Hearing this, Mr. Xiyan chuckled and retorted, "You're quite right, but this isn't your average tale, so the tropes naturally differ from what you're imagining!"
"How so?" the crowd asked, puzzled.
"Well now, if you wish to know how the story unfolds, tune in next time!" Mr. Xiyan left them hanging and clamped his mouth shut.
Seeing there was nothing more to watch, the onlookers dispersed. Only Baihong remained seated where he was, lost in thought. Yanqing walked up to him, tapped him on the shoulder, and asked, "What are you thinking about?"
"Oh? It's you! I can't shake the feeling that what Mr. Xiyan was talking about just now sounds familiar. It's probably just my imagination, though." Baihong rested his chin in his hand, recalling Mr. Xiyan's words.
Yanqing suppressed his surging excitement, intending to speak up, but suddenly remembered he had only known the fellow for a few days. Would it be inappropriate to blurt out a request for apprenticeship? Better save it for later.
So, calming himself, he said, "As for joining the Cloud Knights, I've already arranged it. Are you free now? I need to take you to register so you can officially become a member of the Luofu Cloud Knights."
"Alright then, let's go."
Along the way, Baihong said, "Thank you so much, Yanqing. I've been putting you out these past few days."
Yanqing replied, "Haha, don't mention it, Baihong. Like I said before, a Cloud Knight's duty is to lend a helping hand to those in need."
Actually, Yanqing still harbored a selfish motive. For some reason, he wanted to learn more about Baihong, as if there were some sort of treasure hidden within him.
*Get a grip, Yanqing!* Yanqing shook his head, banishing the strange thought from his mind.
"Yanqing, what's up with that towering tree? Just looking at it gives me a dangerous feeling." Baihong's words broke his train of thought.
"That thing? It's the Ambrosial Arbor. It's a long story, but it's an ancient tree left on Luofu Xianzhou by the Aeon of Abundance.
Legend has it that it possesses the divine miracle of shaping life at will and conquering death. It was precisely by ingesting the divine fruit produced by the Ambrosial Arbor that our ancestors gained endless lifespans, transforming into long-life species.
The Aeon of Abundance is Yaoshi, a benevolent and all-embracing deity dedicated to healing the illnesses and suffering of others; however, the abominations of Abundance are infamous, and we of the Xianzhou are bound to wipe them out completely.
As a side note, most people on the Xianzhou nowadays are long-life species who can easily live for a millennium or so, and even Foxians can live for well over a hundred years. For some reason, the Ambrosial Arbor has been growing aggressively of late; someone is undoubtedly taking advantage of the situation, and we cannot afford to lower our guard."
"To live a thousand years—is it really that powerful?"
"Ah, there's a downside too! Generally speaking, when Xianzhou natives reach a certain age, they succumb to the Mara-Struck. Their expressions turn ferocious, golden branches sprout all over their bodies, and they lose control of themselves, turning into monsters that only know how to slaughter. When that happens, we have no choice but to steel our hearts to eliminate them and lay them to rest."
March 7th, the Trailblazer, and Welt arrived at Starskiff Haven, where they saw Tingyun surrounded by monsters and stepped in to help.
Tingyun was a smooth-talker who knew how to play all sides. She smilingly thanked the three of them while making her own stance clear.
"Guests of the Astral Express, forgive this humble one for failing to welcome you from afar. Please bear with us. As you benefactors can see, the Xianzhou is facing a Stellaron crisis, and our enemies have seized the opportunity to strike when we're vulnerable—it's impossible to guard against everything. I must ask my benefactors to be careful."
The group followed Tingyun to Cloudford, where she summoned a Diting, introducing it: "This is a common tracking tool on the Xianzhou. Let it sniff something related to the target, and it can track down the target by scent. My benefactors must remember this—little Diting here is a mighty helpful assistant."
Welt said, "Perhaps we can find some clues through the Diting."
"Indeed, benefactor catch on fast. Well then, I leave it to you." With that, she let the Diting sniff an item, and the beast scampered off.
"Quick, follow it."
Once they were familiar with how the Diting worked, Tingyun continued, "The Xianzhou should have warmly welcomed esteemed benefactors visiting us.
However, the situation is critical right now, so please forgive us. I have pressing matters to attend to and cannot accompany you further. I will take you to the Sky-Faring Commission, where someone will make arrangements for you."
The three arrived at the Sky-Faring Commission, where an elegant-looking woman stood with her back to them, issuing orders to her subordinates.
