---o---
On the screen, after casually obliterating over a dozen Doom Beasts, the Ender Dragon suddenly turned its gaze toward Celenova. Even through the monitor, Celenova felt as if it were staring directly at her.
It made the hair on her neck stand up, and an irresistible fear surged through her heart.
"Retreat!"
Celenova decisively issued the order to her entire fleet.
The ships that had witnessed the Ender Dragon's effortless slaughter of the Doom Beasts were already frozen in fear, daring not to move. Upon receiving Celenova's order to retreat, it was as if they had been granted a great amnesty, and every single one of them rapidly pulled back.
The Ender Dragon watched these bothersome insects retreat, then began to follow, flapping its wings at a leisurely pace.
Meanwhile, aboard the joint fleet of the Luofu and Yaoqing, Jing Yuan and Feixiao were frowning at the retreating movements of Celenova's fleet on the radar.
"They've been repelled by the Ender Dragon... Celenova doesn't even dare to engage it."
Feixiao was beginning to worry about what would happen next. No one could figure out why the Ender Dragon had suddenly appeared here, and based on its actions, it didn't seem to want to fight everyone.
"Wait, something's not right!"
Jing Yuan, who had been standing quietly beside Feixiao, suddenly widened his eyes and roared, "Damn it, Celenova's fleet is retreating in our direction! She spotted us long ago. She's trying to lead the disaster right to us!"
Feixiao, who had been trying to decipher the Ender Dragon's intentions, was jolted awake by Jing Yuan's shout. She glanced at the retreat path of Celenova's fleet on the radar; trying to withdraw now would be difficult.
If Celenova was truly planning to use them as a diversion, she certainly wouldn't let the Xianzhou fleet escape so easily. Their only option now was to fight as they retreated. They had to make Celenova buy time for their withdrawal instead!
"Rearguard, proceed with the original plan and rendezvous with the Astral Express! Vanguard, prepare to engage the enemy!"
After relaying the command to the fleet, Feixiao turned to Jing Yuan and said, "Jing Yuan, you take the rearguard and leave first. Go meet up with the Astral Express and tell them to get away quickly. I'll hold Celenova off and buy everyone some time."
But Jing Yuan simply shook his head. He summoned his glaive, and the aura of an Emanator of The Hunt began to surge around him, growing stronger with each passing moment.
"It would be too difficult for you to face both Celenova and the Ender Dragon alone. I'm staying too."
"Fine. Then let's have Jiaoqiu lead the fleet in retreat. Let's go!"
The two generals exchanged a look, and their flagships shot forward, positioning themselves directly in the retreat path of Celenova's fleet.
Behind them, the Lightning Lord and a gigantic azure fox materialized, their forms crackling with thunder and shrouded in hurricanes as their power continued to climb.
---o---
Aboard her own command ship, Celenova noticed Jing Yuan and Feixiao breaking away from their fleet and murmured to herself.
"They figured it out? As expected of the Divine Foresight General and the Victorious General."
Celenova took a step forward and, in the next instant, appeared in the vastness of space, facing Jing Yuan and Feixiao from a distance.
"Are you two in such a fine mood that you decided to stop here and admire the stars?"
Feixiao replied with a humorless smile, "The stars are beautiful, but it's a bit too lonely. It would be much better with a few fireworks."
"In that case, I must trouble you two to delay me for a while. In the future, I will be sure to present you both with a gift of fireworks to express my gratitude."
As she spoke, Celenova casually waved a hand. Countless jigsaw-like patterns appeared in the space before them, and from them, dozens of roaring Doom Beasts flew out and charged the two generals.
"You're the one who's going to become fireworks!"
Feixiao gripped her long halberd and flew towards Celenova. The azure fox behind her moved in tandem, its massive claws tearing several Doom Beasts to shreds with every swipe.
Jing Yuan, meanwhile, eyed the fleet rapidly approaching from behind Celenova and, leading the Lightning Lord, charged toward them.
"By imperial decree of the sovereign divine, grant us your august authority! Let the wicked be slain!"
With a single slash from the Lightning Lord, dozens of warships blossomed into a brilliant firework in the sea of stars.
While Jing Yuan was wreaking havoc on the fleet, Feixiao was locked in combat with Celenova. Seeing Jing Yuan's success, she couldn't help but grin at her opponent.
"Your fleet is suffering heavy losses. Aren't you concerned?"
Celenova emotionlessly parried Feixiao's attacks and replied coolly, "I can create countless more of these ships with a wave of my hand. Why should I care? What's more interesting is you two, willing to gamble the lives of two Xianzhou Generals just to ensure your subordinates can retreat safely. Heh, have you failed to notice the being chasing after me?"
Feixiao didn't answer. She too was worried that the Ender Dragon would target her and Jing Yuan, but for the sake of the soldiers under their command, they had to buy this time.
"Then—what if it's not just two generals, but two geniuses as well?"
Suddenly, two mirrors materialized behind and to the right of Feixiao, and the voice emanated from within them.
Hearing this, Celenova immediately broke away from Feixiao. Feixiao did not press the attack, instead turning a wary eye toward the two mirrors behind her.
"Logic: we both share a positive relationship with the Astral Express. Conclusion: General Feixiao has no need to be on guard against us, because…"
The mirrors suddenly shattered, and Herta and Screwllum elegantly stepped out. Screwllum tipped his hat to Feixiao in a gesture of respect.
"...we were both invited to lend the Astral Express a helping hand."
Celenova's icy gaze fell upon the two uninvited guests as she called out their identities.
"Herta, #83 of the Genius Society, and Screwllum, #76. I never thought the Astral Express would be capable of mobilizing two geniuses to come to their aid at the same time."
Herta held her head high and flicked her hair, speaking with a touch of smugness. "Indeed. Not just anyone can ask for my help. The Astral Express had better compensate me handsomely for this later."
Screwllum, standing beside her, was not nearly as conceited. Even standing before an enemy like Celenova, he maintained his customary etiquette.
"You flatter us, Lady Celenova. The Astral Express is an important ally. If either party requires assistance, the other will certainly extend a helping hand."
"What are you wasting your breath talking to her for, Screwllum? Ganging up on people is my favorite thing to do."
Herta summoned her staff and pointed it at Celenova, raising a taunting eyebrow as she asked, "So, how do you plan to escape? From the three of us…"
"Why should I run?"
Celenova lightly raised a finger. A star-ring manifested beside her, and from its center, a figure gracefully emerged.
"My, my. I didn't expect it to be so dangerous over here."
Asat Pramad stepped out from the star-ring and tipped his hat in greeting to the assembled crowd.
"Asat Pramad, Lord of Annihilation, sends his regards to you all."