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Perhaps not wanting Tail to refuse, THEY turned to Sylvester after speaking.
"Shopkeeper Sylvester, I don't think I've had my Curio fully introduced yet, have I?"
Sylvester was well aware of THEIR intent in shifting the topic.
He glanced at Tail, and after waiting three seconds with no objection, simply went along with Aha's lead.
He picked up the next Curio from the counter.
"This is the [Marrow-Cleansing Pill (Essence Edition)]. After consumption, it can completely reshape a person's aptitude and absolutely won't make it worse."
"Can it change personality?" Before Aha could speak, Tail jumped in.
Aha seemed quite pleased with him, letting him finish without interruption.
"For example, it could turn a timid little fox into a big gray wolf that eats without leaving bones."
They looked unabashedly at Huohuo as THEY spoke.
Clearly, THEIR mischievous plan to rouse Huohuo was still alive and well.
Sylvester floated alongside Tail, a playful gleam in his eyes.
The more he looked, the more Tail reminded him of a doting father—"worried that his picky child's diet will affect their health, so desperately sneaking green peppers and carrots into their bowl."
He laughed: "Tail, you really care about Huohuo, huh? You bring it up every chance you get."
Hearing Sylvester, Tail suddenly froze midair; his flame-like body stiffened for two seconds.
When he finally relaxed, it was as if someone had stepped on his tail—he yelped loudly.
"Uh… what nonsense are you saying!"
"I just fear that if this little one ever gets herself killed, I'll be held accountable by the Ten-Lords Commission!"
He felt perfectly justified, but glancing at those around him, nearly everyone had an "Ah, we get it" expression, straining to hold back smiles.
Well, that Giovanni didn't hold back—he was already laughing!
Tail tried to defend himself: "Hey hey hey! What do you mean? I was speaking the truth just now!"
Pfft hahaha. Once Aha relaxed, Qingque was the first to break as well.
She laughed, saying: "Ah, yes yes, we all believe you."
"Mm, I truly believe you."
Do you take me for a fool?!
Tail roared inwardly.
With all of you acting like this, does it look like you believe me? Did I just tell a joke or something?
He turned to the only one not laughing—Huohuo.
He was often stern with her; surely, she wasn't thinking the same way, right?
But Huohuo turned her head away, pouting: "You're old enough, and still so tsundere."
Her words acted like a mirror, reflecting all of the Emperor's New Clothes draped over him.
"Waaah…" Tail emitted a low, mournful wail.
He would never admit it.
Then he crashed headfirst into Huohuo's tail.
"Hmph, you two chat. I'm not playing with you anymore."
His tone was stiff and resolute, but it clearly looked like a hasty retreat.
The group exchanged knowing glances and then all laughed.
Huohuo sneaked a glance at her tail.
Though timid by nature, she was quite sharp.
She remembered exactly how Tail had treated her during the Incident.
Occasionally getting the usually domineering Tail to bow once… well, it actually felt kinda nice.
Sylvester watched Huohuo's faint glimmer of interest and let his thoughts wander.
Could she be opening a new world of possibilities?
Huohuo eventually becoming a cool, ruthless adjudicator… starting by bullying Tail?
If so, with the [Human Emperor Banner] in her hands, she could easily manipulate him.
Hmm… he wondered what Tail would think of today's self in the future.
Surely, he'd feel gratified—it was something he'd always wanted.
Who wouldn't be happy when their wishes came true?
Well… probably.
Of course, no one could predict the future, and wanting to directly change one's personality with this [Marrow-Cleansing Pill (Essence Edition)]? That was still impossible.
Sylvester's smile faded as he cleared his throat: "Ahem. This [Marrow-Cleansing Pill (Essence Edition)] won't alter personality, but its significance is far greater."
"From birth, aptitude determines one's ceiling. It's natural, inevitable, and unbearably cruel."
He opened the box containing the pills, revealing the golden-glowing capsules inside.
"This provides an opportunity. If luck is sufficient, one could instantly become a genius unparalleled through the ages. And if taken alongside a Fate Pill, the probability rises to fifty percent!"
"Opportunities are a rare and weighty luxury."
"Genius of unmatched renown? Fifty percent probability?"
Even Qingque, who wasn't usually focused on cultivation, felt moved.
No one understood the value of opportunity better than her.
Just a hint of her abilities had already caught the attention of the Master Diviner.
Yet, by decisively using multiple shadow clone techniques from a Trash Can, she freed herself from an overwhelming workload and could now devote herself to endless leisure with full enthusiasm.
That was the result of seizing an opportunity.
For many Pathstriders with insufficient aptitude, this could very well be a chance to defy fate.
Perhaps a sudden burst of talent might catch the Aeon's attention, instantly becoming an Emanator and reaching life's pinnacle.
A chance like this made the pill's value indisputable.
And with a Fate Pill, fifty percent probability was already astonishing.
Huohuo thought similarly.
If she obtained this pill, she would surely keep it in the safest place, unwilling to stop until she also acquired the Fate Pill.
"Mm, useless. Might as well eat it like a candy."
While Qingque and the others were still lost in reverie over the Curio, Aha nonchalantly took the box.
Then, in full view of everyone, THEY tossed the [Marrow-Cleansing Pill (Essence Edition)] into Their mouth, chewed, and swallowed.
Seeing THEM squander such a treasure, Qingque and Huohuo were utterly dumbfounded.
"You… you…"
Aha didn't understand their reaction: "What's the matter? Useless things should obviously be disposed of quickly."
Then THEY casually tossed the pill box into the shop's corner trash bin.
Sylvester merely smiled at the extra 'garbage' in the bin.
This pill was priceless to others, but to Aha, it was no different from candy.
Perhaps even less tasty than candy.
Yet in Qingque and Huohuo's eyes, this was sheer recklessness.
"Y-you, you, you…" Huohuo stammered for a long while, unable to find words.
Could this be another way of following the Path of Elation?
Treating rare treasures as useless to pursue contrast?
Qingque was silent for a moment, sighed, and said nothing further.
After all, it was THEIR choice. She didn't understand it, but didn't intend to pry.
After consuming the pill, Aha silently examined THEIR body.
As expected, nothing changed.
Ah, this thing is awful. I should've just given it to someone else.
After dealing with this 'useless thing,' Aha turned to the last of the three Curios.
If THEY remembered correctly, it was the purple one.
Looking at the finely carved, slender wand, THEY craned THEIR neck and pointed: "Shopkeeper Sylvester, what is this stick for?"
Sylvester shot THEM a look.
Overacting a bit, aren't THEY?
Who carves chopsticks like this? And so long—was it for frying dough sticks? But who fries dough sticks with a single chopstick?
He said lightly: "It's a magic wand, from a magic school called Hogwarts."
"Because it contains a sealed spell, anyone who picks it up can use it, so it's also called a Fixed Wand."
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