『 [ (Maybe I should gather more details from others so that the Seat of Divine Foresight can have a better understanding of the situation.) ]
Yanqing pondered for a moment, then turned and walked back to the three of them.
[ You look much more mature now, Yanqing. ]
As soon as Yanqing approached, he heard March 7th's teasing voice.
[ Miss March, please don't tease me. ]
[ The situation in Xianzhou before the Wardance is like a calm lake that can be disturbed by even the smallest pebble — capable of generating far-reaching ripples with even the slightest disturbance. ]
Yanqing shook his head, looking somewhat helpless.
[ What are those people... I mean, those "monsters" we just dealt with? ]
March 7th recalled the monsters from just now and asked curiously.
[ I know! They're Kobolds, right? ]
Before Yanqing could answer, Stelle cut in! 』
『 ....』
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
March 7th: "Eh? Kobolds are so cute, how could they be Kobolds?"
March 7th: "That was clearly a werewolf!"
Yanqing: "Though calling them wolf-headed people is quite fitting, they are actually Borisin."
Furina de Fontaine: "So, what exactly is the deal with these Borisin?"
Furina de Fontaine: "Why did they come to the Xianzhou Luofu to cause trouble?"
Dan Heng: "The Borisin are one of the factions of the Abominations of Abundance."
Dan Heng: "Since ancient times, the Xianzhou Alliance has stood in opposition to the Abominations of Abundance."
Hu Tao: "Actually, I'm more curious about what the Abominations of Abundance even do."
Hu Tao: "Judging by the name, they sound like believers of the Aeon of Abundance."
Hu Tao: "Could it be that the Aeon of Abundance is just like the Aeon of Destruction, not a good Aeon at all?"
Dan Heng: "About that…"
Dan Heng: "If I explain it too complexly, you might not fully understand."
Dan Heng: "To put it simply, the Abominations of Abundance frequently invade others' homes for their own selfish desires."
Dan Heng: "And their methods are extremely cruel, even surpassing the Antimatter Legion of Destruction."
Paimon: "They're actually that bad!"
Paimon: "Another bunch of damn villains!"
Lumine: "By the way, what kind of blessings does the Aeon of Abundance bestow?"
Welt Yang: "A long lifespan, powerful vitality, and physical bodies containing unimaginable strength."
Venti: "Oh my~ that sounds exceptionally wonderful!"
Dan Heng: "To those who yearn for longevity, the temptation of Abundance's blessing is fatal."
Dan Heng: "But the problem is, it also comes with massive hidden dangers."
Dan Heng: "Therefore, accepting the blessing of Abundance is not necessarily a good thing."
Stelle: "I recall that Abundance seems to be very generous, often spreading miracles all over the universe."
Stelle: "But in the end, didn't most of those who accepted the blessings turn into notorious bandits?"
Jing Yuan: "Because the Abominations of Abundance will invade other people's homes, plunder everything, and even conquer and consume other worlds that have received the blessing of Abundance!"
Jing Yuan: "In short, they are like a pack of beasts with no bottom line, only baring their claws to wantonly trample on the lives of others."
Mavuika: "So is this faction of the Abominations of Abundance very strong?"
Mavuika: "They still haven't been wiped out even now?"
Fu Xuan: "It should be said that they are not only strong, but also extremely difficult to deal with!"
Fu Xuan: "You might think the Xianzhou Alliance is a massive force that should easily suppress and eliminate the Abominations of Abundance."
Fu Xuan: "But in reality, the great war between the Xianzhou and the Abominations of Abundance has lasted for thousands of years."
Fu Xuan: "And throughout this long war, the losses suffered by the Xianzhou Alliance have also been immeasurably painful!"
Jiaoqiu: "These monsters are non-human, and their physical bodies are absurdly robust."
Jiaoqiu: "With a human body, it often takes several people working together to slay a single Borisin."
Jiaoqiu: "Fortunately, in recent years, under the leadership of our General, the Xianzhou Yaoqing has hunted them across the star zones of the Abominations of Abundance, finally breaking their momentum!"
Jiaoqiu: "And crushing them into a scattered mess!"
Stelle: "Tsk, General Feixiao is indeed awesome!"
March 7th: "So does this mean there's a chance to completely eliminate the Abominations of Abundance?"
Dan Heng: "March, I'm afraid you've misunderstood."
Dan Heng: "The true source of the plague of Abundance does not lie with these Abominations…"
Dan Heng: "But rather… with Abundance itself."
Dan Heng: "As long as Abundance still bestows miracles, the Abominations of Abundance will never truly cease to exist…"
Zhongli: "Hmm, in that case, the existence of the Aeon of Abundance has, to some extent, already affected the healthy functioning of the universe."
Stelle: "I have a feeling that in the end, Abundance might end up with the same fate as Propagation!"
Stelle: "But for now, the scale of the Abominations of Abundance is still far from matching the Swarm Disaster."
....
