As the two clasped hands, the crowd erupted in warm cheers of congratulations.
"Cecilia, Kiana has really grown up…"
Theresa watched Kiana in high spirits, her eyes welling with tears.
Not from sorrow—she wept for joy, standing in Cecilia's place to witness Kiana's coming-of-age.
Mei was happy for Kiana too, yet for some reason a faint weight pressed on her heart.
Kiana was now a general of the Xianzhou Alliance, while she herself remained an ordinary student—did she still deserve to stay by Kiana's side?
She feared being left behind.
'Tch, coward. Don't you already know Kiana would never do that?'
Hearing that cool voice tinged with disappointment, Raiden Mei froze, then gave a wry smile.
Right—Kiana would never do that. But… she had to work hard to catch up!
Meanwhile, in the stands, a woman whose face looked almost identical to Mei's—but wrapped in an icy "keep away" aura—glanced indifferently at Raiden Mei, then turned her gaze to Kiana.
The woman drew a white peach from her sleeve and stared at it fixedly.
For some reason, this Kiana felt familiar to her—perhaps even… important?
Without noticing, a clear tear slid from her right eye, uncovered by her bangs.
Below, the induction ceremony had ended; Marshal Hua launched straight into the general's investiture.
Since the token of office had long since been given to Kiana, only a few words were spoken.
The point was to announce Kiana's identity to the outside world.
Time crept on, and Kiana began to feel drowsy.
For someone her age, standing here listening to this "heavenly scripture" was pure torture.
But mindful of the occasion, she stifled her yawns, stared blankly at the sky with glazed eyes, and let her thoughts drift.
Right now her head was full of where to go play with everyone later.
After who-knew-how-long, she heard the Marshal's voice in her mind.
"General Kiana, it's time for your inaugural address."
"Huh? We're finally wrapping up?"
Still half-asleep, Kiana blurted the question like a sleeper talking in dreams.
"Ah-ha… just kidding…"
But seeing Marshal Hua's face as black as a wok, Kiana snapped awake and gave two awkward laughs while scratching her head.
"Pfft—our new general's got personality."
"Yeah, Warahip's general is adorable! I'm her number-one fan from now on!"
"Right? Moving to Warahip was the best decision ever!"
At the crowd's teasing chatter, even easy-going Kiana couldn't help blush.
Marshal Hua sighed and shot Kiana a meaningful look.
Noticing Hua's gaze, Kiana scratched her cheek, took a deep breath, and calmed herself.
She flashed a sweet smile and waved to the assembly.
"I'm honored to become a general of the Xianzhou Alliance. I don't really know what to say—just hope I can advance and retreat together with everyone in the Alliance, and that Warahip Xianzhou prospers more each day!"
"Most of all, I want the people of Warahip under my rule to be happy! I'll be the bright moon guiding Warahip forward, sailing toward the beauty in everyone's hearts!"
With that, Kiana tilted her head, flashed a V at the sky, and beamed innocently: "Xianzhou Warahip fights for all that is beautiful in the universe!"
The field fell silent—no one had expected a Xianzhou general's speech to sound so… childish?
Yet seeing Kiana's utterly sincere smile and eyes shining with unstained hope, no one laughed.
The locals naturally wouldn't mock their own general; as for outsiders… well, the Mei-look-alike had already knocked the mockers unconscious.
Clap-clap-clap—
Applause started from Marshal Hua beside her, then echoed from the back rooms.
Kiana looked over as Jing Yuan, Feixiao, and two unfamiliar figures emerged.
One was a short old man whose bushy white brows hid his eyes.
The other a tall Vidyadhara woman with blue scales on forearms and calves, long azure hair drifting behind her, radiating the same confidence as Feixiao.
Right now this Vidyadhara big-sis was eyeing Kiana with interest.
The group applauded as they approached; soon scattered claps swelled into a thunder of cheers that swept the field.
"For all that is beautiful—fight!"
Deafening cheers of joy exploded across the field.
Amid the ovation, Jing Yuan and the others offered Kiana their congratulations.
After introductions, Kiana learned the old man was General Huaiyan of Zhuming.
The Vidyadhara woman was General Xuanquan of Fanghu.
At last the grand ceremony entered its final phase amid everyone's cheers.
Marshal Hua began reporting to the Reignbow Arbiter: the Aeon of The Hunt—Lan—on the matters of Warahip Xianzhou and Kiana.
Everyone held their breath, silently watching Marshal Hua.
When the prayer ended, the special Arrowhead in Hua's hand gave a faint blue glow.
Moments later a light-arrow descended from the firmament, pointing straight at Kiana.
It looked overwhelming, yet carried no killing intent.
But the Path energy within was so vast that weaker onlookers fainted on the spot.
When the light-arrow merged into Kiana, a tremendous aura burst uncontrollably from her body.
The pressure of an Emanator began to manifest.
Kiana looked at the purple mist wrapping her body, the Path energy, and the ice-blue antique sword named Ice-Moon Blade that appeared in her hand, then slowly spoke:
"Moon-Palace Empress of Pure Radiance and Primal Essence, the Taiyin Manifestation."
As Kiana uttered the name that had suddenly surfaced in her mind, a towering blue-violet female spirit solidified behind her.
The spirit held an ice-blue sword, an energy ribbon drifting behind her like a celestial maiden.
Kiana lifted her gaze to this Manifestation of her power, feeling the vast Path energy, and her willow brows drew together slightly.
As expected, this strength came by inheritance, not her own.
The true Emanator was this spirit; it shared its power with her, letting her wield Emanator-level might.
But that was fine—she was a system-bearing pretty girl; who needs mere Emanator power?
Arms folded and head tilted up, Kiana gave a dainty mental sniff.
Then she dismissed the Manifestation. Marshal Hua declared the ceremony over; only a handful in the stands were still conscious.
Most of the powerful Pathstriders had dozed off after facing an Emanator's pressure head-on.