"So..." Jing Yuan's voice was a bit airy.
"Right now, we have a [Phantylia], in her prime, standing on our side."
He paused, his gaze falling on Stella, his eyes full of "Are you sure you're not kidding me?"
Beside him, Yanqing also widened his eyes, his mouth slightly agape, wearing an expression of "Did I hear that wrong?"
Stella nodded.
The very serious kind.
Jing Yuan fell silent.
Three seconds.
Five seconds.
"Hiss—!"
He suddenly gasped, the movement so sharp it startled Yanqing beside him.
Then he plopped back into his chair, the movement so violent the chair legs slid back half an inch.
He reached out and grabbed his teacup.
He took a hard gulp.
—He gulped too hard, and a bit of tea spilled out, dripping down his chin.
But he couldn't be bothered to wipe it.
The bitter taste of tea stimulated his taste buds; Jing Yuan closed his eyes, slowly set down the teacup, then raised his hand and rubbed his temples vigorously.
A Lord Ravager in her prime.
Standing on our side.
Summoned by Stella.
The world has finally gone mad.
He opened his eyes and looked at the woman who had emerged from Tail—
[Phantylia] was watching him with a smile, her round fan swaying gently, as leisurely as if she were sunbathing in her own backyard.
"...Ms. [Phantylia]." Jing Yuan spoke, his voice still relatively steady.
"Do you know what that Phantylia intends to do?"
"Let me think." [Phantylia] tilted her head, her round fan resting against her chin, posing in thought.
Her posture was elegant and lazy, like a cat sunning itself.
"Probably..." She drew out the sound.
"It is to activate the Stellaron within the Ambrosial Arbor, and then absorb the Path energy of the Ambrosial Arbor."
She paused.
"That way, she will possess both Destruction and Abundance Path energy simultaneously."
After she finished speaking, she added:
"A very simple plan, right? Not much technical content, but very effective."
Jing Yuan nodded, his brows slightly furrowed.
"Then do you have a way to deal with her?"
[Phantylia] smiled.
That smile was blindingly bright.
"As it happens—" She raised her hand, and a wisp of green flame ignited at her fingertips.
"I also possess both Destruction and Abundance Paths."
The flames danced at her fingertips; even though they were burning, they gave off an eerie sense of vitality.
"She is just a spirit." [Phantylia]'s voice was light and airy, as if she were chatting about daily life.
"And she has not obtained the Abundance Path."
She paused, her smile deepening.
"So—" She slowly closed her five fingers, and that ball of green flame extinguished with a "pop."
"I can easily devour her."
The tone was calm.
The content was terrifying.
Jing Yuan's eyebrow twitched.
He took a deep breath.
Then—
"Good."
He stood up.
The movement was crisp and clean, his robes fluttering.
"Since that's the case—"
His gaze swept over everyone present.
Stella, Yanqing, March 7th, Dan Heng, Welt, [Jing Yuan], [Dan Feng], [Jingliu], [Bai Heng], [Phainon], [Yingxing], [Tingyun], and that smiling [Phantylia].
"We are responsible for forcing [Phantylia] out!" His voice rose.
"And then—"
He raised his hand, clenching his fist.
"Kill her!"
The momentum was like a rainbow.
The killing intent was chilling.
Yanqing was stunned by his own General's momentum, his eyes lighting up.
Stella also couldn't help but straighten her posture.
So cool!
The General is so cool!
Is this the dominance of an Emanator of The Hunt!
Jing Yuan stood with his hands behind his back, a confident arc curling at the corners of his mouth.
Plans?
To hell with plans!
He! An Emanator of The Hunt! General of the Luofu! Jing Yuan!
Although he is known as a wise general!
With the Lightning-Lord in hand!
Martial might is not an issue!
What is on the other side?
[Phantylia], a Lord Ravager in her prime, possessing both Destruction and Abundance Paths!
But that's an ally!
The enemy is just a Phantylia spirit!
A spirit that hasn't obtained the Abundance Path!
If we still can't win against that—
No, there's no possibility of not winning!
Absolutely not!
He was full of momentum, building himself up psychologically, when suddenly—
"Right."
A voice drifted in.
Jing Yuan turned his head.
[Phantylia] was looking at him, her round fan swaying gently, wearing that "I suddenly remembered something" expression.
"Those Dragon Masters of your Luofu haven't been short on petty tricks."
She paused.
"The Disciples of Sanctus Medicus have their help behind them."
Silence.
The Seat of Divine Foresight, which had just been full of killing intent, suddenly became so quiet you could hear the tea cooling.
Jing Yuan's expression froze on his face.
Dragon Masters?
Those old fogeys?
They are the ones pulling the strings behind the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus?
He slowly raised his hand to his forehead.
The movement was slow.
Very powerless.
"...I see." His voice was a bit dry.
Unexpected, yet reasonable.
But it still gave him a headache.
Those Dragon Masters are all slippery old eels, with roots deeply intertwined in the Luofu for hundreds of years; moving one could pull out a whole string of them.
Now they're telling him that these people are the ones pushing the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus?
He rubbed his brow, feeling his temples throbbing.
"You don't need to worry about those Dragon Masters anymore."
Another voice sounded.
Jing Yuan looked up.
[Jing Yuan] was looking at him with a smile, holding a teacup, his posture as leisurely as if he were watching a play.
"Someone has already gone to deal with them."
Jing Yuan was stunned for a moment.
"Who?" He asked.
[Jing Yuan] didn't speak.
He just turned his head slightly, his gaze slowly shifting to the person beside him—[Phainon].
Jing Yuan's gaze followed.
[Phainon] stood by the pillar, expression calm, meeting Jing Yuan's gaze, just nodding slightly.
Jing Yuan: "..."
Jing Yuan was silent for two seconds.
So... someone has already been sent?
When?
He looked at [Jing Yuan].
[Jing Yuan] raised his teacup to him, his smile gentle.
The meaning was clear:
"Don't worry, it's left to him."
Jing Yuan took a deep breath.
Slowly exhaled.
Fine.
Anyway, there have been enough absurd things today, one more doesn't matter.
He turned his head, his gaze becoming sharp again.
"Then we now—"
Before he could finish,
Outside the Seat of Divine Foresight, the distant sky suddenly darkened for a moment.
Jing Yuan narrowed his eyes.
"It has begun."
[Phantylia]'s voice sounded, carrying a hint of excitement.
"She is moving the Ambrosial Arbor."
She turned to look at Jing Yuan, her smile as bright as a child seeing a toy.
"Let's go, General." She said.
"I'm hungry."
Jing Yuan: "..."
He rubbed his brow.
Then he strode out the door.
"Follow me." He said.
"Time to work."