Nanook could feel the wrathful gaze fixed upon THEM. In the next instant, THEY understood its source.
With a resounding clang, like a colossal hammer striking an anvil forged from nebulae, a rain of opals, amber, and countless other minerals began to fall through the void. Jewels of myriad colors floated amidst the interstellar darkness, coalescing… before a titanic figure, like a mountain range given sentience, solidified.
The Aeon of Preservation, Qlipoth!
THEY made no attempt to conceal THEIR fury and hostility towards Nanook.
As the Aeon dedicated to Preservation, Qlipoth had tirelessly worked across eons, constructing numerous super-interstellar projects to shield the universe – a true, dedicated cosmic civil engineer. And for such an engineer, what could possibly incite more wrath than witnessing the destruction of THEIR painstakingly built creations?
Nanook looked at the girl's faint smile, THEIR expression remaining impassive.
This mortal… did it deliberately!
Although Nanook's relationship with the Amber Lord was atrocious – Destruction and Preservation were inherently antithetical forces – Qlipoth's nature was such that unless someone directly provoked THEM, THEY were generally too focused on THEIR grand constructions to bother with cosmic squabbles.
Even if Nanook rampaged through the universe, as long as it wasn't too excessive and didn't interfere with Qlipoth's celestial masonry, the Amber Lord would usually turn a blind eye… or rather, simply wouldn't spare the attention.
However…
[Qingque] had specifically used the act of shattering the sub-spatial crystal walls to draw the attention of the construction-obsessed Aeon away from THEIR cosmic mortar and rebar.
Qlipoth took one look and undoubtedly thought: Hot damn! I work my rocky fingers to the bone building this stuff, and you're over here tearing it down?!
This wasn't just annoying anymore; this demanded a severe, heavy-handed response!
Just you wait, I'm coming over right now to hammer you into cosmic dust!
The enraged Amber Lord never tolerated vandals, especially Nanook, the embodiment of destruction, who was already THEIR sworn enemy.
As for the fact that the 'Jiang Qiao' fragment also played a part in breaking the sub-spatial walls… Miss [Qingque] looked utterly innocent. Me? I'm so small and weak, a lover of peace! How could I possibly cause such destruction? Do you believe the wall was smashed by Nanook, or by little old me?
Qlipoth, focused on the direct act of destruction, certainly wouldn't believe the latter explanation.
"Beat 'em up, rock head!" the girl immediately started fanning the flames.
In reality, no further encouragement was needed. The Amber Lord only appeared somewhat passive and disinclined to initiate conflict. But if you actually managed to anger THEM… hehe, just watch if THEY wouldn't bring down the cosmic hammer.
The enraged Qlipoth swung THEIR colossal hammer. With a KRA-ANG that resonated across the universe, Aeon-level power surged, blanketing the cosmos and crashing towards Nanook.
This wasn't some petty squabble between Emanators. Yes, compared to Aeons, even battles between Emanators were just minor skirmishes.
Emanators drew only a fraction of power from their Paths, whereas Aeons… Aeons were the embodiment of their Paths. Their battles were, fundamentally, collisions between the very concepts that governed reality.
The sheer scale was unimaginable to mortals. A mere fraction of a Path's power could create beings like Emanators, whom mortals looked upon with awe. The power wielded by an Aeon, channeling their entire Path into combat, was beyond description.
Nanook's expression shifted, THEIR earlier calm shattered.
Although THEY feared nothing – being the Aeon of Destruction, THEY were one of the greatest sources of fear in the universe – facing the Amber Lord directly, weathering the furious blow of one of the oldest surviving Aeon elders… claiming it was easy would be utter nonsense!
That blasted Swarm Emperor was smashed to pieces by THIS very hammer!
But THEY did not flee. After all… a battle between Preservation and Destruction was inevitable. Though THEY weren't fully prepared now, fleeing in panic was tantamount to suicide.
The Paths had already begun to clash. If the Aeon representing a Path fled… it was essentially surrender. An Aeon could run, but their Path could not.
Choosing to flee would only lead to the same fate as that Swarm Emperor.
Even being shattered into pieces by Qlipoth didn't necessarily mean the end for an Aeon. What truly caused Tayzzyronth's demise was THEIR act of compromise, abandoning the core tenets of THEIR Path.
