Acheron waited a moment.
But she wasn't only met by Jingliu.
Arriving alongside her was another solitary figure, also with hair of white.
"Hello, great benefactor! I'm Baiheng, a pilot. Jingliu here is such a bore, so I came along to keep you company."
After speaking, Baiheng sneakily glanced at the distant General Teng Xiao, as if afraid of being discovered.
Jingliu let out a soft sigh.
She had nothing to say to Baiheng, who had insisted on tagging along.
"Lady Acheron, let me first take you to your accommodations. There will likely be a victory banquet tomorrow, and I hope you will grace us with your presence."
Jingliu made a gesture, intending to lead Acheron away from the battlefield. As for Baiheng, she was temporarily ignored.
"Hey, don't just ignore me! Don't you need someone to pilot the Starskiff to get back?"
Acheron smiled slightly, adjusting her glasses.
"In that case, I'll trouble both of you."
The three women departed together from the ravaged battlefield.
Leaving behind the thoroughly screwed-over Ambrosial Arbor, and Teng Xiao, who had no idea how to deal with it.
They headed towards the still-serene Exalting Sanctum.
--+--
However.
The abrupt conclusion of the Shuhu uprising in such a sudden manner.
Left many people curious.
"Hm? That big attacking tree branch attacking the Luofu got chopped down? Wasn't that where that impostor went?"
Lady Herta, while reorganizing the space station, also received the first-hand news from the Xianzhou Luofu.
Ordinarily, she wouldn't pay much attention to such matters.
But the last signal from that impostor had vanished near the Xianzhou Luofu.
"...Just as I thought. It wasn't some shapeshifting ability, but a complete body replacement. So, this 'Acheron', a Galaxy Ranger, possessing such formidable power... is rather intriguing."
A faint smile appeared on Lady Herta's face.
She was certain that this character called Acheron was undoubtedly the handiwork of that impostor.
The timing, the location, even the time the signal disappeared—it all matched up perfectly.
And in that blurry image data.
The black ring on the middle finger of her left hand.
Was practically identical to the one that impostor had.
If it wasn't her, Herta would eat the AllSpark's derivatives.
But... if it was just impersonating someone's appearance, plenty in the universe could manage that.
However, being able to mimic the target's actual combat prowess as well...
That wasn't something anyone could just ignore.
Especially when treading such a dangerous path.
Herta fell into thought.
Sheer brute force could be acquired through external means, but something like intellect... even if one borrowed power, it would require a creation on the level of a Genius Society member.
So, the origin of this impostor warranted serious consideration.
As well as their goal.
They impersonated a powerful figure, but didn't really do anything...
Previously, Herta had thought the impostor was done for after falling into that void rift.
But instead, that fellow had even improved the station personnel's emergency evacuation protocols.
"Whatever. Let me find out where the real Galaxy Ranger Acheron actually is. I think the original would probably be interested in her own double, don't you?"
Lady Herta didn't plan to apprehend them personally just yet.
But she didn't mind causing a little trouble for that impostor.
"Heh heh heh!"
Herta lowered her head, letting out a creepy chuckle.
--+--
Among the other Generals of the Xianzhou Alliance, after receiving the battle report from Teng Xiao.
The reactions were mixed.
A woman claiming to be a Galaxy Ranger, yet displaying extraordinary Nihility power, utilizing the properties of Nihility to utterly annihilate Shuhu.
Some Generals felt they must recruit her, must secure her, enshrine her as an honored guest.
Such a potent ability was practically tailor-made to counter the Abundance.
They were practically itching to invite her to their own ships immediately, to let her take a few swings at those Abundance remnants.
But other Generals felt it wiser to be more cautious.
Never mind that this woman had immediately taken a swipe at the Ambrosial Arbor.
Her true motives were somewhat inscrutable.
The Path of Nihility...
It was just like some kind of stubborn, filthy stain.
It was hard to imagine a normal person harnessing the power of Nihility to such an extent.
As for Teng Xiao, he was currently racking his brains over how to deal with the lingering Nihility energy on the Ambrosial Arbor.
The preliminary investigation of the Arbor by the Xianzhou had yielded results.
The Nihility power was effectively eradicating the Arbor's remaining vitality.
That seemed like good news on the surface.
But!
The Ambrosial Arbor, curse that it was.
This thing was entrusted to the Vidyadhara for guardianship.
They even used the Vidyadhara's ancient Scalegorge Waterscape as the very site of its suppression. This arrangement was part of the conditions for the Vidyadhara's ascension into the Xianzhou Alliance.
The Ambrosial Arbor's roots were deeply intertwined with the very foundation of the Vidyadhara.
If the Nihility energy were to spread to the Vidyadhara people, wouldn't they be utterly doomed?
But dealing with it...
The damned Ambrosial Arbor was one of the Luofu's major forbidden zones, normally strictly off-limits.
And because of that single slash.
Teng Xiao could easily imagine the residual power within the Arbor becoming spontaneously active in its struggle against the Nihility's erosion.
Under such circumstances, any Xianzhou native would steer clear, not dare to get close.
Aren't they afraid of Mara?
If they just left it alone...
Who knew what it would eventually become?
If they left it entirely to the Vidyadhara...
The Vidyadhara had suffered heavy casualties in the recent battle.
This was a major blow to a people already unable to reproduce normally.
Even Dan Feng was severely injured and comatose.
Now, asking the Vidyadhara to send people to deal with the Nihility energy on the Arbor...
The Dragon Elders would probably kick up a fuss again.
The fuss itself wasn't the main issue.
It was just a matter of compensation.
The real worry was that among those Dragon Elders, some might try to be clever and target Lady Acheron with their schemes.
Those Dragon Elders...
Teng Xiao felt a headache coming on.
But this matter... couldn't be ignored.
With the Ambrosial Arbor in its death throes like this, there was no telling what trouble might arise.
"Sigh, I'd better go ask Lady Acheron first, then head to the Vidyadhara. Dan Feng... I wonder when you will awaken."
Although the mere thought of what was to come made Teng Xiao's head throb.
It had to be done.
He could only sigh at the impending headache.
--+--
When Teng Xiao found them, Jingliu was showing Acheron around the vicinity of the Exalting Sanctum.
But due to Shuhu's recent attacks, the streets were still under martial law.
No pedestrians, no street vendors.
Only busy members of the Alchemy Commission scurrying about, and Cloud Knights receiving treatment.
Baiheng was at Acheron's side, explaining things about the Luofu.
"This place is usually very lively, a great spot for fun and games, but it's been temporarily requisitioned recently as an area for the wounded. Further that way is the Alchemy Commission's cavern haven. The Vidyadhara's Scalegorge Waterscape is also over there."
At this point.
Baiheng suddenly looked at Jingliu and asked: "Oh, right, how is Dan Feng?"
"Still unconscious, but his life isn't in danger. He probably won't need to be reborn from an egg."
Jingliu relayed the information she'd gotten from Jing Yuan to Baiheng.
Baiheng let out a sigh of relief. "Thanks to Miss Acheron, otherwise things would have looked really grim for us this time."
"..."
Listening to Baiheng, Acheron's mouth twitched slightly.
Grim was an understatement.
If she had been just a minute or two slower.
Only Jing Yuan would have been left standing among you.
Just then, Teng Xiao appeared before the group.
"My apologies for the interruption. This General has an urgent matter and seeks Lady Acheron's counsel."
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! 2 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.