"Why deceive yourselves, my friends?"
Jing Yuan began with his trademark leisurely smile before his tone rose, his voice echoing through the chamber.
"As you've just witnessed, that new world is not like ours—one built upon tangible matter. It is a realm born within the virtual network itself, a world founded on data. Its name—the Digital World."
He gestured toward the massive egg resting upon the meeting table. "The creature within this egg is a visitor from that realm. According to the explanation provided by Xianzhou's Honorary General, Sylvester, it is destined to become my partner."
"General Jing Yuan, if you would—please elaborate," said Fu Xuan.
She could not fully grasp what he meant—The Digital World, visitors from another realm, partners... these were concepts so alien that the very language of the Xianzhou struggled to hold them.
But one thing she did understand: the notion of a cosmic invasion was nothing more than baseless fantasy. The interstellar network had existed for untold millennia, and yet, not once had a creature from the Digital World manifested in this universe.
With that realization, tension eased. The others calmed themselves and turned their attention fully toward Jing Yuan.
He spoke with measured patience, recounting in full the information he had received from Sylvester.
When his explanation ended, the anxiety that had plagued the room dissipated, replaced by a slow-burning spark of excitement.
Fu Xuan carefully summarized what she had learned of this Digital World, extracting several key points.
First, its overall combat strength was significantly below that of the real universe. A being capable of city-level destruction was considered rare, planetary-class entities were almost nonexistent, and those who could contend on a galactic scale could be counted on one hand. By optimistic estimation, the Digital World was not necessarily stronger than the Xianzhou itself—an encouraging basis for future cooperation.
Second, the Digital World and the material universe were intertwined through countless invisible channels, rendering them almost inseparable. The most direct implication of this, as Jing Yuan described, was the potential for network traversal units—soldiers capable of crossing freely between the two worlds.
If the Xianzhou could seize this advantage and develop such an army, the entire concept of warfare would be revolutionized. Unless an Aeon personally intervened, the Xianzhou military would stand peerless across the cosmos.
Third, the Digimon possessed seemingly limitless potential for evolution. Though the Digital World was vast, its data was ultimately finite. However, exposure to the immense data volumes embodied by the Paths, the Emanators, and even the Aeons themselves could propel Digimon to heights never before seen. This was the benefit the real world could offer the digital one—forming the foundation for genuine collaboration between the two realms.
And lastly, there was the greatest obstacle to developing that world.
Fu Xuan turned her gaze to the Digivice in Jing Yuan's hand. That device granted him the key to traverse between worlds—but there was only one.
The technology enabling free travel between realities was far beyond even the wildest theories of parallel universes. For the Xianzhou to reverse-engineer it in any reasonable time frame was simply impossible.
"I presume, General, that you've already devised a more practical plan?"
Given her years of experience with Jing Yuan, Fu Xuan was certain he would not bring something this momentous before the Six Charioteers without having prepared several contingencies.
Lingsha, Yukong, Gongshu, and Huifu all turned their attention toward him.
By now, their curiosity about the Digital World outweighed their earlier fears.
If the Xianzhou could secure control over the situation, their foremost concern became ensuring that the Denizens of Abundance did not seize the initiative first.
After all, spies of the Abundance faction still lurked within the Luofu. Should the Digivice fall into their hands—and, worse, be delivered to Phantylia, the Undying—the havoc wrought by the Aeon of Destruction's followers would be unimaginable.
"I do, in fact, have two measures prepared." Jing Yuan raised two fingers. "First: I will personally enter the Digital World and negotiate with its leaders to establish formal cooperation."
Lingsha frowned. "An admirable proposal—but lacking in prudence. For you to venture alone is far too reckless. The highest combatants of that world are strong enough to threaten your life. If they are hostile to outsiders, not only will no agreement be reached—you may not return at all."
Jing Yuan gave her a quiet, knowing smile. "Such selfless devotion to the Luofu's safety is truly commendable, Lady Lingsha."
Her expression froze, a chill creeping into her tone. "I merely speak for the good of the Luofu."
(And as for my own debts with you, General... those will be settled another day.)
Jing Yuan ignored the warning glint in her eyes and folded down one finger. "Second—collaboration with Herta of the Genius Society. Her Simulated Universe project has achieved remarkable progress. It may well offer breakthroughs in deciphering the Digivice's mechanism. As the device's rightful owner, the Xianzhou will share in any findings, while Herta's personal integrity will ensure the technology remains contained and does not leak beyond control."
He spread both hands with a lighthearted smile. "That's the proposal. Shall we put it to a vote?"
The others were far less at ease. What lay before them was no ordinary research venture—it was the development of an entirely new world, something even the Interastral Peace Corporation had never achieved.
And the Xianzhou Alliance? Their glory had long shifted from exploration to eradication—centuries of crusades against the Abundance had buried their pioneering spirit beneath iron and blood.
Truth be told, they wanted to monopolize communication with the Digital World. But without the means to reproduce the Digivice, such ambition was little more than a dream.
Fu Xuan sighed. Hesitation only bred chaos. "I support the second proposal and oppose the first. The General's direct involvement is too great a risk."
Herta might have been eccentric—though, in fairness, every member of the Genius Society was—but she was reliable. She never schemed in the shadows; her methods were always transparent.
Whatever the outcome, she would follow procedure. At worst, her demands would amount to larger research budgets and additional manpower—manageable costs for cooperation on this scale.
After a brief silence, Lingsha exhaled as well. There was simply no better alternative.
"I share the Master Diviner's opinion."
Yukong, Gongshu, and Huifu exchanged glances, then nodded in agreement.
"Our stance is the same."
"Excellent." Jing Yuan clapped his hands together sharply, his voice turning brisk with command. "Then it's settled. Open negotiations with Herta Space Station immediately. The Xianzhou Alliance will commence a classified joint project with Lady Herta. As for resources—no limits."
…
Luofu—A secluded area within Central Starskiff Haven.
A barefoot girl lounged atop a gatehouse, basking lazily beneath the sun. The light glinted off her crimson nail polish like shards of ruby.
A Diting spirit plummeted from the sky—landing squarely on her chest.
"Ah—what was that for?" she yelped, startled. The impact jolted her awake, and she irritably lifted the book that had been shading her face.
Peering over the edge of the gatehouse, she glared at the mischievous creature that had disturbed her nap.
Then, from the ground behind her, came a familiar voice.
"Hey, Yunli—your days of lazing about are over."
Yanqing stood below, arms crossed, looking up at her with mock sternness. "Hand over the flying sword."
Yunli froze, her posture shifting from playful to poised. "If you want it, come take it yourself. You already know the rules."
This time, Yanqing didn't flare up as he once might have. Instead, a faint, inscrutable smile curved his lips.
"I knew you'd say that."
He raised his right hand—and a massive broadsword materialized in his grip.
"It's time to end this, Yunli."