"So that means I've received the Arbiter of Life's blessing!"
Qi Tianque excitedly stroked the instrument. Its smooth, cool surface stirred something within him, and he couldn't wait to play it!
Without further ado, Qi Tianque sat back down and played the same piece again.
The music had a gentle tone, and Qingzhu and Wanmeng, listening nearby, felt themselves relax. Xiahou Chan felt it even more clearly: his thoughts became noticeably clearer, and his state of mind grew calmer.
"This instrument! It has a support effect!"
Qingzhu and Wanmeng nodded as well. The instrument did indeed have a support effect, and a significant one at that. If its support ability could affect an Emanator, its usefulness on the battlefield was easy to imagine.
When Qi Tianque finished the piece, he looked up to find the three people around him staring at him with feverish eyes, as though they had found a treasure.
Their stares made Qi Tianque a little uneasy, and he asked in a trembling voice, "Why are you all staring at me l-like that?"
Xiahou Chan stepped forward and enclosed Qi Tianque's hand in both of his large hands.
Qi Tianque jumped, but Xiahou Chan paid his reaction no mind. "Tianque, you have to join our Manifest Existence Army! If you do, you'll be our treasured darling!"
"Uh... am I really that amazing?"
Qi Tianque pulled one hand free and scratched his head. The other three all nodded at once. Amazing hardly began to describe him; he was defying the heavens.
A weapon blessed by Ayinai, paired with the newly awakened Tuning talent of Qi Tianque's Halovian race, was a perfect match.
"Hehe, in that case, how about we form a little group? We can call it the Four Existences Atop Nihility. What do you think?"
Qingzhu made the suggestion with a grin. Qi Tianque was a good boy who didn't like to dampen anyone's spirits, especially when it was Sister Qingzhu.
"I don't mind. I agree with whatever Sister Qingzhu decides."
"I don't care what it's called. A rough old man like me couldn't think of a name anyway."
"How childish. But since Big Brother Xiahou and Little Brother Tianque agree, I'll join too."
Wanmeng pursed her lips. Four people who existed above Nihility and suppressed it? It sounded rather good.
"Yay! I hereby announce that, as of now, the Xianzhou Daiyu's star team, the Four Existences Atop Nihility, is officially formed!"
Qingzhu shouted at the top of her voice. Wanmeng pressed a hand to her forehead helplessly. "Are you planning to make your debut? A star team? Daiyu has no such tradition."
Time always passed quickly. Qi Tianque received his formal attire the next day, and he looked exceptionally elegant when he put it on. New Year's Eve was three days away, and the four often gathered at Qi Tianque's home to rehearse over those three days.
Since Qingzhu and Xiahou Chan were on the judging panel, they wouldn't be performing. Joining them was Yao Gao, the Cauldron Master of the Alchemy Commission from before.
The Anvil Master of the Artisanship Commission, on the other hand, never showed up. It wasn't that the little old man didn't want to come, but because of the nature of the Artisanship Commission's work. Although the other commissions were on holiday, the Artisanship Commission couldn't stop.
After all, the energy furnace that powered the Xianzhou was in the Artisanship Commission. If the commission stopped operating, the Xianzhou's thrusters would stop too.
"Mommy, I want this!"
A little girl fluttered her ear feathers and pointed at a skewer of candied hawthorns. The gentle woman had just taken out her wallet when the man took down a skewer and put it in the girl's hand.
The little girl fluttered her ear feathers, delighted. The man smiled and said, "This is the first New Year's Eve since the Xianzhou was rebuilt. I'm not charging today; I just want everyone to have a good time."
The woman didn't refuse. She put her wallet away and bent down to thank him. To the people of Daiyu, celebrating their first New Year's Eve after crawling out of despair, gratitude was far more precious than money.
The man smiled and rubbed the little girl's head. She fluttered her ear feathers happily and skipped away with the woman. After a couple of steps, she turned back and thanked the man with a smile.
The man smiled and waved in response, then looked up at the sky, his eyes full of hope for the future.
"Hurry, hurry! I heard Lady Wanmeng is performing today!"
"Really? Wasn't Lady Wanmeng not going to take part?"
"Don't be stupid. It's been so many years since the Xianzhou was rebuilt, but has it ever celebrated New Year's Eve in all that time? This is the first New Year's Eve since the reconstruction. As the Divination Commission's Master Diviner, Lady Wanmeng would naturally be there."
"Huh? Then why isn't Lord Anvil Master showing up?"
"...Do you want the Xianzhou to stop and drift around the universe?"
Existence Square
It was an enormous square, built to commemorate the Xianzhou Daiyu's rebirth from the ashes.
At this moment, a huge stage had been set up in the vast square, with several display screens suspended above it.
Tens of thousands of Xianzhou residents stood before the stage, watching the big screens in eager anticipation. A moment later, the stage lit up. On a raised platform to one side sat Qingzhu, Xiahou Chan, and Yao Gao. A white robe was draped over an empty seat.
"My, my. I've lived for so many years, and this is the first time I've seen that girl Wanmeng perform onstage. How did you persuade her?"
Qingzhu and Xiahou Chan exchanged a glance and smiled. "It was simple. Because of the Arbiter of Life."
Yao Gao looked puzzled. Xiahou Chan leaned close to his ear and quietly explained the reason, and realization dawned on Yao Gao's face.
"I see. That makes sense. Even I am now a loyal believer in the Arbiter of Life, so it's no surprise that Wanmeng is too."
Yao Gao stroked his beard as he spoke. It couldn't be helped. How could they not believe in and love an Aeon who was beautiful, powerful, and so partial to them?
"Hm? Because of me?"
Ayinai suddenly appeared behind them. All three were startled and quickly stood up to bow respectfully.
Ayinai waved a hand. She didn't care about such formalities. The Xianzhou Daiyu could give her a reason to exist and put her will into practice across the universe, and she had always been tolerant of them.
"This robe, is it hers?"
Ayinai picked up the white robe and asked. Qingzhu nodded. As Wanmeng's close friend, she knew the robe all too well.
"Yes. This is Wanmeng's favorite robe. She said she likes this style."
Ayinai looked at the robe in her hands, rested one hand on her chin, and asked, "Would you mind if I made a few modifications to it?"
Delight immediately showed on Qingzhu's face. "Of course not! She'd be overjoyed. You don't know this, Lady Arbiter of Life, but Wanmeng is a devoted fan of yours. She has lots of figurines and portraits of you at home, and even many recordings of your appearances!"
Ayinai fell silent. A moment later, she responded with a smile and held the robe in both hands. It gradually floated up, green stripes slowly appearing on the pure white fabric and golden tassels along its edges.
Before long, an exquisite, elegant robe appeared before them.
"I'll tell her what this robe does after the performance. For now, let's watch."
With that, Ayinai plopped down in Wanmeng's chair. Qingzhu glanced at the chair beneath Ayinai and thought, Looks like Wanmeng's collection is going to gain another item.