Every genius had their own unique personality, and because of this, the Simulated Universe—despite its outwardly serious design—was filled with small surprises and Easter eggs left behind by its creators.
The tests weren't just about functionality; they were also meant to let participants experience different personalities and have fun along the way. After all, reality was already stressful enough. Forcing players to relive that in a simulation would've been far too cruel. So, the developers ensured that Pei Guang would not only test the simulation but also enjoy himself.
While the final adjustments were being made to the simulation, Pei Guang and his group finished exploring the Divination Commission and the Exalting Sanctum. They looted every treasure chest they could find, then stopped by the Aurum Alley to buy some Xianzhou specialties before happily returning to the Astral Express.
"We're back, Himeko~!"
March 7th's excited voice echoed through the train's main hall the moment they stepped in. At the time, only two people were there—Himeko and Pom-Pom.
Himeko, who had been sipping her coffee, set her cup down and stood up to welcome them. "You're back! Welt told me everything that happened. What a thrilling journey. I can't wait to see what it's like when we travel together."
Thanks to Welt, Himeko already knew about everything that had happened on their trip. But seeing them return safely in person brought an even bigger smile to her face.
Pei Guang grinned. "I can't wait either! Oh, and Himeko—we brought you some Xianzhou souvenirs!"
The moment Pei Guang mentioned souvenirs, Pom-Pom—who had been sweeping—immediately froze. Its eyes sparkled as it looked up at Pei Guang with anticipation.
March 7th and Stelle exchanged glances with Pei Guang before the three of them began taking out the gifts they had prepared for Himeko.
Since Pei Guang didn't know much about women's preferences, March 7th and Stelle had taken charge of choosing Himeko's gifts.
They had picked out Xianzhou-style clothing, accessories, and jewelry—items that perfectly complemented Himeko's elegant and mature demeanor. March 7th's taste proved impeccable, as the outfits not only matched Himeko's figure but also highlighted her poise and grace.
As for Pei Guang's contribution, it was straightforward but thoughtful. Knowing Himeko loved coffee, he brought back several bags of specialty Xianzhou coffee beans.
Himeko smiled warmly as she looked over the gifts. "Thank you all—I'll gladly accept these. But~"
She playfully winked at Pei Guang before glancing toward Pom-Pom, whose hopeful expression hadn't faded.
Pom-Pom clearly remembered Pei Guang's promise to bring it a gift.
Even though Pom-Pom wouldn't complain if Pei Guang forgot, it was obvious that being left out would make the train conductor sad—so sad that dark clouds and rain droplets might start forming over its head.
Catching Himeko's hint, he smiled knowingly. How could he not have prepared something for Pom-Pom?
For a mascot-like train conductor that had traveled the cosmos with Akivili, the Trailblazer Aeon, ordinary gifts wouldn't cut it.
But Pei Guang had something special.
Reaching into his bag, he pulled out an item—a fruit from the Ambrosial Arbor.
Having claimed the Arbor as his spoils after defeating the Lord Ravager, Pei Guang treated its fruit as a victory prize.
However, what he presented wasn't just an ordinary Arbor fruit. This one had been specially refined. Its original power had been purified, and while the remaining energy couldn't grant immortality, it could rejuvenate the body, restore youth, and extend one's lifespan.
Pei Guang had no interest in eating something . As a player, he didn't have a lifespan mechanic. For players, the length of their existence was effectively tied to the game's storage limit.
Still, even if it wasn't useful to him, he thought it made a perfect keepsake.
What? Use it as a consumable item?
Thanks to Phantylia, Pei Guang already had plenty of full-recovery consumables. Wasting such a rare material as a disposable item felt wrong.
Instead, why not use it to improve relationships and boost affection levels? Compared to blessings from Abundance, immortality, or longevity, strengthening bonds with companions was far more valuable.
After all, in any game, important items were always handed over without hesitation if a beloved companion wanted them. And if things ever hit a dead end, tools like Cheat Engine, WeMod, or even Game Shark could easily fix the save file.
