The Woman with Her Own BGM Is Here!

The star skiff's stability and safety systems meant that falling from it would not kill them.

But they would be thrown into a daze. How could they possibly resist the Abundant Doses' abominations then?

Tingyun had naturally thought of this as well. She realized that this time, they were likely facing certain doom.

Who would have thought that Abundant Doses could send an Inner Core Master, along with those abominations, onto their merchant ship right under the Sky-Faring Commission's nose?

And no one had detected anything wrong before departure.

Tingyun could not understand it. Their business trip was not carrying anything valuable, nor did it involve any confidential mission. The matter simply required tedious handling, which was why she had made the trip personally.

Was it worth Abundant Doses going to such lengths?

She could not figure it out, but now was not the time to ponder the reasons. Tingyun looked at her dispirited colleagues, drew a deep breath, and then called out loudly:

"Everyone—before this journey, I had a reading done at the Divination Department. Though the omen did not promise smooth sailing, it did say that misfortune could be turned to fortune. Prepare for the impact first. There may yet be a sliver of hope."

"What? Really?!"

"Brothers, we have to hold on!"

Tingyun's words naturally lifted everyone's spirits. Yet as she watched her colleagues regain their resolve, her gaze darkened where no one could see it.

She really had gotten a reading before this trip, but it had only been from an ordinary diviner. The omen had foretold smooth sailing.

Who could have anticipated this?

But everyone had suffered a crushing blow. If she did not give them something encouraging, then they truly would have no chance.

But could they really hold out until the guards arrived?

A merchant group was, after all, just a merchant group, not a military organization. Even if everyone could handle a weapon or two and they had brought guards, they still could not compare to the Cloud Knights.

Not to mention that even ordinary Cloud Knights could not take down an Inner Core Master of Abundant Doses.

Sitting in her chair with her protective gear secured, Tingyun clenched the fan in her hand and lowered her head, thinking of a way out.

The massive star skiff fell from the sky.

As it tore through dense clouds, flames from its friction with the air turned it into a giant fireball.

Fragments of the star skiff and all kinds of cargo continuously scattered through the air amid the flames.

Above those falling fireballs—

Lin Shuang and Acheron descended against the wind. The two had simply opened the spacecraft hatch and leaped out.

The ship was being pulled along by its docking procedures. Leaving the flight path without authorization would cause trouble afterward, whereas jumping out directly was much more convenient.

Besides, they had already entered the atmosphere. This height was no problem for Acheron, and Lin Shuang was not worried about being killed by the fall with the explosive force of her flames.

The two did their best to reduce air resistance as they closed in on the falling star skiff.

Lin Shuang glanced toward the Starport. They had clearly discovered what was happening here, but their response was far from swift.

Only when the star skiff was about to crash did those rescue ships barely manage to take off.

According to Acheron's explanation—

As a massive transit Starport, this port planet had been jointly developed by multiple factions, with all parties holding shares.

When it came to business and profit, they fought until their heads bled. But when trouble arose, they mostly just wanted to keep their hands clean.

After all, the route where this planet was located was a popular transit hub. Its geographical position ensured a constant flow of ships.

Those people had grown accustomed to making money while lying down. By now, they had long since lost any good reputation.

And if a Xianzhou star skiff merely suffered an accident, as long as it did not explode on the spot, the people inside would generally not die. A delayed rescue would not be a major problem.

But if criminals were attacking it... the Xianzhou's enemies were the Denizens of Abundance, a bunch of lunatics.

Those people probably did not want to provoke the Denizens of Abundance either.

Looking at those ships, Lin Shuang guessed they had decided not to commit fully to the rescue until the dust had settled.

But if the Xianzhou held them accountable afterward, they could still claim that they had dispatched rescue teams.

Whether those teams could actually save anyone was another matter.

After all, the ship had not officially entered port, and the problem had originated inside the star skiff. Strictly speaking, they were not the primary party responsible.

Lin Shuang had nothing to say about that behavior. Makeshift operations existed everywhere, and the interstellar age would only make them worse. She had expected as much.

Very soon—

The star skiff crashed like a massive meteor into a desolate valley. Countless fragments sprayed in every direction amid a deafening roar and shockwave.

The earth groaned, and cliffs collapsed one after another. The surface of the star skiff was smashed beyond recognition.

But if one looked carefully through the flames, one could see that aside from the massive cracks caused by the explosion, the star skiff itself showed no signs of damage from the fall.

Most of those fragments had come from items inside the star skiff.

Facing the raging flames without the slightest fear, Lin Shuang dragged a trail of fire behind her and plunged headfirst into a crack in the star skiff.

Acheron followed behind her with a helpless smile. Her descending figure was incomparably graceful as she followed her in.

The Woman with Her Own BGM Has Arrived!

The instant she landed, Lin Shuang unleashed a huge burst of flame beneath herself. The heatwave and impact of the fire slowed her descent.

Then, in a classic superhero landing, she crashed straight into the star skiff.

As the flames dispersed, her casual clothes had become white armor, while the trailing fabric behind her flickered with tiny sparks.

The moment she landed, she could see that the compartment meant to store cargo had become a complete mess.

Nearly all the cargo had been thrown out of the star skiff during the fall.

Amid that wreckage, several low growls and the sound of animal footsteps echoed through the dark cabin.

"Roar..."

