Rumble...
A sudden tremor shook the Skysplitter, leaving March 7th, who was in the Contestant Lounge, feeling disoriented.
"What was that shaking just now...? What's happening?"
"It feels like... the Skysplitter is gradually slowing down?"
March 7th scanned the room, her gaze darting from one corner to another, though it wasn't clear what she was looking for.
"Something must have happened on the upper decks," Lumina explained, trying to soothe March 7th's growing anxiety.
"Something on the Skysplitter..." March 7th murmured, then abruptly looked up. "It must mean Borisin has really infiltrated the ship!"
"Following General Huaiyan's orders, I need to act now..."
"Sister Lumina..." March 7th turned her gaze to her beloved Sister Lumina, her eyes carrying a hint of inquiry.
Even with General Huaiyan's orders, March 7th instinctively sought Sister Lumina's approval.
After all, the sense of security Sister Lumina provided far surpassed anything else!
"Since Borisin has infiltrated the Skysplitter, let's hurry and leave. We don't want to make things more complicated," Lumina nodded, gesturing for March 7th to proceed.
"Okay, okay!" Having received her confirmation, March 7th darted ahead.
Seeing this, Lumina didn't rush after them. Instead, her gaze settled on Little Swarm, who was standing beside her.
"Little Swarm, no matter what happens, remember not to intervene, okay?"
"Mmm-hmm! Got it! I won't."
Lumina reminded Little Swarm not to interfere.
Little Swarm, of course, trusted Lumina's words unconditionally and completely.
"Let's go, we don't want to leave March alone," Lumina smiled, naturally taking Little Swarm's small hand and leading her to follow March 7th's footsteps.
The reason for keeping Little Swarm out of the fight was simple: to prevent the battle from becoming too dull.
After all, given Little Swarm's strength, she could probably crush Hoolay with a single stomp...
This was precisely why Lumina had insisted on keeping Little Swarm by her side when Stelle and Dan Heng went to The Shackling Prison.
If Little Swarm had accompanied them, Hoolay's first step out of his cell would likely have been met with her forcibly shoving him back inside.
And then, beneath Jingliu's shadow, there would have been another little swarm shadow...
While this would have allowed them to speedrun the Xianzhou storyline, it would have been utterly dull and uninteresting.
As for those who had "died" in the recent calamity...
Lumina scanned the full extent of her power's reach across the Xianzhou Luofu, confirmed everything was in order, and withdrew her gaze.
Should I make them rise from the dead during the Xianzhou people's memorial service for the departed? Lumina mused inwardly.
-
Skysplitter, below the arena.
"Eh?"
"Master Yanqing, what are you doing back here?"
March 7th arrived shortly after, her face lighting up with surprise at the sight of the two figures before her.
"Of course, I was worried about the Skysplitter and my disciples' safety," Yanqing replied truthfully, crossing his arms.
He then turned his gaze to Lumina and Little Swarm, who stood behind March 7th, and bowed respectfully. "Lady Lumina, Miss Little Swarm, the Skysplitter has been invaded, but we'll restore order soon. Please forgive the inconvenience."
Although March 7th was also a guest, as a disciple of Yanqing and Yunli, she was considered half family.
But Lumina and Little Swarm weren't. As a Luofu Cloud Knight, Yanqing felt obligated to explain the situation to these guests.
"It's fine," Lumina shook her head, showing she didn't mind. "As long as the Luofu can weather this invasion successfully, we're not worried."
Seeing this, Little Swarm mimicked Lumina's gesture, offering a similar sign of understanding.
Yanqing nodded in acknowledgment. "Lady Lumina, Miss Little Swarm, the Wardance Ceremony Arena above us is currently engaged in battle. Would you mind waiting here for a while?"
"Once we've dealt with the wolf, we'll take you to the Wardance Ceremony."
"It's fine, let's go up together," Lumina said, winking at Yanqing to signal him. "If anything unexpected happens, I can make the Xianzhou owe me a favor."
"Um..." Yanqing hesitated.
It wasn't the favor that worried him, but rather the fear of Lady Lumina and Little Swarm getting hurt.
Well... Lady Lumina should be fine.
But Little Swarm...
"Don't worry," Lumina said, smiling as if she'd read his thoughts. "Little Swarm is incredibly strong, just like my cat. Stronger than anyone else."
"I see," Yanqing replied. With Lumina's assurance, he naturally couldn't refuse.
Having witnessed the Little Phan Kitten's power earlier, Yanqing wouldn't underestimate Little Swarm again.
"Hmm..." Though Yanqing trusted Lumina's words, Yunli, who had already suffered a setback, couldn't help but scrutinize Little Swarm.
Can't tell at all... Absolutely no hint of strength.
Yunli couldn't believe that this seemingly delicate Little Swarm, who looked like a tiny princess, could possess the same strength as that Little Kitten.
Is this what the outside world is like?
I really do know too little about it...
Yunli couldn't help but sigh inwardly, a flicker of curiosity about the outside world sparking in her heart.
After years of arduous cultivation on the Xianzhou, she had been utterly defeated by a mere Little Kitten from the outside world...
And now, she was being outmatched by this seemingly dimwitted Little Swarm, who looked like she could be tricked multiple times with just a string of Berrypheasant Skewers. This left Yunli feeling somewhat frustrated.
Shaking her head to clear her thoughts, Yunli turned to the others and said, "At this moment, at the Wardance Ceremony Arena, a wolf is challenging the Cloud Knights."
"This Wardance Ceremony won't be broadcast to the Xianzhou people, nor will it be a friendly spar."
"This is a death match..."
"March, are you ready?"
Upon hearing this, March 7th's eyes widened, her heart pounding rapidly, visibly tense.
Taking a deep breath, March 7th forced a smile.
"Since we've come this far, I suppose we can only quote General Jing Yuan's famous saying—
Sigh, we're already here."