You could say no one in the entire universe would dare claim they could capture a Lord Ravager alive — not even another Envoy.
Screwllum was very curious: what exactly made Luofu accept such a powerful being aboard their starship so nonchalantly?
He could understand humanoid powerhouses, but a colossal being like that...?
Was it General Jing Yuan's stubbornness?
Shaking his head, Screwllum stopped dwelling on that point.
He still had to explain the Mechagodzilla issue to Asta...
----------------------------------------
There are five people, and three prices to pay.
Staring at the endless stream of star skiffs in the sky, Jing Yuan remained silent for a long time.
Just like the gathering and dispersing of the Cloud Knights above, so sudden it was hard to accept — before they could react, they turned into a streak of flowing light like the star skiffs, quietly coming to an end.
Only, unlike the star skiffs that can one day set sail again, once the dispersal begins, it is hard to gather again.
...
"Sigh, I really mind this — who exactly injured Dan Heng? It sounds a bit like that Stellaron Hunter named Blade, but then they mentioned something about moonlight. I was thinking, isn't it daytime? What nonsense."
Glancing at the bright sky, March 7th scratched her hair in frustration and stuffed the roll in her hand into her mouth in one bite.
"Wuwu!!" (Water water!)
Stelle shook her head helplessly and handed over her Happy Tea.
"Regarding this, since none of them want to talk about it, let's not pursue it. I suspect this is yet another old grudge Dan Heng has in Luofu," Welt said.
As a mature adult, he knew more. Before the two arrived, he had already chatted with Jing Yuan for a while. Obviously, Dan Heng was first approached by the Stellaron Hunters, and then besieged and rendered unconscious.
"Gulp, ha, hiccup. Sigh, Dan Heng usually doesn't say much, but once he arrived at Luofu, people everywhere are looking for trouble with him. I really don't know how he got by in the past," March 7th couldn't help but say, thinking of Dan Heng who was now lying in bed.
Bailu waved her hand and interrupted: "Thinking about this now won't get us anywhere. Let's rest early; tomorrow we have to repair the seal of the Ambrosial Arbor. I haven't seen it yet."
Her eyes were full of longing for tomorrow's schedule.
The preceptors usually treated her more harshly than prisoners in the Prisons of Confinement.
The Ambrosial Arbor seal had been undisturbed for years, so she naturally hadn't been to the Ambrosial Arbor's roots.
Though the Ambrosial Arbor disaster was suppressed this time, the Ambrosial Arbor still exists, and as the current Luofu Vidyadhara's High Elder, she has the responsibility to repair the seal.
...
The next day, Scalegorge Waterscape.
Bailu blinked at Dan Heng who stood before her expressionlessly.
"Dan Heng?"
"… Hello," Dan Heng nodded slightly.
Bailu's gaze shifted back and forth between Dan Heng and the nearby statue. She clapped her hands: "I knew I'd seen you somewhere before! So you're the previous Vidyadhara's High Elder!"
"Isn't it too slow to realize that now? I already guessed long ago." March 7th put her hands on her hips proudly.
Stelle didn't want to look at her smug face.
Clearly, it was Dan Heng himself who said it — both voluntarily and passively.
"Let's begin," Dan Heng lowered his head to look at the still young Vidyadhara's High Elder.
"Okay."
...
The sealing process went very smoothly. Both sealing and reaching the root location proceeded without obstruction.
"As expected." Dan Heng lowered his head, his gaze falling on Bailu who was still panting from the recent exertion.
"Dan Feng's power was divided into two parts. I inherited the part of destruction and annihilation, while you inherited the part more inclined to healing others."
This explained why Bailu possessed such astonishing healing talent, even highly valued by the alchemists of the Alchemy Commission.
"I don't think it's a big deal; isn't it better this way? Now I can practice even more confidently!"
"Uh."
Dan Heng watched Bailu punching the air with excitement, momentarily at a loss for words.
