Chapter 151

He voiced his initial guess, a conclusion drawn from various strange coincidences and his understanding of the woman before him.

This is perfectly reasonable; otherwise, it's impossible to explain why a clever woman capable of deceiving everyone under the Matrix of Prescience would make the foolish mistake of forgetting to clean up the residual Spirit Whisper energy in the air. Moreover, her lack of resistance, her smile... everything seems too illogical.

"That's right, Bai Jun, the reason you were able to catch me is because I wanted to be caught by you." That's what the script says, nothing more.

Kafka acknowledged Bai Jun's guess and affirmed his insight.

"What's the reason?"

"The reason is... it's for you."

When faced with Bai Jun's question, Kafka only gave a seemingly joking answer.

Chapter 187 Become a Hero

A sudden, unspoken silence descended, and the fiery colors of the sunset adorned the dim magic circle like patches of blood.

Deeply shocked, Bai Jun wondered if he had misheard, while trying his best to figure out the meaning behind this incredible statement.

Before Kafka spoke, he had considered many possibilities.

However, who could have predicted that her so-called goal was herself?

This was utterly absurd. Driven by this emotion, his curiosity began to stir. Bai Jun temporarily put aside his confusion and surprise and, facing Kafka who was still watching him, blurted out the doubts that had been lurking in his heart for a long time.

"You mean... the Stellaron Hunters' actions were for me? What about the last time at the space station? Your target wasn't me, was it? And why did you stuff the Stellaron into Xing's body? What is Xing's origin? And most importantly—why did the Stellaron Hunters come to Luofu?"

"This operation was indeed for you," that's what the "script" says. As for the Herta Space Station incident, the situation is a bit more complicated..."

Kafka smiled and nodded in agreement. Bai Jun, slightly annoyed by her riddle-like behavior, urged, "Then tell me what the 'script' is about first."

"Please be patient. I will tell you everything I know, since that's the purpose of our conversation. But before I tell you, let me explain the situation regarding the space station in chronological order."

Her gentle purple eyes narrowed slightly, and a smile curved her lips as she spoke eloquently.

The operation at the Herta Space Station was also orchestrated by Elio's "script." Stellaron Hunters named "Sam" infiltrated the space station beforehand to provide support from both inside and outside. At the same time, other Stellaron Hunters used Giant Sting and the Destruction Legion to harass and create chaos within the space station, taking the opportunity to break through the station's layers of barriers and infiltrate it.

"To be honest, before the mission even started, Elio suddenly changed the script. He decided to have Sam and Blade join the operation on a whim. At first, Silver Wolf and I didn't know Elio's plan, but after meeting you, we suddenly understood... If Elio hadn't let Sam join, I'm afraid none of us would have been able to escape from the space station safely."

Recalling Bai Jun's terrifying strength, which could only be described as a natural disaster, even in the current situation, Kafka couldn't help but smile bitterly.

They implanted the Stellaron into the body of a girl named Hoshi who was in a deep sleep. As for why they implanted the Stellaron into Hoshi's body, according to Kafka, it was to awaken the sleeping Hoshi.

"I understand the reason for the space station... So, the next question is entirely of my own personal nature: Who exactly is Xing?"

"Oh my, this is a bit unexpected, Bai Jun. I didn't realize that Stelle seemed to hold such an important place in your heart. As that child's guardian, may I ask what your feelings for her are? Lust, protectiveness, possessiveness... which do you lean towards more?"

"Stop talking nonsense. I'm just saying this from a friend's perspective. Xing has always felt lost and in pain because of her past. But you, you abandoned that amnesiac child in an unfamiliar place. As her guardian, don't you feel even a little bit of heartache for that child?"

Bai Jun knew that the gray-haired girl, who was usually expressionless, had always felt lost. This was also the reason why Bai Jun suggested that she go to the Astral Express. Even though she liked to cling to Bai Jun still preferred that she pursue her past and accomplish what she truly wanted to accomplish, so as to avoid the pain of confusion and bewilderment.

"..."

Bai Jun's words seemed to have taken Kafka by surprise. Her malicious smile gradually faded, and a hint of melancholy appeared on her delicate and pretty face. Then she slowly spoke:

"Of course I feel sorry for that child. She was my former companion, a good child whom everyone can trust... But her fate shouldn't be limited to the ranks of Stellaron Hunters. The Astral Express, or rather, the Nameless, is the most suitable place for her. Even from the perspective of a guardian, isn't the Nameless, who is respected, better than a wanted criminal wandering the world?"

