Chapter 363
With the abundant energy supply, the Jianmu's Mystic Root began to recover at an incredible speed. In the blink of an eye, the Mystic Root, which had been developing slowly, broke through the limit, broke through the seal again, and stood on the Immortal Ship.
"Alright." The young man clapped his hands, as if he had only done a small thing like dusting off some dirt. He gestured for Phantylia to continue, then looked at him. "It's up to you now."
That's how it is.
After the Jianmu tree was revived, Ai Yue also appeared at the dock leading from Alchemy Commission to the Scale-Abyss Realm, where he met the others who were waiting there.
At this moment, the number of people present has decreased by a few.
Fu Xuan was sent by the general to temporarily command the Cloud Cavalry, while Yanqing led several Cloud Cavalry soldiers to carry away the frozen blade—after all, the other party was still a wanted criminal on the Immortal Ship, and it wouldn't do for him to stay here any longer.
It was precisely because the impetuous young people were not present that Ai Yue was not struck on the head with a sword after he uttered the outrageous statement that he had helped Phantylia absorb the energy of the Jianmu tree.
After all, this behavior was clearly villainous no matter how you looked at it. Even the nameless guests who trusted Ai Yue were stunned and had no idea how to respond.
"I understand!" After a moment, March 7th, having regained her senses, finally broke the silence and began trying to defend Ai Yue, "Brother Yue, you must have tampered with the Jianmu's Mystic Root. It will show up after Phantylia absorbs the power of the Blessing of Abundance, and you can just kill her, right?"
"How could that be?" Ai Yue shook his head matter-of-factly, then said proudly, "Judging from the current situation, with my help, Phantylia's strength will probably be much stronger than she originally planned."
Faced with such outrageous actions, even Xing, who was always the one stirring up trouble, couldn't help but take on the responsibility of criticizing. "Brother Yue, don't smugly say you're aiding the enemy! The general of the Luofu Xianzhou is standing right in front of you!"
"It's alright, it's alright," Jing Yuan said with a smile, waving his hand as everyone was bewildered by Ai Yue's strange actions. "Although this is my first time meeting Mr. Ai Yue, I feel a sense of familiarity for some reason. I suppose you have your own purpose in making this design, right?"
"For example, for a satisfactory resolution?"
"General Jing Yuan is indeed a wise man." Seeing Jing Yuan's composure, Ai Yue couldn't help but smile. "Look at his self-control; you should all learn from him."
"To be honest, I'm actually a little unsure myself. The only reason I'm able to stay calm is because of my trust in the Stellar Train." Jing Yuan couldn't help but smile wryly upon hearing this. "Someone who can be trusted and even relied upon by the Nameless Guests can't be someone who would disregard everything for personal gain, right?"
"You're targeting me, aren't you?" Ai Yue raised an eyebrow, then his expression turned serious. "Alright, enough joking. You're right, I did this for a reason, and it's for the sake of the entire Xianzhou Alliance."
"I knew it," March 7th breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this, "Brother Yue's actions always have their own deeper meaning, that's for sure!"
"Simply put, this is an experiment." Ai Yue for a moment, seemingly considering how to explain his plan to everyone in simple terms. "If the experiment succeeds, then I might have a way to solve the problem of the Immortal Ship people's Mara-struck."
"This..." Hearing the other party say this so casually, Jing Yuan was taken aback for a moment, then a hopeful expression appeared on his face, "Can you really do it?"
Before this, although he had some hope for this possibility, he dared not believe that it would actually come true.
"Well, it's not impossible, but to completely solve it from the root, it will probably take a long time." Ai Yue saw through Jing Yuan's thoughts and then added, "However, after this matter is settled, I should have a way to temporarily curb the incidence of the Mara-struck —of course, only on the Luofu Xianzhou."
"That's enough." Jing Yuan bowed deeply to Ai Yue with a solemn expression. "On behalf of the entire Xianzhou Alliance, Jing Yuan thanks you for your help, sir!"
If what Ai Yue described could come true, not to mention fundamentally solving the problem of the Mara-struck, simply curbing its incidence would be an unimaginable boon for the Xianzhou Alliance.
Jing Yuan couldn't even imagine how high his status would be in the Xianzhou Alliance if Ai Yue had accomplished such a thing... Even if he couldn't be compared to the Hunt Star God, he would at least be the one with the highest status among all the allies of the Xianzhou Alliance.
"Things haven't come to fruition yet, so there's no need to be so polite." Ai Yue casually waved his hand and helped the other person up. "I'm quite curious, don't you suspect I'm just lying to you?"
"Jing Yuan is quite confident in his ability to judge people. No matter how you look at him, you don't seem like the kind of person who speaks nonsense." Jing Yuan smiled slightly. "Besides, I've also heard some things about you from Miss Sanyue and the others."
