Chapter 130

Dan Shu did not directly answer Xing's question, but instead asked back: "Having undergone the same change of abundance, do you know what the difference is between the abundance fiends and the Astral Express people?"

"The answer is: there is no difference. The only distinction lies in whether one accepts or rejects the immortal nature brought by abundance."

"Among the Abundance people, the Bu Li, famed for their ferocity, have blood similar to theirs flowing in the bodies of the Fox people… but they are not fiends; they are Astral Express people."

"Thus it is clear that the distinction between Astral Express people and fiends is not a biological classification issue but a cultural one."

"If a fiend enters the Astral Express, it becomes Astral Express; if an Astral Express enters the fiend, it becomes a fiend. That's all."

"The fiends embrace their nature, able to freely alter their flesh and blood solely to pursue stronger bodies. But such means, upon the Astral Express, are utterly taboo."

"Now you understand why no heavenly-deficient ones are born among the fiends, right?"

One-Punch Man world.

"The Astral Express should possess more advanced and perfected bodily modification technology; why would they list it as a taboo?"

"If modification technology were used on a large scale, wouldn't the Astral Express soldiers be invincible on the battlefield?" Genos looked doubtfully toward Saitama, who was watching TV with the air conditioner on in the living room, and asked, "Teacher, do you know the reason?"

"Hmm… I can't explain the exact reasoning, but Genos, does a modified body necessarily become stronger?"

"Not necessarily..." Genos's gaze toward Saitama gained a few more drops of admiration.

"Whether flesh or machinery, as long as it makes one stronger, it's a good thing." Saitama scratched his head, "But have you ever felt what it's like to grow stronger with a flesh-and-blood body?"

"Really not, Teacher..." Genos blushed; since his home was destroyed by a rampaging cyborg at age fifteen, he has resolutely walked the path of becoming a cyborg, and now his entire body except his brain is composed of Dr. Kuseno's alloy.

"Teacher, what's the difference?" Genos sat up straight with humility.

"Well… if we were to mention a difference, perhaps it's pain?" Saitama thought a moment, then asked, "Genos, does it hurt when you hit someone?"

"Not at all."

"Fists made of alloy have only hardness and strength; pain receptors and such were things he had Dr. Kuseno remove during his first modification."

Genos grew even more doubtful: "Is pain a flaw in becoming stronger?"

"Hmm… that's correct." Saitama said blandly, "But after modification, the nerves disappear, and one feels no pain when attacked. Know that pain is the body's brake; if the brake fails, the body will surely be scrapped."

"... So that's how it is?" Genos had a sudden realization, quickly pulling out a notebook to record, "As expected of Teacher Saitama… this is exactly what I'm lacking now!"

"Looks like, the next time I see Dr. Kuseno for modification, I'll have to figure out how to add pain sensation to this body."

"By the way, how much do you know about the Medicine King's secret lineage?" Xing continued to ask.

"I am merely a humble alchemist; I do not know the overly complex circumstances, only that they are a group of Astral Express people who consider themselves Abundance people."

Dan Shu lightly shook his head: "I suppose they merely blame too many hardships on themselves for having strayed from the fate of the Longevity Plague Ancestor, and thus wish to rescue themselves by becoming Abundance people again."

Having said that, Dan Shu slowly pulled out a small wooden box from his sleeve and handed it to Xing.

"I previously said I would prepare a small gift for you." Dan Shu smiled faintly: "I consulted relevant historical records and compounded a longevity-and-health elixir. I have named it the Cloud-Sipping Dew Pill, and I wish to give it to you."

"Taking it makes one light-bodied and agile, prolongs life and nurtures health. For a nameless traveler like you, it will surely make your journey easier."

Demon Slayer world—

"Longevity and health… longevity… oh no!" Shinobu Kocho muttered inwardly, "Not good," her heart burning with anxiety.

"What's wrong? It's just a pill; why the fuss?" Sanemi Shinazugawa gave Shinobu Kocho a strange look; even when Xing had faced various dangers before, he had never seen her this tense.

"Don't you remember? Miss Qingzhu earlier said the Astral Express strictly forbids research on life extension… but the effect of that elixir…"

"Longevity…!" The Stone Pillar finally reacted: "The elixir in Dan Shu's hand is the Coiling Dragon Pill!"

"Eh?! So Miss Dan Shu is actually a successor of the Medicine King's secret lineage?!"

"Tsk, I thought she was a good person, but if she can produce this elixir, doesn't it mean she's already obtained the Everlasting Marrow?" The Snake Pillar, Obanai Iguro, frowned tightly, "This woman truly hides her depths."

"Ahhh! Xing, don't be greedy at a time like this!!!"

Watching Xing take out the pill on the light screen and about to put it in his mouth, several Pillars closed their eyes, unable to bear looking further.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the Infinite Castle—

"Eat! Hurry up and eat it, Xing!"

"As long as you eat it, you will have endless lifespan and can pursue whatever you wish!"

Muzan Kibutsuji's eyes were almost bulging out, his indescribable fervor nearly spilling from his sockets. He simply wanted to personally watch Xing take the pill and then transform into an immortal being.

Of course, he would even prefer Xing to become a Demonic Shade immediately—if possible.

Over the past thousand years, he has greatly enjoyed one thing: turning the heroes passed down by popular legend into demons, then delighting in watching those heroes slaughter at night… the complex, despairing expressions on people's faces.

If Xing were to become a Demonic Shade, what expression would Jing Yuan and the others have?

Would they uphold their hunting creed and kill Xing? Or, out of affection for the Train Group, would they abandon their mission to eradicate the Abundance fiends and let Xing go?

In short… I really want to see that.

"Sir… hurry, look! Xing is about to swallow it!" a trembling demon under him warned.

Muzan raised his head and just saw Xing toss the pill into his mouth like eating peanuts.

Xing had no doubt about Dan Shu's true identity; as for the pill, he even licked his lips with a hint of aftertaste.

"The taste is a bit strange, but not unpleasant."

But soon the pill's effect kicked in; Xing suddenly felt his head about to split, his body scorching hot, as if being boiled in a cauldron, and the world before his eyes gradually turned blood-red…

"It's so uncomfortable… I can barely catch my breath…"

Good! Hahahaha! Is this about to turn into a Demonic Shade? Mr. Yang of the Train Group, along with the Astral Express general and diviner, let me see what measures you'll take when faced with Xing's transformation into a Demonic Shade!

Muzan, who loves a good spectacle, burst into loud laughter.

But the pill's strange effect vanished in an instant; soon the redness in Xing's eyes disappeared, and he stood up as if nothing had happened.

He even… let out a burp.

Muzan's eyebrows instantly knotted together: "Just… just this…?"