Chapter 124.2: Is Miss Tingyun a mole? There's no need for that!
「 "Taking advantage of the Abundant Ebon Deer's weakened state, everyone intensified their offensive. After striking it down again, the Abundant Ebon Deer finally did not revive this time. Instead, its body transformed into countless ginkgo leaves, dissipating into the heavens and earth."
"General Jing Yuan said that the Ambrosial Arbor is an incredible Xianzhou unfathomable celestial blessing..." Welt sighed with emotion, "At first glance, that deer could have been an ordinary life form, but the ability to heal such grave wounds in an instant... I think I finally understand why the Xianzhou decided to follow The 『 Hunt 』 in eradicating The 『 Abundance 』."
"If immortal creations were left to spread their branches and roots throughout the universe, entire ecosystems would collapse—"
"You are a man of vision, Mr. Yang. It's a pity that eight thousand years ago, our ancestors, as the Elixir Seekers, could not foresee the hidden dangers behind this."
Master Gongshu sighed, "Perhaps some of them did reject the Plagues Author's 'gift.' But how could an entire civilization resist the temptation of immortality?"
"Ironic, isn't it? The wise are buried while the fools remain immortal..."
"The Xianzhou regrets being led astray by the Abundance... That's why they have decided to embark on the Path of the 『 Hunt 』. Maybe it's not too late for redemption."
After a period of sighing, Master Gongshu once again expressed gratitude to the Astral Express crew and promised to lead them to the entrance of the Alchemy Commission's grotto-heaven.
However, before setting off, Tingyun suddenly sent her a message.
Tingyun: Speaking of which, benefactor, you saw it just now, didn't you? When that Ebon Deer stomped its foot, branches and vines grew out of thin air from the ground.
Stelle: That thing, it must be... the roots of the Ambrosial Arbor, right?
Tingyun: The celestial traces of Abundance are indeed marvelous to behold. This is the first time I've seen something so miraculous among all my travels. The fruits on those boughs are sparkling gold, just like what the Xianzhou legends say. It is said that in ancient times, the forebears of the Xianzhou received immortal fruits like those of the Ambrosial Arbor and turned into long-lived species.
Tingyun: If this humble maiden were to eat the fruit, I wonder if I could have endless life just like the Xianzhou natives...?
Tingyun: Are you not tempted by such a chance, benefactor? 」
「 .....」
〜Frieren: Beyond Journey's End World〜
"Eh, eh, eh??? Miss Tingyun... IT MIGHT BE THE DISCIPLES OF SANCTUS MEDICUS!!"
Stark's expression was one of extreme pain. If Tingyun were with the 『 Abundance 』, it meant she would ultimately stand against Stelle.
He really didn't want to see such a lovely fox lady leave the stage!
"To think that Miss Tingyun was personally appointed by the General... I have to say, the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus do have some skill. No wonder they could lie dormant in Xianzhou for a thousand years without being discovered."
Frieren paused briefly,
"From Tingyun's words, it seems she wants to induce Stelle to swallow the fruit. But this is in Xianzhou; even if she takes the fruit, the General wouldn't just sit by, would he?"
"I say, Frieren-san, is there a possibility..."
Stark suddenly leaned closer to everyone, speaking in a serious tone,
"Actually, this is the General's arrangement. He already discovered Tingyun's true identity and was just waiting for her to reveal her true colors by Stelle's side?"
"I don't think that's very likely..."
Frieren stroked her chin,
"From our perspective, we only just learned of Tingyun's intentions. Even the General doesn't have the ability to probe people's hearts, does he?"
"Moreover, placing a member of the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus by Stelle's side is too dangerous. What if Stelle really listened to Tingyun and ate the fruit?"
This hypothesis wouldn't apply to March 7th, Dan Heng, or Welt, but given Stelle's unpredictable way of thinking... Frieren genuinely believed she might go through with it.
She didn't doubt that Stelle might harbor a longing for eternal life. If she really ate the Ambrosial Arbor Divine Fruit, it would probably only be out of curiosity about what the fruit tasted like...
—
「 Stelle: Of course, I'm tempted. So... Miss Tingyun, did you... Save one?
Tingyun: If I say yes, would you want to share it with me, benefactor?
Tingyun: However, this humble maiden already understands the benefactor's intentions. It's a pity the Abundant Ebon Deer has turned to dust, so of course, not a single Ambrosial Arbor fruit was left behind. Such opportunities are extremely rare, but they slip away in the blink of an eye. Just like life itself...
Stelle looked up at Tingyun, and the fox-eared girl beside her seemed to understand, returning an equally bright smile. The girl's crimson lips curled slightly, her eyes curving into crescent moons. 」
「 .....」
〜Bleach World〜
"She took the bait."
In a convenience store in Karakura Town, Kisuke Urahara lay on the sofa, pouting.
...With that fox lady's exquisite mind, she shouldn't have bitten Stelle's hook, right?
Yoruichi suddenly couldn't help but laugh,
"Although you think Stelle is playing the long game, I always feel she doesn't have that intention."
"Miss Yoruichi, have you ever fished?"
Kisuke Urahara suddenly asked.
"Fish, fished? Why suddenly ask that?"
Yoruichi thought for about three seconds,
"I did back when I was in the Second Division... What is it related to Stelle?"
"Before fishing, one often scatters bait in the pond to attract nearby fish. This is called 'chumming,' an experience summarized by many fishermen in the Human World."
"In my opinion, Stelle's action is actually the same as chumming. The purpose is to use Miss Tingyun's expression of longing for eternal life to attract more people from the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus."
"...After all, Stelle is a distinguished guest of the General. It would be a pity not to try to win them over."
Kisuke Urahara inexplicably produced a white paper fan, revealing a confident smile as if he had already seen through everything.
"There's that meaning too?"
Yoruichi suddenly narrowed her eyes, showing a cat-like gaze,
"But, Kisuke... is it possible that Tingyun isn't a member of the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus?"
"You haven't forgotten Jing Yuan's words, have you? ...Xianzhou still has another Emanator-level figure; it was that entity that brought the Stellaron to Xianzhou."
—
「 But just then, another person sent her a message. This time it wasn't Tingyun, but Dan Shu, the Alchemist Head of the Alchemy Commission, whom she had contacted earlier.
Dan Shu: Stelle, I have a preliminary understanding of the Draught of Draconic Surge's pharmacology. Come to Synwood Pavilion when you're free to chat?
Why now of all times... Stelle scratched her head, a little conflicted.
The most important thing right now was to rush to the Alchemy Commission to put out the fire, but Draught of Draconic Surge was crucial information concerning the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus, equally urgent.
"Stelle, what's wrong?" Welt also heard Dan Shu's voice message.
Stelle explained the entire backstory of her infiltrating the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus and obtaining the prescription.
"Hmm..." Welt pondered for a moment before saying, "Stelle, you go see Dan Shu first. March and I will go clear the monsters along the way to the Alchemy Commission. We're about to enter the Alchemy Commission, and that Alchemist Head must know some things about the Commission's situation."
The situation at the Alchemy Commission was complex. If Stelle could get some information about the Commission from Dan Shu, that would be quite good. Acting separately wouldn't delay things for too long either.
"Okay, I understand." Stelle nodded, replied to Dan Shu's message, and then quickly rushed to Ruomu Pavilion in Exalting Sanctum. 」
「 .....」