"Furthermore, precisely because of the Holy Grail War's influence, the spatial structure around Sun-Moon City was already fragile. Once this spatiotemporal channel formed, its stability far exceeded expectations. I'm afraid... it won't be easily closed in a short period," Herta continued to brief Lu Jingming.
"What are the consequences?" Lu Jingming stared solemnly at the distant chaotic channel that continuously swallowed people and ruins, his brows furrowed tightly.
"Consequences? Quite amusing, I say~" Herta's tone was filled with anticipation. "It's possible that nothing at all will happen, and the channel will eventually stabilize or slowly close on its own. But it's also possible that the two worlds, due to this stable channel, will gradually draw closer, or even... begin to merge."
"Think about it: two worlds with alternate-world counterparts. I am very curious to know if they can coexist, or if they will follow some law and eventually converge into a single unique existence? This is an unprecedented research subject."
She was entirely unconcerned about the possible variables that a world merger might bring; pure scientific curiosity had taken the upper hand.
"...Fine, I knew with the Masked Fool involved, there would definitely be surprises." Lu Jingming shook his head helplessly.
Although Sparkle's sudden mischief had disrupted his steps, he didn't feel panic or anger.
Even if the two worlds truly began to merge, what of it? He was confident he possessed enough power to suppress any chaos.
His own strength was growing at an unbelievable rate, and with Jingliu, Acheron, and Herta by his side, what did he have to fear?
Ultimately, everything was still under control.
"But Sparkle, huh..." Lu Jingming narrowed his eyes, looking toward the channel. "Don't let me catch you, or I'll spank your behind until it blooms."
Meanwhile, in the high sky, the fiercely battling Star Roar and Flying Scourge were also forcibly interrupted by this sudden, world-shaking change. They retreated from each other, looking down at the massive energy vortex and chaotic channel that had replaced Sun-Moon City with shock and doubt.
Protected by Phantylia's power, Xu Tianran watched the chaotic black hole, which was swallowing everything, his face as dark as the bottom of a pot.
That gradually stabilizing channel, which still emitted a terrifying suction force, was clearly not something that could be easily eliminated by human power.
This meant that Sun-Moon City—the heart of the Sun-Moon Empire—had been completely and utterly wiped from the map, with no possibility of reconstruction remaining.
The capital of the Sun-Moon Empire would have to be relocated.
"Hahaha, Surprise! A new adventure begins! Have fun, everyone~!"
Sparkle stood at the edge of the energy turbulence, excitedly waving toward the giant chaotic channel. Her figure swayed in the wild gravitational winds, seemingly ready to be sucked into it at any moment to continue her mission of creating chaos in the new world.
It was at this moment that a sharp glint flashed in Vita's eyes.
That stable channel to a parallel world, which she had secretly observed and provided coordinates for, and which Sparkle had personally blown open, was a heaven-sent opportunity for her to break free from Lu Jingming's control and find endless fun in a new realm.
She immediately and silently lowered her energy resistance, preparing to follow the suction force into the channel and fly far away.
But just as her figure slightly moved and was about to transform into a streak of light—
"Tch, always causing trouble."
Lu Jingming, who had been secretly observing her all along, immediately sneered.
He naturally knew that Vita and Sparkle knew each other and were both 'fun-makers'. He absolutely did not believe that such a huge commotion by Sparkle didn't have Vita providing precise coordinates and technical support using her All-Seeing Heavenly Wisdom Eye behind the scenes.
Almost the moment Lu Jingming's voice faded, Istaroth, who had been lazily observing from the side, as if already anticipating this, casually and lightly raised a single finger.
In an instant, the space and time around Vita seemed to be stripped away from this chaotic spatiotemporal field by a higher rule, sinking into a state of absolute, utter stagnation.
The triumphant smile that had just appeared on Vita's face, yet to fully unfurl, instantly froze.
The cunning light flickering in her eyes dimmed, and even her thought process seemed to have been paused.
The Star Tracker, which was also preparing to activate nearby, was forcibly frozen in place by an invisible force, maintaining a posture of trying to rush out, unable to move.
Vita, who tried to slip away amidst the confusion, ultimately failed to escape and was instantly subdued. Her plan was once again ruthlessly extinguished.
