"My lord, the Lord Ravager has sent a letter, inviting you to the Star-Raft Sea for a discussion."
After gathering the intelligence, the subordinate reported respectfully to Aether.
"Oh? She actually came looking for me herself." Aether sneered slightly. "The Star-Raft Sea… I'd like to see what she's planning."
With a flick of his sleeve, Aether changed into a disguise and set off for his destination.
The Star-Raft Sea.
"Over here, Aether."
Aether turned his head and once again saw that familiar green ghost fire. The sight of it instantly irritated him.
"Phantylia, what do you mean by this?" Aether demanded coldly, staring at the ghost fire.
"Hm? What do you mean? This one doesn't quite understand." The ghost fire swayed gently, letting out a soft chuckle.
"The Emanator of Abundance infiltrating the Xianzhou. Was that information released by you?" Aether grabbed the ghost fire, his voice sharp. "Stop pretending you're dead."
"Don't be so impatient, Aether. Do you remember the cooperation we discussed before?"
The ghost fire slipped from Aether's grasp, transforming into a streak of light before condensing into the form of an alluring, elegant woman.
Seeing Phantylia reveal her true form, Aether became instantly alert, ready to turn hostile at any moment.
"We don't need you to intervene directly," Phantylia said smoothly. "All you need to do is bring a Stellar Core and place it inside the Ambrosial Arbor. You can continue living your peaceful, undisturbed life. Isn't that a win-win?"
She moved lightly, circling behind Aether, her hands naturally settling on his shoulders.
"Besides, you claim to wish to heal the world and help others with your own being. If the Xianzhou falls into chaos, wouldn't that give you the perfect opportunity?" Phantylia whispered, her lips almost brushing Aether's ear. "It would also allow you to further practice the Path of Abundance."
"Aether," she murmured softly, her voice turning cold, "don't forget. We are both Emanators, existences second only to the Aeons. We are not ordinary Pathstriders."
"If an Emanator stops following their Path, or even defies it, their fate will not be much better than those Aeons who died after betraying their own Path."
"The position of Emanator is granted by an Aeon. If you deviate from the Aeon's will, you understand the consequences."
Her breath brushed against his face, sharp and chilling, like a blade held at his throat.
"Don't threaten me with the Path," Aether snapped, pushing her away. "How I practice Abundance is none of your business."
"Tsk, tsk, tsk. What a pity…"
Phantylia clicked her tongue and shook her head. "I thought we could work together, but it seems you already have someone else in your heart."
"My personal affairs have nothing to do with you, pawn of Destruction," Aether replied coldly.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk. Men…" Phantylia sighed dramatically, as if she were a forsaken lover.
"Still, paper can never cover fire. How long do you think you can hide the fact that you're an Emanator of Abundance?"
Her gaze lingered on Aether as her body slowly dissipated.
Before vanishing completely, she left him with one final message.
"Aether, you'll eventually return and cooperate with Destruction. This one will be waiting for that day. Hahahaha…"
The moment Phantylia disappeared, voices rang out around Aether.
"Search for remnants of Abundance! Quickly!"
"Such timing…" Aether cursed under his breath as he ducked behind a container, peering out at the large number of Cloud Knights flooding the area.
"Damn Phantylia, you Xianzhou expletive!"
There was no need to ask. This was clearly her doing.
"Too many people. Hard to hide," Aether muttered, unease creeping into his chest.
As he observed the situation and searched for a way out, a familiar figure appeared among the Cloud Knights.
"Fei Xiao… why is she here?"
The instant he saw her, Aether panicked. If Fei Xiao discovered him here, even if she did not immediately conclude he was the Emanator of Abundance, suspicion would be unavoidable.
And once suspicion took root, trust would inevitably crumble.
Worse still, Aether did not know whether Fei Xiao already knew his true identity. If Phantylia had leaked that information as well, the situation would become catastrophic.
At that moment, Fei Xiao was preparing to leave the Luofu, intending to return to Yaoqing by star-raft. Her close friend Yukong had come to see her off, and together they were also searching for traces of the Emanator of Abundance.
"Who's there!"
As if sensing something, Fei Xiao suddenly turned, her gaze locking directly onto Aether's hiding place.
"Oh gods. No footsteps, no movement, and she still locked on instantly. Some kind of instinct?" Aether's heart skipped a beat as he hurriedly pulled back, his thoughts racing.
"I'm giving you a chance. Come out now," Fei Xiao warned. "Otherwise, I'll take action."
"Fei Xiao, are you sure there's someone there?" Yukong asked, looking toward the indicated direction.
"Yes. I don't know why, but I'm certain someone is there." Fei Xiao nodded without hesitation.
"Three. Two. One. Still not coming out?"
Receiving no response, Fei Xiao turned to Yukong. "Sister Yukong, may I borrow your bow?"
"Heh, go ahead. Be careful," Yukong replied, handing it over without hesitation.
Fei Xiao caught the bow. A powerful current of air gathered at her fingertips, rapidly condensing as she drew the bowstring. In an instant, the compressed airflow transformed into a wind arrow.
"Go!"
She released the string. The wind arrow shot forward like a beam of light, striking behind the container where Aether had been hiding.
A blinding white flash erupted, followed by an explosion of terrifying force. Razor-sharp winds tore through the area, reducing it to ruins.
"Oh? Finally willing to show yourself? Emanator of Abundance."
Fei Xiao returned the bow to Yukong, rolled her shoulders, and fixed her gaze on the figure before her.
"Heh. As expected of Yaoqing's Arbiter-General. Your strength truly lives up to your reputation."
As the dust settled, a man dressed in black emerged. Antlers rose from his head, and a beast-patterned mask concealed the upper half of his face. His long, ink-black hair was tied neatly behind him, giving off the aura of a refined young gentleman.
"Emanator, state your name," Fei Xiao demanded, summoning a massive axe and two bladed spears. "Why have you infiltrated the Xianzhou?"
"Arbiter-General, my name is Aether," he replied with a courteous bow. "I mean no harm and have no desire to cause conflict. How about we part ways here?"
"Aether?" Yukong's eyes widened. "That's the newly risen Emanator of Abundance from recent years!"
"That won't do," Fei Xiao said coolly. "If you can't give a proper explanation, then stay and have some tea before you leave."
With that, she raised her spear and thrust it straight toward Aether's head.
"Sigh… why go this far?"
Aether had no choice but to brace himself, silently cursing Phantylia as he prepared to fight.
"I've never truly fought an Emanator of Abundance before," Fei Xiao said with a fierce grin, battle intent blazing in her eyes. "Today, let me see the strength of you, this newly risen Emanator."