"Damn you, insects!!"
Before reconstructing her body, Phantylia had already lost a portion of her power. Even with the Ambrosial Arbor compensating for the loss, her current strength was only slightly greater than at her peak.
It was nowhere near enough to reshape heaven and earth.
Thus, facing three former members of the High-Cloud Quintet alongside the Astral Express crew, she gained very little advantage in battle.
Instead, several of her ornaments had been shattered, her golden hair had become disheveled, and her entire appearance looked noticeably less immaculate than before.
"To get beaten into this state by mere insects, Phantylia, you're truly the first among the Lord Ravagers!"
None of the other Lord Ravagers had ever appeared so bedraggled.
Now that they had the upper hand, Jing Yuan naturally couldn't resist mocking her with a smile.
"You won't have the chance to meet the others!"
Throughout the entire battle, Jing Yuan had been the one constantly talking.
It infuriated Phantylia to no end.
Ignoring Jingliu's sword energy slashing into her, she suddenly raised a hand and summoned a Blooming and Withering Flower, imprisoning Jing Yuan within it.
"I may not be able to destroy the Luofu today... but neither will you leave unscathed!"
Even if she couldn't destroy the Luofu, she could at least make the silver-tongued general suffer.
"And you two as well!"
With a sweep of her other hand, she seized March 7th and Stelle.
Those were the two who had called her an auntie, weren't they?
"March! Stelle!"
Welt immediately activated the power of the Star of Eden, attempting to stop the abduction.
At the same time, seeing his companions captured, Dan Heng transformed the waters into a dragon and slammed it directly into Phantylia's body.
Combined with the sword energy layered onto the attack by Jingliu, a massive hole was blasted through her form.
Having finally obtained this body, Phantylia no longer had the luxury of protecting it.
Instead, she poured the power of Destruction into the three captives.
Jing Yuan and Stelle immediately showed expressions of agony.
Only March 7th dangled in the air, looking utterly confused.
Why did it seem like nothing was happening to her?
Stelle shut her eyes.
In a hazy vision, she saw a tall man with white hair and bronze skin staring at her coldly.
"Lord Nanook?"
As she felt the casual gaze of the Aeon of Destruction fall upon her, Phantylia's smile widened.
At least this time...
Her actions hadn't been meaningless.
Nanook had cast a glance.
That alone proved her aesthetics of destruction had been acknowledged once more.
But before she could celebrate for long—
The familiar sound of beating wings echoed again.
A gigantic insect appeared behind her.
A Stellar Collapse Egg smashed directly into the smooth expanse of her back.
In an instant, her so-called perfect body was shattered.
Jing Yuan, Stelle, and March 7th all fell back to the ground.
The moment they were freed, everyone's attention shifted away from Phantylia.
Seizing the opportunity, she immediately fled.
She didn't even spare a glance at the World-Devouring Swarm King still hovering nearby.
If she didn't leave now, she might never get another chance.
She didn't even stop to deliver a threat.
"...The power of Harmony?"
High above Scalegorge Waterscape, an invisible force sealed off her path of escape.
Aside from the people below and the Emanator of Propagation, there was a third party here?
"You're not even going to leave behind a few threats before running away? Does a Lord Ravager have no pride at all, Miss Phantylia?"
Pillars of ice appeared around her fiery form.
They rapidly shrank, becoming a birdcage-sized prison that trapped her completely.
"..."
Looking at the icy cage around her, Phantylia remained silent.
"People always say fire is formless."
Su Ran lifted the cage and examined the flame trapped within.
"But was that Ambrosial Arbor body your preferred appearance?"
He looked at her with a smile.
"I must say, Miss Phantylia still possesses considerable charm."
"Could it be that Mr. Su Ran has taken a liking to this humble lady?"
Phantylia's tone carried not a trace of fear.
Anyone hearing her might have thought she hadn't been desperately trying to flee moments ago.
"There's some truth to that."
Su Ran nodded.
"But it would be a waste to leave a Lord Ravager's combat power unused. Besides, part of you is already with me."
At present, he already controlled an Emanator of Propagation.
And now he had a Lord Ravager in hand.
It was about time he captured a Lord of Abundance as well.
Of the universe's three greatest calamities, only Abundance remained.
"Seeking the power of Destruction?"
Phantylia chuckled.
"If you're interested, I could personally petition Lord Nanook to grant you His blessing. Becoming a Lord Ravager sounds far more entertaining than being a Genius."
Despite being captured, Phantylia's mouth was harder than Scalegorge Waterscape itself.
The Emanator-level battle had barely damaged the surroundings.
Yet her stubbornness surpassed even that.
"Really?"
Su Ran smiled.
"Must Nanook's power be the most efficient form of destruction?"
"Miss Phantylia, sometimes a genius can be far more destructive than an Emanator of Destruction."
He might not fully understand the aesthetics of destruction.
But he had certainly seen many methods of destroying things.
He had no need for Phantylia to introduce him to Nanook.
"In that case..."
Phantylia sighed.
"Had you not joined the Genius Society first, perhaps we might have become rather good colleagues."
After saying that, she fell silent.
Whether she was tired or sleeping, no one knew.
Either way, she certainly wasn't enjoying herself.
"Mm-hmm."
Su Ran nodded thoughtfully.
"I've coveted Nanook's position as Aeon of Destruction for quite a long time."
Carrying the cage, he descended into Scalegorge Waterscape.
"A rather entertaining battle."
He looked around.
"If I upload it to the Interastral Network, I imagine it would get quite a lot of views."
"Mr. Su Ran..."
Welt adjusted his glasses.
"Was all of this part of your plan?"
Smart people were always dangerous.
He happened to know someone exactly like that.
"Of course."
Su Ran grinned.
"But the ending turned out perfectly, didn't it?"
He looked toward Jing Yuan, who was being supported by Dan Heng.
"How are you feeling?"
Jing Yuan glanced at the imprisoned Phantylia inside the ice cage.
"So this was your goal?"
"Exactly!"
Su Ran nodded enthusiastically.
"I believe that before long, you'll see her again wearing an entirely new appearance."
"What do you think of the name Brahma Divine Soldier?"
He seemed genuinely eager for everyone's approval of the name.
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