After providing a full day of meticulous service to Fu Xuan, Fuli's Wardance interface pinged right on time, notifying him of a 2,000-point deposit.
It wasn't a small amount, but having just experienced the massive payouts from saving Jigui City and reporting Jackal, his threshold for excitement had been drastically raised. He barely felt a ripple of emotion at this measly four-digit pocket change.
Fuli packed up the ear-cleaning equipment and prepared to take his leave. These tools were part of Elysia's prized personal collection, and he still had to return them exactly as he found them.
But speaking of which...
Rubbing his lower back, which was slightly sore from leaning over and working all day, Fuli raised his eyes and looked at Fu Xuan, who was currently adjusting her appearance in the mirror.
After a full day of in-depth interaction, the young General was absolutely glowing. Her pale cheeks were rosy and supple, and the usually intimidating, authoritative aura surrounding her had softened considerably.
Fuli hesitated for a moment before tentatively asking, "General, the lingering influence of the Imperial Jade Seal... it seems to have been completely eradicated?"
Fu Xuan, who was raising a hand to tuck a stray lock of hair behind her ear, stiffened slightly. A faint, almost imperceptible blush crept onto her beautiful face.
Feigning perfect composure, she replied, "Mm. It is essentially no longer an issue."
Fu Xuan certainly hadn't forgotten the absolute loss of dignity she had suffered aboard the Hyperion when her mind had been corrupted by the Jade Seal. Even after separating from the artifact, the lingering aura of absolute imperial majesty still occasionally caused her mind to slip in the dead of night.
She would sometimes find herself unconsciously muttering grandiose lines like, "The dragon is the ultimate symbol of a true emperor!" or "Ministers! Follow me and pierce those treacherous usurpers with ten thousand transparent holes!"
To make matters worse, that slacker Qingque lived for the drama. She would constantly egg her on from the sidelines, shouting things like, "General Fu Xuan is ready to ascend the throne and declare herself Emperor!" or "Word from the Taixu Front just arrived—they actually dare to refuse your decree!"
It left Fu Xuan with a mountain of dark history that made her want to curl up and excavate a three-bedroom apartment with her toes every time she remembered it.
Sigh. They always said the Imperial Jade Seal housed the Mandate of Heaven and could bewitch the minds of men. Now that she had experienced it firsthand, she knew the legends were absolutely, horrifyingly true!
And the mere mention of the Hyperion immediately reminded Fu Xuan of the climax of her battle with Fuli—specifically, the moment his sword had slashed right through her frontal armor.
"Haaah..."
She unconsciously raised her hand and placed it over her chest—a chest so perfectly flat it could easily rival the legendary Celestial of Taixu, Fu Hua. She let out a long, melancholic sigh.
Even that brat Qingque was at least a C-cup. Was she, the grand General of the Luofu, truly doomed to rely on padding to bluff her way through life forever?
BUZZ—!
Right in the middle of the young girl's existential crisis, Fuli's phone vibrated at the perfect time, shattering the temporary silence in the office.
He pulled it out and looked at the screen. A brand-new, completely private System Quest had just popped up.
[Quest Name: Flat Chests Cannot Unite the Masses!]
[Description: Please assist the Luofu's Master Diviner and General, Fu Xuan, in resolving the potential crisis of authority stemming from her lack of physical deterrence.]
[Reward: Your future daughter will never go hungry.]
Fuli: ???
Fu Xuan, who had sharp eyes and caught a glimpse of the screen: ???
"What the hell?! Why doesn't this quest give any points?!" Fuli bristled instantly, his first reaction being that this was a massive scam.
"Who... WHO IN THE BLAZING HELLS ISSUED THIS QUEST?!"
Having her deepest, darkest insecurity violently poked, Fu Xuan practically leaped three feet into the air. Completely ignoring the lingering soreness in her body, her hands instantly blurred into a series of incantation seals.
The Dharma Eye on her forehead flared with blinding golden light as she connected to the Matrix of Prescience's Inner Landscape, ruthlessly tracing the quest back to its source.
"Dammit all!"
A few seconds later, she severed the connection to the Inner Landscape. She ground her teeth, her face shifting rapidly between a terrifying pale white and a furious, flushed red.
