Following behind Master Gongshu, the pacing of the story noticeably slowed down. Along the way, Master Gongshu, like a mischievous old man, kept bantering with Caelus and March 7th. After intermittent walking and occasional skirmishes, the group finally arrived at the massive furnace Master Gongshu had mentioned.
In the scene, enormous roots enveloped a furnace. When the group approached, they unexpectedly discovered a flower bud.
"Careful! That thing is changing..." Welt Yang noticed unusual movement. He raised his hand to stop March 7th and Caelus from advancing further and summoned his cane.
Just then, the camera shook inexplicably, causing the unprepared group to stumble. Fortunately, their agile reflexes allowed them to steady themselves.
The flower bud at the roots bloomed as brilliantly as fireworks, and from it emerged a giant deer. Its body was a mix of purple and cyan, with antlers adorned with floral patterns. It took two steps forward, shaking off golden powder from its body.
In the next moment, it leaped and landed right in front of the group.
Caelus locked eyes with it before belatedly pulling out his baseball bat.
"What in the... what kind of monster is this?" Master Gongshu, a mere mortal, yelled as he pulled Tingyun back with him.
The camera focused on Tingyun. As Gongshu Liang dragged her back, she slowly retreated, but her other hand unconsciously reached toward the giant deer, her eyes filled with admiration.
"Truly a divine miracle, creating life with ease. Such power... it's incredible..."
[It's not that I don't like Tingyun, but something's clearly off here—she's obviously suspicious.]
[Tingyun's words sound like she worships the Abundance, don't they?]
[I feel like this Tingyun isn't a mole but more like a follower of the Elation, like Sampo.]
[Tingyun is seriously acting strange. I feel like she's about to betray everyone any second now.]
[As mentioned earlier, Foxians only live 300–400 years, while Xianzhou natives live eternally—only those who succumb to mara are considered dead by the Ten-Lords Commission. So, it's understandable if Tingyun feels a bit envious.]
[Yeah, it's understandable. After all, my morals bend with beauty.]
[Am I the only one who thinks the background music here is amazing?]
[Gotta admit, this giant deer's design is pretty cool—well-proportioned and detailed. Too bad the Doomsday Beast and the Engine of Creation from the last two seasons have spoiled us.]
[Yeah, if this Abundance Ebon Deer appeared in some other web series, it'd be mind-blowing. But in Honkai: Star Rail? I'm just like: "Is that all? Who do you think you're fooling?"]
[Let's keep watching. This season's almost over, and there are still so many unresolved questions. I wonder if they'll manage to explain everything in time.]
Tingyun's behavior was suspicious, but the Express trio faced even bigger trouble.
The Ebon Deer stomped its hooves, summoning powerful branches to fight for it. Though the attacks didn't pose much danger to the trio, no matter how fiercely they fought, the deer's vitality never waned—it kept reviving, over and over.
"It heals from any injury… this is ridiculous!" March 7th wiped sweat from her forehead.
Welt Yang pondered for a few seconds. "We'll have to retreat for now. Follow me."
Soon, the Express trio regrouped with Master Gongshu and Tingyun.
"Damn, no wonder the Xianzhou fears the Abundance's abominations—this regenerative ability defies all logic!" March 7th's gaze locked onto Tingyun. "Miss Tingyun, do all Xianzhou's long-life species… have abilities like this?"
"This Ebon Deer was likely a spiritual creature born from the Ambrosial Arbor to guard it, deeply connected to the roots. Most Xianzhou natives don't have such absurd capabilities..."
"Not necessarily. The deer may seem to heal instantly, but the truth might be different. Perhaps it's drawing energy from somewhere else..." Welt Yang glanced toward the deer. "That monster only moves near the Ambrosial Arbor. Let's look around—we might find something."
Under Master Gongshu's guidance, the Express crew discovered many of the Arbor's roots. Gongshu Liang speculated that these widespread roots formed a network—only by cutting off their energy supply could they gain an advantage.
After some effort, most of the roots around the Ebon Deer were cleared. When the group faced it again, its glow had dimmed. Now, the crew was certain: the deer had lost its energy source.
Caelus exchanged glances with March 7th and Welt Yang, then stepped forward with his flaming spear.
Sure enough, without the Arbor's protection, the Ebon Deer was on its last legs.
Just then, golden fruits sprouted from the branches around it.
"It's fruiting? Those are huge peaches… kinda wanna pick one to try." March 7th wiped drool from her mouth.
"March." Welt Yang gave her a stern look.
March 7th got the hint. "No ulterior motives! It'd be a shame to just smash them."
The camera shifted back to Tingyun, who took two steps forward while staring at the fruits, only snapping out of it when Master Gongshu called her back.
[Isn't this basically confirmation? Feels like they're laying it on too thick!]
[Earlier plot mentioned a mole—I bet it's Tingyun.]
[Don't panic, folks. Tingyun's acting weird, but that doesn't necessarily mean she's a traitor. Yingxing from the High-Cloud Quintet directly drew power from the Abundance—was he a villain?]
[Good point. Hope it's a red herring.]
What followed was an impeccably choreographed one-take shot. The camera circled the Ebon Deer counterclockwise, capturing Caelus, March 7th, and Welt Yang unleashing their full power in a relentless assault.
Finally, the deer gathered energy between its antlers and fired a beam straight at March 7th.
Caelus stepped in front of her again, plunging his spear into the ground. An invisible shield materialized, absorbing all the damage.
