["On the Luofu, all matters concerning airspace, navigation, and trade are governed by the Sky-Faring Commission, one of the Six Charioteers. As the largest port, the Starskiff Haven also falls under our jurisdiction."]
[Upon arriving at the Starskiff Haven, Tingyun enthusiastically introduced the area to the group.]
[Starskiffs darted back and forth across the sky, making it feel as if they had stepped into a sci-fi film. Yet when they looked at the distant architecture, they saw classical designs with upturned eaves, carved beams, and painted rafters—a strange fusion of "cyberpunk xianxia."]
"What a convenient tool… It seems even faster than flight magic."
"Is this also human technology?"
Serie widened her eyes, carefully observing the hovering starskiffs in the sky. These boat-like vehicles could achieve such astonishing speeds.
This mode of transportation was far more convenient than horse-drawn carriages. Riding one would likely allow them to tour the entire empire in just a day. Most importantly, it didn't require any magic to maintain altitude or speed—making it incredibly useful for mages.
If they could board a starskiff and have mages cast spells to bombard the ground from above… would the demon lord factions on the continent even last three days?
"Lady Serie, what are you looking forward to?" Sense noticed the profound smile on the great mage's face.
"Nothing much, just marveling at how humans never fail to create surprises."
"That's a tool from another world. Replicating it might be difficult…"
"No matter. I have plenty of time." Serie shrugged, her expression seeming to say, "Is that all?"
From a thousand years ago, when humans knew nothing of magic, to now—where they fully deciphered "lethal magic" in mere decades and integrated it into their own magical systems. Over this vast stretch of time, humans had created one miracle after another. Serie was confident that it was only a matter of time before the humans of this continent could build starskiffs as well.
[With that, Tingyun hurriedly led the group to an audience, her rushed demeanor leaving everyone momentarily unable to adjust.]
[Fortunately, Mr. Yang stepped in, suggesting they needed to prepare for the meeting. Not only did this dismiss Tingyun, but it also bought them some breathing room.]
["Let me give you both a heads-up. For the upcoming audience, you must stay sharp and respond carefully," Mr. Yang said solemnly.]
["Mr. Yang, are you worried that meeting with the Luofu's officials will be a repeat of Belobog?" March 7th shuddered at the memory of their last expedition.]
["No, the Xianzhou Alliance wouldn't be so discourteous. But when Sky-Faring Commission's Yukong meets with us, she'll undoubtedly bombard us with questions—"]
[Mr. Yang paused before continuing: "Why did we choose this moment to come to the Luofu? How did we learn that this calamity is related to the Stellaron? Who leaked information about the Xianzhou to us?..."]
["One wrong answer could easily earn us suspicion and hostility, making things much harder for us."]
"…Such meticulous thinking. Was Mr. Welt really just an animator before? Do animation studios really have such hidden talents?"
At a barbecue restaurant in Jiangying Plaza, Asaba Harumasa leisurely sipped his drink while teasing Tsukishiro Yanagi sitting diagonally across from him: "Vice Section Chief, maybe we should interview a few animators for the next Sixth Air Division recruitment?"
"Harumasa, it's not that animators are impressive—it's Mr. Welt. Being an animator was just a cover for his identity."
Tsukishiro Yanagi deftly flipped the meat on the grill while stopping Soukaku's chopsticks from reaching for it. "Just like how some people appear to be video store owners but are actually Phaethons."
"Uh… Is Ms. Yanagi complimenting us too?" Belle wiped sweat from her forehead. Though they had already revealed their true identities to the Public Security Bureau and the Sixth Air Division, hearing them openly discuss her role as the "Proxy" still made her slightly nervous.
"Of course." Tsukishiro Yanagi skillfully placed the grilled beef into Soukaku and Belle's bowls. "I think showing more of Mr. Welt's perspective is good. Not only is he highly capable, but his problem-solving methods are especially worth learning from. I hope someone can take a page from his book…"
"Vice Section Chief, I get it, I get it. No need to worry about that."
Seizing the moment while Soukaku was focused on eating, Harumasa quickly stood up, snatched a piece of charred meat from the grill in front of her, and stuffed it into his mouth faster than lightning.
In less than ten seconds, Harumasa's face turned from pale to yellow, then from yellow to black. He could only gape wordlessly, as if his soul were leaving his body.
Smoothly, he pulled out a pre-prepared leave request from his pocket: "Section Chief Miyabi, I've got food poisoning… So about tomorrow's meeting, I'll…"
"…"
Unfazed, Hoshimi Miyabi sipped her tea calmly. "Hmm, so this is your escape route? A brand-new excuse, I see."
[By the time they reached the entrance of the Astral Authority, Tingyun was already waiting for them.]
["This humble one has already reported your situation to the Helm Master. I won't be going in~" As if relieved of a burden, Tingyun's tone became noticeably lighter.]
[Under the escort of the Cloud Knights, the three entered the Astral Authority.]
[Yukong, who had just been sternly issuing orders, turned slowly at the sound of footsteps, a tired yet warm smile appearing on her face: "Guests of the Astral Express, welcome."]
[Like Tingyun, Yukong was a Foxian. But unlike the youthful, budding Tingyun, Yukong was not only beautiful but also carried the grace of a mature woman—elegant and dignified, like a ripened fruit exuding a sweet yet elusive fragrance.]
["Tingyun has already informed me of your purpose here. Ordinarily, receiving travelers isn't part of my duties. But since you know of the Stellaron and have explicitly stated your wish to aid the Luofu, it's only right that I grant you this face-to-face opportunity… to personally decline your assistance."]
"Decline? Why decline? Isn't it good to have help?"
Within the Great Tomb of Nazarick, among the guardians watching the Celestial Screen, Mare was the first to voice confusion. To her, Yukong's refusal made no sense.
"I actually think it's quite understandable." Demiurge adjusted his glasses with a finger.
"First, while the Astral Express has unilaterally extended goodwill to the Xianzhou, human hearts are inscrutable. Lady Yukong has no mind-reading magic to discern their true intentions."
"Moreover, the Xianzhou's current situation is a mess. If these people are here to cause trouble… the consequences could be disastrous."
"That's certainly one way to see it."
Cocytus, who had been listening, suddenly interjected: "However, in my opinion, the Xianzhou likely has another layer of meaning."
"Oh? Do share, Cocytus."
"Mr. Welt once said that the Xianzhou Alliance's strength far surpasses that of the Astral Express. Blessed by an Aeon, they likely see no need to seek help from those weaker than themselves, no?"