Upon hearing Kafka's explanation that the origin of the star was related to the Stellaron, Bai Jun visibly frowned, while Kafka calmly continued speaking:

"Our goal at the time was simply to awaken her. If you insist on tracing the origins and history of the stars, I'm afraid I can't explain it clearly. Perhaps only Elio himself could explain it to you. But knowing your personality, Elio's way of speaking would drive you crazy, you know?"

This is not an exaggeration; Elio's riddle-solving ability is truly that severe. Even if he only wants to say "I'm hungry and want to eat," he will ramble on and on about a bunch of incomprehensible things before that... Just listening to him makes your head spin.

Bai Jun, who had been listening silently, also gave a sigh that sounded like a reply. Although he had sensed that the gray-haired girl's background was unusual the moment he came into contact with her, it now seemed that the "truth" involved was far more profound than he had imagined.

However—on the bright side, Bai Jun finally learned the truth about the Stellaron Hunters' sudden attack on the Herta Space Station, and now there's only one thing left to do.

"So, Kafka, now comes the crucial part. You chose to attack me, and then deliberately exposed your weaknesses so I could catch you. What was your purpose?"

"Ah, that's true, it's already this time without us even realizing it."

Bai Jun made this request to the woman in front of him, but Kafka did not respond. Instead, she looked up at the setting sun that was about to sink below the horizon. As if she felt that the time was almost up, she suddenly laughed, and her cherry-colored lips curved into a strange smile.

She spread her hands and confessed with a smile:

"There's no particular purpose to it. Our goal here is simply to confuse the situation. That's why I sent Blade to attack you, and I deliberately left behind energy fluctuations from the Spirit Whisper. This was to mislead the Divination Bureau and the Shence Mansion into believing that the Stellaron Chaos was caused by the Stellaron Hunters, thus causing their investigation to go astray. The purpose was to prevent you from immediately searching for the Stellaron hidden in Luofu."

"What did you say...?"

"Sounds absurd, doesn't it? Well, that's why the answer is so interesting: the Stellaron Hunters appeared here, Blade was arrested, and I was lured into this 'Matrix of Prescience,' all to draw your—everyone's attention to the Stellaron Hunters."

"Wait, you just said... focus everyone's attention on the Stellaron Hunters?"

Bai Jun's lips moved automatically to utter the word.

His expression was quite serious; he was terrified by Kafka's answer and broke out in a cold sweat.

Suddenly, Bai Jun felt that all the fragments were connected, but they were not yet fully formed.

He noticed; something must have been overlooked.

The Stellaron Hunters will do everything in their power to conceal their actions, a mission they are determined to complete even if it means becoming prisoners...

--Is it for the Stellaron?

No, no, no, the word that Bai Jun was told by the divine revelation from his first intuition was "calamity." Luofu was about to face a great calamity, a disaster that would have serious consequences if he was not careful.

This was both a wild imagination and Bai Jun's intuition; this vague sense of foreboding constantly tormented him.

"You mean, everything you've done is just to cover up some unknown truth?"

"Absolutely correct."

"I really don't understand what you bunch of lunatics are thinking," Bai Jun cursed, a rare occurrence for him, but Kafka simply responded with a shameless smile, "Thanks for the compliment."

"... Kafka, this is the last question."

As the sun set, the area outside the magic circle became chaotic and noisy with numerous footsteps and shouts.

Bai Jun was unaware of the turmoil happening outside, his attention remaining focused on Kafka in front of him. However, he also had a vague sense of foreboding, so he narrowed his azure eyes and asked a question in a low voice.

Tell me, what exactly is this thing that's about to happen?

The sound disappeared from the magic circle.

Under Bai Jun's silent observation, Kafka... grinned.

She curled her lips into a crescent shape.

"Have no idea."

"..."

"Elio didn't tell me what would happen in Luofu, he just told us to do everything we could to delay you and prevent you from realizing the truth—for example, my rambling just now was actually part of the plan, you know?"

She wasn't lying.

Although they weren't lying, they were unwilling to tell the truth.

It sounds more like saying, "Use your own eyes to confirm."

Kafka narrowed her purple eyes, the same color as her hair, and smiled broadly as if genuinely pleased, gazing at Bai Jun.

Bai Jun became expressionless and remained silent for a while.

"Since you no longer need to stall for time, that means 'that fact' is about to happen, right?"

"You're very perceptive. Yes, the time Elio agreed upon has arrived, and 'that fact' is about to come, isn't it?"

Suddenly, Bai Jun noticed the light coming from the setting sun.

The afterglow of the setting sun came into his view, causing Bai Jun, who was sitting in the chair, to squint.

Within the dark red light.

