Though her thoughts were conflicted, Dan Shu was, after all, someone in a position of leadership.
Soon enough, Dan Shu suppressed those tangled feelings and turned her attention to something that bothered her more.
It shouldn't have been possible, rationally speaking, but Dan Shu couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to Sylvia's words than met the eye.
On the surface, the other woman didn't seem to suspect her identity at all, and everything she did followed a logical thread.
Yet, Dan Shu couldn't help sensing that Sylvia knew something.
"Speaking of which," Dan Shu shifted the subject, "during this recent affair, I heard that you, young friend, seem to have some history with the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus. The Cloud Knights uncovering their spy this time was quite the fortunate accident."
Seeing Dan Shu avoid the earlier topic, Sylvia naturally went along with it.
"Somewhat, yes. And after yesterday's events, the Disciples probably despise me now."
Sylvia laughed openly in front of Dan Shu before continuing, "Does Miss Dan Shu also keep an eye on the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus?"
Hearing this, Dan Shu nodded slightly, her tone tinged with melancholy.
"As the Chief Alchemist, I have made many attempts and conducted much research in my study of the Incomplete Ones. Naturally, I have looked into the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus… How ironic it is."
"We, the long-life species, endure this eternal asceticism, yet the Abundance's followers—those aberrations—do not suffer the hardships of the Incomplete."
"For this reason, I once studied the Disciples' texts and even had the chance to dissect the remains of those who fell into Mara… Can you imagine?"
"Someone who should have been missing limbs and born with a congenital heart defect, after succumbing to Mara, not only grew robust limbs but also possessed a heart as powerful as a starskiff's engine."
Sylvia didn't interrupt. She could sense how profoundly these discoveries must have shaken Dan Shu.
The affliction that had tormented her for centuries could be so easily and effectively resolved by simply falling to Mara.
It was this very dissection that planted in Dan Shu the desire to pursue the power of Abundance.
"…Never mind. These matters are not suited for such a setting. Please, young friend, pretend you never heard them."
Dan Shu waved a hand dismissively. Sylvia, after taking a sip of tea, looked straight at her and asked, "Have you ever wavered, Miss Dan Shu?"
"You jest, young friend. If such words were overheard, I might be interrogated by the Cloud Knights. These are merely the observations of a physician during her research."
Listening to Dan Shu's explanation, Sylvia smiled slightly and said no more.
"I've had the fortune of seeing warriors of the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus. They seemed quite similar to those in Mara's form. It's only natural for a physician like you to be curious, Miss Dan Shu. However…"
"However what?"
"The Disciples act without restraint, colluding with Emanators and plotting against officials of the Xianzhou."
"In the end, they are too fanatical. A fanatical organization only brings destruction. Even if the Incomplete Ones were cured, their lives wouldn't necessarily be better than they are now."
"…"
Dan Shu's fingers tightened imperceptibly around her teacup.
Her heart sped up, uncontrollably.
Did Sylvia know something? Why else would she suddenly mention "Destruction"?
Had the General already learned about the origins of the one she contacted? No, if the General knew, he wouldn't casually share such information with an outsider.
Or perhaps only Sylvia knew, but hadn't informed General Jing Yuan? Could her visit today have another purpose?
The guiltier the conscience, the more it tends to overthink.
Yet, Dan Shu maintained an utterly calm exterior, giving nothing away. But Sylvia, with her Heliobus-granted abilities, could sense the turmoil beneath Dan Shu's surface.
For a moment, Dan Shu fell silent.
Seeing Dan Shu's unease, Sylvia turned her attention to the unused draw opportunities she still had.
One green draw, one purple draw.
Both dropped from Dan Shu.
She wondered what she would get.
Tilting her head back, Sylvia finished the remaining tea in her cup, poured herself a fresh one, and then focused on the system interface.
Let's try the green one first.
With that thought, Sylvia focused on the green draw count in the interface and silently willed the draw to happen.
A familiar green light flashed before her eyes.
--+--
[Master of Stealth]
['Want to join the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus? Want to worship the Abundance right under the Hunt's nose? Want to run circles around the Cloud Knights? Don't hesitate, click to join the Disciples… Bah, click to receive the core skill!']
['Ta-da!—Stealth, Sleight of Hand, Riding (EX). Infiltrate, act, escape—seamless! Congratulations on collecting the full 'Sneaky Scoundrel' skill set, earning the title: King of Sneaky Scoundrels!!']
--+--
Just as Sylvia was starting to think the skill sounded practical, the final lines made her blood pressure spike as usual.
Especially since this blasted system actually popped up a title notification:
--+--
[New Title Acquired]
[King of Sneaky Scoundrels!!: When the wearer intends to commit mischief, presence is reduced, agility increases, and alertness from law enforcement agencies rises sharply!]
['At the peak of the rogue's path, who stands supreme? Behold the King, and know the way is complete!']
--+--
Ridiculous!!
Sylvia was utterly speechless looking at the title's effects. If it were just an absurd name with good perks, she might have used it—only she would know anyway.
But it actually had side effects?!
Wearing this thing, wouldn't she just get hauled off by the Cloud Knights immediately?
[Equip title?]
The system prompted timely, and Sylvia resolutely chose 'No.'
No way…
Who'd want to get stopped and questioned by Cloud Knights every time they walked down the street?
Though she could always test this title's effects on Sushang later.
At least Sushang's mind, untainted by knowledge, was easier to talk to.
Setting the title matter aside for now, Sylvia absorbed the newly drawn skill.
As a flood of knowledge poured in, she gradually felt that with a little effort, she could simply vanish from Dan Shu's perception.
Of course, to avoid raising Dan Shu's suspicions, Sylvia restrained the impulse and did nothing.
Besides, she hadn't finished drawing yet.
Sylvia looked at the remaining purple draw.
Draw!
Unsurprisingly, a purple glow flashed, then condensed into a pill-like object before her eyes:
--+--
[Draught of Draconic Surge v2.0: For oral consumption. Grants a trace of power from the Path of Permanence after ingestion.]
['We unanimously agreed that the original formula's use of Vidyadhara marrow to harness Permanence was both wasteful and inefficient. Therefore, we replaced the main ingredient directly with power from the Path of Permanence.']
['The above is nonsense. We just didn't have any Vidyadhara marrow.']
['Actually, after the substitution, the effects changed entirely. This thing isn't Draught of Draconic Surge at all. The original never had this function. In short, just treat it as an upgraded version.']
--+--
"…?"
Sylvia stared at the pill, still unclaimed, a question mark slowly forming in her mind.
Wasn't Dan Shu a follower of Abundance?
Getting a stealth skill from the draw was one thing, but how did she draw something from the Path of Permanence?
Though in the story, this item did use the power of Permanence to balance the loss of reason from Mara…
But still…
This could be drawn too?
--+--
T/N: I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 3 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.