Chapter 569: At a Loss
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Inside the vault, Heguang and Xiaonuo had been urgently recalled.
Xiao Ai had now pinpointed Ye Qinghan's location. However, the two were currently too close to the Authority. Xiao Ai possessed no means of attack that could be executed while ensuring the safety of the two young ladies.
If the two young ladies could be safely removed, capturing the Authority—now stripped of its vessel—would pose no difficulty for Xiao Ai.
However, under the Authority's shroud, there was currently no way to contact Ye Qinghan.
Gazing at the golden sand table formed by flowing light, Xiao Ai had scrutinized the area near the crimson marker several times.
"Lord Gu Ai, if we intervene from another dimension and use the positioning anchor point to interfere, perhaps…"
Amber's words were cut short by a dismissive wave from Heguang: "Impossible. That bastard's authority has completely enveloped half of the Eastern Domain. Any spatial intrusion would be detected instantly!"
Sister Hui added, "That bastard seems to have used some sort of 'possession' ability to find a vessel for autonomous action. While unable to wield the full power of the Authority itself, investigations indicate that body can still exert combat capabilities rivaling those of a Godslayer King-level being."
"And unlike Lord Gu Ai, who holds back when using her power, that bastard doesn't care about this body at all. If it gets damaged, she'll probably just find a new one to keep fighting us!"
Xiao Ai nodded, but still sighed.
"Correction: not 'on par with' the Godslayer King. Based on Xiao Ai's observations, that guy can wield at least fifty percent of his authority—far surpassing even the Sovereign of the Gods. Even I, when driving spatial authority, can only control less than ten percent of my power at present."
The thirteen Valkyries, along with commanders of combat units, squad leaders, and key personnel, were all gathered in the chamber, passing around the few documents detailing information about divine authority.
The massive throne stood as a mere formality. With no seats available, everyone stood in a circle around the golden sand table at the hall's center, each voicing their opinions.
Those with ideas offered suggestions. For unsolvable problems or uncertainties, the responsible personnel stepped forward to explain.
For instance, Amber's impractical plan was swiftly dismissed as unfeasible by those tasked with its execution, necessitating an alternative approach.
"Lord Gu Ai, perhaps we should shift our focus from rescue to suppression. Taking the offensive might offer a better chance of saving the two young ladies."
Xiao Ai remained silent, for Amber had already voiced her thoughts: "Elaborate further. Regarding suppression—do you have a specific plan? I believe that if we could secure five seconds, Lady Gu Ai could wield her spatial authority to forcibly extract the two young ladies from that dimension."
Xiao Ai offered no opinion on the logistics officer's suggestion, letting them discuss while she sat alone off to the side. Yes, even with a throne available, she rarely sat on it—it simply wasn't comfortable.
"Not even a single second would be easy. Last time, that thing hadn't fully awakened yet. Only by combining the efforts of the Honorable One and several Godslaying Kings could we suppress it, creating an opening for Lady Gu Ai!"
Though termed suppression, it was essentially a stalling tactic—forcing the opponent to divert power to maintain defenses, thereby lifting spatial constraints and creating an opening for Xiao Ai.
"You seek to suppress the Authority? That is the mightiest force within the rules—the primal power itself, unrestrained and uncontrollable. Don't you know that?"
With only fifty percent of its power, this would be another brutal battle…
How many lives would be lost this time?
Who would it be?
Xiao Ai glanced at the group beside her, their heated discussion bordering on a physical fight, and could only offer a helpless, bitter smile…
Several hours passed, yet the group remained utterly stumped. Neither technically nor in terms of manpower could they achieve a breakthrough in that bastard's suppression range.
Though termed a suppression range, it resembled a cultivator's spiritual sense detection field—only vastly more potent and acute. It could be described as the pinnacle of spiritual perception, an innate ability of the divine.
Currently, it only covered the Eastern Realm. Xiao Ai speculated this was likely because it hadn't detected any threats. According to the investigation reports from Zhanlong and the Disaster Investigator, that authority now seemed to possess a rudimentary spiritual awareness, as if it were attempting to comprehend the world.
The eldest and second young ladies likely stumbled upon it by accident, though neither was aware of the impending danger.
Once that Authority senses danger, its suppression range will instantly expand tens of thousands of times, capable of enveloping the entire world in an instant and activating its defenses.
Just like the "descent" Dongfang Jue once encountered—the mere arrival of a deity is a sight no mortal can bear to witness.
At that moment, this realm would face true annihilation.
Compared to the previous descent, Xiao Ai predicted that even with only fifty percent of the Authority's power, its position alone could obliterate the entire Eastern Domain plus half of the Southern Domain. After all, this Authority was now fully awake!
Its power would likely be multiplied several times over compared to when it had just awakened!
Even the two young ladies would be torn apart in an instant, utterly annihilated with no chance of revival. Even if Su City possessed some life-saving elixir, who would be left to administer it?
"The meeting is adjourned. Amber, come with me."
Amber visibly startled at the command, but recovered in an instant. She bowed slightly. "Yes."
Half an incense stick later, in Xiao Ai's room on the second floor of the mansion.
"Master, Amber wants to try that one!" The gold-rimmed glasses lay on the table beside them, making Amber's small face look slightly awkward. Xiao Ai, accustomed to seeing Amber in glasses, felt a bit unsettled at the moment.
"Hmm. We're similar in build. If Amber likes it, she can pick anything she wants today."
"Hehe, thank you, Mistress!" Amber beamed, as if the scheming that had just been swirling around her ears moments ago had never existed.
This ease and cheerfulness actually made Amber feel a bit awkward. Still, she pretended to be oblivious, grinning as she picked out one of Xiao Ai's treasured battle robes from her wardrobe. She copied it into her battle armor, causing it to manifest as a formal gown.
This felt no different than a sudden promotion. After all, Xiao Ai had never once allowed anyone else to wear these dresses that had earned her master's praise!
Even styles she'd worn herself were off-limits for other Valkyries!
But today was different. Xiao Ai was being unusually generous, and Amber certainly wasn't going to be polite about it!
They'd known each other for centuries. Xiao Ai had met Amber before she met Su Cheng. In fact, if Su Cheng hadn't captured Amber, Xiao Ai wouldn't have wanted to know Su Cheng at all, let alone achieve the feat of passing three trials and slaying twelve generals.
"Keep it in your mouth. The rules of the Executioner's Blade—you know them." As she spoke, Xiao Ai pushed a treasure chest, seemingly shrunken, from the other side of the table toward Amber.
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