Feeling the tremors shaking the heavens and earth, Twilight leaned against the wall, gazing out the window at the Ambrosial Arbor erupting in the distance, her face filled with worry.
Even though she was currently riddled with illness and nearing death, she was still an Emanator-level entity. Naturally, she could sense the terrifying aura emanating from that Ambrosial Arbor.
She dared say, if this thing were in its normal state, it would likely be stronger than anyone she had previously encountered; Sunday and Acheron would have to step aside.
Truly worthy of being a miracle left by an Aeon. Its very essence was fundamentally different from ordinary beings. If Lan, the Aeon of The Hunt, hadn't personally intervened, Twilight estimated the Xianzhou people couldn't have even cut it down if they tried.
No wonder Shuhu, the Emanator of Abundance capable of reviving dead (living) Planet, risked war with the Xianzhou just to seize it back then.
Unfortunately, the current Ambrosial Arbor was merely a new branch revived by the Stellaron, incomparable to the divine tree personally bestowed by Yaoshi back then. The Xianzhou still had ways to deal with it. With the Express crew and Jing Yuan there, cutting down the tree and sealing the Stellaron was only a matter of time.
Nevertheless, seeing the strange events unfolding on the Xianzhou and her family from the Express trapped there, how could she possibly sit idly by?
Twilight pulled out her phone, sending several consecutive messages to Caelus and the others. After receiving no response, the worry on her face deepened. Finally, as if having made a decision, she struggled to stand up, leaning on the bedside, and shuffled towards the door.
No matter what, she couldn't let the members of the Express get hurt...
...Well, that was the act. Honestly, Twilight wasn't worried at all.
Because she could guess what Phantylia was really up to. It might seem dangerous for the Express crew facing the Ambrosial Arbor in the Scalegorge Waterscape now, but thinking carefully, they were merely dealing with a dead object revived by a Stellaron. With the Cloud Knights assisting and the General overseeing, there was no real danger.
Outside the Xianzhou, however, they now faced not only a Lord Ravager but also the Borisin Warleader [Hoolay] and the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus, precisely when the high-end combat power was absent... Was the plan to send Yanqing against Hoolay, or Fu Xuan against Phantylia?
Twilight wasn't overly enthusiastic, but if they really did that, she estimated Jing Yuan might need to prepare a few extra coffins to be buried alongside her—ugh, wait, Xianzhou people didn't seem keen on earth burials...
Although she didn't know Phantylia's exact method, Twilight was certain she would securely trap those inside the Scalegorge Waterscape and seize every second to cause trouble outside.
Phantylia's current actions perfectly mirrored her own previous speculation: gather the Xianzhou's main forces, temporarily trap them, and then stir up trouble on the Xianzhou proper... Sigh, perhaps this was the tacit understanding between bad women.
Jing Yuan still wasn't bad enough, nor enough of a woman. Ultimately, his excessive caution played right into Phantylia's hands.
Unfortunately for Phantylia, her timing was a bit off... Twilight silently opened the system map, glancing at the avatars currently on the Xianzhou.
Although the main forces on the surface were sealed away, Jing Yuan's old master Jingliu was here, as were the Stellaron Hunters on standby—and most importantly—her, Twilight. The commotion Phantylia stirred up seemed immense now, but it would eventually be quelled; it was just a matter of how great the sacrifice.
But she wasn't planning on rushing to the Scalegorge Waterscape to save Caelus and the others right now anyway. Since she was going to die on the Xianzhou anyway, protecting the Luofu and saving some innocent masses beforehand counted as a good deed.
Of course, she first needed a reason not to head directly to the Scalegorge Waterscape...
...
The Xianzhou Luofu, moments ago bustling and prosperous, was now plunged into panic and chaos.
No matter how the surrounding Cloud Knights tried to soothe and persuade, the Ambrosial Arbor standing tall against the sky was undeniable proof.
Although Phantylia's seal blocked the Express crew right at the Scalegorge Waterscape entrance, preventing a massive flood of abominations, the current situation was still enough to cause panic, especially with numerous Disciples of Sanctus Medicus fanning the flames.
These people seized the opportunity to proselytize, and with the reality of the revived Ambrosial Arbor right before their eyes, their efforts were remarkably effective.
What intrigued Twilight was that these people didn't take the chance to transform into Mara-Struck and cause mayhem as she had expected. Instead, after converting people, they melted back into the crowd to recruit more, even enthusiastically targeting Twilight herself.
Of course, she had no interest in such things, merely walking towards the Scalegorge Waterscape with a pale face.
She wasn't currently using her lifespan-burning technique, just forcing herself to stay alert using her own power. The reason was simple—the former technique was a bit too powerful; Twilight worried she'd clear things too quickly. After all, she was still planning to die in this chaos; being too efficient wasn't conducive to wool-shearing...
What saddened Twilight the most was the sheer efficiency of the surrounding Cloud Knights. Was Fu Xuan really this competent, deserving of eyeing the General's position for so long? She managed to maintain control even under these circumstances...
Damn it! Twilight had hoped to find someone trying to cause trouble amidst the chaos on her way, stage a "beauty rescuing a beauty" scene, and conveniently give herself a reason to intervene locally on the Xianzhou first.
But now the security was too good; she couldn't do it!
Tch, isn't anyone going to stir up some trouble? Hoolay, give me something, please—
"Ah, Miss Twilight?!"
An excited, almost uncontrollable cry sounded nearby. Twilight looked up, and if not for her superb acting skills, she almost burst out laughing.
The reason was none other than Tingyun—or rather, Phantylia—appearing before her, face full of panic, even tinged with fear.
Honestly, she estimated Phantylia should have already broken ties with Jing Yuan and the Express crew by now, yet she was still acting as Tingyun in front of her... Twilight somewhat suspected this Lord Ravager had a particular penchant for roleplaying.
But credit where credit's due, Phantylia's acting was spot-on. Look at this portrayal of a hero trapped in danger, yet still bravely finding a chance to pass on intelligence despite her fear. If it weren't Twilight, anyone else would probably have believed it.
So now she's playing Jiaoqiu's script? You really know how to play, huh...
Twilight had no intention of exposing Phantylia's act. Instead, confusion appeared in her eyes. "You're Tingyun...? Do you know how Caelus and the others are doing? I can't reach them..."
"Miss Twilight, never mind that for now—Quickly contact the Cloud Knights!" Phantylia grabbed Twilight's hand, her voice laced with unconcealed urgency. "Hoolay has escaped prison! They're nearby, trying to flee the Xianzhou! We need to notify the Cloud Knights quickly to capture them..."
Seeing the disguised Borisin warriors nearby subtly revealing hostile glares, a realization dawned in Twilight's mind.
She seemed to know what Phantylia really wanted to achieve... This insidious woman actually wanted her dead?
Good heavens, despite being a villain, she actually understands my heart so well... Was this also the tacit understanding between bad women?!