"You're bringing me good news?" Fu Xuan arched a brow.
The Xianzhou was anything but peaceful these days. Because of the Stellaron, she was already swamped with work.
Could it be that the Company had learned about the Stellaron as well?
The Luofu's secrecy measures were strict, yes, but with the IPC's capabilities, it was hardly impossible for them to uncover something.
Fu Xuan decided to play along for the moment.
"Go on, then. I am rather curious what sort of good news a Company director could possibly bring me."
Wen Liang replied at an unhurried pace, "I recently met a new friend. She might have the ability to help Xianzhou natives delay the onset of mara."
"Delay mara?"
The probing expression on Fu Xuan's face instantly sharpened.
"Wen Liang, that is not a joking matter."
Was he trying to hint at something?
Fu Xuan could not help growing suspicious.
For the Xianzhou, this topic was far too sensitive. This hardly counted as "good news."
After all, when the Xianzhou once followed Abundance, they had already paid the price for immortality in full.
People often said Fu Xuan was rigid, but she was not so inflexible as all that.
If such a method truly existed, then whether or not they used it was one thing. Hearing it out was another.
But Wen Liang merely spread his hands lazily. "A joke? Fu Taibu, we've known each other for years. When have I ever joked with you about something like this?"
Fu Xuan fell silent for a moment.
That was true. Wen Liang might be lazy to the point of absurdity, but when it came to serious matters, he never spoke carelessly. That was one of the reasons the two of them had stayed in contact for so many years.
"Who is this person?"
"Her name is Cecilia," Wen Liang answered at once.
Fu Xuan immediately searched her memory for the name.
Unsurprisingly, it meant nothing to her.
"This Cecilia… what Path does she walk? Erudition? Harmony?"
Fu Xuan pressed on.
In her view, only someone on one of those two Paths would dare claim they could delay mara.
But Wen Liang's answer shocked her.
"She? She's Abundance."
"What?"
Fu Xuan's pupils contracted sharply.
For the Xianzhou Alliance, Abundance itself was not absolutely forbidden. After all, what they warred against were the cruel abominations of the Denizens of Abundance and the Plagues Author, not every individual connected to that Path.
The Alliance did not specially persecute ordinary Pathstriders of Abundance.
But having someone on the Path of Abundance solve the mara-struck condition brought about by Abundance?
That was utter nonsense.
"Wen Liang, do you even hear yourself?" Fu Xuan's voice turned cold.
"Of course I do." Wen Liang's expression did not change. "What? You don't believe me?"
That question made Fu Xuan want to hit him.
"Wen Liang, have you spent so long lying around at the Company that your brain has rotted?"
"An Abundance Pathstrider suppressing mara? Why don't you go one step further and tell me a follower of Propagation can solve the Swarm Disaster?"
"Now, now, Fu Taibu, don't get so worked up." Wen Liang still looked utterly languid. "I never said every Abundance Pathstrider could solve mara. But the Cecilia I know really does have that ability."
"Proof?"
"Not at the moment."
"..."
Fu Xuan took a deep breath and forced herself to calm down.
"Then tell me what background this Cecilia has."
Wen Liang continued being infuriatingly vague. "Hmm… does 'doctor' count?"
"...A doctor?" Fu Xuan's brows furrowed even tighter.
"Wen Liang, do you think I have too much free time? Did you call me just to amuse yourself?"
"Not at all." Wen Liang smiled, finally putting away that lazy demeanor of his. "Fu Taibu, I may enjoy slacking off, but I never treat serious matters lightly."
And this time, seeing how unusually certain Wen Liang sounded, Fu Xuan finally began to take the issue seriously.
Whatever his motives might be, if that woman truly had the ability to suppress mara, then Fu Xuan did feel the matter deserved at least a trial.
After all, in terms of age, she herself was still considered relatively young.
The General, however, was another matter entirely.
