With Hoolay's capture, the battle had completely lost all suspense.
The Borisin, having lost their war leader, were like headless flies under the encirclement of the Luofu army, collapsing rapidly.
The expeditionary force swept through like a whirlwind, slaughtering every last Abomination in the star system.
When the last Beastship turned to cosmic dust, the army prepared for its return journey.
In a corner of the starship, Jingliu sat in silence with her eyes closed, gently wiping the longsword stained with the blood of Abominations, a faint and strangely curved smile on her lips.
Master... look, I am stronger than all of them.
Capturing the Borisin war leader alive, I have finally caught up to your footsteps.
Now, does your disciple have the right for you to spare her another glance?
...The news of Hoolay being imprisoned in the deepest level of the Shackling Prison quickly exploded throughout the Luofu.
The Xianzhou Alliance immediately broadcasted the news to the Galaxy Flash News, and all the victimized civilizations cheered upon hearing it.
Those survivors who had been invaded by the Borisin cried out that the heavens had eyes, and the evil wolves had finally met their retribution.
However, this was merely the calm before the storm.
Not long after, a distress report from Yueque made the atmosphere of the entire Xianzhou Alliance tense.
Hoolay's capture not only failed to deter the Abominations of Abundance in the galaxy, but instead acted like a heavy hammer smashing into a hornet's nest.
The Wing-Makers, Houyhnhnms, Serpent Descendants... these Followers of Abundance, who usually fought for themselves, had lost their leaders in recent years and spontaneously formed an unprecedented coalition.
Even more terrifyingly, they had dragged along another living constellation, Jidu Mirage.
That Evil Star was approaching the Jade Dwelling Xianzhou, opening its devouring maw, just like the scene of Azure City's destruction a thousand years ago.
The Alliance immediately investigated whether an Emanator of Abundance was secretly behind this, but found nothing.
It seemed as if this coalition of Abominations was truly born out of a shared hatred for the Xianzhou.
But in a chaotic world, everyone understands one truth—
A scattered heap of sand cannot start a prairie fire; there must be an unknown existence behind everything targeting Yueque.
In the Military Affairs Office, the red dots representing the enemy on the holographic screen were so dense they were no less than a swarm of Propagation stingbugs passing through.
"This battle concerns the survival of Yueque. As the nearest Xianzhou, Luofu has an inescapable responsibility to provide aid."
Teng Xiao's expression was grave as his gaze swept over the High-Cloud Quintet, the Vanguards, and the Strategists.
Dan Feng glanced at Jing Yuan, recalling the bold plan he had mentioned not long ago, and then spoke with startling words.
"This battle is perilous. I fear the Cloud Knights alone will struggle to sustain it. I will persuade the Dragon Masters to lead the Vidyadhara Cloudhymnists to join the expedition, using the surging waters to help the Cloud Knights sweep away the demonic invaders."
"Are you certain?" Teng Xiao narrowed his eyes.
If an Emanator of Abundance were truly behind this, this reinforcement would be equivalent to participating in the Third Abundance Plague War... Yueque's side would surely be a mountain of corpses and a sea of blood.
The Vidyadhara cannot reproduce; every death means one less of them.
The previous High Elder, Yubie, had already caused the Dragon Masters to grumble by using the Scalegorge Waterscape to suppress the Ambrosial Arbor.
Now that Dan Feng wanted to lead the clan's mages on an expedition, how could they possibly agree?
"In the Luofu Vidyadhara, I have the final say now."
Dan Feng dropped those almost dictatorial words and was the first to leave the Military Affairs Office.
After the meeting ended, the Luofu Cloud Knights were given only three days to prepare.
Everyone dispersed... On the eve of battle, the High-Cloud Quintet gathered at the Qingxin Residence.
Jingliu seemed somewhat absent-minded.
Jing Yuan noticed this but chose to pretend he hadn't, and seeing Yingxing's movements, he couldn't help but speak up.
"Why are you raising a glass already? Aren't we waiting for Dan Feng?"
"The High Elder naturally has endless Preceptor meetings to attend; he won't be able to leave for a while. Let's not wait for him."
Yingxing downed the sake in his cup and nearly spat it out.
"Pah... isn't this just water?!"
"With the war ahead, drinking to excess will lead to mistakes. So I placed a jar of spring water from the Thalassa Crystal Palace here first, hehe..."
Even with a great battle looming, it didn't stop Bai Heng from showing a beaming smile.
"Wine tastes best when drunk after a victory. When the time comes, Lord Zhimu will surely provide plum blossom brew for us to drink to our hearts' content."
"Right, Jingliu? No one here knows Lord Zhimu better than you."
"...Yes..." Jingliu nodded instinctively.
Yingxing rolled his eyes. "...You should have said so earlier."
"Hehe, I wanted to see your expression when you took the first sip, so..." Bai Heng teased with a smile.
Jing Yuan smiled. "Whether it's water or wine, if it's a gift from a friend, it is equally mellow."
"Has your old ailment of finding deep meaning in every sentence not been cured yet?"
Dan Feng pushed the door open and immediately began teasing Jing Yuan's habit of communication.
To Jing Yuan, the High Elder's coldness was far less than that of his master, Jingliu; he didn't care about these words at all.
"You've come at the right time; everyone is waiting for you. Why don't you penalize yourself with three cups?"
"Spare me. Have I not drunk enough bitter water by the Ancient Sea?"
Dan Feng sighed first, then immediately brought the topic back to business.
"I have persuaded the Dragon Masters. In this battle, Vidyadhara Cloudhymnists will personally go to the front lines and fight side by side with our army."
Yingxing raised an eyebrow and looked to his side.
"It seems your plan to deal with Jidu Mirage can be implemented, Jing Yuan."
"Thank you for standing your ground, Dan Feng," Jing Yuan said gratefully.
"I didn't expect those Dragon Masters to actually agree. After this battle, there will surely..." Yingxing frowned.
"There will surely be countless Vidyadhara who will never return and will never have the chance to shed their scales and be reborn. Everyone is clear on this."
Dan Feng took over the sentence, a complex look flashing in his eyes.
"But if we do not share the same fate, the Vidyadhara cannot become a part of the Alliance's destiny, but merely bystanders to the suffering of others."
"I'm sorry, my reckless plan must have put a lot of pressure on you," Jing Yuan said.
"Don't say such things. If our positions were reversed, no matter how reckless my plan was, you would surely support me, wouldn't you?"
"Of course, but let's still try not to be too reckless."
"Thank you, Dan Feng! Thank you, Jing Yuan! Thank you, Jingliu! Thank you, Bai Heng!"
Yingxing drank another cup of spring water, feeling immensely relieved.
If it weren't for the comrades by his side, he, a Short-Lived Species who only knew how to forge and control machinery, would have found it difficult to seek revenge against the Abominations of Abundance.
"You drunkard, can you get drunk on spring water?" Dan Feng glanced at him.
"I'd rather be a firefly rushing into a flame than a useless tree living forever. In the past, I truly felt that way in my heart. But thanks to meeting you all, I have never felt as tangibly alive as I do now, and I have never wanted to live just a moment longer..."
Realizing it was inappropriate to say this in the Xianzhou, he quickly changed his tune.
"No, I shouldn't say such things!"
"Everyone."
Qi Zhimu's voice suddenly came, his tone very calm.
"I have been retired for many years. I have the heart but not the strength to assist Yueque. I can only offer wine to see you all off."