"You mean... at least one 'Lord Ravager' has her eyes set on the Xianzhou Luofu?"
Welt's brows furrowed in thought, fingers absently tracing his chin as the memory of that unsettling encounter—Felicity and Tingyun alone together—flashed through his mind like a vivid, half-forgotten dream.
Felicity's report, as the Emanator of the Path of Abundance, carried weight that none could easily dismiss. Her words aligned perfectly with the prophecy that the Stellaron Hunter had so boldly embedded into the Astral Express's communications—a grim forewarning meant to be heard.
A Stellaron... and a 'Lord Ravager.'
The Luofu had but one general who could hope to confront such a threat. And even so, this 'Lord Ravager' remained elusive—a phantom woven from shadow and whispers.
Phantylia.
The most enigmatic of them all. A predator lurking in the dark, dismantling civilization piece by piece, like a patient spider tightening its web. Even the Luofu's General, with all her might, could not expel Phantylia unless she dared to reveal herself—an unlikely prospect.
In truth, it would have been ideal if Felicity could act directly.
Yet, she would not. The Emanator of the Path of Abundance rarely intervened openly in the Xianzhou's affairs.
With a sigh, Welt's tense expression softened. He nodded, a subtle tilt of his head in acknowledgment.
"You were wise not to tell Tingyun outright about the Lord Ravager. Anyone else could deliver such a message—but not you."
"I understand."
Felicity's quiet reply held a gravity that resonated in the air between them. This was why she had come to him. Welt was the strongest aboard the Express, second only to her.
"For now, let's keep this from March 7th and Stelle. They can keep a secret, but... this knowledge would only unsettle them."
Welt's gaze drifted toward the two girls, who were laughing, carefree and unguarded. He exhaled, almost inaudibly.
March 7th—playful, impulsive, and pure of heart. If she knew the Luofu faced such imminent peril, she would fret endlessly, unable to sleep.
Stelle was clever, composed... but oddly excitable, especially when it came to trash bins or her companions.
A small smile ghosted across Welt's lips before he caught himself, his expression returning to somber calm.
"This information is vital. I may need it as leverage... depending on how things unfold."
His voice dropped into a low murmur as he cast a final glance at Felicity, then turned toward the distant Palace of Astrum—where Tingyun awaited, framed by its grandeur.
Almost as if sensing the weight of their gazes, Tingyun turned. Her gentle smile and crescent-moon eyes softened her features as she raised a delicate hand in greeting.
"...Let's go," Welt said quietly.
"Okay."
With that, they called over March 7th and Stelle, the three of them making their way toward Tingyun at the palace's entrance.
"My honored guests, standing idle will not do. Please, follow me—Lord Yukong is waiting within the Palace of Astrum."
Tingyun's smile remained poised, though the faintest quiver of relief could be seen beneath her courteous exterior. Whatever storm had passed, she had regained her composure.
"Then, please lead the way," Welt replied, his voice steady.
Tingyun's soft laughter rose briefly, light as a bell. She turned, tail flicking ever so slightly behind her—though she couldn't shake the odd feeling of a predator's gaze lingering on her, especially whenever she faced away from the white-gold-haired girl.
Still, she masked it well, leading the group inside without pause.
They ascended a narrow stairwell into a vast hall, lined with gleaming consoles and adorned with delicate projection bonsai. The walls pulsed faintly, alive with quiet energy.
At the heart of the chamber stood a massive projection sand table—an intricate, living map of the Luofu.
And there, on a raised platform, stood a fox-like woman with flowing green hair. Regal, poised... Yukong.
The Lord of the Sky-Faring Commission, as Tingyun had mentioned.
Yukong's gaze was distant, brows drawn in contemplation, yet at the sound of footsteps, her eyes lifted. They softened, if only slightly, upon meeting Tingyun's—then sharpened as they swept toward the strangers from the Astral Express.
"Welcome, guests of the Astral Express," she spoke, her voice measured, polite yet tinged with an unmistakable distance.
"Entertaining visitors is not within my usual purview, but the Luofu faces an unexpected crisis. Given your timely arrival... it is only natural that I grant you this audience."
Her voice grew colder, sharper, her eyes narrowing ever so slightly.
"First, explain—how did you gain entry to the Xianzhou Luofu when Starskiff Haven has been sealed off?"
Yukong's gaze was piercing, weighing every word, every breath. Even the nameless guest in their midst, one who claimed goodwill, did not escape her scrutiny.
"We hailed the port for clearance, but there was no response," Welt replied, his tone steady, unflinching beneath her scrutiny. "Then, unexpectedly, someone opened the Jade Realm Gate for us. When we arrived, there was no one in sight. We navigated as best we could... and eventually found Miss Tingyun, who had been attacked by a Mara-Struck Soldier."
"I've reviewed the access records at Starskiff Haven," Yukong replied coolly. "Not long ago, an intruder hacked the system, opened the Jade Realm Gate, and permitted a vessel to dock. That vessel... was the Astral Express."
Her voice was like a blade, even and precise—but a hint of wariness shimmered beneath the surface.
"And the one who hacked the system... they were skilled. Too skilled. They left behind a trace, as if mocking 'Silver Wolf,' the Stellaron Hunter. In light of this... you—"
A sudden, almost lazy laugh cut through the tense air like a knife slipping through silk.
"Heh... Yukong, there's no need to be so harsh. If word spreads, the Galaxy might mock the Xianzhou Alliance for failing to treat guests with proper courtesy."
A figure drifted in from the shadows—a man, his long white hair disheveled, clad in a battle robe that seemed to shift with the light. His smile was relaxed, yet sharp. When his gaze passed over Felicity, it lingered—an almost imperceptible pause that made her heart skip.
"Arbiter-General Jing Yuan."
Jing Yuan's lips curled into a faint smile.
"...Hello?"
Felicity took an instinctive step back, her voice catching awkwardly as she offered a hesitant greeting. Something about the way his eyes lingered unsettled her.
"Haha, no need to be so nervous," Jing Yuan said, a casual wave of his hand dismissing her discomfort. "When you entered the Luofu, the arrival report crossed my desk. One of my friends found you rather... intriguing, it seems, and took an extra glance."
His tone was light, almost teasing, yet behind his words, an undercurrent of something more remained unspoken.
Then, with a small shrug, he turned to Yukong, his voice dipping into a more serious register.
"I've heard whispers about your dealings with the Stellaron Hunters. The Sky-Faring Commission suspects you're in league with them." His eyes held a quiet amusement, as if the very notion was absurd. "But I don't believe it. The Astral Express stands for justice, after all—an unyielding beacon of righteousness. How could it ever consort with villains like them?"
His gaze flickered briefly between Yukong and the visitors, his words almost as if they were meant to reassure her.
Then his expression settled, and with a small, expectant tilt of his head, he spoke again—this time with quiet authority.
"Let's not waste time with pleasantries any longer, shall we?"
--+--