"!!!"
The moment the news was received.
The Xianzhou Alliance and countless civilizations within this universe were stunned.
All this time, what they had come into contact with were merely the Starsea Empire's advance forces and vanguard fleets.
When they annihilated the Interastral Peace Corporation, they had already demonstrated unquestionable dominance.
Countless people had speculated about what kind of figure the ruler of the Starsea Empire truly was.
Some believed he was akin to the generals of the Xianzhou Alliance. Others thought him an uncrowned king comparable to Louis Fleming.
Of course, the Xianzhou envoys who had visited the Starsea Empire had a more fitting title—"Sacrosanct."
The upper echelons of the Xianzhou convened in emergency session within a short span of time.
It was not only the members aboard the Luofu. Generals and high-ranking figures from other flagships such as the Xianzhou Yaoqing and Xianzhou Zhuming also arrived. The gravity of the occasion was unprecedented.
They even invited the nanomachines over as well.
"With the Sacrosanct personally descending upon this world, may we ask if there is some important matter?"
Several generals inquired.
"No. He's just inspecting our work and taking a look at this universe. He's been in the capital for too long."
"Oh, and he might casually fight an Aeon while he's at it. That's all."
Grey spread her hands, feeling that this group was making a fuss over nothing.
"???"
Jing Yuan felt that her understanding of the word "casually" might be slightly off.
But there was no time to dwell on that. More important matters demanded attention.
"May we know the Sacrosanct's itinerary? If he intends to grace the Xianzhou with his presence, we can make preparations in advance."
"Uh... the Commander said he'll come here first. After all, I'm here, and Eresh and the others are too. After that, he might go to Pier Point."
"Ah!!"
The Xianzhou officials grew even more nervous.
"Yukong, lead the Sky-Faring Commission and clear the Starskiff Docks. Prepare the reception work immediately."
"Tingyun, you will lead the reception envoy. Ensure that all courtesies are observed. There must be no negligence."
"And the Realm-Keeping Commission, maintain order across the Starskiff Haven..."
It was not only the Luofu. The entire Xianzhou Alliance erupted into frantic motion.
Officials of the Sky-Faring Commission and Cloud Knights hurried back and forth everywhere, making intense preparations.
There was only one reason.
In earlier times, the ruler of the Starsea Empire could still be regarded as merely the sovereign of another alien civilization.
But after the war with the Interastral Peace Corporation—and especially after Eresh took control over the life-and-death authority of the Xianzhou—it could no longer be viewed from the perspective of an ordinary civilization.
"Don't make such a big deal out of it. The Commander is very easy to talk to."
Grey found the Xianzhou's tense state rather novel.
"Easy to talk to?"
Fu Xuan lifted her head and looked toward a certain direction in the sky.
The star emblem of the Interastral Peace Corporation and their fleet still hung in the heavens like a painting.
"Are you certain?"
"Really."
...
Boom—
Setsuna did not spend much time along the way.
This universe was indeed livelier than the others. Exchanges between alien civilizations were extraordinarily frequent.
To them, every galaxy—even every single star system—was regarded as a "world."
Before long.
The hull of the Xianzhou Luofu appeared within sight.
At the Starskiff Docks, the Cloud Knights stood in two square formations across the open ground, upright and perfectly aligned.
All of the Xianzhou's high-ranking officials were present, standing in a row at the front of the formation.
Even the generals of several flagships had arrived together, waiting at the berth to welcome the ruler from another world.
Hum—
As the Eternal Snowfall approached, a vast shadow descended from the sky, nearly covering half of the Luofu.
Everyone looked up. What stood before them felt like an entire planet. Without anti-gravity technology, the two celestial bodies would have collided instantly under gravitational pull.
In three-dimensional form, the Juggernaut's volume was outrageously immense.
Thousands of kilometers of armed wings slowly swept overhead. Yukong looked up and saw many weapons she recognized installed upon it—Photoid emitters.
A single one was sufficient to easily destroy a star system. Yet there were hundreds mounted on the Eternal Snowfall, along with many other devices she could not even identify.
Vast. Razor-sharp. Everything one would imagine of a flagship.
Click—
The Juggernaut maintained synchronized motion as a smaller Titan-class starship emerged from its hangar.
Passing through the Jade Gate, it descended and landed at the Starskiff Dock berth.
Clack.
An anti-gravity gangway extended downward.
Setsuna walked at the very front. To his left and right followed Mio and Cecilia. Behind them, the shipgirls formed two neat rows, dressed uniformly in the Starsea Empire's standard military attire, their aura cold and imposing.
Hiss—
All eyes focused upon him at once.
Even though Fu Xuan and Yukong had never seen Setsuna before, instinct alone told them his identity.
