『 Yunli began leading Yanqing on a mad dash toward the engine room.
[ The Wardance is about to begin. All contestants, please enter the arena and take your positions. ]
At the same time, a broadcast echoed through the main hall of the Skysplitter, notifying the contestants to take their places.
[ The engine room is just ahead; let's go. ]
Ignoring the broadcast, Yunli sped up, leading Yanqing forward.
Soon, they arrived at the engine room.
The light from the engine's surging power illuminated the surroundings, yet the place was completely deserted.
[ Strange, why is there not a single person around here? ]
Yunli couldn't help but speak up.
However, Yanqing's eyes immediately locked onto a strange container in the center of the engine room.
He gave Yunli a meaningful look.
She instantly understood.
The two silently drew their weapons, split up to the left and right, and flanked the container!
However, when they reached the other side of the container, they only saw two twisted corpses of Cloud Knights.
[ The Cloud Knights… are all here. ]
This sight made Yanqing feel a lump in his throat.
[ Heh, you two should be lying down with them… ]
[ Don't worry, little brats. There's plenty of space here, enough to hide your corpses. ]
Suddenly, seven or eight Foxians appeared with cold sneers, surrounding Yanqing and Yunli.
Evidently, they were disguised Borisin. 』
『 ....』
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
Yanqing: "Sigh, more Cloud Knights have sacrificed themselves."
Yanqing: "As expected, the Borisin have sneaked onto the Skysplitter as well."
Yunli: "Damn it, you arrogant dogs!"
Yunli: "You think a few wolf pups like you can take me down?"
Yunli: "I'll smash every single one of you into meat paste with Old Metal in a moment!"
March 7th: "How on earth did they appear? That was so sudden!"
Furina de Fontaine: "Were they hiding in some concealed spot?"
Furina de Fontaine: "But looking at this place, I don't see any spot where they could have hidden?"
Hu Tao: "It's also possible they came in from the outside, just waiting for Miss Yunli and young Master Yanqing to walk into their trap."
Stelle: "Too bad they chose the wrong opponents."
Stelle: "Yunli and Yanqing are no ordinary kids."
Stelle: "Average Borisin aren't even worthy of fighting them."
Paimon: "These despicable guys commit all kinds of evil; they're no different from the monsters of the Abyss!"
Paimon: "I hope Miss Yunli and young Master Yanqing beat them to a pulp!"
Paimon: "To avenge the fallen Cloud Knights!"
....
『 [ Though in my heart of hearts, I hoped this Wardance would go smoothly without any trouble, and that I was worrying over nothing… ]
Yanqing shook his head and slowly pointed his sword at the enemy.
[ But these guys have finally shown up. The heavy stone weighing on my heart can finally be set down! ]
[ Come on, Abominations! ]
Yunli let out a loud shout and charged ahead. Using the Old Iron in her hand, she heavily slashed one of the Borisin to death!
Almost at the same moment, Yanqing controlled his flying sword, plunging it fiercely into the heart of the Borisin before him!
This swift display shocked the remaining Borisin, but soon, they all became casualties under Yunli and Yanqing's blades!
[ Finding a few wolves in the engine room means more Abominations have sneaked into other parts of the ship… ]
[ Hoolay has already boarded the Skysplitter! ]
After sheathing his sword, Yanqing made an assessment of the current situation!
[ There's no time to explain, the Wardance must have already started! ]
[ If I'm not wrong, after boarding the ship, the Borisin are highly likely to carry out a massive slaughter at the ceremony. ]
[ Let's go, we must head to the Wardance arena right now! ]
Without wasting time on explanations, Yunli began leading Yanqing in a frantic sprint toward the Wardance arena!
[ This way, I hope we're not too late! ] 』
『 ....』
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
Lumine: "It still came to this!"
Lumine: "With Hoolay's strength, once he reaches the Wardance arena, it will surely turn into a bloodbath…"
Qingque: "I mean, is it possible that among the contestants of this Wardance, there's some unfathomably powerful expert?"
Qingque: "And just when Hoolay is about to start his slaughter, they step forward and finish him off with a single strike?"
Stelle: "Do you think my sister Acheron is participating?"
Stelle: "Honestly, if Acheron were here, she would definitely show Hoolay the meaning of a slash of Nihility!"
Silver Wolf: "And then Hoolay would follow in the footsteps of Duke Inferno."
Hu Tao: "Unfortunately, Miss Acheron has her own goals. How could she participate in the Wardance?"
Furina de Fontaine: "There's no need to participate, right?"
Furina de Fontaine: "Even as a spectator, she could still step forward."
Acheron: "Apologies, but based on my travel plans, there is a high probability I have no reason to visit the Xianzhou."
Stelle: "I think Aventurine would do too. Judging by his performance in Penacony, Aventurine's defense is maxed out."
Stelle: "A shattered Cornerstone could withstand the slash of Nihility. I bet Hoolay could attack him for half a day without scratching him!"
Stelle: "And that would buy plenty of time for General Feixiao to arrive, right?"
Aventurine: "Why do you make me sound like some kind of punching bag?"
