—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
Silver Wolf: "Whoa, who isn't in this livestream chat?"
Silver Wolf: "I wouldn't even be surprised if an Aeon popped up in a bit."
Hotaru: "That's a bit of an exaggeration, isn't it?"
Hotaru: "An existence like an Aeon shouldn't have any interest in watching a livestream…"
Sampo Koski: "Ah, you can't say that for sure."
Sampo Koski: "If nothing else, a certain god of fun loves joining in on this kind of excitement!"
Stelle: "Doesn't matter. Aeon, Emanator, whatever—once they're in this livestream, they can only be viewers anyway."
Stelle: "By the way, Miss Robin, is that Director Reca person really famous?"
Dan Heng: "Yes, very famous."
Dan Heng: "Most of the films he directs are renowned throughout the cosmos."
March 7th: "Eh, I wouldn't have guessed!"
March 7th: "Dan Heng, you actually know about movies?"
Robin: "Many of Mr. Reca's films are adapted from real-life events."
Robin: "Perhaps that is the reason for Mr. Dan Heng's interest?"
Dan Heng: "Indeed."
Dan Heng: "That is the case."
Dan Heng: "The films directed by Mr. Reca often contain profound messages."
Dan Heng: "They are well worth watching."
Reca: "Haha, thank you all for your recognition of this director."
Reca: "Apologies, please forgive me for being entangled with a rather troublesome individual earlier, which prevented me from greeting you all."
Reca: "However, I have thoroughly enjoyed every single one of those spectacular scenes from before!"
Reca: "I MUST SAY… PERFECT!!!"
Reca: "Whether it is the reformation and history of the Planet of Festivities, the discord between siblings, the opposition between Order and Harmony, or the resolve of Trailblaze…"
Reca: "These plot points have shaken me to my core!"
Reca: "Inspiration is gushing out like a fountain!"
Reca: "Using those images, I have already planned several brand-new movies!"
Reca: "I believe this will surely trigger a new wave in the film industry!"
Stelle: "Um, please remember to pay the copyright fees when the time comes, Director. Thank you!"
Reca: "Hahaha, no problem."
Reca: "As a director, how could I forget to pay the cast for their excellent performances?"
....
『 As time ticked by, the Wardance Ceremony was about to commence.
At this moment, the scene shifted back to the Skysplitter.
[ What I am entrusting to you is by no means just the victories and honors on the stage, but also the safety of the Skysplitter. ]
[ Sigh, Grandfather makes it sound so easy, always giving me such difficult tasks. ]
[ The first match is about to begin… ]
[ I wonder if everything is going smoothly on Yanqing's end? ]
[ According to the plan, I should also ask the Cloud Knights on the Skysplitter to see if they've found anything. ]
[ Uh… before the matches start, should I find some time to meet with March? ]
[ March is currently in the contestants' lounge. I wonder how her preparations are going… ]
As Yunli thought about this, still feeling uneasy, she decided to head to the lounge to see how March 7th was preparing.
[ March, it's me, Yunli. ]
[ Are you alright? ]
Yunli called out toward the lounge through the door.
[ Waaahhhhh— ]
[ Ooh, ow-ow-owww. Just a moment, I'm coming! ]
Right after Yunli's shout, March 7th's panicked cries echoed from inside the room.
It sounded as though March 7th had knocked something over in her frantic rush.
[ Ah... She's still a nervous wreck.]
Yunli sighed helplessly, waiting for March 7th to emerge.
[ I get the feeling you're a bit nervous. ]
Once March 7th came out, Yunli couldn't help but comment.
[ I wasn't this nervous initially, but being alone in the lounge makes me overthink. ]
[ After all, we carry such a heavy responsibility for this Wardance Ceremony… ]
The more March 7th thought about it, the greater the pressure became, her face crumpling into a look of distress.
[ March, calm down. ]
[ Don't worry about your task. ]
[ Don't you still have me? ]
[ Don't be intimidated by Grandfather's title of representing the Luofu to defend the stage. ]
[ Ask yourself, you are a Nameless of the Astral Express, always free to come and go. But why did you board the Skysplitter with me after Grandfather gave us this task? ] 』
『 ....』
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
Stelle: "Yeah, why?"
March 7th: "Because this lady is the peerless heroine, March 7th!"
March 7th: "I want to protect the safety of the Skysplitter, and I want to defend the Luofu's stage!"
Yunli: "Good! What spirit!"
Yunli: "Master has high hopes for you!"
Silver Wolf: "Unfortunately, while spirit can slightly influence combat performance, it doesn't mean much against an opponent like Hoolay."
Silver Wolf: "For the sake of their lives, I think everyone on the Skysplitter should run away without looking back right now!"
Silver Wolf: "Otherwise, they'll all become Hoolay's snacks in a bit."
Qingque: "Indeed… I also think we should urgently evacuate the personnel on the Skysplitter."
