"Ah... what a magnificent body..."
With Lumina's assistance, the body Phantylia had conjured from the Ambrosial Arbor was swiftly completed.
The colossal form towered like a hundred-meter skyscraper.
The moment the freshly forged body materialized, Phantylia eagerly plunged inside, eager to experience the Ambrosial Arbor's gift of immortality.
"Hahaha... No wonder you Yaoshi followers consider yourselves superior... The Ambrosial Arbor's divine legacy is truly miraculous!"
As she entered the body, Phantylia felt an endless surge of vitality flowing from the Ambrosial Arbor into her.
She now understood why the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus and Lumina had coveted the Ambrosial Arbor so fiercely.
The power contained within the Ambrosial Arbor could drive not only the followers of Abundance, but all of humanity, into a frenzy!
But their chance was gone... Because at this very moment! The Ambrosial Arbor was mine!
No one could take it from me! Hahahahahaha!
"Hey, you still remember our agreement, right?" Lumina frowned slightly, observing Phantylia's somewhat unhinged and foolish demeanor. She spoke up to remind her.
"Agreement?" Phantylia snapped out of her reverie, her gaze drifting down to Lumina, who appeared as tiny as an ant from her vantage point.
Her fingers twitched subtly as she stared intently at Lumina, as if debating whether to reveal her true intentions now.
After a moment's consideration, Phantylia suppressed the urge to betray Lumina. She chuckled softly, her voice laced with seductive charm.
"Benefactor, there's no need for impatience. Once the Luofu is destroyed, this humble servant will return your body to you in full..."
Though Phantylia's words remained superficially the same, her tone had shifted. The previous languidness had faded, replaced by a hint of excitement.
It seemed her earlier claim of having no interest in the Ambrosial Arbor had undergone a slight revision.
"Is that so?" Lumina narrowed her eyes, suspicion burning in her gaze as she studied Phantylia.
Phantylia, utterly unconcerned by Lumina's scrutiny, didn't even bother to conceal her contempt. A flash of disdain flickered in her eyes as she looked down at Lumina.
What a joke! You're just a mere Emanator of Abundance with no offensive capabilities. Even your vaunted healing prowess, now bolstered by the Ambrosial Arbor, is matched by mine. In a battle of attrition, I will inevitably prevail.
If Phantylia hadn't feared that engaging Lumina now would give the Luofu's Generals an opening, she would have crushed Lumina with a single strike long ago.
"Once I've annihilated the Luofu, you're next... you abomination of Yaoshi..."
Phantylia sneered inwardly. If Lumina has any sense, she'll flee the Xianzhou Luofu before its complete destruction. But if she lingers... don't blame me for abandoning our alliance.
To forge an alliance with a Lord Ravager means steeling oneself for the resolve to embrace Destruction at any moment!
"Fine, I believe you..." Lumina's face darkened as if she had glimpsed Phantylia's thoughts. She gritted her teeth and forced herself to voice her trust.
"Hehe... This humble one thanks her Benefactor for their faith."
Hearing Lumina's words and seeing her expression, Phantylia's laughter echoed once more within the Ambrosial Arbor.
"Tch..." Lumina clenched her fist, her eyes burning with regret for having helped Phantylia manifest a physical body. Phantylia no longer bothered to conceal her true nature.
"Sigh..."
After glaring venomously at Phantylia for a long moment, Lumina sighed and slowly loosened her tightly clenched fist. She seemed to have finally grasped the vast power gap between them. With the Ambrosial Arbor's power bolstering Phantylia, she knew she stood no chance in a fight.
"Hahaha, Benefactor, no need to fret. If Phantylia says it, she will surely deliver," Phantylia said, watching Lumina's reaction with amusement.
"Better be..." Lumina retorted coldly.
"Heh, hahaha..."
Phantylia relished Lumina's predicament—a woman seething with hatred, yet utterly powerless due to their disparity in strength. It was like watching someone desperately struggling on the edge of a precipice, forever too afraid to take the final plunge.
"Look at that," Phantylia sneered, "even the Emanator of Abundance, high above in the heavens, is nothing more than an ant in my eyes."
With this thought, Phantylia's contemptuous demeanor became even more blatant.
"Benefactor," she said, "I'm about to engage the Luofu's General in battle right here. Blades and swords have no eyes, and I wouldn't want you to get caught in the crossfire. So, I must ask you to leave this place—leave the Xianzhou Luofu. Once the Luofu is plunged into destruction, I'll seek you out and return your body. How does that sound?"
Phantylia's voice dripped with mockery, as if subtly warning Lumina: If you insist on staying in the Luofu and reclaiming the Ambrosial Arbor from my grasp, don't blame me for showing you no mercy.
"Hmph, I'll leave, of course," Lumina retorted with a cold snort. She glared at Phantylia, then swept her sleeves and departed.
"Hahahaha... Hahahaha!"
Watching Lumina flee like a cornered rat, Phantylia's laughter echoed once more within the Ambrosial Arbor's space.
Now, having suffered such a humiliating defeat here, will Lumina join forces with the Luofu to retaliate?
Hilarious! Phantylia couldn't care less.
Even if the Luofu were to believe an Emanator of Abundance, the deep-seated hatred between Abundance and The Hunt would make such an alliance impossible.
Lumina teaming up with Jing Yuan to fight Phantylia? That joke is as absurd as claiming the Aeons of The Hunt and Abundance are a married couple.
"Damn it, Phantylia! How could I not have realized she was this arrogant before?"
As soon as Lumina left the Ambrosial Arbor space, the Saintess's face flushed crimson.
"If it weren't for what comes next, I would have beaten you into a state even Nanook himself wouldn't recognize!"
Lumina stomped her foot, having never endured such utter contempt as she had just experienced from Phantylia.
[ "Watch closely, learn well," ] the System chimed in. [ "Thank you, Saintess. I've learned my lesson: patience, right?" ]
Finally getting to see Lumina humbled, the System couldn't resist its sarcastic remarks.
"Heh."
Lumina ignored the System's taunts, her gaze fixed on the direction of the Ambrosial Arbor. Her eyes gradually turned icy.
"You were so arrogant just now? You'll pay for every last bit of it later!"
Lumina was furious. Phantylia, you're doomed! (`へ ́)