A full hundred Emanators. Even an Aeon THEMSELVES wouldn't do such a thing!
And now, he—a mere foxian—actually had the chance to act on behalf of a god.
What an unbelievable honor this was.
A glorious vision spread uncontrollably through Jiaoqiu's mind as he leaned back in his chair, his unfocused gaze resting on the ceiling.
This thing, for the Xianzhou, could well be called a rebirth of heaven itself. Yet, regrettably, it was so far from his expectations that he couldn't bring himself to feel any joy at all.
Sylvester looked at the fox who had lost his dream, hesitating whether he should really try the 'Three-Views Correction Palm'. Maybe… a good beating really would fix him?
"Shopkeeper Sylvester, tell me—what is the true meaning of a healer's existence?"
This memory bubble hadn't brought Jiaoqiu any comfort. On the contrary, the stronger his medical skill grew, the deeper his confusion became.
Could a stronger Xianzhou… truly avoid death?
It could not...
In the boundless universe, there were always new enemies—turning into towering waves that crashed against the ships of the stars. To ride the wind and waves always came with a price.
Knowing this well, he asked Sylvester about 'meaning'—only to find someone to confide in.
But unexpectedly, Sylvester actually answered him.
"To fulfill."
"Hmm?"
Jiaoqiu had thought he'd hear something like "to save the dying and heal the wounded" or "to let life continue"—those noble, expected words. But to his surprise, it was just these three simple ones.
Fulfill...
"What do you mean by that?" Curiosity stirred within him, easing even his weary body. He sat upright, his eyes shining with hope as he looked at Sylvester.
Though the young man before him had never shown any medical ability, the fact that he could untie General Feixiao's heart knot, and reconcile Jingliu's attitude toward the High-Cloud Quintet, made Jiaoqiu feel a strange and inexplicable trust.
Maybe… he really can untangle my own years-old obsession?
Sylvester thought for a moment, then asked Jiaoqiu a question instead: "I recall that ever since you completed your apprenticeship, you've always served as a military physician, right? Until after the Third War with the Denizens of Abundance, when you retired to the gardens?"
"Yes." Jiaoqiu nodded. "All my years practicing medicine were spent serving as a military physician in the army."
"I thought as much."
Sylvester mused. Jiaoqiu had seen too much life and death in the army, and his obsession with saving others had taken root far too deeply—that was how this fixation was born.
What he saw in the camps was a cycle: he would heal the wounded, send them back to the battlefield, watch them suffer again, and again—until one by one, those once-living faces turned into cold portraits etched onto gravestones.
Over time, even the words "recovery" and "cure" no longer brought joy, but marked the start of another tragedy. Given that, Jiaoqiu's heart was actually quite generous for only forming this small knot.
Sylvester spoke calmly: "Mr. Jiaoqiu, let me ask you another question. You've seen many soldiers—when they march into battle, are they trembling with fear, or embracing death with open arms?"
"Of course they embrace death!" Jiaoqiu answered without hesitation.
He would never forget how those soldiers looked before setting off. Some clapped their comrades on the shoulder, laughing aloud; some had eyes of steel, swearing to take the heads of more Abundance spawn; and some had already decided that, once this battle was won, they'd go home and marry.
They were all brave warriors. Every great victory of the Xianzhou was built upon their blood.
"That's why I say—the meaning of a healer is to fulfill."
Sylvester spoke softly. "As soldiers, only because of your healing could they charge across the battlefield, realizing their own purpose. You, more than anyone, should know—without healers, how many would fall before victory is even in sight? How many would fall before the tides of battle could turn? How many would fall right after the first clash of armies?"
Jiaoqiu fell silent. He knew this all too well.
At least twenty percent of soldiers were injured in a single battle. That might not sound like much—but across the span of an entire war?
After only a few skirmishes, an entire army would be carrying wounds, and the death toll would skyrocket.
