Fu Xuan's pupils contracted sharply at those words.
A galaxy?!
Aha had said it so casually, but the people of the Xianzhou could by no means treat that mask as lightly.
For an Aeon, this might be as effortless as snapping a finger. But for mortals—even those who had ascended as Emanators—none could possibly survive an attack of that magnitude.
In any mortal war, such a thing would be utterly overwhelming.
Holding the mask in both hands, Fu Xuan felt its paradoxical weight—the lightness of plastic, yet the gravity of a thousand mountains.
She swallowed dryly, trembling inwardly.
Only at this moment did she truly comprehend the chasm that separated divinity from mortals.
So, this… was the might of an Aeon?
To ordinary people, even an Emanator was a being beyond their reach—capable of commanding their fates. Aeons were great, yes, but in their eyes, merely a step higher still.
Only those who had glimpsed this realm could understand the truth.
To an Aeon, even an Emanator was no different from a powerless mortal.
"Gratitude to the Joyseeker!"
Fu Xuan floated forward and bowed deeply.
Though Aha had moments ago ignored their will and acted at whim, in the end, THEY had not crossed the line. And this overwhelming gift—this real, tangible power—rested solidly in her hands.
A mere bow was far too cheap a return for such divine generosity.
Moreover, Aha's moods were capricious. If they failed to show proper respect and displeased THEM, the result could be far worse than offending Yaoshi or even Nanook.
Jing Yuan, Feixiao, and Jiaoqiu understood this as well. They followed suit, saluting in unison.
"Gratitude to the Joyseeker!"
Aha paid them no mind, speaking instead in THEIR usual carefree tone.
["Haha! And you—little fox! I've already transferred a million credits into your account!"]
"?"
Jiaoqiu immediately pulled out his Jade Abacus. Even though this realm was cut off from the network, his online wallet—which had been nearly emptied buying trash cans—now showed an additional million credits.
What… was this supposed to mean?
Not that he minded money falling into his lap, of course. But why would a dignified Aeon give him such a thing? Because the memory bubble had cost a million? That was far too literal-minded for Aha, wasn't it?
He looked toward the distant figure of Aha, silently grumbling to himself.
Other Aeons might be scrupulous, but Aha? Absolutely not. There had to be some kind of trick behind this.
Still, under the weight of Aha's authority, he chose to obediently accept it.
Bowing once more, Jiaoqiu said respectfully, "Gratitude to the Joyseeker."
["Haha, no need to thank me. It's not like it cost me anything…"]
Masks spun lazily around the black silhouette, Aha's figure growing blurrier and blurrier.
Before leaving, THEIR unrestrained laughter echoed one last time in everyone's minds.
["Haha! That mask—you can use it five times, one for each feature: eyes, nose, mouth, ears, and brow. Just shout, 'Lan's a hard-headed brute who only knows how to fight! Aha is the supreme god the Xianzhou should worship!' and have ten thousand people echo it together—the effect will trigger!"]
Lan froze for a moment, then without a word, raised the bow—its curve like a full moon—and prepared to unleash a devastating shot.
["When trouble comes, don't be stingy about using it!"] Aha's voice rang with glee. ["That blue centaur might not be reliable when things get bad! I, on the other hand—oh, I'm different! I may not have snatched the little captain of The Hunt, but when the storm comes and everyone on that ship curses Little Lanny while praising me—the effect of Elation will be just as delightful! Hahaha!"]
The faces of the Xianzhou crowd turned so dark they might have been carved from jade.
They had been wondering why the Joyseeker, after being thwarted, would still act so generous.
So that was it—Aha was just waiting to turn the tables.
And THEY were meticulous—and patient—enough to wait for the Xianzhou to reach despair, forcing them to beg for help of their own accord. Coercion was far beneath THEM.
But to make devotees insult their own patron Aeon…
This was beyond outrageous—it was an impossible dilemma.
If, someday, they truly faced annihilation… their only choices would be to die with dignity—or live on as a cosmic joke.
And if, by that time, they still could not reach the Reignbow Arbiter—what choice would they really have?
They'd just have to plug their noses and shout it.
However long it took, Aha would certainly get the last laugh.
How vile! they all thought bitterly.
Lan's bow was fully drawn. The arrow, brighter than the sun and vaster than any celestial body, became a beam of pure annihilation—striking the black shadow dead on.
Yet Aha's mocking laughter lingered in the void, fading only after several long moments.
Everyone knew that blow had caused no real harm.
Lan, most of all, understood it—what they had struck was only a projection. Aha's escape was swifter than light itself.
But Lan did not dwell on it.
The Aeon's hooves struck the void once, the chariot behind turning in a graceful arc before facing THEIR faithful.
Jing Yuan and the others gazed up at that vast, planet-sized body, that face deep as the starry sky, unable to discern what the Aeon was thinking.
"Unworthy citizens of the Xianzhou humbly await the Reignbow Arbiter's divine decree."
They bowed deeply, awaiting instruction.
Before their god, even fire and death would not make them flinch.
Fu Xuan raised the mask high above her head.
By all logic, the Reignbow Arbiter should destroy such an object. A pity, yes—but entirely reasonable.
Still silent, Lan lifted one arm. In the palm, a sphere of blue light began to form—the Aeon's signature radiance. It shone as fiercely as an arrow's head, yet held no hostility—only gentleness.
The orb flew forth, trailing a faint violet tail like a comet across the air, straight toward Fu Xuan.
All eyes followed it, and Fu Xuan raised the mask even higher, expecting the Reignbow Arbiter to strike it down.
But the light did not hit the mask. It sank directly into Fu Xuan's chest.
"Ah…"
A wave of heat surged through her body—overwhelming, yet strangely exhilarating.
Jing Yuan and Feixiao stared, recognition dawning in their eyes like a bolt of thunder.
They had seen this before.
Only once—but that single experience had been unforgettable, etched into their souls.
They praised the Reignbow Arbiter's boundless mercy and unorthodox grace.
Not only had THEY refrained from stripping away the humiliation of Elation, but THEY had also bestowed upon Fu Xuan an additional gift.
Fu Xuan understood at once. The Reignbow Arbiter was granting her the Path of The Hunt!
Once the light was fully absorbed, she would no longer be a pseudo-Emanator uplifted by alchemy—but a true Emanator of The Hunt, a vessel of the Reignbow Arbiter's will!
Though she was usually composed and cold, now her face shone with barely contained joy.
She sat cross-legged, activating all of her Path energy. Purple and blue radiance intertwined within her body, merging into one.