Feixiao was panting heavily, each breath labored.
Her expression was contorted, as if she were battling against different voices within herself.
After a while.
Feixiao suddenly plunged her great-axe into the ground, as if in response to Qin Suyi's words to stop.
She herself showed no further reaction.
Based on this temporary result, almost everyone thought she had succeeded.
"Then, the winner of this bout is..."
Seeing this, Qin Suyi breathed a sigh of relief and immediately began to announce the winner.
But before she could finish her words...
Feixiao moved, suddenly and without warning.
She stomped her foot and lunged forward, throwing a punch at Qin Suyi!
The crimson glow at the edges of her corneas was terrifying.
Forcing herself to put down her weapon was the absolute limit of what Feixiao could manage.
She had lost.
"So she failed after all?" Qin Suyi sighed regretfully.
But it wasn't unexpected.
It was a problem the Foxians hadn't solved in centuries.
To think she could overcome it with belief alone was a bit too naive.
"Guard Sword..."
Just as Qin Suyi was about to act, a shooting star streaked across the sky.
The meteor's reflection in Feixiao's eyes momentarily dazed her.
The appearance of the shooting star had never changed.
Not in the recent third war against the Denizens of Abundance, nor on that evening many years ago when she was reborn.
"Forcing the issue when it's clearly not compatible, are we?"
After the meteor passed, Leon, who remained, raised a hand and effortlessly caught her incoming fist.
Immediately after, a group of Foxians suddenly appeared around the martial arts arena.
Inexplicable music began to play.
The Foxians were holding two cigarette packs, one brand in their left hand, another in their right.
Liqun on the left, Banqi on the right.
With deadpan expressions, they showed the cigarette packs to the public.
Then they patted the packs against their chests and began to dance in slow motion, moving their left and right hands.
A dance of fealty from ancient Greece.
Accompanied by this group of Foxians, the once serious atmosphere of the arena completely changed.
"I..."
The killing intent of The Hunt emanating from Leon dispersed the disorienting negative buff brought on by the Lunar Madness.
"I..."
Feixiao looked at her fist, caught in his palm, and understood her final result.
"I lost..."
She still couldn't overcome the Lunar Madness.
She couldn't do anything.
"You didn't completely lose."
Leon released her fist and tossed her a crimson moon he had shaped into a jade pendant.
Feixiao subconsciously raised her hand to catch it.
The moment she grasped the pendant, she felt a warm current flowing through her body.
Whether it was the physical toll from the Lunar Madness or the internal injuries accumulated over the years...they were all swept away by the purifying power of The Hunt.
"If you had unleashed your potential a bit earlier, you might have succeeded."
What Feixiao lacked was time.
If the fight had lasted for the time it takes one incense stick to burn, she could control herself enough to put down her weapon.
If it had lasted for two, she might have successfully tamed it.
Don't talk about failure.
Just believe.
She fell silent, with nothing more to say.
"Then, the final result is that Yueyu's disciple has won by a slight margin, taking first place."
Qin Suyi was thankful he had arrived in time.
If that punch had landed, Feixiao would have been disqualified.
"I..."
Feixiao clutched the jade pendant, looking at him as if she wanted to say something but couldn't.
It seemed she wanted to refuse, feeling unworthy.
"You didn't hurt me at all, and you even managed to coordinate with me during your attack."
March 7th knew what she was thinking and shook her head.
"That's enough."
Yes, by all rights, Feixiao deserved to be the champion.
As for her being unworthy, that was nonsense.
She had suppressed the Lunar Madness enough to focus on a specific target, rather than engaging in a typical indiscriminate hunt.
If you had to put it that way, while Feixiao might have used a 'cheat', it's not like March 7th didn't.
That's right, kids, Evernight did it too.
And Leon's cheat is always on, isn't it?
After speaking, March 7th sheathed her twin swords and immediately sidled up to Leon.
With her hands behind her back and her head slightly lowered, she beamed like a flower.
As if seeking his praise.
"Not a bad fight."
Leon raised his hand and patted her head.
The current result could be considered a tie for first place; she had indeed fought well.
