Chapter 97 - 96: Tingyun Reveals Her True Identity! Yukong Requests Engagement!

"Huh?" "What's wrong with you, Tingyun?!" "Tingyun, what strange things are you saying?!" "Miss Tingyun, don't take another step forward!" Witnessing Tingyun's sudden betrayal, Guinaifen could hardly believe her eyes! She had never suspected Tingyun at all. In fact, she felt that this fox maiden possessed the unique cunning and wisdom characteristic of Xianzhou inhabitants. Although lacking the altruistic intent seen in the Train Regiment, she embodied a true representation of many within the Xianzhou society. Yet, it was precisely this character who always hid during perilous moments... Who turned out to be the hidden mastermind all along!!! At that moment, Tingyun gently shook her head, approaching Dan Shu with a courteous smile. "Well, it seems I must find another way to shatter the Xianzhou from within... How unfortunate." "I wanted more time to observe..." As she spoke, she extended a finger and lightly flicked the Mara-Struck Soldier. *** A burst of flames erupted from beneath the ground. "Since you've received the boon of [Abundance]," "surely you can withstand...the blessing of Destruction?" Amidst the purple fire, the Mara-Struck Soldiers emitted agonized screams. However, it was not long before they fell silent. For they had been transformed into Voidrangers of the Antimatter Legion! Tingyun seemed highly satisfied with this outcome. Turning around, as if showcasing his masterpiece to the Astral Express Crew, he twisted his neck to its humanly impossible limit. With a sudden "crack," his head formed a grotesque angle, yet his face still bore a radiant smile. This sight sent shivers through Guinaifen and Sushang, eliciting simultaneous shrieks like frightened mice: "Aaaaaahhh...!!!" "Shangshang, didn't you say you'd protect me?! Why are you screaming even louder than I am? Ahh!" In the live stream chat: "Fuck, fuck, fuck!" "Huh???" "What's happening to Tingyun?!" "It was just a slight shock at first, but now I'm terrified thanks to Little Gui and Shangshang." "This episode scared me to tears when I watched it as a kid." "Mama, can you get me a new pair of pants?" "I'm seriously a hardcore Tingyun fan, do you know how this scene affects me?! Oh my dear Miss Tingyun, waaaaah!" Just as Tingyun collapsed, a radiant glow enveloped her body, and from within emerged a golden flame. "My esteemed benefactors, allow me to reintroduce myself—" The voice was no longer Tingyun's soft and delicate timbre but resonated like metal struck with jade, carrying a hint of condescending mockery: "I am Lord Ravager, Phantylia." "I have come here to shatter this Xianzhou, bringing about its self-destruction!" As she spoke, a new battle commenced. This time, their adversaries were entirely from the Antimatter Legion. Guinaifen patted Sushang on the back and gently pinched her cheeks. The child's face had turned pale with fright. After pouring her a cup of warm water, Guinaifen joined the fray. Having spent so much time aboard Xianzhou, encountering these monsters from the Antimatter Legion now felt almost familiar! There were no resurrections, no negative effects—just pure damage output! Swiftly, two waves of enemies were defeated. Phantylia's voice echoed once more. "The ones targeting this Xianzhou aren't Feng Feng or Xing Xiao—you're quite fortunate, you know." "As for me, I abhor causing destruction with my own hands..." "Unfortunately, the General insisted on showcasing me, so Phantylia must reluctantly perform." "It's time to fulfill our engagement; please excuse me as I take my leave. May you enjoy your playtime with these actors..." After defeating all their foes, they found that Phantylia had vanished. Old Yang spoke up, "That flame called herself Lord Ravager, Phantylia. I've heard this name before from other members of The Nameless." "She is one of the seven Monarchs under Nanook, reveling in the self-destruction of mortals. Many beings have been lured by her into an abyss from which there is no return..." "In other words, the young woman from the Sky-Faring Commission was already bewitched and became a pawn of the Antimatter Legion?" Fu Xuan asked. "I don't believe so. Phantylia delights in both spiritual and physical annihilation, guiding mental collapse towards bodily demise." "But Tingyun's mannerisms didn't seem like those of someone bewitched or controlled. If she isn't the original Tingyun, it's more likely that Phantylia assumed her form," Fu Xuan continued. "Uncle Yang, do you mean that the real Tingyun still..." March 7th spoke with a glimmer of hope. "I'm sorry, March 7th, I cannot provide a definitive answer. With the disappearance of Tingyun's original body, we have no means to determine their whereabouts or when they were replaced. It remains merely my personal speculation...and wishful thinking. If it truly was Tingyun, why would Phantylia bother to erase evidence by transforming them? Wouldn't leaving the body before their friends align more with