Generals full access to the Path of the Hunt. Furthermore, Jing Yuan's Lightning-Lord was a direct manifestation of the Hunt Aeon's power.
The combination of these factors allowed Emanators of the Hunt to have a certain sensitivity towards those being watched by the Reignbow Arbiter, and the sensation coming from Caelus was particularly strong!
This made Jing Yuan certain.
"These two have recently been gazed upon by the Reignbow Arbiter."
Jing Yuan stepped forward, his presence not overly imposing, his face, marked by a beauty spot beneath his eye, wreathed in a smile.
The sensation Caelus and Stelle gave Jing Yuan was unprecedented in its intensity. The only problem was... the lingering gaze felt a bit odd.
But regardless, Jing Yuan was one hundred percent sure that the Reignbow Arbiter had definitely watched them, and it wasn't just a casual glance.
If, under normal circumstances, an Aeon would give a serious look to someone who had embarked on their Path, the feeling Jing Yuan got from this gaze was that the Reignbow Arbiter had stared intently at the two of them for a long time!
To be watched like this by the Reignbow Arbiter, they must possess extraordinary talent and a profound will aligned with The Hunt, right?
The Path of the Hunt was not simply about revenge; its essence was deeper. Those who could walk the Path of the Hunt were not all paragons of virtue, but few were utterly vicious villains.
"What!?"
Jing Yuan's words not only made the Express crew look at Caelus and Stelle in surprise, but also left Yukong stunned and Fu Xuan's eyes wide with astonishment.
"The gaze of the Reignbow Arbiter…"
Both Yukong and Fu Xuan, watching via projection, looked at the two gray-haired twins differently.
Although not everyone who walks the Path of the Hunt is an absolute ally of the Xianzhou, the relationship is definitely much closer than that of an ordinary guest!
For example, another organization that acts on the celestial edicts of the Reignbow Arbiter—the Galaxy Rangers—has an excellent relationship with the Xianzhou, practically an alliance.
The Galaxy Rangers help the Xianzhou maintain order and protect trade routes, and they have also played a crucial role in the war against the Denizens of Abundance.
In return, the Xianzhou also provides assistance to the Rangers, fostering mutual intimacy and cooperation while maintaining their respective independence.
"Hey, Stelle, Caelus, did you guys embark on the Path of the Hunt? When did that happen? How come I never heard you mention it?"
March 7th was a bit puzzled, looking at the two in surprise.
"Ahahaha~ We did get a glance from Bro Lan not too long ago, but no, we haven't embarked on the Path of the Hunt."
Under the gazes of so many, Stelle nervously laughed it off.
"It was Caelus, Caelus was the one who attracted Bro Lan! Bro Lan looked at him longer than me!"
Stelle pushed Caelus in front of her as a shield.
If they admitted they created R18 art of Bro Lan and Sister Yaoshi, attracted them over, and then had Aha help Sister Yaoshi 'bless' Lan… would the Xianzhou just kill them on the spot?
"Bro... Bro Lan?"
Hearing Stelle's form of address for the Reignbow Arbiter, the expressions on Yukong and Fu Xuan changed, and even Jing Yuan's mouth twitched slightly.
To be fair, in the Simulated Universe, Stelle was wearing Akivili's persona. Akivili was older than Lan, so calling him 'Little Brother Lan' shouldn't be a problem, right?
Pushed to the forefront to bear everyone's stares, Caelus was unruffled. He cleared his throat and spoke with a deep, melancholic tone.
"I originally intended to get along with you as a normal person, but all I got in return was alienation. So, I won't pretend anymore! I'm laying my cards on the table!"
Caelus patted his chest, his face calm, wearing the smile of a sunny young man.
"I, Caelus, am favored by the Aeon of the Hunt, Bro Lan. He knew I was coming to the Xianzhou to help resolve the Stellaron disaster, so he gave me a look."
Stelle blinked, looking at Caelus. She didn't expect him to actually have the guts to say that!
Isn't he afraid Big Brother Lan will actually send a rocket over?
Oh, right, this is the real Xianzhou. Lan probably won't send a rocket.
The Express crew: "..."
Jing Yuan, Yukong, Fu Xuan: "..."
Caelus's words silenced everyone, and the scene fell completely quiet.
Yukong and Fu Xuan looked at Jing Yuan.
Jing Yuan's brow was twitching uncontrollably.
Honestly, he couldn't say for sure.
To receive the gaze of the Reignbow Arbiter without embarking on the Path of the Hunt was unprecedented!
The Reignbow Arbiter almost never casts his gaze on matters outside of The Abundance. If the two were related to The Abundance, they wouldn't have survived being watched by him.
So why were they watched?
Could it be that the two really have some special relationship with the Reignbow Arbiter?
Received a blessing from the Reignbow Arbiter?
Jing Yuan definitely didn't believe Caelus's words, but the [Gaze] he had never sensed before was absolutely not fake!
After a few seconds of silence, the smile on Jing Yuan's face grew wider.
"My friend's name is Caelus, is that right? Are you saying that the Reignbow Arbiter has given you a mandate to help the Xianzhou deal with the Stellaron disaster?"
"That's right, that's exactly it."
Sensing that the situation wasn't what she thought, Stelle immediately jumped back out, hands on her hips.
"I believe the two of you have had contact with the Reignbow Arbiter. However, you have also personally admitted your close ties to the Stellaron Hunters. Forgive me, but it is difficult for me, Jing Yuan, to allow you to participate."
"How about this? You all do me a favor, and once it is done, I will believe what you say."
Welt and March 7th exchanged a look.
It can work like that?
Caelus asked, "What favor?"
"Right now, Kafka is hiding somewhere on the Xianzhou. In my capacity as general, I grant you all the authority to act as you see fit on the Xianzhou. Please help me lure out the missing Kafka and capture her in one fell swoop."
Hearing this, Fu Xuan looked at Jing Yuan thoughtfully. Was this a test of their relationship with the Stellaron Hunters?
Stelle's expression changed slightly. Under immense pressure, she grit her teeth and said:
"General, you may not know this, but although Kafka is not my biological mother, she is dearer to me than one!"
The smile on Jing Yuan's face did not fade, but he narrowed his eyes slightly and turned to look at the tall, gray-haired girl.
"So, you're refusing, then?"
"No!"
Caelus shook his head, exchanged a look with Stelle, and they both nodded before facing Jing Yuan together.
"What we mean is, you'll have to pay extra!"
Welt: "?"
Little March: "??"
Jing Yuan was stunned by their words, completely taken aback that they would answer in such a way.
Stelle and Caelus placed their hands on their chests and declared loudly:
"In the past, we couldn't choose our origins, but now, we want to be good people!"
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