Across the infinite multiverse, with the appearance of the Xianzhou Luofu and Fu Xuan, the viewers outside the screen couldn't help but erupt into spirited discussions.
After all, that expression on Fu Xuan's face was truly intriguing. For something to shock a faction as powerful as the Xianzhou Alliance—a force on par with the IPC—it was definitely not a simple matter.
---o---
Light Curtain Commentary—
Detective Conan: "The Ambrosial Arbor... what is that? Is it that tree shown in the video?"
Type-C Fu Xuan: "Don't joke around. If it were the real Ambrosial Arbor, that world would have been completely transformed inside and out long ago. In a way, this is merely a replica of the Ambrosial Arbor."
Jing Yuan of the Luofu: "The Master Diviner is correct. If it were the real Ambrosial Arbor, the problem would be incredibly troublesome. At that point, even the Alliance wouldn't be able to resolve it; the Reignbow Arbiter Himself would have to take action."
Wants to Drink Mei's Sister Juice: "No, whatever the Ambrosial Arbor is doesn't really matter. I just want to know, why does Fu Xuan look so much like my eldest aunt! Is this an alternate universe counterpart?!"
Theresa the Idiot: "Big niece, why are you slacking off in class again! But, it's true. Aside from the hair color and the outfit, they are almost exactly the same. Even that feeling of strategizing behind the scenes is exactly like me!"
...
[On the light curtain, within the Seat of Divine Foresight on the Xianzhou Luofu, Jing Yuan stared at the jade abacus in his hand, lost in deep thought.]
"A replica of the Ambrosial Arbor. Even if it's just an imitation, it is definitively the work of those abominations."
Carefully examining the image on the jade abacus, although he could tell it was a fake at a glance, he couldn't think of anyone else capable of creating such an exquisite counterfeit other than the followers of the Plagues Author.
The Borisin, the Wingweavers, or perhaps the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus. To be able to create such a replica, it couldn't possibly be an Emanator... could it?
"General, looking at the situation now, we must find Guinaifen as quickly as possible."
Standing beside Jing Yuan was a young boy who appeared to be only in his early teens.
Unlike Fu Xuan, who also looked quite young, the calm and steady temperament on the boy's face revealed that his true mental age was far beyond his years.
Yet, this youth also carried obvious traces of childishness and a hidden edge of arrogance. His expression was eager, seemingly desperate to participate in the war against the Abominations of Abundance.
"No matter what that thing is, it is definitely connected to the Plagues Author. This time, our Luofu might be able to achieve a massive merit!"
Hearing these words, the current General of the Luofu, Jing Yuan, looked at the youthful boy before him and couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
Although Jing Yuan had led Yanqing to slay quite a few Abominations of Abundance, those were all merely small fry.
The opponent this time was clearly not that simple.
The current Yanqing had yet to experience a true war. Relying solely on hot-blooded courage and talent that had yet to fully mature to fight against the Abundance was far too arrogant.
Although he really wanted to correct Yanqing's attitude right now, Jing Yuan knew that Yanqing was currently in his hot-blooded, headstrong youth. Even if he respected Jing Yuan, he would highly likely not listen.
A rigid blade breaks easily. Right now, only time and harsh lessons could make him gradually learn this point and rein in his sharp edges.
Thinking of this, Jing Yuan stroked his chin and said with a somewhat helpless demeanor: "Mhm... Yanqing, I also want the Luofu to achieve a great merit."
"But... having the Master Diviner deploy already utilizes the full capabilities of the Luofu. Even if you swapped places with me, I wouldn't be able to find more useful clues than her."
"The cosmos is vast, and even with the Reignbow Arbiter's mandate, we have been hunting the Plagues Author for thousands of years. If we go by the Luofu's current progress, I'm afraid we wouldn't be able to find any trace of Guinaifen until that universe falls."
Hearing this, Yanqing immediately became anxious. As a Cloud Knight Lieutenant, he had always taken the hunting of Abominations of Abundance as his personal duty.
Now that they had finally found news of those followers of the Plagues Author, how could they just let them go?
"Then what do we do? Are we just going to let those monsters destroy an entire world?"
Jing Yuan looked at Yanqing's expression, placed his hands behind his back, and said in a deep voice: "Of course not. But... right now, all we can do is report this matter to the Alliance, and then quietly await the Alliance's decision. Also, we can pray that the Master Diviner finds Guinaifen's location a bit faster."
"This..." Hearing Jing Yuan's words, Yanqing instantly fell silent.
