Chapter 124.6: This immortal pill is extremely precious; you must savor it, Stelle.
「 Dan Shu didn't directly answer Stelle's question, but instead countered, "For beings transformed by the 『 Abundance 』, there's a difference. Do you know how Abominations of 『 Abundance 』 and Xianzhou natives differ?"
"The answer is: there is no difference. The only distinction lies in accepting or rejecting the inherent nature of long-life species brought by 『 Abundance 』."
"Among the 『 Abundance 』 blessed, the borisins, known for their ferocity among the Denizens of Abundance, are similar to the Foxians of the Yaoqing genetically... But the Foxians are not abominations — they're Xianzhou natives."
"From there, we can say that the difference between an abomination and a Xianzhou person is not one of taxonomy, but one of culture."
"If an abomination aligns with the Xianzhou, then they are a Xianzhou person. If a Xianzhou person aligns with the abominations, they become an abomination themselves. It is that simple."
"Abominations embrace their nature — they change and modify their flesh without care, for the sake of attaining power and strength. However, to the Xianzhou people, these methods are completely taboo."
"Now you know why there are no Incomplete Ones among the abominations...?" 」
「 .....」
〜One Punch Man World〜
"Xianzhou should possess more advanced and complete body modification techniques, so why would they list them as forbidden?"
"If modification techniques were used on a large scale, wouldn't Xianzhou Cloud Knights be invincible on the battlefield?"
Genos looked at Saitama, who was watching TV in the living room with the air conditioner on, confused.
"Sensei, do you know the reason?"
"Hmm... I can't explain the specific reasoning, but Genos, will a modified body necessarily become stronger?"
"Not necessarily..."
Genos's gaze towards Saitama held a touch more admiration.
"Whether it's flesh and blood or machinery, as long as it can make you stronger, it's a good thing."
Saitama scratched his head.
"But have you experienced the feeling of becoming stronger with a flesh and blood body?"
"I really haven't, Sensei..."
Genos broke out in a cold sweat. Ever since his home was destroyed by rampaging cyborgs at the age of fifteen, he had resolutely embarked on the path of a cyborg. Now, except for his brain, all parts of his body were made of Dr. Kuseno's alloy.
"Sensei, is there a difference?"
Genos sat up straight, humbly.
"Hmm... If I had to say a difference, perhaps it's pain?"
Saitama thought for a moment and asked,
"Genos, does it hurt when you hit people?"
"Not at all."
A fist made of alloy only possessed hardness and force; pain receptors were something he had requested Dr. Kuseno to remove during his first modification.
Genos was even more puzzled:
"Isn't pain a flaw in becoming stronger?"
"Hmm... That's true, in a way."
Saitama said blandly,
"But after modification, nerves disappear, and you won't feel pain when attacked. You know, pain is the human body's brake. If the brakes fail, the body will definitely be scrapped."
"...Is that how it is?"
Genos suddenly realized, quickly pulled out a small notebook, and began recording.
"As expected of Saitama-sensei... This is what I lack now!"
"It seems I'll have to find a way to add pain receptors to this body the next time I ask Dr. Kuseno for modifications."
—
「 "By the way, do you know much about the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus?" Stelle continued to ask.
"I'm just an alchemist — I don't understand them in any detail. I only know that they are a group of Xianzhou people who view themselves as Denizens of 『 Abundance 』."
Dan Shu gently shook her head: "I guess that they attribute their suffering to their decision to renounce the Path of the Plagues Author. Thus, they seek to save themselves by becoming Denizens of 『 Abundance 』 again."
With that, Dan Shu slowly pulled a small wooden box from her sleeve and handed it to Stelle.
"I mentioned earlier that I would prepare a small gift for you."
Dan Shu smiled faintly: "I referenced some historical texts and concocted a medicine that can extend your lifespan and improve your health. I call it the [ Brumedew Concentrate Pellet ], and I wish to give it to you."
"Taking it makes one's body light and agile, extending life and nourishing health. For a Nameless, it will surely make your journey easier." 」
「 .....」
〜Demon Slayer World〜
"Improve health and extend lifespan... lifespan... Oh no!"
Shinobu Kocho secretly thought, "This is bad," her heart filled with anxiety.
"What's wrong? It's just a pill, why are you making such a fuss?"
Sanemi Shinazugawa looked at Shinobu strangely. Even when Stelle encountered various crises in the past, he had never seen her so nervous.
"Do you still remember? Miss Qingzhuo mentioned earlier that Xianzhou strictly forbids research on Longevity... but the effect of that pill..."
"Longevity...!"
Gyomei Himejima finally reacted:
"The medicine in Dan Shu's hand is the [ Draught of Draconic Surge ] !"
"Eh?! So Miss Dan Shu is a Disciples of Sanctus Medicus?!"
"Tsk, I thought she was a good person, but since she can produce this pill, doesn't that mean she's already gotten hold of the Vidyadhara marrow?"
Obanai Iguro, the Serpent Hashira, frowned.
"This woman truly hides her true strength."
"Ahhh! Stelle, DON'T BE GREEDY NOW!!!"
Watching Stelle take out the pill from the light screen, about to put it in her mouth, several Hashira closed their eyes, unable to bear watching further.
Meanwhile, in the Infinity Castle—
"EAT! EAT IT QUICKLY! LITTLE GIRL!"
"As long as you eat it, you'll have endless life and can pursue anything you desire!"
Muzan Kibutsuji's eyes were almost bulging out, an indescribable fanaticism practically overflowing from his eye sockets. He wanted to personally witness Stelle taking the pill and then transforming into a long-life species.
Of course, he would be even happier if Stelle immediately turned into a Mara-struck—if possible.
For a thousand years, he loved to do one thing: they would transform heroes, spoken of by the populace, into demons, and then enjoy the complex and despairing expressions on people's faces as the heroes were slaughtered at night.
If Stelle became Mara-struck, what kind of expressions would Jing Yuan and the others have?
Would they uphold their belief in the Hunt and kill Stelle? Or would they cherish their friendship with the Express crew, betray their mission to eradicate 『 Abundance 』 abominations, and let Stelle leave?
In any case... he really wanted to see it.
"Lord... LOOK! STELLE IS ABOUT TO EAT IT!"
A subordinate demon trembled as he reminded him.
Muzan looked up, just in time to see Stelle toss the pill into her mouth like a peanut.
—
「 Stelle didn't doubt Dan Shu's true identity at all. As for the pill... she even licked her lips, savoring the taste.
"Hmm... Tastes a bit strange, but no adverse reactions so far..."
But soon the pill's effects kicked in, and Stelle suddenly felt a splitting headache, her body becoming scalding hot, as if she were being cooked in a cauldron. The world before her eyes gradually turned blood-red...
"S—Something's wrong — I'm burning up... Feels like I can't breathe..." 」
「 .....」
〜Demon Slayer World〜
"Good! Hahahaha! Is she going to become Mara-struck? Mr. Yang of the Astral Express, and the General and Diviner of Xianzhou, let me see what methods you will take when faced with a Mara-struck Stelle!?"
Muzan, who loved to watch chaos unfold, let out a wild laugh.
「 But the abnormality brought by the medicinal effect was fleeting. Soon, the crimson in Stelle's eyes vanished, and she stood up as if nothing had happened.
She even... burped.
"Whew... Seems to be calming down a little, but still uncomfortable..." 」
「 .....」
〜Demon Slayer World〜
Muzan's eyebrows immediately furrowed:
"Just, just this...That's all?"
—