"An entire era…"
Jing Yuan murmured Sylvester's words under his breath.
He knew Sylvester wasn't speaking idly—none present could understand that feeling better than him.
If, in the wake of the Second War of Abundance and before Dan Feng's desperate gamble, they had obtained this Elixir, could Luofu have avoided its current fate?
Absolutely.
As someone who had lived through these events, he alone knew the crucial turning points better than anyone.
There truly was a single moment in time: save one person then, and an immeasurably beautiful outcome could have been bought back.
"Feixiao, I think Shopkeeper Sylvester is right. Those of the past should be allowed to rest. The calamities of the descendants have not yet come—we must prepare early."
Seeing Jing Yuan persuaded, Sylvester seized the moment and pressed on: "Let me put it more harshly. Even if none here wish it, what if fate turns and one among us becomes a hero like Baiheng? A valiant death could become the fuse that collapses an entire era."
He crossed his arms and enunciated each syllable as he looked at the three before him: "Try—and—ask—who—can—bear—it?"
Hearing Sylvester, Feixiao's eyes widened; his words made the hairs on her arms stand on end.
To die on the battlefield could be a soldier's glory—she had never feared that—and there was little left in the world that frightened her. But the consequences Sylvester described truly frightened her.
Who might, because of one person's death, be driven to madness and commit some monstrous acts?
Perhaps… someone would. Like Jiaoqiu: he smiles like a kindly man, but he once considered desperate measures to cure the Moon Rage; he'd even entertain Hoolay's wild ideas. Or someone might follow General Yueyu's fate and, brokenhearted, vanish into the countryside.
But she refused to gamble on such outcomes.
She looked at the tri-colored orb in her hand.
Maybe this thing was meant for her?
And that other person—she glanced at Sylvester.
Did he deliberately put it into her hands?
Who could say—the man's thoughts were always hard to predict.
Even so, a feeling of being moved bubbled in Feixiao's chest like clear spring water.
After a long, slow breath, the tension in her face softened into a smile.
This time it was a relieved smile.
She faced the man behind the counter and said, "Shopkeeper Sylvester, you really went to a lot of trouble for me."
"Haha, as long as it wasn't for nothing."
Sylvester laughed and shook his head, then leaned back in his chair with satisfaction.
What a mouthful of persuasion. How could these Xianzhou people all fail to think of themselves first?
Fu Xuan is like that, Jingliu is like that, Feixiao too. Every time they get a high-grade Curio, they act as if they must hand it over to the public immediately.
Please—you bought this with your own money.
Besides, you are the top combat strength of the Xianzhou right now, aren't you? You should be the ones to prioritize preserving yourselves.
His gaze swept over Feixiao and Jing Yuan.
One who's afflicted with Moon Rage, push too hard and she could lose control; the other advanced in their years, perhaps a century away from a Mara onset.
Especially Feixiao—Jiaoqiu had nearly gone mad searching for medicine for her, itching to throw Hoolay into a pot and stew him to cure her taste.
If she got the life-saving Elixir and first gave it to Jing Yuan, then used it to resurrect her master, Jiaoqiu would surely be furious enough to pop his eyes out.
Sylvester looked up at the dome, his expression at once delighted and helpless.
When would such selfless people become something you just happened upon? What kind of world is this?
Is this the way of cosmic comedy?
"General Feixiao, how about you open the five remaining trash cans of your quota quickly? Seeing the [Massacre Ruler] and that [Resurrection Elixir] has made me a bit itchy-handed."
Having overheard their exchange, Jing Yuan reminded them.
"Oh? Five left? I thought after talking about the High-Cloud Quintet her quota was used up."
Feixiao teased them and tucked the [Resurrection Elixir] away. Facing a shelf already half empty, she took five Trash Cans from left to right.
Perhaps spurred by Jing Yuan's words, eager to let her have another go, Feixiao pressed down two lids and pulled.
As if answering her casual gesture, this time the cans produced only two streaks of green light.
The light fell.
What appeared before them were a pair of small-sized men's shoes and a huge buckle-style belt.
"This is… children's wear?"
Lifting one Curio, Feixiao half guessed and half questioned as she looked toward Sylvester.
Sylvester glanced at the two items and wiped his face.
Thought that detective-series Curios were done—but another set had come up? This time they matched!
He first looked at Feixiao's left hand: "These shoes are called [Power-Enhancing Kick Shoes]. Through electric and magnetic stimulation of foot acupoints, they push muscle strength to the limit."
Then he pointed to her right hand: "This belt is called the [Anywhere Ball Dispensing Belt] It holds a rubber bladder; press the button and a football inflates out from the belt buckle like blowing bubble gum, but it deflates in ten seconds. Used with that pair of shoes, an ordinary child could kick down an average adult with one shot."
Feixiao looked more puzzled after Sylvester's explanation.
She stared at the two Curios for a while and said, "So these were invented to give children the power to defeat adults?"
Her earlier nonchalant attitude evaporated in an instant.
She felt pity for the children of the places that produced such Curios.
Forced to take up arms just to defend themselves, with weapons integrated into clothing as naturally as dressing—clearly battle was as normal as eating and dressing for them.
What must their living conditions be like to make survival so brutal?
Places that wicked should be cleansed by force, even if they're not corrupted by Denizens of Abundance.