"General… Yanqing can't sense any aura, but instinct tells him it's extremely dangerous…"
Cold sweat slid down Yanqing's temple; he spoke in disbelief.
Mei and Bronya likewise could not feel a single trace of aura.
Jing Yuan's brows knit together; he too could detect no sign of Kiana's presence.
Only the air, overheated by that sacred majesty… yet Jing Yuan felt no great threat; for the moment it did not seem to reach Emanator level.
Besides, he sensed Kiana's current form was incomplete—his intuition.
Still, that divine bearing showed Jing Yuan that Kiana's potential was limitless.
Given time, might the Xianzhou Alliance witness a second ascension to godhood?
Jing Yuan grew even more determined to ally with Kiana; otherwise it would be a grievous loss for the Alliance.
What none of them knew: the divine technique Ultra Instinct is a god's move.
The aura it uses is the Breath of God; only those who have likewise grasped Divine Breath can sense one another.
In the midst of the aura, Kiana's pupils suddenly shrank; she dispersed the aura at once and returned to normal.
She turned away, face paling, a sweet taste in her throat; she quickly covered her lips and forced it back.
After a moment she turned round again and smiled at Jing Yuan.
"Well? Pretty shocked by This Young Miss's power, huh?"
Hands on hips, she tilted her head, feigning nothing was wrong.
With that she batted her big eyes at Jing Yuan, then glanced toward Mei and Bronya.
"Haha, such strength at your age, Kiana—your future is boundless. The Alliance has truly struck gold this time."
Jing Yuan, noting Kiana's rather pale little face, gave a knowing nod and applauded cheerfully.
Then, as if nothing had happened, he used his jade sign to send Yanqing a message.
Real-Name Online: Yanqing, please fetch the Dragon Girl to the Seat of Divine Foresight. Say… Jing Yuan is unwell.
InvincibleSword123: Understood… Miss Kiana… I'll bring the Dragon Lady at once.
Yanqing sped out of the Seat of Divine Foresight and headed for the Alchemy Commission.
Not long after he left, a petite little girl trotted in with quick steps.
Wow! It's Fu Xuan! So cute!
Kiana's eyes lit up at the sight of the newcomer.
The little girl had pink hair, twin low ponytail braids, and four golden pins in the back of her head.
She wore a white dress embroidered with golden auspicious clouds, a purple astrolabe on her chest, and white tights over her straight legs.
Kiana almost couldn't resist wondering if an ice-cream would taste of milk.
"General! The Matrix of Prescience has reached its conclusion—the Living Planet truly exists, its form matching the Abyssal Star that devoured Azure City in stellar year 6300. This is critical; a decision is needed at once!"
Though Fu Xuan's face was childish, her golden eyes lent her an authority beyond her years.
"…"
Jing Yuan fell silent for a moment, then spoke slowly.
"This is not Luofu's burden alone. I shall report to the Alliance; until reinforcements arrive, Minister Fu, I entrust you to keep watch for any lurking Abominations of Abundance."
"Excellent. We must proceed with caution; as for those Abominations, they cannot escape This One's sight."
With that, Fu Xuan turned to Kiana and the others, gave a polite nod after a brief look.
Jing Yuan cast Kiana an apologetic glance, then used his jade sign to inform the Marshal about the Abyssal Star and the Abominations.
He then discussed with Kiana the deployment of the Cloud Knights.
Both Arks were now besieged, with the Abyssal Star watching; they had to act first.
Jing Yuan proposed that half of Luofu's Cloud Knights accompany Kiana back to Wangshu, the two ships anchoring side by side for mutual support.
Kiana considered briefly, then agreed.
"All right…"
After nodding, she looked at Mei and Bronya, took a deep breath, and spoke with resolve.
"Mei, Bronya, I'll send you back first, then—"
"I won't go!"
Before Kiana could finish, Mei shook her head hard, eyes shut, her voice trembling on the edge of tears.
Though she did not know what the Abominations or the Abyssal Star were,
instinct told her how dangerous they were.
And inside her body the Third Herrscher had issued an unexpected warning, every word declaring extreme peril.
Anything that made that person cautious could not be simple!
Even the Luofu general was far beyond what the current Third Herrscher could handle.
"…"
Kiana looked at Mei with heartache, reached out to comfort her, but did not know how, and turned to Bronya for help.
"Can you promise Bronya you'll get back safely?"
Bronya had meant to refuse as well, but seeing the resolve in Kiana's eyes, she spoke.
Relieved, Kiana exhaled and smiled easily.
"General Jing Yuan will protect me, and… if things get really bad, This Young Miss isn't stupid—I can just teleport back."
"All right…"
With Bronya's agreement, Kiana took Mei and Bronya's hands, grinned, and said:
"When I get back, This Young Miss wants Mei's fried chicken and Little Dot's beet-and-turnip soup!"
"No… I can help…" Mei.
"…?" Bronya.
Bronya's eyes widened slightly; she did not know how Kiana knew she could make beet soup.
Before Mei could say more, Bronya chopped her on the neck and knocked her out.
"Take care of Mei for me, Bronya."
With that, Kiana teleported the two back to the St. Freya anchor point.
Kiana stayed behind not only to keep her little ship safe, but also to prove her strength with battle record.
Proving it, however, might cost her life… worst case she could shout "Blessing of the God of Abundance!"
As long as she kept Ultra Instinct under control and didn't kill herself, Jing Yuan surely wouldn't let her die while she still had one breath left.
"Haha, Kiana, ever consider working for Luofu? Then one day I could retire in peace."
Jing Yuan teased with a laugh.
Honestly, he admired her now—keen, responsible, a diamond in the rough.
After some polishing she would dazzle the universe.
He had already formed the highest opinion of her.
Yet the moment he spoke, Fu Xuan beside him widened her eyes and glared like a fierce little puppy.
"General Jing Yuan, speak not such nonsense! The general of a Luofu is a rightful legacy of the Alliance; how could a non-Xianzhou citizen bear such a burden!"
Then, chin lifted, she hugged her chest, pride shining as a confident smile curved her lips.
"The post of general belongs to the capable, and requires keen foresight to secure the people's peace and future. This One thinks your wits today seem dim, unworthy of the Seat of Divine Foresight. Why not step aside and let This One take the title?"