"Wow, that move was awesome!" March 7th gave a thumbs-up.
But the Ebon Deer swayed, exhausted its remaining energy, and collapsed. Deprived of its power source, it turned to dust, returning to the earth.
With the obstacle cleared, Master Gongshu pointed the group toward a shortcut to the Alchemy Commission. He would stay behind to open the Artisanship Commission's gates and handle the remaining issues.
From their conversation, he also revealed that the furnace entwined by the Arbor was a tool to seal the "Yaoshi's Embers."
[Yaoshi's Embers? This thing's been mentioned a few times, right?]
[In the High-Cloud Quintet movie, Baiheng's debut mentioned it, then Yingxing's sealing referenced it. Finally, netizens speculated that Baiheng's suicide attack involved holding a black sun—also Yaoshi's Embers.]
[So it seems these embers are significant. They can possess people, right? And the Ten-Lords Commission sounds like the Ten Yama Kings—definitely waiting for more lore.]
The Express crew bid farewell to Master Gongshu and pressed forward with Tingyun.
But then—
Tingyun gave Caelus a meaningful look. Understanding, Caelus deliberately slowed his pace.
March 7th and Welt Yang led the way, while Caelus and Tingyun lingered a few steps behind.
"Tingyun, do you have other intel?" Caelus asked first.
Tingyun smiled disarmingly. "Benefactor, I'll take that as a joke. Speaking of which, you saw it earlier, didn't you? When the Ebon Deer stomped, vines sprouted from the ground."
"The Arbor's roots?"
"The Abundance's miracles are truly extraordinary. In all my travels across the stars, this is the first time I've witnessed something so divine.
"I noticed the golden fruits on those branches—just like in Xianzhou's myths.
"Legend says that in ancient times, the Xianzhou's ancestors became long-life species after eating the Arbor's immortal fruits.
"If I ate one, I wonder if I could gain infinite life like the Xianzhou people…
"Benefactor, doesn't such an opportunity tempt you?"
Caelus side-eyed her. "Miss Tingyun, wouldn't that violate the Xianzhou's laws?"
"Aiya~" Tingyun's coquettish voice was like a refreshing summer breeze, sending shivers down the audience's spines.
Unfortunately, Caelus was a straight arrow, his face stern as if he might say something blunt at any moment.
"Forgive my rudeness just now—I was merely testing you." Tingyun sounded apologetic.
"As I thought, Benefactor is an honest and righteous soul. I understand your stance now.
"Pity the Ebon Deer turned to ash, and the Arbor's fruits vanished without a trace.
"Such a rare opportunity, gone in an instant… much like life itself."
"..." Caelus didn't reply. He strode ahead to catch up with March 7th and Welt Yang.
Soon, the group reached the Alchemy Commission's vicinity.
But as soon as they entered, they saw corpses strewn across the ground.
March 7th gasped. "The fighting was brutal…
"Good thing the general didn't make us join the Cloud Knights… War and adventure are nothing alike. All these bodies… I—I can't handle this."
Tingyun comforted her. "Benefactor, this is hardly a scene worth noting…
"Centuries ago, an Abundance Emanator invaded the Luofu to seize the Arbor, nearly destroying half the ship and leaving the Cloud Knights decimated. Compared to that, this is child's play."
"Wow, that's not comforting at all!"
[Such a tragic history, yet she recounts it like a boast.]
[Tingyun's tone makes her sound like a detached observer.]
[Sure, Foxians are naturally charming and great at acting cute—I'm melting at every "Benefactor"—but this disregard for life feels off.]
[So if you don't like Tingyun, can I take her?]
[Back off! Tingyun's mine!]
[Hehe, March 7th's mine. Hehe, and so is Sushang.]
[This doesn't feel like miHoYo—they're usually so good at writing female characters!]
Continuing down the path, they spotted a man and a woman.
"Here! There are survivors…" March 7th moved to approach, but Caelus grabbed her wrist.
The woman, dressed as a medic, stood up slowly, her eyes filled with confusion.
"Huh? You're not Cloud Knights… What are you doing here? It's dangerous."
Welt Yang stepped forward, shielding the other three.
"We're reinforcements requested by the general. Where is everyone else?"
"Ha ha ha!" The woman burst into laughter.
"To think he'd bring short-life species as reinforcements… Heh, Jing Yuan must be truly desperate."
Her blatantly suspicious words immediately put the group on guard.
The injured Cloud Knight struggled to lift his head, shouting hoarsely:
"Run! She's… Disciples of Sanctus Medicus!"
The woman glared at him. "Such a loudmouth. If I heal you, you'll join us too."
Then, with a deranged smile:
"So… you won't let them escape, will you?"
The Cloud Knight clutched his abdomen, sensing violent turmoil within.
"Get… away… I can't control myself!!!"
Agony twisted his voice into a scream. He succumbed to mara.
The woman murmured, "Short-life species' existences are fleeting. Why rush to your deaths?"
She floated into the air, leaves swirling around her as she revealed her true form—a Disciples of Sanctus Medicus Qi Manipulator.
Welt Yang slammed his cane down.
"Don't hesitate. Take her down!"
March 7th and Caelus understood—his words weren't for the enemy but for them.
"Let's go!"
The scene shattered like glass as battle erupted.
Then, text flashed across the screen:
"Friendly reminder: Only one episode left in Season 3."