Although Pei Guang didn't plan on building farms, it didn't stop him from collecting blueprints for wonders. Who knew? They might come in handy someday.
For simulation management players, the allure of constructing wonders was irresistible. Sure, they might ruin a nation's economy, but at least they looked good!
While Pei Guang was busy studying how to construct his wonder, Stelle approached the sealed gate and looked up at the dragon head above it.
At that moment, Stelle felt something—a presence—and the wooden dragon locked its gaze on her, its expression stern. In response, Stelle gripped her bat with determination.
The dragon, formed from the roots of the Arbor as part of the seal, was infused with the power of immortality. Though it lacked sentience due to the seal, it still radiated an instinctual arrogance toward ignorant beings.
For centuries, it had dutifully guarded the Arbor, but today, it sensed that its end was near.
Stelle raised her bat, enhanced by the power of her Light Cone, the destructive energy crackling along its surface.
Five rapid strikes landed on the seal, but instead of breaking, it sent vibrations up Stelle's arms, leaving her hands numb.
The seal practically mocked her, its dragon head tilting upward with pride, as if saying:
"You? Destroy me? Pathetic."
Destruction dared to challenge Permanence? Ridiculous.
When the Aeon of Permanence had walked among the stars, Destruction had barely registered as a speck of dust. How could it possibly harm a seal forged by a Imbibitor Lunae's immortal power?
But before the seal could finish gloating, Stelle pulled out her flaming spear. The amber glow along the weapon's tip immediately shut the seal up.
"Wait, is that the power of the Amber Lord?" The seal shuddered.
Worse, the energy felt fresh.
Fresh, indeed—it was still warm from being stabbed into Cocolia just last week.
Stelle raised the spear again, ready to jam it into the seal and see what would happen.
But Pei Guang stopped her. "Hold up! Don't brute force it!"
Despite his words, Pei Guang had already drawn his wooden sword, his eyes gleaming with desire as he stared at the dragon.
Before Pei Guang could act, Dan Heng cut in. "Ah Guang, no need to break it with violence. This seal was created using dragon energy. Even without following the proper steps, we can open it by using that same energy."
He didn't want to see Pei Guang go ham and reduce the seal to splinters—especially since he'd noticed Pei Guang's greedy eyes fixated on the dragon-shaped root.
To the people of Xianzhou, especially the Vidyadhara, this dragon was practically a sacred relic. While Dan Heng didn't personally care, with Jing Yuan present, it was better to play it safe and avoid wrecking their cultural heritage.
Later, though? Once the coast was clear? Maybe he'd discreetly help Pei Guang sneak a piece of it out.
Pei Guang exchanged a look with Dan Heng, and in that brief moment, the two silently reached an understanding.
Pei Guang glanced at Jing Yuan and decided to let it slide—for now. If the mission was just to get inside and take down the big bad, it didn't technically say he couldn't break the dragon seal and take it home as loot.
The dragon, sensing Pei Guang lowering his weapon, seemed to relax—or as much as a giant wooden dragon could relax.
And just like that, both Dan Heng and Jing Yuan let out sighs of relief.
Dan Heng extended his hand, his voice calm. "Everyone, I'll open the path to the depths of the Arbor. Prepare yourselves."
Without wasting any time, he closed his eyes and began communicating with the seal. With his deeper understanding of the Path of Permanence, channeling his draconic power to grant them entry was a breeze.
Sensing Dan Heng's energy, the dragon head above the seal lit up with a brilliant glow. Just moments ago, it had genuinely thought it was doomed. Thankfully, Dan Heng had stepped in to stop Pei Guang. Unfortunately for the dragon, it wasn't truly alive and couldn't comprehend the silent exchange of thoughts between Dan Heng and Pei Guang.
It had survived—for now.
A flash of light enveloped the group, and in the next moment, they found themselves inside a vast chamber, encased by the winding roots of the Ambrosial Arbor.
Pei Guang glanced around, his eyes sparkling with excitement. "This is interesting! It feels like we're floating in the sky, but we're still standing on solid ground. I give this visual effect a ten out of ten."
March 7th scanned the eerie surroundings, her voice a little shaky. "It's so empty here… This place is seriously creepy."
Before she could finish, a voice echoed through the chamber. "Oh? Hehe~ So it's the General of the Xianzhou and the Trailblazer from the Astral Express?"
The moment the voice rang out, everyone snapped into high alert.
March 7th clenched her fists and shouted back, "You wicked thing! I knew you'd be waiting for us here. Show yourself, Phantylia! If you don't come out and let me pull your hair and slap you twice, I'm not March 7th!"
Pei Guang added, "You need to work on your intimidation skills, but I'll show you how it's done."
Then he raised his voice. "Phantylia, your head looks like a giant intestine. I suggest putting on something more decent. I was bitten by a dog when I was a kid, and looking at you is giving me flashbacks."
Phantylia's voice returned, playful and mocking. "Oh, dear savior~ Don't be so hasty. A lady must finish her makeup first…"
Pei Guang interrupted again. "Ah, your voice is smooth—like butter. Too bad it's just as greasy and hard to swallow."
Stelle blinked in confusion. "Ah Guang, what does that even mean?"
Welt adjusted his glasses, quickly catching on. "He's saying Phantomshade's words sound polished but are still slimy—like something a snake would spit out."
Bailu took a sharp breath and muttered, "That's… brutal. I'm learning this. Next time I need to insult someone, I'm using Ah Guang's style—classy but devastating."
March 7th lowered her voice and whispered, "Uh… why did Phantylia go quiet? Did Ah Guang's insults shut it up?"
Phantylia's voice finally returned, icy and annoyed. "Would you respond to the ramblings of an insect?"
Pei Guang smirked and gestured to March 7th. "See? She's mad."
Phantylia's voice hissed back. "Hmph! Insects."
Pei Guang: "Classic, absolutely classic. Can't win an argument, so you change the topic instead? Talk about villain—delusional self-victory. I'm dying over here."
For some reason, even though Pei Guang's words didn't contain a single curse or insult, they still managed to get under everyone's skin.
This time, Phantylia completely fell silent. She gave up trying to verbally spar with Pei Guang because she realized she couldn't out-talk him. Instead of wasting her time, she focused on absorbing more power from the Arbor. The first fruit had already manifested, and with its influence, she was shaping a new body—one stronger than ever before.
Right now, however, her flesh was still raw with Abundance's power, leaving it unable to move properly. But that didn't matter. Once the forces of Abundance and Destruction fused perfectly, the Xianzhou Luofu would meet its end.