"Must I actually shout that phrase aloud?" Jing Yuan asked tentatively.
Sylvester thought for a moment, but couldn't recall a single case where the power could be activated without a vocal command. Spreading his hands, he said, "Then just mutter it quietly. You still have to say it, though."
Jing Yuan began to regret this whole thing.
So, the Digivice was this inconvenient?
He started to consider whether he should find another master for it.
Hmm, Yanqing would be a fine candidate. The way this Curio functioned suited his age perfectly.
If he became Koromon's senior and the two worked together, that would fit like hand in glove.
But even then, one more issue remained.
He pointed at the Digivice, hinting, "Shopkeeper Sylvester, I wonder… does this item have any unchangeable settings once it's bound to a master?"
"There are some."
After checking the system's detailed description, Sylvester replied, "But this Digivice hasn't been activated yet. Once you press the center button, it will bind to a human, grant them the title of Tamer, and automatically search for a Digimon partner. The Tamer will gain the ability to use the power of the Digital Soul, which not only strengthens themselves but also enhances their Digimon and accelerates its evolution."
At that, Jing Yuan felt a spark of joy.
Good. That decided it.
Rather than binding himself to Koromon and then, a century later, entering slumber in the Ten-Lords Commission, never to meet again—he might as well let the two youngsters grow together.
Yanqing, your master entrusts these two blue Curios to you!
But Sylvester's next words made him hesitate again.
"Oh, right. The Digital Soul is strongly linked to one's Path Power. After the Digivice chooses its master, the stronger the Tamer's Path Power, the greater the Digital Soul's strength. Also, the Digimon's and partner's powers complement each other."
"This …"
Now Jing Yuan was truly troubled.
If that were the case, then by using the Digivice himself, he might be able to elevate Koromon straight to the level of an Emanator. Even if he eventually had to enter early slumber, the Luofu would at least have a protector powerful enough to defend it.
What can I do… at this age, when the younger generation still needs time to mature, I must think further ahead for the Xianzhou.
If so, then his communications with the Genius Society must also be prioritized.
And then there was the Martial Demonstration Rite, and the plan concerning Hoolay. Ahh… there really is so much to do lately.
Having made up his mind, Jing Yuan decided to return and immediately convene a meeting of the Six Charioteers to create a full strategic plan for developing the Digital World.
He clasped his hands to Sylvester and said, "Shopkeeper Sylvester, I still have duties to attend to, so I shan't trouble you further."
Seeing that Jing Yuan was about to depart, Feixiao rose, stretched lazily, and let out a long, content hum. "Mmm mmm mmm, after sitting here so long, I feel my bones are about to fall apart. I'm heading back too—time to move these joints a little."
Jiaoqiu will probably be thrilled to see the [Eternal Spirit Knife].
"Take care, both of you. Of course, even if you're not here to open a can, I'm just as happy to have you drop by for a chat."
As both prepared to leave, Sylvester smiled, nodding politely.
Once outside, Jing Yuan and Feixiao walked together to the parking area—but upon arrival, Jing Yuan saw only his own starskiff.
"Could it be," he asked, "that your driver was reassigned today?"
Feixiao waved a hand with a grin. "Nope. I just can't stand sitting in a starskiff, stopping and starting along the crowded streets of the Exalting Sanctum. I just came to see you off for a bit."
With that, she turned and actually started walking toward the main avenue.
Seeing her intention to go on foot, Jing Yuan asked tactfully, "Wouldn't walking all the way back to your residence be tiring? The starskiff's cabin is spacious enough—why not ride together?"
Feixiao shook her head again, her trademark smile unfurling. "No need, no need. I said I wanted to stretch my limbs, and right now's the perfect chance."
Then, under Jing Yuan's gaze, she twisted her joints, warmed up, and stepped forward with her left foot. Her Path Power flared, and as her right foot followed, she shot out like an arrow released from a taut bow, leaving behind only faint trails of pale blue light.
"Ho ho, such energy in the young," Jing Yuan said, shading his eyes to watch. Though he'd heard countless reports of her great victory through the Yellowbell System, this was his first time witnessing the Vanquishing General in action. Even if she was merely traveling, that speed—he himself could never have matched it, even in his prime.
"A new generation surpasses the old," Jing Yuan sighed. Then, recalling the foxian physician at her side, he added with a tinge of melancholy, "The Xianzhou people worry over the curse of the Disease Mother, while the Vidyadhara and Foxians fret over their fleeting lifespans. Such impermanence in the world… I hope that once her Moon Rage is cured, her life may lengthen as well."
Jing Yuan boarded his starskiff. As he returned to the Seat of Divine Foresight, he also sent messages to the Six Charioteers of Luofu:
Master Diviner Fu Xuan, Sky-Faring Commissioner Yukong, Realm-Keeping Commissioner Huai Fu, Acting Artisanship Commission Chief Gongshu, and… the newly appointed Alchemy Commission Cauldron Master—Lingsha.
Thinking of that returning Vidyadhara woman, Jing Yuan smiled wryly. Some things must eventually be settled… but not yet.
His fingers tapped several more times, dispatching the message:
"Today I have obtained another vital Curio. For the sake of the Luofu—and indeed the entire Xianzhou—all Six Charioteers are to cease their current tasks and convene at the Seat of Divine Foresight without delay. Attendance is mandatory."
…
Outside the Yaoqing Envoy Mansion.
Jiaoqiu was preparing the day's meal. He handed the ingredients he'd purchased from the Alchemy Commission to his servants, instructing them to wash them clean; later, he would personally brew the medicine.
As he turned to return to his room for a rest, a bright cyan-blue light approached rapidly from afar.
"Sigh, is that really necessary?" Jiaoqiu waved his pink feather fan helplessly.
With an assigned starskiff unused, she insisted on running everywhere on her own. Isn't that exhausting?
Whether or not he thought so, Feixiao clearly wasn't tired—if anything, she looked delighted.
Seeing that blue glow rushing straight toward him, he made no move to dodge.
He stood firm, facing the oncoming figure, closing his fan.
In an instant, Feixiao's form came sharply into view. At such speed and impact, the next second should've sent Jiaoqiu flying like a wooden training dummy.
But he still didn't move—calm as ever, he gave a formal bow and said solemnly, "Welcome back, General."
Naturally, the figure didn't crash into him. She halted cleanly a meter before him, the shockwave so perfectly contained that not a single one of Jiaoqiu's fox hairs stirred.
Feixiao laughed heartily. "Still with the formalities? Come on, look at this—you'll love it."
Jiaoqiu remained polite. "In public, a general must uphold a general's dignity. Is this… a kitchen knife?"
He weighed it lightly in his hand, finding nothing unusual, and frowned in confusion. "I don't recall the Artisanship Commission producing anything like this."