The power of the Path usually flowed with the blood, circulating ceaselessly within the body—rising and growing little by little over time.
Thus, the very core of the Pathstrider's energy resided within the heart meridian itself. And now, the supreme Pathstrider energy Fu Xuan had refined from that single sip of potion was likewise gathered within her heart.
Moments ago, she had been struck from within by a surge of violent potion energy, suffering a grievous wound.
But through that agony, she made a startling discovery—the ascended Pathstrider energy within her body seemed to suppress the potion's rampaging force. When the two collided, the potion only struggled briefly before being swiftly refined, absorbed, and transformed into more Pathstrider energy.
Though her cultivated energy was but a stream compared to the ocean of potion power, Fu Xuan could finally see a glimmer of hope.
She quickly resumed her meditative pose, beginning a second round of inner battle.
But Jing Yuan—crouched on the ground nearby, gun pressed to his temple—knew nothing of this. He stared at Fu Xuan's trembling eyelids, unsure whether to act or wait.
To shoot, or not to shoot?
Come on… could you at least say something? Am I supposed to hold this pose forever?
Feixiao, who had rushed to his side, couldn't help but smile faintly despite her earlier worry.
The ever-composed Arbiter-General, usually calm and commanding, was rarely seen in such disarray.
After a brief moment of inward amusement, her expression sobered again as she turned her gaze back toward Fu Xuan.
Worry still lingered—and so did confusion. Logically, an injury to the heart meridian should have forced her to stop. How could she still be pressing forward? Yet in her memory, Fu Xuan was not one to act recklessly out of stubbornness.
There was something Feixiao didn't yet understand. But for now, she could only believe that the Diviner had found some method to turn the tide.
Fu Xuan, having found that method, abandoned her earlier defensive strategy. Even if her ascended energy could restrain the potion, it was far too little.
If her defenses broke again and the potion struck her heart directly, it would be the end.
All-around defense meant all-around weakness—she could no longer afford that.
Opening her Third Eye, Fu Xuan endured twin agonies—the searing of her meridians and the tearing strain upon her mind—and pushed her computational ability to its utmost limit.
She divided her Pathstrider energy into countless fine threads, weaving them tightly around her heart and other vital points, meeting the potion's smaller surges head-on—force clashing against force, neither yielding.
Meanwhile, the ascended energy coursed freely throughout her body, devouring stray fragments of potion wherever they appeared.
As for the rest of her body—she could only grit her teeth, endure the pain, and let the rampaging energy ravage her flesh.
Come then. Let us see whether it is I who devours you first—or you, this soulless poison, who tears my body to shreds!
Thus began a terrible tug-of-war within her slender frame—Pathstrider energy and potion colliding like two raging storms.
Jing Yuan, Feixiao, Jiaoqiu, and Moze held their breath, watching in silent dread.
Soon, sweat poured down Fu Xuan's brow as her whole body trembled uncontrollably—her suffering was evident to all.
But what shocked them even more —
Fu Xuan's once porcelain-white skin now glimmered with countless golden sparks bursting outward, each flash accompanied by faint explosions of blood mist. Even Yaoshi's curse seemed to sense danger—a pale green glow surged over her, desperately mending her ruptured wounds.
Jing Yuan's own forehead dripped with sweat no less than hers.
This… this clearly looked worse! Had Master Diviner's internal defenses already fallen?
Wasn't this the precursor to total self-destruction?!
Jing Yuan's heart pounded madly. He could almost feel it leaping up his throat.
Ten breaths… He clenched his teeth. If there's no sign of recovery by ten, then…
He gripped the antique pistol tightly, silently counting down.
Ten… nine…
"Mm." Fu Xuan let out a muffled groan—another mouthful of blood splattered from her lips.
The watching group felt their hearts clench all at once.
Veins bulged on Jing Yuan's temple. Though the potion wasn't in his body, his tension far exceeded anyone else's.
Six… five…
Bang!Bang! Bursts of blood mist bloomed endlessly, staining Fu Xuan's violet-white robes with blossoms of crimson. The power of Abundance was faltering—it could no longer mend every wound.
Jing Yuan exhaled deeply, forcing down the urge to pull the trigger.
Three… two…
Bang! Bang! Bang! The golden lights were fewer now, but each flickered with even more manic fury—her body nearly torn into a figure of blood.