Aventurine: "So I'm just meant to take beatings?"
March 7th: "You can fight back too, you know!"
March 7th: "If you could beat Hoolay to death, you'd become the hero who saved the Luofu."
March 7th: "When that time comes, wouldn't negotiating any business deal be a piece of cake?"
Aventurine: "Forget it, I'm no Nameless. I wouldn't dare do something so thrilling that invites trouble."
Xiangling: "By the way, how is Miss March 7th doing right now?"
Xiangling: "Is she still safe?"
Yunli: "March is probably about to take the stage!"
Yunli: "You have to hold on!"
March 7th: "Ah… is holding on something I can just choose to do?"
March 7th: "If you put Hoolay and me together, are our strength levels even comparable?"
Stelle: "If I had known the Skysplitter was the most dangerous place, I would have gone instead!"
Stelle: "After all, Hoolay has the deep-red full moon Heart, but I have a Stellaron!"
Stelle: "If we really put our lives on the line, who knows who would win!"
....
『 [ Respected guests and contestants, welcome to the Xianzhou Luofu's Wardance Ceremony! ]
[ Before we enter the first match, the tournament organizing committee is proud to introduce the famous galactic host—Mr. Owlbert, who has joined us as a guest host! ]
[ Please welcome our guest host, Mr. Owlbert, to officially inaugurate the Wardance Ceremony— ]
[ Your Wardance ends here! ]
Before the commentator could finish his words, Hoolay's massive body descended from the sky under the gaze of countless spectators, crashing heavily onto the arena!
[ From this moment on, the Skysplitter belongs to me. ]
[ Spectators, I shall bring you a true deathmatch! ]
[ Now, run for your lives! ]
Hoolay made his declaration, but the entire spectator stand did not erupt into the panic he expected! 』
『 ....』
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
Boothill: "Son of a nice lady, are the spectators of this Wardance just slow-witted, or have they seen so much that their mental fortitude is terrifyingly high?"
Boothill: "Hoolay landed just like that, and not a single person screamed in terror."
Boothill: "Even when the camera panned across just now, I saw some spectators didn't even bat an eye!"
Boothill: "It makes Hoolay look like a complete clown!"
Furina de Fontaine: "Indeed… aren't these spectators a bit too brave?"
Furina de Fontaine: "It gives me the feeling that they don't take Hoolay seriously at all."
Hu Tao: "Could it be that these spectators think this is part of the opening performance?"
Guinaifen: "Ah! That makes perfect sense!"
Guinaifen: "For someone like me who doesn't know Hoolay, if I saw this, I might think it's an opening act too!"
Stelle: "Something's wrong!"
Stelle: "Their expressions are off!"
Stelle: "They don't seem surprised by Hoolay's arrival at all?"
Stelle: "Is there something fishy about these spectators?"
Dan Heng: "When the camera panned across just now, I didn't see a single tourist from other planets."
Dan Heng: "They are all people of the Xianzhou Alliance."
Dan Heng: "Heh, I see…"
Dan Heng: "I think I understand now."
....
『 [ Apologies, there are no spectators on this ship that you hoped for—everyone here came specifically for you. ]
[ Cloud Knights, prepare for battle! ]
The tournament commentator completely changed his tone, suddenly issuing a command for battle.
At this moment, Cloud Knights poured out from all directions, tightly surrounding Hoolay in the arena!
[ Xianzhou soars, Cloud Knight roars! Xianzhou soars, Cloud Knight roars! Xianzhou soars, Cloud Knight roars!... ]
With this sudden shift, deafening roars began to echo from the spectator stands!
[ … ]
[ It seems you were prepared. ]
This abrupt turn of events made Hoolay realize that this so-called opening of the Wardance on the Skysplitter was a trap!
HOWL—!
At that moment, waves of wolf howls echoed from all directions.
The Borisin brought along by Hoolay let out war cries in unison, ready to fight to the death alongside their Warhead Hoolay against the Cloud Knights present!
[ Very well! ]
[ Since you are prepared to throw away your lives, come on, do your worst—make this entertaining for me! ]
Hoolay sneered, drawing his war blade, his eyes filled with bloodlust!
The great battle was about to erupt!
At this moment, the screen shifted to three hours before the Wardance, inside the Seat of Divine Foresight!
[ Besieging three sides while leaving one open… is this the plan you spoke of to ensure the Wardance proceeds as normal? ]
Huaiyan looked up, staring at Jing Yuan who had proposed the plan.
[ Indeed. ]
[ Hoolay's escape should have immediately halted the Wardance. ]
[ No one can predict where this beast will strike. A festive event like the Wardance is an easy target for him to wreak havoc. ]
[ However, the Wardance has been prepared for a long time and must proceed. Announcing a cancellation would pain me greatly. ]
[ So, I thought, since it must be held, let us hold it. ]
[ But does the one held today have to be the real Wardance? ]
[ As long as we replace all the boarding spectators and contestants with Cloud Knight soldiers, the Skysplitter suspended high in the air will become the perfect hunting ground for wolves. ]
Jing Yuan spoke with absolute confidence, believing this plan was highly viable.
