Artisanship Commission.
Under Tingyun's guidance, Stelle and her group arrived at the Ingenuity Plaza, only to learn that the Artisanship Commission was in chaos.
The Ambrosial Arbor's revival had disrupted communications, and some people inside had gone missing.
Upon entering the Commission, they encountered a craftsman named Master Gongshu.
Initially, there was a misunderstanding that sparked a dispute, but after clearing it up, they followed him deeper into the Artisanship Commission, resolving troubles along the way.
Compared to the immortal abominations born at the Creation Furnace, like the Abundance Ambrosial Arbor, other issues paled in comparison.
The Abundance Ambrosial Arbor, backed by the Ambrosial Arbor's roots, could draw endless power to heal its wounds and even resurrect.
To deal with this creature, the group ran themselves ragged.
Only after severing the nearby Ambrosial Arbor -derived roots that supplied energy could they cut off the Abundance Ambrosial Arbor's reserve power.
Without the immortal properties granted by the Abundance, the Express crew could finally fight to their heart's content.
Gradually, the battle neared its end.
"That deer's almost done for! Let's finish it in one go!"
March 7th pointed her small hand at Stelle, enveloping her in a Six-Phase Ice Shield.
"Fairy! Take this old Stelle's bat!"
Stelle first smashed the Abundance Ambrosial Arbor's antlers, then transformed her bat into a fiery spear.
With Welt manipulating gravity to create a slingshot effect, she launched into the air.
Aiming her fiery spear at the Abundance Ambrosial Arbor's head, she plummeted swiftly.
A muffled thud rang out—
The crimson lance, ablaze with roaring flames, pierced straight through the Abundance Ambrosial Arbor's head, pinning it to the ground.
"This move… I'll call it the Heaven-Shocking Flame Strike. What do you think, March?"
Seeing the Abundance Ambrosial Arbor's body dissolve into countless golden petals, Stelle released the spear's handle, stood up straight, and briskly clapped her hands.
"…Not great. Time to move past your chuunibyou phase."
Noticing the smug curve of Stelle's lips, March 7th perfectly played the role of the needed critic.
Her little expression had many players calling her adorable.
Stelle raised an eyebrow: "Then what should I call that move?"
"Hm… How about the Flame-Splitting Wave-Splitting Spear?"
Stelle: "…"
Seeing Stelle momentarily speechless, Old Bear nearly laughed himself silly.
"Good grief, Flame-Splitting Wave-Splitting Spear and Heaven-Shocking Flame Strike… The victory CG was perfectly fine, pretty epic, but then they go and toss in these memes."
"The meme content in this space comedy game is off the charts. Main story, side quests—it's packed to the brim."
[What's the meme with these two chuuni skill names?]
[Don't know either of them? Must be a young cutie, not like us old-timers.]
[One's from a childhood anime, the other's from… a signature move of the protagonist in a certain old master's famous work.]
[Too funny! Are we gonna see a Buddha's Furious Fire Lotus next?]
[Shouldn't go that far… right?]
Welt stared at the spot where the Abundance Ambrosial Arbor vanished, his tone carrying a hint of gravity.
"General Jing Yuan and the Divination Commission's archives both say the Ambrosial Arbor is an incomprehensible marvel of immortal arts…"
"That deer seemed no different from ordinary life, yet even fatal wounds healed instantly."
"I understand now why the Xianzhou follow The Hunt to eradicate the Abundance."
"Immortal, undying creations, if left to spread unchecked, would completely collapse the ecosystem of an entire world."
"No wonder the Xianzhou wander the cosmos in their starships, never settling on any one planet."
"You've got keen insight, Mr. Yang. It's a pity that eight thousand years ago, our ancestors, as envoys seeking medicine, couldn't see the hidden dangers," Master Gongshu nodded approvingly, then said self-deprecatingly.
"Or perhaps some among them did and rejected the gifts of the Plague Ancestor of Longevity."
"But as a civilization, can we really resist the temptation of immortality?"
"How ironic. The wise lie buried beneath the earth, while fools live on forever…"
"The Xianzhou, shamed and regretful for being swayed by the Abundance, ultimately chose the path of The Hunt. Perhaps there's still room to make things right."
Hearing this, the lore streamer Old Toby already had a script for an Abundance analysis video in mind.
Was the Xianzhou truly swayed? Not necessarily.
Initially, the Xianzhou simply coveted longevity.
No one can definitively judge Yaoshi's actions as good or evil.
The greedy, brutal Abundance followers plundered the cosmos, wiping out countless civilizations.
Strictly speaking, the Xianzhou themselves are a branch of the Abundance's followers.
But they took a path opposite to plunder.
After most turned to worship The Hunt, the Abundance naturally became their adversary.
What's absolute good or evil, right or wrong?
At its core, it's all just a matter of differing stances.
Old Toby couldn't help but wonder: if the Xianzhou Alliance were given a chance to abandon longevity, would they?
He didn't think so.
Using this as the closing topic for his lore analysis video would surely spark some buzz.
Master Gongshu glanced at the group.
"Thanks for your help this time. I know you're headed to the Alchemy Commission next."
"It's adjacent to the domain where the Ambrosial Arbor resides. Given the scene before us, it's bound to be even more dangerous there."
"Go, everyone, and be careful. I wish you success."
Stelle gave a carefree smile: "Mountains don't turn, but rivers do. Farewell for now—until we meet again."
Welt: "Miss Tingyun, we'll trouble you to keep guiding us."
After all, Jing Yuan hadn't shared the coordinates of the Alchemy Commission's domain entrance with them.
Tingyun gave a subtle smile, her thoughts unclear.
"You're too kind, benefactor. It's my duty—easy enough…"
Setting off on their laborious journey again, Stelle noticed a sudden message on her phone.
It was from Tingyun.
A long string of them.
At first, she didn't understand why Tingyun couldn't just say it outright.
But after reading the contents, her gaze toward Tingyun's back grew increasingly strange.
Was she an exception, or do all Foxians crave a thousand-year lifespan?
[Tingyun: You saw it earlier, didn't you, benefactor? The Abundance's divine traces are truly extraordinary.]
[Tingyun: This little lady has traveled the starsea, but it's my first time seeing something so miraculous.]
[Tingyun: I saw the golden fruits forming on those branches, just like those mentioned in Xianzhou mythology.]
[Tingyun: They say in ancient times, the Xianzhou's ancestors gained immortality by receiving the divine fruits bestowed by the Ambrosial Arbor.]
[FaceTheBigMove: And then?]
[Tingyun: If this little lady ate one of those fruits, I wonder if I could gain eternal life like the Xianzhou people…]
[FaceTheBigMove: Miss Tingyun, are you craving some seaweed egg drop soup?]
[Tingyun: Hm?]
[FaceTheBigMove: Just purple eggs, no seaweed soup.]
[Tingyun: …Surely, benefactor, you're not tempted by such an opportunity?]
She didn't dare feel tempted on the Xianzhou…
Something was off.
…
…
Did you pull Firefly? Hah, 21 pulls for Firefly, but four weapon banner misses—yawn, not giggling.