Using the shortcut in the Artisanship Commission, everyone rushed to the Alchemy Commission at full speed, only to find Phantylia there with a stiff neck.
"Pfft~ Miss Tingyun, your neck..." Knowing that the Tingyun before her was Phantylia in disguise, March 7th only wanted to laugh upon seeing this.
"Heavens, is this the life of a merchant guild's Ferry Receptionist... Can't even sleep soundly, getting a stiff neck directly." Stelle revealed a look of sympathy.
"Sigh~ This is called working while sick. Miss Tingyun is truly diligent."
Continuing deeper into the Alchemy Commission, they cleared out the moles of the [Disciples of Sanctus Medicus] along the way.
"To think the long-dormant [Disciples of Sanctus Medicus] would show themselves at this juncture. I wonder if that Master Diviner calculated this..." Phantylia snapped open her folding fan and said pretentiously.
"Benefactors, you must be careful. The Disciples of Sanctus Medicus believe in the Plaguemark Author [Yaoshi], and are a mortal enemy of the Xianzhou."
"For thousands of years, the Alliance has wanted to uproot this secret organization but has never succeeded. Choosing this moment to emerge is certainly no accident."
"Thank you for the explanation, Miss Tingyun. Regarding this organization, we have already had some contact."
"Right, right, right. Didn't you and the Church's Deacon destroy a [Disciples of Sanctus Medicus] stronghold near Exalting Sanctum yesterday!"
"That's right, it was me." Stelle put her hands on her hips; she was happy to take credit.
"Deacon?" A shadow flashed past, and Phantylia responded with a smile.
"Sigh~ Why does it feel like the Alchemy Commission is full of [Disciples of Sanctus Medicus] people..." March 7th complained.
...
Not long after, Fu Xuan returned to the stronghold guarded by the Cloud Knights in the Alchemy Commission.
"Sorry to keep you waiting. I have ascertained the truth about the [Disciples of Sanctus Medicus]."
"Master Diviner, you certainly kept us waiting." Stelle lowered her head slightly.
"Apologies. To prevent leaks... the matter of the [Disciples of Sanctus Medicus] is known only to the General and me. This is a secret organization plotting to overthrow the Alliance."
"They have lurked in the shadows for years. With the Stellaron causing trouble this time, they finally couldn't help revealing their tracks. Moreover, this disaster has an extraordinary connection with them."
"Despite the unfavorable battle situation, the Master Diviner took the lead and personally investigated the enemy situation. It is admirable," Welt praised.
Fu Xuan couldn't handle praise well, and a smile appeared at the corner of her mouth: "That... that's nothing! Matters of calculation require the diviner's personal involvement; obtaining first-hand intelligence is the only way to approach the correct result..." She realized something was wrong and raised her head:
"Wait... who said the battle situation was unfavorable? Although the [Disciples of Sanctus Medicus] have plotted for a long time and have capable means, my army has not shown any disadvantage. How can you say the battle situation is unfavorable?"
"Just being polite. Master Diviner, let's talk business." Adrian took over the conversation. "Next, are you going to send out the surprise force appointed by the General?"
"It seems you are already prepared..." Her gaze shifted to Adrian. Is this one going to take action too?
"Sigh~ The first time we met your Madam Yukong, she said something very well: '[This is an internal affair of the Xianzhou, no need for you to worry].'" March 7th put on a cool tone.
"Calculating the time, only a day has passed. How come in the blink of an eye, all the hard tasks are shoved onto us? Even the IPC isn't as good at ordering people around as you guys."
March 7th didn't mean anything else by it. "Let me guess, what do you plan for us to do this time? Don't tell me it's leading the charge... rushing forward with the Cloud Knights...?"
Thinking about fighting those Abundance Abominations to the death, especially when the opponents had that perverted [Revival] skill, March 7th broke out in a cold sweat:
"Not going, not going! This young lady gets dizzy in big scenes!"
Seeing March 7th's deep misunderstanding, Fu Xuan explained: "Who said anything about sending you to the battlefield..."
"No... not doing that?"