Lu Jingming looked at Vita, who was completely bound by Istaroth's power, unable to change even a slight expression.
The authority of Time was currently holding this 'fun-maker' firmly in place.
He gently waved his hand, signaling.
Istaroth nodded slightly, a gleam flashing in her golden eyes, and the solidified oppressive feeling around Vita quietly receded slightly, at least restoring her ability to think and speak. However, her body was still cast in amber, unable to move an inch.
"Miss Vita."
Lu Jingming slowly walked up to her, a seemingly gentle smile on his face.
"How about we make a deal?"
Vita's All-Seeing Heavenly Wisdom Eye, capable of peering into myriad phenomena, subtly rotated. Although her body was restricted, her mind became active at an unprecedented speed.
'A deal? When I'm at an absolute disadvantage, with my life and death solely dependent on his whim?'
She was internally puzzled but didn't show it on her face, only conveying an invitation to continue with her eyes, curious about what this handsome young man was planning.
"Look, you seem very interested in that open spatiotemporal channel, and very much want to go to the parallel world through it, right?" Lu Jingming's tone was relaxed as he pointed toward the spatiotemporal channel in the distance, which was still slowly rotating and emitting suction.
"And I."
His tone shifted, his gaze resting with interest on the sleek, powerful green mecha standing quietly nearby—the Star Tracker.
"I am very interested in this beautiful vehicle of yours."
A flicker of understanding passed through Vita's eyes, and a smile, a mix of mockery and curiosity, lifted uncontrollably at the corner of her mouth.
So, he was after her Star Tracker.
'How... interesting.'
"How about it?" Lu Jingming's tone was casual, as if discussing an insignificant matter. "You hand over the ownership and control of the Star Tracker to me, and in return, I will not only take you through this channel to that parallel world but will also temporarily grant you complete freedom, allowing you to... have your fun in the new world."
He deliberately emphasized 'temporarily' and 'have your fun', hinting that the freedom was not indefinite, but it was tempting enough.
Vita slightly narrowed her eyes, watching Lu Jingming as if scrutinizing prey. She cautiously opened her mouth, her voice carrying her unique cadence.
"Young man, you should know very well that this Star Tracker is not a physical object; its existence is dependent on my concept manifestation. It is a phantom that exists because of me. If I die, or if I simply change my mind, it will disappear. Even if you obtain the so-called ownership, it will be nothing but a reflection in the water, meaningless."
She paused, adding, "I don't think someone with your insight wouldn't understand this."
Lu Jingming was surrounded by several Servants, and he should have some understanding of their essence.
"Hehe..." Lu Jingming let out a light chuckle, a sound filled with indifference and confidence. "You don't need to worry about that, Miss Vita. Since I proposed this deal, I naturally have my own plans and certainty."
To him, who wielded the Authority of Reality, solidifying concepts into existence and elevating the illusory to the real was not an insurmountable difficulty.
Even if the Star Tracker was initially just a phantom projection based on Vita's power, as long as its concept was complete and clear enough, he had the ability to strip it from its dependent state, grant it an independent basis for existence, and turn it into an objectively real creation.
Once the 'realization' was complete, the ownership of the Star Tracker would no longer be subject to Vita's life, death, or will.
Lu Jingming's words, seemingly understated but containing infinite confidence, made Vita's heart leap.
For the first time, she began to truly re-examine the man before her. He seemed to be shrouded in a mist that even her All-Seeing Heavenly Wisdom Eye couldn't entirely penetrate.
"Fascinating..." Vita muttered softly. The power of the constraint around her suddenly retreated like a tide—it wasn't Istaroth deliberately lifting it, but her using some hidden contingency to break free.
She flexed her now-free wrists, crossed her arms, and for the first time regarded Lu Jingming with a near-equal, probing gaze, seriously and meticulously scrutinizing him, as if trying to see him through and through.
"Young man, you truly... never cease to surprise me."
Her tone contained less of the previous teasing and more genuine interest.
"A man with secrets is always particularly good at piquing one's curiosity."
