Unlike the Cloud Knight who had succumbed to mara earlier, this person could understand what she was saying—and even respond to her questions. That alone struck Elysia as deeply strange.
Whether it was that Cloud Knight or the non-humanoid Abominations of Abundance within the Alchemy Commission, none of them had been capable of conversation. They had all been deranged, devoid of reason. But the one before her was different. This person was lucid—capable of dialogue.
As if sensing Elysia's surprise, a faint smile curved the other's lips.
"You're right. The current state of the Alchemy Commission is my doing. However, I hold no ill will toward you, Miss Pink Elf."
"You've watched my streams too?"
"Of course. Miss Pink Elf, who recently appeared on Ghostly Grove and rose to fame not long after her first broadcast—any user of Ghostly Grove would surely know your name by now."
A strip of black cloth covered the person's eyes, preventing Elysia from seeing their gaze. She had no idea how they had detected and dodged her attack without sight.
After all, the eyes were the windows to the soul. In a first meeting, one could often discern a person's inner state simply by looking into them.
Elysia could not help but feel the situation growing troublesome. If they fought here, she was confident she would not lose—but from that brief exchange earlier, it was clear her opponent was far from weak.
The resulting destruction would likely be extensive. And once it was over, she would probably be detained for investigation.
How could a cute girl possibly have a history of being arrested? If her fans found out, they would surely be heartbroken.
"What exactly is your objective?" Elysia's gaze swept over the other before she spoke. "If you're planning to do something harmful, I won't stand by and watch."
"Of course not. I merely wish to have a conversation with you."
The other seemed devoid of hostility. Casually, they pulled over a chair and sat down, then gestured toward another nearby chair, inviting Elysia to join them.
After a brief hesitation, Elysia sat as well. Whisper of the Past rested flat across her thighs. Her hands lay neatly upon her knees, her posture perfectly obedient.
"You're an outworlder, aren't you...? You have not received the blessing of the Merciful Medicus." The other spoke abruptly. "What are your thoughts on the Aeon of the Hunt and the Aeon of Abundance?"
"My thoughts...? I don't feel much of anything. I have no particular opinion." Elysia answered honestly. "I'm not a follower of either Aeon."
"I see."
The other did not find her answer strange. They merely inclined their head slightly before continuing.
"In that case, you should be able to view us fairly..."
Listening to them, Elysia had the odd impression of someone airing a long-held grievance. She had learned a little about the Xianzhou before.
The people of the Xianzhou now worshipped the Aeon of the Hunt—Lan. As for Abundance, it was despised. On the Xianzhou, people referred to the Aeon of Abundance as the Plagues Author.
"Once upon a time, the people of the Xianzhou worshipped the Merciful Medicus, praying for the method of eternal life. And the Aeon of Abundance answered their faithful, granting longevity to the Xianzhou," the other recounted calmly, as though narrating a story. "Yet afterward, under the bewitchment of the Reignbow Arbiter, they betrayed the Merciful Medicus and began hunting down their former kin."
After hearing this, Elysia had no idea why they were telling her any of it. She was not a native of the Xianzhou.
"If you're trying to gain sympathy, I'm afraid you've chosen poorly. The moment you set those... Abominations of Abundance upon us, any sympathy I might have had vanished."
The other simply shook their head.
"No. I do not seek your sympathy. I intend to invite you to join us."
"You're in your early twenties, aren't you? Though you are at the height of youthful beauty, you must be sensitive about the matter of age. Time leaves indelible marks upon the body—marks that cannot be erased. But the Merciful Medicus can allow your time to remain forever at this very moment."
"And the price?" Elysia asked. "As everyone knows, miracles and magic are never free."
The other shook their head once more.
"As time passes, centuries from now, the accumulation of memories may cause mental instability. However, we have already found a solution to that problem."
"But for those born with deficiencies, I do not recommend joining us. The state of your body would be forever fixed at this moment. Even if later medical techniques were to correct those defects..."
"There would be severe rejection. The body would resist the foreign alterations, leaving you unable to cure congenital flaws."
Listening to this, Elysia fell silent in thought.
Dan Shu was a native of the Xianzhou. Could this be the reason she had never been able to heal her eyes?
No matter what method was used, her body would reject it, forcing her to remain in that state.
A trace of sorrow stirred within Elysia at the thought of Dan Shu's condition.
But she felt no interest whatsoever in the offer before her.
Without the slightest hesitation, Elysia refused.
"I have no desire for eternal life. Compared to the distant future, I value the present far more."
The other seemed to have anticipated her rejection. There was no anger, no frustration at a failed plan. They simply rose slowly to their feet.
"It's fine. I never expected a single conversation to make you understand us. But I believe that one day, you will come to understand what we are doing. You appear to be searching for someone. I will take everyone and withdraw. We will not interfere with your next actions. However, I believe this will be of use to you. Trust me—you will need it."
With that, they tossed a yellowed parchment scroll toward Elysia. As she caught it, they seized the opportunity to disappear.
After the figure left, Elysia rose with her bow in hand and resumed her search for Dan Shu. This brief interlude had not made her forget her original purpose.
Walking along the shoreline, she soon spotted a familiar figure in the distance. Though it was only a fleeting glimpse, she recognized her immediately—it was Dan Shu, whom she and Stelle had been desperately searching for.
In a few quick strides, Elysia ran to her side and reached out, grabbing Dan Shu just as she was frantically searching for somewhere to hide.
"It's alright now. The Abominations of Abundance have all withdrawn. Dan Shu, you're not hurt, are you?"
Upon hearing Elysia's voice, Dan Shu finally relaxed.