Star Ring?
What was that?
Elysia blinked her eyes.
Although she didn't know what it was, she could tell from Mobius's smile that it most likely wasn't anything good.
"It's a... little ring... that can increase your power." Mobius gave a bewitching smile. "Oh, and it glows, too. I'm sure you'll love it, Elysia."
"Mmm..."
Elysia looked at Mobius, her heart pounding with uncertainty. "Is this your idea? Or... Mister Ye Feng's?"
"Does it matter?"
Mobius's vertical serpentine pupils stared intently at Elysia. "If it were my idea, would you refuse to wear it, Elysia? That's so hurtful. You used to say we were the most important of companions."
Elysia reflexively crossed her arms over her chest, pressing against her soft curves.
Mobius was amused. "Why are you covering your chest? What are you thinking, Miss Flawless Elf? Hehe, what kind of image popped into your head to make you do that?"
"..."
Elysia was speechless, merely glancing left and right.
"Hey, are you looking for me? My dear Elly."
Hearing this voice, the peerless, otherworldly swordswoman standing nearby couldn't help but tense up, feeling as flustered as if she had been caught completely off guard.
Ye Feng appeared from out of nowhere, walking over with a grin and a wave.
"Good afternoon, Elly. And you too, Master."
"Oh, it's Mister Ye Feng. You seem to be in high spirits today. Did something good happen?"
"..."
The peerless swordswoman, her eyes concealed by a black cloth, stood coldly and silently, her beautiful face frosted over.
Ye Feng walked over to the stone table, plucked a grape from the fruit platter with his thumb and forefinger, and popped it into his mouth.
As her wicked disciple suddenly drew near, the beautiful and cold Master shivered slightly and recoiled.
Ye Feng said, "It seems Master doesn't wish to see me? Your disciple is truly hurt."
"..."
Jingliu met him with cold indifference.
"Speaking of which, Master is still at the Herta Space Station, right? The Antimatter Legion might be invading soon. I should install a Star Ring on you too, to boost your strength a bit."
"..."
Jingliu's cherry lips moved slightly, as if she wanted to speak, but she ultimately pressed them together and said nothing.
"If Master doesn't say anything, that means she agrees."
Jingliu remained silent.
She had already tasted the Qiongming Divine Bird Skewer; what else was there to fear?
Ye Feng raised his hands in celebration. "Hooray! In that case, all three of us will do it together."
The Pink Elf™ glanced at Jingliu, then at Mobius. "All three of us together?"
Elysia couldn't help but point a delicate white fingertip at her own nose. "What about my opinion? Isn't Mister Ye Feng going to ask for my thoughts?"
"Sorry, Elly. Today is mainly about appeasing Snake-Snake."
"!!"
Elysia looked at Mobius. "Don't tell me you..."
Snake-Snake gave the elf a suggestive smile, the corners of her mouth slowly curving into a wanton arc.
"Don't misunderstand. It's really just installing a Star Ring. Did you think I would suggest... he strike you with Father's forearm? Hehe, you wish."
"..."
What do you mean, 'I wish'?
Elysia stared wordlessly at Mobius. She could tell that Snake-Snake was being serious...
Jingliu also breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed this wicked spawn Ye Feng wasn't planning on doing that kind of thing with all three of them at once.
How should she put it... Although Jingliu was ethereal and seemed indifferent to worldly matters, after becoming friends with Elysia, she felt that if the two of them were to be so frank and open with each other, it would create an awkwardness akin to speaking too intimately with a new acquaintance.
Since it had come to this, Elysia abandoned any other illusions and asked, "So, what is the Star Ring?"
"Look, it's this."
Mobius opened her palm, and a silver ring floated above it.
The silver ring was slightly larger than a wedding band, its smooth surface shimmering with dreamlike points of light, like stars. A small silver bell was attached below, which chimed with a clear, pleasant, and ethereal sound as it swayed.
Jingliu stared at the Star Ring, feeling puzzled... It actually looked quite normal.
But she had a feeling it wouldn't be that simple.
However, being a swordswoman with a pure heart, she couldn't possibly imagine things she had never experienced.
The Pink Elf™, on the other hand, was different. Back during the "vow" at Aponia's church, Mobius had been displeased when Mister Ye Feng placed a ring on her finger.
For her to bring one out again now...
Elysia looked up and met Mobius's teasing gaze.
"Alright, unbutton your clothes," Ye Feng said.
"Hm?"
Jingliu's expression faltered. Why would one need to undress to wear a ring?
Elysia looked at Mister Ye Feng, who was still nibbling on his grape. She seemed to realize something and lowered her head, a faint blush on her cheeks.
"Hmm? Why are Elly and Master just standing there? Looks like I'll have to lend you a hand."
Ye Feng, sitting on the bench, raised a hand and swept them over, pulling Elysia into his left arm and wrapping his right around his Master.
With soft, fragrant jade in his arms, he was utterly content.
Mobius grew displeased again. "Hmph, I'll help too."
Snake-Snake writhed forward, and Elysia couldn't help but let out a cry of alarm.
---o---
Herta Space Station.
Today, too, was steeped in a peaceful atmosphere.
Thanks to Herta's renowned name, the space station was rarely disturbed by outside forces.
Jingliu stared blankly at the leisurely and peaceful scene.
Ye Feng had said the Antimatter Legion would invade soon, and that the Stellaron Hunters would also appear, using a Stellaron to construct a body for their companion.
"..."
Putting that aside for the moment, Jingliu walked slowly, and she could faintly hear the chime of the Star Ring as it swayed.
So, I really brought it out with me?
Jingliu's expression tightened slightly.
The faint pulling sensation from the swaying Star Ring caused ripples to spread through the tranquil heart of even this peerless swordswoman, whose mind was as pure as ice.
"That wicked disciple...!"
Huh?
Jingliu shuddered.
She had never acknowledged Ye Feng as her disciple, so she would naturally not call him her "wicked disciple."
What's going on?
She had meant to say his name, but the words that came out of her mouth inexplicably became "wicked disciple."
Jingliu frowned, trying once again to call out Ye Feng's name.
"Y... wicked... disciple...?"
Jingliu's face tensed.
She couldn't say his name, only call him "wicked disciple"...
Jingliu looked down, realizing it had to be related to the Star Ring.
She was starting to lose her composure. Forcibly changing how she referred to him to "wicked disciple"—what kind of hobby was this?
Did doing this somehow make him more excited?
Jingliu had a feeling that the next time she re-entered that world, her wicked disciple would most certainly commit an outrage against his master...
A headache began to form, and Jingliu couldn't help but press a hand to her forehead.
Forget it. I should test the power of this "Star Ring" first.