Because what Jing Yuan said was the truth. They didn't even have coordinates, so how could they even talk about fighting? The Reignbow Arbiter needed coordinates to unleash His Lux Arrows.
But, just waiting like this really didn't fit Yanqing's style.
"General, this matter is of grave importance. Leaving it solely to the Master Diviner is clearly not enough. I request to go assist the Master Diviner to find clues as quickly as possible. When the time comes... I am willing to head to the front lines and fight the abominations to the bitter end!"
Yanqing said through gritted teeth. He couldn't wait that long. Since Fu Xuan couldn't find her, then he would try himself. Maybe he would be the one to find a clue.
Seeing this scene, Jing Yuan revealed a thought-provoking smile. It seemed this boy really wouldn't turn back until he hit a brick wall.
While in terms of sheer combat power, Fu Xuan might not necessarily be a match for the young swordsman before him, when it came to divination and calculation, no one on the entire Luofu could surpass Fu Xuan.
Since even Fu Xuan couldn't find anything, sending anyone else would be utterly meaningless.
"However... since Yanqing actively requested this, then let him go. Anyway, I won't be able to take him with me for what comes next. Letting him experience the taste of frustration wouldn't be a bad thing, and it might even foster the relationship between these two future pillars of the Luofu. It's killing two birds with one stone."
Jing Yuan thought to himself, then said aloud: "Since you are willing, then go. But I'll warn you in advance: once you are there, you must listen to the Master Diviner's orders in all matters. You must not be disrespectful."
"Yes, General!" Seeing Jing Yuan agree, Yanqing cupped his fists, his joy evident on his face. He wished he could instantly find Guinaifen and eradicate the Abominations of Abundance right this second.
Then, at Jing Yuan's signal, Yanqing quickly left the Seat of Divine Foresight, sprinting toward Fu Xuan's location.
"General..." The moment Yanqing's front foot left, Yukong, the Helm Master of the Sky-Faring Commission, arrived inside the Seat of Divine Foresight. Looking at Jing Yuan on the steps, she spoke in a low voice.
"Oh, it's Yukong. Is the starskiff ready?" Jing Yuan asked.
As the Helm Master of the Luofu's Sky-Faring Commission, having Yukong personally prepare a starskiff was a massive waste of her talents. But Jing Yuan had entrusted this task to her, delegating it to this legendary pilot.
The underlying meaning in this was obvious.
"The starskiff heading to the Xianzhou Yaoqing is already prepared. Exactly as per the General's wishes, there are no assigned pilots or escorts. Hardly anyone in the entire Sky-Faring Commission knows about this. It seems, General, you are going on a highly important mission."
Yukong crossed her arms, looking at Jing Yuan on the steps with a serious expression.
Unlike Yanqing, she was a pilot who had truly experienced war, a survivor from a battlefield that resembled hell itself.
Logically speaking, as the General of the Luofu, Jing Yuan absolutely could not leave the Luofu for too long. Even if he were to go to the Xianzhou Yaoqing, he could completely take an official starskiff openly. There was no need to sneak around like this.
Therefore, Yukong astutely realized that an incredibly fierce and brutal battle was awaiting the Luofu, and indeed the entire Xianzhou Alliance.
That was why she was treating this matter with such grave seriousness.
Seeing Yukong's expression, Jing Yuan couldn't help but shake his head with a bitter smile. "Don't be too sensitive, Yukong. Whether a fight will actually break out is still uncertain. This trip is merely to meet with the Marshal alongside the Generals of the other Xianzhou ships."
"The reason I kept it so secret is simply out of fear that those with ulterior motives might try to take advantage of my absence to scheme against the Luofu."
"Just act as usual on the Luofu. Once I meet with the Marshal, we will make further plans after I return."
"...Marshal Hua? She asked you to go to the Yaoqing?" Hearing Jing Yuan's words, Yukong asked in confusion.
That legendary Cloud Knight Marshal was gathering the Generals of the other Xianzhou ships—what could that possibly mean?
If he told her that they were going directly to war next, Yukong wouldn't find it surprising at all.
But Jing Yuan just shook his head. Under Yukong's incredibly shocked gaze, he slowly opened his mouth and said: "Marshal Hua merely notified us. The one who truly wants us to assemble... is the Reignbow Arbiter..."
---o---
Light Curtain Commentary—
Cloud Knight Marshal Hua, and... the Reignbow Arbiter.
The mention of these two figures caused the viewers outside the screen to gasp in shock.
