"Then, I shall thank Mr. Jing Yuan on behalf of my future self."
Knowing Jing Yuan's unspoken intentions and concerns, Lumina merely smiled, offered her thanks, and refrained from stating them explicitly. After all... her true identity was indeed somewhat... unique.
The alliance between herself and the Xianzhou Luofu had been forged today, the news disseminated one System Time later, and the ensuing shockwaves rippled across the cosmos just half a System Time after that.
The magnitude of this cosmic upheaval rivaled the cataclysmic fury that had driven the Aeon of The Hunt, Lan, to pursue the Aeon of Abundance, Yaoshi, out of love turned to hatred... Some might even suspect this earth-shattering revelation had been orchestrated by a certain Masked Fool who wished to remain anonymous...
Tap... tap... tap...
As Lumina silently mused over these implications, a series of footsteps behind her abruptly interrupted her thoughts.
Turning around, she saw the three members of the Astral Express Crew slowly approaching.
"Hello everyone! It's nice to see you again."
Lumina waved back with a warm smile.
"Sister Lumina!"
March 7th exclaimed as she entered the hall, her small eyes lighting up instantly. Recognizing Lumina's familiar figure, March 7th waved enthusiastically, her face beaming with delight.
Beside her, Stelle remained silent, refraining from waving. Yet, she stood with her hands on her hips, her lips curling into a grin that revealed her pearly white teeth.
Despite her cool and mature appearance, her actions are so childlike... Lumina mused. Wait a minute... Stelle is a child.
Realizing that Stelle had only been born a few months ago, Lumina wisely kept her mouth shut.
"You've arrived. Please, take a seat," Jing Yuan said, nodding to the Astral Express Crew before gesturing toward the chairs.
The trio nodded back, exchanged brief greetings, and settled into their seats as directed.
After the trio sat down, Jing Yuan first glanced at Lumina, who nodded in acknowledgment. He then turned his attention to the trio and began, "I've gathered you here today to express the Xianzhou Luofu's gratitude to the Nameless of the Astral Express."
"I know Lady Fu may have already spoken to you about this, but I believe the Luofu can never truly repay all you've done for us."
"Therefore, on behalf of the entire Luofu Cloud Knights, I present to each of you a Jade Abacus of Allying Oath, symbolizing our alliance."
With these words, Jing Yuan produced two jade abaci, shaped like tiger tallies, and placed them on the table.
The abaci shimmered with an ethereal luster, their very appearance radiating an aura of extraordinary craftsmanship.
"Is this a souvenir?" Stelle murmured, resting her chin on her hand as she gazed at the jade abacus before her.
"A souvenir... Hmm, yes, you could consider it a kind of souvenir," Jing Yuan nodded in agreement.
His gaze then settled on the jade abacus. "But this isn't the kind of souvenir you can just buy on a whim."
"Thousands of years ago, when the Alliance was first established..."
Jing Yuan crossed his arms and began to recount the origins of the Jade Abacus of Allying Oath.
After explaining the Jade Abacus's origins, Jing Yuan's expression instantly turned serious. His gaze settled on the three members of the Astral Express Crew as he said, "This is the Luofu Cloud Knights' promise to the Astral Express Crew. It also serves as a beacon..."
"Whether you encounter trouble, face threats, or require assistance, simply grip it, and it will send a message to the paired Jade Abacus in my possession."
"At that moment... no matter how vast the Galaxy or how arduous the journey, the Luofu Cloud Knights will rush to rendezvous with the Astral Express and fulfill your requests..."
Jing Yuan's voice was neither loud nor soft, almost quiet, and his tone was flat, devoid of any emotion beyond a calm neutrality.
Yet as these words reached the crew's ears, they felt the oppressive weight of The Hunt emanating from him.
"This... this is such a precious artifact!" March 7th gasped, covering her mouth in astonishment at Jing Yuan's explanation.
Noticing Lumina quietly sipping hot tea beside them and glancing at the Jade Abacus of Allying Oath on the table, March 7th turned to Jing Yuan with a puzzled expression. "General, if we're talking about who has contributed the most to the Luofu, shouldn't it be Sister Lumina?"
"Logically speaking, if this Jade Abacus were to be given to anyone, it should be Sister Lumina, right?"
"Hmm... Logically speaking, that makes perfect sense," Jing Yuan nodded in agreement.
"Then..."
"But the Xianzhou Luofu cannot do that." Before March 7th could finish her sentence, Jing Yuan cut her off, offering a brief explanation.
"Let me explain myself," Lumina said, setting down her teacup and turning to face March 7th with a gentle smile.
"March, the feud between the Abundance and the Hunt is eternal. As representatives of the Hunt—the Xianzhou Luofu—and myself as the Emanator of the Abundance, an alliance is utterly impossible."
Lumina's voice was gentle and patient as she explained to March 7th.
"Oh, okay..." March 7th nodded, looking only vaguely like she understood, which meant she probably didn't understand at all.
Seeing March 7th's bewildered expression, Lumina chuckled. She hadn't expected the airheaded girl to fully comprehend anyway.
"Enough fretting. Even if you gave me this token, it would be utterly useless to me."
Lumina's words held no falsehood.
If even she couldn't resolve the problem, sending the Luofu Cloud Knights would only be sending them to their deaths.
Of course, Lumina believed she would never encounter a problem she couldn't solve in her lifetime...