---o---
"Wait, wait a minute..."
Boothill felt like he'd woken up too suddenly. What did he just hear? The Emanator on the Astral Express wasn't from the Path of Trailblaze, but the Path of Finality?
"Did I get my brains scrambled by those two punches? Is there something wrong with my damn hearing system?"
Boothill couldn't help but tap his own head, muttering his favorite curses, "my dear," and "damn it," to test if his auditory systems were functioning correctly.
Dan Heng let out a silent sigh. He was long used to Boothill's reaction. Many people had shown the same expression when they learned that Fu Zhu was an Emanator of Finality, not Trailblaze.
"Rest assured, your hearing system is not malfunctioning. Fu Zhu is indeed an Emanator of Finality."
"...Fine."
Boothill reluctantly accepted this fact. In any case, it didn't matter to him what kind of Emanator Fu Zhu was. All he needed to know was that this Nameless named Fu Zhu was not someone to be trifled with.
Boothill turned his attention back to Dan Heng and asked again, "So, partner, can you help me out now?"
Dan Heng pondered for a moment, then turned to Pom-Pom beside him. "Conductor, while this guy's intrusion was extremely rude, an Emanator of Nihility is indeed a hidden danger to the others. Besides, it's not a good idea to let a hot-headed Galaxy Ranger stay on the train. What if he causes another incident..."
Dan Heng glanced meaningfully between Boothill and the Iron Golem. Boothill just shrugged indifferently. Dan Heng was right; he was indeed a bit reckless.
Pom-Pom understood Dan Heng's meaning. "So, Passenger Dan Heng, you mean you're going to take him to find Passenger Fu Zhu and the others?"
"Yes."
Dan Heng nodded, then instructed, "Conductor, while I'm off the train, remember to stay close to the Iron Golem. It will protect you."
Although the Iron Golem was no match for him in terms of offense, it was far superior in defense. With the Iron Golem present, Dan Heng could leave the train with peace of mind.
"Okay, pom."
---o---
After parting ways with Aventurine, Fu Zhu once again transformed into the likeness of Sunday. This wasn't because he wanted to continue his previous villainous acts, but because he found Sunday's identity more suitable for doing certain other things.
For example...
In full view of the passersby on the street, Fu Zhu opened a roadside trash can. Then, under their stunned gazes, he reached into the can, which was filled with all sorts of garbage, and rummaged around for a bit before pulling out a cracked, cheap-looking gem.
[Cracked Gem of Strife]
[Light Weapons: +10% Attack Speed]
[Heavy Weapons: +1 Armor Penetration]
[Core Armor: +1 Max Health]
[Shield: +5% Max Health]
(There are many types of gems in the Apotheosis Mod, so I won't list them all. Their corresponding effects will only be explained at key moments.)
"As expected, you can't find anything good in a roadside trash can."
Fu Zhu disgustedly tossed the gem into his inventory. Although this gem was of a low grade, in the Apotheosis Mod, these low-grade gems could not only be combined to synthesize higher-grade ones but could also be crushed into Gem Dust using an anvil.
Gem Dust was a material used to reroll affixes on equipment, making it stronger.
Fu Zhu intended to see just how powerful the already formidable SlashBlade could become with the addition of the Apotheosis Mod.
Therefore, a large quantity of basic materials was essential.
Penacony was huge, with countless containers for storing items. As long as he was diligent enough in his rummaging, he could quickly gather a heap of basic materials.
As for whether Sunday would faint from anger when he found out that his likeness was being used to dig through trash cans, Fu Zhu felt it wasn't a big deal. He'd already done far more depraved things. What was a little trash-rummaging in comparison?
Humming a little tune with a relaxed expression, Fu Zhu made his way down the street, rummaging through every single trash can he passed. This caused the pedestrians on the street to stop one by one, staring at him with wide eyes. But due to "Sunday's" status, no one dared to say a word.
Just as Fu Zhu was happily rummaging through trash cans while heading to regroup with his companions, he caught a glimpse of something out of the corner of his eye. Among the tourists who had stopped to watch him, a strange fellow with a clock for a head passed right through their bodies, ran into the middle of the road, and began waving its short arms frantically.
"Tick-tock! There's going to be an accident! Someone, help!"
