"He's no longer on Amphoreus?"
Dan Heng was both surprised and relieved to hear this news. He was surprised that Fu Zhu had actually left Amphoreus, which likely meant he had been coerced by someone. At the same time, this was the reason for his relief; if Fu Zhu was able to leave Amphoreus, it meant he wasn't in any immediate danger.
And knowing Fu Zhu's personality, he was a man who held a grudge. If someone dared to force him to leave a place, he would surely find a way to get his revenge.
He would, one day, return to Amphoreus to reunite with them.
However, Dan Heng's only concern was whether Cerces's information was accurate.
Cerces seemed to notice Dan Heng's contemplation and asked with a chuckle, "Are you perhaps wondering in your heart if my words are true? And how I might prove their truth? Am I right?"
Dan Heng didn't hide it and nodded.
"That is because the [Reason] Coreflame was given to Fu Zhu by me a thousand years ago. In that same moment, I completely severed my connection with the [Reason] Coreflame. It is clear that he took the Coreflame with him. I, a dying woman, am the best proof of that."
Phainon, standing to the side, was confused by her words.
"Lady Cerces, I've heard that a Titan will perish once they are separated from their Coreflame. If, as you say, the Coreflame was taken by Fu Zhu a thousand years ago, how have you managed to survive until now?"
Phainon's question voiced the same doubt in Dan Heng's mind. He too stared intently at Cerces, eagerly awaiting her answer. Her response would prove whether her words could be trusted.
Cerces silently turned to look at the giant, ancient tree outside the window behind her. "My true body is this great tree. I have been rooted in Amphoreus for more years than I can count. A tree's life force is tenacious... Of course, even the most tenacious tree will one day wither once its roots are severed. But I am glad that I was able to meet another Nameless Guest before my life comes to its end."
Cerces's words completely dispelled Dan Heng's doubts. He could now confirm that what she said was credible.
Thus, he couldn't help but ask again, "Cerces, I heard from others that Fu Zhu may have been harmed by a villain. Do you have any clues about that? Or rather, do you know of anyone who holds a grudge against Fu Zhu?"
"Of course."
Cerces smiled and nodded, lifting her head with a sense of pride.
"This great tree of mine has been rooted in Amphoreus for ages untold, and it has recorded matters both great and small. To this day, I still remember with perfect clarity the time Fu Zhu fought with someone. It was on that occasion that I, through him, beheld a god from beyond the heavens."
"A god from beyond the heavens? You don't mean an Aeon?" Dan Heng muttered.
Cerces nodded.
"Indeed. From Fu Zhu, I learned the name of that Aeon: Nous, the Erudition."
Hearing the name Nous, Dan Heng wasn't surprised. Before the Astral Express had set off, Himeko had mentioned that Amphoreus was under the gaze of three Paths, one of which was Erudition.
What he found strange, based on Cerces's account, was that Fu Zhu seemed to have gotten into a conflict with someone and then had an audience with Nous. Why?
At this point, Cerces seemed to grow weary. With a simple wave of her hand, a screen materialized before the two men and began to play a scene of Fu Zhu's conflict with Lygus.
The moment Dan Heng saw the screen appear, he immediately took out his phone and started recording.
He then watched the entire confrontation between Fu Zhu and Lygus. The exchange was brief; after a few words, Fu Zhu suddenly opened a spatial passage and pulled Lygus in with him.
As for what was on the other side of that passage, Dan Heng didn't need to think hard to guess it was a Path-space—the very place where Fu Zhu and Lygus met Nous.
What they discussed in that space, Cerces did not know, and the projection ended there.
After watching the video, Dan Heng fell into deep thought. Phainon, however, pointed at Lygus in the final frame, a look of surprise on his face.
"Isn't that the Divine Emissary, Lygus?"
Cerces nodded. "Indeed, that is him. What's interesting is that after Fu Zhu took him away, Lygus did not return with him. And yet, over this past millennium, I have seen Lygus many times. Truly fascinating."
"Lygus didn't die?" Dan Heng's head snapped up.
Based on the exchange in the projection, Fu Zhu and Lygus were clearly enemies. Dan Heng couldn't imagine any reason why Fu Zhu wouldn't have finished him off!
Unless, at that time, Fu Zhu was incapable of killing him completely!
If even Fu Zhu couldn't kill him, then wasn't it obvious this person was the mastermind?!
Dan Heng felt he was getting very close to the truth.
"Phainon, since you recognize him, does that mean he has appeared in the Holy City?"
"Yes, though not many times. But thinking back on it now, it seems like every time Lygus appeared, it was at some critical juncture!" Phainon was also starting to piece things together. This Lygus was a huge problem!
Just then, Cerces waved her hand again. A crystal materialized in her palm, which she then offered to Dan Heng.
"This contains all the records I have retrieved from my memories concerning Fu Zhu. I hope it will be of help to you."
"Thank you."
Dan Heng accepted it with a solemn word of thanks. The gains from this trip had far exceeded his expectations.
After putting the crystal away, Dan Heng asked Cerces, "With the return of Eternal Night to Amphoreus, the Grove of Epiphany will likely choose to evacuate. What about you? Will you come with us to the Holy City?"
Cerces, however, sighed with a hint of regret and shook her head.
"People move to live, but a tree dies if it is moved. My current state no longer supports long-distance travel. To even appear and speak with you for a few moments is my limit. For my final moments, I will remain here. Do not worry. Even if the Black Tide erodes me, I will be unable to pose any great threat to you."
"That may not be true!"
Anaxagoras's voice suddenly cut in from the side. The three of them turned in unison to look at him.
Anaxagoras walked up to Phainon and Dan Heng with his left hand behind his back and nodded at them. "Everything has been arranged. Those stubborn old coots have agreed to evacuate to Okhema. Now there's only one stubborn old coot left who hasn't agreed."
"Who?" Phainon asked, puzzled.
Anaxagoras turned his head and looked at Cerces. "Well? Isn't the biggest stubborn old coot right here?"
Even after being called that, Cerces remained calm, a slight smile on her face as she gazed at Anaxagoras.
"Truly an irreverent one, to be able to say something so disrespectful."
Anaxagoras simply shrugged, unconcerned.
"Say what you will. But, Titan, since you have already accepted your demise, you might as well let me put you to good use."