246. Echoes of the Starry Sky
While Li Aozi had switched to his alternate character to enjoy himself on Azure Star, news began spreading light-years away across the Layered Abyss starfields.
Defeating [Society] in itself wasn't particularly big news. All civilizations harbored such anxieties. A civilization in a distant galactic sector experiencing something like this was only so-so, hardly unexpected. Even if they were devoured, no one would care.
But accomplishing it through individual power, leading an army of colonial soldiers to repel the notoriously formidable single-unit prowess of the [Mechanical Society]—
That was truly explosive news.
And what caused that news to spread even further was the protagonist of the event.
"Which means."
13th Narrative - 「Empire of Heroes」 - Core Inherent Time Domain - Rental Zone · Planet Ailanda.
"…[Star Realm Echoer]Leoz, at Zeta-tier (6) strength, led his colonial soldiers in annihilating and capturing the Machine Council, foiling the [Mechanical Society] invasion, and rescuing White Candle Star from catastrophe."
Delicate, pale fingertips gently pinched a cherry, turning it in her hand as if savoring something. Her platinum hair was smooth as silk, cascading like a waterfall over mounds of jewels and gold coins. The blinding array of rare treasures set off her skin to a milky perfection.
"Yes, Miss Grina."
The butler, whose physique bore obvious draconic traits, nodded respectfully and said:
"Information from multiple sources confirms this. We also found Leoz's registration data at the Valkyrie Fortress. He apparently has some unclear connection to the 「Temple of Annihilation」 and some friction with a branch of a company under the 「United Group」. As for the Empire of Heroes, there's apparently no contact or familiarity…"
"Then it's obvious he's aiming for the Empire of Heroes."
With a light parting of her cherry-red lips, Grina·Shuixuan propped an arm beneath her flawless chin. Lying sideways in a dark gown atop a pile of gold, she rolled the cherry between her fingers as though manipulating someone. Her golden slit pupils sparkled with a flurry of thoughts that no one could unravel.
She tossed her platinum hair, her eyes gleaming with interest:
"While the 「Temple of Annihilation」 offers good benefits, they strictly limit movement—unless you dive deeper into the Abyss, you can't leave their territory. Your freedom is shackled for life, which most young powerhouses wouldn't like."
"Although his conflict with the 「United Group」 isn't enough to get him blacklisted, he'd surely realize they could still collaborate but never fully welcome him. If he forced his way in, the old guard would reject him."
"Thus, the only remaining option is the Empire of Heroes. Driving off [Society] served as his calling card—rather than showing up at our door begging, he wants the Empire of Heroes to invite him, giving him control of the situation."
"You are absolutely right." The draconic butler nodded. "Sounds like a cunning, opportunistic fellow. Though he goes by a name as common as 'Leoz,' his scheming is anything but ordinary."
"No, rather…he's somewhat like the real Leoz."
Grina·Shuixuan gently pressed the cherry to her lips, extending her tongue to lick it. A nostalgic look flickered in her beautiful eyes. With the cherry resting in her mouth, she spoke leisurely:
"Leoz is a god who values efficiency and practicality above all else. Among the many exceptional divine warriors Outside the Abyss, He was neither the most powerful nor the most victorious, but He was the only one who attained supreme authority, ruling the cosmos as an absolute dictator. That's the noteworthy part."
"You mean…"
"Send him an admission ticket."
Biting into the fruit, Grina·Shuixuan placed her hands behind her head, revealing pale underarms. She cast a glance at the starlit sky outside. Multicolored lights glowed and stained her face a seductive purple-pink. With a hint of anticipation, she said:
"I really want to meet him…to see if he might become my treasure."
"Gulu gulu!"
A small, comically ugly six-legged monster suddenly jumped from the mound of gold and silver, diving into Grina's ample bosom and nuzzling repeatedly. The resulting ripples were dizzying. The little patchwork creature, covered in stitches, blinked and let out strange howls:
"Awoo-meow-mew-arf!"
"Don't be in such a hurry, Xiao Mihail. They're only lining up right now."
Grina laughed softly and patted the little stitched creature, gently stroking its fur and mechanical parts. In a low voice, she said:
"The grand exhibition in Teraiki won't start for a few more years!"
She turned her head to gaze at the port among the starfields, where thousands of private ships from various civilizations were gathered, each with its own distinctive design—like a combined fleet of the Layered Abyss. They were vying with dazzling lights to present a tribute of luminous wonder for Grina·Shuixuan.
"Goodness… my popularity in the 「Empire of Heroes」 is still so low. In other Narratives, the line of suitors would stretch out for light-years."
Grina crossed her long legs and gave a playful chuckle:
"But Grina is very tolerant. As long as they obediently offer gold, Grina won't fuss about anyone's coins, letting them jingle-jingle right into my little purse…"
She licked her fingertips, as if still relishing the cherry, then instructed the butler:
"Vulgan, fetch me two more."
"Miss, you can't eat too many compressed planets; they'll make you fat."
"Relax, the universe won't allow a beauty like me to get fat."
Vulgan couldn't argue with his mistress. He raised a hand, slicing open a rift and reaching into a sweet, vibrant galaxy. Selecting two plump and symmetrical planets, he gently pinched them, verifying their juiciness and sugar levels. Satisfied, he compressed them into cherry-sized spheres and placed them on a platter in front of Grina.
"My stocks and funds aren't doing well. Those idiotic Gold-Obsessed Slaves of the 「United Group」—what are they up to? If they can't handle investments, they should proactively join the Narrative instead of wasting investors' precious money. Ugh, I wanted to buy two more planes, but now it'll take me months to afford them."
Grina complained as she picked up one of the compressed planets from the fruit platter, casually asking:
"By the way, what does that Leoz look like? I haven't seen him yet—send it over."
"Yes, Miss." Butler Vulgan promptly pulled up a projection, displaying it before Grina. "These are snapshots from a war journalist. I haven't had time to restore them…"
"Doesn't matter. At that age, having reached Zeta-tier, he's probably just a kid who hasn't filled out. I'll just take a quick look."
Grina lifted her eyes to glance at the projection.
"Frankly, this angle is terrible—definitely a death angle. It makes his cheekbones look too high, his jawline too wide, and the lighting is awful. He was moving at high speed, so you can barely see his lower body—it's all a fuzzy blur. The physique is captured horribly, too…"
Plop.
The sweet planet fell to the floor, splashing fragrant juice.
"…Miss Grina?"
Vulgan ventured cautiously.
Fwoosh—
"I want him."
Grina extended her hand, her golden pupils shining with unprecedented excitement:
"In this Layered Abyss, he's the only treasure I can't afford to let slip by!"
......
Valkyrie Fortress – Heroic Spirits Bar
"Mr. Orlaville, can't you give us just a little leeway?"
"I've told you many times, friends from the media. I haven't heard from Leoz in ages. If you want an interview, coming here won't help."
The bar owner, Orlaville, helplessly turned away the Winterveil civilization's reporters. The ice-based beings withdrew in disappointment. As official media from a civilization affiliated with the 13th Narrative, 「Empire of Heroes」, they couldn't dig up any intel on the day's hottest legend, 'Leoz.'
Even more striking: exiting the Heroic Spirits Bar, they spotted two monks from the 「Temple of Annihilation」 meditating nearby—apparently also in search of Leoz.
"Let's go. Seems we won't get anywhere today. Likely Leoz doesn't want to face the media right now."
The Winterveil reporters sighed. Today's mission had failed, and they had no choice but to give up.