Xianzhou Luofu, Scalegorge Waterscape, a massive platform.
Countless Cloud Knights stood at attention, weapons in hand, their sharp gazes fixed on the divide in the Ancient Sea, as if awaiting something.
At the forefront of these Cloud Knights stood a pink-haired dwarf... a pink-haired young girl, seemingly their leader.
"It's been so long since the General entered the Ambrosial Arbor, yet there's been no movement whatsoever..."
"Has it not yet begun... or has it already ended?"
The pink-haired girl rested her chin in one hand and wrapped her other arm around herself, her head bowed, her eyes swirling with thoughts.
Tap... tap... tap...
Just as her mind raced with possibilities, footsteps echoed through the air.
The girl abruptly snapped out of her reverie, looked up, and saw the Astral Express Crew emerging from the Ambrosial Arbor's spatial rift, slowly approaching.
Her gaze swept over the group, but she didn't spot the familiar figure among them.
Her heart lurched, her face darkening instantly, and she bit her lip hard. It seemed she had already surmised the worst: the man whom all Cloud Knights and all citizens of the Luofu revered, the man who embodied security itself, had perhaps sacrificed his life within those confines...
The pink-haired young girl let her arms fall to her sides, tilted her head back to gaze at the sky, closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and calmed her emotions.
"General... you may depart in peace. I will govern the Luofu well in your stead..."
"And those Abominations and Voidrangers who dare threaten the Luofu... they will all be pierced by the sharp arrows of The Hunt!"
A moment later, the pink-haired girl's eyes snapped open. All traces of sorrow and grief had vanished, replaced by the unwavering resolve of a General, carrying the banner of leadership!
"General Jing Yuan, after everything is resolved, I will arrange a grand funeral for you!"
"Hey, hey, hey, Master Diviner, what's with that expression?"
"General Jing Yuan isn't even dead yet, and you're already planning his funeral arrangements?"
The Astral Express Crew, who had arrived on the scene shortly after, witnessed Fu Xuan's shifting expressions and were immediately rendered speechless.
March 7th, ever the outspoken one, crossed her arms and exclaimed, "Huh? The General's not dead!"
Hearing this, Fu Xuan froze, then quickly recovered her composure, clearing her throat a few times. "Ahem... this humble one naturally knew the General was unharmed. I was merely testing you."
"Okay, okay, Master Diviner, you're right, you're right! You were just testing us~" March 7th chuckled, waving her hand dismissively, her tone dripping with skepticism toward Fu Xuan's words.
"You—!" Hearing this, Fu Xuan's small face flushed crimson with visible speed.
Yet, through some unknown act of self-control, the blush abruptly vanished the moment it reached a critical point.
"Ahem..." Once the redness subsided, Fu Xuan clenched her fist, pressed it to her lips, and cleared her throat a few times. Regaining her composure, she asked the group, "So, where did the General go?"
"He's still inside the Ambrosial Arbor. Sister Lumina needed to speak with him," March 7th replied truthfully, stating the reality of the situation.
After all, March 7th trusted Sister Lumina completely and believed she would never harm Jing Yuan!
"Lumina?!" Fu Xuan's expression shifted instantly.
Though initially unaware of Lumina's true identity, Fu Xuan had later uncovered it through divination and online research: Lumina was likely an Emanator of Abundance.
What does it mean for an Emanator of Abundance to appear within the Ambrosial Arbor...
Although Lumina had made a good impression on Fu Xuan, and Fu Xuan was willing to trust her, as the Master Diviner standing before the Ambrosial Arbor, she could never bring herself to trust an Emanator of Abundance, no matter what...
Especially since Lumina was inside the Ambrosial Arbor itself... Perhaps Jing Yuan was already in grave danger.
At this thought, Fu Xuan's expression darkened instantly.
"Everyone..."
Boom!
Fu Xuan waved her hand, about to speak, when an explosion suddenly rocked the chamber.
"!"
Startled by the sound, everyone turned to look.
The Ambrosial Arbor, which had previously stopped growing, began to surge and spread once more. Countless tendrils of Abundance's energy seeped into every corner of the Luofu.
"Quick! To the Ambrosial Arbor!" Fu Xuan didn't have time to think. Her short legs churning, she dashed toward the Ambrosial Arbor.
"Ehh, ehh, Master Diviner!"
The Astral Express Crew exchanged glances before hurrying after her.
Judging by the current situation, things seemed dire indeed...
-
"Oh? Your purpose for coming to the Luofu?"
"Isn't Miss Lumina here as a tourist and guest of honor on the Xianzhou Luofu?"
Inside the Ambrosial Arbor's space, Jing Yuan narrowed his eyes as he listened to Lumina's words. Though he had no desire to clash with her, he was already preparing for the worst-case scenario...
"Of course," Lumina replied with a smile, nodding before shaking her head. "But that's not the entirety of my purpose."
"General Jing Yuan, if I'm not mistaken, your days are numbered, aren't they?" Lumina asked with a deliberate, enigmatic smile, as if hinting at something.
"..."
"I don't know what you mean."
After a moment of silence, Jing Yuan shook his head, completely unable to decipher her meaning. He chose not to answer her question directly.
"If you don't understand, I can simplify it," Lumina said, her lips curling into a slow, predatory smile. She fixed her gaze on Jing Yuan and spoke each word with deliberate emphasis:
"General Jing Yuan, do you... desire eternal life?"