To Sylvia's surprise, that single draw had actually granted her the power of a Path.
Though it was a Path without an Aeon.
But being watched by an Aeon wasn't necessarily a good thing either. An unclaimed Path might just suit her better.
As for the Path of Permanence...
Since the game hardly mentioned it and Simulated Universe hadn't touched on it either, Sylvia only had a vague idea of what 'Permanence' meant within this Path.
And even that came from player analyses.
But then again, upon second thought.
This little pill probably contained only a trace of the Path's power—most likely not even as potent as using a Heliobus to light a fire.
If she really took it, it would probably just let Sylvia experience the peculiarities of a Path firsthand, nothing particularly useful.
After all, the item description did say 'a trace.'
Judging by that adjective, it was clearly at the level of an ordinary Pathstrider—nothing too weak, but nothing extraordinary either.
Thinking this, Sylvia's slight excitement gradually settled down.
Shifting her focus back to reality.
Dan Shu, sitting across from her, seemed to have regained her composure as well.
After a brief pause, Dan Shu spoke up again:
"You know, little friend, you came to the Xianzhou for a vacation, yet you've encountered these incidents one after another. I wonder if it's dampened your spirits."
"I haven't run into any real danger, so how could it affect my mood? Besides, I'd be quite interested to meet the Emanator hiding behind the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus—whoever they might be."
"..."
Dan Shu, who had just started speaking, fell silent again, startled by Sylvia's words.
Her hand, which had been reaching for the teapot, froze mid-air, unsure whether to pick it up or set it down.
Seeing this, Sylvia smiled, stood up, and poured tea for Dan Shu before continuing:
"General Jing Yuan and Master Diviner Fu Xuan had similar reactions—they were pretty shocked too. It's quite like yours, Miss Dan Shu. The Xianzhou has so many Emanators, yet everyone seems stunned when I bring one up."
"...It's just that your words are rather alarming, little friend. Ordinary people would avoid Emanators at all costs, yet you go against the grain. It's only natural to be taken aback."
Dan Shu didn't voice her thoughts outright, but inwardly, she couldn't help but complain.
With that tone of yours, putting it nicely it's 'meeting'—but honestly, if you really ran into one, I feel like you'd just draw your sword and start swinging.
Are you out of your mind?
Sylvia chuckled, unbothered.
"Of course I have my own reasons for feeling confident. It's just a shame the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus won't show themselves. Otherwise, I'd genuinely like to ask them where to find this so-called Emanator."
"Hehe~ You're quite the optimist, little friend. Earlier, you said the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus must despise you, yet now you want to seek information from them?"
"Ah, now that's not entirely fair. An organization wouldn't act purely on emotion, would it? As long as you appeal to reason and offer sufficient incentives, no grudge is truly insurmountable."
"Incentives?"
Dan Shu seemed to casually voice her doubt, and Sylvia didn't hesitate to explain:
"Leaving aside that the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus lack the strength, cooperating with an outside Emanator is undoubtedly like making a pact with a tiger. And besides..."
Lowering her voice, Sylvia leaned in slightly.
"Since Miss Dan Shu was willing to share some heartfelt words with me earlier, it would be petty of me to hold back. I have a Stellaron. I doubt the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus could refuse that."
"This..."
Hearing this, Dan Shu felt both stirred and uneasy.
This person's origins were mysterious, and her words always seemed loaded with meaning. Dan Shu couldn't shake the feeling that her disguise had been seen through.
Yet, no Cloud Knights had come to apprehend her so far, which made Dan Shu doubt that assumption.
From what she understood, Sylvia wasn't one to speak idly. If she said it, she probably truly had one.
More importantly, if Sylvia really knew her secret, then these words were almost a direct proposition.
A Stellaron—it could revive the Ambrosial Arbor and manifest the Abundance's miracle once more. Naturally, it was something she desired deeply.
And dealing with a Lord Ravager indeed weighed heavily on her; calling it 'making a pact with a tiger' was no exaggeration at all.
What worried her, though, was that Dan Shu now struggled to grasp Sylvia's true intentions.
Jing Yuan would never allow Sylvia to use a Stellaron as leverage for such a transaction with the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus.
Not even as an act would he permit it.
This was the Xianzhou's bottom line, and Dan Shu knew it well.
So this was Sylvia's own private move, all to uncover Phantylia's location.
If it was for the Xianzhou's sake, what was in it for Sylvia?
As an outsider, taking the blame herself just to trade for Phantylia's whereabouts—if anything went wrong, she'd instantly become a wanted criminal across the Luofu.
Even if nothing happened, she wouldn't earn any goodwill from the Luofu in the end.
Only a madman would do such a thing.
So then,
What benefit would meeting Phantylia bring Sylvia?
Only by understanding a person's goals could Dan Shu figure out how to handle them.
But right now, Sylvia gave Dan Shu the impression that her intentions were utterly inscrutable.
After all, she'd never in her wildest dreams imagine that Sylvia's aim was audacious enough to try devouring a Lord Ravager.
Just then, Sylvia suddenly straightened up and cleared her throat lightly:
"Ahem... This isn't really the topic to dwell on, and constantly talking about the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus is souring the mood. Why not discuss something else?"
"I've heard the Alchemy Commission has a Dragon Lady—several friends of mine speak very highly of her. I wonder if there's a chance to meet her."
Seeing Sylvia change the subject, Dan Shu also paused her train of thought and offered a faint smile:
"Are you referring to the Medicus Dragon, little friend? That child's name is Bailu. I happen to be her teacher—her medical skills are indeed exceptional, though her temperament is a bit too lively."
--+--
After the conversation turned to Bailu, the atmosphere of the tea gathering with Dan Shu gradually eased, and the topic of the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus never resurfaced.
Later, when discussing the medicinal tea recipe obtained from Fu Xuan, the two made a trip to the Alchemy Commission.
After Sylvia purchased the herbs, she bid Dan Shu farewell and left.
Dan Shu listened as Sylvia's footsteps faded into the distance, remaining where she stood, lost in thought.
She needed to arrange for someone to make contact with Sylvia—to understand her intentions in detail and verify whether she truly possessed a Stellaron.
As for Sylvia, after leaving, she didn't ponder it much, her mind preoccupied instead with what Acheron was planning to do.
Having taken the prize from the draw, 'Draught of Draconic Surge,' she headed straight home with the herbs.
Throughout the journey, she didn't sense any so-called power of the Path of Permanence. Sylvia even wondered if she'd just eaten a candy.
Arriving home, Sylvia anxiously sought out Acheron, only to find her—for some reason—in the kitchen.
"Acheron? I'm back! I've got all the ingredients for the medicinal tea ready. What are you—"
Pushing open the kitchen door, Sylvia stepped inside and abruptly fell silent. Because Acheron was wearing an apron, her hair tied in a ponytail, cooking!!
Hearing the noise, Acheron turned around.
Her rather thin sleepwear was almost entirely covered by the apron, revealing slender legs, shoulders, and arms—a look reminiscent of some alluring, coquettish attire!
It was quite captivating.
--+--
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.