I'm Good at Dealing with Leaders

"But it really was scary! My poor little heart can't take that much excitement..." March 7th patted her chest and let out several breaths.

"Why does the Xianzhou hate Yaoshi so much?" Looking at Yaoshi's adorable face, Stelle couldn't quite relate to March 7th's reaction.

"You can't blame Little March. Stelle, you don't know much about the grudges in the Universe. Just understand that the Xianzhou and Yaoshi are locked in a struggle that won't end until one side is dead, and even we could get caught up in it." Welt adjusted his glasses.

"Don't worry, everyone. If we're discovered, just pretend you were deceived. I promise you'll all come out safe and sound."

"No way. Abandoning a companion isn't something this girl would ever do..." March 7th shook her head repeatedly. "We'll just stick to our story that Yaoshi is a Pathstrider of Abundance."

Welt nodded in agreement. "Little March is right. After all, no one would believe that Yaoshi had boarded the Astral Express and even... become someone's wife."

"If the world makes enemies of you, then the world is our enemy." Stelle struck a dashing pose.

"Everyone... boo-hoo, I'll definitely get my wife to bless you all..."

How could Zhang Xiu not be moved by this scene? Still, hoping to lighten the mood with a little joking, he covered his eyes with his arm and wiped away his tears.

"Let's... not, okay?" March 7th choked and didn't know what else to say.

"Then could she turn me into a trash can? One made of branches." Stelle wasn't nearly as opposed.

"All right, let's discuss what we're going to do next..." Welt interrupted their antics.

"We need to go to the Palace of Astrum to meet Miss Yukong and express the Astral Express Crew's goodwill."

Hearing an opportunity to stir up trouble, Zhang Xiu immediately volunteered. "I'm good at dealing with leaders. Leave it to me."

But when March 7th heard that he intended to unleash his heavy-handed methods again, her brows knitted together. "No, no, no! Absolutely not! The two of us already give Welt enough headaches. If you add to the chaos, we'll really be in trouble."

"Come on, I only did that last time because I knew Cocolia had been bewitched by the Stellaron. Miss Yukong hasn't." Zhang Xiu rubbed the back of his head as he defended himself.

"Speaking of which, you can sense Stellarons. Do you know where this one is now?" Welt picked up on that point.

"I can, but just as you said earlier, Welt, the Xianzhou's crisis isn't the Stellaron." Zhang Xiu shook his head. "My people joined the Xianzhou a little while ago, so there's no need to worry about the losses here."

"Your... people?" Stelle blinked.

"That's right. We didn't have any special name before. We were just humans. But now that we've joined the Xianzhou, we have a name to distinguish ourselves: Skydeep."

"Skydeep... After so many years, the Xianzhou has actually accepted another race?" Welt was deeply puzzled.

The addition of an outside population was troublesome for any power. After all, it meant a host of destabilizing factors.

Noticing his confusion, Yaoshi explained, "The Skydeep stand among the highest of the Universe's myriad peoples. My husband feared that his people might use their martial strength to defy the law, so he counseled them to come to the Xianzhou."

"The Xianzhou likely accepted them out of concern that they might otherwise endanger the Universe."

"Huh? Are they really that strong? Then how strong are you compared to the rest of your people, Zhang Xiu?" March 7th's eyes brimmed with curiosity.

"My husband's blessing is a special one, bestowed by my own hand. After setting foot upon [Preservation] in Belobog, he should rank among the very highest." Yaoshi's lips curved, pride showing on her face.

"That's right. My wife fell in love with me at first sight and gave me the biggest fruit." Zhang Xiu looked just as proud.

"What a sickeningly sweet couple..." March 7th complained again.

Welt's expression softened at the sight. "It does make me miss the days I spent with my wife. All right, there's no time to lose. Let's go."

The five of them headed toward the Palace of Astrum. Just then, Stelle received a message on her phone. It was a probing message from Tingyun-or rather, Phantylia.

Hearing the sound, Zhang Xiu glanced at Stelle as she took out her phone, then turned his attention back to the path ahead.

As one of the foremost powers in the Universe, the Xianzhou boasted magnificent architecture. Even the patterns on its stone pillars and steps were almost excessively intricate.

Buildings rose in overlapping layers, predominantly vermilion, blue-green, and plain white. Framed by the floating clouds around them, they resembled the abodes of immortals.

If not for the neon lights on a few buildings, first-time visitors might have thought they had entered an immortal paradise.

To avoid drawing attention, however, Zhang Xiu had deliberately put on a wooden mask. His people were still here, after all, and being recognized as he had been earlier would be troublesome.

As for Yaoshi? Not only had she now taken the form of a little girl barely over 1.3 meters tall, she had also made her cheeks round and plump. Even if she walked around in her original form, probably no one would recognize her.

Back in Aurum Alley, even Li Ge and Chen Chang'an wouldn't have recognized her if not for Zhang Xiu.

Meanwhile, people along the street were talking among themselves, and the subject was the Skydeep.

"Damn, you should've seen it! That new Cloud Knight cut down three people who'd succumbed to mara with a single stroke."

"They're the Skydeep, right? I even heard that, by their standards, he's only just reached adulthood."

"I really don't know what the Marshal was thinking, letting such a dangerous race into the Xianzhou. I heard some of them even worship Yaoshi."

"Hey, are you stupid? If we don't accept them and they become Abominations of Abundance, harming all living beings, wouldn't that be trouble? How many more of us would die fighting them then?"

"You're right. I don't want my son facing them. They're ridiculous..."

Every remark spoke of the residents' rejection of them. But that was only natural. These people had been living perfectly well, and suddenly having to accept new neighbors was bound to take some getting used to.

"Are they really that ridiculous? Zhang Xiu, it's a miracle that your people worship Yaoshi and still got accepted by the Xianzhou..."

"That's because they genuinely understand my wife's ideals. Besides, the Xianzhou is actually pretty tolerant of the Denizens of Abundance. They won't stop Medicine Seekers they encounter, either."

"And leaving us to our own devices wouldn't be a great idea, so that's how it turned out." Zhang Xiu waved a hand.

"All right, we're here." He stopped and glanced at Phantylia, who was waiting for them in the distance, then gave a quiet chuckle and walked over.

"Oh? You've arrived quite early, benefactors." Phantylia smiled with narrowed eyes. "Sorry for the wait. Madam Yukong is awaiting you inside the Palace of Astrum."

Seeing that Phantylia didn't intend to move, March 7th blinked. "Huh? You're not coming?"

"I've already reported your circumstances to Madam Yukong, so I won't be going in~"

"Come on, come on. Maybe we'll hear some Xianzhou secrets in there and sell them for money. Hehe~" Zhang Xiu joked as he stepped onto the stairs.

"Hey, you can't just joke about that!" March 7th hurried after him with a troubled expression.

Welt sighed at the sight. "Just leave the upcoming conversation to me... Stelle, remember to keep Zhang Xiu in check."

"Leave it to me, Welt." Stelle patted her chest, then gave him a thumbs-up.