Lin Shuang flicked her right hand. Amid rising flames, a crimson greatsword manifested from the Core Flame.

Familiar music began to play leisurely.

As the firelight illuminated the cabin, Lin Shuang saw two Abundance spirit beasts lurking in the cargo hold: Kui Mu and Lou Jin.

And crew members lying unconscious on the ground, likely already dead.

"Roar—!"

As the flames lit up the compartment, the two canine monsters lowered their heads to avoid the light, then immediately howled and charged at Lin Shuang!

The two monsters attacked from both sides at once. Seeing this, Lin Shuang took a step forward, shooting toward Lou Jin on the left like a crimson meteor.

Her sudden burst of speed far surpassed the two Abundance abominations, instantly shattering their attempt to flank her.

Lou Jin immediately lowered its head and charged, driving the blade atop its head toward Lin Shuang.

But faced with such a clumsy attack, Lin Shuang lightly tapped her foot. As if dancing along to the music, she balanced on one leg and spun sideways.

The flaming greatsword followed the motion of her body, carving a scorching arc through the air before—BOOM!

It slammed diagonally into the canine Abundance abomination's vulnerable waist.

"Awroo—!!"

The sharp blade cut through Lou Jin's skin, and violent flames instantly engulfed the monster's body.

The tremendous force smashed it viciously into the floor, the lingering impact even shattering the sturdy deck.

That single strike nearly cleaved Lou Jin in two.

Just as Lin Shuang was about to finish it off with another blow, a foul wind swept in from the side.

The other Abundance abomination, Kui Mu, had silently attacked from the opposite side! Its claws and fangs lunged straight for Lin Shuang's head and throat.

Yet Lin Shuang did not panic. She gripped the greatsword in her right hand, used it as the center of her motion, twisted her waist, spun, and raised her leg—

Bang—!

A beautiful side kick, trailing flames stretched nearly taut, slammed viciously into Kui Mu's chest.

Its burly body was kicked flying, traveling even faster than it had come. In an instant, it crashed heavily into the surrounding wall.

Lin Shuang landed lightly after the kick, then pulled up her greatsword and drove it forcefully into Lou Jin's head!

Surging flames instantly turned its head to charcoal, completely ending the Abundance abomination's life.

After finishing off the other Kui Mu with another sword strike, Lin Shuang merely waved to Acheron before running toward the warehouse door.

Acheron, who had not intended to act in the first place, merely smiled and followed at a leisurely pace.

Lin Shuang led the way forward.

As a cargo ship, the star skiff's layout was not complicated, and route signs were posted along the walls.

Thus, Lin Shuang quickly found the way to the cockpit.

Even before getting close, Lin Shuang heard the sounds of fighting at the end of the passage. She immediately quickened her pace and rushed over.

Meanwhile—

Inside the star skiff's cockpit.

Tingyun gripped her fan and, with her colleagues' help, struck a Thick Clouds Golden Cicada hard on the head, knocking it back.

"Miss Tingyun, this is bad. Why have they even gained control of the Crafting Division's creations?"

A colleague kicked a Lantern Day Dragonfish away, his expression filled with unease.

Just then, Abundant Doses' assault weakened slightly, and a figure emerged from behind the group.

"Abundant Doses truly has impressive methods. This humble woman admires you."

Tingyun suddenly stopped moving. Covering her face with her folding fan, she looked toward the Abundant Doses Inner Core Master approaching them.

The Inner Core Master wore armor similar to that of the Cloud Knights, but branches and golden leaves characteristic of the Scythe of Annihilation grew from his body.

With one hand behind his back, the Inner Core Master made an inviting gesture with the other.

"Hahaha, Miss Tingyun, Abundant Doses merely wishes to invite you to accompany us to a secret place. Would Miss Tingyun honor us with your presence?"

Tingyun smiled as she gently fanned herself, but her eyes were cold as frost.

"Oh my, this humble woman is merely a merchant with no strength to truss a chicken. To receive such grand treatment from Abundant Doses truly leaves me overwhelmed. Why don't we all sit down and have a proper talk?"

Abundant Doses looked as though victory was already in their grasp. They even had the leisure to stall with her.

Though Tingyun was puzzled, she was happy to delay. Whether it meant waiting for rescue or giving her colleagues more time to catch their breath, it was all beneficial.

For some reason, the Inner Core Master was in no rush either, even as Tingyun remained standing still.

He merely waved his hand, and the people of Abundant Doses suddenly erupted into action. The merchant group's members were already wounded, and the situation began to tip in Abundant Doses' favor.

"They say Miss Tingyun of the Sky-Faring Commission is smooth in every direction, clever of heart and sharp of tongue. Now it seems you simply do not know when to accept a favor."

The Abundant Doses Inner Core Master did not personally attack. He continued directing his subordinates to besiege the merchant group's members.

Tingyun alone was not facing any particularly great danger.

The Inner Core Master watched Tingyun stubbornly resist, considering when it would be most appropriate to capture her.

This mission specifically required Tingyun to be captured alive and taken away as intact as possible.

Otherwise, he would have acted long ago. Why waste time here?

Just then—

From deep within the passage connected to the cockpit came a melodious chant:

"Life blooms like a flower"

"far away or by the road"

The singing drew closer, accompanied by waves of heat surging out from the passage.

"Who is that?"

The sudden song stunned not only the people of Abundant Doses, but Tingyun and the others as well.