『 [ Those werewolf monsters are known as 'borisin.' They are Abominations of Abundance, and we've been fighting them for a very long time. ]
[ The Borisin have been a powerful force for a long time, plundering and enslaving many worlds. The threat they pose is just as terrible as the Swarm Disaster, and the Alliance even had a fierce war with them three decades ago. ]
[ In recent years, their activities have gradually become less rampant than in the past. ]
[ Who would have thought… ] 』
『 ....』
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
Ningguang: "For such a brutal and bloody force to suddenly bide their time and keep a low profile."
Ningguang: "It is foreseeable that they must be planning something underhanded."
Yanqing: "But the problem is, given the nature of the Borisin, they shouldn't be making such a move, right?"
Stelle: "Maybe there's someone behind them?"
March 7th: "Are you saying there's a mastermind pulling the strings of the Borisin?"
March 7th: "That would make things even more troublesome!"
....
『 [ According to that officer, they attacked an IPC ship near the Xianzhou Luofu. Such a brazen attack seems quite unusual to me. ]
Dan Heng felt that this matter was rather suspicious.
[ Yeah, that's what I find strange, too. It seems like the IPC and the borisin have some serious grudges. ]
[ No more idle chatter, let's get to business. The General wants me to escort you all to the Palace of Astrum. ]
[ I'd love to chit-chat a little longer, but there are some things that can't be left unchecked...] 』
『 ....』
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
Topaz: "A grudge?"
Topaz: "The IPC hasn't blatantly wiped out the Borisin recently, so it can't really be considered a specific grudge, can it?"
Aventurine: "Tsk, I have an intuition."
Aventurine: "Those IPC employees transporting the cargo were probably used as pawns by someone with ulterior motives."
Aventurine: "Interesting. Can those brainless beasts of the Borisin actually scheme against the IPC now?"
Jade: "Evidently, this is definitely not the work of the Borisin alone."
Jade: "Behind them, there must be a scheming individual hiding in the shadows."
Jade: "However, looking at it currently, that person's main target is still the Xianzhou Luofu, or even the entire Xianzhou Alliance."
Jade: "Heh, they truly have grand designs!"
Stelle: "Suddenly, it feels like the current universe has entered a turbulent period, and all sorts of major events are about to happen one after another."
March 7th: "Please don't! I prefer the universe when it's peaceful and stable. Please don't stir up any trouble!!"
....
『 [ Worried? Could it be that hunting down the Borisin… requires our help? ]
Hearing Yanqing's words, March 7th asked.
[ No, no, it's just a small matter. ]
[ By the way... that young lady who just appeared... she took my sword. ]
[ I'm thinking of filing a lost property report at the Realm-Keeping Commission to see if I can get it back... ]
Yanqing scratched his head, speaking with some embarrassment.
[ Hahaha, I doubt she did it on purpose! ]
Hearing this, March 7th laughed out loud.
[ You go file the report, and I go fetch the popcorn. It's gonna be quite the show... ]
Stelle began to instigate. 』
『 ....』
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
Stelle: "I knew Yanqing couldn't forget his sword."
Furina de Fontaine: "Miss Yunli left in such a hurry just now. Was she rushing to hunt down the remaining Borisin?"
Hu Tao: "Probably, right?"
March 7th: "By the way, does a Cloud Knight have to file a report even for losing something?"
Yanqing: "Naturally, such matters are generally managed by the Realm-Keeping Commission."
....
『 [ Please don't say anymore, it was a momentary oversight on my part. Alright, let's not keep the general waiting. ]
Yanqing couldn't handle Stelle's teasing and quickly tried to avoid the topic.
[ Don't worry, girls with such skills are rare. She shouldn't be that hard to find. ]
Dan Heng comforted Yanqing, and then the four of them turned and left.
And just after they left, Lu Jun and the Cloud Knight captain, not far away, began to intently watch the backs of the four.
[ There sure are quite a few troublemakers… ]
Lu Jun murmured, his expression gradually turning gloomy. 』
『 ....』
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
Stelle: "Oh boy, HE FINALLY SHOWED HIS TRUE COLORS!!"
Stelle: "I knew there was something off about this guy!"
March 7th: "Ahem… though that may be… isn't he a Foxian right now?"
March 7th: "Isn't it normal for him to show his tail?"
Stelle: "Uh, there's no need to be pedantic about that, right?"
Stelle: "As long as you get what I mean!"
Hu Tao: "With that sinister face, he practically has 'I am a villain' written all over it."
Yanqing: "Damn it, they really were posing as Cloud Knights."
Yanqing: "Even that Cloud Knight captain was a fake?"
Yanqing: "Who on earth are they, and what is their conspiracy?"
Fu Xuan: "A more important point is actually: with the internal management of the Cloud Knights being so strict, who exactly is maintaining their fake identities?"
Lingsha: "To have such capability, that person must hold a high and powerful position…"
Qingque: "Eh?"
Qingque: "Does that mean we have a traitor inside our Cloud Knights?"
Qingque: "Is it really that terrifying?"
Feixiao: "General Jing Yuan, it seems your Luofu has quite a few messes to clean up…"
Jing Yuan: "Sigh, it is indeed my lack of ability that has allowed certain people to harbor thoughts they shouldn't have."
Huaiyan: "It seems you already have a suspect in mind?"
Jing Yuan: "I have some conjectures, but nothing is certain yet."