A tie for first is fine.
Not to mention March 7th was an outsider, and they didn't plan to stay on the Xianzhou for long.
Actually winning the championship would have been more trouble than it was worth.
If Feixiao didn't take on this responsibility today, Yueyu would likely have to reluctantly continue in the role for some time.
They couldn't just hold another Martial Decree Ceremony from scratch, could they? How ridiculous.
March 7th's eyes widened, and she nodded repeatedly, like a kitten being petted.
This kitten still has its claws, so don't get too rough.
"Miss March is correct."
A massive fox head suddenly materialized, carrying Yueyu as she slowly descended from the high platform of the spectator stands.
"As you know, the Arbiter-General of the Skies and Miss March cannot stay on the Yaoqing for long."
"They are from the heavens, while you are invincible on earth."
"This position of Arbiter-General is rightfully yours. It is by no means a handout, but something you've earned with your own strength, fighting your way here from the very beginning."
Yueyu looked at her.
Feixiao opened her mouth, wanting to say more.
But her master's next words completely cut off her path to refusal.
"What, you're getting shy now?"
Yueyu chuckled, teasing her.
"Then why weren't you shy just now when you decided to risk it all to chase after someone's shadow?"
"Since you've already decided on your life's goal, what is there to be shy about?"
"The Lunar Madness is necessary, and so is this position of Arbiter-General."
As Yueyu spoke, her gaze shifted to Leon.
"Seize everything you can. If you miss this chance, you will never get another."
"I'm sure you are well aware that 'Emanator' is merely his starting point."
Yueyu was self-aware enough to know this was no exaggeration.
Can an ordinary Emanator even enter Leon's sights?
Please see the VCR of the tragic state of the IPC's Pier Point!
The answer is obvious: no.
"But if you are not an Emanator, you won't even have the qualifications for a ticket to the show."
Yet if Feixiao were not an Emanator, she could never catch up, no matter how hard she tried.
Only by truly accepting this position of Arbiter-General could she gain a chance from this insurmountable distance—a chance to create a miracle through her own efforts.
"So, choose."
As her words fell, the "Feihuang" behind Yueyu suddenly roared in Feixiao's direction.
It seemed to be testing whether she was truly qualified to receive this power.
Feixiao's clothes and hair whipped about in the gale created by the roar.
Leon and March 7th, however, were completely unaffected.
Because the Feihuang wouldn't dare challenge the proxy chosen by its master's kitten.
Feixiao gritted her teeth, and after a few seconds of internal struggle, she made her final choice.
"Bring it on!"
She took a deep breath, her spirited face filled with determination.
Yueyu said nothing.
After one last look at her disciple, she relinquished her control over the Feihuang.
She silently stepped back.
Her Lunar Madness was resolved; she no longer had to worry about the fate of being hunted by the Xianzhou Alliance itself.
Born to fight, die in battle.
Yueyu no longer had any lingering attachments.
Beastly Roar
Once freed, the Feihuang charged straight at Feixiao.
A wind brushed her face, but it wasn't a gentle breeze; it was a hurricane that felt like it could tear flesh from bone.
Feixiao didn't retreat a single step, only tightening her grip on the jade pendant she had just received.
She could not retreat.
This was her only chance.
If she retreated now, becoming an Emanator would be impossible for the rest of her life!
After a loud roar, the Feihuang slammed right into Feixiao.
Judging by appearances alone.
If things went as expected, under such an impact, any normal person would think Feixiao would be sent flying for miles.
But that is not what happened.
The moment the Feihuang touched Feixiao's body, it instantly seeped into her.
It caused her no harm.
The Feihuang is a beast born of the heart; its successor must naturally undergo a trial of the heart.
"Let's give my disciple some space."
Saying this, Yueyu invited him to the side.
"Arbiter-General of the Skies, please, let's speak over here."
Preparing to discuss a solution for the "Lunar Madness."
After all, Feixiao wasn't the only one afflicted with "Lunar Madness"; many other Foxians on the Yaoqing suffered from this condition.
If only one person could break the curse...that would undoubtedly be tragic news for the Foxians of the Yaoqing.
