"I never would have thought... even the Master Diviner of the Divination Commission is involved."
Jing Yuan outwardly agreed with Noldrei, but inwardly, he was lamenting how ridiculously stubborn that fool Fu Xuan was.
Fu Xuan had clearly sensed that Dan Shu was determined to die, so she should have prepared for the most advantageous outcome. Yet, she insisted on trying to turn the tide with her own hands at a time like this.
Unless an Aeon descended from the heavens and suddenly granted Fu Xuan the power of an Emanator, there was no way she could reverse this dire situation.
"I gave her the first option, but she wouldn't listen. So, I sent my people to protect her."
Noldrei sighed with a sense of helplessness. "At least this will teach her a lesson so she doesn't get it in her head that she's some master strategist. Without her omniscient eye, her overly awkward personality just makes her even more confused."
Jing Yuan nodded in agreement. "Even an outsider like me could see that. But... the intel you gave me was spot on, brother. A lot of people are looking for Xianzhou experts to verify those elixir recipes. I've made a fortune just from collecting advertising fees."
"These outworlders are so greedy, trying to swallow an elephant when they're no bigger than a snake. How could they possibly think such a perfect deal exists?"
"Still, I've made quite a bit. Remember to give me your account details; I'll send you a very generous information fee."
Noldrei waved his hand dismissively. "No need, no need. I reckon after this whole affair, the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus will be either dead or crippled. The rest will probably convert to the Pure Land Sect."
"That way, your life will be much safer, my friend. At the very least, no one will be dragging you off for any private human experiments."
"The disciples' ideology has already started to shift. They've gone from 'The Xianzhou natives who betrayed us all deserve to die' to 'We will destroy the Abundance's blessings to make the Xianzhou natives suffer'."
"Next up, I wonder how surprised the Master Diviner will be when she finds out what I used her to accomplish."
Noldrei originally had no intention of doing anything to Fu Xuan, but the girl was just so single-minded that she walked right into the trap he had laid.
"Wow, brother, you really are a master of mischief!"
Jing Yuan had thought he would have a chance to employ his 'Divine Foresight,' but who would have guessed that an outworlder would create a whole new strategy by leveraging a conflict of faith?
The Divine Foresight General couldn't help but feel relieved by his earlier decision. If a person like this were allowed to stay on the Xianzhou any longer, it was debatable whether the Luofu would even remain the Luofu.
Send him away! He must be sent away! And with full honors, at that!
"By the way, have you heard of the Astral Express? They're the spiritual successors of Akivili the Trailblaze. I heard they've come to the Luofu as well. They even commissioned the Realm-Keeping Commission to find someone. That's how I found out."
Noldrei's interest was piqued. "Oh? The Astral Express? How many of them are still active? I recall the Xianzhou historical records have very little on the Aeon of Trailblaze."
"They don't even know if the Aeon is dead or alive. And the Express can carry people who don't follow the Path of Trailblaze?"
Jing Yuan nodded repeatedly. "That's right, exactly! I hear they love freedom, champion a spirit of chivalry, and build relationships through exploration and exchange. I wonder if they'll be able to resolve the Stellaron crisis."
Noldrei nodded in agreement. "Interesting. I do know a little about the Aeon of Trailblaze. I'm still quite curious about whether It truly exists in this world. Logically, if It were truly dead, the Star Rail should have ceased to be. But in reality, the Rail is broken, yet not completely severed."
"Based on my own speculation, It likely foresaw something and went into hiding to avoid attracting conflict."
"It's just a shame I don't know much more..."
Jing Yuan caught the underlying meaning in Noldrei's words. It meant that if this man had the chance to learn more, he would definitely take it.
The Divine Foresight General didn't press the issue, knowing that haste makes waste.
"A shame indeed. But since their people are already on the Xianzhou, we can find a chance to talk to them."
"Let's get back to the matter of the Xianzhou for now."
"If those Disciples of Sanctus Medicus really succeed in reawakening the Xianzhou people's faith in Yaoshi, wouldn't that cause a huge amount of trouble? Do you have any solutions?"
Hearing his friend's anxious tone, Noldrei reassured him, "Don't let it fool you. It seems complicated, but it's actually very simple. Your Xianzhou has never properly handled its conflicts of faith. It's always been either bloodshed or infighting among the higher-ups."
"Have you ever truly eradicated the followers of Yaoshi? No. In fact, every time there's a conflict and the common people suffer, they begin to yearn for the Abundance's blessings again."
"If killing could change beliefs, then the most widespread faith in the universe would be Destruction."
"It's easy to root out the visible followers of Yaoshi, but it's hard to root out the Yaoshi in people's hearts. You'd be better off thinking of a way to ensure that even if people become Mara-Struck, they won't harm those around them."
"As for alleviating their suffering, I don't expect you Xianzhou people to be able to solve that. After all, you know firsthand the pain of the Mara-Struck."
"I've met many of what you call 'short-life species.' Some fear death, some fear pain, some fear loneliness, and some fear loss."
"There is always some form of suffering that will make you feel that 'even death is nothing special'. For the people of the Xianzhou, there will also come a moment that makes you think, 'even being Mara-Struck is nothing special'."
Noldrei raised an eyebrow. "Isn't that right?"
Jing Yuan let out a long sigh. "Brother, you speak the gospel truth..."
"But in this universe, it's dog eat dog. The big fish eat the small fish, and the small fish eat the shrimp. Where can one find a piece of truly tranquil land? It's just like your Pure Land theory. If those believers were really sent to find a 'Pure Land,' I'm afraid they would just end up waiting for the first person to meet Yaoshi to make a wish for them."
"All things are suffering, but the greatest suffering is to want what you cannot have. Life is full of pain, but the greatest pain is the inability to let go."
For some reason, Jing Yuan was reminded of his own past. He was now just one step away from becoming Mara-Struck himself.
At his age, continuing to work in such a high-intensity, conflict-ridden position would likely bring on the Mara far sooner than he imagined.
"That, I don't know. We'll have to see what our dear Master Diviner has up her sleeve. For all we know, she might still be hesitating about whether to even perform a divination right now."
Noldrei's jest almost made Jing Yuan laugh out loud.
Although laughing at Fu Xuan felt a bit immoral, Jing Yuan was genuinely curious to see the look on her face when she was cornered.
"Since you've told me so much, I should go back and report this. I have no desire to be branded a traitor of the Xianzhou."
Jing Yuan had to go back to wielding his blade.
Using the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus as bait throughout the universe, he could lure out those who opposed the Xianzhou on one hand, while separating the radical believers from within on the other. He could even manipulate the faith of the Xianzhou natives themselves.
The Divine Foresight General had learned this fishing technique well.
Next time, General Jing Yuan would have to try this method elsewhere.