He had already learned the full story from March 7th and the others.
Simply put, this current Vidyadhara's High Elder had been completely captivated by Godzilla's violent aesthetic of combat. The training methods she followed weren't newly developed by the Vidyadhara, but her own approach to catch up to Godzilla's pace.
However, based on current intelligence, this High Elder was still strictly restrained by the Elders among the Vidyadhara, whose attitudes toward her were harsher than toward children trapped in twisted dark corners.
Even with March 7th's level of reasoning, one could conclude:
With such an adorable tail, it would be impossible to sweep away The preceptors.
...
Unlike the relaxed atmosphere of Dan Heng's group in Scalegorge Waterscape, the preceptor wrapped in bandages like a ball was in a foul mood.
"So you're saying we're allowing our sanctuary to be occupied by a giant beast, and letting the great sinner roam freely inside while we can only watch— no, we can't even watch because we can't enter…"
The preceptor muttered to himself. His deep voice, combined with his current condition, sounded even more somber.
"That's the current situation. With that giant beast inside, we can't enter, let alone interfere with their actions," said another preceptor. His mood was also poor. The sanctuary of the Vidyadhara had been polluted, and they were powerless.
Especially since this might have been their best opportunity. That sinner would likely never enter Scalegorge Waterscape again, but now under the watchful eye of the Realm-Keeping Commission, any rash moves would be unwise.
"…If only we could cooperate with them." This preceptor's eyes flickered — there was more than one force in Luofu.
Many would be happy to see rivers of blood.
...
At the same time, the Realm-Keeping Commission, which was also being talked about, wasn't in a good mood either.
It could even be called oppressive.
Several Cloud Knight soldiers held weapons, looking warily at the woman standing in the middle.
Her light blue-grey long hair was scattered, with a strand of cyan hairband tied to the circular hair bun, and her eyes were covered by a black eye patch embroidered with a silver moon pattern.
"Heh, seeing that you're still filled with killing intent as before, I'm relieved."
Despite being surrounded, she showed no sign of nervousness towards the surrounding Cloud Knight soldiers, even giving off a sense that she was enjoying being surrounded.
"Come, accompany me for a stroll." Jingliu softly said in the direction of Jing Yuan.
...
Since the re-eruption of the Disciples of Medicus Sanctus during the Ambrosial Arbor Calamity, the position of the Alchemy Commission in Luofu has been further diminished. Its already awkward position drew even more suspicion after the Alchemy Head was revealed to be the leader of the Disciples of Medicus Sanctus.
"Hehe, such a big incident happened, yet the Alchemy Commission still has such a flow of people, it's truly a miracle."
"Heh, people will always get sick. Though the Alchemy Commission had some minor problems, after all, it is still the place for medical treatment in Luofu. If you want it to have no patients, it's simple, just make sure no one gets sick."
A young Vidyadhara snorted, his face full of displeasure.
Lately, rumors about the Alchemy Commission have been flying everywhere in Luofu.
And they couldn't do anything about it. After all, their own Alchemy Head was the leader of the Disciples of Medicus Sanctus. Even if they claimed to have no relation, not even the Master Diviner would believe them.
Huanxi chuckled lightly and asked: "How many people can you mobilize right now?"
"Because of the Ambrosial Arbor incident, many of our people are being monitored. There are about twenty people left who can still move, including some defectors."
There were also followers of the Plagues Author within the Vidyadhara clan. The elders were well aware of this, but as long as they remained hidden, they wouldn't interfere — they even welcomed it.
As long as the bloodline of the Vidyadhara remained untainted, wasn't it a good thing for clansmen to strive for its continuation?
Huanxi nodded slightly: "That's enough. I will contact people from other places as well. Remember, you must not be discovered before taking action."
"Hehe, when it comes to hiding, we are experts."
After giving a few more instructions, Huanxi left.