"Ah," March 7th finally realized, "So General, you were trying to trick me into telling you something?"
"It's alright, A Qi." Xing waved her hand, "I've said a lot too."
"That's not the point!"
"Alright, judging by the time, it should be about time." Ai Yue paused for a moment, then continued, "Now there's one more issue, and I've decided to give you the choice."
"Any other questions?" March 7th asked with a curious expression. "Isn't everything just a matter of defeating the Great Extinguisher?"
"Yes, that's the problem," Ai Yue smiled, a subtle expression on his face, "Would you like to give it a try?"
"Try, try what?" March 7th was stunned for a moment, then a look of horror appeared on his face. "Brother Yue, you don't mean for us to go and fight the Great Extinguisher, do you?"
"It's just an option," Ai Yue smiled. "It's a rare opportunity, wouldn't it be a shame not to try it? Of course, if you're not willing, I can handle it."
"Now that you mention it..." March 7th stroked his chin, a thoughtful expression on his face. "With Brother Yue around, there's no need to worry about safety. Thinking about it this way, facing the Great Extinguisher head-on is indeed something to brag about!"
The thought of being able to go out and say to people, "Even the Great Extinguisher is nothing special," made March 7th a little excited.
"Is that even a question?" Hoshino swung his bat, his face beaming with excitement. "Leave the lead to me!"
"Dan Heng you coming?" March 7th and Xing exchanged a glance, then looked at Dan Heng beside them. "Our train trio can't have anyone fall behind, right?"
"I also bear responsibility for this matter, so naturally I won't be absent." Dan Heng nodded, clearly having already made preparations. "After all, I still need to give the Luofu Xianzhou an explanation."
"Then count me in," Tingyun said after a long silence. "This humble woman has an old score to settle with that Great Extinguisher."
"This matter ultimately concerns the Luofu Xianzhou, and I have no reason to stand aside," Jing Yuan said with a smile. "In fact, if General Luo Fu doesn't participate in the final battle, then writing the performance report afterwards will be a bit difficult."
"Looks like everyone's in high spirits." Ai Yue nodded, then pulled over Pardofelis, who was dozing off nearby. "Pardo, what about you?"
"Huh? What?" Pardofelis suddenly woke up. "What happened?"
"We're going to fight the boss," Xing said briefly. "Pardo, are you coming?"
"Who are you going to fight, Great Extinguisher?" Pardofelis quickly grasped the situation, then nodded, revealing a resentful expression. "Of course we're going! That girl dared to insult me; I absolutely won't let her get away with this!"
Although it's unclear what Phantylia actually said, judging from Pardofelis's expression, it probably wasn't anything nice.
"Great, this team is quite well-rounded." Ai Yue stroked his chin, then patted Xing on the shoulder. "By the way A Xing, I have something good for you."
As he spoke, he reached out and inserted a point of light into the girl's body.
"What is this?" Xing curiously touched herself, finally looking puzzled. "I can't feel anything."
"That's right, you haven't felt it yet. This isn't for you to use right now," Ai Yue shrugged, revealing a mysterious smile. "It will naturally appear when the time is right, and then you'll know what it is."
Chapter 47: Giving Up First and Then Evolving is the Inevitable Path for the Protagonist's Battles
The nameless guests were all decisive types, not to mention that they didn't have much time to hesitate. So, after deciding to test the strength of the Great Extinguisher, they immediately set off and arrived at the Scale-Abyss Realm.
At this moment, Scale-Abyss Realm was still submerged by seawater, with only the Xianlong Dayu Palace at the highest point remaining unscathed. The crowd gathered in this open-air environment, which was more like a plaza than a palace, and looked at the vast ocean before them, exchanging bewildered glances.
"What should we do? Do we have to dive down?" March 7th looked troubled. "But I didn't bring a swimsuit..."
"It shouldn't be that bad, right?" Xing started searching everywhere for her strongest backer. "What about Brother Yue? Brother Yue will definitely have a solution!"
"Don't trouble Mr. Ai Yue with this matter." Under Jing Yuan's watchful gaze, Dan Heng slowly walked to the front of the group. "Leave it to me."
Although he looked exactly the same at that moment, after saying those words, both March 7th and Xing, who knew him well, vaguely sensed that something about him seemed different.
The next second, the air, which was already humid due to its proximity to the water, suddenly became even more humid, giving one the illusion that waves were coming towards them and could crash onto them at any moment.
No, this didn't seem to be a pure illusion—the gray-haired girl rubbed her eyes and suddenly noticed that a large amount of seawater was gathering around Dan Heng.
