With the release of 4.2 and even more lore of the Abundance explored through Evanescia, what I want to look into is the following: Abundance Emanators, the trees they're connected to, and how they may be considered the ideal lifeforms according to Abundance-worshipping sects like Disciples of Sanctus Medicus.
Abundance Emanators & their trees
In the 4.1 main story questline, Real Holy Laughter!, Evanescia revealed the following: she is the avatar of the Panarch Elwood, a Plaguemark that General Yaoguong believes is part of the Ambrosial Arbor aboard the Luofu.
And she's not wrong to make this assumption. According to the Xianzhou's history, the Ambrosial Arbor was planted thousands of years ago when the ancient predecessors of the Xianzhou Alliance departed the Primeval Imperium on the hunt for immortality, discovering it through Yaoshi who would confer them the first Plaguemark, the Ambrosial Arbor. Readables like Investigation of Ancient Pattern Rubbings from the Luofu explore this.
However, I'm not here to explore Evanescia's past in-depth. But my point is simple: for almost every Abundance Emanator, it can be inferred that they are closely connected to a tree that is either a Plaguemark, or somehow extremely closely connected to the Abundance.
One of the more obscure examples is the Wingperor of the Wingweavers. According to the List of Archenemies found within the Seat of Divine Foresight, Muldrasil can be considered one such Plaguemark and the Wingperor gains their power from Muldrasil until it was destroyed by the Antimatter Legion.
It should also bear mentioning: an Abundance Emanator doesn't necessarily need to be an avatar of a Plaguemark like Evanescia to be valid, but they have to be connected to a Plaguemark to gain their power; without it, as in the case of the Wingweavers, they are not avatars of Muldrasil, but the position of Wingperor is said to be transferable to other Wingweavers when they become the next Wingperor.
Moving on, the more prominent yet mysterious example exists in Shuhu and how he likely derives his power from Plaguemarks, and has on more than one occasion.
Within Planarcadia, Shuhu took the form of a brambly-shaped tree when Silver Wolf sealed him inside of Ren. As we know from sources like Xueyi's third character story, Shuhu tends to take the shape of a tree.
While it's not outright stated, as the Cangcheng existed well after the planting of the Ambrosial Arbor, the most notable instances of Shuhu throughout the game's history have entailed him invading places like the Cangcheng and Luofu that had Plaguemarks, even if their names may be yet unknown.
In Jingliu's first character story and Jing Yuan's fourth, respectively, in the instances that Shuhu invaded these two Xianzhou ships, a Plaguemark was assuredly present. From it, it can be implied that Shuhu has to filch the power of a Plaguemark to wield his power to such a devastating extent.
In Dan Heng's third character story and in the 1.2 MSQ, A Dragon Gallant, Its Oceans Distant, it's confirmed to us that the Shuhu Upheaval Period--noted to be one of the bloodiest invasions that resulted in Dan Feng and Jingliu almost dying and Baiheng sacrificing herself--took place at Scalegorge Waterscape, the site of the Ambrosial Arbor that the High Elder traditionally guards.
In the same patch, during Demise of Immortality, Finale of Calamity, Phantylia usurps the power of the Ambrosial Arbor to combine with her latent powers of Destruction and Tingyun as her host, combining Abundance and Destruction together. This proves that the power of the Arbor can be stolen/borrowed, and may explain why Shuhu was so empowered during the Shuhu Upheaval Period, especially to the point that Dan Feng--noted to be so powerful that even Tengxiao advised that he be given a wide berth in battle (Clouds Leave No Trace)--was on the brink of death.
The next and last is probably the most mysterious is Luocha, one said to be the most antagonistic and openly resistant of the Abundance compared to his peers. Unlike the other three, he's not known to have a tree or Plaguemark that he's connected to, but there are some clues.
From the Church of Purity Palace relic set piece, Knight's Silent Oath Ring, it's implied that a mysterious, Aeonic power visited the Knights' world and drove it to ruin and insanity. Of course, it can be noted that like other canonical Plaguemarks (the Ambrosial Arbor, Red Spring), it follows the familiar trend of a Plaguemark granting boons (in this case, the strength to punish "devils") that later lead to total ruin (self-annihilation, insanity). While Luocha is strongly implied to have been a Knight of Purity Palace, the source of his power as an Emanator is more mysterious.
In the description of his signature LC, Echoes of the Coffin, Luocha is shown speaking with it. While we know by now that it contains part of the remains of Tayzzyronth, it should also be noted that Propagation is typically associated with uncontrollable progenation, not plant-life in the way his coffin seems capable of. Therefore, it's strongly hinted that his coffin may be a Plaguemark and the source of his power as an Emanator of Abundance.
