Chapter 137: This humble one doesn't want to fall into the demon's clutches so soon!
「 "Cloud Knights' first assault was just a cover. The Diviner used the Cloud Knights' main force to attract the enemy's attention, while we douse the elixir crucibles and stop the smoke." With just Fu Xuan's two understated sentences, Welt guessed the Diviner's intention.
"Hmm. The Disciples of Sanctus Medicus renounced their century of secrecy and chose to reveal themselves, meaning they feel confident of victory... but no matter how well-prepared they may be, their focus has always been the Cloud Knights. They are completely unaware of your existence and capacity, and in short, cannot be prepared against you."
"Why not get the foxians and Vidyadhara to try?" Stelle asked in confusion.
"You misunderstand the nature of the mara-struck condition — it is not a curse unique to humankind," Fu Xuan shook her head.
"Foxians don't usually succumb to it because their lifespan is not eternal, yet they are still a long-lived species. The Vidyadhara relies on molting to discard the old world. All long-life species are equal in the face of mara..."
"However, the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus would never have expected the General to invite outside help, and certainly wouldn't have prepared for short-life species."
Stelle clutched her forehead: "It seems there's no other way..."
Fu Xuan lowered her gaze slightly: "I also don't want to be manipulated. But people don't walk alone on the Path, unburdened. Everyone's choices not only shape themselves but also push their companions forward."
"The duty of the Master Diviner is to bring luck and avoid misfortune. I don't want my choice to plunge the Luofu into a terrible future."
Since this matter could only be handled by the Express Crew, Stelle and the others had no intention of refusing. But as they were about to set off, Stelle suddenly noticed Fu Xuan staring blankly at the distant elixir crucibles, her delicate face flushed with suppressed emotion.
"Fu Xuan?" Stelle patted the Diviner's shoulder, unexpectedly causing the young girl to cough violently.
"Cough, cough, what? It's not too late to practice holding my breath..."
"You seem quite alright..."
"We're still far from the elixir crucibles. Although this Diviner is not well-versed in pharmacology, I do know that dosage is important in the application of poisons..."
But halfway through her sentence, Fu Xuan's arrogant expression finally couldn't be maintained, and she timidly lowered her head, her two pink ponytails swaying back and forth: "Hmph, even so... Okay, I admit it — I'm terrified! I'm still young! and doesn't want to fall into Mara-Struck so soon!" 」
「 .....」
〜Honkai: Impact 3rd World〜
"Hahaha, what's with Diviner Fu's arrogant, timid, and silly tone? So cute!"
In St. Freya High, Kiana was amused by Fu Xuan's cute tone, but for some reason, seeing Fu Xuan's expression always reminded her of her Aunt Theresa.
If it were Aunt Theresa... uttering such lines wouldn't feel out of place at all~ No! It should be said that it would be a perfect fit!
Hmm... next time she meets her, she must hear her say these lines with her own ears!
—
「 "Is that smoke really harmless to us?" Stelle suddenly asked.
"You don't trust this Diviner, do you!" Fu Xuan's ears turned red with excitement, but as soon as she remembered she still needed their help, her rising momentum instantly deflated a lot, and she mumbled softly: "Cough... If I told you I wasn't certain, would you turn back on the spot?"
"...Forget it, I'll give you all some reassurance. You still don't know what Mara-Struck is, do you?"
"Healers believe that Mara-Struck is related to memory. Although long-lived species have extremely long lifespans, the capacity of memory eventually has its limits."
Fu Xuan paused, then continued to explain: "Centuries and millennia pass, and the emotional threshold that long-life species can feel constantly increases, while memories become thin and weary under the long erosion of time, leaving only the most extreme, vivid precipitates. Those are almost certainly the remnants of painful and regretful memories..."
"Do you understand? The end of long-life species is to no longer feel joy and happiness, leaving only pain and hatred etched in their hearts like scars. Under extreme emotions, the self as a person begins to collapse... this is the beginning of Mara-Struck." 」
「 .....」
〜Genshin Impact World〜
"This feeling is very similar to erosion."
On Mt. Aocang, Cloud Retainer recalled the conversation between the Geo Archon and them years ago. Erosion was a principle of Celestia, beyond their power. It was not only shackles placed upon them but also a fate that even the gods of Teyvat could not escape. As time passed, the erosion of long-life species would become more severe, and both power and sanity would be lost.
Thinking of Azhdaha, it was precisely because of erosion that he ultimately betrayed his original contract, and eventually, the three Adepti joined hands with the Geo Archon to suppress him under the Dragon-Queller Tree.
From this perspective, Azhdaha's state was similar to the Mara-Struck of the Xianzhou, ultimately leading to loss of sanity and falling into madness.
"I initially imagined that the power of 『 Abundance 』 could eliminate the erosion on us, but it seems completely impossible,"
Mountain Shaper sighed.
"We will probably also follow in Azhdaha's footsteps eventually..."
"You two... don't torment yourselves with such things,"
Cloud Retainer glared at them reproachfully.
Moon Carver asked curiously:
"Cloud Retainer, aren't you afraid of becoming like Azhdaha after erosion?"
"Afraid, how could this Adeptus not be afraid?"
Cloud Retainer slowly sipped her tea and said calmly:
"But even if this Adeptus fears erosion, will erosion not come upon me? Since things will always happen, why be afraid?"
"This Adeptus has been living in Liyue Harbor recently and often interacts with the younger generation. Although they don't live as long as this Adeptus, there's a saying that this Adeptus finds very useful—"
"They say... 'The sun rises in the east and sets in the west, worrying is one day, being happy is also one day.' Heh heh, as for erosion, I'll leave that to my future self to worry about."
Cloud Retainer savored the lingering tea fragrance in her mouth, a contented smile on her face.
"...The enjoyment at hand, let's start with this cup of tea."
—
「 After learning about Mara-Struck from Fu Xuan, Stelle set off for the distant elixir crucibles.
The fog was thick all the way, making it difficult to distinguish the path. As the group was fumbling their way forward on March 7th, they suddenly noticed Tingyun was still in the team!
"Wait, Miss Tingyun, why haven't you gone back yet! It's very close to the elixir crucibles here!" March 7th said anxiously.
"Thank you for your concern, this humble one is fine~ The General ordered me to follow you all, so I dare not disobey military orders," Tingyun replied with a smile, seemingly completely unfazed by the fog that could induce Mara-Struck.
"Lives are at stake. Miss Tingyun, please go back, we will explain to the General," Welt said seriously.
"No need, really. Hehe, this humble one often travels in the universe. Don't let my age fool you, I actually only have a little over a decade of experience," Tingyun's eyes quickly flitted over the group.
"My benefactors have probably lived longer than I." 」
「 .....」