"But precisely because of the healers' work," Sylvester continued, "those wounded soldiers can once again grasp their weapons, to strike down the foes that enslaved them—or the Abundance spawn that cursed them. Their wish is to win victory for the Xianzhou—and when they're about to lose their lives, unable to realize that wish, it's the healers who pull them back from the brink! Allowing them to fulfill their vengeance of the Hunt!"
He paused briefly, then went on, "Because of healers, lives that should have vanished have a chance to reclaim the purpose nearly severed from them."
"It's not only for the soldiers. For parents bedridden yet still with children to raise; for craftsmen in the Artisanship Commission who, in pursuit of breakthroughs, neglect sleep and food until they fall gravely ill; even for healers themselves, who wish to save more lives—if they suddenly fell sick and no one could treat them, wouldn't their aspirations, too, fade to nothing?"
At that, Sylvester exhaled a long breath. "That is why I say—the meaning of a healer is to fulfill."
Halfway through, Jiaoqiu had already closed his eyes, quietly replaying his past against Sylvester's words.
If he had never gone to the military camp—what then? Was his healing merely prolonging pain… or, as Sylvester said, was it fulfilling a soldier's honor?
Sylvester watched as Jiaoqiu wrestled with himself, and calmly sipped his tea.
The reasoning was there; whether he could step out of the circle he'd drawn for himself—that depended on Jiaoqiu alone.
Half a cup of tea later, Jiaoqiu's expression finally shifted.
He bowed deeply to Sylvester, a look of relief softening his face. "Shopkeeper Sylvester, I am enlightened."
"You're too kind," Sylvester replied with a smile. "Shall we open a few more trash cans then?"
…At the Central Starskiff Haven…
A passenger port had been completely cleared—no unauthorized personnel were allowed near.
Jing Yuan stood at the lead, with Master Diviner Fu Xuan and Duke Inferno Gongshu standing to either side.
They were here to welcome a most confidential guest.
A ship—ordinary in appearance—sailed slowly from the distant stars and docked.
The hatch opened, and a young woman descended the gangway. Her face was exquisitely beautiful, but a closer look at her uncovered joints revealed she was no human, but a finely crafted automaton.
Jing Yuan stepped forward with Fu Xuan and Gongshu, greeting her in his usual composed tone. "Lady Herta of the Genius Society—welcome to the Xianzhou Luofu."
Herta nodded slightly, her voice cool and clear. "I'll get straight to the point. The digital world interests me. To accelerate research, I'll conduct high-intensity experiments through the Simulated Universe. You may keep a copy of all results; I don't care whose name they bear. I ask only one thing—this research must never be abandoned for failure. It must be fully funded to completion until the predetermined objective is achieved."
"Haha, Miss Herta, your reputation is well deserved—decisive as always."
Jing Yuan chuckled politely. This kind of straight-off-the-ship, talk-business-before-your-feet-touch-ground attitude was beyond what he expected.
Fortunately, her demands were reasonable. As the rumors said, she had no interest in anything outside her research. Even naming rights for the results meant nothing to her.
He readily agreed, "Very well—everything shall proceed as Miss Herta requests."
"General!" Fu Xuan frowned immediately.
Luofu's funding was limited. Agreeing to such terms was like opening a bottomless pit!
Gongshu followed quickly: "General, this research begins entirely from zero—without the slightest theoretical foundation. With such a large investment, shouldn't we first—"
Jing Yuan raised his hand, cutting him off. "Yesterday I visited the digital world myself. I met one of its rulers—a powerful Digimon known as Qinglongmon. After a brief exchange, I posed several questions to him. My conclusion—this research is entirely feasible."
"This…" Gongshu fell silent. If the General had gained support from that other world, then indeed, this research had a strong guarantee.
Jing Yuan turned back to Herta. "Miss Herta, the Luofu's Artisanship Commission has prepared a special laboratory for you. Shall we go there now?"
He expected Herta to be just as eager as before—to dive into her work at once.
But to his surprise, she waved her hand, tilting her head to meet Jing Yuan's gaze.
"No. I want to visit that so-called Curio Trash Cans Shop first."