One of the reasons I can believe the former is because, in the A Knight Stranger companion mission, it ends with Luocha communing with the Ambrosial Arbor in the same way he does with his coffin, lending credence to the idea that his coffin is a Plaguemark, or at least part of one, and the means by which he can contain Tayzzyronth's remains. Whether this will come to pass is debatable, but the implications are strong.
Abundance Emanators as the ideal lifeforms
Whether or not Abundance Emanators are represented by specific Plaguemarks or empowered by any they come across, one thing seems sure: the notion that their power is at its most refined from a Plaguemark isn't lost on me, especially when it comes to those that either take the form of/represent a tree (Shuhu and Evanescia) or just derive their power from them (Wingperor and Luocha), Abundance-worshipping sects like the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus seem to view this representation as the highest order of evolution for anyone connected to the Abundance.
In the Overview of the Xianzhou's Materia Medica, the Yellow Pneuma Yang Essence is stated to not only represent the means by which Denizens of Abundance live, but how they are "seeds" waiting to sprout, an "inner secret" should be cultivated to evolution. It's also referred to as an "inner Ambrosial Arbor", the secret to their long life.
In the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus: Collection of Exhibits, it details a cornerstone of the Disciples' belief: that through Yoashi planting a sacred tree (the Core Esse), it will liberate THEIR adherents from the maladies of a limited life, like aging, sickness, and pain. And to our faces, we're told that this seed for a sacred tree (the Core Esse) will grow into a new Ambrosial Arbor.
Not only is it just their belief, but observable in Xianzhou Natives like Jingliu (in her first character story) that a Core Esse exists, and when exposed to higher orders of Abundance (Plaguemarks, Shuhu), this Core Esse can start to germinate and grow within them and cause them to become Marastruck.
Therefore, as/with fully-realized Plaguemarks like the Arbor, Emanators can be seen as the highest order of evolution/life among those faithful to the Abundance, confirmed by their proximity to Yaoshi and the power THEY bequeath through these manifestations.
Deer i am not well-versed in Blade/shuhu lore but why the fuck do they keep blaming shuhu so much tf did they even do??? To my knowladge shuhu was dead for a shit ton of time and it's just their power being used by unrelated third parties via their flesh, if i was just chilling as ABUNDANCE emanator tree, path know for being compassionate and well-meaning despite it's bad consequences and when i died some random people kept using my body for nefarious porposes and the guy (Blade) who decided to host all the rest of me to stop the had effects kept blaming me when i did literaly nothing i would be PISSED, tbh them blaming shuhu might just be Xianzhou prejudice but i would like to hear your toughts in the matter
Damn anon. You really shot me 26 times with that.
I'll give you all the reasons off the top of my head why Shuhu hate is valid in lore:
Abundance NEVER dies, no matter what will happen it will return to what it was in some twisted shape or form. Same thing happens to Emanator's ofc. Shuhu never died in a way that mattered until now when it is eaten endlessly by Oroboros' husk.
Entire Blades and Jingliu's character are based on the fact that they can't die and are suffering because of their minds giving out.
Jing Yuan is also on the edge of falling for mara, he's "forced" to forget his past memories that bring him any kind of pain. He's not allowed to be sad because he will become an abomination.
Blade with Dan Feng used Shuhu flesh to revive Baiheng, Baiheng's body turned into a horrible dragon-like monster and she was suffering if she was aware of it. Jingliu had to kill her after being in grief of losing her.
#revival without consent
Loucha is hot as a hater.
And because the alliance is incapable of adaptation :| Yes Xianzhou's first Emperor(?) wanted that, but he died and the rest are stuck with the curse.
Shuhu probably doesn't understand pain the same way we humans do, which is crazy to think about a sentient tree that can change appearance and manipulate minds.
Immortality from Yaoshi forces people to undergo horrible transformation into abominations. They're in constant pain physically and mentally as they're aware of it.
Shuhu was never dead, it done a lot of fucked up things. For example: Hayna seeing that damn tree trying to lure her in by using the heads of her dead sister.
The Borisin are the most known followers of Abundance and we saw how they behave.
The Sanctum Medicus cult. Cult should be indicator of how fucked up they are btw.
Abundance is not good or bad, Yaoshi is neutral in all ways with no stop button. Like wishing to stellaron turned the entire Javiro-VI into an ice cube. That's what Yaoshi is doing but with making people live forever.