The resulting backlash from the Path itself, that was the true cause of Tayzzyronth's fall.
From the moment they ascended to Aeonhood, their past, present, and future became submerged in the vast Imaginary energies of their Path, achieving a state akin to 'Path Merging'.
The only thing allowing them to maintain their individuality within this overwhelming flood was their initial, unwavering 'conviction' – their steadfast adherence to their Path.
If that conviction wavered, if they strayed from their Path, how could they possibly continue to maintain their existence within the boundless power of the Path itself?
He who rises by this, shall surely fall by this.
This ancient saying, supposedly from the old Xianzhou kingdoms, perfectly summarized the existence of Aeons.
Faced with the 'Divine War' initiated by Qlipoth, Nanook had no choice but to fight!
"It's not over yet, you know," the observing girl remarked cheerfully, sitting cross-legged on an asteroid belt formed from Qlipoth's mineral rain, her voice nonchalant.
"THEY'RE here."
The next moment—
An incomparably dazzling, piercingly sharp shaft of light, so intense that merely glancing at it caused phantom pain, streaked across the void like a meteor, piercing through countless star systems.
"It's the Reignbow Arbiter!!!"
The Xianzhou forces, locked in fierce combat with the Legion, witnessed this immense trajectory and instantly erupted into a frenzy of excitement and fervent zeal.
Emanators of the Hunt, Cloud Knights of the Xianzhou – even those who had never personally witnessed Lan – knew in that instant the origin of this celestial arrow.
Feixiao trembled watching this spectacle, a mixture of exhilaration and fear warring within her.
The Xianzhou were devout followers of Lan, the Reignbow Arbiter, but perhaps their fear of THEIR Aeon was also the greatest in the universe.
After all, Lan's arrows rarely distinguished between friend and foe.
Centuries ago, her own revered master, the previous Yaoqing General Yueyu, had perished under one such arrow. If even an Emanator of the Hunt could fall victim, what chance did others have?
But even so, it didn't stop her from raising her arm high, her voice ringing with fierce pride.
"Xianzhou Soars! Cloud Knights Ever Victorious!"
"Xianzhou Soars! Cloud Knights Ever Victorious!"
"Xianzhou Soars! Cloud Knights Ever Victorious!"
From the Yaoqing front, the Luofu front, the Xianzhou homeworld itself, even from the distant Yuque Xianzhou and the reinforcing fleets – the thunderous chant rose, shaking the very fabric of space.
The Legion forces faltered, momentarily stricken with despair as if mourning their own imminent demise.
And the meteor-like arrow, unerringly, struck its target: Nanook.
TWANG
After the crisp sound of a bowstring releasing immense tension, a majestic, azure figure materialized – resembling both a centaur and a mighty war chariot.
Lan, the Aeon of the Hunt!
"Wow, things with wheels sure run fast," [Qingque] remarked casually, sidling closer with surprising familiarity, clicking her tongue in appreciation.
Lan offered no response.
"You know, I don't really like that Jester God much, but when it comes to conversation, HE'S way more interesting than you lot. You three are practically mutes," the girl sighed, hands on her hips. Then, she shrugged, gesturing with her eyes:
"Alright, alright, I won't nag you… See that one? Yeah, HIM! Beat HIM up! Shoot HIM right in the cosmic backside with your arrows!"
Undoubtedly, Lan had been summoned by 'Jiang Qiao'.
After all, to deal with a tough customer like Nanook, one obviously needed something equally tough.
And an Aeon was undoubtedly the best choice.
Lan remained silent, but THEY did indeed raise THEIR celestial bow, joining the fray against Nanook.
As the Aeon of the Hunt, upon perceiving the situation, THEY instantly understood the context and unhesitatingly targeted Nanook.
Like raiding the Xianzhou's home, do you? Like bullying the weak, picking on mortals, hmm?
Why not try picking a fight with me instead?
Can't just let the rock head have all the fun hammering away! You need to sample my arrows too! Stone and arrow, a perfect pairing, adds more flavor, wouldn't you say?
As the Aeon embodying vengeance and righteous retribution, Lan, fiercely protective of the Xianzhou, directly joined the Amber Lord in pummeling Nanook, transforming the one-on-one Aeon duel into a two-on-one cosmic beatdown.
