["After listening to Green Hibiscus's helpless defense, Violet Moonflower's face was extremely gloomy. Gnashing his teeth, he said: 'How hateful... The Abominable Arbor of Abundance has made these pitiful mortals look death in the eye without flinching. To infiltrate the Yaoshi Secret Transmission, they even resort to the 'self-injury ploy' at the cost of their lives...'"]
["Stelle was instantly speechless, thinking to herself that she hadn't said anything exposing... these people really could jump to conclusions..."]
["'Tired. Just all come at me together.' Stelle simply stopped acting."]
["Low growls emitted from Violet Moonflower's throat, and his body began to swell and mutate towards a Mara-Struck form: 'Then... Grey Peony, no... hunting dog of the Seat of Divine Foresight! Please die!'"]
["...Half a minute later, Stelle walked out of the courtyard carrying her baseball bat. She glanced back slightly, looking at the Yaoshi Secret Transmission Disciples lying scattered all over the courtyard."]
"Uh... that's it?"
Cú Chulainn felt his anticipation was for nothing.
Hearing this Violet Moonflower claim to have nearly a hundred years of spear technique cultivation, Cú Chulainn thought he was a master picked from ten thousand on the Xianzhou. He didn't expect it to be over in an instant.
However, when Stelle was knocking their heads with her bat, it was quite satisfying. Accompanied by that crisp, pleasant sound of head knocking, Cú Chulainn drank several cans of beer.
Artoria looked warily at the two guests occupying the kotatsu.
One was Cú Chulainn, who had come visiting with fresh fish, and the other was Sasaki Kojirō, who had dropped by.
"Don't be so wary, Saber. We're not here to fight. We heard that Emiya kid cooks fish really well, so we came specifically to try it—of course, I did check with him beforehand." Cú Chulainn raised his beer can. "Want one?"
"No, Lancer." Artoria raised her teacup, getting straight to the point: "But you and Assassin coming here probably isn't just for a meal, right?"
"Naturally, I merely saw some interesting scenes on the Celestial Screen and wished to share them with someone." Sasaki Kojirō gave a faint smile. "Speaking of swordsmanship, you are the only one here, Saber, who can understand me."
The so-called "interesting scenes"... Artoria could guess without thinking it was Jingliu.
"Both Lancer and I believe there are even more exquisite sword and spear techniques on the Xianzhou. It's a pity we cannot witness them firsthand yet."
The smile on Sasaki Kojirō's lips deepened: "Yanqing and Blade's attainments in swordsmanship are extraordinary; a battle between them is inevitable... Watching their sword techniques is like drinking fine wine. Wouldn't it be a pity if I drank alone?"
"You might not find it a pity, but I'm bored." Recalling that so-called "Divine Spear Message Holder," Cú Chulainn's expression grew even more disappointed.
"Heh, Lancer, one must be patient." Sasaki Kojirō said, "I believe when Dan Heng appears again, he will not disappoint you."
["After having the Cloud Knights take away Message Holder, Green Hibiscus, and the others, Stelle went to the Seat of Divine Foresight to report her undercover work to Qingzu."]
["After listening, Qingzu comforted her: 'Don't worry, your undercover operation was very successful. Although your identity was exposed, you obtained much valuable intelligence and still managed to withdraw unscathed... I just never expected that Message Holder would take that evil path.'"]
["'Oh, right, this prescription...' Stelle handed over the slip of paper given to her by Message Holder."]
["Unfortunately, Qingzu was just a strategist and knew nothing about prescriptions. However, she did recommend several alchemists stationed in Scalegorge Waterscape to Stelle, telling her to go ask them herself."]
["Leaving the Seat of Divine Foresight, Stelle soon found a helpful alchemist on the streets of Scalegorge Waterscape and explained the situation."]
["He very enthusiastically took the prescription, intending to help fiercely, but when he saw the ingredients on it..."]
["'Uh... sorry, I can't understand this prescription. I don't think other alchemists can either. I suggest you go ask our Chief Alchemist, Lady Danshu. She is a blind 'Heaven-Deficient One,' but she is more skilled than all of us.'"]
["Following the alchemist's directions, Stelle went to Ruomu Pavilion and found Danshu."]
["But as soon as she arrived, before she could even speak, Danshu proactively said: 'I've been waiting for you for a long time, Stelle.'"]
["'How did you know it was me?' Stelle asked in surprise."]
["The alchemists of Scalegorge Waterscape all said she was a Heaven-Deficient One. There were certainly blind people on the Xianzhou with excellent hearing, but to recognize someone she had never met just by sound... that was just too strange."]
["'Who wouldn't know you? I heard there was a hero in Scalegorge Waterscape who saved the Vidyadhara's [Dragon Lady Who Holds Medicine].'"]
["Danshu's voice was quite gentle, like the calm surface of a lake without a ripple: 'I heard from other alchemists that you have a prescription for me to appraise? Read it aloud for me, please?'"]
["Stelle read it as requested. At first, it was just some common ingredients, and she didn't think much of it. But when she read the last ingredient... even Stelle couldn't help but gasp."]
["Take 1 liang of Vidyadhara marrow (must be extracted alive), let it stand in the mixture for twelve hours 2-hour period."]
Runeterra, Zaun.
"Extracted alive... a very novel approach." Singed remarked, taking notes on the prescription that flashed across the Celestial Screen, clicking his tongue in admiration. "The person who thought of this ingredient must be a genius."
"Don't tell me you want to research this too, Professor?" Silco looked at him incredulously. In his eyes, Singed was calm—no, at least rational. He should be well aware that the ingredients appearing on the screen couldn't be found in Zaun, let alone gathered.
"Just a bit interested." Singed's gaze swept over the various instruments and products on the table. "I don't intend to test the entire prescription. I'm just very interested in Vidyadhara marrow."
"Doctor, I must remind you... you don't have Mara-Struck form." Silco laughed coldly. "Even if you want Vidyadhara marrow, you should know it's impossible to obtain."
"...After all, no one can enter the screen and grab that little girl called Bailu out."
"I am well aware of that." Singed said. "However, the characteristic of the Vidyadhara is their self-sustaining reincarnation. Their life is like a cycle, birth and death revolving endlessly. Our world may not have Vidyadhara, but there is a race very similar to them."
"Oh?"
"...The Yordles." Singed closed his notebook methodically. "Legend says Yordles cannot even die. They have endless life from birth. When they die, they return to Bandle City in a new form, just like the Vidyadhara. Presumably, their marrow..."
"Doctor, I think you should go rest."
Silco interrupted him. Before turning to leave, he glanced one last time at this man with the corner of his artificial eye.
Ever since Stelle and the others arrived on the Xianzhou, Singed had developed a particular interest in the Mara-Struck. The power of Abundance seemed especially tempting to him, particularly regarding life and death.
It seemed he wanted to bring something dead back to life... but facing his partner, he remained tight-lipped, refusing to reveal any information from start to finish.