Sometimes, using 'genius' as an excuse is really convenient; you can use it as a reason for anything you do.
Hmm… it's the same type of stand-in as 'Aha did it' and 'this is part of the plan'.
In the future, when I'm spouting nonsense or fabricating theories, I can also use this excuse to fool people.
Anyway, at that point, it's Nous's credibility score that will take a hit. Who told It to idly glance at me?
Although Aha initially forced It to look, it was Its fault for continuing to watch afterward.
Speaking of glancing… how come every time these Aeons glance at me, they always cause a big stir?
Isn't it a bit too 'in the moment' to glance at me on a Xianzhou Luofu that harbors animosity towards the Abominations of Abundance?
While normal Abundance folk are generally fine, Xianzhou people still have some stereotypes about them.
Especially foreign Abundance folk; they always have to go through a round of inspections.
As for the Abundance blessings… I don't even know what enhancements they brought me.
The first thing I can confirm is that I've become a long-life species.
Alright, that actually doesn't matter. If I don't want to die, I have plenty of ways to stay alive.
As for any other abilities besides that, I don't know.
Oh, right, Ark seems to have data on Path blessings. I wonder if he can analyze what blessing the 醫師 gave me.
As Bai Luan was thinking this, a piece of information suddenly appeared in his mind without warning.
The information displayed was precisely the content of the Abundance blessing Bai Luan wanted to know.
"Enhanced self-healing… plant affinity… accelerated growth… Wow, quite a lot of bonuses."
This trip to Xianzhou Luofu was really worth it.
Thank you, Ark.
A wave of emotional fluctuation directly transmitted to Bai Luan's heart, conveying the meaning:
No problem.
Hmm… why doesn't Ark want to communicate with me using language?
"Perhaps he thinks verbal communication is too inefficient. Who knows? Don't forget that the Aeon data of [Elation] is also within Ark's body. He could do anything."
Should I be grateful that no Aeons backstabbed me? Speaking of which, it's surprising that so much Aeon data hasn't conflicted and created a chaotic Aeon.
"You made it, so it's up to you."
"As for a chaotic Aeon, hmm… that might change after you die."
No, I'm not setting a flag, and you're setting one for me, aren't you?
In response to Bai Luan's complaint, the System retorted powerfully.
"How dare little Bai Luan question me?"
"Even if you were like an old opera master on stage, covered in flags, I still wouldn't see you die."
Alright, alright, you're amazing.
Bai Luan no longer paid attention to the System and refocused on reality.
At present, he had proven the "importance" of his own value and abilities. All that remained was to observe the reaction of the Xianzhou Luofu's high-ranking officials.
He believed that facing something as fundamental to the Xianzhou Luofu as "extracting the mara-struck state," they would undoubtedly need to go through intense debate and careful deliberation.
Who should be the next person to be extracted? Should this news be made public? And how should they treat him, an outsider?
These were all difficult problems that required repeated consultation and could even cause unrest.
But this had no direct bearing on Bai Luan.
This was the Xianzhou Luofu people's own internal affair.
They should hold meetings and argue as they saw fit. Bai Luan only needed to quietly await the final outcome.
It felt like watching a neighbor's house burn down while he stood by enjoying the spectacle.
Bai Luan thought, and although he knew it wasn't very moral, his lips still curved into a slightly mischievous smile.
He was thoroughly amused.
Soon, Li Wenjie, who had fallen into a coma, slowly woke up. The Dan Ding Division physician informed him of his physical condition and requested that he come to the Dan Ding Division for check-ups periodically.
In simple terms, he had been granted more time to bid farewell to this world.
Although not much, it was better than being immediately taken into the Hall of Karma.
After waking up, Li Wenjie found Bai Luan.
The old man immediately wanted to kneel down and kowtow to Bai Luan.
Bai Luan was so startled that he immediately helped him up.
Bai Luan wiped the sweat that had broken out on his face from the fright. Fortunately, he acted quickly and interrupted his wind-up in time, otherwise it would have truly shortened his lifespan.
