Chapter 126: and ===GLOSSARY===

Taking advantage of the mystic deer's weakened state, everyone intensified their assault, killing it again; this time the mystic deer did not revive, but its body turned into countless ginkgo leaves that scattered across heaven and earth.

"General Jingyuan said, the Established Tree is an inconceivable divine ability of the Dao..." Walter sighed in amazement, "That deer looks no different from ordinary life, yet even with a fatal wound it can heal instantly. I finally understand why the people of the Astral Express follow the Hunt, to eradicate Abundance."

"An immortal indestructible creation, if left to spread its branches and leaves, will cause the entire world's ecosystem to collapse completely—"

"Yang Xiansheng is very insightful, but eight thousand years ago, our ancestors, as medicine seekers, could not perceive the hidden worry behind this."

Master Gongshu sighed, "Perhaps someone thought of it and refused the gift of the Longevity Plague Ancestor, but as an entire civilization, can we truly resist the temptation of immortality?"

"How ironic, the wise lie buried in springs while the foolish live forever..."

After sighing for a while, Master Gongshu again expressed his gratitude to everyone in the train crew and promised to take them to the heavenly grotto entrance of Dan Ding Si.

However, just before departure, Tingyun suddenly sent her a message from beside her.

Tingyun: Speaking of which, benefactor, did you just see that? When the mystic deer stomped its foot, vines sprouted from the ground out of nowhere.

Star: That thing must be... the root system of the Established Tree, right?

Tingyun: I saw the fruit forming on the tip of the branch, golden and gleaming, just as described in the Astral Express myths. It is said that in ancient times, the ancestors of the Astral Express obtained the immortal fruit granted by the Established Tree and thus transformed into an immortal species.

Tingyun: If I, a humble woman, were to eat the fruit, I wonder if I could possess eternal life like the people of the Astral Express...

Tingyun: Benefactor, aren't you tempted by such an opportunity?

Eh eh eh??? Miss Tingyun... could it be the Medicine King's secret transmission!!

Hulark showed an expression of extreme pain; if Tingyun is from the side of Abundance, then it means she will ultimately stand opposite Star.

Such a cute fox lady, he truly does not want to see her leave the stage!

Just thinking that Miss Tingyun was personally named by the general... I have to say the Medicine King's secret transmission really does have some skill; no wonder it could remain hidden in the Astral Express for a thousand years without being discovered.

Frieren paused slightly, "Looking at Tingyun's intention, she seems to want to lure Star into swallowing the fruit, but this is in the Astral Express; even if she took the fruit, the general wouldn't just stand by and do nothing, would he?"

I say, Frieren, isn't there a possibility...?

Hulark suddenly stepped up beside everyone, with a serious tone: "Actually this is the general's arrangement; he long ago discovered Tingyun's true identity and is just waiting for her to reveal herself beside Star."

"I don't think that's very likely..." Frieren rubbed her chin, "From our perspective, we only just learned Tingyun's thoughts; even the general doesn't have the ability to probe people's hearts, does he?"

Moreover, placing a person of the Medicine King's secret transmission beside Star is truly dangerous; what if Star really listened to Tingyun's words and ate the fruit?

This hypothesis would not hold for March Seven, Dan Heng, or Walter, but considering Star's unfathomable train of thought... Frieren really thinks she might be capable of doing that.

She does not doubt that Star harbors a longing for immortality; if she really ate the fruit of the Established Tree, she would probably just be curious what the fruit tastes like...

Star: I am certainly tempted... Tingyun, do you... have one left?

Tingyun: If I say yes, would you want to share it with me, benefactor?

Tingyun: However, I already understand your intentions, benefactor; unfortunately the mystic deer has turned to ashes, so of course not a trace of the Established Tree's fruit remains.

Star lifted her head to look at Tingyun; the fox-eared girl beside her also seemed to understand, responding with an equally bright smile. The girl's vermilion lips curled slightly, her brows and eyes bending like crescent moons.

Death—

"He's taken the bait."

In a convenience store in Karakura Town, Kisuke Urahara lay on the sofa, pursing his lips.

... With that fox lady's clever mind, she shouldn't have taken Star's fishhook, right?

Yoruichi suddenly couldn't help laughing: "Although you think Star is casting a long line to catch a big fish, I always feel she doesn't have that intention."

"Miss Yoruichi, have you ever fished?" Kisuke Urahara suddenly asked.

"Fish, fish? Why are you suddenly asking this?" Yoruichi thought for about three seconds, "I did have some experience back when I was in the Second Division... How, is it related to Star?"

In my view, Star's behavior is actually just like baiting a spot; the purpose is to release Tingyun's longing for immortality to attract more people of the Medicine King's secret transmission.

"... After all, Star is a valued guest before the general; it would be a pity not to vie for her." Kisuke Urahara produced a white paper fan from somewhere in his hand, revealing a confident smile as if he had already seen through everything.

"There's also this meaning?" Yoruichi suddenly narrowed her eyes, giving a cat-like gaze, "But, Kisuke Urahara... could it be that Tingyun is not a person of the Medicine King's secret transmission?"

"You won't forget General Jingyuan's words, will you?... The Astral Express still has another envoy-level figure, and it was he who brought the Star Core to the Astral Express."

"But just then, another person sent her a message. This time it wasn't Tingyun, but Dan Shu, the Chief Alchemist of Dan Ding Si whom she had previously contacted."

"Dan Shu: Star, I have preliminarily clarified the pharmacology of 【Coiled Dragon, Curled Phoenix】; if you have time, come to Ruomu Pavilion for a chat."

"How come it's exactly this moment... Star scratched her head, feeling torn."

"Right now the most important thing is to go to Dan Ding Si to put out the fire, but 【Coiled Dragon, Curled Phoenix】 is crucial information regarding the Medicine King's secret transmission, equally urgent."

"'Star, what's wrong?' Walter also heard Dan Shu's voice."

"Star explained the whole background and outcome of her earlier undercover work for the Medicine King's secret transmission and obtaining the prescription."

Xing previously explained in detail how she had gone undercover at the Medicine King's secret transmission and obtained the prescription.

"Hmm..." Walter thought for a moment, then said, "Xing, you go see Dan Shu first; I and San Yue will first clear the monsters along the way to Dan Ding Si. We are about to enter Dan Ding Si; that Chief Alchemist surely also knows something about the situation inside."

The situation at Dan Ding Si ahead is complex; if Xing can obtain some internal information from Dan Shu, that would also be quite good. Splitting up to act separately won't waste too much time.

"Okay, I know." Xing nodded, replied to Dan Shu, then spurred her horse onward to the Weak Tree Pavilion in Eternal Bliss Heaven.