Breaking free from Acheron's grasp.
Just as Sylvia was about to say something, the corner of her eye caught a glimpse of a body slumped in the corner.
"...Wait a moment."
Sylvia signaled to Stelle and Acheron, then raised her hand, manipulating threads of energy to extend toward it.
She lifted the body and brought it before the group.
"A Mara-Struck? Ah..."
Jing Yuan's brow furrowed slightly, then relaxed as he let out a sigh.
Sylvia glanced at Stelle. Because of her own interference, Stelle and Dan Shu were probably strangers now, and that side quest was likely gone as well.
Shaking her head faintly, she said to Jing Yuan:
"It's Dan Shu. It seems Phantylia has already killed her."
Due to their powerful regenerative abilities, the bodies of the Mara-Struck still retain a certain degree of vitality.
But because of Phantylia's influence, her reason and consciousness had already dissipated. Now, not even a trace of frenzied will remained.
Having also been caught in the explosion, if left like this, it wouldn't be long before her life force faded completely, resulting in true death.
"..."
Jing Yuan's impression of the person who had single-handedly rebuilt the modern Disciples of Sanctus Medicus was not favorable.
However, because of Sylvia, and after learning about Dan Shu's past, he couldn't deny that she was also a pitiable soul.
Now, with her life extinguished like a snuffed lamp, there was no need to specially send her remains to the Ten-Lords Commission.
"Take her back. As for Dan Shu's remains... we shall send her off according to Xianzhou customs. If you have time, friend, you are welcome to attend."
Normally, as a criminal, Dan Shu shouldn't receive such a burial. But considering Sylvia's feelings, Jing Yuan decided to hold the ceremony according to ordinary standards.
In the end, she was already gone. If it could make Sylvia feel a bit more at ease, then so be it.
"Let's go. It's time to return."
Jing Yuan looked at Sylvia, then at the members of the Astral Express.
And so, he led the group back in triumph.
--+--
Alchemy Commission.
After emerging from beneath the sea and reuniting with Fu Xuan, the group first returned to the Alchemy Commission.
Dan Shu's remains had already been taken to the Commission's department by several Cloud Knights.
Just as in the game, Jing Yuan, in his capacity as the Arbiter-General of the Xianzhou, pardoned Dan Heng's punishment.
He granted him legal permission to return to the Luofu in the future.
He also arranged the highest standard of accommodations for the Astral Express crew, suggesting they rest for the night before anything else.
There wasn't much to say about that.
But on Sylvia's side...
After watching the Astral Express members depart,
Jing Yuan, smiling, gazed out at the ancient sea and asked Sylvia:
"That seal beneath the ancient sea was your doing, wasn't it... And this 'Galaxy Ranger's' identity should be that of a 'Self-Annihilator' or a 'Doctor of Chaos,' correct?"
"Correct."
At this point, there was little point in denial. The aura of Nihility lay beneath the ancient sea, plain for those who could sense it.
Sylvia nodded, readily admitting it.
"Please, General, and Master Diviner Fu, do not expose Acheron's identity. At least not for a while."
"Oh? Fu Xuan and I are certainly not gossips. But only for a period of time?"
Jing Yuan had thought they would need to keep it hidden indefinitely, as it's generally accepted that followers of the Path of Nihility are not well-received.
Sylvia nodded, offering no detailed explanation.
This was what Acheron had told her. She intended to use the Galaxy Ranger identity in Penacony to attract the attention of a real Galaxy Ranger.
That's why she had been traveling under that guise recently.
She herself didn't particularly care if her identity as a 'Self-Annihilator' was discovered.
"Understood. Then we shall help conceal it until the time the Marshal sends someone to the Luofu."
Jing Yuan agreed to all this with a light tone, as if it were a trivial matter.
Fu Xuan, standing beside him, shot him a complicated look.
Sylvia might not know, but how could Fu Xuan not?
The report on this incident was already difficult to write. Adding the concealment of certain details... he really wasn't afraid of being impeached.
"More importantly than that, there is a more pressing matter I need to confirm with our young friend Sylvia."
As he spoke, Jing Yuan turned and looked down at Sylvia, his expression turning serious:
"That severed Ambrosial Arbor, and Phantylia... were they truly both sealed and suppressed by you?"
Jing Yuan naturally had his considerations. Compared to a Self-Annihilator wishing to hide her identity, the Ambrosial Arbor and Phantylia were the real keys.
With these two pieces of evidence, when investigators arrived in the future, many things could be proven.
Sylvia didn't mind. After all, the Ambrosial Arbor was deeply entangled with the Xianzhou's history.
It was normal for Jing Yuan to handle it this way.
So, with a smile, Sylvia flicked her wrist and produced the card containing the sealed Ambrosial Arbor.
"Would the General like to feel the Arbor's power for himself?"
"You jest, young friend."
Jing Yuan chuckled, waving his hand.
Nevertheless, he reached out and took the card, examining it carefully.
The card felt warm to the touch. Through its thin surface, Jing Yuan could clearly sense the turbulent power within.
Undoubtedly, it was the power of the Ambrosial Arbor.
Yet, this card miraculously contained it all, not allowing the slightest leak.
Coupled with the small vial containing Phantylia's power he had seen earlier,
Jing Yuan found himself even more curious about how Sylvia had managed to subdue both forces simultaneously.
Add to that Sylvia's own power of Permanence.
When the powers of three different Paths were unleashed together, that final blow against Phantylia...
It was no longer reliant on external forces as it might have been in the past.
Such a rapid rate of progress made Jing Yuan highly optimistic about Sylvia's future.
An individual with no attachments, not shunned like those of Nihility, possessing strength rivaling an Emanator—even surpassing ordinary Emanators in potential threat...
Such a person was worth the Xianzhou's effort to befriend.
Smiling, Jing Yuan returned the card to Sylvia.
"Young friend, I have a presumptuous request. If, in the future, envoys from other Xianzhou ships come to the Luofu to investigate today's events,"
"I hope you can spare the time to come and bear witness for the Luofu."
Jing Yuan spoke with such seriousness that Sylvia was taken aback, realizing for the first time, so, even among the Xianzhou, such political friction existed.
Could a seasoned general like Jing Yuan really be subject to suspicion and investigation?
Though puzzled, Sylvia felt it wasn't her place to pry into internal affairs, so she nodded and said:
"If the General requires it, I will return."
After all, Jing Yuan was tacitly permitting Sylvia to take the Ambrosial Arbor and even helping conceal Acheron's identity.
Merely returning to give testimony seemed like a fair exchange.
Otherwise, if something really happened to Jing Yuan, Sylvia's own travels to and from the Xianzhou might become troublesome.
She just wondered, if they truly intended to investigate a Xianzhou Arbiter-General, who would the Alliance send? The Ten-Lords Commission? Or perhaps another Arbiter-General?
After all, in the worst-case scenario, whoever came would need strength to match a Xianzhou general to ensure safety, right?
That... would be something to see.
It would be nice to have a chance to visit other Xianzhou ships.
It seemed Jing Yuan had said all he needed to say.
With the great battle over, cleaning up the aftermath would require his efforts as General, along with the Six Commissions.
Sylvia didn't involve herself further. After bidding farewell to Fu Xuan, she left together with Acheron.
--+--
T/N: I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 3 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.