No matter how abnormal Bai Shuran was, he wasn't a cheater—he still followed basic rules, right? How could mere decades of accumulation compare to the millennia of experience held by He Xi and the others?
Even if his future achievements would far surpass theirs, that was a matter for the future.
As for now?
Heh.
Gu Ruoli declared it outright impossible.
However… exceptions existed to everything.
As the saying goes, even the best horse stumbles.
Just as Gu Ruoli prepared to throw fairness to the wind and activate her cheat—
Bai Shuran was simultaneously undergoing a world-shaking transformation.
Let's rewind time by a few minutes.
When Bai Shuran unleashed the "Tyrant Song's Gaze," everyone in the audience stared at him in horror.
All except one.
A being drawn by this surge of Mirthful Power—
Ahem—the Aeon of Elation, Aha!!!
One of the eighteen Aeons of the Star Rail universe, the sovereign who pioneered and governed the Path of Elation, the ultimate Prankster God.
Also the strongest Emissary of Trailblazing, the "Everjoyous Lord" revered by the Xianzhou natives, and a notorious troublemaker in the eyes of geniuses…
As the Star Rail world's unique pinnacle of power, the Aeons were entities of unparalleled grandeur.
In the original lore, the Aeons were described thus:
"Little is known of these mysterious beings who wander the starry seas."
"Bound by finite understanding, mortals can only faintly perceive the Paths tread by Aeons—unfathomable conduits of ideology and immeasurable might."
"Thus, in whispered myths, the Aeons became avatars of crystallized philosophy."
"Those who walk a Path may sense their distant gaze, like a glance spanning galactic light-years."
"Many believe this to be the sole interaction possible between Aeon and mortal."
Yet this being of such grandeur was currently rolling on the spectator stands, clutching its stomach in uncontrollable laughter.
Though its guffaws were deafening and its form twisted with mirth, not a single person around noticed its presence.
"Ahahahaha…! Pregnant! A man got pregnant! Hahahaha…!"
"This is hilarious…! Ahahaha…! What a fun ability! Aha's gotta try this when I get back!"
"But it needs tweaking. What's pregnancy without childbirth?"
"Hmm… who to test it on…?"
"Ah! That brat Nanook! The Aeon of Destruction… giving birth to new life! Now THAT'S comedy! Ahahaha…!"
Between laughs, Aha cast an approving glance at Bai Shuran.
As the Aeon of Elation, a being whose existence far surpassed Bai Shuran's, it effortlessly discerned the other Spirit Abilities hidden within his Martial Spirit.
Beyond the Pregnancy Stare, there were five more:
Gender-Swap Ray (♂→♀, ♀→♂.
PS: "Male? Female? Doesn't matter! Aha says you're a girl now—poof!")
Dumb Beam (Non-contagious "Durandal Effect."
PS: "One word: terrifying.")
Taunting Gaze (Forces targets to attack the caster recklessly.
PS: "Lookin' at you~ Mad yet? Hit me! Oh wait, you can't! Ahaha!")
Truth-Seer Eye (Compels honesty.
PS: "Spill your most embarrassing secret—now!")
Embryo Stare (The Pregnancy Stare's upgraded version—actual childbirth included.
PS: "Infertile? No problem!")
Look at this!
Wasn't this guy just a perfect vessel for chaos?
To Aha, Bai Shuran was practically a heaven-sent Elation Emissary.
"Ahahaha…! This kid's a riot! Aha's decided—he'll be my new Emissary!"
The more Aha observed him, the more pleased it grew. Without hesitation, it acted.
Path of Elation—ENGAGE.
In an instant, the Aeon's power connected to Bai Shuran, whisking him away to a surreal, kaleidoscopic realm.
Bai Shuran felt his consciousness flicker—
—and found himself standing in a circus-like dimension.
Jack-in-the-boxes, jester masks, ribbons, playing cards…
Every symbol of revelry floated through this space, saturating it with unbridled joy.
Bai Shuran blinked at the surroundings. "Where… is this?"
The answer surfaced in his mind as if divinely imparted:
Realm of the Path—Elation.
"The Realm of the Path? Wait, isn't this a Star Rail concept? And the Aeon of Elation's domain at that?"
His initial shock gave way to suspicion. "Must be someone brought by another chat group member… But only an Aeon can pull people here. Did the Astral Express crew bring this one?"
Images of the Express members flashed through his mind—
—until his thoughts settled on her: the unnamed girl the crew had brought along, absent from the original story.
"That's right~! Ah Huan is Aha! Ahahaha…!"
The moment Bai Shuran pictured her, a voice brimming with glee rang out behind him.
He whirled around.
A towering, headless figure loomed before him, its form woven from darkness, cradling countless jester masks and toys.
At first glance, Bai Shuran knew its name:
Aeon of Elation—Aha.
"Oh? So what does Miss Ah Huan want with me?"
Bai Shuran's question only made Aha laugh harder. "Ahahaha…! Brilliant! A natural-born jester, full of spirit!"
"Aha recalls a joke from yesterday—folks like you are called… 'Born Mirthful Saints,' was it?"
(End of Chapter)