"If you want to express gratitude, this isn't the way…"
"But I… a mere commoner, what other way do I have to repay you?"
"It's simple."
Bai Luan reached out and patted the old man's shoulder, saying with a smile:
"Go home, find your family, and live well until the day you no longer wake up, okay?"
"Thank you…"
Li Wenjie looked at Bai Luan gratefully, a smile appearing on his face.
"I really should go home…"
"Mm."
Bai Luan also smiled and nodded, lowering his hand from Li Wenjie's shoulder.
"If you have a home, you should go back."
At this moment, Xueyi, who had brought Li Wenjie, walked over and calmly informed him:
"Li Wenjie, I will accompany you on your return journey. I just received orders that the official explanation for this matter will be a 'misjudgment' by the Ten-Lords Commission."
"Won't such an explanation somewhat damage the reputation of the Ten-Lords Commission?"
"No need to worry."
Xueyi patiently explained.
"Predicting that an individual is about to fall into the mara-struck state is not a hundred percent accurate. The Ten-Lords Commission has always had an observation period.
It's just that… the probability of the Ten-Lords Commission making a misjudgment is extremely low. For his family, this is already no different from a 'miracle'."
Li Wenjie, standing nearby, also nodded repeatedly:
"This matter concerns life and death; it's always better to believe it than not. Any Xianzhou Luofu person can understand."
The general quality of the Xianzhou Luofu people is quite high.
In another place, a few troublesome commoners might jump out and cause a fuss.
Civilized, too civilized.
Seeing this, Bai Luan no longer worried.
"Then I won't say more."
Xueyi bowed to Bai Luan, then left with Li Wenjie.
After Li Wenjie left, the Dan Ding Division physicians also departed.
The Xianzhou Luofu will most likely choose to conceal this news in the end. Until there is some phased progress, it probably won't be made public.
At that time, how will they ensure the news doesn't leak?
Forget it, this isn't something I should consider. I believe the Xianzhou Luofu has plenty of strength and means.
Bai Luan wasn't very interested in these matters either. What he was most interested in was when these people would discover that Bailu had secretly slipped away.
Bai Luan found Jing Yuan and asked:
"So, for the next matters, do you still need my participation?"
Jing Yuan smiled upon hearing this and asked:
"Do you want to participate?"
"No, I don't."
Bai Luan answered succinctly.
"It's best if I don't get involved in such troublesome matters."
"Haha, I guessed you'd say that."
Jing Yuan laughed.
"Since you don't want to participate, then safely enjoy your time on the Xianzhou Luofu for a while. The scenery of the Luofu still has many places worth seeing."
"Understood."
Bai Luan casually waved his hand as a farewell, turning to leave.
After taking two steps, he suddenly remembered something, turned back to Jing Yuan, and added:
"Oh, right. Regarding the next candidate for mara-struck extraction, I personally think you'd be quite suitable.
If they ask for my opinion, that's my opinion. Don't let them bother me."
Jing Yuan smiled and nodded slightly, acknowledging his words.
Seeing this, Bai Luan confidently turned and left.
The serious business was done; it was time to find something good to eat and play with.
It would be a pity to come to Xianzhou Luofu and not revisit the street food.
And while he was at it, he'd go offline and mess with Little Gui.
A/N: Why do I feel like many readers misunderstood Bai Luan's mara-struck extraction?
I've always written about perfect long life, not perfect eternal life. Extracting the mara-struck state doesn't mean eternal life.
Typical Xianzhou Luofu person's life cycle:
Infancy → Youth → Old Age → mara-struck.
Bai Luan's extracted mara-struck Xianzhou Luofu person's life cycle:
Infancy → Youth → Old Age → Dies of old age.
Bai Luan's mara-struck extraction merely returned the right to die of old age to the Xianzhou Luofu people.
As for the various problems that arise after Xianzhou Luofu people achieve long life, well… I can only say that if you look through the background history of the Xianzhou Luofu, you'll find that they've basically experienced all the problems you're talking about.