【"It is recklessness and hesitation that push the world into the dead mist, not suspended divinity."】

【Facing Aglaea's words, Mydei only gave a cold snort and did not answer directly.】

—

Zenless Zone Zero.

"Twisted and hideous, loss of reason, annihilation of humanity, turning into bloodless and tearless beasts... Big brother, it sounds like the phenomenon after being eroded by Ether Erosion inside a hollow." Belle spoke while stealthily reaching her hand into Wise's potato chip bag.

"Hmm, the Black Tide is indeed very similar to hollows. If the experience of managing hollows can be used in Amphoreus, then eliminating powerful biological individuals in the Black Tide could also alleviate the spread of the Black Tide to some extent." Wise lightly tapped Belle's wrist, and the sister's hand slickly retracted after grabbing a handful of chips.

"Prompt: Master, the experience of managing hollows is not universal. Eliminating high-risk Ethereals in a hollow can reduce its activity, but this experience cannot be applied to the management of the Black Tide. Reason: Current data on the Black Tide is extremely scarce and insufficient to support such a conclusion."

Fairy's voice timely interrupted the siblings' imagination, undoubtedly pouring a bucket of cold water over their heads to make them calm down. Although understanding the cause of hollows is important, one shouldn't immediately associate every similar disaster in other worlds with hollows.

Just in terms of its Erosion to the human body, the Black Tide is hundreds or thousands of times higher than hollows. Among humans, there are still those with Ether-adaptive constitutions to temporarily resist the threat of hollows, but even Nautiluss find it difficult to withstand the Black Tide.

"Belle, Aglaea mentioned something just now. The Black Tide descended upon this world along with the Three Titans of Calamity. Could the Three Nautiluss be the culprits behind the Black Tide's outbreak? Like a child who accidentally breaks a water jar with a stone—no matter how hard the child tries to block the breach with their hands, they still can't stop the water from leaking away bit by bit." Wise speculated.

"...That's a very novel conjecture, big brother. Then what do you think the 'water jar' in your mind would be?"

"Hmm, I think... it should be that giant sphere carried by Kephale." Wise's brow furrowed. "If Aglaea could allow Stelle and the others to investigate Kephale's divine body, they might find some obscure truths."

—

【"Black Tide..." After returning to his room, Dan Heng repeatedly chewed on the word, falling into deep thought. "Indescribable, unknown source... What do these keywords remind you of when combined?"】

【"Stellaron?"】

【"Exactly, that is one possibility. Think back to the characteristics of Amphoreus—a world plunged into eternal night, isolated from the rest of the universe, and encountering encroachment by an unknown power... I was concerned before; various signs indicate that Amphoreus is by no means a world that has never had contact with the universe. Whether it's the birth of the Nautiluss or the arrival of the Black Tide... they are difficult to explain with the natural development of civilization."】

【Dan Heng analyzed seriously: "Its current isolation must have another hidden story. However, if the reason was only the Cancer of All Worlds... some direct or indirect signs have yet to be confirmed."】

【"Stellaron Hunters?"】

【Dan Heng nodded: "We're thinking the same thing. Based on experience, in any world with a Stellaron, the Stellaron Hunters will surely appear. Not only that, but there are other unresolved points of doubt. My intuition tells me it might not be that simple... The history of Penacony also proves that a world's appearance is not necessarily the result of a single Path's influence."】

【"This is probably a sort of all-star cast, too."】

【Dan Heng sighed softly: "It's Penacony in another sense. Things have come to this, so let's just see how it goes. Just treat the Black Tide as an breakthrough point. Since Nicadori has fallen, the forces suppressed by him will surely begin to strike back..."】

【"It seems... our Trailblaze journey's significance has become increasingly major."】

—

Aotu World.

"That's right, the Stellaron Hunters haven't actually appeared in Amphoreus. Could it be..." Peli slapped his thigh hard. "...Ha! I get it! That boss of the Stellaron Hunters named Eli-whatever must have overlooked it!"

"It's Elio." Kamil corrected coldly. "Also, Peli, don't imagine that the leader of an organization spanning the galaxy would make such a low-level mistake."

"Hey, what's impossible? Kamil, you always think others are too smart. Look, even Geniuses forget to close the door; nothing is impossible. Isn't the outside of Amphoreus wrapped in a layer of egg-shell-like chaotic matter? Maybe Elio didn't notice it at all?"

Peli talked incessantly while excitedly biting into a sizzling and oily leg of lamb. "...I'm actually looking forward to Amphoreus having a Stellaron. If it does, the Flame-Chase Journey would be much simpler!"

"Kamil, do you think the Black Tide in Amphoreus is because of a Stellaron?" Ray asked expressionlessly.

"Big brother, I think... there's about a fifty or sixty percent chance." Kamil lowered his head in thought. "If it were a Stellaron, things like the Voice of the Stellaron and the Stellaron Hunters might appear, but the current situation is that neither has. What I'm truly worried about is the appearance of an Emanator like Phantylia, where someone is using a Stellaron behind the scenes to strengthen their own abilities... After all, none of the three 'Emanator-level' entities that might appear in Amphoreus have truly shown themselves yet."

"Hmm..." Now even Ray's expression darkened.

Among the Emanators who have appeared, the power of several could directly affect them through the Celestial Screen. Ray wasn't afraid of a particular Emanator suddenly launching an attack; after all, after going through the 'baptism' of Emanators like Phantylia, Acheron, and Dominicus, he already had a certain understanding of an Emanator's power.

But what truly concerned him were the positions of the three Emanators. Having each stepped onto a completely different Path, they would inevitably have disagreements and disputes. If the three Emanators were to launch an attack together, turning Amphoreus into a battlefield for their rivalry...

Ray couldn't imagine what kind of scene that would be; perhaps even the Aotu Tournament would be forced to stop. Although the last Order's Dream caused the competition to fall into a long period of stagnation, at least it was still operating. This time, would they be as lucky as Penacony?

—

【Meanwhile, on the other side of the Cloudstone Celestial Palace.】

【"Don't worry, Little Di. This isn't the first time this has happened. A long time ago..."】

【Tribbie was about to comfort Mydei, only to see him cross his arms over his chest and turn his head away with a cold snort: "I'm not worried about him."】

【"Oh... okay. But you're being a bit silent."】

【Mydei turned and offered his apologies: "...My apologies, I shouldn't have been so rude. That man will make it through; I know it in my heart."】