Jing Yuan: "However, if we can use this Wardance to thoroughly root them out, the Luofu will surely be peaceful for a long time to come."
Feixiao: "It's plain to see that the person's identity is indeed extraordinary, otherwise they wouldn't make General Jing Yuan worry so much."
....
『 The scene shifted to the inside of the Palace of Astrum. At this moment, Huaiyan and Jing Yuan were already conversing with each other.
[ It's been a long journey, Elder Huaiyan. Thank you for your presence ]
Jing Yuan said politely.
[ Ah, it wasn't exhausting. Rather, I've troubled you to take time out of your busy schedule to welcome me. ]
Huaiyan smiled and waved his hand.
[ General, I've brought our guests from the Express. I'm sorry for my bad timing. I didn't know you were meeting a guest, General. ]
While the two were speaking, Yanqing had already led Stelle and the other two to stand before them.
[ Don't worry. You're just in time. It's been a while, my friends from the Astral Express!] 』
『 ....』
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
Stelle: "Uh…"
Stelle: "This is General Huaiyan???"
Stelle: "For real? So small?"
Yunli: "Of course it's real, genuine, and authentic. Is there a problem?"
Stelle: "Ah, well…"
Stelle: "I thought… General Huaiyan would be the kind of general who is nine feet tall, covered in muscles, and exuding an imposing aura that makes people dare not approach."
Stelle: "But seeing him in person… uh…"
Huaiyan: "What? Does this old man's appearance disappoint you?"
Stelle: "No, no, no!"
Stelle: "Although your height and physique didn't match my expectations."
Stelle: "I know that height doesn't determine strength!"
Furina de Fontaine: "Ahem, although I was also a bit surprised by General Huaiyan's appearance, just like Miss Stelle."
Furina de Fontaine: "But on second thought, General Huaiyan appears so amiable, just like a grandfather next door. Isn't that much easier to get along with!"
Hu Tao: "Exactly, exactly. If the pressure were too strong, it would make people feel tense instead."
Yunli: "So in the end, don't you all just think Grandpa looks like a little old man and isn't majestic enough?"
Yunli: "But I have to admit, sometimes I think so too."
Yunli: "So, Grandpa, when are you going to show off your majestic side for me to see?"
Huaiyan: "Haha, you silly girl, I'm already at such an advanced age, why would I need to be majestic?"
Huaiyan: "It's already good enough that I can govern the Xianzhou Zhuming well."
Huaiyan: "As for being majestic, having General Feixiao is enough."
Feixiao: "Elder Huaiyan, you jest. You are old in age but young at heart."
Feixiao: "Your bones are still sturdy. If put on the battlefield, you might still make those wolf pups cry out in pain!"
Huaiyan: "Hahaha, that's too much praise for this old man."
March 7th: "Indeed, he is still an Arbiter-General and an Emanator of the Hunt."
March 7th: "I actually don't believe it if anyone says General Huaiyan can't fight."
....
『 [ I dreamed about you on Penacony. ]
After Jing Yuan finished his greetings, Stelle couldn't wait and spoke up immediately.
[ Oh? I enter an old friend's dream, showing that I am long remembered. To have a place in your beautiful dreams is truly an honor. ] 』
『 ....』
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
Jing Yuan: "Hahaha, now not only did you dream of me, but I also saw your dream."
Jing Yuan: "Frankly speaking, the me in the video at this time probably had no idea how perilous the dream you spoke of actually was."
Stelle: "Indeed, who would have thought that going to a dream world would almost involve an Aeon?"
Stelle: "To put it bluntly, we were really just a tiny bit away from being buried there together."
March 7th: "Wait, hold on!"
March 7th: "I suddenly realized, wasn't this supposed to be just a commemorative festival event?"
March 7th: "How come even the famous General of the Zhuming came in person?"
Furina de Fontaine: "Yeah!"
Furina de Fontaine: "It was just said that the Xianzhou Zhuming sent a delegation to congratulate, but it didn't say they sent the General himself!"
Paimon: "Hmm, it makes it seem exceptionally grand!"
Stelle: "I can probably tell that the three of them seem to have made some secret deal beforehand!"
Stelle: "They're planning to stir things up using this Wardance!"
....
『 [ Allow me to introduce you to General Huaiyan. He's the Arbiter-General of the Xianzhou Zhuming, known as the Flaming Heart. ]
Jing Yuan pointed to Huaiyan beside him and began to introduce him to the four.
[ Haha. There's no need to be so formal. I traveled light this time, no different from any tourist coming to watch the ceremony. ]
Huaiyan smiled, indicating that everyone didn't need to be constrained.
[ Elder Huaiyan is not only one of the Arbiter-Generals but also the Furnace Master of the Artisanship Commission. Besides his martial skills, he excels in forging various weapons. Such talents are unique, even among the Arbiter-Generals. ]
Jing Yuan continued to introduce, his words filled with high praise for Huaiyan.
[ Whether General or Arbiter of Artisanship, they are nothing more than titles thrust upon me by the times. ]
[ I have already stepped down several times, but with the current changes in the situation, the Marshal summoned me again, and I had to take office once more. ] 』
『 ....』