"Forget it, forget it."
Jing Yuan immediately abandoned the idea. The foundation of the Xianzhou Loufu was not yet stable; their future was still growing!
However, the huge stone that had been weighing on his heart for so long finally landed.
But he couldn't smile.
He looked at Phainon, who was walking beside him, his gaze solemn.
The Xianzhou Loufu had achieved a great victory.
The Ambrosial Arbor crisis was resolved, and the The Disciples of Sanctus Medicus conspirators were rooted out.
The cheers of the Cloud Knights echoed through the grotto, but all this clamor seemed unrelated to the black-robed figure.
He walked very steadily.
Yet, Jing Yuan could clearly sense that the power within Phainon's body was on the verge of losing control.
The surrounding air trembled slightly at his side.
"Lord Phainon, are you feeling unwell?" Jing Yuan's voice was low, devoid of extra emotion.
"I'm fine," Phainon replied nonchalantly.
Jing Yuan said nothing more, but the profound meaning in his eyes deepened.
He turned slightly and, facing the Astral Express crew behind him, declared loudly, "Everyone, this great victory is thanks to your strong assistance. The Stellaron matter will be handled by the Diviner Fu Xuan. Jing Yuan has prepared a humble banquet at the Divine Foresight Department to express his gratitude."
He turned his gaze to Dan Heng, his tone softening slightly.
"Dan Heng, the prohibition against you is immediately lifted."
Dan Heng met his gaze and nodded silently.
Welt Yang's deep gaze lingered on Phainon for a moment, his worry unconcealed.
Jing Yuan took everything in, a decision already forming in his mind.
"But before that," he changed the subject, looking at Phainon,
"Your Excellency faced a Lord Ravager alone, and you must have suffered some losses. The Alchemy Commission's medical skills are peerless across the Star Seas. Please come with me and let the Dragon Lady of Medicine treat you a bit, so your companions can rest assured."
These words were for Phainon, and also for the Astral Express crew.
Phainon glanced at the four members of the Astral Express crew. They didn't speak, just nodded.
Signaling Phainon to quickly agree.
Phainon did not refuse, giving a soft "Mhm."
That single word was so light it seemed it could shatter at any moment... Alchemy Commission, quiet room.
Phainon sat quietly on the couch, his eyes closed, his mask obscuring all his expressions.
Jing Yuan and Bailu stood before him.
No need for avoidance, nor was there any avoidance.
Bailu's brows were tightly furrowed. She walked around Phainon three times, her small hand reaching out several times to touch his pulse, but each time she pulled it back.
Her small face was filled with unprecedented solemnity and confusion.
"How is it?" Jing Yuan was the first to break the silence.
"General Jing Yuan, I cannot cure him."
Bailu shook her head, her tone a rare display of defeat. "This is not an illness, nor an injury."
She pointed at Phainon, enunciating each word: "He bears too much power, already beyond the limits of his body."
"His flesh, bones, and even his soul are being melted by this power every moment, and then melted again!"
"He can maintain his form now entirely by an incomprehensible will, and a trace of... divine power similar to 'Immortality' is forcibly prolonging his life."
Bailu took a deep breath, delivering her final verdict.
"Once this flame extinguishes, he won't even have ashes left."
"Is there any way to save his life?" Jing Yuan asked.
Bailu shook her head, "Just eat and drink as usual."
Just then.
A calm voice echoed in the quiet room.
"How much longer can I live?"
Phainon had opened his eyes at some point.
His pupils were looking at them quietly through the gaps in his mask.
Bailu sighed: "By my estimation, your lifespan is less than three months."
"Three months..."
Phainon repeated in a low voice, as if calculating something.
Then, he even let out a light laugh, "That's enough."
These two words made Jing Yuan and Bailu freeze simultaneously.
Enough?
What was enough?
Was he tired of living, or... was there enough time for him to do something?
Jing Yuan looked at the man before him, his appreciation for his talent growing even stronger.
The Xianzhou Loufu's survival of this calamity was entirely due to him.
"Phainon." Jing Yuan's voice was incredibly solemn, "Whatever you need, as long as Jing Yuan can do it, I will not refuse."
Phainon endured the burning sensation from his body,
"I want... you to give me a... promise."
"In the name of the Xianzhou Loufu... safeguard... Amphoreus's safety."
As his voice fell, Jing Yuan's pupils suddenly constricted.
He finally understood what kind of heavy fate this man had carried from beginning to end.
"I promise you!"
—
Xianzhou Loufu, Central Starskiff Haven.
Phainon walked silently through the streets.
He summoned his system panel.
NAME: Phainon & Khaslana
CURRENT IGNITABLE SEEDS: 282839999
MAXIMUM SEEDS CAPACITY: LIMIT
BODY MELTDOWN 37%... 37.0001%... 37.0002%...
The meltdown progress bar, like a cold countdown, moved forward slowly but steadily.
He looked at his hands, as if he could see them turning into streams of light and dust.
Two hundred eighty million seeds, three months of life.
If he ignited four hundred million... perhaps, not even two months.
Time was truly running out.
CURRENT EMOTION: RATIONAL
The number of seeds is not enough... I must go to Penacony as soon as possible to ensure my partner receives the 'Harmony's' gaze.
Thinking of this, Phainon smiled with relief.
The end was getting closer.
"Hmm?"
He stopped, looking up at the ancient building before him.
The Commission of Ten-Lords, he had arrived... Inside the Commission of Ten-Lords.
Welt Yang, March 7th, and Stelle were gathered around a large desk covered with scrolls.
"Are these the suspects?" March 7th asked curiously.
Suddenly, the three members of the Astral Express felt a familiar aura and all turned their heads.
"Phainon!" March 7th waved at Phainon, "Over here, over here!"
Phainon nodded slightly and walked over.
Stelle immediately approached, scrutinizing him from head to toe, asking worriedly, "Partner, how are you? What did Bailu say?"
Phainon scoffed, "She said I have a great constitution and need to eat more supplements, otherwise I might accidentally ascend."
The next moment, he quickly changed the subject, "Where's Dan Heng?"
Stelle shrugged, "Oh, he said something about needing to update the database, so he went back to the Express."
"By the way, why did you call me over?"
"Aren't we here to help investigate the case? The Detention Center is almost full now. We're short-handed," Stelle replied with a shrug.
"Come on, come on, it's time to show off our smart brains!" March 7th excitedly pulled him.
Phainon nodded and came to the table.
His gaze swept over the portraits, finally resting on an image of a blonde man.
Luocha.
He lifted his eyes, his gaze passing over the scrolls, landing precisely on Welt Yang, who was frowning in thought beside him.
Then he spoke quietly, "This person... I seem to know him."
With that, he pointed to Luocha's image.
Welt Yang's gaze sharpened. He first felt for the heart medicine in his pocket, then asked suspiciously, "You know him?"
"Yes, I happened to meet him once while undercover with the The Disciples of Sanctus Medicus. He said his name was..."
"His name was..."
"Oh... Otto?"