[Having successfully subdued the exceptional sister duo Xueyi and Hanabi, your mood is exceptionally pleased. Yet you remain unsatisfied—you've secretly resolved that one day, just like in those photographs, you'll properly appreciate the sisters side by side.]
[After venting your passions fiercely, rationality once again reclaims the high ground of wisdom.]
[You begin reviewing the intelligence reports compiled by your subordinates.]
[Initially just a way to pass the time, you never expected to actually stumble upon an intriguing piece of information.]
[Jingliu has actually become a Galaxy Ranger.]
Solon stroked his chin. It seemed the survival of the Cangcheng Xianzhou, uneaten by the 'World-Devouring Rahu,' had altered the fates of many.
He recalled a young Jingliu drinking beneath the moonlight with her friend (Baiheng: "That's right, it's this fox girl again!") and declaring boldly: "One day, I will cut down the stars from the sky."
Her way of life resembled that of a wandering knight-errant far more than a military officer.
In her childhood, Jingliu's hometown of Cangcheng had been devoured by the 'World-Devouring Rahu.' The master who adopted her was a Cloud Knight Lieutenant, and for revenge—as well as due to her master's status—she joined the Cloud Knights and eventually became the Sword Champion of the Luofu.
Given her hatred for evil and unyielding nature, the position of Sword Champion was her limit; becoming a General was outright impossible.
After all, the Generals of the Xianzhou Alliance, though titled as such, were effectively high commanders—requiring not just military prowess but political acumen to navigate the Alliance's upper echelons.
In that sense, the identity of a Cloud Knight had always been a shackle on Jingliu.
Thus, in this simulation where Cangcheng Xianzhou never fell and Jingliu bore no grudge against the Abundance abominations, her joining the Galaxy Rangers made perfect sense.
An interesting development indeed.
[After carefully reviewing the intelligence, you set it aside. A mere Galaxy Ranger wasn't worth your attention for now.]
[Your focus remained fixed on another matter: the threat of Destruction.]
[Ever since you snatched a portion of the 'Destruction' Path's authority right from the jaws of Nanook, the Aeon has had you firmly in their sights.]
[Based on intel gathered across the cosmos, you deduced abnormal movements among the Emanators of Destruction and the Antimatter Legion.]
[These fiends seemed to have set their sights on you.]
[At your current strength, you could defeat three Emanators of Destruction working in unison. Against five, you'd struggle, and if six joined forces alongside high-tier Antimatter Legion units, you'd have no choice but to retreat.]
[Fortunately, these Destruction zealots were divided—some worshipped raw strength, others reveled in schemes, while a third faction preferred overwhelming force with the Legion.]
[Their philosophies clashed, sometimes violently. Getting them to unite against you was nearly impossible.]
[This presented an opportunity to pick them off one by one.]
[But patience was key. Freshly commanded by Nanook, they were at their most vigilant. Attacking one recklessly might alert the others, leading to a dogpile.]
[A hunter needed patience. Like a predator lying in wait, you bided your time, staying within the Xianzhou and never venturing out.]
[The schemers and Legion commanders among the Emanators dared not assault the Xianzhou outright—after all, the Xianzhou was a top-tier faction under the gaze of two Aeons.]
[Not only could you manipulate the followers of Yaoshi, but you could also forcibly command most Abundance-aligned beings, nullifying the Antimatter Legion's numerical advantage.]
[For now, a stalemate held.]
[But the deadlock was soon broken. The strength-worshipping faction of Destruction had no concept of patience.]
[During a temporary council, Blazing Wind grew furious at the other Emanators' inaction. The master of veiled taunts, Phantylia, didn't hold back:
"If you're so strong, why not charge in alone? Or do you simply not want to?"]
[Provoked beyond reason, Blazing Wind erupted:
"You cowards disgrace Lord Nanook's trust! If you won't go, I'll go alone! Let's see what tricks this pawn of Abundance has!"]
[All Emanators aside from the muscle-brained strength faction watched silently as Phantylia goaded Blazing Wind into a suicide charge. To them, the brash and loudmouthed Blazing Wind was merely a sacrificial pawn.]
[And then, Blazing Wind fell.]
[The observing Emanators were stunned. This was not the outcome they had envisioned.]
[The nature of a Path influenced both combat strength and style. 'Younger' Aeons like Nanook and Lan were inherently more combat-proficient than older ones.]
[Among all Paths, Destruction was undoubtedly one of the most combat-oriented, while Abundance excelled in healing.]
[Most Emanators of Abundance were renowned for nigh-indestructible vitality and regeneration—like unkillable cockroaches.]
[Yet this near-universal truth was completely overturned in your case.]
[Though Blazing Wind was a muscle-brained brute, he hadn't underestimated you. The moment you met, he unleashed a stellar-igniting superheated storm, aiming to reduce you to ashes instantly.]
[You charged straight through the million-degree maelstrom and closed the distance.]
[First, you used your stolen authority over Destruction to seal a portion of his power. Then, toxins sapped his strength.]
[Before the fight even began, Blazing Wind had been weakened by over half.]
[Your raw power already surpassed his. With this imbalance, the battle was a foregone conclusion. Within two exchanges, you had him pinned and thoroughly humiliated.]
[The other Emanators rushed to intervene, only to be blocked by several Abundance Emanators and Xianzhou Generals.]
[Though their beliefs differed, this was a matter of ideology. When it came to "protecting the Xianzhou, uniting against outsiders," the Alliance stood firm.]
[Helpless, the Emanators could only watch as you beat Blazing Wind to death. His corpse became your trophy.]
[With no other choice, the remaining Emanators withdrew temporarily.]
[Back in your divine palace, you unceremoniously began forcibly plundering the Destruction and Death-related authorities within Blazing Wind's remains.]
[Just like before, Nanook detected this instantly and moved to strike you down—only to be intercepted by Yaoshi and forced to retreat in frustration.]
[Your repeated thefts of Destruction's power infuriated Nanook beyond measure. Were it not for Yaoshi's protection, the enraged Aeon would have reduced you to cinders.]
[With Blazing Wind's power absorbed, your authority over the Path of Destruction grew yet again, further enhancing your suppression over the Emanators.]
[Having witnessed you brutally kill one of their strongest, none of the remaining Emanators dared to attack alone.]
[The stalemate resumed.]
[This time, however, you would be the one to take the initiative.]
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