The seawater surrounded him, like subjects protecting their king. More and more seawater gathered around Dan Heng and soon they floated together.
It was at this moment that a powerful force suddenly erupted from Dan Heng's body. That force, along with the water, completely enveloped his figure before dissipating again after a short while.
However, at this moment, the figure that was originally in that position underwent a dramatic change. His originally sharp and capable short hair turned into flowing long hair, and two emerald dragon horns emerged from his forehead. Even his clothes changed into a more ancient style, so much so that March 7th and Xing were not able to come back to their senses for a moment.
However, Dan Heng had no time to care about other people's opinions, because with the awakening of the Dragon Lord's Power within him, more memories became clearer and turned into knowledge that he could use at will. Now, he was going to find a way to control the Dragon Lord's Power and break the seal of the Scale-Abyss Realm.
As a beam of light shot into the sky from Dan Heng's hand, the seawater of the entire Scale-Abyss Realm began to surge. As if summoned, it began to retreat to the left and right, exposing the original Vidargraha Ancient Ruins to everyone's eyes.
It was a stunning and magnificent scene, but someone inappropriately ruined the atmosphere.
"What are you doing?" March 7th was speechless, looking at Xing who had suddenly started humming a song. "Stop singing, it feels really weird."
"There always needs to be some background music at times like this," Xing waved his hand, "I'm adding background music, you wouldn't understand!"
"Then why don't you match the tune?"
March 7th had just finished complaining about Xing when she turned around and saw Dan Heng, who had finished using his power, land back on the ground. Looking at the boy whose temperament was very different from before, but whose appearance was still somewhat familiar, March 7th hesitated for a long time before finally managing to stammer out, "So, you really do have hidden power?"
Xing scrutinized him for a long time before commenting, "Dan Heng, you look older."
"If I could, I wouldn't actually want to possess such power." Dan Heng's expression was somewhat subtle, as if he were recalling the past, or perhaps feeling a little helpless. "As for getting old... shouldn't we say getting more mature at this point?"
"You were quite mature before," Xing reaffirmed her assessment, "So now you've just gotten older!"
Faced with such a self-righteous statement, Dan Heng remained silent for a moment, and finally chose to ignore her.
"It's been so long since I've seen you like this." Jing Yuan chimed in at the opportune moment, "Dan Heng... no, should I call you Lord of the Dragon 'Yin Yue' now?"
"Just call me Dan Heng," the boy emphasized. "I'm just Dan Heng."
"Is that so?" Jing Yuan paused for a moment, then changed the subject, turning his gaze to the distant Vidargraha Ancient Ruins. "It seems that's our destination, right?"
At the end of the ancient site, a Dragon Head stood facing the crowd from afar. March 7th paused for a moment before understanding Jing Yuan's meaning. "Is the mystical root of the Jianmu tree sealed inside that Dragon Head?"
"To be precise, that Dragon Head is the true form of Jianmu's Mystic Root," Dan Heng explained from the side. "In the past, the Vidargraha used the Scale-Abyss Realm to set up a seal, suppressing Jianmu's Mystic Root beneath the Ancient Sea. Under the restraint of dragon power, Jianmu's Mystic Root finally withered and shrank, eventually transforming into the shape of Dragon-shaped Wood Gall."
"I see." Xing nodded, then said quite simply, "I don't understand."
"So all we have to do is get there?" March 7th gazed at the surroundings. "But why does the path to the Jianmu's Mystic Root look like it's broken? Do we have to fly there?"
"That's also part of the seal," Dan Heng said. "Once the three seals within the Dragon Palace are broken, the passage will appear."
"There's no time to lose, everyone." This time, Jing Yuan stepped to the front of the group. "We must set off quickly."
Logically speaking, Jing Yuan wasn't entirely confident of victory against such a formidable enemy, so he should have made preparations to deal with the consequences should they fail.
However, the thought of that mysterious man in white put Jing Yuan's worries aside—he might lose to him, but with him there, even the Great Extinguisher would never win.
And so, the group traversed the Vidargraha Ancient Ruins, and after a little effort, finally managed to break all three seals.
With a tremor, the various pebbles that had been floating in mid-air finally gathered together, transforming into a path leading to the Jianmu's Mystic Root.
"Next, we'll be facing the Great Extinguisher, right?" Walking along this path, March 7th couldn't help but clutch his chest. "What should I do? I'm suddenly getting a little nervous."
"Don't worry, I'll protect you," Xing gave a thumbs up. "If you encounter any danger, hide behind me and watch me blow her up with my star core!"
"You'd better not bring that kind of thing up and make a fuss all the time!"
Thanks to the two crosstalk performers, the others present didn't seem too nervous. Jing Yuan remained as lazy as ever, making people wonder if he had any confidence in winning. Dan Heng, though serious, walked with firm steps, clearly showing no intention of backing down.