Fu Xuan absolutely wanted to take his place one day, but she wanted to inherit the position openly and with merit—not by waiting for Jing Yuan to succumb to mara and simply replacing him.
If this matter truly worked out, the Alliance might even credit her with a major contribution.
Though, granted, there was also a chance it would earn her a reprimand from the Marshal instead.
"And what is it that you want in return?" Fu Xuan asked again.
In her eyes, Company people never lifted a finger without profit in mind.
Yes, she and Wen Liang had some personal rapport, but not to the extent that explained this on its own.
This time, Wen Liang finally got the answer he had been waiting for.
"There's nothing I particularly want. The only reason I called you is because Cecilia herself brought it up to me."
"Since I happen to owe her a favor, I figured I'd just act as the middleman and connect the two of you."
Fu Xuan looked surprised.
So this was not Wen Liang taking the initiative after all? He was merely passing along someone else's intentions?
Then again, that did make sense.
Trying to delay mara, in one sense, was also a form of pursuing longevity—and on the Xianzhou, that was an extremely delicate subject.
If Cecilia showed up on her own, without anyone introducing her first, the Cloud Knights might very well seize her on the spot.
"Fine. When she arrives, I'll make the arrangements," Fu Xuan said after a long pause, finally nodding. "That will be all for now. I'll wait for your message."
With that, she ended the video call, seemingly heading off to take care of her own affairs.
Wen Liang lowered his phone, the smile on his face deepening.
It looked like the Xianzhou Luofu was now officially ready to enter the game.
And in the Luofu, major events were soon to unfold.
Phantylia, the Astral Express Crew, the Stellaron Hunters, and even those old monsters locked away in the Shackling Prison—all of them could become fuel for his fabrication of history.
That was why, before heading to Penacony, Wen Liang had decided to stop by the Luofu first and make good use of the opportunity.
And Cecilia's identity was perfect for that role.
Of course, all of this rested on one condition:
He had to level Cecilia up first.
At that thought, Wen Liang glanced once more at the system interface.
Remaining Fabrication Points: 172,909
Character Enhancement (Cecilia Version): 150,000 points
Enough.
Wen Liang was already itching to try out a fully upgraded account.
He took a deep breath and pressed the confirmation button.
Are you sure you want to spend 150,000 points to enhance the character "Cecilia"?
Confirm.
Join here to read ahead.
In Star Rail, Ultra-Beast Armored — Have I Caught "Equilibrium"? l (Chapter 80)
Uma Musume, But I Only Have Five Years Left to Live (Chapter 178)
Zenless Zone Zero: I'm a Doctor, Not a Bangboo (Chapter 115)
Ben Tennyson Wants to Join the Justice League ( 126 )
TYPE-MOON: Redemption Beginning with the Holy Grail War (Chapter110)
Yu-Gi-Oh! — Transmigrated into the White Dragon Girl (Chapter108)
"Is this chat group even serious?" (Chapter82)
I, Lord Ravager, Utterly Loyal! (Chapter144)
Can Playing Games Save the World? 65
Crossover Anime Multiverse: The Demon Hunter of an Unnatural World 70
From Junkman to Wasteland 66
Weekly Refresh of Overpowered 31
I'm Grinding Proficiency Like 46
From Kiana, Lord Ravager, Onwa 99
Honkai: Is This Still the Prev 42
Elf: My Starter Pokémon Is Inc 65
Warhammer: My Primarch Is Remi 95
From Demon Slayer to Grand Ass 99
The Way the Umamusume Look at 68
Uma Musume, but My Cheat Power 92
Naruto: Weaving the Future, Be 65
Zenless Zone Zero, but Kamen R 76
Multiverse Crossover: The Perf 66
My Cyberpsycho Girlfriend 65
Uma Musume: The Dark Trainer 47
Uma Musume: A Calamity Born fr 44
I, a Reincarnation-Loop Player 43
The Violent Girl Group Is Beat 26
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