---o---
Fu Zhu immediately used a command to create a flat foundation in the void. He then used blocks to construct a high platform, walked up, and placed the Dragon Egg he took from his backpack on top of it.
Sure enough, once the Dragon Egg was placed, the True Stingbugs swarmed towards it like moths to a flame in the dark, one after another.
Fu Zhu immediately retreated to the group's side, keeping a safe distance from the egg. Just in case, he was also prepared to turn back time at a moment's notice.
Facts proved Ruan Mei's deduction to be correct. With the clear target of the Dragon Egg present, even though Fu Zhu and the others were the ones who had killed their queen, the True Stingbugs did not attack them. They simply swept past and swarmed directly to the Dragon Egg.
The True Stingbugs that crowded around the egg began to emit a shimmering glow. Their bodies then started to turn transparent until they completely disintegrated into some kind of light particles, which were absorbed into the egg's interior.
Watching this unprecedented scene unfold, Ruan Mei couldn't help but walk forward. Black Swan, startled by her bold move, quickly reached out to stop her.
"Madam Ruan Mei, you'd best be careful! If you get too close, there's no telling if these True Stingbugs will attack!"
"It's fine. To witness this moment with my own eyes, it would be worth it even if I died. Besides, with Fu Zhu watching nearby, I won't die."
Suddenly being called out, Fu Zhu shook his head, not knowing whether to laugh or cry, but he didn't deny her statement.
Even if Ruan Mei died, he could bring her back. So, there was no need to worry about any danger.
Seeing that Ruan Mei had said as much, Black Swan no longer tried to stop her. She even found herself moving closer out of curiosity.
The group stood to the side, watching as a continuous stream of True Stingbugs threw themselves at the Dragon Egg to provide it with energy. In just the span of one system hour, Fu Zhu roughly estimated that at least ten thousand True Stingbugs had sacrificed themselves for the egg, yet it still showed no signs of hatching.
Robin noticed this as well and couldn't help but ask curiously, "Why isn't the Dragon Egg reacting? Does it need that much energy?"
Ruan Mei, however, wore an expression that suggested this was only to be expected.
"After all, this is an existence that even Aeons were helpless against. I wouldn't be surprised if it took several hundred years to hatch."
"Several hundred years? That's too long."
Fu Zhu had no intention of waiting for several hundred years. The sooner the egg hatched, the better.
Ruan Mei said with a smile, "It doesn't necessarily have to be several hundred years. That's just a guess of mine. But its incubation will clearly not be over in one or two system hours. How about this: if you have other things to attend to, Mr. Fu Zhu, you can leave first. I plan to stay here and continue my research. If the Dragon Egg is about to hatch, I'll notify you immediately. What do you think?"
"Alright, we'll do as you say. I'll have to trouble you, then, Ruan Mei."
Ruan Mei's suggestion was a perfect fit for Fu Zhu's own thoughts. Having someone to help watch the Dragon Egg—what was there not to like?
Moreover, with the Dragon Egg now keeping the swarm in check, once the Ender Dragon hatched, Penacony's troubles should be completely resolved. There was no need for him to stay here any longer.
Fu Zhu then turned to Robin beside him and said, "Robin, could I trouble The Family to provide some necessary support to Ruan Mei? I'll cover the expenses."
Hearing this, Robin immediately waved her hands. "No, that won't do. I was the one who asked for your help. How could we let you bear the cost? The Family will cover it."
"Thank you, then."
Given their relationship, Fu Zhu naturally wouldn't be overly courteous. Besides, if Robin needed help with anything in the future, he would certainly lend a hand.
Robin smiled. She was very pleased with Fu Zhu's lack of courtesy. If he had insisted on being polite, she would have felt that a distance had grown between them.
"Fu Zhu, are you leaving now?"
"Yes, pretty much. But before I go, there's one small matter to resolve."
After saying this, Fu Zhu turned his gaze toward Dahlia, who had been standing off to the side this whole time. Robin and Black Swan followed suit, their expressions becoming somewhat unfriendly.
Seeing the three of them looking over, Dahlia immediately put on a show of weakness.
"How do you all intend to deal with me? I will cooperate."
Black Swan, however, just sneered and reminded Fu Zhu and Robin, "You two, don't be fooled by this one. She's no pushover. You can't believe a word that comes out of her mouth."
Dahlia felt wronged. She looked at Black Swan with a pitiable expression and said, "This time, at least, most of what I've said is the truth."
"Is that so? Does 'most' include that very sentence?"
Black Swan's cold sarcasm left Dahlia feeling helpless. She decided to ignore her and turned to face Fu Zhu instead.
She understood perfectly well that the one who could make the final decision right now was Fu Zhu. As long as Fu Zhu spoke, neither Black Swan nor Robin would be able to object, no matter how unwilling they were.
Seeing her looking at him, Fu Zhu asked bluntly, "Tell me, what was your objective in deliberately approaching me?"
Dahlia answered truthfully as well.
"I wanted to pry into your memories. The Brand the End Poem left on my soul makes me intensely curious about you. The thought that your memories contain so, so many things I have never seen or experienced… I wished I could get close to you immediately!"
The more Dahlia spoke, the more pathological her expression became, to the point where a flush crept up her cheeks.
This was the first time Fu Zhu had seen someone look at him with such an expression, especially when he was the object of their obsession. It made him feel a little uncomfortable.
But to his frustration, Dahlia's actions so far hadn't been a major problem, which put him in a difficult position.
At that moment, Dahlia took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the excited emotions in her heart. She could see the hesitation on Fu Zhu's face and sensed an opportunity. She immediately spoke again.
"Mr. Fu Zhu, why don't we make a deal?"
"Let's hear it." Fu Zhu was intrigued.
"I know that your girlfriend, March 7th, is a Pure Child of Anāsrava. She will inevitably be targeted by the Garden of Recollection. I am willing to help you clean up the Memokeepers sent out by the Garden of Recollection to prevent them from disturbing your travels. In exchange, I hope to be able to view a portion of your memories. Of course, I will avoid certain private matters. If you're worried, you can have this lady, Ms. Black Swan, supervise me."
Fu Zhu turned his head to look at Black Swan, who nodded. "I can indeed help you supervise her to see if she looks at anything she shouldn't."
Fu Zhu thought for a moment and felt that the deal was acceptable. At the very least, he wouldn't have to personally deal with those small-fry enemies in the future.
"Alright, I can agree to your deal. But if you fail to deliver in the future, you'll bear the consequences.