But Yueyu believed.
She believed that Leon had surely brought a new variable for their Foxian people.
Because he was the type of person who hated endings where not everyone could be saved.
Leon nodded and left with March 7th and Yueyu.
As he walked away, he glanced at the stunned Feixiao.
She was undergoing a trial.
If she succeeded, she would become the revered Arbiter-General Tianji.
If she failed... if she failed, there was nothing to worry about.
Because he would intervene.
...
Within the mindscape forged by the Feihuang from Feixiao's emotions.
She returned to the night that changed her life.
"Ningli, look up! Look at the light in the sky!"
The young girl, still a Borisin war slave, raised her hand as if to catch the arrow of light flashing across the sky.
"That's a 'Shooting Star'! The shooting star is shining on us!"
Feixiao appeared beside Salan, like a ghost.
"The brothers and sisters from Kulu said that if we make a wish to it, our wish will surely come true!"
Salan's eyes reflected the shooting star in the sky, as if she wanted to burn this moment into her memory forever.
Feixiao watched her past self, silent.
What was the outcome after making the wish?
Feixiao's thoughts were stirred by this past she was suddenly forced to look back upon.
What was the final outcome for her and Ningli?
As Feixiao's thoughts drifted, the scene abruptly changed.
A bottomless abyss appeared before her eyes.
Yes, in the end, she escaped the Borisin's pursuit and met Yueyu, but Ningli wasn't so lucky.
She died tragically at the hands of the Borisin.
When she returned to her homeland with Yueyu, only devastation remained.
The Borisin were dead, but so were the brothers and sisters from Kulu.
This was all the price brought by the "Shooting Star."
In the years that followed, she chased the trail of that light many times, and many times she witnessed the "Shooting Star" descend with her own eyes.
Gradually, Feixiao came to understand.
That was no "Shooting Star" that carried wishes.
The appearance of each arrow of light meant the annihilation of a hopeless world and countless living beings.
So, Feixiao raised her hand towards the "Shooting Star."
Just as before, she made another wish to it.
She prayed to the God of the Celestial Bow, begging Him to never let her witness a "Shooting Star" fall again.
"He" did not answer her.
[Don't be afraid, children, your hero has arrived!]
"So what? Isn't this just changing the target you're chasing? What's the difference?"
The other self, born from her psyche, asked Feixiao.
"Before, you did it so that no one would have to witness a 'Shooting Star' fall again."
"That's why you planned to act one step ahead of the God of the Celestial Bow, to become the sharp edge The Hunt requires, to pierce the heart of worlds before the arrow of light arrived."
"Feixiao" looked at herself.
"And what about now? Why are you chasing that man's back now?"
"So that one day, I can also become the 'Shooting Star' that others need!"
Feixiao met her own gaze and replied.
"It was his appearance that made me understand what my true path is!"
Feixiao said with unwavering conviction: "Since the salvation brought by the God of the Celestial Bow is no different from destruction.
"Then let us become the arrows of light ourselves!
"To bring the salvation the world needs, and to bring the destruction the Abundance deserves!"
Leon's appearance made Feixiao realize that her previous direction had been wrong from the very beginning.
"What I should have been doing was not racing against the 'Shooting Star,' but becoming the 'Shooting Star' that people wish for!"
The "Shooting Star" needs to exist.
It symbolizes a beautiful hope.
Just like her hopes for the shooting star when she was still Salan.
In this vast galaxy, there must be many others who think just like Salan.
Without the "Shooting Star," these people would lose a piece of their hope forever.
"Now, what I must do is race against time!"
Leon proved that a "Shooting Star" can also bring the purest form of salvation.
If you were to put it in his words.
"If there's a problem you can't solve, it must be because your stats aren't high enough."
"In the mere hundred-plus years of a Foxian's life, I will catch up to him!"
Her perspective had been too narrow.
Racing against the "Shooting Star" wasn't wrong in itself, but that approach would make people lose a kind of hope.
What she should truly seek was Leon's path—to defeat the entire world with one's own power.
Carefree, without worry, invincible!