"Oh?" Lu Jingming raised an eyebrow, a knowing, slightly playful smile appearing on his face, and countered with a hint of sarcasm. "I wonder if Miss Vita has heard this saying? Becoming overly curious about a man is often... the first step toward falling for him."
As soon as this half-joking, half-warning statement fell, it instantly touched a nerve in certain people.
Gu Yuena, standing behind and to the side of Lu Jingming, instantly narrowed her amethyst-like eyes. Her icy gaze fell upon Vita like a physical presence, and the faint aura of Dragon Might began to permeate the air.
It wasn't just Gu Yuena; Firefly, who had been silently guarding Lu Jingming's side, also directed her gaze toward Vita.
Even the always gently smiling, seemingly all-forgiving Castorice, a barely noticeable ripple crossed her tranquil eyes. She subtly took half a step forward, unconsciously shortening the distance between herself and Lu Jingming.
The three women, distinct in style but all intimately connected to Lu Jingming, focused their attention on Vita. The air immediately became thick with a subtle, tense, territorial alertness.
Vita took in the reactions of Firefly, Castorice, and Gu Yuena. A cunning glint flashed in her reddish-purple eyes.
Far from showing any fear, she seemed to have found something immensely interesting. The smile on her face became brighter and more playful.
She lightly licked her lips, her gaze shifting between Lu Jingming and the three protective women, her tone becoming increasingly ambiguous and unclear:
"Young man, you really are interesting, aren't you?"
To a 'fun-maker' like her, calm waters were the most boring. The more undercurrents and bubbling jealousy there were, the better the vintage of fun could be brewed.
Seeing the three women act as if they were facing a great enemy, she did not rein herself in; instead, it seemed to provoke a certain malicious amusement, and her 'fun-maker' mindset completely took over.
"Oh dear, young man, your people... seem to care a lot about you~"
Vita deliberately drew out her words, her voice carrying a sticky, almost seductive undertone.
Far from retreating, she took a light step forward, closing the distance between herself and Lu Jingming. This action instantly sharpened the gazes of the three women opposite her.
She raised a slender hand, seemingly just intending to casually brush away non-existent dust from Lu Jingming's shoulder. Her fingertip traced an ambiguous arc in the air, coming close to touching his collar.
This gesture looked unintentional, but it was full of provocative meaning, every detail stimulating the nerves of the onlookers.
"It seems it's not very easy to chat about the details of the deal with you alone, is it, young man?"
She tilted her head slightly, a few strands of gray hair falling loose. Her gaze flowed like water, sliding over Lu Jingming's face, then she glanced innocently at the cold-faced Gu Yuena, the visibly agitated Firefly, and the Castorice, whose smile was becoming somewhat strained.
"Sisters, no need to be so nervous~ I'm just discussing something serious with your man."
She deliberately emphasized 'your' and 'serious matter,' the teasing and suggestive undertone in her voice practically overflowing.
Gu Yuena snorted coldly, faint silver dragon shadows vaguely appearing around her body, and the elements in the air began to churn. She forcibly suppressed the urge to strike this enchantress directly, only squeezing a few words through her teeth: "Stay away from him."
Although Firefly didn't speak, the sheath of her wings transformation device slightly trembled, as if she were seconds away from transforming into Sam and igniting the Sea of Stars.
Her eyes were locked on Vita's finger, which was almost touching Lu Jingming, and her breathing quickened slightly.
The gentle smile on Castorice's face was nearly impossible to maintain. She quietly took a breath, her voice still soft but carrying an undeniable firmness: "Miss Vita, please mind your manners. A-Ming doesn't like overly frivolous actions."
Facing the almost materialized hostility from the three women, Vita only smiled even more brightly, as if she enjoyed the feeling of dancing on a knife's edge.
Far from being intimidated, she grew bolder, leaning almost half her body toward Lu Jingming. She whispered into his ear, her warm breath only audible to the two of them:
"Young man, see how much they care about you~ It's truly enviable, but..."
Her tone abruptly shifted, laced with temptation.
"Compared to being protected like this, wouldn't you rather experience a more... exciting adventure? For example, going to that parallel world with me and leaving these little tails behind?"
Her words and actions, every cell of her being, embodied the definition of adding fuel to the fire.
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