Evan looked at the confused expressions around him and slowly said,
"Here. See for yourselves."
He grinned and pulled out his phone, forwarding a video Ruan Mei had just sent to the group.
In the dark laboratory—
Only one room was bright and spotless.
Inside lay a foxian girl.
Well cared for.
If not for the nine tails, she would've looked entirely ordinary.
Under Yukong's tense gaze—
Tingyun appeared on screen.
"My name…"
"I am Tingyun… of the Minghuo Merchant Guild… Xianzhou Luofu…"
Yukong's eyes turned red instantly.
It was her.
The real Tingyun.
Around the hall, Sky-Faring Commission staff fell silent.
In Changletian, in Xuanye Street, in Aurum Alley—
Who didn't know Tingyun?
Merchants had been helped by her.
Children adored her.
Most civilians never even learned that the Tingyun they'd seen recently was Phantylia in disguise.
They didn't know she had vanished.
Didn't know she had nearly died.
Even Yukong and Jing Yuan had only known she was rescued.
Alive or dead?
Uncertain.
After all—
She had faced not only the Antimatter Legion—
But a Lord Ravager.
"Th-that's Tingyun?" March blinked. "Why does she have nine tails?"
Her eyes immediately drifted toward Yukong's fluffy single tail.
Yukong frowned.
"There are legends of nine-tailed fox spirits… but among foxians, such records do not exist."
Her gaze shifted to Evan.
Waiting.
"The one who saved her," Evan replied calmly, "was Ruan Mei. Genius Society member. Specializes in life sciences."
That was enough.
Ruan Mei.
Life sciences.
Nine tails.
Understanding dawned on Yukong's face.
"I see…"
"Please convey my gratitude," she said quietly. "On behalf of the Sky-Faring Commission."
"Tell her yourself," Evan smiled. "We're connected."
At that exact moment—
[Ding! Hidden Treasure Chest detected in Sky-Faring Commission. Hunt now?]
Evan's lips curved.
Right on time.
"Hunt."
[Silver Hidden Chest acquired. Open now?]
"Open."
[Reward obtained: Skill — Fox Trick.]
Fox Trick.
An illusion-type technique.
Not particularly useful for him.
But fitting.
Foxians were natural pilots and illusionists.
Even Baiheng of the High-Cloud Quintet had been foxian.
Evan shrugged.
A chest was a chest.
Moments later, the video call connected.
Tingyun lay pale against white sheets.
When the screen activated, she looked up.
"Helmsmaster… Yukong…"
"Tingyun!" Yukong stepped forward.
Emotion finally cracked her composure.
"You're safe… thank the stars…"
Tingyun's voice was weak.
"I was attacked while returning…"
"When I regained consciousness, I was already here."
"I remember nothing else."
Yukong nodded.
That explained the clean battlefield.
"No matter. Rest."
"The Luofu will wait for you."
For the first time since the Stellaron crisis—
The Sky-Faring Commission felt light.
Later — Starskiff Haven, Kunyu Terrace
Despite Tingyun's survival—
The Luofu had still suffered heavy losses.
Cloud Knights.
Alchemy Commission physicians.
Even Emanators could not be everywhere at once.
Star-skiffs lined the terrace.
No coffins.
No graves.
Xianzhou tradition was simple.
The fallen were placed in skiffs—
Launched from the Jade Gate—
Given back to the sea of stars.
After the ceremony—
Yanqing suddenly ran forward and grabbed Evan's sleeve.
"Sir. My sword heart has recovered."
Evan blinked.
"That fast? Not bad, Sword-Bone Youth."
Yanqing bowed slightly.
"Before you leave… may I challenge you one more time?"
Evan tilted his head.
"…Fine. The Divine Foresight's training grounds are spacious enough."
Yanqing's eyes shone.
"Thank you, Sir!"
Divine Foresight — Training Grounds
They arrived quickly.
Jing Yuan was already waiting.
"That boy won't let anyone rest before you leave," Jing Yuan chuckled. "Evan, teach him well."
Evan smiled faintly.
"He insisted. I won't hold back."
"Try not to demolish my courtyard," Jing Yuan sighed.
As long as Evan didn't unleash a full Emanator strike—
The Luofu would survive.
Probably.
The Duel
"Taixu Sword Form — Rain Swallow!"
Yanqing struck first.
Sword qi condensed into countless water-formed swallows, slicing forward.
Evan didn't even draw a blade.
"Extreme of change…"
"Taixu Sword God."
A colossal sword descended from the sky.
The two techniques collided—
And there was no contest.
The swallows shattered like mist.
"Sir—!"
"Good," Evan said lightly. "But your reaction is still too slow."
A crescent slash sealed Yanqing's retreat.
Then another.
Every path blocked.
This wasn't an Emanator.
This was a Sword Sovereign.
In that moment—
Yanqing understood the terror the Xianzhou once felt toward the former Sword Champion.
The gap.
It was enormous.
Doubt crept in.
Would he ever surpass Evan?
Jing Yuan noticed.
But he did not intervene.
Yanqing's sword heart broke easily—
And reforged even stronger each time.
Evan moved again.
And this time—
He displayed everything.
Taixu Sword Qi in full.
Initiation Forms (3):
Crescent
Severing Sea
Rending Sky
Transformation Forms (6):
Falcon
Black Hawk
Rain Swallow
Vine Sparrow
Cloud Eagle
Moon Heron
Defense Forms (6):
Weeping Willow
Hidden Orchid
Iron Bamboo
Ink Chrysanthemum
Pure Lotus
Azure Pine
Opening Forms (6):
Rock Break
Thunderstorm
Lightning Cleave
Mountain Collapse
Dust Flash
Windquake
All contained within one discipline.
Taixu Sword Qi.
Complete.
Yanqing stood frozen.
Not crushed.
But awakened.
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