["Dan Shu didn't directly answer Stelle's question. Instead, she countered, 'Both transformed by the Abundance, do you know the difference between Abundance Abominations and Xianzhou natives?'"]
["'The answer is: there is no difference. The only distinction lies in whether one accepts or rejects the nature of longevity granted by the Abundance.'"]
["'Among the Abundance followers, the Borisin, known for their ferocity, share a similar bloodline with the Foxians... yet they are not Abominations but Xianzhou natives.'"]
["'From this, it's clear that the difference between Xianzhou natives and Abominations is not a matter of biological classification but a cultural one.'"]
["'If an Abomination joins the Xianzhou, they become Xianzhou; if a Xianzhou native joins the Abominations, they become an Abomination. That's all there is to it.'"]
["'Abominations embrace their nature, freely altering their flesh to pursue stronger bodies. But such methods are utterly taboo on the Xianzhou.'"]
["'Now do you understand why there are no innate deficiencies among Abominations?'"]
One Punch Man World.
"The Xianzhou should have more advanced and perfected body modification technology. Why would they list it as taboo?"
"If they used modification technology on a large scale, wouldn't the Xianzhou's soldiers be invincible on the battlefield?" Genos looked puzzled at Saitama, who was lounging in the living room, watching TV under the air conditioner. "Teacher, do you know the reason?"
"Hmm... I can't quite explain the specifics, Genos, but does a modified body necessarily become stronger?"
"Not necessarily..." Genos looked at Saitama with even more admiration.
"Whether it's flesh or machine, as long as it makes you stronger, it's good." Saitama scratched his head. "But have you ever felt what it's like to grow stronger with a body of flesh?"
"Not really, Teacher..." Genos said sheepishly. Ever since his family was destroyed by a rampaging cyborg at fifteen, he had unhesitatingly chosen the path of becoming a cyborg. Now, aside from his brain, every part of his body was made of alloys crafted by Dr. Kuseno.
"Teacher, is there a difference?" Genos sat up straight, eager to learn.
"Hmm... if there's a difference, maybe it's pain?" Saitama thought for a moment before asking, "Genos, does it hurt when you hit someone?"
"Not at all."
His alloy fists only registered hardness and force. Pain receptors... those were something he had asked Dr. Kuseno to remove during his first modification.
Genos grew even more confused. "Isn't pain a flaw in becoming stronger?"
"Well... you're not wrong," Saitama said calmly. "But when you're modified, your nerves disappear, and you don't feel pain when attacked. Pain is the body's brake pedal. If the brakes fail, the body will definitely break down."
"...Is that how it works?" Genos had a sudden realization, quickly pulling out a small notebook to jot it down. "As expected of Teacher Saitama... this is what I'm missing!"
"It seems next time I get an upgrade from Dr. Kuseno, I'll need to find a way to add pain receptors to this body."
["By the way, how much do you know about the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus?" Stelle continued to ask.]
["'I'm just a humble alchemist; I don't know much about complicated matters. All I know is that they're a group of Xianzhou natives who consider themselves Abundance followers.'"]
[Dan Shu shook her head lightly. "I suspect they blame too many of their hardships on straying from the path of the Plagues Author, hoping to redeem themselves by returning to being Abundance followers."]
[As she spoke, Dan Shu slowly pulled a small wooden box from her sleeve and handed it to Stelle.]
["I mentioned before that I'd prepare a small gift for you," Dan Shu said with a faint smile. "I consulted historical records and concocted a longevity and health-enhancing pill. I've named it the Cloud-Dining Dew-Bearing Pill. I'd like to give it to you."]
["'Taking it will make your body light and agile, promoting longevity and well-being. For a Nameless like you, it should make your journey much easier.'"]
Demon Slayer World—
"Longevity and health... longevity... oh no!" Shinobu Kocho's heart sank, panic rising within her.
"What's wrong? It's just a pill. Why the fuss?" Sanemi Shinazugawa looked at Shinobu strangely. Even when Stelle faced all sorts of crises before, he'd never seen her this nervous.
"Don't you remember? Miss Qingque mentioned that the Xianzhou strictly forbids research into extending lifespan... but the effects of that pill..."
"Longevity...!" The Stone Hashira finally caught on. "The pill in Dan Shu's hands—it's the Dragon-Coiled Leap!"
"Eh?! So Miss Dan Shu is part of the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus?!"
"Tch, and here I thought she was a good person. But if she can produce that pill, doesn't it mean she's already gotten her hands on Vidyadhara marrow?" Iguro Obanai, the Serpent Hashira, frowned deeply. "This woman's really good at hiding her true colors."
"Aaah! Stelle, don't be greedy and eat it now!!!"
As they watched Stelle on the screen take out the pill and prepare to put it in her mouth, the Hashira collectively closed their eyes, unable to bear watching.
Meanwhile, in the Infinity Castle—
"Eat it! Hurry up and eat it, Stelle!"
"Once you eat it, you'll have endless lifespan, able to pursue anything you desire!"
Kibutsuji Muzan's eyes were practically bulging with fervor, an indescribable zeal nearly spilling from them. He desperately wanted to see Stelle swallow the pill and transform into a long-life species.
Of course, he'd be even happier if Stelle immediately turned into a Mara-struck being—if possible.
For a thousand years, one of his favorite pastimes was turning the heroes celebrated by the masses into demons, then reveling in the complex, despairing expressions on people's faces as those heroes slaughtered under the cover of night.
If Stelle became Mara-struck, what kind of expressions would Jing Yuan and the others have?
Would they uphold the Path of the Hunt and kill Stelle? Or would they, out of affection for the Astral Express crew, abandon their mission to eradicate Abundance Abominations and let Stelle go?
Either way... he really wanted to see it.
"Lord... look! Stelle's about to eat it!" one of his subordinate demons reminded him nervously.
Muzan looked up, just in time to see Stelle toss the pill into her mouth like it was a peanut.
[Stelle didn't doubt Dan Shu's true identity in the slightest. As for the pill... she even licked her lips, savoring it.]
["...It tastes a bit strange, but not bad."]
[But soon, the pill's effects kicked in. Stelle suddenly felt a splitting headache, her body burning as if she were being cooked in a cauldron, and the world before her eyes gradually turned blood-red...]
["It's so uncomfortable... I can hardly breathe..."]
"Good! Hahahahaha! Is she turning into a Mara-struck being?" Muzan burst into maniacal laughter. "Mr. Yang of the Astral Express, the General, and the Master Diviner of the Xianzhou—let's see how you'll deal with a Stelle transformed into a Mara-struck being!"
But the strange effects of the pill vanished as quickly as they came. Soon, the red in Stelle's eyes faded, and she stood up as if nothing had happened.
She even... let out a burp.
Muzan's brows instantly knitted together. "That's... it?"