"Kafka… Hmm, Pom-Pom doesn't like her. She has a dangerous smell. But the Trailblazer's path and goals must be chosen by the Trailblazer themselves. That is Akivili's creed."
Welt's expression remained grave:
"The powerful Xianzhou Alliance… how could it be breached by a single Stellaron…"
Zeig also narrowed his eyes and interjected:
"That means there's more than just a Stellaron! The Stellaron Hunters are one faction, but maybe there are internal conflicts within the Luofu as well?"
March 7th chimed in:
"Yeah, maybe they had a coup over there too, just like on Jarilo-VI? Jarilo-VI's average combat strength was still within our controllable range, but this is the Xianzhou Alliance! If we stir up this mess and things go wrong, we're done for!"
Welt nodded:
"Indeed. On the Xianzhou Luofu, there are combat forces at the level of an Emanator of the Hunt. The current situation is even more complicated."
"This matter is truly too strange. The Xianzhou Alliance is one of the few factions that directly draws power from an Aeon. Their strength is immense, far surpassing the Astral Express that was once protected by the deceased Akivili."
"Stars scattered across the galaxy can be crushed by Stellarons' crises, but the Xianzhou possesses the 'Lan' of the Hunt. I don't think a Stellaron would be any trouble in the eyes of an Aeon."
After listening to Welt's thorough analysis, almost everyone on the Express felt that heading to the Xianzhou was unwise.
"Uncle Yang, so what do you say—should we go or not?" March 7th asked worriedly.
Welt was silent for a moment, then slowly spoke:
"How much do you all know about the strength of the Xianzhou Alliance?"
Zeig: "Don't look at me. I only just learned that much from what you said."
March 7th: "Same here."
Dan Heng: "…"
Welt sighed:
"The Alliance is a union formed by six enormous drifting ships—the Xianzhou vessels. They follow the Aeon of the Hunt, 'Lan,' with the goal of eradicating 'Abundance.'"
"Among the Aeons, Lan is not particularly powerful. The concept of Their Path, 'The Hunt,' is relatively narrow… But unlike most Aeons, Lan pays great attention to mortals and has granted the Xianzhou Alliance Their power almost without reservation."
"Without reservation?"
Zeig perked up:
"Does that mean the Emanators on the Xianzhou are all insanely strong? And those Cloud Knights who follow the Path of the Hunt are also ridiculously powerful?"
Welt nodded:
"The Alliance's 'Marshal' and six 'Generals' are in no way inferior to the Legion's 'Lords of Extinction.'"
March 7th asked curiously:
"So, where was our original destination?"
"The place we were originally heading to is called Penacony. It used to be a prison planet used by the IPC to exile criminals—at least during Akivili's era."
"When the 'Cancer of All Worlds' erupted, the IPC lost control of it. Penacony then fell into the embrace of the Aeon of Harmony, Xipe. Now it belongs to the 'Family.'"
After Welt had explained so much to the three of them, Himeko also slowly walked over and spoke:
"Penacony is currently holding a grand event, so the 'Family' sent the Express an invitation. I planned to accept it. Originally, we weren't going as Trailblazers, but as guests attending a banquet."
At the keyword 'banquet,' for some reason Zeig recalled a certain historical allusion called the 'Hongmen Banquet.' He immediately despaired:
"I have a feeling that whatever grand event is happening on that Penacony planet also smells fishy."
"Go on, you think everything is fishy." Himeko kicked Zeig aside, then turned to March 7th and Dan Heng:
"What about you two? Should we go to the Xianzhou?"
Before March 7th could react, Dan Heng shook his head first:
"If it were any other 'Xianzhou,' it might be fine, but if it's the 'Luofu,' I cannot go."
"I am forbidden from setting foot on the Luofu. 'Wherever I govern, I must not tread.' If everyone insists on going there, I can only wish you all the best."
Himeko nodded, indicating she understood.
"Then, let's vote on it."
The kicked-aside Zeig and Welt nearby also slowly came over, preparing to vote.
At Himeko's command, she raised her hand first, indicating agreement to head to the Xianzhou.
Next was Welt.
Then March 7th, Dan Heng, and Zeig.
"…"
All five people agreed to go to the Xianzhou.
This scene made the watching Pom-Pom's eyes widen dramatically. Pom-Pom shouted:
"Eh…! Weren't you all saying the Luofu was dangerous? How come everyone agreed to go, Pom-Pom!"
Himeko smiled slightly:
"The Stellaron Hunters claim a Stellaron has erupted on the Luofu. If we head there, we might have a chance to save many innocent lives."
Welt nodded:
"We… are Trailblazers. For something like this, we naturally cannot sit idly by."
Himeko and Welt's noble reasons nearly moved Pom-Pom to tears.
Then Pom-Pom looked at the other three.
"And you? Are you thinking the same?"
March 7th scratched her head awkwardly:
"If a lot of people died because we didn't go this time, I'd feel a tiny bit guilty inside."
Dan Heng gave a hum:
"Mm."
Finally, Pom-Pom looked at Zeig.
…
"Me? When I heard Dan Heng say he couldn't enter the Luofu, I suddenly, inexplicably, wanted to go."
"…"
"You're way too much of a contrarian, Pom-Pom!" Pom-Pom accused.
"Low-key, low-key, stop praising me."
"…"
"Good." Himeko smiled as she looked at everyone:
"Since it's unanimous, our next stop is decided—the Xianzhou Luofu."
Welt nodded and looked at March and Zeig:
"This time, I will accompany the two of you. Dan Heng and Himeko will stay on the Express."
"?"
Zeig was somewhat surprised:
"Eh? Uncle Yang, you're going too? I thought it would just be me and March charging ahead this time."
Welt smiled:
"This trip is far more dangerous than Jarilo-VI. How could I not come along? If only the two of you went, none of the rest of us would feel at ease."
Himeko smiled at Welt:
"Then this Trailblazing expedition is in your hands, Welt. You've been itching to go for a while. Make sure to take good care of Zeig and little March."
"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing."
…
"The jump is about to begin… Five, four…" Pom-Pom shouted the countdown as the entire Astral Express gradually transformed into light and shadow, beginning the jump.
At that moment, Zeig suddenly shouted:
"Wait… I've got an idea. Using the coordinates Kafka just gave us, I think I discovered a new way to play? If you give me some time to research, I can open…"
"No! No jumping off the train!" Himeko, Welt, and Pom-Pom shouted sternly at the same time.
"…"