"Huh?!"
"Tingyun, what's wrong with you?!"
"Tingyun, what kind of nonsense are you saying?!"
"Miss Tingyun, stop walking forward!"
Seeing Tingyun suddenly betray them in the story, Guinaifen could hardly believe her eyes!
She had never suspected Tingyun at all!
In fact, she had always thought of this foxian woman as embodying the unique wit and slyness of the Xianzhou people. While she might not share the Trailblazers' grand ideals, she felt like a genuine representation of the ordinary Xianzhou citizen.
Yet—
This character, who always hung back during danger...
Was actually the hidden final boss all along?!
At this moment, Tingyun tilted her head slightly, a polite smile on her face as she stepped forward toward Dan Shu.
"Well, it seems splitting the Xianzhou from within requires... other methods."
"What a pity."
"I would've liked to observe a little longer..."
As she spoke, she flicked a finger lightly at a nearby Mara-struck soldier.
A surge of scorching flames erupted from the ground.
"You've endured the blessings of [Abundance]."
"Let's see if you can withstand the gifts of [Destruction]."
Amidst the violet flames, the Mara-struck soldiers let out agonized screams—
Before falling silent forever.
Because—
They had been transformed into Antimatter Legion's Voidrangers!
Tingyun—no, the being wearing Tingyun's face—seemed pleased with her work.
She turned back, surveying the Trailblazers like an artist admiring her masterpiece.
Then—
With a sickening "crack," her neck twisted at an unnatural angle.
Her face still wore that bright, cheerful smile.
The sight sent chills down Guinaifen and Sushang's spines.
They screamed in unison.
"AHHHHHHH—!!!"
"Shang-shang, you said you'd protect me!!"
"Why are you screaming louder than me?!"
(T/N: You are being in-game tho….)
The livestream chat exploded.
"HOLY SHT HOLY SHT!!"
"WHAT'S WRONG WITH TINGYUN?!"
"I was just startled, but now I'm terrified because of Gui and Shang's screams!"
"I need new pants."
"I'M A TINGYUN MAIN, DO YOU KNOW HOW I FEEL RIGHT NOW?! MY PRECIOUS TINGYUN, NOOOO!!"
...
As Tingyun's body collapsed, a golden flame erupted from within.
A voice—nothing like Tingyun's soft, gentle tone—echoed with regal authority and mocking amusement.
"Honored guests, allow me to reintroduce myself."
"I am Phantylia, the Emanator of Destruction."
"I came here to watch Xianzhou tear itself apart—nothing more."
A new battle began, this time against the Antimatter Legion.
Guinaifen patted Sushang's back—the poor girl's face had gone completely pale.
After handing her a cup of hot water, Guinaifen focused on the fight.
Strangely, after spending so much time on Xianzhou, seeing the Legion's monsters again almost felt... nostalgic?
No revives, no debuffs—just straightforward combat.
Soon, two waves of enemies were cleared.
Phantylia's voice rang out again.
"What threatens Xianzhou is not [Abundance], not [The Hunt]—you've been looking the wrong way."
"Personally, I loathe getting my hands dirty with destruction..."
"But since that General insists on inviting me to the stage..."
"Consider this my curtain call. I do hope you enjoy the show."
After the battle, Phantylia vanished without a trace.
Welt spoke grimly:
"That flame called herself Phantylia, the Emanator of Destruction. I've heard that name from other Nameless."
"She's one of Nanook's seven heralds—one who delights in the despair of mortals, twisting their hopes into instruments of ruin."
Fu Xuan asked, "Are you saying that Sky-Faring Commission's Tingyun was already corrupted, turned into a pawn of the Legion?"
"I don't think so," Welt replied. "Phantylia revels in psychological torment—crushing spirits before bodies. But Tingyun's behavior never showed signs of corruption or control."
"If she wasn't the real Tingyun... then Phantylia likely took her form from the start."
March 7th's voice wavered. "So... the real Tingyun might still be...?"
"I can't say for sure," Welt admitted. "Where the real Tingyun is, or when the switch happened—with that body gone, we may never know."
"But this is Phantylia's goal—to sow chaos and doubt, to make us question everything."
Guinaifen took several deep breaths, struggling to process this.
Even worse—
Tingyun was still in her team roster.
"So... the Tingyun I pulled... is she Phantylia in disguise?!"
"No wonder she keeps getting targeted—she's secretly a Destruction path character?!"
The livestream chat was in complete disarray.
"AN EMANATOR INFILTRATED THE XIANZHOU?! MOM, I'M SCARED!"
"I can't look at my Tingyun the same way now."
"Don't worry, your Tingyun is real!"
"My jade abacus glitched from sheer terror."
"I literally saw Tingyun this morning listening to a storyteller in Exalting Sanctum! Now you're telling me she's an Emanator?!"
"Someone call General Jing Yuan!!"
"No need—the Cloud Knights are already mobilizing. The General is heading to confront Phantylia personally!"
"The Divine Foresight lives up to his name!"
"Where's the battlefield? I need to evacuate!"
"Relax, the General won't let that monster harm civilians!"
---
In the Divination Commission
Fu Xuan's expression was grave.
The earlier plot had already hinted at external forces meddling with the Luofu beyond the Sanctus Medicus.
Now, this twist confirmed it—
The one who brought the Stellaron was Phantylia, the Emanator of Destruction.
Fu Xuan immediately contacted Jing Yuan for updates.
Finally, a reply came.
"Fu Xuan, I've seen the story too. Phantylia is confirmed."
"She's after the Ambrosial Arbor—the Luofu's very foundation. I'll ensure minimal casualties."
"The internal affairs... leave them to me."
"You can rest assured."
Fu Xuan exhaled slowly.
"I don't know if that man's confidence is genuine or just an act..."
"But if he says so, I'll trust him."
"This game... it's already mitigated the Stellaron's awakening and the Arbor's resurgence."
"Now... it's up to you, Jing Yuan."
---
In the Sky-Faring Commission
Yukong's grip tightened around a jade teacup—
CRACK.
It shattered in her hand.
"Damn you, Phantylia..."
"Damn you, Emanator of Destruction!"
"How dare you use Tingyun like this?!"
Her eyes burned with fury as she summoned Jing Yuan's projection.
"General, if you're preparing to strike at Phantylia—"
"I, Yukong, formally request to join the battle!"
Jing Yuan smiled faintly.
"Yukong, calm down first."
"I know you're furious about Tingyun, but—"
"We will make Phantylia pay."
"'We'?" Yukong paused.
"Exactly. The forces assembled for this battle are already sufficient. Yukong, your duty now is to stabilize your emotions and secure Xianzhou's airspace."
"After that..."
"Just wait for our victory."
Yukong glanced at the livestream—where the game's story was also advancing toward Phantylia's showdown.
Closing her eyes, she regained her usual icy composure.
"General... thank you."
"I'll monitor the situation closely."
"If needed, Yukong stands ready to fight for Xianzhou!"
To be continued…
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