Guinaifen shifted positions, continuing to push Dan Heng's storyline forward. Given the current situation, they needed to escort this Judge-juggernaut back to the Realm-Keeping Commission first.
Suddenly, Luocha spoke up, "I have some knowledge of medicine; perhaps allow me to try healing the young lady's injuries."
"Erm, you see, she's actually a juggernaut puppet. Let's just take her to the Realm-Keeping Commission?"
"Don't worry, Miss Sushang—I'll take care of her." With that, Luocha approached the girl and revealed a golden ornament in their hand.
A gentle aura radiated outward.
"It shouldn't hurt, but you might feel something strange... Perhaps a tingling or numbness. Can you stay still?" Luocha asked.
The expressionless girl lying on the ground replied, "It's futile... My body is crafted by mechanical artifice, not flesh and blood—"
"Whether mechanical or flesh, they're merely tangible forms. As long as you don't mind my methods..."
Under the glow of the light, the once-damaged parts of the girl's body miraculously restored themselves to pristine condition!
"...Remarkable," she marveled.
Her name, Xueyi, appeared in a dialogue box.
"H-how did you do that? That can't be regular medicine!" Sushang exclaimed, astonished.
"[Abundance]..." Dan Heng murmured quietly.
"Huh?"
"The Basics of Medicine"
"You can even heal inorganic lifeforms?! Impressive!"
"This Strength of Fertility is quite handy!"
"Can it cure Mara-Struck bodies?"
"He's so courteous; now I must summon a Luocha!"
Xueyi straightened up. "Excellent. No need to return to Earth Measure; we shall continue our mission."
"According to the laws of the Ten-Lords Commission, as a Judge, I must not involve myself with external matters. However, since you aided my escape, I will offer this advice: leave promptly.
"I am here to restore order and apprehend a key criminal—the Stellaron Hunter. This individual possesses extraordinary sword skills and wields a divine weapon, making them extremely dangerous."
Upon hearing this description, Dan Heng was instantly alarmed.
"If not for some peculiar occurrence, my lifespan might have been prematurely cut short."
"Peculiar...occurrence?"
"Follow me."
As they trailed behind Xueyi, the interior of the Artisanship Commission came into view.
A massive cauldron, tightly bound by the roots of the Tree of Foundation, hovered suspended above.
Guinaifen let out an enlightened, "Oh~." The scene before them matched the one described in the main storyline's plot!
"In other words, Dan Heng arrived at the Artisanship Commission first and witnessed the effects of the Tree of Foundation emerging."
"If only March and the others had moved faster, they might have encountered him right here!"
At Cloudford.
Hanya paused once more.
"What is it now, Big Sister?"
"Look, this furnace seems to be the Artisanship Commission's 'Creation Furnace'."
"The one containing the solar essences?"
"Yes, exactly."
Xueyi pondered briefly before saying, "This serves as a warning that Luofu may soon face the calamity of escaping solar essences."
"Let's focus on our current mission first."
"Those solar essences have been imprisoned within the Creation Furnace for many years and are already severely weakened. It would take time for them to cause widespread disaster."
"After completing this task, we'll report the matter to the Ten-Lords Commission for their decision."
"Alright, Big Sister."
Hanya nodded.
Continuing to watch the stream, her attention primarily remained fixed on her sister. Apart from seeking any additional crucial information:
She thought, "Dan Heng, Sushang, and Luocha are all playable characters now."
"Big Sister, could there be a chance for you to become a controllable character too?"
"If so... hmm..."
"I must quickly download the next game!"
Returning to the plot—Sushang took in the scene before her and exclaimed, "So this is Luofu's Tree of Foundation? I've never seen it before."
"Our Yaoqing has a lunar eclipse as its emblem," she continued with a click of her tongue. "It feels much more elegant than Luofu's design."
"...I heard that the Tree of Foundation had long since withered..." Luocha wondered aloud. "How could it suddenly grow anew?"
"It must be due to the malevolent entity within the Stellaron; there can be no other explanation," Xueyi replied. "We need to swiftly return to the Ten-Lords Commission! With my injuries hindering me, travel is difficult, so I'll requisition your assistance for now. Once we reach the star ferry crossing, you're free to go about your business."
"...Well, there's nothing to be done. Everyone on Luofu has the duty to aid the Ten-Lords Commission in investigations..." Sushang sounded somewhat embarrassed. "Sorry for keeping you again. After I drop you off, let me treat you all to dinner."
They prepared to head towards the star ferry crossing.
Suddenly, Xueyi turned to Dan Heng and said, "Thy appearance seems quite familiar."
Dan Heng remained silent.
"No need to be anxious. I have already cross-referenced The Shackling Prison's illustrated roster, and there was no match."
"Everyone's dropping hints about Dan Heng and Imbibitor Lunae's relationship!"
"Could Little Gui really be a genius?"
"What made Imbibitor Lunae betray Xianzhou back then? And why does Blade keep pursuing Dan Heng?"
"I want to see Dan Heng face off against Blade! Who do you think is stronger?"
As they continued escorting Sushang:
"...Fresh flowers, please..." she couldn't help but plead silently.
Sushang asked again, "To be honest, this is my first encounter with Judges from the Ten-Lords Commission... What exactly do you oversee?"
Xueyi replied, "We manage matters related to Eternal Life Beings' lifespans and Mara-Struck individuals."
"Oh, I see. Perhaps it's best if we don't cross paths too often..."
"Indeed."
After traveling some distance, they spotted a middle-aged man standing near the staircase entrance, accompanied by a goldfish and a small Divine Listener.
"Why does this scene feel so familiar?" Guinaifen wondered.
The middle-aged man seemed to be talking to himself, saying, "Gongshu Liang is no coward; the safety of the Artisanship Commission now rests solely on me!"
"Woof!" responded the Divine Listener, as if acknowledging him.
"No way! A'Cai, you must escape alone. With no sign of the cloud riders, it falls upon this old man to turn the tide—dramatically!"
Upon hearing that theatrical tone, Guinaifen instantly recognized who it was—Master Gongshu! What a coincidence!
In line with the original plot, Sushang cautioned, "Uncle, don't try to play the hero."
Master Gongshu was startled and looked incredulously at the Divine Listener on the ground.
"A'Cai, h-how can you suddenly speak?"
"Who's calling who a little dog?" Sushang pouted, clearly displeased.
Only then did Master Gongshu notice Sushang and her group approaching.
"My apologies, young lady. I didn't realize I had installed speech capabilities for this little fellow..."
"Ho? More people here? The apprentices have fled, leaving me as the sole remaining member of the Artisanship Commission. You should swiftly escape for your lives too!"
"You mentioned 'the cloud riders' being delayed," Sushang interjected. "Well, as one of them, I've arrived just in time."
"Leave matters here to me; join us and depart first!" she urged.
With firm resolve, Master Gongshu replied, "I cannot! As the Chief Artificer, it is my duty to remain and protect the commission."
"It seems drastic measures may be necessary. Will you move voluntarily, or shall I let the lad in the white coat behind me pack you into his box and transport you away?"
"I-I... Can you give me the time it takes to burn one incense stick to think about it?" Master Gongshu was taken aback.
He hadn't anticipated such directness and frankness from this young cloud rider girl.
"Right now! Immediately!" Sushang seemed ready to speak with her fists instead of words.
"Enthusiastic Citizen Miss Sushang!"
"It's clear Yaoqing values martial virtues immensely."
"Shangshang, I never knew you were like this! If that's the case, then...then...I like it even more!"
"Our Yaoqing always prioritizes efficiency—well done, Shangshang! You've upheld the honor of Yaoqing's cloud riders!"