After a moment, the woman turned around and said in an unquestionable tone, "Are you the distinguished guests invited by the General?"
"Not quite. We simply received word from the Stellaron Hunters that the Xianzhou might be facing a great disaster. As Nameless of the Astral Express, we have an obligation to come and support the Xianzhou."
"Is that truly the case? Then why did I receive no transmission from Starskiff Haven? How did you enter the Xianzhou? Pray explain honestly."
March 7th mentally complained to the Trailblazer: *This woman is so fierce! She's clearly trouble.*
Welt pushed up his glasses, weighed his words, and began: "Actually, we felt something was amiss with this incident. When we reached the entrance, we found the mechanisms appeared to have been tampered with, and there were no guards at the gate. We therefore deduced that the Xianzhou might be in trouble due to the Stellaron. Please rest assured, my friend—our Astral Express would never take advantage of another's misfortune."
The woman's expression softened slightly as she said, "So be it. These are troubled times, which is why I must remain vigilant. I hope you can understand, and I am most grateful for your help. My name is Yukong, helm-master of the Sky-Faring Commission, and I currently manage all affairs here."
Welt said, "I am Welt, this is March 7th, and..." He turned his gaze toward the Trailblazer, who chimed in: "I am the Trailblazer, the Galaxy Baseballer."
"Pleasantries aside, let's get straight to the point.
What on earth is the situation on the Xianzhou? To my knowledge, that Luofin General ought to be making a move by now." Welt asked.
Yukong fell silent for a moment, a worried frown on her face. "Things are, to put it mildly, not quite right. As you may have heard to some degree before, we have fought the abomination of Abundance for generations. A while ago, the Stellaron crisis erupted, and many things hidden beneath the surface reared their heads. Fortunately, thanks to the General's efforts to turn the tide and the fearless bravery of the Cloud Knights, we bought ourselves a temporary peace. But perils still lurk on every side, so I must ask you all to be extremely careful."
March 7th suddenly thought of Kafka and said, "The Stellaron Hunter we met earlier said this matter had nothing to do with them. Then how did this Stellaron end up on the Xianzhou?"
"There will be clues eventually. Let's take it one step at a time."
The three bid farewell to Yukong. Just then, someone intercepted them to announce that the General requested an audience.
"Looks like this matter isn't simple!" March 7th mused thoughtfully.
"Looks like this matter isn't simple!" the Trailblazer echoed.
"You haven't gotten over this echoing habit yet, have you?" March 7th gave the Trailblazer a speechless look.
Following their escort to a corner of Exalting Sanctum, Chiyi was already waiting there. "You must be the General's distinguished guests. Please come with me." The group boarded a skiff and arrived at the Divine Foresight Commission. Greeting them was not the General in person, but his projection.
"I am deeply grateful to you all for gracing us with your presence. Regrettably, I am so snowed under with paperwork that I failed to welcome you properly. I hope you will understand." Jing Yuan wore a warm smile, his tall and stalwart figure losing none of the General's dashing demeanor.
"It's no trouble at all. We more or less understand the situation on the Xianzhou, and in accordance with the duties of the Nameless, we have come to help relieve the General's burdens."
"Haha, no need for formalities. You may simply call me Jing Yuan; there's no need to dwell on the title of General. I've long heard that the Nameless rush to aid those in peril, and today I see the reputation is well-deserved.
On behalf of Luofu Xianzhou, I thank you all for your enthusiastic rescue efforts. Once this storm passes, the Luofu will treat you all with the etiquette reserved for our most honored allies."
After the polite pleasantries, Jing Yuan asked the three of them to investigate the movements of the Stellaron Hunters, as he worried that a fugitive named Blade—who was also a Stellaron Hunter—was lurking on the Xianzhou. "In any case, please exercise caution and remember not to act rashly."
"We only came here because of the Stellaron Hunters, and now they've got us investigating the Stellaron Hunters. *Sigh*—talk about an offer you can't refuse. Looks like we're still stuck doing odd jobs for the Xianzhou." March 7th shrugged helplessly.
They first headed to Exalting Sanctum to catch their breath. Just then, they saw several heavily injured Cloud Knights not far away. One Cloud Knight lying on a stretcher suddenly went berserk, a golden glow radiating from him, startling those around him. "Oh no, he's fallen to the Mara-Struck!" someone warned.
Just then, a child's voice rang out: "Step aside, step aside! Watch me knock you out with a flick of my tail."