Since the internal traitor of the Sky-Faring Commission had been exposed, the atmosphere had grown quieter.
Quieter—but no less busy.
The halls were still filled with hurried footsteps.
At the entrance stood a judge of the Ten-Lords Commission — Xueyi.
"I am aware of the full circumstances," Xueyi said flatly.
"Helmsmaster, do not worry. Miss Tingyun is likely blessed with good fortune."
"She will be fine."
Her tone was cold—almost ghostlike.
Which was fitting.
Her body had long since been devoured during the War of Shuhu. What stood here now was a mechanical puppet forged to endure, a vessel granted by the Ten-Lords.
Her sister, Hanya, served beside her—one in white, one in black.
Like the underworld's twin wardens.
As footsteps echoed behind them, Xueyi glanced back—briefly resting her gaze on Evan.
Then she left without another word.
March blinked. "What was that about?"
Only Evan understood.
She'd sensed it.
A faint trace of Abundance lingering on him.
Not strong enough to act on.
But noticeable.
With Xueyi gone, Yukong stepped forward.
"On behalf of the Sky-Faring Commission, I thank you."
"If not for your early warning, the Luofu's chaos would have been far worse."
Evan waved a hand lightly. "You made the call yourself. That deserves credit."
Yukong's gaze darkened.
"I never imagined that even I would be deceived."
"For over thirty years, I worked beside Tingyun."
"And that… thing… imitated her perfectly."
Her voice grew colder with every word.
Phantylia.
The Lord Ravager had worn Tingyun's face.
Played on thirty years of trust.
"Can't blame yourself," Evan said mildly. "Phantylia's true form is a heliobus."
The room fell silent.
Heliobi.
Creatures of Abundance.
Masters of temptation.
They preyed on regrets.
On longing.
On weakness.
Yukong sighed.
But then—
Evan suddenly laughed.
The sound cut through the heaviness like a blade.
March turned. "Evan? What are you laughing at?"
"Nothing. Just couldn't stand the funeral atmosphere."
He crossed his arms and smiled.
"Here's some good news."
"Tingyun… seems to have woken up."
Silence.
Then—
"What?!" March and the Trailblazer shouted in unison.
Yukong froze.
"You mean… she isn't dead?"
Evan tilted his head.
"Only Jing Yuan and you knew the truth."
"But even you don't know her current condition, right?"
—
Herta Space Station — Restricted Lower Sector
A woman in a qipao paced calmly through a hidden chamber.
Far above, the station trembled violently.
"Miss," Arlan reported to Asta, "the vibration came from the restricted lower level."
"Should we investigate?"
Asta hesitated.
Herta Space Station had two forbidden zones.
One was Herta's office.
The other—
Even she had no access.
Because down there—
Ruan Mei was conducting experiments.
"No need," Asta said. "Just a lab malfunction."
Below—
Ruan Mei observed her creation.
Before her stood a monstrous model.
Then—
A piercing hum.
The station shook for ten seconds.
And the being disintegrated into particles.
"This time," Ruan Mei murmured softly, recording data, "ten seconds. Improvement."
The experiment was terrifying.
A replica.
A fragmented imitation.
Of the Emanator of Propagation.
A child of Tayzzyronth.
Skalacarbaz — the Star-Devouring King.
A creature that once reduced shattered planets to breeding grounds.
Nightmare of the Swarm Disaster.
Ruan Mei had cultivated a partial clone.
Incomplete.
Unstable.
But proof of concept.
Herta's message popped up.
Herta: "Ruan Mei, what are you doing? My station nearly fell apart."
Ruan Mei: "Relax."
Ruan Mei: "Only ten seconds of manifestation."
Ruan Mei: "With sufficient resources, recreating a true Swarm King is feasible."
Ruan Mei: "Perhaps we could integrate Swarm Disaster simulations into the Simulated Universe?"
Herta: "…You're insane."
Screwllum: "If controlled, theoretically viable."
Stephen: "…"
Ruan Mei paused.
Too early.
Still lacking data.
But if perfected—
The consequences would rival the original Swarm Disaster.
She turned.
Another chamber awaited.
—
A soft groan echoed in the sterile light.
A foxian girl slowly opened her eyes.
"…Where is this?"
Ruan Mei stepped into view.
"You're awake."
"This is Herta Space Station."
"I am Ruan Mei."
She studied the girl carefully.
"Do you remember your name?"
The foxian girl blinked slowly.
Memory returned in fragments.
"My name…"
"I am Tingyun… of the Minghuo Merchant Guild… Xianzhou Luofu…"
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