But its cries didn't draw the attention of anyone except Fu Zhu. He glanced down at his hand, which was still inside a trash can, then back at the strange fellow on the road.
Could it be that the Head of the Oak Family rummaging through trash isn't more eye-catching than that strange-looking guy? It's not like no one else is looking in its direction, is it?
Driven by a strong sense of curiosity, Fu Zhu put the lid back on the trash can and walked toward the strange fellow, using his minimap to identify it at the same time.
[Clockwork Boy]
Clockwork Boy?
Fu Zhu vaguely remembered that this seemed to be an original animated quest in the dream world, and it had something to do with the Watchmaker.
"Hey, what are you? Even though this is a dreamscape, can two-dimensional things just run around freely?"
Fu Zhu walked over and crouched down in front of the Clockwork Boy, looking it up and down with curiosity.
"Tick-tock! You can actually see me?!"
The Clockwork Boy, who had been waving its arms and shouting for help, was overjoyed to see Fu Zhu walk over and speak to it. The expression on its clock face was one of pure delight as it immediately reached out and tugged on Fu Zhu's pant leg.
Its words made Fu Zhu a bit curious. He turned to look at the surrounding tourists. Because of his appearance as Sunday, their gazes followed his every move, but upon closer inspection, none of them had their eyes fixed on the Clockwork Boy.
"You mean, I'm not supposed to see you?"
The Clockwork Boy shook its head vigorously. "Only children who are forthright, pure, and have a childlike heart can see me!"
Being praised like that by the Clockwork Boy, Fu Zhu couldn't help but blush a little, but he still humbly accepted the compliment.
After all, he could indeed be described as forthright, pure, and childlike!
He always avenged his wrongs and spoke his mind—that was being forthright!
He had always practiced the Path of Trailblaze—that was being pure!
He spent his days using dirt and stone blocks to build things, which was, in a sense, playing with mud. And typically, playing with mud is what little kids do—that was having a childlike heart!
As for his age... Himeko and Uncle Yang still gave him pocket money, so he was still a kid!
Conclusion: He was a bona fide forthright, pure, and childlike kid!
After humbly accepting the Clockwork Boy's praise, Fu Zhu didn't forget to ask about the important matter.
"So, what did you mean just now when you were yelling about an accident?"
Reminded of this, the Clockwork Boy immediately reacted, tugging at Fu Zhu's pant leg anxiously.
"Tick-tock! Misha is in danger! Good person, can you help me? Of course, Clockwork Boy won't let you get into danger. I will teach you the Clockwork Trick. Since you can see me, you will definitely be able to learn the Clockwork Trick!"
"Clockwork Trick? What's that?"
Just as Fu Zhu was wondering what the Clockwork Trick was, a ball of light suddenly emerged from the Clockwork Boy in front of him and swiftly merged into his body.
[Power of Trailblaze Level Up, Current Level: II]
[Power of Trailblaze II: Provides Haste II, Fire Resistance II, Water Breathing II, Regeneration II, Saturation II, Clockwork Trick. Infinite Duration.]
The system notification that suddenly popped up made Fu Zhu's eyes widen. He never would have thought that the Path of Trailblaze, which had been dormant for so long, would level up at this very moment!
Keep in mind, Akivili's whereabouts were unknown. Fu Zhu had no idea how to level up the Power of Trailblaze. He never expected that just being touched by this Clockwork Boy today would cause his Path of Trailblaze to be enhanced!
More importantly, this was the Path of Trailblaze! The Path that all Nameless practiced! This meant that the Clockwork Boy in front of him was related to Trailblaze!
If he continued to follow it, he might have a chance to level up the Power of Trailblaze to Level III. Based on the power levels of the Path of Finality, when a Path's power reaches Level III, he would become an Emanator of that Path. Becoming a Trailblaze Emanator was within his grasp!
Fu Zhu immediately stood up, took the Yamato from his inventory, and looked at the Clockwork Boy with a solemn expression.
"Boss, just tell me who we're cutting down today!"
Today, whether it was to help a fellow practitioner of the Trailblaze Path or to become a Trailblaze Emanator and further enhance his own strength, even if the Clockwork Boy told him to go fight Xipe, the Aeon of Harmony, next, Fu Zhu wouldn't even blink!
---o---