Chapter 54

·

·

·

Protagonist:

Xuan Ge

The starry cosmos, a certain planet covered in pure white.

The room was warm as spring, sealed off from the endless heavy snow outside the window into two separate worlds.

A woman in a cyan qipao stood quietly before the window; the plum blossom patterns embroidered with silver thread on the qipao fabric glimmered with a restrained luster under the soft light.

Her black hair was coiled into an elegant bun, a few loose strands falling beside her neck.

Her whole being exuded a tranquil aura, blended with both a dignified and a mature charm.

Ruan Mei's gaze swept over the jumping data streams, finally settling to one side.

There, aside from a neat stack of research notes and several exquisite instruments, lay quietly an object that was utterly out of place with the surrounding environment.

A sheet of platinum-colored paper.

Its texture was peculiar, neither cloth nor leather, cool to the touch, its edges bearing barely perceptible, seemingly naturally formed fine gilt patterns.

Ruan Mei raised her fair hand lightly, picking up the letter.

The instant her fingertips touched it, faint cloud patterns emerged on the paper's surface.

Within the cloud patterns, a golden spear-tip design pierced through the clouds and appeared, branded upon it.

The design carried an incomparably sharp will, faintly emitting a weak yet pure power of the Hunt.

Like a low, distant battle cry, crossing the star sea, quietly echoing here.

Holding the letter, she walked with measured steps to the tea table and sat down gracefully.

She had already read the letter's contents; the wording was polite, yet the core meaning allowed no room for maneuver:

General Xuan Ge of Divine Might sincerely invites Ms. Ruan Mei, the Eighty-first Seat of the Genius Society, to the Shen Wu Xian Zhou for a "visit."

The two words "visit" were imbued with weight.

Ruan Mei laid the letter flat on the table, her gaze sweeping over that spear seal once more.

"If I refuse... would General Divine Might not lead the Divine Might Corps to come 'invite' me?"

She muttered to herself, her voice soft and pleasant, yet lacking any warmth, as if stating an experimental hypothesis.

The last power that dared publicly and forcefully refuse General Divine Might's "invitation" — specifically which one, she hadn't bothered to remember.

It is said the entire planet was directly flattened by the Divine Might Corps on the pretext of quelling rebellion.

Even the ashes were scattered into the star; the territory was also swiftly divided up by nearby, obedient civilizations.

Of course, she knew, no matter how unconventional General Divine Might might be, he should still abide by the Alliance's Enumerators.

Directly leading troops to forcibly abduct?

Probability extremely low......

As for Xuan Ge himself, though she had never seen him in person, his name and deeds were by no means secret within the circles.

A true Hunt Emanator, General Divine Might, wielding the Shen Wu Xian Zhou.

Illustrious military exploits, powerful enemies cowed, conduct forceful to the point of near tyranny.

At the same time, those anecdotes about him that seem playful and irreverent but actually conceal deep strategy, as well as his recent entanglement with the Monarch of Extinction Xing Xiao, were also circulating in the undercurrents.

This is a complex, difficult-to-define dangerous individual.

After pondering a moment, Ruan Mei raised her wrist, her fair fingers tapping lightly in the void a few times.

A pale blue light screen unfolded, communication protocol codes flashing by like a stream.

After several breaths, light and shadow converged, solidifying into a projection wearing pajamas printed with a Xiao Hei Ta pattern.

Chestnut-brown long hair slightly disheveled, purple pupils carrying the irritation of being disturbed.

"What do you want?"

Hei Ta's voice came through the projection, clear yet carrying a gunpowder edge.

"Don't you know this time is my precious rest and inspiration-divergence time?"

"Ruan Mei, if your major discovery is just another kind of noisy interstellar jellyfish, I guarantee I'll immediately cut the connection and block you for three days!"

Ruan Mei had long since become immune to her friend's habitual attitude; the corner of her lips curved into an extremely faint arc, and she pointed at that letter.

Geniuses all have their quirks; Hei Ta's temper is merely one of them.

A faint, ceremonial smile surfaced on her face, her voice steady as ever:

"I am setting out, heading for the Shen Wu Xian Zhou."

Hei Ta: "..........."

The impatient expression on Hei Ta's face froze instantly, like a precision instrument in operation suddenly stuttering.

Immediately after, all casual demeanor retreated like a tide, replaced by a rare seriousness and scrutiny.

Hei Ta's gaze fell upon the letter, especially that golden spear seal piercing through the cloud patterns.

Her delicate brows knitted, her tone surprised and wary: "General Divine Might's personal invitation letter? Ruan Mei, when did you get involved with that madman?"

"No involvement... first formal contact." Ruan Mei's tone was calm.

Hei Ta crossed her arms, her pajama sleeve sliding down a section: "Ruan Mei, this doesn't sound like an 'invitation.' It sounds more like delivering meat straight into a tiger's mouth."

"The analogy is inappropriate. I am not powerless 'meat' to protect myself, and General Xuan Ge is not necessarily a 'tiger' that only knows to devour.

There is tacit understanding between the Alliance and me. He uses 'invitation' rather than 'conscription,' at least leaving room on the surface."

"Room?" Hei Ta sneered, worry outweighing mockery.

"Haven't you seen that General Divine Might's battle record?"

"What he relies on to suppress the Xianzhou's established powers internally and make the Abundance's abominations and the Destruction Monarchs eat dirt externally isn't surface procedure."