The quest had actually been auto-generated by the Matrix of Prescience itself, based purely on its chaos-theory algorithms! And the reason was exactly as the quest description stated: the supreme supercomputer was genuinely worried that its General's hardware was fraudulent.
If her padding was ever exposed, the resulting political fallout would be catastrophic!
The supreme leader of the Luofu pads her chest?! What kind of apocalyptic blow would that deal to the morale of the entire Luofu?! It was completely unimaginable! It would be a total crisis of public trust! If she can lie to all of us about the size of her chest today, what else is she doing behind our backs tomorrow?!
On the other side of the room, Fuli stared at the screen. Even though he genuinely felt the quest's timing was bizarre and the reward was utterly abstract, it technically concerned the nutritional well-being of his future daughter.
Even if he couldn't completely follow the System's deranged logic, he pondered it seriously for a moment before speaking cautiously, "General..."
"Pretend that quest doesn't exist!" Fu Xuan's face was colder than permafrost as she delivered her absolute verdict. "I will order the Matrix of Prescience to permanently delete it shortly. I absolutely will not delay your actual, important business!"
"I see... Alright then."
Fuli nodded, turning around and making a show of walking toward the door.
"Ah, what a pity," he muttered to himself as he walked, his volume perfectly calibrated so she could hear every word. "I just had a sudden flash of inspiration. I thought of a method that might actually help the General increase her majesty... Although executing it might be a bit disrespectful, it could genuinely work. Oh well, since the quest is getting deleted, I'll just drop it."
Before his words even finished echoing—
Smack!
A slightly cool, trembling hand clamped firmly onto the boy's shoulder from behind.
"What method?" Fu Xuan's voice drifted over, hauntingly quiet.
"Essentially, it relies on your unique physical condition, General." Fuli turned back around, smoothly taking the bait. "This method probably wouldn't work on a normal adult whose growth plates have already completely fused. But given your unique circumstances, it might actually be viable."
Fu Xuan let go of his shoulder, took two steps back, and meticulously straightened her robes.
Then, she bowed her head in absolute, desperate humility. "Please instruct me, Sir!"
I have to at least... at least surpass Qingque!
She didn't even use her regal "This Seat" pronoun anymore. One could only imagine the sheer, burning desperation roaring in her heart.
"Whoa, there's no need for that!"
Fuli hurriedly helped Fu Xuan up. Holding her slightly cool, delicate hands, he guided her back to the sofa and began explaining in a soothing tone. "General, you should know that the human body's growth and development is a continuous process. The habits you form during your youth heavily impact your final adult state."
"If, during this critical developmental window, we use specific massage techniques to stimulate the relevant meridians and acupoints, and supplement it with proper nutrition and guidance... it could very likely have a highly positive, stimulating effect on the final, adult scale."
Fu Xuan wasn't an idiot. Hearing this, she instantly understood exactly what Fuli was suggesting.
She lightly touched the Dharma Eye on her forehead, hesitating. "Are you saying... that when my body reverts to its thirteen or fourteen-year-old state, we need to stimulate the meridians associated with pl-plump—"
Seeing the deeply embarrassed General unable to finish the sentence, the boy smoothly picked up the slack. "Massage, knead, or apply acupuncture to the meridians related to breast development. If we persist consistently, there's a very high probability that the resulting growth will permanently transfer over to your mature adult form."
That... actually sounds like it could work?
Fu Xuan's heart pounded with overwhelming temptation, but her elegant brows quickly knitted together in distress.
Massaging those specific areas and stimulating those acupoints absolutely required a second person's assistance. But the problem was, up until now, the only person who knew the truth about her physical insecurity was Qingque.
Driven by the most primal instincts of female rivalry, the young General absolutely, positively did not want that slacker to know she was secretly working to enhance herself.
Since that was the case, the only remaining candidate was...
Fu Xuan took a deep breath, looking as though she had just made a monumental, life-altering decision.
She raised her eyes and stared straight at the tall boy in front of her, her tone carrying an unquestionable, absolute resolve. "I understand. Since that is the case, I am leaving this matter entirely in your hands, Your Excellency."