As long as she had the power to solve everything on her own.
And could wield it freely, just like him, she could become a "Shooting Star" herself—becoming the hope that others wished for in a "Shooting Star"!
"Do you think you can do it?"
The psychic projection of "Feixiao" asked her.
"Of course I can!"
Feixiao's lips curled into a slight smile.
"Because... he believes in me, so I know I can do it!"
As her words fell, the space shattered!
With a great crash, the mindscape was destroyed by the hands of the Feixiao who had found her life's path!
She returned to reality.
The Feihuang now appeared behind her, undoubtedly signifying that she had passed the trial to become the next Arbiter-General.
This was a moment to be remembered.
Because at this moment, the Yaoqing welcomed its new Arbiter-General—the one who would one day be renowned as the "Arbiter-General Tianji"!
Rejoice, for the emotionless General is born at this moment.
"So this is an Emanator..."
Feeling the immense Imaginary power from the Feihuang now under her control, Feixiao murmured to herself.
Emanator.
A realm that many Pathstriders could never hope to reach in their entire lives.
Looking across the galaxy, the line between an Emanator and a Pathstrider is a great divide.
The latter, while not as common as stray dogs on the street...compared to the rarity of the former, you might as well call them strays.
Excluding those Pathstriders who form their own factions...only by becoming an Emanator does one earn the right to be noticed by the major powers of the galaxy.
"This is... his starting point..."
Feixiao clenched her fist, a powerful and vast energy flowing within her.
She wasn't like Leon, who had achieved it all in a single step, starting out as an Emanator.
No one knew better than her former Pathstrider self just how much of a boost the Feihuang had given her.
In comparison, a Pathstrider and an Emanator were like heaven and earth.
The gap between the two was truly difficult to describe in words.
If you are not an Emanator, you can only imagine an Emanator's power.
But when you become an Emanator, you realize your imagination is more impoverished than Akr's.
"Hah."
Feixiao exhaled, trying to retract the Feihuang with her will.
Then, without her noticing...
a strange, stigma-like pattern suddenly appeared on her back, hidden beneath her clothes.
"In any case, this is a new beginning."
Feixiao thought to herself after retracting the Feihuang.
She had her ticket to the show now.
Her chase after Leon had only just begun!
Filled with this exhilarating feeling, she couldn't wait to share her joy with him.
She looked around, searching for his figure.
But the arena for the Martial Decree Ceremony had been emptied at some point.
There was no one in the stands, the previous liveliness gone.
It was deserted.
Her search ended in failure.
"Stop looking. He's not here."
Qin Suyi, who had stayed behind as a failsafe and a guide, spoke up to bring her back to her senses.
"Lady Suyi... my apologies for my earlier offense."
Feixiao said, looking a bit embarrassed at the familiar face.
"An apology from a General? I, a mere idler, wouldn't dare accept it."
Qin Suyi chuckled.
Feixiao stammered, unsure of how to reply.
"Yueyu always says I have terrible taste in men."
"Now, looking at you, her disciple, it seems she was right."
Qin Suyi looked at her state and said with a smile.
"You have good taste in men. Better than mine."
More than good—she's set her sights on the man admired by the Reignbow Arbiter himself.
Leon is basically a succubus on the Xianzhou, isn't he?
Setting aside that magnificent face that tops all the 'must-eat' lists, just based on his status alone, is there any normal person on the Xianzhou who doesn't covet his body?
Anyone who doesn't is probably a traitor.
No exaggeration, if someone could marry him, their entire family would ascend to the heavens.
Feixiao: Sigh, if I could get Leon to marry me, I'd be willing to become the strongest person in the world just to have my way with him.
To be honest, Qin Suyi actually thought the path to salvation for the Vidyadhara lay with Leon.
The fertility issue.
She believed that with the Reignbow Arbiter's blessing, Leon's body, which was practically that of a demigod, could completely ignore such limitations.
The Vidyadhara might act all high and mighty, but if they could truly obtain his bloodline, they'd be secretly overjoyed.
It just goes to show the Vidyadhara don't know how to seize an opportunity.
____
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