A pass—or the Seed of Ecstasy.
Either name referred to the same thing, like casting a condensation nucleus into the mist of one's soul.
From that point on, all knowledge, wisdom, morality... every concept related to humanity would exist for only one purpose: to become nourishment for pleasure's growth.
He had witnessed this thing's terror back at the Academy, and through their many later dealings, he had learned just how well it concealed itself.
In short, as one of Your Excellency Amnion's signature tricks, it had left a deep impression on Fu Qian.
So much so that, after piecing together the clues he had gathered along the way and realizing that Old Master Ji was performing some strange operation, this was the first possibility that came to mind.
Mostly because it felt intensely familiar.
By now, it was clear that although this was a sacred wedding day, every inch of Ermu Mansion Palace—even the air itself—seemed steeped in a salty, damp sensuality.
Never mind the classic plot of the groom collapsing while a third party assumed his identity.
Once he considered that possibility, even the behavior of the unfamiliar man and woman in the little room suddenly seemed to have an explanation.
They had clearly had no audience, yet they were still putting on a performance for each other with obvious enjoyment—a state best described as a little unhinged...
There was even Jose's unusual reaction.
"What are you?" That line, terrifying enough to frighten anyone fainthearted—could it have been referring to something similar?
It would not have been strange for someone of Second Order or above to notice something like the Seed of Ecstasy, or even attempt to cleanse themselves of it.
That lump he had pulled out had not truly been a fetus secretly forming within him, but rather