In less than a moment, the two colors of light completely merged.
Beneath Fu Xuan's seated form, a sigil of The Hunt unfurled, and a towering violet pillar shot skyward—radiant with divine mystery.
Before the Reignbow Arbiter, they were but ants in comparison.
Yet the light bursting forth from Fu Xuan's body soared outward like one of the Arbiter's own arrows, piercing toward a distance beyond mortal sight.
After a long breath, the light faded. The pink-haired figure slowly opened her eyes.
"Master Diviner, you—"
Jing Yuan stepped forward—but before he could finish, a crushing sense of weightlessness seized him. His mind spun, the world turning upside down as if he'd plunged into an endless abyss.
When consciousness returned, he found himself face-down on the carpet of the same dining room where they had just been eating.
Around him, the others were sprawled across the floor in similarly undignified poses.
Clearly, the Reignbow Arbiter had granted the blessing—and then thrown them out of that divine space.
If he told anyone this, no one would believe it.
Their own patron Aeon was less talkative and less affectionate than the one who'd shown up just to cause mischief!
Not a word of farewell. Not even a chance to offer one.
Then again, asking a god to bid mortals goodbye—perhaps that really was too presumptuous.
Jing Yuan rubbed his temple and groaned, "Ah… these old bones weren't built for divine turbulence."
He stretched his neck, trying to shake off the nausea from the vertigo.
Feixiao, sturdier as ever, was already standing, one hand on her hip and a teasing smile on her face.
Seeing Fu Xuan's newly awakened power, she couldn't help but jest, "Congratulations, Sister Fu Xuan. Looks like this time, that old fox Jing Yuan will have to rely on you instead."
Jing Yuan took the jab with grace, smiling faintly. "She has power indeed. But her heart still needs tempering."
"Getting benefits and still acting modest? Shameless," Feixiao snorted, half-laughing.
He laughed openly in return.
For once, things were truly looking bright for the Luofu.
Not only had they gained a new Emanator—but also the Mask of Elation as a safeguard.
Of course, whoever used that mask would become the leader who publicly insulted an Aeon—and would have to resign on the spot.
But if it came to that… well, Jing Yuan could shoulder it himself.
It would make for a perfect excuse to retire early and finally enjoy a peaceful life.
How was that a downside? It was all upside.
As Jing Yuan drifted into his usual habit of future planning, Fu Xuan sat cross-legged once again, examining her inner state—feeling the profound difference between being a Pathless Emanator and a true follower of a Path.
The Pathless power had been immense—raw and overwhelming. Against it, ordinary Path energy stood no chance unless multiplied severalfold.
But The Hunt refined that power, granting it precision—specific, divine faculties.
For instance… the power to command the Spiritus.
"What—what's going on?!"
Their musings were cut short by Jiaoqiu's startled cry.
"What is it?" Feixiao turned sharply, alarmed.
Jiaoqiu squinted at his Jade Abacus, looking both bewildered and mildly offended.
"My payment software is reporting abnormal data fluctuations! It says my account's been frozen! I'm supposed to file a report with the Cloud Knights and visit a local service point for unfreezing!"
He exhaled heavily—and realization struck.
So that's how the Lord of Elation could transfer money into an account in a networkless void.
Aha hadn't actually sent him money. They'd just tampered with the displayed data!
Not the central banking servers—just his own device!
No wonder it got flagged immediately.
Everyone else quickly understood—it was yet another of Aha's pranks.
But the god was long gone. All they could do was grumble—and even that, they dared not do too loudly.
Jing Yuan quickly stepped in to mediate: "No need to worry. Thanks to your potion, the Luofu has gained a powerful new ally. I'll contact the Cloud Knights and the bank myself. The million credits—leave them as they are. Consider it a token of our gratitude."
Fu Xuan nodded. "Indeed. Though my Emanator's gift came from the Reignbow Arbiter, it was your alchemy that made it possible to behold the divine. Please, do not refuse."
Jiaoqiu waved a hand modestly. "No thanks are needed. I only followed the formula. At most, I deserve half the credit—the other half should go to that trash can shopkeeper. My mood was poor that day, my expectations high. That memory bubble… may well have been something he intended for me to take."
"Truly?"
The others grew thoughtful.
They had all witnessed how extraordinary that memory bubble was—it had not only birthed an Emanator but summoned two Aeons to the same place.
Feixiao, in particular, believed it instantly. No one knew Jiaoqiu's mental knots better than she did—and the fact that one meeting with Lin Shuo had undone them meant that man had to possess some mysterious power. Surely it wasn't just… good conversation.
"I'd say the chances are high," Jiaoqiu replied. He lifted his feather fan to conceal his grin, eyes narrowing with amusement.
"A million credits—undeserved, perhaps. But I've shamelessly accepted them. As for the account freeze—no need to fret."
His eyes gleamed as he chuckled. "Because I'd already spent the whole balance today. The Lord of Elation's prank only managed to freeze a few cups' worth of milk tea money. All that effort—for nothing."
He couldn't help but laugh softly.
His earlier outcry had been pure surprise—but now, joy took its place.
Watching Aha get outplayed by another Aeon had been entertaining.
But to personally foil a god's prank? That was exhilarating.
Who else could boast of making an Aeon's trick fall flat?
Even Jiaoqiu, normally the calmest among them, was practically glowing.
Feixiao laughed. "You're the one who should be thanking Lin Shuo the most! You got a divine artifact and a cosmic joke out of it! Luckiest fox alive!"
Jing Yuan and Fu Xuan couldn't hold back their laughter either.
A mortal turning an Aeon into the joke—was there any greater punchline in the universe?
Just as the laughter peaked, a familiar voice rang out in all their minds:
["Aha has no face left! Hahaha! What a delight!"]
The first half sounded furious—but by the end, it was pure mirth. The voice faded, vanishing into the distance.
Aha's laughter drifted away; the mortals' laughter froze solid.
Their smiles stiffened. Cold sweat trickled down their backs. Their hearts pounded with aftershock and dread.
So… the Lord of Elation hadn't actually left yet?
And they—had just mocked THEM to THEIR face?!
That was far too close.
Everyone's expression turned ashen in unison.
And then—a streak of violet lightning burst through the door.
Moze stood there, eyes wide with panic.
"Thank the stars! You're all here—I nearly died of fright! You all vanished for a whole minute! I was this close to flying to the Seat of Divine Foresight to summon the Six Charioteers of the Luofu and report to the Marshal!"
He caught his breath, then demanded, "What happened? Where were you just now?"
Jing Yuan blinked. "We… only disappeared for a minute?"