[Qingque] cheerfully watched this Divine War, a spectacle few mortals ever witnessed, even taking out a recording device from somewhere to film it. Jiang Qiao bet he could sell this footage to the Interastral Peace Corporation for a fortune – it would definitely go viral.
But the next moment, sensing something, he sighed.
"Heehee~ Aha smells fun! Let Aha see what's happening?"
"The blockhead and the mute are beating up the madman~ Oh, this is just too amusing! Hahahaha~"
Accompanied by laughter and the faint, tinny sound of circus music, a voice filled with a certain mischievousness and manic joy echoed through the void.
Unmistakably, it was Aha, the Aeon of Elation.
"…I knew you'd show up."
"Hehehe~ Of course Aha would come! Wherever there's fun, there's Aha~ How could Aha miss such a lively party?"
"Ooh hoo hoo~ Are you perhaps unwelcoming towards me?"
"Yes. Unwelcome."
"Ooh hoo hoo, Aha is so hurt~ But it's okay! For the sake of this wonderful spectacle, Aha forgives you."
"Heehee~ Did you like Aha's gift~"
"A mask containing the full power of the Path of Elation~ Hahahaha~"
As Aha roared with laughter, the mask at the 'girl's' waist emitted the same sound. [Qingque] made a disgusted face. "So gross…"
Yes, just as Aha said.
This mask was indeed extremely special.
It wasn't a normal mask from the Mourning Actors.
It was a part of Aha THEMSELF, the Aeon.
Just like that time when, on a whim, THEY gave all THEIR Path's power to an insignificant worm, just to see it become a genius – this mask was another toy Aha had created impulsively.
It contained the power of the entire Path of Elation. Wearing it was almost equivalent to Xipe's infinite Emanator Avatars, effectively becoming an avatar of Aha, capable of wielding the full might of the Path of Elation.
But the drawback was also obvious.
It was somewhat… selective.
To avoid a repeat of the incident where the worm exploded from receiving too much power, the mask could only unleash the portion of power the user could actually handle. For [Qingque], that meant… all of it.
Of course… the more Aha favored the user, the smaller this limitation could become.
And the other drawback… since it was part of Aha's essence, wearing it meant carrying Aha around too.
"Take it back." The girl tossed the mask towards Aha with annoyance.
"Ooh hoo hoo, you don't like Aha's gift?"
"Don't misunderstand."
"I like the gift just fine."
"I just don't like you."
"Ooh hoo hoo~ Aha loses face~ But Aha likes you~ Because you always bring Aha fun~ Heeheehee~"
The Jester God fully demonstrated the shameless persistence of a true agent of chaos.
Fortunately, [Qingque] was long accustomed to this historically worst Nameless One and simply rolled her eyes before raising her hand.
"Heehee~ You want to join the blockhead and the mute in beating up the madman? Aha supports you~ You can borrow all, all of Aha's power~"
"Spare me. I have no interest in fighting you lot whose life force rivals cockroaches'."
"However, setting up a containment field is necessary… Those three unlucky sods have already smashed who knows how many star systems. If they keep fighting like this, everyone else will suffer too much collateral damage."
As she spoke, four Celestial Jade tiles materialized, forming a circle, rotating leisurely.
"**Heaven and Earth Seal!**"
Lightly clapping her hands together, an inexplicable power manifested. It connected the myriad realms, linked the sub-spatial crystal walls, and simultaneously formed an incredibly sturdy cage.
"Heehee~ Akivili~ It's Akivili's power~" Aha instantly recognized the essence of this power, laughing cheerfully.
"Aha hasn't seen this since THEY left~ Ooh hoo hoo, if THEY were still here, seeing you use the power that connects all worlds to seal all worlds, THEIR expression would surely be priceless~"
"Such fun~ Hehe~"
The girl pursed her lips.
The essence of this power was indeed 'Trailblaze'.
And what he had done was essentially the same as what he did previously with the Path of Propagation.
Through certain means, he had 'borrowed' the now masterless Path of Trailblaze, left vacant after Akivili's fall.
By inverting this power, and supplementing it with support from other Paths, he had managed to create this octagonal cage, sturdy enough for Aeons to duke it out within.
As for what means…
Glancing back mentally at that Astral Express, [Qingque] gave a sheepish smile.
Well, nobody else was using it, so borrowing it for a bit is fine, right…?
If anyone asks, it's mine! I found it!