Qingque: "After all, Hoolay has already publicly declared his intention to go on a killing spree on the Skysplitter."
Furina de Fontaine: "But wouldn't that completely ruin the Wardance Ceremony?"
Bailu: "But if Hoolay goes up there in a bit, won't it be ruined anyway?"
Hu Tao: "In other words, the Wardance Ceremony is doomed either way?"
Lumine: "Uh… has Hoolay actually boarded the Skysplitter yet?"
Lumine: "If he hasn't, then it's not completely over yet."
Lumine: "If he has…"
Lumine: "Hoolay suddenly appearing in broad daylight would definitely throw all the tourists into a massive panic."
Lumine: "Even if General Feixiao arrives in time to suppress him, it would still cause irreparable damage to the Luofu's reputation."
....
『 [ If you ask why… ]
[ Because I also hope the Wardance Ceremony can be held successfully. ]
[ For the Nameless, even though we are just passing through every stop… ]
[ I've made two masters here, and met many friends. ]
[ For everyone's sake, I hope this Wardance Ceremony goes smoothly. ]
March 7th pondered for a moment before answering Yunli's question.
[ Well answered! ]
[ The matches are about to start. I must go fulfill the task Grandfather entrusted to me. ]
[ March, may your sword remain sharp, and may you claim victory on the stage. ]
[ …Thank you, Master Yunli. ]
After offering her blessings to March 7th, Yunli turned and hurriedly departed.
[ According to Grandfather's arrangements, I should ask the Cloud Knights on the Skysplitter if there are any new developments… ]
Yunli went to seek out the Cloud Knights stationed there to gather information.
[ If it isn't Lady Yunli? ]
[ If there is anything you need assistance with, please let me know. ]
Seeing Yunli arrive, the Cloud Knight on duty greeted her first.
[ How is the deployment of the Cloud Knights? ]
Yunli inquired.
[ According to General Huaiyan's instructions, the Cloud Knights have already taken their positions. ]
The Cloud Knight answered immediately.
[ Well done, but I must confirm with you once more— ]
[ Do you have a way to identify the Borisin? ]
Yunli pressed for details.
[ Regrettably, we currently have no means of distinguishing Borisin from Foxians. ]
[ However, it is certain that the Cloud Knights are urgently investigating the source of the forged identities… ]
Hearing this, the Cloud Knight shook his head and explained. 』
『 ....』
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
Li Sushang: "Weren't the disguised Borisin already wiped out by General Feixiao?"
Li Sushang: "Is there still a need for an investigation?"
Guinaifen: "Shangshang, what if those Borisin on the ground weren't all of them?"
Guinaifen: "Maybe some Borisin have also snuck onto the Skysplitter."
Yunli: "Grandfather sent me here precisely to guard against this."
Yunli: "But Borisin disguised as Foxians are hard to tell apart, even for me!"
Huaiyan: "Hahaha, that depends on whether you are patient and meticulous enough."
Huaiyan: "As long as it's a disguised fake, it can never be flawless. There will always be clues."
Stelle: "Speaking of which, when Phantylia disguised herself as Miss Tingyun, it was truly flawless."
Fu Xuan: "After all, Phantylia obtained Tingyun's memories, personality, and even habits through her methods."
Fu Xuan: "Imitating those three aspects naturally left almost no difference from the original Tingyun."
March 7th: "If she hadn't exposed herself at the end, I wouldn't even have noticed anything wrong with Miss Tingyun!"
Stelle: "Thinking back on it later, there were actually some signs."
Stelle: "The Tingyun disguised by Phantylia always had a look of intense longing when she stared at the Ambrosial Arbor."
Stelle: "But I didn't think too deeply about it back then."
Stelle: "I just thought Miss Tingyun was awestruck by the sight of the Ambrosial Arbor's growth."
Welt Yang: "In any case, let's hope the real Miss Tingyun can return safely."
Welt Yang: "She shouldn't become a casualty of Phantylia."
Stelle: "That depends on whether Ms. Ruan Mei delivers!"
Stelle: "Please, Ms. Ruan Mei, make sure to return a complete Miss Tingyun to me, one that hasn't mutated into a bug!"
Ruan Mei: "Mm, I have received your request. Rest assured, I know what I am doing."
....
『 [ Please put your mind at ease, Lady Yunli. All Cloud Knights on the Skysplitter are performing their duties diligently and dare not slack off! ]
[ Mm, March 7th and I have already felt it. The Cloud Knights on the Skysplitter are all elites. ]
Yunli nodded, showing great trust in the Cloud Knights on the Skysplitter!
[ Right, I want to confirm if there are any abnormal boarding situations. ]
Yunli asked another crucial question.
[ There is. Just now, we received an emergency boarding request. ]
Speaking of this, the Cloud Knight reported immediately.
[ An emergency boarding request? ]
Yunli's expression grew serious upon hearing this.