[ …But what if Hoolay has no intention of attacking the Wardance? What then? ]
Huaiyan countered.
[ Then we make sure he sees the Skysplitter as much as possible. ]
[ The Sky-Faring Commission will clear the flight paths and reduce the traffic of other starskiffs. ]
[ This way, when there is only one ship left in the sky, he will have a reason he cannot ignore. ]
[ Meanwhile, General Feixiao will be responsible for beating the grass to startle the wolf, cutting off the Borisin's escape routes and making him believe he has found a way out. ]
[ Considering the Borisin have informants on the Luofu, I will be responsible for applying pressure, making the informants too busy saving themselves. ]
In response to Huaiyan's question, Jing Yuan provided a detailed arrangement.
[ Excellent! ]
[ Then this old man should stretch his bones as well. ]
[ I will guard the Jade Gate tightly alongside the Sky-Faring Commission to prevent the situation from spiraling out of control. ]
After hearing Jing Yuan's complete plan, Huaiyan nodded with satisfaction.
[ With Master Huaiyan acting as the final insurance, this junior can rest easy. ]
[ This hunt must make Hoolay understand that the arrow of the Hunt is always one step faster than the Abominations. ] 』
『 ....』
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
Stelle: "Damn!"
Stelle: "As expected of the Divine Foresight!"
Stelle: "With just a few words in the Seat of Divine Foresight, he played Hoolay like a fiddle!"
Lumine: "Is this the gold standard of the Divine Foresight?"
Lumine: "Anticipating the enemy's moves and reading Hoolay's thoughts like an open book."
Lumine: "In the end, making him willingly board the Skysplitter."
Jiaoqiu: "Hahaha, as expected of General Jing Yuan!"
Jiaoqiu: "In terms of strategy, this humble one indeed cannot compare!"
Furina de Fontaine: "Does the one held today have to be the real Wardance?"
Furina de Fontaine: "Hearing General Jing Yuan say this really dumbfounded me!"
Furina de Fontaine: "So everything was just an act!"
Hu Tao: "No wonder the contestants and spectators in the contestant hall were talking about weird things earlier."
Hu Tao: "Saying stuff like 'everyone who came here today is an elite'."
Hu Tao: "I thought they were saying the contestants were really strong!"
Hu Tao: "Who would have thought they were actually saying the Cloud Knights who came here were all elites!"
Paimon: "So… right now on the Skysplitter, there isn't a single real tourist or contestant?"
Paimon: "They are all disguised, Cloud Knights??"
Paimon: "That's just absurd!"
Yunli: "Well, it's not like there isn't a single contestant."
Yunli: "Isn't March one?"
March 7th: "I'm speechless… I really thought I was going to defend the arena."
March 7th: "After all that, it was actually just a play?"
Yanqing: "Looking at the video, I was kept in the dark too."
Yanqing: "I naively thought the wolf-hunting operation was led entirely by General Feixiao alone."
Yanqing: "Now it seems all three Generals participated in the operation!"
Yanqing: "Each having their own tasks!"
Robin: "As expected of his title."
Robin: "General Jing Yuan's reputation for divine foresight is well-deserved!"
Silver Wolf: "Impressive indeed."
Silver Wolf: "Hoolay was just waiting to hear the wails of the spectators!"
Silver Wolf: "But the next scene completely silenced him!"
Hotaru: "It's obvious Hoolay really didn't expect this."
Reca: "Brilliant! Simply brilliant!"
Reca: "Look at this sudden twist!"
Reca: "How dramatic!"
Hanabi: "Tch, making a mountain out of a molehill!"
Hanabi: "For a scene like this, Sparkle-sama would give a passing grade at most."
Hanabi: "If a hidden expert suddenly stepped out from the Cloud Knights at this moment and utterly thrashed Hoolay!"
Hanabi: "Beating him until he cries his eyes out~"
Hanabi: "Now that's the kind of plot twist I'd give a high score!"
Sampo Koski: "Sister, that's a bit unrealistic."
Sampo Koski: "This is reality, after all. There aren't that many unexpected twists."
Sampo Koski: "Unless you personally go and add some spice."
Sampo Koski: "For example, leading a certain powerful Emanator of Nihility there?"
Hanabi: "Little Sampo, do you think I'm stupid?"
Hanabi: "Sparkle-sama doesn't want to be chased and slashed by the power of Nihility!"
Hanabi: "If you act as the target, I might consider it."
Mualani: "Now we really don't have to worry."
Mualani: "Hoolay and the remaining Borisin are all trapped on the Skysplitter. There's no way they can harm innocent civilians and tourists now."
Xilonen: "It's just hard on these Cloud Knight soldiers…"
Xilonen: "With Hoolay's brutality, who knows how many soldiers will be sacrificed."
Yanqing: "We Cloud Knights protect the Xianzhou. It is only right!"
Yanqing: "We have long put life and death aside!"
Yanqing: "Dying in battle is instead a form of honor!"
....