The delegation remained inside the Palace of Astrum, reporting to the Luofu's upper echelons for more than half a day.
They relayed everything they had seen and heard in the Starsea Empire in as much detail as possible.
Tingyun reported the most diligently and spoke the longest. She even compiled a summary list and handed it to Yukong.
"These are the goods imported from the Starsea Empire. Aside from regular merchandise, there are also some combat weapons."
"I felt they might prove useful, so I purchased them together."
"Mm. We'll inventory the materials shortly."
Yukong and Jing Yuan both nodded.
Sushang vividly recounted her experiences on Mount Taixuan.
Upon hearing about the fifty-thousand-year-old Immortal and the origins of the Edge of Taixuan, everyone found it astonishing.
"Phew—"
"Truly eye-opening—"
By evening, several of them let out long breaths, echoing Tingyun's earlier sentiment.
"When the affairs of the Sky-Faring Commission lessen, I must visit the Starsea Empire myself and meet that Immortal."
Yukong said thoughtfully.
She had a vague sense that Fu Hua might share a mysterious connection with the Xianzhou.
"This one also wishes to see the scenery there. If we could exchange divination techniques with the Starsea Empire, that would be even better..."
Fu Xuan tapped intricate hexagrams across her holographic interface as she replied.
"I suppose I'll just have to listen to your good news."
Jing Yuan spread his hands.
By the Starsea Empire's regulations, he clearly could not enter its core territory. He could only watch from afar. As the Luofu's general, he could hardly abandon the Xianzhou regardless.
"Oh, right!"
Fu Xuan suddenly remembered something.
"Qingque! How is the task this one assigned to you progressing?"
"Wha?!"
Qingque jolted upright.
"Th-that... I did part of it."
"Which part?"
Before Qingque could answer, Fu Xuan's brows arched.
"You spent your days idling in the Starsea Empire, forgot this one's assignment entirely, and lost everything at the card table, didn't you?"
"Ah?!"
Qingque was horrified.
"N-no, no... wait, that's not—!"
"Master Diviner, how did you know? The Starsea Empire is isolated from this universe. Logically speaking..."
"Logically speaking, even with this one's divine insight, I shouldn't be able to see you slacking off there?"
Fu Xuan snorted.
"Divination indeed cannot penetrate the Starsea Empire. However, from the moment you returned to the Luofu, this one cast a hexagram for you."
"Mountain above Lake below. The third line—Decrease. The line reads: When three travel together, one is diminished. Tingyun and Sushang were diligent and conscientious. The diminished one could only be you."
"You returned stripped of wealth, even the clothing and luggage you brought at departure vanished. If this one could not deduce the connection, would I still deserve the title of Master Diviner?"
"Ahhhhhhh—!!"
Only then did Qingque realize that while Fu Xuan could not divine her actions within the Starsea Empire, the moment she set foot back on the Xianzhou, the Master Diviner would calculate everything thoroughly.
"Didn't you say if I failed the task, I wouldn't be allowed to return? How about letting me join the Starsea Empire instead? I'll go process immigration paperwork right now..."
Qingque attempted self-preservation, inching backward toward the exit in hopes of escape.
"Stop. Do not move."
"Go and complete every task this one assigned. Otherwise, this one will appoint someone else to replace you as envoy to the Starsea Empire."
Fu Xuan lifted her brows.
"Hmph. If there is time, this one may personally see what is so extraordinary about the Starsea Empire that it has bewitched you so completely."
"H-hey, hey, hey—"
After the meeting concluded, everyone briefly summarized the delegation's experiences and achievements.
"Xianzhou Year 8099. Delegation dispatched to the Starsea Empire..."
"Amicassador Tingyun of the Sky-Faring Commission signed thirty-five trade agreements with the Starsea Empire, brought back advanced data and established stable diplomatic relations. Her contributions are outstanding..."
"Cloud Knight recruit Li Sushang encountered a fortuitous opportunity, received guidance from an Immortal, and greatly improved her swordsmanship. Given time, she may achieve greatness."
"Diviner Qingque of the Divination Commission idled daily and lost her underwear."
...
Near the dockyards of Starskiff Haven.
Goods imported from the Starsea Empire were unloaded in batches, sorted, and transported to the Sky-Faring Commission and the Whistling Flames Guild.
Snacks, candies, mineral specialties—those were commonplace. The Luofu's merchants had seen countless such items.
Products from various worlds were largely similar. What truly sold was novelty. So long as it bore the label "Imported from the Starsea Empire," someone would pay extra for an otherworldly curiosity.
What truly drew attention was the batch of new equipment Tingyun had imported.
Boom—
Several enormous containers were placed onto the ground.