Kafka, still with her back to the setting sun, slightly raised the corners of her mouth and smiled at him.

"What is the purpose of everything you've done?"

"Didn't I tell you already? Everything we did was for you. How about that? Isn't it surprising? The infamous Stellaron Hunters did so much, all to pave the way for a stranger—who would have thought this would happen?"

A smile spread across Kafka's face.

Kafka leaned closer to look at Bai Jun's face with genuine pleasure, while Bai Jun continued to press her, "What do you want from me?"

Why don't you take a guess first?

Kafka was clearly just teasing him, not intending to tell Bai Jun her true intentions; she was just going around in circles for fun.

"Is this my 'Sun'?"

However, Bai Jun revealed the truth that Kafka had been hiding all this time.

"You already know that I possess the rudimentary form of Aeon's Path, and that I can gradually become a true Aeon as my power grows, right?"

Bai Jun had already sensed it. The moment Kafka said, "It's all for you," he vaguely guessed that Kafka's true intention was the "Sun" within him. The reason was simple: the Stellaron Hunters had witnessed his true power.

To put it more bluntly, apart from the "Sun" and that unpredictable system, Bai Jun seems to have no other noteworthy value.

As Bai Jun finished speaking, Kafka's smile vanished.

"I remember just praising your keen insight, didn't I? It's true, you truly possess an astonishing level of insight."

She shrugged as if discouraged, surrendering herself to her purest feelings, indirectly acknowledging Bai Jun's words without giving a direct response.

"Actually, I'm very curious, what exactly is your purpose in seizing the power of the Aeon?"

It seemed to leak from between his lips.

By the time Bai Jun realized it, he had already asked the question.

Who knows?

And then, just like it is now.

Kafka simply gave a dismissive answer.

"Perhaps, it's just to witness the rise of the 'Sun'?"

Bai Jun opened his mouth, but before he could speak, Kafka had already turned to look at the distant Luofu under the afterglow of the setting sun.

"Oh dear, it looks like there's finally some movement."

At this moment, a sudden change occurred—

A terrifying, piercing scream, reminiscent of an amniotic sac bursting forth like a baby's cry, suddenly rang out directly above Luofu.

The shrill sound seemed to contain some kind of curse, and even Bai Jun felt a momentary unease.

Immediately afterwards, an increasingly pronounced tremor came from beneath their feet, and the entire Luofu was shrouded in a shaking that shook the heavens and the earth.

"What's going on... What happened!?"

Outside the magic circle, in the chaotic courtyard of the Divination Bureau, countless diviners fainted one after another. Even those who were lucky enough to survive were dizzy and disoriented from the earlier cry, collapsing to their knees and vomiting uncontrollably. Faced with the terrible and chaotic scene before them, the stunned diviner couldn't help but shout out, becoming the catalyst for breaking the silence.

Roars and screams filled the central courtyard of the Divination Bureau. Bai Jun's face was serious, and he immediately turned to leave the magic circle.

"Wait a minute, Bai Jun, I have one last thing to tell you."

Kafka's voice softly sounded from behind; the situation was serious, and Bai Jun had initially intended to ignore it...

"Elio didn't tell me the crucial information. The future is full of possibilities, and knowing the right thing at the wrong time could render all our long-term efforts futile. Regarding the future, I can only tell you one thing—"

These words made Bai Jun stop in his tracks and turn back again.

A familiar smile spread across her gentle face.

"These terrible times need 'hope' more than ever."

In Bai Jun's vision, her figure seemed to overlap with that of the elegant mechanical gentleman.

"Like a campfire deep in a dense forest, a solitary stone sword points to the stars. The Cancer of All Worlds all realms is spreading, causing all kinds of calamities. Even the unobservable Aeon are constantly undergoing changes and perishing. The world is in chaos. Not only me, but everyone seems to be witnessing the birth of a miracle, the changing of an era called 'hope.'"

These words appeared in Bai Jun's mind, but they only made Bai Jun hesitate for a moment before he took another step.

"Become heroes of the Xianzhou, 'Sun,' and don't let our efforts go to waste."

Watching Bai Jun disappear from sight, Kafka's murmurs dissipated in the dim magic circle with the wind.

Chapter 188 The Great Cataclysm

Amidst that terrifying cry that resounded through the heavens and earth and contained unknown power, the entire Divination Bureau) instantly descended into chaos.

Upon leaving the magic circle, Bai Jun arrived at the central courtyard of the Divination Bureau and found it in complete chaos. Some people had fainted on the spot, and even the diviners who remained conscious were screaming incessantly. The scene was utterly chaotic. The air was filled not with harmonious melodies, but with screams of terror.