"Huh?"
Fuli froze.
Thanks to the fact that he had constantly been performing similar health maintenance on Bronya, he was actually quite a master in this field. Without trying to sound arrogant, the sheer, magnificent scale of Bronya's mature Silverwing form was entirely the result of him pouring his blood, sweat, and tears into massaging her night after night.
But that was his little sister-figure! He definitely couldn't treat the exalted General of the Luofu the same way!
"General, men and women shouldn't be so physically intimate. I really think you should reconsider. Besides, I'm not the only one who can do this! Diviner Qingque could easily do it for you."
He slowly backed away, trying to subtly edge toward the door to make a clean getaway.
"For this matter, it absolutely must be you."
Fu Xuan took light, measured steps, relentlessly closing the distance. Completely by accident, she perfectly re-enacted the widow scenario Fuli had narrated earlier, forcefully pinning him against the cold, hard wall.
"Relax. It is purely a medical massage and physical therapy."
Besides, everyone says the physical stimulation is far more effective when it comes from a member of the opposite sex.
Fu Xuan stood on her tiptoes. Even though the tips of her ears were burning red, her voice was fiercely determined as she whispered into his ear. "Treat it just like a masseur serving a client in a parlor. And you, Your Excellency, are the masseur serving me."
"No, I still think this is highly inappropriate!"
With his back pressed flat against the wall, Fuli desperately tried to avoid looking at the breathtakingly beautiful face inches from his own.
If I knew you were going to refuse to let Qingque do it, I never would have brought the idea up in the first place! he wailed internally.
"Cut the crap! Touch them!"
Losing what little patience she had left, Fu Xuan grabbed his hands with an irresistible force, forcefully initiating today's shift.
...
It wasn't until past seven in the evening that Fuli was finally released by the young General, having successfully scheduled his next house call.
The reason they stopped was simple. After going at it for quite a while, the heavily blushing pair finally realized something crucial: Fu Xuan was currently in her adult form. Even if he massaged her for seven days and seven nights straight right now, it wouldn't have any permanent effect on her development!
Finally managing to drag himself back to the base, a wave of heat hit him the moment he stepped into the courtyard.
The main hall was absolutely packed with people. It was a bustling sea of activity—warriors lining up to enhance their equipment, customers inquiring about buying weapons, mercenaries handing in completed commissions...
People of all shapes and sizes had formed massive, winding lines. It was incredibly lively.
Fuli's slightly depressed mood was instantly cured by the sight of such booming business, the corners of his mouth unconsciously curling up into a grin.
That's right! Come on, old and young alike! Hurry up and drop some serious loot for the Hyperion!
However, as his eyes swept over the crowd, he quickly noticed a highly conspicuous, familiar figure.
It was a beautiful girl draped in a cloak, her silver hair cascading down like liquid moonlight. She held a massive scythe taller than herself, radiating an aura of absolute stillness and profound mystery.
That was the Chrysos Heir who had visited previously to upgrade her scythe—Castorice.
Thanks to her intimidating reputation as the Servant of Death, a solid five-meter exclusion zone had formed around her. Within that radius, only a single other girl stood by her side.
The new girl had pink twin-tails with voluminous curls that faded into a tranquil blue at the tips, looking like the fading glow of an evening sunset. Her facial features were youthful, delicate, and incredibly cute. Her smiling, watery eyes were as clear and bright as the sky after a fresh rain.
She wore a dress patterned with hyacinths, paired with white pantyhose that perfectly wrapped her slender legs. A blue bowtie at her collar and a red-and-white round hat added a touch of playful charm to her outfit. She practically radiated a warm, healing aura, like the first rays of the morning sun.
Fuli's eyes lit up as if he had just discovered a rare treasure. He immediately crossed the crowded hall, taking the distance in long strides as he approached the two girls.
At the exact same time—
"Thank you so much, Cassie! If you didn't have a discount coupon for this shop, I would have had to save up for ages before I could afford the item I wanted!"
The pink-haired girl walking beside Castorice cheered happily, the white, fluffy ornaments hanging from her waist swaying gently with her movements.