[ It wasn't on the starskiff flight schedule for the Skysplitter, but the clearance documents on the starskiff itself are official. ]
The Cloud Knight explained quickly.
[ Who would board at a time like this? ]
[ Where is it? I'll go check. ]
After some thought, Yunli decided to inspect it personally.
[ That starskiff will board from the port used by the contestants. Do you need me to lead the way? ]
The Cloud Knight asked helpfully.
[ No need. You still have your guard duties. I'll go alone. ]
[ I must go confirm this quickly. ]
With that, Yunli bid farewell to the Cloud Knight and hurriedly ran toward the port.
Upon arriving, she indeed saw a starskiff docked there.
[ Routine inspection! Passengers boarding, please accept inspection immediately. ]
Yunli shouted toward the starskiff, but received no response.
[ Is this the suspicious starskiff? ]
[ Where are the passengers… ]
[ I'll count to ten. If you don't come out, I'm smashing the ship! ]
[ Ten! ]
[ Nine, eight, seven, six, five, four… time is running out! ]
[ Three! Two! ]
[ One! ]
At this point, Yunli had already drawn Old Metal, ready to deliver a slash to the starskiff!
[ Wait! ]
[ It's me! ]
[ It's just a routine inspection, you wouldn't really smash the ship, would you? ]
[ Is this also a Zhuming tradition… ] 』
『 ....』
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
Paimon: "Eh??"
Paimon: "I was holding my breath just now, thinking a ferocious Hoolay was going to jump out from inside!"
Paimon: "My heart was in my throat, and I was sweating for Miss Yunli's safety."
Paimon: "And the one who came out was actually Yanqing?"
Lumine: "A bit unexpected. I actually thought it would be Hoolay or the Borisin too."
Stelle: "Did Yanqing get up here earlier than Hoolay?"
Stelle: "Or did Hoolay not come up at all?"
March 7th: "I feel like Hoolay wouldn't take the normal route up, right?"
March 7th: "That wouldn't fit his style."
Yunli: "Yanqing, you brat, since it was you, why didn't you say anything when I called out earlier?"
Yunli: "Are you asking for a beating?"
Yanqing: "What, just because you call me, I have to answer?"
March 7th: "Ah, now both masters are here, I finally feel a bit of security."
March 7th: "But I still hope Hoolay doesn't come up!!"
....
『 [ Why are you back!? ]
[ Could you be a Borisin in disguise? ]
Yunli looked at Yanqing with a grave, suspicious expression.
She hadn't heard any news of Yanqing coming up.
[ Wait, even if the Borisin can shapeshift, they can't shrink to my size, can they? ]
[ Put your sword away, quick. ]
Yanqing waved his hands hurriedly, indicating he was the real deal!
[ Didn't our little brother Yanqing say he was giving up defending the stage to hunt wolves and ease the General's worries? ]
Finding Yanqing's words reasonable, Yunli sheathed her weapon and asked.
[ The Borisin launched a sudden attack on the ground. ]
[ General Feixiao was worried this was a distraction by Hoolay, so I volunteered to reinforce the Skysplitter. ]
Yanqing explained to Yunli.
[ To think you'd end up back on the Skysplitter after all that. But you won't be able to take the stage now. ]
[ According to Grandfather's arrangements, our good disciple March will take your place to defend the stage—aren't you proud? ]
Yunli shared the news of March 7th taking over the defense with Yanqing.
[ Uh… hearing such an impactful fact all of a sudden indeed makes me proud, but also a bit worried. ]
Yanqing scratched his head, feeling somewhat concerned about March 7th's situation.
[ An extra hand is always good. The Skysplitter is so big. By the way, you should know— ]
RUMBLE!!!
Before Yunli could finish her sentence, a massive tremor shook the entire Skysplitter!
[ What's going on?! ]
Yanqing's expression changed drastically.
[ The Skysplitter's speed seems to be slowing down? ]
[ Could it be… ]
[ Follow me, let's check the engine room! ]
[ As the core facility of the entire vessel, we must secure its safety first! ] 』
『 ....』
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
Guinaifen: "Everyone, what happened to the Skysplitter?"
Guinaifen: "Has Hoolay already boarded and hijacked the Skysplitter?!"
Dan Heng: "The Skysplitter's cruising speed suddenly dropped drastically."
Dan Heng: "It appears to be an engine malfunction."
Dan Heng: "There's a high probability someone tampered with the Skysplitter's engine room!"
March 7th: "I hope it's not Hoolay's doing… that would be trouble!"
Stelle: "Do we even need to ask? At this point, who else but Hoolay would do such a thing?"
Stelle: "It must be Hoolay's doing!"
Furina de Fontaine: "If Hoolay really is in the engine room, wouldn't Miss Yunli and Yanqing be in extreme danger by going to check now?"
Yunli: "Danger or not, we've reached this point."
Yunli: "We can't worry about that much anymore. We just have to go!"
Yunli: "I want to see just how formidable this Hoolay really is!"
....