"That power of karma is extremely troublesome, and there's also that Divine Lord's divine spirit — Chi Gui — who's said to resemble the Hunt Aeon."

"General Shenwei truly has the Hunt Aeon backing him; he acts with extreme self-will."

"Universal rules? His rules are the rules!"

"If he feels keeping you in Shenwu to 'cooperate with research' better fits his 'rules,' how long do you think you can stop him?"

Ruan Mei fell silent.

Herta's words were sharp, yet not without reason.

Xuan Ge's style of conduct is indeed full of uncertainty.

The title of Path madman is not groundless.

Ruan Mei raised her eyes to look at Herta....

Herta met her gaze, the impatience in her purple pupils settling into seriousness.

She understood.

"I'll prepare a contingency plan for communicating with the Xianzhou Alliance."

Herta spoke with a straight face, her tone becoming pragmatic and calm:

"Make clear that this trip of yours is an invited exchange, not any form of allegiance change or technology requisition."

Ruan Mei listened quietly, a trace of imperceptible easing flashing in her eyes.

This was precisely one of the main purposes for which she contacted Herta.

She needed this colleague, also a friend, to utilize her influence and connections to pave the way for this journey at a higher level, reducing uncontrollable political risks.

"Thank you, Herta." She said softly.

"Hmph, cut that out."

Herta's projection pursed her lips, but her eyes were serious.

"I don't want to suddenly receive word one day that our dear Ms. Ruan Mei has decided to permanently settle on the Shen Wu Xian Zhou and devote her life to General Shenwei."

Herta yawned, the little Herta pattern on her pajamas shaking along with it.

"Nothing else? I'm going to continue my rest."

Ruan Mei gave a gentle smile: "Not for now. If all goes smoothly, I'll promptly inform you of the progress."

"Fine. Be careful, don't get taken in by his sweet talk."

Herta gave a final instruction, the projection swaying, quickly fading and dissipating.

The laboratory returned to silence, only the low hum of instruments.

Ruan Mei sat alone before the tea table, she looked at the letter again.

As a member of the Genius Society, this identity is sometimes a halo, sometimes a shackle.

The Xianzhou Alliance favors her more than it is wary of her.

But the Shen Wu Xian Zhou under General Shenwei's rule is an exception.

That place is pure military might.....

Now, the wielder of this sharp blade has proactively extended an olive branch, though this olive branch is wrapped in metal's cold hardness.

Since he proactively invited, then meeting him is also no harm.

She slowly rose, walking toward the control terminal.

Fair fingers slid across the light screen, commands issued: experiment enters low-power maintenance, samples deep hibernation, safety protocols elevated, communication channels adjusted.....

Shen Wu Xian Zhou, General Shenwei's grand hall, hall filled with ink fragrance and tea aroma.

Xuan Ge leaned askew on the General's Chair, a smile of delight on his lips.

At the other end of the documents, Ling Sha sat sideways at a corner of the table's edge, cradling hot tea.

Beneath the black and white short qipao, legs crossed, deep red patterns fading in and out at the ankles.

Black hair cascading, a few strands brushing across her tranquil side face.

"Seems in the genius's eyes, this General still doesn't count as a vulgar person."

Xuan Ge set down the jade letter, saying cheerfully, golden pupils flashing: "Ruan Mei replied, agreed to come."

Ling Sha blew on the tea's steam, took a small sip, and replied gently:

"The General's prestige spreads far, sincerely inviting, Ms. Ruan Mei is a smart person, naturally knows how to weigh things."

She set down the cup, fingertips stroking the cup wall, raised her eyes to look at Xuan Ge: "Wonder when exactly Ms. Ruan Mei will arrive? Will the General..... go to the starport to welcome her personally?"

Xuan Ge stretched lazily, posture indolent, eyes clear.

"Going. She came from far away, and is a famous lady to boot, propriety can't be lacking."

He smiled, gaze turning to Ling Sha, carrying a touch of teasing:

"But this crude martial man, afraid I won't know how to handle academic occasions. Ling Sha, you accompany me. With you there, it definitely won't go cold."

Ling Sha's lips curved in a gentle arc, she nodded lightly: "The General commands, Ling Sha naturally shall accompany."

She paused, a trace of hard-to-detect gloom flashing in her brown pupils, tone still gentle, yet with an added probing quality.

"Just, inviting a genius to act, the stakes are likely not simple. General..... do we need to prepare early?"

Xuan Ge's smile faded slightly, his fingertips tapping on the table with dull, light thuds.

"Naturally. For Dan Shu, and even more for the Xianzhou myriad people's Sky-Deficiency ailment....."

He raised his eyes, in his golden eyes a rare, near-obsessive determination:

"If Ruan Mei truly has certainty to cure the root, this General absolutely won't spare the price. However difficult the conditions, can also be negotiated."

Ling Sha gazed at him, taking that determination into her eyes.

She lifted the tea cup, borrowing the steaming heat to conceal the instantly surging, even more complex undercurrents in her eyes.

Ling Sha's voice remained gentle and soothing: "The General has a benevolent heart; Ling Sha understands. When the time comes, I will spare no effort in assisting the General to bring this matter to fruition."

"Mm."

Xuan Ge responded with a sound, leaning back against the chair back once more, his gaze cast toward the vast star sea outside the hall.