"There should be five, but one is missing here!"
Tingyun's true identity is exposed!
The General's slash descends like a tidal wave.
Amid the golden light stands Jing Yuan, his eyes fully opened.
Jing Yuan first glances at Yanqing, confirming he's unharmed.
Then, his gaze sweeps over the others.
To his left—
Jingliu, exuding an icy aura.
The black veil over her eyes obscures the crimson pupils from memory.
For a moment, he hesitates… but ultimately does not call out that name.
When his eyes land on the figure beside Jingliu—
The turmoil in his heart instantly stills.
"It's you..."
"We've never met, General. For you to recognize me—Luocha is truly flattered."
Jing Yuan replies, "Not only do I recognize you, but I know you all too well."
"A friend once told me—people like you are never far from trouble."
"And if they possess considerable power, the likelihood doubles."
"Doubles?" Luocha lets out a self-deprecating laugh. "Then in your eyes, General, I must be utterly irredeemable."
Jing Yuan doesn't continue.
He turns his attention to the trio on the other side.
"The Stellaron Hunters—quite the spectacle. Three of you at once."
The Divine General's earlier strike had interrupted Blade.
Though Blade had been ready to recklessly charge at Jing Yuan, Kafka whispered something in his ear, snapping him out of his fury.
Blade growls, "Jing Yuan."
"There are five names. Three of us are here."
"One remains."
"Where is he?"
Jing Yuan sighs. "He..."
At his words, the bloodlust in Blade's eyes dims—replaced by disappointment and resignation.
Seizing the moment, Jing Yuan presses on: "Blade, Kafka, Silver Wolf… The Interastral Peace Corporation has placed astronomical bounties on your heads."
"But today, I'll pretend I never saw you."
Blade remains expressionless.
Yanqing, however, looks on the verge of tears at the thought of letting these criminals go. But Jing Yuan raises a hand, signaling he has his reasons.
Blade's gaze shifts to Jingliu.
A heavy silence falls.
"I'm not here for you," Jingliu states coldly.
The atmosphere turns glacial, as if layers of frost have formed in the air.
"Boring," Blade mutters.
He turns to leave.
"Kafka."
"Ask Elio for me—when is the next act of my script with that bastard?"
"Of course," Kafka replies.
As the three prepare to depart, Jing Yuan exhales inwardly.
This situation was already complicated enough.
At least now, the Stellaron Hunters are out of the picture.
Next—he can focus on Jingliu and this "Mr. Luocha."
---
Meanwhile, Dan Heng's group remains unaware of the events at the Shackling Prison.
Inside the starskiff, March 7th sighs.
"Who'd have thought that 'Da Shu' was actually the [Head] of the Denizens of Abundance? When we traveled together, I really thought she was a good person!"
At the bow of the starskiff, Tingyun smiles gracefully.
"March, you're still so naïve."
"Though the [Phantom Head] is blind, her other senses are sharp."
"She might've already caught wind of something and fled."
"The crime of heresy… carries severe punishment."
March ponders. "Tingyun, you make a good point."
Then—
Mr. Yang adjusts his glasses.
"Miss Tingyun, you're piloting the starskiff, yet you've absorbed every detail of the live-streamed plot—even the fact that the [Phantom Head] is blind."
"Such acute hearing is… remarkable."
Tingyun replies smoothly, "As a merchant envoy, my livelihood depends on being observant in all directions."
"No need for suspicion, Mr. Welt."
Welt's eyes narrow slightly.
"By the way, Miss Tingyun."
"Since arriving on the Xianzhou Luofu, you've accompanied us everywhere—even now, as we head to the Divination Commission to interrogate Kafka."
"Yet your role in the game remains minimal. Curious, isn't it?"
"Hm? Is that so?" Tingyun's ears twitch faintly.
"I haven't played this game myself—I'm quite unfamiliar with its content."
"Unless… you know the developer, Yu Ling? Did he give you extra screen time out of personal favor?"
"Oh dear~ Mr. Welt, you flatter me. Meeting the Astral Express crew was fortune enough—how would I know a famous game developer?"
"If you keep teasing me, I'll—"
Suddenly—
The starskiff lurches violently!
March and the Trailblazer are thrown backward. Dan Heng barely keeps his grip.
Yet Welt remains unnaturally steady—encased in a crimson glow, unmoved by the turbulence.
Calmly, he speaks.
"You are hiding something."
At the helm, Tingyun releases the controls.
Her demeanor has completely transformed.
"How perceptive, Welt."
"You're more interesting than I expected."
Her voice is no longer soft—but regal, resonant, like a queen's.
Golden flames erupt from her body as she begins to fade.
Welt's cane strikes the floor—a black hole forms, but the flames slip through, untouchable.
Her final words echo:
"I'd have liked to play with you all a little longer."
"But that fool from the Abundance was too incompetent."
"Now, I must take my leave."
"Enjoy the show with these… actors."
As the starskiff plummets, Welt taps his cane—an invisible force cushions their landing.
March stammers, "W-What just happened?! Why did Tingyun change? What were those flames?!"
Welt's gaze hardens.
"March, explanations later."
"The enemy is here."
Above them—a massive golden vortex swirls into existence.
To be continued…
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