Seeing that the contract had been drawn up, the family head let out a long breath. The Higgs Purifying Tree-now that was big business.
If managed properly, it could even multiply the family's assets several times over.
"Ahem, well, Helmsman Qingzhu."
The family head rubbed his hands together like a fly, his face full of obsequiousness. When the Xianzhou first entered the Itasumai Star System, he had sensed two Emanator-level presences. If Xianzhou Daiyu had been saved by Ayinai of Existence,
then its people had most likely embarked on the Path of Existence, and those two Emanator presences were very likely Emanators of Existence, who had never appeared before!
"Hmm? Go ahead, family head. As a business partner, I can answer a few nonconfidential questions."
Qingzhu wore a serene smile. She could more or less guess what he wanted to ask. Of course, it wasn't something that had to be kept secret.
"Well... since your side follows Existence, those two presences when you entered the Itasumai Star System..."
"Yes."
Qingzhu nodded calmly in reply, leaving him utterly shocked! Though he had anticipated it, he was still stunned to hear her confirm it!
Emanators of Existence had never appeared in the thousands of years since Ayinai of Existence descended! And now two had appeared at once!
"I am the first Emanator of the Arbiter of True Existence, and General Youding here is the second. We sail the sea of stars to put Existence's ideals into practice.
"I know of the shared connection of Harmony, so... please keep our existence a secret."
As a force of Existence hidden in the shadows, she reckoned she wouldn't even be doing business with other factions if not for the need to establish connections across the cosmos in the future.
"All right, of course. Rest assured, Helmsman Qingzhu, the Family will keep this secret until your side reveals itself to the wider universe."
Qingzhu nodded. She liked doing business with smart people like him; it was a pleasure.
"If you have no other plans at present, you're welcome to spend some time enjoying yourselves within the Family's territory. The Family will cover all your expenses during your stay."
Qingzhu was ready to agree on the spot. Though the Xianzhou was now a new Xianzhou with more recreational activities and the like, foreign sights were still quite appealing.
The members of the welcoming delegation standing behind Qingzhu also looked on expectantly. Everyone cast a discreet glance at Ayinai, who stood between the two groups.
Ayinai was puzzled to see the people of Daiyu looking at her. If they want to go have fun, why don't they just go? Why are they looking at me? But if she didn't say anything, it seemed they really wouldn't make a decision.
"Go on. Relax a little."
Ayinai transmitted her voice to Qingzhu, whose eyes flashed with excitement. Qingzhu then cleared her throat and said, "In that case, we would be happy to accept. Surely a star system this large won't mind a few extra people from our little Xianzhou."
"Of course not, of course not."
The family head led the way toward the ship they had arrived on, with Qingzhu following behind him. Xiahou Chan also wanted to follow, but Ayinai transmitted a message telling him to stay.
And so, under Xiahou Chan's envious gaze, Ayinai led the welcoming delegation aboard the ship.
Only after the ship had departed did Xiahou Chan sigh regretfully. He wanted to relax too! But the goddess Ayinai had spoken, so he would stay.
"The Xianzhou cannot be without a decision-maker. Besides, as a general, holding the position you do, you must naturally put the Xianzhou's safety first."
Ayinai's words brought Xiahou Chan back to his senses. That was right. He was the Xianzhou's general. Protecting the Xianzhou was the Manifest Existence Army's duty, and leading the Manifest Existence Army was his.
"Rest assured, Arbiter of Life. With me and the soldiers of the Manifest Existence Army here, the Xianzhou will never be in danger!"
"Good."
With that, Ayinai stepped through the air toward the Jade Gate. Xiahou Chan stared, then asked, "Lady Arbiter of Life, where are you going?"
Ayinai looked back, a sly glint in her eyes. "Me? I'm going to have fun, of course. As for the Xianzhou's safety, I'll leave that to my most trusted general and soldiers."
She gave him a playful wink, then vanished. The soldiers stood there in a daze, and only ten minutes after Ayinai had left did they recover from what they had just seen.
Ayinai's words and actions echoed in the soldiers' minds.
Had the goddess Ayinai just said she trusted them the most?!
A moment later, thunderous cheers of excitement erupted, and the scene descended into utter chaos.
After the excitement came a surge of pride and responsibility.
"Brothers, boys, Lady Arbiter of Life trusts us so much. We can't let her down! From now on, stop and inspect even a single fly! No suspicious objects are to be allowed onto the Xianzhou! Understood?!"
"Understood!"
Their answer rang out like thunder. Ayinai's actions had also been broadcast throughout the Xianzhou by the reporters nearby, whose cameras had already been set up.
Excited shouts then rang out across the Xianzhou all day long. This was recognition from the Aeon they worshipped! It was a singular honor!
Though the Arbiter of True Existence seemed a little too human, that only made them like her more!
Xianzhou Daiyu stayed in the Itasumai Star System for two weeks. During that time, its checkpoint inspections were exceptionally strict, and all incoming goods were cleared only after a special inspection by the Artisanship Commission.
Three days before Daiyu was due to leave, some unexpected visitors appeared outside Xianzhou Daiyu's Jade Gate.
And at that moment, a certain helmsman was still out enjoying herself.
So the task of receiving these visitors fell to Xiahou Chan, a grown man.
Xiahou Chan looked speechlessly at the man before him, who had a halo above his head and feathered ear tufts on either side. Though Xiahou Chan was a military general, he could still recognize who the man was.
He belonged to a branch of the Halovians in the Itasumai Star System. Though it was a branch, its members still had Halovian blood, just not as pure as that of the main line.
"So... you mean your branch wants to leave the Itasumai Star System with Xianzhou Daiyu?"
The man opposite him nodded solemnly. "That's right! The Family is found throughout the Itasumai Star System, and the Halovians in particular have no shortage of members like us. Besides, the family head has given his permission."
Xiahou Chan scratched his head. What's going on here? As an important part of the Family, would they really be allowed to leave so easily by the family head?
Apparently seeing Xiahou Chan's confusion, the man sighed. "Your Excellency, General, to tell you the truth, our branch is not actually well regarded in the Family."
"Hmm? What's that about? Let's hear it."
Xiahou Chan was curious. Halovians who weren't well regarded in the Family? How was that possible? As the highest-ranking race in the Family of Harmony, even a branch shouldn't be treated that way.
"Alas, the truth is that our branch's power carries dissonance. When we use it, it can easily be influenced by outside forces and become disordered and chaotic. That's why our branch isn't well regarded in the Family."
Xiahou Chan understood. No wonder they weren't well regarded. Halovian abilities were inherently tied to control, but this branch's power carried dissonance, making them completely unable to dispel negative effects or control others.
Xiahou Chan was still considering the matter. Though the Xianzhou had much to rebuild and many positions to fill, what if something went wrong after they casually accepted another race?
Just as Xiahou Chan was about to refuse, Ayinai's voice sounded in his mind. "Let them come. I have a way to solve the problem."
Xiahou Chan's eyes lit up. Our almighty goddess Ayinai! She's taking action!
With Ayinai's approval, Xiahou Chan held out his hand to the man and said calmly, "Congratulations. The Arbiter of True Existence has agreed to your request. Welcome to Xianzhou Daiyu."