Missing you, Akivili

As the sun sank into the sea, today's sightseeing came to an end.

By the time Sampo escorted him back to the hotel entrance, it was already completely dark. Before parting, Sampo, as usual, started promoting tomorrow's itinerary. "There's an exhibition at the World-Painting Academy tomorrow, would you like to go see it?"

Jingxing was about to casually agree, but then changed his mind. He didn't plan to go to the World-Painting Academy for the time being. Regardless of Murata Ryusuke was Omen Vanguard could see the ending, or something else, it wasn't something a smart person should do right now to get close to him.

He recalled the scenery he had seen on the embankment in Haiyuan City during the day, and then changed the subject. "I'm going to Haiyuan City again tomorrow to sketch there."

"Oh, you're serious?" Sampo's eyes lit up. "Alright! I'll bring you the easel and paints tomorrow morning, and I guarantee we'll find a good spot where no one will be fighting over it."

"Okay," Jingxing replied.

Sampo waved and walked away, then turned back after a few steps. "If you're ever bored during this time, just call me anytime—Old Sampo, I'm always here."

Jingxing stood at the door, watching Sampo's figure disappear before turning around. But as soon as he entered, he saw Xuzhao squatting by the vase in the lobby, holding a cup of coffee he didn't know where he had bought it from, his shoulders hunched, as if waiting for someone.

"What are you doing here?" Jingxing over.

"I've been waiting for you." Xuzhao stood up. "How was your day? Did you feel anything was wrong?"

"I spent the whole day in Haiyuan City with my friends." Jingxing thought for a moment, "I didn't feel anything was wrong."

Xuzhao looked him over for a moment, making sure he was unharmed, before nodding. "It seems her people haven't contacted you yet."

"Her people?" Jingxing was taken aback. "You mean—"

Before he could finish speaking, his terminal vibrated. He looked down and saw two messages from Zhenzhu.

[Zhenzhu: I heard you wanted to schedule a meeting with me today. Sorry, I'm in Thousand Stars City right now.]

[Zhenzhu: The Technical Research and Development Department has arrived at Dual-Phase Paradise. Ostensibly for an academic visit, their true purpose is unclear. Don't act alone these next few days; contact the people at Pearl Star Building if anything happens.]

Jingxing stared at the screen for a while. He finally replied with only one sentence, "Okay, you're busy."

The message had barely been sent when Zhenzhu replied, "[You made an appointment to see me, what happened?]"

Jingxing thought for a while and replied, "[It's nothing serious, I just wanted to ask you something. No rush, we can talk about it when you get back.]"

Xuzhao glanced at the screen beside him and clicked his tongue. "It's no use talking to Zhenzhu. Although the Ten Stonehearts shared the power of the Emanator, Yaboli is one level higher than them. As long as she doesn't openly Preservation, Zhenzhu can't do anything to her."

"She said that Yaboli people to the Dual-Phase Paradise," Jingxing said, "Under the guise of an academic investigation."

"I know about this," Xuzhao. "That's why I came to you."

Jingxing's heart tightened. "You saw them?"

"I glanced at them from afar." Xuzhao dropped his lazy demeanor. "Listen to me, for the next few days, if you run into anyone from the company, avoid direct contact with them. Avoid them if you can. Don't let Yaboli notice you."

Jingxing couldn't help but recall that when he was advised against going to Ismael, Zhenzhu had said something similar.

"I'm just a small-time painter, why would she notice me?"

"Because you are Idrila's chosen one," Xuzhao said bluntly. "If she knew that the Dual-Phase Paradise has a pure and Pathstrider of Beauty who can purify the remnants of Voracity —she could tie you to an experimental table overnight."

Jingxing was silent for a moment, then asked, "What exactly does she want to do? Zhenzhu said she's researching 'the end of life,' what does that have to do with Beauty?"

Xuzhao didn't answer immediately. She looked at the pedestrians coming and going at the hotel entrance, and after a long while, she spoke, "I suspect that the thing sitting in the 'Yaboli' seat isn't human at all."

Jingxing was stunned.

"Have you ever wondered why she collected so many people and objects for experiments?" Xuzhao's voice was low. "The end of life? That's a very suitable goal to use as a banner, but the Genius Society under Yaboli's supervision didn't really help her research that at all. Instead, they often invented all sorts of useless things. So, essentially, her research was just to satisfy her own desires."

"... Could it be..." Upon hearing "desire," Jingxing immediately thought of the Beast Molt he had seen yesterday.

"You must have studied galactic history," Xuzhao. "Even before the Amber Era was established, some Ancient Beasts were already roaming the galaxy. I don't have any evidence, but I can't mistake the scent emanating from her department—it's the scent of Ancient Beasts."

Jingxing's throat was a little dry. "Yaboli, is it Ancient Beast?"

"It's not necessarily Ancient Beast," Xuzhao corrected him, "She might just have been corrupted by Ancient Beast."

Didn't anyone within the company notice?

"That idiot Qlipoth is only focused on building walls, he wouldn't care about this." Xuzhao shook his head. "As the department head, Yaboli hasn't shown any signs of deviating from Preservation in her work, so no one else would suspect her."

"What if we expose her identity—"

"Then I'll test you. What makes amber so precious?"

"Size, whether it is naturally formed, variety, purity..." Jingxing hesitated for a moment at this point.

Xuzhao simply added for him, "Most importantly, the value of the contents."

"Amber with complete inclusions is far more valuable than amber without any inclusions. Therefore—" Xuzhao's tone rose slightly at the end.

She tossed her empty coffee cup into the trash can and waved him off, saying, "Think about it slowly."

Jingxing stood there, staring Xuzhao left.

Amber is prized for its intact inclusions.

"The Voracity was dealt with by the three Aeon working together. Part of its body was sealed away by the Aeon of Elation, but what about the other part..."

"So the Interastral Peace Corporation possesses a portion of the Aeon's body? And this is what Amber Lord demanded?"

"So it's not just Elation that's affected by Voracity, but also Preservation? The company has been corrupted internally?"

Jingxing dared not think any further; the more he thought about it, the more cold sweat broke out on his brow.

"Then what can I do?" Jingxing looked down at his outstretched palm. "Beauty goddess Idrila, did you grant me the power of 'Temperance' so that I could carry out this mission on your behalf?"

Let me elbow the Aeon, really?

Unfortunately, his questioning went unanswered by Idrila.

In Jingxing's blind spot, Xuzhao looked at the bewildered Jingxing and sighed, "Akivili's reaction to my seemingly plausible speculations is much more interesting."

I miss you. When are you coming back to visit me?