Evan truly hadn't expected this.
The hidden treasure from Scalegorge Waterscape—
Contained the Undying Divine Fruit.
If the Ambrosial Arbor was the miracle bestowed upon the Xianzhou by Yaoshi—
Then the Undying Divine Fruit was the ultimate treasure born from that miracle.
The Alchemy Commission?
Its longevity research had once been based on the Divine Fruit.
But after the Arbor was severed—
The fruit ceased to exist.
Phantylia's boss form on the Luofu had been called Undying Divine Fruit Phantylia for a reason.
Her body was literally the first fruit produced when the Arbor revived.
Its effect was simple.
Rewrite the body at a genetic level.
Transform the host into a true Abundance lifeform.
[Undying Divine Fruit]
First fruit of the revived Arbor.
Transforms host body into Abundance physiology.
No side effects detected.
Evan had been cautious at first.
After all—
The Xianzhou's "mara" issue was infamous.
Abundant lifeforms were hated across the universe.
Even Destruction factions despised them.
The Intelligentsia Guild had openly stated:
Experimenting on Abundance beings would not provoke ethical backlash.
Yaoshi may be the most benevolent Aeon—
But Abundance civilizations were notoriously parasitic.
Devouring worlds.
Invading civilizations.
Before Lan ascended—
The Abundance factions had repeatedly attacked the Xianzhou to seize the Arbor.
If not for the Reignbow Arbiter's apotheosis—
The Xianzhou would have fallen long ago.
Planets touched by Abundance often became irredeemable.
Half-serpent immortals.
Collapsed ecosystems.
Even the Destruction Lord Celenova once boarded a Xianzhou vessel to threaten cooperation against the Wingweavers.
That was how vile Abundance forces could be.
Evan's concern wasn't power.
It was a mutation.
Monstrosity.
But the system had confirmed:
No side effects.
Which meant—
The balance factor likely neutralized excess corruption.
Fine.
He consumed it.
[Fusion Complete.]
[Abundance Physiology Acquired.]
[All physical metrics +80%]
[Skill Gained: Regeneration]
His body surged with vitality.
Cells restructured.
Energy circulation deepened.
He exhaled slowly.
So this was Abundance—
Without corruption.
Not bad.
Meanwhile—
Scalegorge's Ancient Sea collapsed back downward.
Evan shielded everyone before they could get drenched.
"Did we beat her?" March nudged his arm.
Evan nodded calmly.
"No one survives inside a real singularity."
"Not even Phantylia."
A pause.
"But that wasn't her core body."
Right on cue—
Phantylia's voice echoed through space.
"Brilliant, Genius."
"You understand me well."
"This round—I miscalculated."
"I did not expect Jing Yuan to summon you."
"But you won't remain on the Luofu forever, will you?"
"Without your assistance…"
"I wonder how long the Xianzhou can endure?"
"Destruction's brilliance will return."
"We shall play again, General."
Her laughter faded.
A green flame descended into Jing Yuan's palm.
He exhaled coldly.
"Tell your Legion."
"The Hunt's retribution will come."
Then—
He swayed.
Collapsed backward.
Dan Heng caught him instantly.
"General!"
Fu Xuan's voice erupted through the open jade communicator.
"I heard that!"
"Return immediately!"
Jing Yuan groaned weakly.
"I merely intended to feign illness…"
"Hand duties to Fu Xuan…"
"Please don't tell her…"
Too late.
He fainted mid-sentence.
Later — Golden Hour, Aurum Alley
Evan and Dan Heng sat outside Du's Teahouse.
Across from them—
March, Stelle, Qingque, and Welt were playing cards.
Before them—
A small, horned girl sat stiffly with a serious expression.
Bailu.
"Why did Dragon Lady summon us here instead of the Alchemy Commission?" Evan muttered.
"And why does this 'tea' smell like alcohol?"
Du's Teahouse.
Sure.
If Nous himself came—
He'd still call this liquor.
Bailu puffed her cheeks.
"Hm… hm…"
"Dan Heng."
"The elders saw you return."
"They want you to resume the Dragon Lord position."
"I agree."
"I'm not qualified."
"You take it."
Dan Heng stared at her for a long moment.
Then answered flatly:
"No."
"I have no interest in being Dragon Lord."
He turned.
Looked at Evan.
"…You?"
Evan nearly choked.
"Are you insane?"
"I'm from Jarilo-VI."
"A Nameless."
"A Genius."
"You want me to be Dragon Lord?"
"Absolutely not."
Bailu's cheeks puffed harder.
"You both refuse?!"
"If one of you became Dragon Lord—"
"I could finally travel the cosmos!"
"Board the Astral Express!"
"Become a wandering swordswoman!"
March immediately perked up.
"Wait, that sounds amazing."
Stelle nodded seriously.
"Dragon Lord Bailu."
"Legendary."
Dan Heng sighed.
"The Dragon Lord's duty is to maintain the Arbor seal."
"And oversee the Vidyadhara."
"It's not a tourist visa."
Bailu slumped dramatically onto the table.
"I quit."
"I resign."
"I want adventure!"
Evan smirked faintly.
"You're the only one truly suited for it."
"You just lack confidence."
She froze.
Blinking.
"Really?"
Dan Heng nodded slightly.
"You inherited half the Dragon Lord power."
"You have potential."
"You simply need time."
Bailu looked between them.
Then sighed.
"Fine."
"But if I'm stuck as Dragon Lord…"
"You two owe me."
March raised a hand instantly.
"Field trip to the Express!"
Stelle added:
"We'll smuggle snacks."
Evan leaned back in his chair.
Dragon Lord politics?
Hard pass.
But Abundance physiology—
Dragon Lord authority—
Emanator-tier Erudition—
Now that was interesting.
The next game with Phantylia…
Would be far more entertaining.
To read advanced Chapters, head over to p@treon:
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