Jun and his companions remained aboard the Bamboo Staff for a full week, allowing their depleted energy reserves to fully recover within the Gate's beneficial time dilation. During their extended stay, Gustave found opportunities to probe his friend about the Evoltruster's mysterious selection criteria.
"Jun, aside from you and Ren, have you noticed the device reacting to anyone else?" Gustave asked casually while they shared morning coffee on the ship's observation deck.
"Not so far," Jun replied thoughtfully, cradling his mug between both hands. "The Evoltruster has only responded to Ren and myself. Why do you ask?"
Gustave frowned, his mind working through the puzzle like a complex recipe with missing ingredients. "It just seems odd. Komon and Riko have both had extensive contact with you—they're clearly brave, dedicated people with strong moral cores. Yet the Evoltruster shows no recognition whatsoever. Either it's incredibly picky, or..."
"Or their time simply hasn't arrived yet," Jun finished gently.
"Exactly." Gustave stared out at the endless ocean, frustration evident in his expression. "I suspect we won't understand the full pattern until Noa himself manifests."
The mystery would have to wait. More immediate concerns demanded attention.
Since Komon had already proven himself worthy during the crisis with Riko, Gustave consulted with Po and Tom about granting him permanent Gate access. The decision was unanimous—anyone willing to fight so desperately for love deserved their support.
Tu Shanyan presented a more complicated case.
"Please, please, please let me stay!" The fox spirit had cornered Gustave near the kitchen, tears streaming down her face in what he suspected was carefully calculated dramatics. "I promise I'll be good! I won't cause any trouble!"
"Absolutely not," Gustave replied firmly, not looking up from his prep work. "You're going back to Lin Jiu's world where you belong."
What he hadn't anticipated was Tu Shanyan's talent for manipulation. She'd apparently bribed Tom with an endless supply of his favorite fish dishes, while simultaneously charming Yang Chan into advocating on her behalf to Po. With two-thirds of the ship's leadership supporting her petition, Gustave found himself outvoted.
"Merde," he muttered, glaring at Tom's innocent expression and Po's serene smile. "Fine. But you're paying rent like everyone else."
Thus Tu Shanyan became the first uninvited guest to receive permanent Gate privileges—a fact that she celebrated with insufferable smugness.
After returning from the Nexus world, Gustave made one final visit to Lin Jiu's world to check on his Taoist friends' recovery. The results exceeded his expectations.
Lin Jiu and his fellow disciples had not only survived their ordeal but emerged stronger. Particularly notable was Qianhe's transformation—the near-death experience had catalyzed a breakthrough in his cultivation, elevating him to the highest level among the three Taoist brothers.
"I feel I've finally repaid the Qing court for their patronage," Qianhe explained as they shared tea in the restored cemetery. "My conscience is clear. I've decided to resign my position and follow Lin Jiu's example—find a town that needs protection and establish my own temple."
Gustave nodded approvingly. Personal growth often emerged from the crucible of life-threatening challenges.
When Tu Shanyan accompanied him on this visit, she lasted exactly three hours before fleeing back to the Bamboo Staff.
"That world is boring," she complained later, sprawled dramatically across one of the deck chairs. "Nothing but political upheaval and supernatural threats everywhere! No proper entertainment, no interesting diversions. I told my clan I'm entering extended seclusion so they won't disturb my... research."
Her conspiratorial grin revealed the true nature of her "research."
"How delightfully dishonest," Gustave observed dryly. "Unfortunately for your grand tour plans, the Gate requires anchor points. You can only visit worlds where someone has personally taken you before."
"What? That's completely unfair!"
"Blame cosmic law, not me. Of course, if you possessed my master's power level, such restrictions wouldn't apply."
Tu Shanyan's face cycled through several expressions before settling on determined optimism. "Fine! I'll just wait here for other guests to arrive. Someone's bound to invite me eventually!"
"Why not visit Jun's world? You already have access there."
"Absolutely not!" Tu Shanyan shuddered theatrically. "That dimension is crawling with beings that could vaporize me without effort. I'm eccentric, not suicidal."
Gustave shrugged, heading for his quarters. "Your choice. Just remember—if you're staying aboard, you're paying for room and board. We don't support freeloaders."
"Ha! What if I refuse?" Tu Shanyan's chin lifted with aristocratic disdain. "What could you possibly do about it?"
"Oh, the same way we granted your Gate privileges, we can revoke them," Gustave replied casually. "Tom and Po might change their minds if you become a financial burden."
The color drained from Tu Shanyan's face. "I was joking! Completely joking! Let me get my money immediately!"
Without Camearra's protective presence, the fox spirit's arrogance crumbled like a soufflé in cold air. Gustave felt immense satisfaction watching her scramble to maintain her privileges.
Tu Shanyan, despite her complaints about boredom, came from fox clan nobility and possessed considerable wealth. She paid for a century of accommodations without batting an eye—apparently committed to her extended "vacation" regardless of cost.
Fortune smiled upon Tu Shanyan's patience. She didn't have to wait long for her next adventure opportunity.
The afternoon was proceeding normally aboard the Bamboo Staff—Chu Zihang maintaining his rigorous beach training under Gustave's supervision, while Tu Shanyan played with Yang Chan near the ship's railing. The fox spirit had identified the girl as her ticket to future leverage over Gustave, given Yang Jian's status as his senior martial brother.
With the future Third Holy Mother on my side, I won't have to fear that arrogant chef anymore, Tu Shanyan thought smugly.
The sound of rapid footsteps echoed up the stairwell, followed by a chorus of familiar young voices:
"Uncle Gustave! Chan'er! We're here to play!"
The Kasukabe Defense Force burst onto the deck in their typical whirlwind fashion, led by the unstoppable force of nature that was Nohara Shinnosuke.
"Wow! Big sister, you're so beautiful!" Nene spotted Tu Shanyan first, her eyes sparkling with genuine admiration. "Are you a new guest?"
"Such a sweet little thing," Tu Shanyan cooed, crouching to pat Nene's head. "And so adorable too!"
The other children gathered around, introducing themselves with varying degrees of formality until it was Shin-chan's turn. His approach, as always, defied conventional expectations.
"Hello there, gorgeous lady," he said with exaggerated sophistication, raising his distinctive thick eyebrows. "My name is Nohara Shinnosuke. I'm five years old and completely available. Might you be single?"
Where any adult making such a declaration would have earned Tu Shanyan's explosive wrath, the sheer absurdity of a five-year-old attempting courtship struck her as hilariously charming.
"Why yes, I am unattached," she replied with mock seriousness. "How perceptive of you, Shinnosuke-chan."
"Wonderful! Would you care to accompany me on a romantic date?"
With theatrical flair that would have impressed seasoned actors, Shin-chan somehow produced a formal suit complete with floral necktie and a rose clenched between his teeth. Where he'd acquired such props remained one of life's great mysteries.
Tu Shanyan's initial impulse was to politely decline, but opportunity struck like lightning. Here was her chance to visit another dimension—chaperoned by innocent children, no less!
"I would be delighted, Shinnosuke," she replied with ladylike grace, covering her smile with one delicate hand.
"Chan'er, would you like to join us for an adventure?" Tu Shanyan asked, remembering her long-term strategic needs.
"Yes! Let me grab my camera!" Yang Chan immediately scampered toward her room to retrieve the device Gustave had given her, excitement radiating from every step.