her aesthetic of destruction?" "I believe this is precisely Phantylia's aim—to plunge us into chaos and suspicion, fully ensnaring us in her malicious plot." Guinaifen took several deep breaths, gradually coming to terms with this reality. Moreover... Even now, within her team, there was a character named Tingyun. "Then the Tingyun I drew, could she also be Phantylia in disguise...?" "So not only did they share a Synergy fate, but there was also a hidden Destruction destiny lurking beneath? No wonder they often became the target of enemy fire..." In the live stream chatroom, viewers were thrown into disarray! "Lord Ravager infiltrated even inside the ship?! Mom, I'm scared!" "Now I can't look at the Tingyun in my team without feeling uneasy." "Don't worry, everyone, your Tingyun characters are genuine." "Freaking out so much, my internet connection stuttered!" "I saw Miss Tingyun just this morning! Oh no!" "The Lord Ravager infiltrated the Xianzhou itself? Mommy, I'm scared!" "I can't look at Tingyun in my team straight anymore." "Don't fear, everyone; your Tingyun characters are genuine." "Damn, Yuzhao's internet lagged from fright." "I saw Miss Tingyun just this morning! She was listening to tales near the Exalting Sanctum! Now you're telling me Tingyun is actually the Lord Ravager?!" "Capture her, capture her now!" "Hurry and summon General Jing Yuan!" "Don't panic! According to reliable information, the Roaming Cloud Riders have already initiated pursuit of Phantylia, and General Jing Yuan himself has gone directly to confront her." "The Divine Strategy General anticipates events like a god!" "Where will the final battle take place? I need to flee for my life, quick!" "No worries, the General won't let that fiend harm any innocents!" Within the Divination Commission. Fu Xuan's expression was grave. Based on previous plot developments, she had already deduced the general situation. Apart from the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus, there were indeed external forces coveting Ruo Fu. Now, this unfolding scenario confirmed her suspicions. The one who brought the Stellaron was none other than the Emanator of Destruction, Phantylia. Fu Xuan had already contacted Jing Yuan, seeking updates on his end. After several minutes of waiting for the connection to establish, finally, a response came through. Jing Yuan's projection appeared over the sand table. "Minister Fu, what brings you here?" With a grave expression, Fu Xuan said, "Jing Yuan, I've just finished reviewing the plot developments, and it's confirmed that the one bringing the Stellaron is indeed from the Demon army—Phantylia! "She undoubtedly aims to meddle with the Tree of Foundation, intending to seize Luofu's very essence. You must ensure all necessary preparations are in place!" Jing Yuan nodded. "I've been following the plot as well." "Regarding Phantylia, the Astral Express Crew informed me beforehand. Rest assured, I will minimize the disaster to the lowest possible extent." "The traitor within Luofu shall be dealt with by you." "Don't worry, leave it to me." After ending the connection, Fu Xuan sat down slowly, releasing a deep breath. "I can't tell if Jing Yuan's confidence is feigned or if he truly has everything under control..." "Well, regardless, since he's expressed his readiness, I'll focus on my own tasks." "This time, we owe much to this game." "The Stellaron explosion minimized the impact on the growth of the Tree of Foundation." "Now, it's up to you, Jing Yuan." Within the Palace of Astrum, Yukong clenched her jaw tightly, her hand gripping the teacup trembling slightly. With a sudden crack, the jade tea cup shattered under her grip. "Damn Phantylia..." "Damn Lord Ravager!" "To manipulate Tingyun and then..." Her eyes blazed with fury, almost as if flames were about to erupt from them! She urgently called for General Jing Yuan! In no time, his projection appeared before her. "General, how is the situation on your end?" "If preparations for the expedition against Phantylia have already begun..." "I, Yukong, request permission to join the battle!" Jing Yuan smiled slightly and responded, "Yukong, please calm down first." "I understand you're deeply angered by what happened to Tingyun, and I empathize with your feelings." "We will ensure that Phantylia pays the price it deserves." "'We'?" Yukong paused, taken aback. "Yes, there are already sufficient forces participating in this expedition against Phantylia. Yukong, your priority now should be to compose yourself and maintain the security of Xianzhou's internal airspace." "And then," "simply await our victory news!" Yukong glanced at the live-streamed scene unfolding before her. In the game's storyline, they too were preparing to launch their campaign against Phantylia! She closed her eyes briefly, and upon reopening them, she resumed her usual cold and resolute demeanor. "Thank you, General." "I will continue monitoring the situation here." "If needed, Yukong stands ever ready to fight for Xianzhou!"