Chapter 167: Fu Xuan: You Scoundrel
Jing Yuan clasped his hands behind his back, his projection seeming to stand a little straighter, as if he were truly recounting some grand, far-sighted strategy.
"It was precisely to temper your character," he began, his voice steady and measured, "so that you could one day steadily take over the burden of the Luofu."
He paused, allowing a hint of timely gratification to surface in his gaze. "And now, it seems... you have passed the test."
Fu Xuan fell silent for a moment.
Then, a voice simmering with rage squeezed through her gritted teeth. "...Get out, you bastard."
At that very instant, a change occurred in the distant sky. The towering, silent silhouette of the Ambrosial Arbor, which had stood dormant for so long, suddenly began to bloom. A gentle yet majestic, jade-colored radiance pulsed from its base, climbing its colossal form like a rising tide.
The Ambrosial Arbor had been revitalized.
"The Ambrosial Arbor... it's been revitalized..." Fu Xuan forced herself to calm down, though her tone was still laced with the embers of her anger.
"Indeed. As for the matter of the Aeons, we need not worry excessively... or rather, it is useless even if we do," Jing Yuan's voice turned deep, regaining the unshakable composure of a General. "We cannot influence the will of an Aeon. That being the case, we might as well view this calamity as an 'answer sheet' we are presenting to them."
Jing Yuan paused, his gaze clear and sharp. "For now, let us set aside the matter of the Aeons and focus on resolving the Stellaron crisis before us."
"The Stellaron Hunters are not the masterminds; I realized that the moment I saw Blade. But as for why they came, and why they drew the Astral Express into this... I was never able to piece together the full picture. The news you brought back has made everything clear."
A faint smile flickered in Jing Yuan's eyes. "The Stellaron Hunters are truly an interesting group. To go to such lengths just to forge a bond between the Xianzhou and the Express... who could have predicted such a gambit?"
Yingxing, Jingliu, Dan Heng... they are all on the Luofu now, he mused. The High-Cloud Quintet is just one step away from a reunion.
"General, this is hardly the time for slow-paced, emotional reflections," Fu Xuan cut in coldly. "Over at the Ambrosial Arbor—"
"There is no need to trouble yourself with a search," Jing Yuan interrupted, his tone certain. "That was the work of the Stellaron. The traitors cast it into the explore where the Ambrosial Arbor is rooted, prompting its rebirth. Look... the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus have finally lost their patience."
"A crisis is also an opportunity," Fu Xuan conceded, nodding. "Knowing the root of the problem makes everything easier."
The two looked at each other, a silent understanding passing between them.
"Hmph. Is this another one of my ideas?" Fu Xuan raised an eyebrow, rolling her eyes at the General's knowing expression.
"Naturally, I knew the Master Diviner would have a strategy in mind," Jing Yuan smiled. His earlier comment about passing on his title may have been a joke, but it wasn't entirely without intent.
"In my opinion, the priority is to mobilize the Cloud Knights and rush to the explore to eradicate the Stellaron and suppress the Arbor's rebirth," Fu Xuan stated solemnly.
"Your Dharma Eye is as sharp as a torch, Master Diviner. What you see is indeed the fastest path," Jing Yuan replied with a meaningful smile. "But sometimes, the fastest path is not necessarily the best. Guess why I've held my ground, despite knowing the Stellaron's location for some time?"
Fu Xuan pondered this, her expression shifting from confusion to deep thought, and then to sudden, dawning horror. "General, you..."
"Well?" Jing Yuan asked leisurely, enjoying the moment.
"You scoundrel!" she finally spat, her teeth clenched.
"Hahaha," Jing Yuan laughed heartily. "To pull up the weeds, one must first get to the roots. We just need to wait a little longer. The Disciples of Sanctus Medicus chose to act now, which proves the Cloud Knights have the situation under control and the traitors can no longer remain composed. Now that we have a legitimate reason, we can wipe them out in one fell swoop."
"And if we just sit and watch while something unexpected happens? Can you, General, bear such a loss?" Fu Xuan countered, her brow furrowed with worry.
"Master Diviner, oh, Master Diviner," Jing Yuan's projection turned with a smile, his gaze falling upon the Astral Express crew as they walked toward them. "I still have... a surprise force in my hand that has yet to make a move."
His eyes swept over the newcomers, but he didn't see the one he was half-expecting.
"It is precisely when we are in need of people. Since the Stellaron Hunters intended for the Express to form an alliance with our Xianzhou, then I, Jing Yuan... will not be polite." He paused. "Where is the other Trailblazer?"
"Big brother said he went to find Nanook and the others first," Stelle spoke up, her tone completely matter-of-fact.
Jing Yuan: "..."
Qingque: "..."
Fu Xuan: "..."
Good grief, is he serious? they all thought. He's not even pretending anymore? Could he really be... an Aeon? Or Akivili reborn?
The truth was, Leon hadn't come simply because he didn't want to run around doing errands. He figured he'd just show up to check in when it was time for the key moment with Tingyun he knew was coming.
Besides... he was well aware that Jing Yuan was a man of deep cunning and likely already harbored suspicions about his identity. After all, Leon was the one who had brought the Aeons to the Luofu, and he hadn't exactly been subtle about it in front of Fu Xuan and Qingque.
Still, Leon had no idea what kind of being Jing Yuan, Fu Xuan, and Qingque had imagined him to be. An Aeon? An Aeon-candidate? Or perhaps the reincarnation of a fallen god? The thought was actually quite exciting.
"Everyone, something big is happening!" Caelus announced as the group arrived, his tone theatrically grave.
"How was your discussion? Did you think of a way to resist the Aeons?" Stelle followed up, her face a mask of perfect seriousness.
Hearing the twins speak, both Fu Xuan and Jing Yuan's breathing hitched. Those two really had a knack for bringing up the most awkward topics imaginable. How could they possibly have a way to resist Aeons? More, why would they even need to?
"The Aeons are merely passing through our Xianzhou Luofu," Jing Yuan's projection said, his smile calm and unflappable. "I believe we need not worry too much about them."
"Let me translate," Stelle interjected, blinking. She lowered her voice into a stage whisper, yet it was loud enough for everyone to hear perfectly. "It means they have no way to deal with the Aeons at all, and since nothing they do can affect them, it's better to just focus on the task at hand."
Her whisper carried easily through the quiet chamber, though it didn't reach Tingyun, who remained poised just outside the doorway—just as she had when they first arrived at the Sky-Faring Commission.
Welt and Dan Heng couldn't help but feel a wave of helplessness wash over them. They understood Jing Yuan and Fu Xuan's position completely. When faced with existences like Aeons, what could mortals possibly do? Turning a blind eye might just be the most sensible response.
"Hah, you make it sound so easy. Do you have a way, then?" March 7th couldn't help but retort.
"How do you know I don't?" Stelle tilted her head, asking right back.
"Um..." March 7th was momentarily speechless. "Do you... really have some kind of method?"
"Of course not!" Stelle declared matter-of-factly, straightening her back with an air of deep righteousness.
March 7th was left speechless. How could someone be so proud of having absolutely no plan?
"Indeed, my Xianzhou Luofu has neither the ability to resist the Aeons, nor the power to influence their actions," Jing Yuan admitted, his expression calm but his tone carrying a new weight of determination. "But we will show the Aeons the will of the Xianzhou... and I believe they will not bring calamity upon the Luofu for no reason. Right?"
He paused, turning his attention fully to the Astral Express crew.
"I must first go to the Shackling Prison... to invite that 'guest' out. As for the subsequent matters, I will have to leave them to all of you."
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