"Based on the current intelligence we have, there are no less than four or five factions involved on the Xianzhou now."
"The Disciples of Sanctus Medicus, the Stellaron Hunters, the Causality Walkers, you Nameless, and the unknown faction that brought the Stellaron aboard the Xianzhou. If we include the local Xianzhou forces and the yet-to-be-confirmed Destruction faction, then the Xianzhou Luofu can indeed be considered the center of the world at this moment."
Jing Yuan half-jokingly explained the current situation on the Xianzhou to the Nameless. With so many factions gathered here, and considering that the Luofu is fundamentally different from Yarilo—after all, the Xianzhou Alliance itself is one of the largest forces in the universe—it's no exaggeration to say that the Luofu is currently the cosmic center.
"With the Xianzhou facing such internal and external troubles, General Jing Yuan, what do you need us Nameless to do?"
"Haha, since Mr. Welt is so straightforward, I won't beat around the bush either." Jing Yuan laughed, and in an instant, his entire demeanor shifted. The lazy, carefree air about him vanished completely. If the previous Jing Yuan was like a rusted scabbard, the current one was a sharp blade unsheathed.
"In the name of the Xianzhou General, I hereby commission all of you Nameless to assist in capturing the Stellaron Hunters. Once the Xianzhou overcomes this crisis, I, Jing Yuan, will surely repay you handsomely."
"Is that all?" Welt pondered for a moment, then glanced at March 7th and Stelle, who were busy looking around the Seat of Divine Foresight. After another moment of thought, Welt ultimately agreed to Jing Yuan's request.
"I accept this commission on behalf of the Astral Express. However, I have one more question, if I may ask, General Jing Yuan."
"Please, go ahead, Mr. Welt." Jing Yuan raised his hand magnanimously.
"Forgive my bluntness, but General Jing Yuan seems to have everything under control. Have you already made complete preparations to resolve the chaos on the Xianzhou?"
"From a certain perspective, yes." After a brief pause, Jing Yuan nodded slightly. Regarding the upcoming Stellaron crisis and the various factions that might unleash a storm of bloodshed on the Xianzhou, he didn't have a 100% chance of success. In fact, if an Emanator-level figure were to intervene, he wouldn't even have half the odds.
Of course, this was only under the assumption that the Causality faction didn't intervene. If the Xianzhou truly faced an existential crisis, even if that person didn't act, Qingque—a native of the Xianzhou—would never stand idly by. With two Emanators joining forces, they could easily sweep away all obstacles.
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"Kafka, two system hours ago, the Astral Express crew boarded the Luofu. They're led by Welt Yang, with Stelle and that little pink-haired girl joining this Xianzhou trip."
"Mhm, I know. Thanks, Wolfie~ You've worked hard."
In a relatively secluded house in the Exalting Sanctum of the Xianzhou Luofu, Kafka was communicating with Silver Wolf via communicator. Beside her, 'Blade'—who had been forcibly taken from Belobog—sat with a cold expression, endlessly polishing the already cracked 'Shattered' sword in his hands.
"Ugh—can you not call me that? It's too cringey, Kafka." On the other end of the communicator, Silver Wolf shuddered, an unpleasant chill running down her spine.
"Oh? Isn't that kind of nickname very affectionate? My dear Silver Wolfie~" Kafka raised an eyebrow, then continued in a teasing tone.
Beep, beep, beep...
Listening to the busy tone from the communicator, Kafka covered her lips and giggled. But soon, the woman often regarded as "mom" by players regained her composure.
"Blade, pack up quickly. The show is about to begin."
———————————————
"Tch, this dream world is way too fragile. It's like a shoddy construction project—how did it almost collapse the moment I stepped in?"
In the Dream's Edge of the Reverie Hotel, Yun Fan had just risen from the dream pool when suddenly, the dream world trembled violently. The meticulously constructed dreamscape, built over years by countless dreamweavers, showed signs of shattering.
Witnessing this, Yun Fan restrained all his power, yet the dream world continued to crumble.
"What kind of nonsense is this?" Our Mr. Yun Fan was utterly baffled. He had already suppressed all his energy, so why was the dream world still collapsing?
"Unless..." As if realizing something, Yun Fan activated his Causality authority, forcibly suppressing his existence to that of an ordinary person.
"So that's how it is..." After downgrading his level, the dream world finally stabilized. Yun Fan could only sigh helplessly.
Though this body was merely an Emanator-level energy construct, as an Aeon's avatar, his existence far surpassed that of ordinary Emanators.
It was like the difference between three-dimensional and two-dimensional space. Yun Fan was akin to a three-dimensional entity, while the dream world—unlike true reality—was relatively fragile, comparable to a two-dimensional plane. For a three-dimensional being to forcibly enter a two-dimensional space without tearing it apart was already the best possible outcome.
"Now, where to go first? Let me see... I'll head to the Golden Hour. I remember there's a little eyeball there that seemed quite interesting."
After a brief hesitation, Yun Fan decided to start with the Golden Hour. As the most luxurious shopping and entertainment district in Penacony's dream world, the Golden Hour was a must-visit destination for tourism, dining, and leisure.
"Hum-dee-dum~ What a happy day for us ordinary folks~" The upstanding youth hummed a tune from his homeland as he set off toward the splendid shopping city.
Fifteen minutes later, in the Family conference room of Penacony...
"Have you figured out what happened earlier? How could the dream world suddenly fracture, nearly collapsing entirely?!"
Sunday's face was dark as he reviewed the investigation reports submitted by the Bloodhound Family members, his expression so grim it seemed water could drip from it.
"Sir, we... we still have no leads. The only certainty is that the source of the collapse originated in the Dream's Edge of the Reverie Hotel. We—"
"Then keep investigating! Thoroughly check the recent guest list and those stowaways. With the Charmony Festival approaching, Penacony cannot afford even the slightest mishap."
"Yes, sir!"
Not long after the Bloodhound Family members left, the conference room door opened again, and a beautiful girl stepped in with light, graceful steps.
The girl wore an elegant yet understated dress composed of blue, white, and purple hues, with white dominating the palette. The white hem of her dress swayed gently with her movements, harmonious and perfectly complementing her demeanor.
In addition, the girl shared Sunday's blue-gray hair, adorned with a golden halo atop her head, resembling an angel from myth—divine, pure, and supreme.
"Brother." The girl's gentle voice washed over Sunday like a spring breeze, instantly dispelling the gloom on the Family's spokesman's face. In its place was a look of tenderness and affection.