The next day arrived quickly. Kiana brought Mei, Bronya, and Theresa to the Xianzhou Luofu.
"So this is the Xianzhou…? It must be dozens of times bigger than the Hyperion…"
Theresa, dressed in formal attire, gazed at the countless starships from every major power berthed in the vast Warahip Starport.
This section, reserved for freight and passenger transfers, was called Star-Moon Port.
Since they were early, Kiana had chosen to teleport here, planning to give Aunt and the others a good tour.
Star-Moon Port bustled as ships arrived nonstop; the most recognizable belonged to the great factions of the cosmos.
"Kiana, look at all these ships… isn't this crowd a bit too large?"
Mei studied the vessels and turned to Kiana.
"How many of them actually come in good faith? Apart from our allies, the rest are probably here for the spectacle."
Kiana shrugged.
But numbers didn't matter—five of the seven Arbiter-Generals were present.
Moreover, the Xianzhou's fame deterred anyone from causing trouble; those who did would find themselves on every bounty list in the universe.
The Marshal hadn't barred casual visitors, likely intending to use the occasion to warn off any who might covet the Xianzhou.
"Well, if it isn't Kiana. You're here early."
"Oh? Feixiao, you came!"
Kiana turned at the voice and saw Feixiao approaching with a pink-haired, narrow-eyed Foxian.
"Feixiao, let me introduce you!"
Kiana took Feixiao's hand and led her to the other three.
"This shorty is my Aunt."
"Who are you calling shorty, you rude brat!"
Theresa jumped up and yanked Kiana's ear, shouting in a huff.
"Ow-ow-ow! Let go, Aunt!"
"Haha, that's Kiana—always full of energy,"
Feixiao laughed, patting Kiana's back—each slap making the ear-pulling hurt even more.
"It's coming off! My ear—ear—ear…!"
"Hmph, call your Aunt short again and you'll be spanked!"
Theresa released the ear, rubbed it gently, and gave a delicate snort.
"This is my Mei—she's wonderfully virtuous,"
Kiana said, escaping Theresa's clutches and taking Mei's hand.
Mei's cheeks flushed at "my Mei," but she nodded politely to Feixiao.
"Hello…"
"She does look the virtuous type,"
Feixiao agreed after studying Mei for a moment.
"This Little Dot is Bronya. Don't let her size fool you—she's amazing."
Kiana stepped behind Bronya, slipped her hands under the girl's arms, and lifted her toward Feixiao with a grin.
The next second Kiana clutched her stomach and released Bronya.
"My stomach—!!"
Bronya lowered her right arm and nodded politely at Feixiao.
"Bronya, did you have to hit that hard!"
"It was reflex,"
Bronya said coolly, looking away.
"Honestly…"
Kiana rubbed her belly, stood up, and presented Feixiao.
"This is General Feixiao of the Yaoqing Xianzhou—she's super strong~"
"I prefer calling myself the Three-No-General."
"Three-No-General?"
Theresa tilted her head; didn't "three-no" describe someone like Bronya?
Yet Feixiao looked quite expressive.
"No doubts, no regrets, no equals!"
"So that's the "three-no"…"
Theresa's mouth twitched.
Still, the aura and ever-confident smile did make her convincingly "three-no."
"Let me introduce my friend Jiaoqiu, my traveling physician."
"Greetings, everyone~"
Jiaoqiu gave a slight bow and a gentle smile.
He seemed the soft, kind type.
After introductions, Feixiao and Jiaoqiu joined the group.
They soon reached Flowing Cloud Lane, the commercial district named for the thin mist drifting over its streets.
The place looked nothing like Kiana and the others remembered.
Most shops were now occupied, and the crowds showed how prosperous it had become.
Clearly, many Xianzhou natives had moved to the Wangshu Astral Express.
Suddenly Kiana spotted a flash of pink in the crowd.
"Isn't that Diviner Fu?"
She led the others over and saw Fu Xuan waiting at a bubble-tea stall.
"Hey there, Diviner Fu~"
"Eek!"
Fu Xuan jumped when her shoulder was tapped, then looked up.
"Uh… Diviner Fu, what happened…? You've got dark circles!"
"This seat…"
Fu Xuan's pale lips trembled.
Seeing Kiana's face, she froze, then showed a mix of helplessness, resentment, and grievance.
"?"
Kiana tilted her head, puzzled.
Could she have overworked herself today?
"Do you know how I've survived these past few days!"
All of Fu Xuan's usual cold dignity vanished; she grabbed Kiana with misty eyes.
Her small hands clutched Kiana as though afraid she might disappear.
"Mm… I see…"
Feixiao watched, lips curving in understanding.
"Do you know why she's so resentful?"
Theresa whispered to Feixiao.
She was curious about this girl who sounded like her—had Kiana sweet-talked her and then vanished?
Mei and Bronya pricked up their ears as well.
Feixiao obliged.
The huge Xianzhou had reached its current scale so quickly thanks largely to the Grand Diviner.
Such intense labor had pushed even Fu Xuan to her limit.
Yet fearing Jing Yuan's lectures if she slipped, she worked day and night.
After hearing the story, Theresa and the others looked at Fu Xuan with sympathy.
"Calm down, Diviner Fu, calm down!"
Kiana winked frantically.
"Hmph…"
Following Kiana's gaze, Fu Xuan noticed the onlookers, took a deep breath, and composed herself.
"This seat was rude just now; please forgive the lapse,"
she said coolly, back to her usual demeanor.
"I still think the almost-crying Fu Xuan was cuter…"
Kiana muttered under her breath.
Fu Xuan heard, shooting her a glare sharp enough to shred her to pieces.
"Your tea, miss."
"Ah, thanks, boss."
Fu Xuan reached out, but Kiana snatched the cup first, stuck in a straw, and took a sip.
The next instant Kiana's face paled; she clamped a hand over her mouth and forced the mouthful down.