A ruler. His presence and bearing far surpassed even the Marshal of the Xianzhou.
"This humble one, Tingyun, respectfully welcomes the Sacrosanct to the Xianzhou."
Tingyun had changed into formal attire and stood at the very front, bowing in greeting.
She wore a dark, wide-sleeved Hanfu outlined with deep golden trim, adorned with intricate patterns.
Luxurious and elegant, it enhanced her beauty severalfold.
"Mm. That outfit suits you. Very beautiful."
Setsuna smiled faintly.
He had not expected that when they met again, Tingyun herself would have become a "grown-up Tingyun," though her tail was still slightly different.
"Ah? Th-Thank you for your praise, Sacrosanct."
Tingyun jumped slightly in surprise and hurriedly nodded in response.
"Upon learning of the Sacrosanct's arrival, the Xianzhou acted in haste and was unable to welcome you from afar. We hope the Sacrosanct will forgive us."
The rest of the Xianzhou Alliance's high-ranking officials also offered their greetings together.
They had received leaders of other civilizations many times before, yet never had they felt such trepidation.
It felt as though the one before them was not merely the ruler of a nation, but a being of an entirely higher order.
After a brief exchange of pleasantries.
Whoosh—
With the Cloud Knights clearing the way, the Xianzhou officials escorted him all the way into the Palace of Astrum.
Countless ordinary citizens gathered to watch, eager to catch a glimpse of the Starsea Empire's sovereign.
"The Xianzhou has prepared a modest banquet as a token of respect."
Within the top-level hall, chefs had prepared a feast of the highest standard the Xianzhou could provide in advance.
"Hiss..."
Behind the procession, the white-haired little dumpling and Mei whispered to each other.
"When we came, we didn't get this treatment..."
"Can you compare yourself to the Commander?!"
Thud—
Himeko lightly knocked her on the head.
On formal occasions, one must maintain dignity.
"Sacrosanct, please."
Tingyun invited everyone to take their seats.
Although she was merely an Amicassador of the Sky-Faring Commission, she had been among the earliest to visit the Starsea Empire and one of the few who had personally met Setsuna.
Coupled with her tact and composure, she naturally took on the primary responsibility for the reception.
"..."
Setsuna casually sampled a few dishes. Mm.
The Xianzhou chefs were fairly skilled, though still a notch below the cooks of Totsuki.
Glancing around, he noticed that everyone present was watching him rather stiffly.
It was clear they were under considerable pressure.
"No need to be nervous. The expeditionary fleet has been away for quite some time. I simply stopped by on my way to take a look."
"The advance forces received much care from you previously."
He smiled.
"We would not dare claim such credit."
Tingyun responded with utmost trepidation.
"This humble one and the Xianzhou have received great favor from the Empire, and you personally saved my life."
"If there is any matter requiring assistance during your visit, Sacrosanct, please give the order."
Pfft—
Setsuna realized that, perhaps due to the matter of the IPC and Eresh, his image in the eyes of the Xianzhou had nearly ascended to something akin to a deity.
If the day ever came when he formally stepped onto the Path and truly ascended to Aeonhood, it would not be surprising if they enshrined him.
"If we plan to fight an Aeon, would you help with that too?"
Gudako asked purely for amusement, resting her chin on her hand.
"Ah?!"
A low gasp rippled through the hall. Jing Yuan, Fu Xuan, and the other Xianzhou leaders froze instantly.
They looked at her, then at Setsuna.
"Th-This... is that true?"
"If, when Kiana and the others first arrived, we had said we were preparing to wipe out the Interastral Peace Corporation, would you have believed it or not?"
Gudako found it even more entertaining.
"..."
Everyone fell silent at once.
Not long ago, anyone declaring they would completely eliminate the IPC would likely have been dismissed as insane.
But since a single vanguard fleet had destroyed the Interastral Peace Corporation, then whatever required the Empire's ruler to personally intervene... was probably only something on the level of an Aeon.
"If the campaign is against the Plagues Author or the Ravager Author, the Xianzhou Yaoqing is willing to lend the Sacrosanct its strength."
Feixiao, ever brimming with martial spirit, was the first to state her position.
"Er... though our strength may fall somewhat short compared to an Aeon, if it is to eradicate abominations, we cannot shirk our duty."
"Somewhat short?"
Fu Xuan raised an objection.
"No, no, we are not targeting any particular Aeon—though I do support the proposal to eliminate Nanook."
"As for Yaoshi... perhaps They could become a plush toy like Phantylia."
Grey took over, her expression turning serious.
"But our objective is all of them. Every Aeon. In the future, there will be only three choices: accept the Empire's rule, relinquish their divinity and Path, or be ended by us."
"Whether god or mortal, all shall ultimately return to unity under the Empire."