"Hey, don't look at me with such weird expressions…"
Under the meaningful gazes of the two, Lynelle felt a cold sweat breaking out.
"Ahem, Corruption-chan was only just born not long ago and is still at the age where she needs to grow… It's normal for kids to have a big appetite, right?"
"So, are Heliobus tasty?"
Stelle stared at the Heliobus on the screen, which resembled a mass of green flame, and suddenly blurted out the question.
"Did your brain just slide down a slippery slope or something?! Weren't you just about to turn into a Heliobus protection ambassador a moment ago?"
March 7th quickly tried to reel back the Stellaron sprite who'd just had a sudden whimsical thought.
"If you're curious about the answer to that question… I can responsibly give you some insight."
Just then, a familiar male voice sounded from outside the door.
"Due to the nature of Heliobus as energy-based lifeforms, directly consuming them is impossible. Hence, two definitions of 'consumption' have emerged."
"One is treating the consumption of a Heliobus's energy as 'eating'—essentially using the Heliobus as an inexhaustible fuel source. This practice is most prevalent in the Zhuming."
"In fact, most of the vicious and ruthless Heliobus are cast into the Creation Furnace. The ones here in Fyxestroll Garden are actually among the more docile of their kind."
"The other method involves an energy-based lifeform 'devouring' a Heliobus. Based on our interviews with some Heliobi, the texture and taste vary greatly depending on the specific Heliobus, largely influenced by the emotions contained within the one being consumed."
"Dan Heng! You're back!"
"Mhm." Dan Heng nodded.
"The matters at the Scalegorge Waterscape… have been temporarily settled. Jing Yuan called me over just to help me find closure with the past. Don't worry, nothing unexpected happened."
"But what about you all? How did you end up researching this?"
"Hehe, well, actually…"
After Lynelle's explanation, Dan Heng's gaze toward her… also turned somewhat strange.
"Uh, eating Heliobi… I can't believe you came up with this method to boost Corruption-chan's abilities." Dan Heng's lip twitched slightly.
"But… did you consider the side effects?"
"There are side effects?"
Lynelle scratched her head.
"With Corruption-chan's body, modeled after an Emanator-level Starcrusher Swarm King, as long as she doesn't go to Zhuming for a feast and swallow their leader, there shouldn't be any lasting issues, right?"
"In that regard, aside from Voracity and Nihility, Propagation should be the next most authoritative…"
"The side effects I'm talking about aren't for Corruption-chan…" Dan Heng shook his head helplessly.
"You might not know this, but the Heliobus 'kept' in Fyxestroll Garden are mostly harmless or low-threat ones. To put it bluntly, the vast majority of them are pathetically weak."
"For energy lifeforms like Heliobus, if they're devoured by another energy lifeform and lack sufficient strength themselves, they're easily assimilated…"
"Even when they actively try to possess someone, if they're not strong enough, they can end up assimilated by the host instead."
"For example, there's a Heliobus in Fyxestroll Garden whose host, for some unknown reason, became obsessed with turning into cotton candy."
"Without realizing it, the Heliobus possessed that host, and as a result… after a while, it also started wanting to become cotton candy."
"!"
Hearing Dan Heng's explanation, Lynelle froze in shock. She suddenly understood what he meant by side effects.
"Looks like you get it now… Well, if you go call Corruption-chan back now, it might still be in time." Dan Heng spread his hands.
"From the start, I never doubted that Corruption-chan would suffer any side effects. My concern was always for those Heliobus…"
"But considering Corruption-chan has been in Fyxestroll Garden for a day now, I suggest you brace yourself before heading in."
"S-so…" March 7th beside them tilted her head. "What exactly are the side effects Dan Heng mentioned?"
"No time to explain! Stelle, lead the way!" Lynelle had already grabbed the bewildered Stelle and was rushing out of the inn.
"If we're any later, Fyxestroll Garden is going to be filled with cries of 'Mama'!"
"Halt, you two. The area ahead is a restricted zone of the Xianzhou, filled with danger and currently closed to the public… Wait, it's you?"
Seeing the newcomers' faces, the lead judge paused, then immediately gave a slight bow.
"Ah, it's Miss Lynelle and Miss Stelle. My apologies. Unless it's urgent, it's best if you avoid Fyxestroll Garden for now… Things have been rather unsettled there recently."
"Oh no…"
Lynelle's lip twitched. "Could you tell me… what exactly has been happening inside Fyxestroll Garden?"
"According to the Ten-Lords Commission's regulations, we cannot enter Fyxestroll Garden alone without authorization; we must enter in coordinated teams. So, I'm not entirely sure of the situation inside either."
The judge scratched her head and continued, "But from what I've heard from colleagues who have entered… the Heliobus in Fyxestroll Garden have been unusually active lately."
"The smaller ones are hiding, while the larger ones are forming factions. They refuse to say what's going on when asked."
"What's even stranger is that many female judges have been inexplicably chased and called 'Mama' after entering Fyxestroll Garden."
"As you can see, the guards posted outside Fyxestroll Garden now are mostly female, while patrols inside have been handed over to male judges…"
"In short, the atmosphere in Fyxestroll Garden has grown incredibly ominous lately."
"Unless you have… particular preferences, it's best to avoid entering for now."
"…"
Lynelle facepalmed. Clearly, the situation in Fyxestroll Garden had unfolded exactly as Dan Heng predicted.
"It's alright, Miss Judge. We're actually here on orders to resolve the anomalies in Fyxestroll Garden. If you need proof, wait a moment—I'll ask General Jing Yuan for a permit…"
"Oh, so you're reinforcements sent from above." The judge's expression cleared.
"You should've said so earlier. Still, please wait a moment."
"The situation inside Fyxestroll Garden is volatile, and Heliobus are tricky to handle due to their nature as energy lifeforms. For safety, we'll assign a specialized judge to accompany you as a contingency measure."
"Rest assured, although she might not seem the most reliable, she has extensive experience… especially in handling cases of Heliobus possession. She has her own unique methods."
With that, the judge quickly produced a specialized Jade Abacus. After a few taps, she spoke directly into it.
"Huohuo, sorry, but we'll need you to come back for overtime… There's something urgent here that requires your assistance…"
--+--
T/N: I have a Patreon! Webnovel will get 2 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.