After Dan Heng parted the sea, under his guidance, the group arrived at the deepest part of the Ambrosial Arbor's roots.
The place was shrouded in mist like a celestial paradise.
Phantylia's ethereal voice blended seamlessly with the surroundings.
"Hmm? Hehe, has the Luofu's general come to visit?"
March 7th looked around while muttering, "That villain! She's really waiting for us here. Come out, Phantylia!"
"Oh? Has my 'Benefactor' arrived as well? Do not rush me, dear guests. This humble maiden has yet to finish her preparations." Phantylia's teasing voice echoed through the space.
"No wonder the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus believe themselves superior… The Ambrosial Arbor's miracle truly holds the power of creation and rebirth."
Ahead of the group, an unusual lotus bloomed, a deliberate clue left by Phantylia.
Jing Yuan stepped forward, shielding the others.
"Everyone, stay vigilant."
He then turned to Dan Heng.
"Dan Heng, I leave my back to you."
"Understood."
His gaze swept over the rest of the Astral Express crew.
"Do not act rashly!"
At that moment, Phantylia's impatient voice rang out nearby.
"Which little troublemaker was calling for me earlier? Why so quiet now?"
March 7th gritted her teeth. "How infuriating!"
After exchanging nods, the group advanced together.
Golden flames rose with the lotus, coalescing into the towering figure of a woman—beautiful, elegant, dignified, embodying the grace of classical Eastern art.
She was the Emanator of Destruction—Phantylia.
Using the Ambrosial Arbor's power, Phantylia had forged herself a new body, sustained by an endless supply of energy like the Abundant Ebon Deer.
Resting her cheek on one hand with effortless poise, she fanned herself lightly with the other.
"Behold, honored guests… this exquisite vessel. The Abundance's miracle lives up to its name.
Let us see what she can do.
Very well—with this power that grants the Xianzhou immortality, I shall bring you… Destruction!"
With that, two golden lotuses bloomed around her.
"Phantylia has harnessed the Ambrosial Arbor's power. Everyone, focus on destroying the phantom lotuses—I will strike her directly."
Jing Yuan summoned his weapon, 'Dreams of the Beyond'.
"Do not hold back!"
The Astral Express crew readied their weapons.
[Damn, Phantylia's kinda hot though?]
[What kinda filming tech did they use for this?]
[Wait, why isn't Phantylia moving? Another stationary boss?]
[She's linked to the Arbor—probably has limited mobility.]
[Anyone know Phantylia's face model? I'm simping!]
[Boss fight time! Let's see what gimmicks they've cooked up this time.]
"Hah!"
Caelus, wielding his blazing lance, charged ahead.
"Lance… BURN!"
In an instant, he closed the distance, locking eyes with Phantylia—who responded with a mesmerizing smile.
Yet her grin only intensified the flames around Caelus, forming a blazing barrier around her.
Seizing the opportunity, the others launched a fierce assault on the golden lotuses.
Phantylia chuckled. "How presumptuous, to think you could damage this body born of the Arbor.
To Phantylia, you are but insects."
With a flick of her fan, a gale-force wind scattered Caelus' flames and sent the group reeling.
"W-whoa! That's some wind!" March 7th stumbled back but was steadied by Welt Yang.
"Careful, March!"
Phantylia wasn't done. With a gesture, vines erupted from the ground, aiming to ensnare Jing Yuan.
"Try escaping this cage."
Jing Yuan cleaved through the vines effortlessly. "Pathetic tendrils. A single strike is enough."
"Brave words."
Though the Express crew hadn't gained ground, neither had Phantylia. Raising her right hand, she summoned the authority of Destruction.
"To crush insects… nothing suits better than a falling star."
Debris coalesced midair into a massive meteor, crashing down—until Welt stepped forward, slamming his cane.
"Star of Eden: False Black Hole—SHRED IT!"
BOOM!
The shockwave rattled the entire space. Viewers were stunned—since when could Welt crush meteors bare-handed?
[Holy SFX! Welt's a freaking badass!]
[Did he just counter a Planet-Buster?]
[The man handcrafts black holes. Peak chad energy.]
[This cinematography is NEXT LEVEL.]
As the dust settled, Phantylia's form darkened to violet—her power growing.
"All things in the cosmos end in Destruction—even Abundance and The Hunt.
General of the Luofu… can your pitiful strength withstand this calamity?"
Vines and lotuses surged toward Jing Yuan while the crew struggled with the rest.
Though Jing Yuan blocked with his blade, the force drove him back.
"Overconfident, aren't you, Phantylia?"
Suddenly, the music swelled.
Dan Heng, poised atop a lotus, finally made his move.
Wielding the Pearl of Reclusion, he channeled the Vidyadhara's power—a mighty water dragon struck Phantylia's body.
She grunted. "Oh? The 'Dragon Heir' of Long? Here to fulfill your duty as the Arbor's guardian?"
Jing Yuan smirked at her disheveled state.
"Phantylia, though you see us as insects…
To struggle so evenly with mere ants, you must be the Emanator of Destruction's greatest embarrassment."
"Does the General wish to meet the others? Alas… you'll have no chance."
Phantylia's form ignited in golden flames.
['Struggle evenly'?]
[Never lose the trash-talk game!]
[Jing Yuan activated Taunt—Phantylia's malding!]
[She's tilted! TILTED!]
[Three outfit changes in one fight? Final form's lowkey gorgeous.]
[Earlier she seemed seated—now she's standing?]
[Even cosmic entities fall for Provoke.]
Phantylia slammed her fist into the ground, fissures erupting with flames.
Yet the crew pressed on under Dan Heng's cover—all except Jing Yuan, standing motionless.
The camera zoomed in as golden lightning wreathed his body.
Raising his right hand, a tempest erupted—the sheer force palpable even through screens.
Jing Yuan hovered midair, 'Dreams of the Beyond' materializing in his grip alongside floating golden scrolls.
Then—
A colossal golden warrior emerged, majestic as the first appearance of the Doomsday Beast.
Jing Yuan's eyes snapped open.
"Enough of these stale tricks!"
With a horizontal slash, his Divine Foresight mirrored the motion.
"Radiant spirit, heed my word."
"Show no mercy!"