"It is of no consequence, Miss Hyacine," Castorice shook her head slightly, her voice as ethereal as an empty valley. "His Excellency Shenbi promised a twenty percent discount. If you find yourself short on crystals, I still have a surplus you may use."
Hyacine was the Chief Healer of a tiny faction known as the Twilight Courtyard.
While "Chief" sounded impressive, the entirety of the organization consisted solely of Hyacine—who acted as both the heir and the manager—and one other apprentice medic. They were the absolute textbook definition of a skeleton crew.
Of course, the fact that she was called an "heir" implied that the Twilight Courtyard had at least possessed some unique, formidable legacy in the past, even if they hadn't been wildly successful.
Unfortunately, medical research and application was a notorious financial black hole, even within the scientific community. Despite Hyacine's meticulous budgeting, she was constantly strapped for cash. That was why Castorice had offered to cover the difference.
"It's totally fine, Cassie!"
In response, Hyacine flashed a brilliant, radiant smile that could seemingly chase away any gloom. "Just being able to piggyback off your discount coupon to buy the Momotaro Dango makes me super happy! How could I possibly ask for your crystals too? Right, Little Ica?"
"Doo—!"
A chubby, adorable little pegasus flapped its tiny wings, lifting off from the top of the girl's head to affectionately nuzzle her cheek.
The Momotaro Dango was a product Fuli had acquired from his previous ten-pull in the gacha system.
It came in a standard bag of fifty. Once a beast with a physical strength rating below C-Class consumed a dango, it would be instantly tamed and gain enough intelligence to understand the basic commands of sentient beings.
Feeling that the item was completely useless to him, Fuli had offered it up as tribute to the Great Demon King Mei. The scientist had kept half of the bag to research and attempt mass production, and casually tossed the remaining half into the shop's inventory.
This was exactly what Hyacine had come for. She hoped that these dangos could bestow intelligence upon the Earth Beasts, baby Chimeras, and little seals she was currently caring for—just like her pegasus, Little Ica, possessed. If they could understand commands, they could serve as helpers, drastically relieving the severe manpower shortage plaguing the Twilight Courtyard.
The line inched forward, and soon it was the girls' turn to enter the main shop area.
"Let's go, Cassie!" Hyacine called out cheerfully, taking a step forward in her cute leather shoes.
"The two beautiful ladies ahead, please wait a moment!"
A clear, youthful male voice called out from behind them. It wasn't loud, but it cut clearly through the noise and directly into their ears.
"Eh? Is someone calling us?"
Hyacine instinctively stopped and turned around.
She saw a young man walking briskly toward them. He had clean-cut black hair, and his eyes carried a bright, sunny smile that felt incredibly pure.
The moment she clearly saw his face, Hyacine's heart skipped a beat for absolutely no reason, and her cheeks flushed with a faint heat.
In her daily life, she mostly interacted with sick patients or friends with cold, aloof temperaments like Castorice. It was incredibly rare for her to cross paths with a boy her own age who exuded such vibrant, infectious vitality.
"Were... were you calling for us?" the girl repeated, suddenly feeling completely flustered, her voice unconsciously dropping to a shy murmur.
"Yeah, yeah."
The newcomer was naturally Fuli.
Stopping right in front of the two girls, he smiled brightly and asked, "Excuse me, can I play with...?"
"P-Play with...?!"
Hyacine froze. She looked down at herself, then looked over at the equally beautiful Castorice standing next to her. Her face instantly flushed atomic red as she stammered in absolute panic, "W-Which one of us do you want to play with?!"
Wait, no! That's wrong! The answer should be NEITHER!
Before her panic could escalate further, she watched Fuli reach out, pluck the hovering Little Ica right out of the air, pull the chubby pegasus into his arms, and start aggressively rubbing and petting it.
Oh... he wanted to play with the pet...
Watching the scene, the girl didn't know whether to feel relieved or inexplicably disappointed.
But she quickly gathered herself, enthusiastically introducing her companion. "Her name is Little Ica! She's my incredibly important partner and family member!"
"Your Excellency, it has been some time," Castorice, clearly having recognized Fuli's identity, offered a polite and respectful greeting.