As soon as word got out that something had happened in the Artisanship Commission, the Express crew was—yet again—commissioned by Jing Yuan to come help…
Funny, because at first, Yukong was very firm: "This is the Xianzhou's internal affair. We don't need outsiders helping."
Well, guess what? Their entire journey has basically been nonstop work… or walking toward more work.
March 7th grumbled as she followed everyone.
When they reached the area near the Artisanship Commission, they were greeted by apprentices and craftsmen outside, all visibly anxious.
Naturally, it was time for the usual information-gathering.
Xun yu actually understood the situation pretty well—though he mainly came to have fun.
He remembered that the abundant ebon deer hadn't been finished off the first time Welt's team encountered it.
And hey—wasn't this the perfect opportunity? He'd already prepared everything.
While pretending to gather news properly, he fiddled with two badges in his hands, a grin tugging at the corner of his mouth.
Meanwhile, Welt and the others were speaking with an apprentice.
"If you find my master, please bring him back safely! If something happens to him—!"
The apprentice's worry for his teacher was obvious.
"Don't worry, young man. Your master's safety—"
Welt was just about to reassure him when the apprentice suddenly exclaimed:
"—if anything happens, none of us are graduating this year! We won't even qualify as artisans…"
"..."
Welt fell silent. Everyone fell silent.
"…I suddenly don't feel like talking anymore."
"Same."
"Let's head into the Commission."
...
They stepped in—and were immediately stunned.
Good grief… the Artisanship Commission looked annihilated.
Advancing forward, they fought remnants and severed roots along the way.
After some time, a lone figure appeared in their path.
"The Artisanship Commission is a restricted zone! Thieves, begone! At once—yaaah!"
A strange fellow indeed—he waved two mechanical constructs forward to attack them. Stelle instantly took out her bat and bonked both of them in one clean swing.
"Sigh… I said we're not bad guys. You're Master Gongshu, right?"
"A little brat knows my name?"
"Has the reputation of Gongshu Liang, First Hand of Molten Gold and Forged Iron, spread so widely?"
His astonishment looked entirely genuine.
"This master's personality is… really simple."
March 7th laughed awkwardly.
Welt explained their identities and why they were here.
Master Gongshu's eyes lit up. Like an excited child, he led the group to the Creation Furnace.
Inside it was a sealed creature known as abundant ebon deer.
With the help of Gongshu's mechanical devices—Mirror-Screen Replacer and Luminous Box—they could manage the Ambrosial Arbor's entangling roots.
"Look at the Arbor's roots—"
March 7th pointed at the mass of intertwined growth.
"They're wrapped around the Commission's treasure: the Creation Furnace!"
"Child! Come help me! We must cut it together—don't let it pierce the furnace!"
Master Gongshu shouted anxiously.
Hearing this, the group drew their weapons and rushed toward the furnace.
Up ahead, a bud came into view.
"Careful—that thing is changing…"
Welt frowned as the bud slowly began to open.
"Don't just stare at it! Uncle Yang, hit it while it's shifting forms!"
Xun yu's shout stunned Welt.
Right—why wait?
"star of eden!"
Gravity slammed down on the bud, and its blooming slowed dramatically.
Taking the chance, Stelle charged forward.
March 7th fired an icy arrow, but the damage was minimal…
Xun yu, meanwhile, was openly slacking off.
After forming a sniper rifle in his hands, he positioned himself far away and took potshots.
Whether because Welt didn't use his full strength or otherwise, the bud eventually finished blooming.
Their earlier bombardment had seemingly done nothing.
"As expected of a miracle—life created with a mere gesture. This power… truly remarkable…"
Their timid guide, Tingyun, hid far back, watching the Abundance ebon deer emerge from the bud, desire flickering in her eyes.
Seeing the two youngsters from the Express and two notorious slackers barely scraping damage—while the deer recovered every injury instantly—Phantylia was genuinely surprised.
The Astral Express shouldn't be this weak…
"Heals from everything… that's ridiculous!"
March 7th's fingers trembled; her ice arrows achieved nothing, and her hands hurt more than the enemy.
"We retreat for now. Follow me."
Welt glanced at the Creation Furnace behind the ebon deer.
If he went all out, he could destroy the undying creature—but it might damage the furnace.
He also stole a glance at Xun yu still firing from far away.
Logically, shouldn't he be doing something crazy by now?
"Retreat? No, no!"
"I—WILL—GO!"
Xunyu suddenly sprinted forward at absurd speed, making the others snort.
He produced something that looked like a toy and pressed a button.
A light-gate opened behind him, and he casually walked inside.
"???"
Weren't you supposed to take over??
Why walk away??
Almost like he heard their confusion, a light screen appeared, showing Xun yu inside a strange pocket-space.
...
「Xun yu: Access Refused」
「Refusal Failed」
"Little white-hair."
"Kevin Isotope."
He inserted the badges and pulled the Sublimator.
"Sky."
"White Calamity."
"Bird… why do you fly?"
"Fusion Sublimation—Signet of deliverance!"
"Kevin Kaslana"…
A burst of light exploded, and Kevin appeared where Xun yu had been.
Welt had already started sweating the moment Xun yu said "Bird, why do you fly."
When Kevin's form fully manifested, cold sweat poured down his back and the corner of his mouth twitched uncontrollably.
"Judgement of Shamash—unsheathed!"
Welt: Honkai is still chasing me…
"Cool!!"
Stelle's eyes sparkled as she watched Kevin obliterate the Abundance ebon deer in a single strike.
She recognized his weapon instantly. It didn't just look similar to hers—it was identical.
When will she ever be that strong?
Everyone had different priorities—and Master Gongshu's focus was…