After making sure Huanxi would not return, the young Vidyadhara turned around, grinning awkwardly toward the inner door: "Sir, she's gone, you see—"
Clang!
A blade filled with murderous aura pressed straight toward his eye. The chilling killing intent made him tremble all over, his legs shaking as if he had run three hundred kilometers, hungry and exhausted.
"Ah~, how interesting. A Vidyadhara who worships Abundance, yet plans to strike at his own Vidyadhara's High Elder — this trip has truly been worthwhile."
Blade's smile grew increasingly fervent, causing the Vidyadhara's eyes to roll back as he collapsed unconscious.
"Kafka." Blade ignored the unconscious man, turning his head toward the room that had just opened.
With hands behind her back, Kafka gracefully walked out, the corners of her mouth raised.
"How interesting. It seems that Luofu will be as lively as ever."
...
Time flew by, and many Xianzhou people had already forgotten the damage caused by the Ambrosial Arbor's resurrection. Almost all of the sanctuaries had returned to their former bustle.
But it was not so quiet in the universe.
"Father, we have arrived at the area of the Herta Space Station. Shall we launch the attack?"
Dubra softly reported to the seated Duke Inferno.
"Haha, is that even a question? Of course, crush them all! Let them know the price of provoking Destruction!"
The crazed Caterina held her hat brim with one hand, her lips bright red.
"Don't be too optimistic, Caterina. [Herta Space Station] is The Herta's territory. Maybe we'll be the ones to die," Constance chuckled.
"Shh — as fugitives walking the path of destruction, when have we ever feared death?" Akash, dressed fashionably, smiled.
In the end, everyone's eyes gathered on the Duke Inferno in the main seat.
"There will be no obstacles on the path of destruction. If there are, then they are destruction bestowed upon us by the master of Destruction Himself! Declare war on Erudition!"
At the Grand Duke's command, all of them bore indescribable smiles, together with the spatial station orbiting the blue ring zone.
...
"Detected unidentified spacecraft approaching us, at this speed — it's an enemy!"
"Have you confirmed who the enemy is?"
"Based on the ship's design, it's the Annihilation Gang's vessel!"
"Duke Inferno?"
The Annihilation Gang, making no attempt to conceal themselves, were immediately detected by the staff as they entered Herta Space Station's monitoring range. Instantly, red alarms blared throughout the space station.
"Miss Asta, the Annihilation Gang's Duke Inferno is leading the attack. How should we respond?"Alan asked Asta gravely.
He hadn't forgotten what the Annihilation Gang had previously done in the station; if not for help, the station might have already collapsed under mutual suspicion.
Hearing Alan's words, Asta slightly raised her head, looking at the bright red dot on the large screen, her expression calm as she spoke:
"Ahem, Alan, Lady Herta once said: do not panic before the final conclusion is drawn — it will only drain your inspiration."
Raising her index finger, Asta said seriously.
"As for the Annihilation Gang, don't worry. I already have a countermeasure prepared. Just wait here for me."
"Eh? Miss Asta!"
Before Alan could react, Asta's agile figure had already disappeared behind the giant door.
...
"Ahem, Mr. Screwllum, open compartment No. 5, activate Mecha Godzilla, and meet the enemy!"
In a small room, Asta energetically commanded the release of her trump card.
"As you wish, Miss Asta."
Upon hearing Asta's words, Screwllum slightly nodded.
Herta was absent, Ruan Mei had also gone out, so undoubtedly, the most powerful person in this space station now was himself. As for Mecha Godzilla, in the absence of obstacles, it would serve as a powerful deterrent.
The arrival of the Annihilation Gang conveniently allowed him to collect combat data.
The hatch opened, and the slumbering iron beast revealed its fangs.
Soon after, a blue light rose, with massive energy converging into a huge sphere.
"What is that?" The Duke Inferno looked at the sudden burst of light, feeling vaguely uneasy.
"Boom!"
The next second, his unease turned into reality. A thick blue beam shot out from the space station.
