"General, w-why are you asking me for this kind of information, for what purpose? I-I naturally don't know. Yes, I don't know."
Fu Xuan's face flushed red like a boiled shrimp, as if even her speech system had overheated. It took a great deal of effort just to get her tongue untangled.
"Exactly, General Jing Yuan, why bother asking such boring questions?" Feixiao said with a flourish. "If you don't have one, are you planning to give one away?"
"General Feixiao…" Fu Xuan had completely lost her usual dignity, her voice coming out weakly.
"If he truly doesn't have one, that in itself isn't a bad option," Jing Yuan followed along with Feixiao's teasing, as if he really was considering it.
"General Jing Yuan, you…" Fu Xuan's voice was almost inaudible.
"Then who should we send? This woman would be representing the Xianzhou—she must be able to see the bigger picture, handle both grand and trivial affairs, know yin and yang, understand the Eight Trigrams, master the arts of divination and concealment…" Feixiao and Jing Yuan, thoroughly enjoying themselves, let their words run wild, more and more absurd with each sentence.
"General Feixiao! General Jing Yuan! You—both of you are scoundrels."
Fu Xuan finally realized the two were deliberately making fun of her.
"Ha, to see Master Diviner so flustered is truly rare. A passing jest—please forgive me." Jing Yuan finally stopped with the strange remarks, putting on a mock bow in apology.
But then he said in a serious tone, "Master Diviner, matters of the heart are endlessly mysterious. If, one day, you truly find the right person, perhaps you should follow your heart."
Feixiao was much more direct: "Heh, little sister Fu Xuan, let's keep this between us. If you set your eyes on someone, you must tell big sister. If you're too shy, I'll help you say it."
Feixiao, finding the whole matter hilarious, spoke grandly, while Fu Xuan's mood was the exact opposite.
How could I ever like someone like that?
That man is never serious, always thinking about ways to bully me…
'Fu Xuan is so cute'—the strange memory resurfaced again, and Fu Xuan felt her mind spinning into chaos. She only wanted to return to her work as quickly as possible.
Fu Xuan once again picked up [Imagine Breaker] and said, "Generals, time is pressing. How this Curio should be handled is the matter of utmost importance."
To be honest, this was something that truly troubled them.
Because of the peculiar nature of this Curio, it absolutely could not be given to a Pathstrider. Otherwise, it would mean the complete negation of all cultivation done up to this point.
That left only the young to choose from.
But the talented children of the Xianzhou usually tread their Paths early on. Most of the ones left behind were those of mediocre talent, not to mention the concerns of both mind and loyalty.
Without question, this Curio would become the foremost treasure of the Luofu. Its host would naturally be watched by the entire Xianzhou.
If this person lacked maturity of mind, and was swayed by ill-intentioned influences, then the Luofu would be in serious trouble.
Ah, in this moment, Jing Yuan dearly wished Yanqing were a lazy, unmotivated child. That way, this Curio could have been placed in his hands without issue.
But unfortunately, Yanqing was far too diligent—despite his young age, his mastery of swordsmanship was already at a remarkable level. To ask him to abandon it now, he almost certainly would refuse.
Yanqing, oh Yanqing, you don't even know what you're missing.
"I do have someone in mind," Feixiao said with a smile. "This person is young, ambitious, has not yet stepped onto a Path. And moreover, she's a pilot—just the one to fill in the gap in our aerial combat forces."
Jing Yuan asked, "Oh? Who could be so fortunate as to be entrusted with such a treasure?"
"Could it be one of the promising youths from the Xianzhou Yaoqing?" Fu Xuan guessed. Since Feixiao was Yaoqing's general, naturally, Fu Xuan thought she was referring to someone from her own ranks. But the Xianzhou Alliance was bound together in kinship. Even if [Imagine Breaker] was powerful, if no one could wield it, it would only gather dust.
But Feixiao shook her head. "No, one from the Luofu itself. From the Sky-Faring Commission, Yukong's daughter, Qingni."
"Qingni…" Fu Xuan closed her eyes in thought. "Yes, I recall. She had some disagreements with Yukong not long ago, but they reconciled in the end. As a pilot, her performance has been outstanding. Indeed, she seems a fine choice."
"Then summon her at once," Jing Yuan said.
"Wouldn't that seem too hasty?" Fu Xuan asked.
Jing Yuan waved his hand. "No. I have a premonition. At this moment, the universe is in turmoil—countless forces are already converging on the Luofu."
He took [Imagine Breaker] from Fu Xuan's hands. "We must immediately test whether this Curio's abilities match what Sylvester claimed."
"Otherwise, all of our deductions about him are but castles in the sky. If we are mistaken, we will surely be placed at a disadvantage in the coming struggles. My will is this: we must establish the truth today."
"Good." Such a decisive approach suited Feixiao perfectly. "If we finish quickly, I'll go take a look at that so-called Sylvester myself, see what kind of man he is."
"Very well. In that case, Qingque!" Fu Xuan called out, and the long-suffering Qingque, dragged into overtime, hurried in from the doorway.
She slapped her right hand against her left shoulder and offered a solemn salute. "Divination Commission Diviner Qingque, greetings to both Generals. Master Diviner, please give your orders."
"You are to summon Yukong and have her bring her daughter to the Seat of Divine Foresight. There is an important matter to discuss."
"Yes!" Qingque responded with unusual firmness, nothing like her usual lazy self.
Fu Xuan was satisfied. At least the girl knew how to behave in front of the two generals.
"Oh, and also, fetch that newly ascended Emanator, the one under the Aeon's gaze. Bring her here as well."
"Yes!" Qingque marched out of the Seat of Divine Foresight with great vigor, as though she were the Divination Commission's most reliable subordinate.
"Oh, speaking of which, I nearly forgot about that Emanator. She is quite a valuable witness," Jing Yuan remarked. "While we wait, let us consider—if [Imagine Breaker] is truly as that man described, how should we prepare to deal with him? What challenges will the Xianzhou face next?"
"The first ones rushing here to cause trouble will certainly be the Denizens of Abundance," Feixiao said, her demeanor shifting instantly. Her expression alone radiated sharpness, as if she transformed from a graceful elder sister into a fierce battlefield commander. "They just suffered the Ambrosial Arbor's failure. They won't accept defeat, and given the chance, they won't let it slip by."
Fu Xuan thought deeply for a moment but came to a different conclusion. "No. The first to arrive and stir chaos will be the Interastral Peace Corporation."
"Them? What can a group of merchants do?" To a warrior like Feixiao, corporations held no honor. To her, they were nothing more than bandits under Amber Lord's banner, plundering the universe unchecked. Were it not for their adherence to interstellar law, the Xianzhou would have long declared them enemies.
"And besides, Pier Point is far from here. Wouldn't it take their executives considerable time to arrive?"
"No." Fu Xuan shook her head. "The means at their disposal are countless. Sylvester's little shop can hardly be called an enterprise. If the company were to send Jade, who excels at manipulating desires, annexing his shop legally would be child's play."
She thought of Sylvester's frivolous attitude when interacting with her, and then of Jade's proud, alluring figure. Fu Xuan was utterly certain—Sylvester would fall for it without resistance.
Damn it, I've been an adult for so long already. Fu Xuan glanced down at her own meager chestplate, then at the deep azure cheongsam hugging Feixiao's generous curves. Her heart burned with envy.
Let's hope that man's Fenglong Pill truly works wonders.
"And besides, the company's branch is right in Aurum Alley. No—I am certain of it. Even if Jade herself still sits in Pier Point, her hand has already reached here!"