"As Mr. Adrian mentioned just now, you are a surprise force brought here by fate, focusing on the word [Surprise]. The Cloud Knights' strong attack just now was a feint to engage the enemy openly."
"The time to use surprise is now." Fu Xuan introduced to everyone:
"After being granted the [Ambrosial Arbor], the Alchemy Commission was once the most important commission on the Xianzhou Luofu. After all, they were the ones who transformed all Xianzhou people into long-life species... and they were the ones who researched various incredible technologies from the [Ambrosial Arbor]."
"But in the end, the alchemists were still unsatisfied and began to take pleasure in manipulating life. Researching the [Ambrosial Arbor] was like drinking poison to quench thirst... the deeper they went, the more they craved."
Fu Xuan led everyone to a gigantic elixir furnace emitting white smoke:
Starting with a classic Xianzhou poem: "[The morning bell awakens the dream within a dream, mist and clouds gather and scatter the body outside the body]... Everyone, do you see that over there?"
"What a big elixir furnace, and it's still smoking." Phantylia feigned amazement.
"This is where ancient alchemists expounded on the path of immortality. They built elixir furnaces here to draw power from the [Ambrosial Arbor], turning fantasy into reality... Because the smoke in the furnace never ceases, it was named [Elixir Research Terrace]."
Hearing familiar words, Stelle patted March 7th's shoulder: "See... this is the wisdom of the ancients."
In the Artisanship Commission, she wanted to emulate the ancients... by directly drawing power from the [Ambrosial Arbor] in her own unique way. Unfortunately, she was stopped by Adrian, which was a little pity.
"Although the name is elegant, it is a death trap in military strategy. As long as the furnace is not extinguished and the clouds linger, we cannot move an inch."
Welt crossed his arms: "Is this the reason the Cloud Knights lost control and fell to Mara?"
"Precisely." Fu Xuan responded. "The [Disciples of Sanctus Medicus] mixed elixirs that induce Mara-Struck into the mist scattered throughout the delve."
"Unless they can march while holding their breath, the Cloud Knights will collapse without a fight."
Fu Xuan looked at the escaping white mist. The Disciples of Sanctus Medicus were truly ruthless, applying a fatal buff directly. The Cloud Knights couldn't fight at all; while fighting, they'd find their allies falling to Mara and instantly turning into enemies.
"Because no one knows when the comrade beside them will fall to Mara. What better way to dismantle an army's morale than suspicion?"
Welt had understood Fu Xuan's intention; this kind of thing indeed had to be done by outsiders. "The Cloud Knights' first strong attack was just a cover. The Master Diviner used the main force of the Cloud Knights to attract the enemy's attention, while letting us extinguish the furnace and stop the smoke."
"The [Disciples of Sanctus Medicus] gave up centuries of hiding and chose to reveal themselves now, indicating they are certain of victory; however, no matter how well prepared, they are ultimately targeting the Cloud Knights."
"The [Disciples of Sanctus Medicus] know nothing of your abilities and existence, nor can they guard against you."
"Hmm, although we know this smoke won't affect us, but... why not let the Church's Knights try?"
Adrian looked at March 7th and answered for Fu Xuan: "The Church is only responsible for matters related to [Destruction]. Dealing with the [Disciples of Sanctus Medicus]... that's a separate charge."
"Eh? Is that so..." March 7th smelled a hint of a shady merchant.
"Why not let the Foxians and Vidyadhara try?" Stelle took the opportunity to change the topic. There was a ready-made Foxian here, although she was a Lord Ravager in disguise.
Fu Xuan explained Mara-Struck in detail again: "You misunderstand Mara-Struck; it is not a curse effective only on humans."
"Foxians are not easily Mara-Struck because although they are long-life species, their lifespans are not infinite; and Vidyadhara cast off their past lives through [Hatching Rebirth]. Regarding Mara-Struck alone, long-life species are equal."
"However, the people of the [Disciples of Sanctus Medicus] would never expect the General to dare invite outside help. Naturally, they wouldn't prepare to deal with short-life species, or even..."
In an instant, everyone's eyes gathered on Adrian again.