What kind of concept was this? An Aeon of The Hunt, the strongest Emanator of The Hunt, plus the other Emanators of The Hunt. It could be said that this time, the Xianzhou Alliance was truly mobilizing its entire absolute power.
Boothill: "Holy Wubbaboo! What in the name of the sweet baby cosmos is happening with the Alliance? Did they find the Plagues Author's trail and are launching the final, decisive battle?! Don't tell me the Galaxy Rangers currently traveling are on their way too! This is the combined might of the entire Path of The Hunt!"
March 7th: "T-Too scary! Is that Ambrosial Arbor not a fake? But even if it's real, is it worth deploying so many people? A full seven Emanators and an Aeon!"
Aventurine: "The Xianzhou Alliance is probably going to go on an absolute killing spree. Looks like a storm of blood and gore is about to sweep across the universes."
Sunday: "An existence ten thousand times more terrifying than the IPC when driven to madness. It's hard to imagine what the cosmos will look like next."
...
[On the light curtain, the image shifted back to Guinaifen and the territory of the mountain people.]
At this moment, the Ambrosial Arbor had grown into a towering, sky-piercing tree in a mere instant. This completely confirmed to Ritsuka Fujimaru, Xuanzang, and the rest that aside from the Lion King, there was another, far more terrifying existence in this Singularity.
"Ritsuka... this is bad. Outside... outside!"
Just as everyone was reeling in shock, the appearance of Hundred Personas snapped them out of their daze. She was panting heavily, pointing a finger toward the distant Ambrosial Arbor.
Her expression was one of absolute disbelief, as if she had witnessed an unimaginable horror.
"It's a forest... an unfathomably vast forest. Although it hasn't spread here yet, it is multiplying and proliferating across this land of termination at an astonishing speed..."
Hundred Personas's words stirred up a massive wave, leaving everyone with expressions of sheer disbelief.
"How... is that possible?" Tristan muttered, his face mirroring their shock.
One had to know, this Singularity had already reached its absolute end. Everything living was meant to perish at the final moment; whether human or any other creature, it was the same.
Because the leylines beneath this earth had long since withered and dried up. The mountains, rivers, and streams of the past had vanished entirely.
But now... life had descended upon this world once more.
This completely defied logic!
At that moment, the Doctor's intelligence report arrived just in time: "Ritsuka, something is wrong! That giant tree isn't composed of magical energy, but of another kind of energy! It possesses an intense life force. Let alone trees, even healing the 'world' would be a breeze for it!"
Hearing this, Ritsuka Fujimaru hadn't said anything yet, but Guinaifen's face had already drastically changed. She spoke up: "This life force... does it feel somewhat similar to Sushang's?"
"This..." The Doctor fell silent for a moment after hearing Guinaifen, then continued: "That's right. Although there are major differences, on certain frequencies, they are indeed extremely similar."
"Do you know what this power is? Miss Guinaifen, is it... from your world?"
The Doctor's voice was heavy, his eyes completely lacking their usual relaxed posture. Instead, his gaze carried a trace of stern divinity. His expression was incredibly grave; the last time he had shown such an expression was when Chaldea was bombed and Lev betrayed them.
Hearing this, Mash and Ritsuka Fujimaru exchanged a confused look. Why did it feel like the Doctor suddenly knew a bit too much? And could the current Chaldea facilities really detect the difference between magical energy, Honkai energy, and this strange life force?
Guinaifen, hearing the Doctor's words, nodded. "This should be the power of the Plagues Author. The Master of the Path of 'Abundance', the mortal enemy of the Xianzhou Alliance, an existence whose very name causes all worlds across the cosmos to pale in fear."
Saying this, Guinaifen couldn't help but take a deep breath. Aside from shock, there was also a sliver of genuine fear in her eyes.
It couldn't be helped. On the Xianzhou, the Plagues Author was an entity known to absolutely everyone. Almost anyone who spoke of Him did so with a sense of dread. Even Guinaifen, an outworlder, was not exempt from this.
"Abundance...?" Hearing this name, Ritsuka Fujimaru was somewhat puzzled.
After all, Guinaifen's emotional reaction was far too obvious. Even when she was captured by the Holy City and thrown into prison, she hadn't shown such an expression.
Now, merely mentioning this noun brought out an emotion called fear.
Yet these two words, "Abundance," sounded like they had absolutely nothing to do with a "Plagues Author." One could even say it was a complimentary term.
Furthermore, in a certain sense, this Singularity was already facing destruction. The other party's method of "healing" the world couldn't be considered a mistake for the humans living in the Singularity.
So why... why was Guinaifen so terrified?
---o---