"What are we small-timers panicking for? Let the big shots worry about big matters—that's the secret to staying happy in body and mind."
"Besides... Mr. Adrian, you're standing right here, so it probably won't cause too much of a storm."
As an Emanator, he chose a lifestyle like ordinary folks. Those who didn't know might really think Adrian was an outsider burdened with family expectations, coming to the Luofu to start a business... promoting hometown food culture.
Qingque circled back: "But look, even in a crisis like the Ambrosial Arbor reviving, I stuck to my post, specially coming to mind your shop. Employees as diligent as me are rare~"
"Didn't the Diviner assign you any work?" Adrian served a cup of milk tea.
"She did. On the way, she spotted me and told me to flip through records about the Ambrosial Arbor in the library. A small thing like that—in my hands, done in fifteen minutes."
"The Astral Express crew is way too strong. I heard from others... even the general is super polite to them. Impressive! Shame they left in a rush; didn't get to grab any gifts."
"Was planning to drag them around after work at the Divination Commission, then teach Mr. Yang some cards."
"They've got heavy duties ahead; we shouldn't delay them with this. I can still tell priorities—hope they come back safe." The girl prayed~
"In that case, shop-minding is all yours."
After settling Qingque, Adrian originally planned to head to the Artisanship Commission first to deal with the Abundance Mystical Deer, but there seemed to be a familiar aura there—probably the Church's kid went to support. Hmm... then back to the Alchemy Commission to find Dan Heng and the others.
Safe to say, Adrian's shop is absolutely secure, not to mention the safety measures above. Just look at this rundown decor style—probably even Denizens of Abundance and Legion soldiers wouldn't glance at it, skipping right over. No choice—who made this milk tea shop have such low presence.
...
Divination Commission. Jing Yuan began recounting tales of the ancient era to Stelle.
"You all are passersby with little knowledge of Xianzhou history, so asking such questions isn't strange. Let me tell you a story."
"Long ago, before the Xianzhou ascended to the skies, our ancestors lived on the ground of a certain planet. Like you all, Xianzhou people then were short-life species, not living past a hundred years."
"The emperor ruling that land couldn't bear life's ephemerality like dew—after a century, his empire for others. So he poured everything into building nine giant ships, heading to outer stars rumored with divine traces, seeking immortal elixirs for eternal youth."
Hearing this, March 7th cautiously asked: "So... did he succeed?"
"Yes, and no. Yes, because the nine ships endured bitter journeys, finally witnessing divine manifestation, finding all sorts of inconceivable immortal arts from Yaoshi's apparition."
"No, because the fleet lost its way thereafter, never returning home."
"That's not bad—after all, the Xianzhou are the true adventurers who got their wish. Good ending so far." Up to here, March 7th thought the story wrapped up nicely.
"Not bad...?"
Jing Yuan sighed. "Ancestors thought so too, but the miracle granting longevity was just a wishful dream."
"Take the Luofu: Immortality seems wonderful. But then population explosion, resource scarcity... to fight for survival, long-life celestials couldn't even be human, degenerating into beasts."
"Unlike the Church's longevity—blessed by the Lord of Universal Constancy, their bodies frozen in a moment, the above hardly happens." Pretending not to envy would be fake, but there seem drawbacks... everyone has unique styles, even emotional control issues. At least Jing Yuan visited the Church of Eternity as a guest. Just on food—unless you're Destruction faction, restaurant owners basically won't mess with you (giving pet food to guests...)
"After countless blood, tears, and costs, Luofu people finally understood longevity isn't a free gift, but the start of cruel trials."
Because of prior contact with the Church of Eternity, March 7th always fantasized about longevity.
"Even in the Church of Eternity, longevity is torment. From investigations, only Emanators can offset the erosion from time's flood."
"No wonder—I get why Pontiff Blake's mental state is so abstract..."
As soon as the words fell, a ghostly whisper rang in Stelle's ear: "Script says: Those who gain immortality will eventually seek death on their own."
"Because in the ages after, Abundance folk blessed by Yaoshi repeatedly invaded the Xianzhou to seize miracles, committing great slaughter. Xianzhou survivors fell into the longevity affliction called mara-struck."
"Without the enlightenment and protection of the Reignbow Arbiter, today's Xianzhou Alliance wouldn't exist." Jing Yuan's eyes were full of the story.
"War is equally cruel... By now, you should understand what disaster the Ambrosial Arbor's rebirth will bring?"
Continuing would veer toward the Church; Jing Yuan lightly coughed twice: "Since the Reignbow Arbiter struck down the Ambrosial Arbor, it withered for thousands of years. Aside from those familiar with ancient texts and history, most Xianzhou folk see it as just an ancient dead wood, origins unclear."
"Wise ancestors placed this stump in plain sight, deliberately making it seem unimportant, actually sealing it layer by layer with grotto arts. Even heading toward the Ambrosial Arbor, you can never arrive."
"Yet now, someone brought a Stellaron Core aboard the Xianzhou and tossed it into the Ambrosial Arbor's roots. Intending to use this external force to revive the Ambrosial Arbor, achieving unspeakable goals."
With Adrian's prior spoilers, Phantylia's little schemes were crystal clear to Jing Yuan. This was his first time seeing a Destruction Emanator so thirsting for Abundance's immortal power. Hmm... in that case, why not seek Eternity?
"The one providing the Stellaron Core and the one activating it—in my view, these two groups want different things."
Fu Xuan recalled recent divinations, brows locked tight. "Action brings misfortune, no gain... It really matches the hexagram, damn. Broken for millennia, the originally dead Ambrosial Arbor revives—Xianzhou's future uncertain."
"Sorry for letting Kafka escape..." March 7th took the lead, apologizing for Stelle. But Fu Xuan wasn't surprised, even showing an 'as expected' expression. March 7th was shocked—no thunderous rage; she must have divined it, prepared.
"This seat anticipated it. Chasing her is futile effort. Matrix of Prescience revealed Kafka's innocence. The urgent matter now is handling the Ambrosial Arbor."
Fu Xuan mentioned the Alchemy Commission: "From when the Stellaron Core began eroding, aside from alchemists stationed in other grottos, no reports from the Alchemy Commission."
"That place is Xianzhou's hub for refining prescriptions and studying medicine, extremely close to the Ambrosial Arbor's seal. Once Stellaron Core evil erupts, likely already more ill than fortune."
"Moreover, the general believes someone in the Alchemy Commission betrayed the Xianzhou. Those self-proclaimed Disciples of Sanctus Medicus traitors plotted long, using timing and location for conspiracy. I must act quickly too..."
As Jing Yuan and Fu Xuan left, the Express group gathered to discuss next steps.
"Sigh~ One link after another. Prep to head to Artisanship Commission... wait, no guide assigned!"
"Then I call Phantylia over now?" Come to think, Stelle's phone had two Tingyun contacts—one the Lord Ravager Phantylia, one the real Miss Tingyun.
"Sigh~ Hope nothing else happens next..."
"March, careful!"
Boom!
With a huge crash, a massive shadow smashed right into the center of the Matrix of Prescience.
"Cough cough... what the heck flew over with a clang?" March 7th covered her mouth, brushing off dust, realizing something wrong—pulled out her ice bow.
As thick smoke cleared, born from the Ambrosial Arbor, guardian of its roots—the auspicious beast Abundant Ebon Deer—appeared intact before everyone.