Although Tingyun was unusually quiet throughout the journey, judging from her occasional overtaking of March 7th and the others, this fox-woman girl even seemed somewhat eager to confront the Great Extinguisher.
As for Pardofelis... she's still in a half-awake, half-asleep state, needing Tingyun to pull her along so she doesn't fall behind, and she shows no sign of fear whatsoever.
Thus, this seemingly chaotic group passed through the outermost seal of the Jianmu's Mystic Root and entered the inner space.
As soon as they stepped inside, they couldn't help but show expressions of astonishment.
"Such a rich life force," Jing Yuan's nonchalant expression gradually faded. "This feeling, even if the Jianmu tree were to be reborn, it probably wouldn't be any better."
Such a surging Power of Abundance could not be discerned from the outside. Jing Yuan frowned and began to wonder what Ai Yue had done.
It was only at this point that he understood why Ai Yue said that under his manipulation, the strength of the Great Extinguisher might even exceed her original plan.
At least in the original plan of the Great Extinguisher, relying solely on the star core to nourish the Jianmu's Mystic Root, even with another month of incubation, it would be impossible to create such a large-scale operation.
"Oh, we have guests?"
As the group ventured deeper into the area, an elegant and alluring voice drifted over from afar. "This aura... it seems the general of Luofu has personally come to visit."
"Don't act like this is your home, Great Extinguisher." Jing Yuan wasn't as gentle with enemies as he was with friends, and his words were harsh from the start. "This is the jurisdiction of the Luofu Xianzhou. The one who trespassed on someone else's territory is clearly you, isn't he?"
"Oh dear, how aggressive of you," perhaps emboldened by her immense power, Phantylia's tone was quite casual. "However, isn't it a bit too formal to keep addressing me as the Great Extinguisher? My name is Phantylia, please remember that."
"The Great Extinguisher, Phantylia, is that it?" Jing Yuan repeated, seemingly determined to etch the name into his heart. "Very good. In this way, the Hunt has a clear target."
"Oh dear, is this a threat?" Faced with Jing Yuan's undisguised hostility, Phantylia's tone turned icy. "Then, please wait a moment. Once I've finished dressing, I will be ready to serve you—"
"Destroy them!"
"What arrogance!" Jing Yuan said, but he frowned, clearly not as dismissive as he sounded. "Dan Heng, I entrust my back to you."
As a messenger, he naturally had to take the lead in this battle between messengers, and could not leave the task of confronting the Great Extinguisher to the nameless guests.
As the group continued deeper into the area, a massive Lotus Platform soon appeared before them. At Lotus Platform center, golden-blue flames danced, while Power of Abundance surged into it from all around. Clearly, this was the place where Phantylia resided.
Just as everyone saw the Lotus Platform, the scene before them finally changed.
Seemingly having finally absorbed enough Power of Abundance, the Lotus Platform trembled and gradually rose into the sky. Upon reaching its limit, boundless power surged forth from it!
A powerful life force cascaded down from the Lotus Platform, outlining a colossal and graceful figure. Dressed in magnificent robes, holding a round fan, and wearing a huge antler-shaped crown, she materialized in an instant, reclining languidly before the crowd, looking down at everything with an arrogant gaze.
"No wonder the Medicine Master's Legacy teachings are so arrogant; this Blessing of Abundance truly has its mysteries." Seeing the tense expressions on everyone's faces, Phantylia waved the round fan in her hand, a joyful smile playing on her lips. "Look, everyone, this beautiful body is the manifestation of the Miracle of Abundance."
As she spoke, her gaze turned icy, like that of a god looking down upon ants, filled with indifference and scrutiny.
"Now, let me see what this body can be used for—"
She didn't finish her sentence, because the attack from Jing Yuan and the others was already upon her.
However, to everyone's surprise, the first to launch an attack was neither Jing Yuan, nor Dan Heng, nor even March 7th or Xing, but Tingyun, who had been silent all the way but seemed rather impatient.
As Phantylia's enormous body appeared, five tails also eagerly emerged from behind Tingyun. In addition, the four "tails of light" that could detach from the body and float in the air also pointed their tail tips at the lofty Great Extinguisher.
Clearly, Tingyun's patience had reached its limit with this guy who had taken everything from her and was now trying to seize the Immortal Ship; she didn't want to wait even a second longer.
Just as Phantylia was proudly exploring this new power, four dazzling white rays shot towards her face!
Unfortunately, Phantylia, though seemingly carefree, did not truly underestimate her enemy. Moreover, she had previously suffered a loss at the hands of Tingyun, and thus had been on guard against this move early on.