The Mechagodzilla, imbued with the talents of Screwllum from the Genius Society, unleashed its power at this moment.
The Duke Inferno's pupils shrank sharply. He immediately tried to activate his ability but found a strong gravitational force preventing his teleportation.
"Destruction!"
"Bang!"
Fireworks burst into the sky. The Ever-Flame Mansion turned to ashes, vanishing into the cosmic void.
Inside the space station, the staff members who witnessed all of this were dumbfounded, staring at each other.
After a long while, someone cautiously asked:
"When did our space station get such a weapon?"
Alan's eye twitched. His intuition told him that this attack had a lot to do with Asta.
But when did the space station acquire a weapon even he, the defense officer, didn't know about?
Miss Asta!
...
"Logic: The restraining device installed to limit enemies with space-shifting abilities has achieved very good results; stealth: it can be considered high-level."
Screwllum said calmly.
This level of power wasn't much in his eyes, but it was quite effective against enemies like the Annihilation Gang.
"This is amazing!" Before he could continue thinking, Asta excitedly jumped up, running to him with sparkling eyes.
"Mr. Screwllum, can you sell this kind of weapon? Oh no, I mean, can I commission you to make one to protect the space station? This weapon is so useful!"
Looking at the light in Asta's eyes, Screwllum replied: "Miss Asta, forgive me for being blunt, but this type of weapon isn't suitable for regular use."
"But you just used it."
"Due to the circumstances."
"Please, Mr. Screwllum, I can pay you the price of a star-destroyer. If you find money too vulgar, I can exchange it for all kinds of materials. As long as it's not a one-of-a-kind material in the world, I can get it for you. Please!"
Asta clasped her hands together, looking pitifully at Screwllum.
"... If you really need it, then I'll leave this one on the space station. As for credit points, there's no need, consider it a gift."
Upon hearing Screwllum's words, Asta fell into a state of excitement.
Watching Asta happily leave, Screwllum turned to look out the window. The remnants of the Ever-Flame Mansion were still burning and falling.
The results of the first build weren't entirely satisfactory.
Since Asta wanted it, he might as well give it to her. He could take the opportunity to research the second generation.
...
"You lazybones! Time to get up! Heave-ho, heave-ho!"
A bright child's voice echoed in the Scalegorge Waterscape. Bailu bounced up onto Godzilla's back, loudly calling him.
With Godzilla around, what once felt like confinement in the Scalegorge Waterscape now seemed no different from an amusement park to her.
The only real difference was occasionally bumping into the preceptor's—whose expression made her indescribably happy.
Hearing Bailu's voice, Godzilla's tail moved behind Bailu.
"Ouch!"
"Ouch!"
As it turned out, even the very tip of the tail was not something Bailu could mess with.
Rubbing her butt, Bailu puffed up her cheeks, staring angrily at Godzilla half-submerged in water.
The tide had risen.
But from Bailu's experience, the water usually only rose this far and wouldn't go any further.
Before she could speak, the tail came again. Seeing this, Bailu turned and ran.
She started circling around Godzilla.
This was now one of Bailu's regular activities.
Often, Bailu would try to wake Godzilla up to teach her, but Godzilla slept so soundly that after calling for a while, the tail would always come over to stop her.
"Hah~ hah~, not running anymore, I'm out of breath."
No one knew how much time had passed. Supporting her knee with one hand, Bailu raised her hand in surrender.
After catching her breath, Bailu moved her short legs to Godzilla's side, plopped down, and leaned against Godzilla's head, gazing at the stars above.
The night sky of Luofu was beautiful. Even among starships, people never gave up their yearning for beauty.
In fact, it was precisely because they lived on starships that the people of Xianzhou had a longing for beauty that many others couldn't understand.
"Mm~"
Stretching lazily, Bailu let out a satisfied sound.
Patting Godzilla, Bailu softly said: "If only it could always stay like this."