Clack!—
As the container doors opened, a row of towering Gundams stood upon the earth.
"Mm? And these are...?"
Jing Yuan tilted his head back. Regardless of anything else, witnessing a line of steel giants at such close range was undeniably imposing.
"These are the Starsea Empire's individual combat weapons. They call them Gundams."
Tingyun explained.
"This humble girl thought the Cloud Knights might find them useful, so I signed an order and purchased several."
"Mm... The one responsible for manufacturing these Gundams is also present. If there are questions, perhaps we may consult her."
Though Akashi was frequently teased by Setsuna in the capital, she was still the head of the Engineering Department and Akashi Workshop.
Abroad, even the Xianzhou addressed her respectfully as "Madam."
"Hehe~"
The title pleased the repair girl greatly as she hopped off the ship with a wrench over her shoulder.
"Gundams can be customized to suit your needs, nya! Want extra modules or higher configurations? All doable, nya!"
"Of course, modifications are premium services and cost extra, nya!"
Akashi smoothly shifted from shared-city mode to shrewd business-owner mode.
"Mm..."
Jing Yuan studied the Gundams thoughtfully.
"Cost is a minor matter... What exactly are these armaments capable of?"
"Well then..."
Akashi produced a configuration list and began introducing each feature.
"This is a variant of the MSZ-010 Gundam."
"In standard mode it's equipped with a sublight engine. We've installed gamma lasers and plasma cannons for mid-to-close-range combat."
"Melee weapons can include mono-molecular swords, chainsaw blades, and more upon request..."
"Mm..."
Jing Yuan pondered for a moment.
He stepped forward, rapped lightly against the hull, then entered the cockpit for inspection.
After carefully reviewing the specifications, he shook his head.
"My apologies. If it's primarily for mid-to-close-range combat, its performance doesn't seem particularly exceptional. Its size is also somewhat large, making coordination less convenient..."
He felt the Gundam sat in an awkward position—not weak, but not overwhelmingly powerful either.
Less convenient in large-scale formations.
"That's just the base model! With sufficient budget, we can upgrade it to something outrageously cool, nya!!"
Akashi immediately perked up.
With a flick, she projected an optional upgrade menu.
Rows upon rows of selectable modules filled the display—like choosing add-ons when buying a vehicle.
[Install Erosion Missile Launcher Module x6]
[Focused Arc Emitter x1]
[Subspace Thruster MK3 x1]
[Photon Torpedoes x3]
...
Each entry listed a corresponding price. From weapons to shields to propulsion, everything was customizable.
The Xianzhou personnel were dazzled.
"If you're sincere, we can even add a psychoframe and other attachments. Guaranteed effective, nya!"
"Actually, before coming here, I prepared a sample specifically for you."
With that, Akashi gestured.
Rumble!—
Angeloids carried down a massive Gundam unit from the ship.
Its entire frame was clad in teal armor adorned with golden cloud-dragon patterns, resembling the battle armor of an ancient general.
Its helmet resembled a plumed helm, enhanced with holographic tassels and feathers. Its shoulders bore exaggerated golden dragon-head pauldrons.
Most eye-catching of all was the enormous Green Dragon Crescent Blade in its hand, stretching dozens of meters long.
It bore strong resemblance to Cloud Knight equipment, yet had undergone high-tech refinement, its surface covered in intricate segmented patterns.
"!!!"
Jing Yuan, the accompanying Cloud Knights, and all onlookers drew in sharp breaths.
Standing before them did not feel like a Gundam.
It felt like a towering general. The Martial Saint himself wielding the Green Dragon Crescent Blade.
The resemblance was uncanny—both in presence and design. It exuded an indescribable domineering aura.
Its cyber-oriental aesthetic blended perfectly with the Xianzhou's style.
"This is the export model I specially designed for the Xianzhou, nya!"
Akashi beamed proudly. When it came to handling customers, her skill was unrivaled across the Starsea Empire.
"I've temporarily named it the Martial Saint Frame. Doesn't it match the Cloud Knights perfectly?"
"Its melee weapon is called the Ghost-Fang Dragon Moon Blade. Not only can it fight at close range, it's also equipped with a miniature matter disintegrator for..."
The Cloud Knights of the Luofu stared blankly at the dazzling mech.
In each of their minds, an image surfaced unbidden:
One day, piloting this mech across the sea of stars, brandishing the crescent blade like the Martial Saint, entering unstoppable mode on the battlefield—cutting down enemy generals amid chaos and slaughtering Abominations of Abundance.
No one could resist such temptation.
Simply imagining themselves piloting it sent adrenaline surging, as though their very souls were ignited by blazing battle fervor.
There were only two words that could describe the feeling:
"A great victory!!!"
"We're buying it!!!"
—
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