When Pei Guang pulled out the Arbor fruit, Pom-Pom's eyes widened in disbelief. Even Himeko couldn't hide her shock.
Himeko asked, "Ah Guang, is that…?"
Pei Guang replied casually, "An Ambrosial Arbor fruit. It's the mission reward for defeating the boss. The Arbor's still producing them, but the process is a bit slow. Not a big deal, though—this is the second fruit produced after its recovery. I've already purified it, so it's completely safe. At the same time, I kept some of its original properties intact. Pom-Pom, here—it's a Xianzhou specialty!"
Pom-Pom opened its mouth as if to say something but was too stunned to speak.
After struggling for a moment, it finally managed to blurt out, "POM!!!"
Pom-Pom had officially witnessed how absurd Pei Guang could be. Conquering the Xianzhou Alliance's Ambrosial Arbor, taking its fruits, and then casually treating them as souvenirs?
Seeing Pom-Pom's shocked expression, Pei Guang tilted his head in confusion.
"Pom-Pom doesn't like it? What do you want, then? If you really want the Arbor, it's not impossible. But if I chop it down, there won't be any more fruits. How about I gather a few more fruits first, then cut it down and bring it back as a decoration?"
Pom-Pom panicked. "POM!!! NO POM!!! This is enough, Pom!!! Don't chop down the Arbor, Pom!!!"
March 7th glanced at Pei Guang. "Look how scared Pom-Pom is! It's spouting 'Pom' left and right. But Pom-Pom, you really don't have to worry. I trust that Ah Guang always keeps his promises!"
Pom-Pom replied nervously, "That's exactly what I'm worried about, Pom! Ahem—Passenger Pei Guang, I really like your gift. Thank you! But no need for anything else, especially not the Arbor, Pom."
Normally, Pom-Pom didn't say "Pom" this much, but its emotions were running so high that it couldn't stop itself.
Pei Guang smiled. "As long as you like it, that's all that matters. Don't worry—the source of this gift is completely legitimate! It's a reward we got after taking down the Lord Ravager~ No need to worry about causing any interstellar hostilities."
Pom-Pom didn't reply this time. It just quietly hugged the gift, already debating where to display it.
In truth, Pom-Pom didn't dare to say anything more. It was afraid that if it said the wrong thing, Pei Guang might misunderstand it. What if it casually said, "The Xianzhou is nice," and Pei Guang somehow interpreted that as a reason to hijack the Xianzhou and bring it back?
Sure, being treated so seriously made Pom-Pom feel both happy and touched, but at the same time, it also felt like it needed to rein Pei Guang in a little.
After all, he had already been chosen by the Path of Trailblaze. And with how things were going, there might even be some connection between him and Akivili, the Trailblazer Aeon.
No matter what, it couldn't let Pei Guang do something reckless on its behalf. As the train conductor, it also felt responsible for guiding him properly—at least enough to keep him from straying too far off track.
The mere thought of blowing up the Xianzhou was enough to make Pom-Pom nervous. As long as he didn't actually do it, that was already a win!
Still, the fact that Pei Guang had offered such a precious gift so casually genuinely moved Pom-Pom. Just hearing Pom-Pom say it liked the gift had been enough for Pei Guang to suggest bringing back the whole Arbor. That kind of dedication hit right in the heart.
No other passengers had ever treated Pom-Pom this way. Sure, they respected it and cared for it, but no one had ever reached the level of offering it the stars and the moon if it wanted them.
Feeling overjoyed, Pom-Pom decided to display the gift somewhere prominent. But where?
After glancing around, Pom-Pom's eyes landed on the trash can gifted by Belobog to the crew. It actually looked quite nice, so Pom-Pom placed a display case on top of it and proudly showcased the Arbor fruit inside.
As for whether the fruit might attract Abundance followers or shady characters? Pom-Pom wasn't worried in the slightest. Anything aboard the Express was untouchable—unless someone had the permission of either the train conductor or the item's owner.
After all, Pom-Pom was the conductor! Pom~~~