"We succeeded... We finally did it!"
Deep within the Scalegorge Waterscape, as the Stellaron's power vanished, the Ambrosial Arbor that pierced the heavens finally ceased its growth, gradually crumbling into flying ash. At the base of the Arbor, Caelus could no longer contain his excited voice.
Their plan had succeeded. Although the Stellaron within the Luofu was now sealed and the Ambrosial Arbor had returned to its former withered state, Caelus could feel a subtle connection between himself and the Arbor.
If he wished, he could reawaken this dead Arbor at any time. Not only that, perhaps because he himself was a conscious Stellaron, he could even feel he possessed a sliver of Abundance's power, allowing him to guide and utilize the Arbor's own strength.
Using the Ambrosial Arbor to heal Twilight was no longer just an imagined plan, but a genuinely feasible method!
Although this had significantly delayed the sealing of the Stellaron, as long as it could save Twilight, Caelus felt it was all worth it!
"Uncle Yang, the Ambrosial Arbor's ability to create Abominations of Abundance has also stopped. We can head back."
Walking out from within the Arbor, Caelus looked back at the miracle of Abundance behind him, unable to wipe the smile off his face. "Now, even if those Xianzhou medicines don't work, as long as we find a way to bring Twilight here, we can use the Arbor's power to extend her life!"
"Yes..."
Unlike the purely excited Caelus, Welt's emotions were extremely complex at this moment.
He still did it... did something against the rules, did something crazy like those two men, disregarding the world for the sake of someone close to him.
Perhaps he was slightly better? After all, what he and Caelus did hadn't harmed others, merely committed one of the Ten Unpardonable Abominations on the Xianzhou... Though he tried to console himself with this thought, Welt ultimately just sighed, no longer trying to justify his actions.
Regardless of the excuses used, the Ten-Lords Commission would surely not listen.
But he truly couldn't do it, couldn't just watch a child he helped raise die young because of something like this... Welt once thought he might have grown accustomed to partings, but now he realized, perhaps it was only because those partings were beyond his power.
Now, with the chance to change things right before him, he couldn't remain indifferent no matter what.
"This matter must be kept secret from the Xianzhou people. Perhaps Jing Yuan can guess some things, but we did help the Xianzhou after all, and he seems to have old ties with Dan Heng... As long as this matter isn't brought out into the open and known by others, he should turn a blind eye."
"Don't worry, Uncle Yang, I know."
Casually turning off the buzzing communicator, Caelus patted his face, forcing himself to calm down. "Let's go!"
...
With the Stellaron sealed and the Ambrosial Arbor withered, the Abominations of Abundance born from its power naturally returned to dust. The seal Phantylia had placed using the Arbor's power also dissolved. When Caelus and Welt returned from the depths of the Scalegorge Waterscape, the endless battle between the Cloud Knights and the Abominations finally ended.
And just as Welt suspected, Jing Yuan didn't press too hard about why sealing the Stellaron took longer than expected. He merely gave Caelus and Dan Heng a complex look before saying no more, gathering his troops, and preparing to leave the Scalegorge Waterscape.
"We can finally go back! Twilight must be worried sick..."
March 7th followed dejectedly in the departing group. "We told her it would only be a little while, but ended up gone for so long... She must have been super lonely all by herself. I knew I should have stayed there with her."
"At least this trip yielded tangible results," Himeko comforted her with a smile. Although these past days had been spent constantly fighting Abominations of Abundance, it all seemed worthwhile now.
The Elixir of Immortality and the power of the Ambrosial Arbor... These methods of extending life, originating from Abundance, were undoubtedly perfectly suited for Twilight.
With this matter settled, they no longer needed to worry about Twilight's life. The Express could once again travel the galaxy as usual—just as Twilight had always wished.
"Hehe, Dan Heng, looks like your plan won't be needed~"
Perhaps thinking of the bright future ahead, March 7th, who had been listless and exhausted moments ago, grinned at Dan Heng.
"That would be for the best... That thing shouldn't be used," Dan Heng shook his head silently.
Although the Xianzhou people constantly cursed Abundance as the Plague Author and viewed the longevity granted as venomous beasts, one had to admit that the blessing of longevity bestowed by Yaoshi was the simplest, most universal, and least costly method of achieving long life in the galaxy.
While the issue of Mara-Struck existed, that was a problem only considered after millennia. Otherwise, the Xianzhou could not have possibly developed to its current prosperity.
In contrast, while the Transmutation Arcanum could allow reincarnation, it was far too uncontrollable... Even though Dan Heng now held a version optimized by Herta herself, as someone who had personally messed it up once, he still regarded it with awe and trepidation.
"But this time, we can definitely give Little Twilight a big surprise," March 7th smiled.
After secretly informing everyone about the Ambrosial Arbor matter, the atmosphere among the Express crew on the return journey became relaxed for the first time in a long while, even filled with quiet chatter and laughter. However, this atmosphere was completely nullified by the somber, serious mood outside when they left the Scalegorge Waterscape and stepped back onto the Xianzhou proper.
"Why... why is everywhere under lockdown...?"
Seeing the stern, solemn Cloud Knights everywhere on the streets, Caelus looked confused. "Is it because of the Ambrosial Arbor?"
"Possibly, but the Arbor was sealed within the Scalegorge Waterscape before, and we handled the cleanup. It shouldn't have caused such severe practical impact," Himeko's expression turned serious. She had thought things might not remain relaxed for long, but she hadn't expected unexpected complications to arise so quickly.
"Everyone, don't worry. I believe someone will come explain shortly," Jing Yuan came over and offered a few words of comfort. And sure enough, soon, a short, pink figure hurried over.
"You're finally back! Do you know what's been happening during this time?!"
Though short in stature, the anger radiating from Fu Xuan now was no less intense than Jing Yuan, the actual General. "You took so long just dealing with a Stellaron, couldn't even be contacted! You weren't worried, but these past few days on the Xianzhou, the Shackling Prison was raided, the Borisin rebelled, if it weren't for—"
Fu Xuan, initially fuming, suddenly stopped mid-sentence upon seeing the Astral Express crew behind Jing Yuan. Himeko assumed she felt it inappropriate to discuss internal Xianzhou matters in front of outsiders and considerately said, "It's not appropriate for us to be present while you discuss Xianzhou affairs. We'll take our leave first."
"...No, you... perhaps should stay and listen first," Fu Xuan averted her gaze, looking away silently. "A lot has happened these past few days..."
"Thank you, Master Diviner, but our companion is still waiting at the inn. We need to return quickly to tell her."
"..."
Looking at the expectant faces before her, Fu Xuan felt she really wasn't suited for delivering messages.
Pushing someone towards despair was truly an agonizing task... What kind of vile person could possibly take pleasure in such a thing?
But regardless, what needed to be said had to be said. Taking a deep breath, Fu Xuan steeled herself.
"Miss Twilight... has passed away."