Sweat streamed down Jing Yuan's chin, dripping to the floor in sharp splashes.
It was now or never—this was clearly the brink of explosion!
One!
His finger tightened around the trigger. The instant the shot fired, his consciousness would return to one hour prior.
Regardless of whether Fu Xuan succeeded or failed—time itself would rewind.
But he didn't know that using the [Zafkiel's Sixth Bullet – Vav] at this critical moment would only waste the artifact… and nullify all of Fu Xuan's efforts.
Just as his finger began to squeeze—a surge of violet light erupted from Fu Xuan's body, expanding outward in a blinding wave. Wherever it passed, the golden sparks were instantly devoured and absorbed.
After all her struggle, Fu Xuan had finally completed the absorption of the potion's energy!
The sudden brilliance made Jing Yuan stumble backward—he barely caught himself with both hands. It had been centuries—nearly a millennium—since he'd last felt such a rush of helpless awe.
But he didn't care about appearances. Exhaling in relief, he gazed at the radiant figure before him, now wrapped in violet light. "Phew… success?"
The luminous aura instantly healed every wound, even erasing the blood from her clothes.
Fu Xuan slowly opened her eyes, lifting her hands—her skin was smoother, paler than ever, faintly glowing with crystalline sheen.
Raising one hand, she summoned her Pathstrider energy—not the old kind, but fully ascended, its might multiplied severalfold.
The violet cocoon around her remained, and a strange sensation swept through her—her consciousness seemed to be drawn away.
As Fu Xuan closed her eyes once more, Jing Yuan and Feixiao exchanged glances. They knew—her mind had sunk into the Path itself. True Emanators, at the peak of their Path, would behold THEIR form—the Aeon.
But could a pseudo-Emanator, born of alchemical force, be granted such a privilege?
When Fu Xuan opened her eyes again, she found herself standing within an endless void.
Beneath her feet stretched a narrow, towering pathway of steps ascending into infinity.
Looking back, she saw only boundless darkness. Ahead—though distant—a faint end point shimmered in the farthest reach.
Was there truly an end to the Path? Or did the higher roads lie beyond sight, in realms unseen?
Whatever the answer, there was only one choice—onward.
She did not see an Aeon as legends foretold. That much, she expected.
Without THEIR acknowledgment, what was she, truly?
She willed her Pathstrider energy to manifest—no divine construct like Lightning-Lord appeared. So, it wasn't the Path of The Hunt.
Nor did she sense the preservation of the Path of Preservation. Aside from the massive leap in her energy's quality and quantity, there was no other gift.
Then what was this—an Emanator without a Path? Ridiculous.
Fu Xuan shook her head, setting aside such thoughts. She took a step forward, standing firmly upon the next stair.
At that moment, the ritual was complete. The surrounding void shattered like glass, and her consciousness was pulled violently back to reality.
The violet sphere dissipated—and her pink figure descended gracefully from midair.
Hands on her hips, she smiled at the group. "Everyone—mission accomplished."
Jing Yuan laughed heartily, clapping his hands. "Excellent! Master Diviner, with such an advancement, we should—"
But before he could finish his congratulations, the room abruptly warped—it was as though they were suddenly adrift in a sea of stars.
What—? None of them had taken the potion; why were their consciousnesses shifting?
They looked around in alarm—everyone else was there too.
What was happening? Had they all been drawn into some other space?
The four exchanged bewildered glances before turning toward Fu Xuan. Feixiao asked, "Could this be your new ability?"
Fu Xuan's face mirrored their disbelief. "No. I've yet to even grasp my new powers, let alone cause… this."
Then her expression changed sharply. "Unless… this is an attack?!"
Cold dread seized them all. For someone—or something—to silently ensnare three Emanators at once? Impossible. Unless… unless an Aeon THEMSELF had descended!
Before anyone could act, a voice echoed—not through their ears, but directly into their minds, rippling through thought itself.
"Ahaha! How utterly delightful this is!"
They all looked up—and there, high above, loomed a vast black silhouette holding countless masks.
The Joyseeker, the very embodiment of the Path of Elation—Aha!
Their faces froze in astonishment.
How… how had they summoned THEM here?!
Jing Yuan stared at Fu Xuan in disbelief. "Master Diviner… when did you start praying to the Aeon of Elation?"