Shuhu mocked Blade by becoming his past self (Yingxing) before he ate their flesh. It gives a wink towards the fact they're not nice or merciful as we could assume. They have terrible personality.
having actual brainrot over the xianzhou timeline rn
5749- Shuhu attacks Yuque
6300- Shuhu destroys Cancheng
7250- 7300 (approx) HCQ formed
7379- Sedition
7380- Jingliu & Jing Yuan Fight
8096- Yanqing becomes Lieutenant
so present day must be 8100+?
HCQ worked together for over a century so Jing Yuan is at least 1000 years old but most likely quite a bit more
plus when you add in the Shuhu Upheaval line (which ive seen is possibly mistranslated?) which occurred anywhere from 5749 to 6300 or possibly after but i doubt
then Jing Yuan could be anywhere from 2000+ to 1500 years old...
makes you also wonder how old jingliu is, she was definetly around before year 6300 because of the cancheng
if jing yuan is over 2000 years old then he most likely knew/knew of at least one other incarnation of imbibitor lunae, (the one after yubie most likely as he was towards the start of the shuhu events) otherwise either dan heng is close to the end of his lifespan now, or he was an egg for multiple centuries before hatching otherwise the timeline makes no sense
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Perhaps one of the most curious aspects of Ren's immortality is that, despite being Mara-struck (with an arguably "purer" variant thanks to Shuhu), Ren is unable to suffer from the usual effects of Mara, such as a complete loss of sanity or the florid growths that afflict typical Marastruck. Not only that, but Ren experienced de-aging that reverted his body to that of a younger man. While the true reason behind this isn't entirely known, some ideas have circulated before.
One shell-shocking notion originally came from Lalody's Lore, who proposed the idea that one of the fulcrums to Ren's unusual immortality is that it's buoyed by the Permanence, which makes a great deal of sense when one factors in its unusual facets. While the main variable was purported to be the Dragon's Heart (regardless if it was a literal organ or a manifestation related to a High Elder's power), this hasn't been confirmed or denied as of yet.
One plot point constantly asserted since the debut of Dan Heng IL's companion quest, The Dragon Returns Home, is the assertion that the changes done to the Transmutation Arcanum resulted in the Semi-Draconic Abomination's uncontrollable creation, and while it was a failure after Jingliu had to put it down, Yingxing does display some hints of "inheriting" its properties. While the means that Yingxing assimilated with it is unknown, as a monstrosity that contained both the essences of Permanence (Dan Feng/Long) and Abundance(Shuhu), it affecting him is incredibly likely.
In DHIL, Character Story III & Jingliu, Character Story IV, we're painted a sketchy if interesting picture that led to this occurring.
During the Sedition, after this transformation, it's highly implied that Yingxing not only transformed before the Semi-Draconic Abomination's death, but that he engaged in battle with Jingliu to the point that she was previously injured from their duel while Yingxing protected Dan Feng. Following this deadly battle, Yingxing likely had been transformed simultaneously as the Abomination had been made, his elevated strength level is consistent with the Draught of Draconic Surge, a medicine that combines Long's blood with that of subjects who imbibed it, especially when it's combined with Abundance-affected Long-life Species like Xianzhou Natives.
This is better detailed in Pharmacological Studies on the Draught of Draconic Surge, Disciples of Sanctus Medicus: Collection of Exhibits, which describes experiments that seem to mirror the unique properties of Ren's immortality. In addition, the de-aging that Yingxing underwent is identical to what a scholar named Bernini underwent centuries later.
As expanded on in the Shredded Notes of Scholar Bernini, another aspect of Ren's immortality possibly derived from Abundance and Permanence is the fact that it's constantly asserted how it's only by the power of Long that the Ambrosial Arbor, the pinnacle of Yaoshi's manifested power, which highly suggests the possibility of Abundance being connected to Permanence in some way to create a "balanced" immortality that materialized in Ren.
According to the Adventure Mission Venom Brews, Immortality Looms, Dan Heng IL, Character Story I and Dan Heng's companion quest, The Dragon Returns Home, there exists something known as the "maddened and frenzied dragon," called the candle (or torch) dragon, tied to the Ambrosial Arbor. Whether an actual being or a metaphor, it strongly implies the connection between Abundance and Permanence, as only a High Elder is capable of sealing the Arbor, which is also true of the High Elders for the Hexafleet ships that carry similar Plaguemarks.
As can be read in Pharmacological Studies on the Draught of Draconic Surge, Disciples of Sanctus Medicus: Collection of Exhibits, Ren's immortality is both the result of Shuhu amalgamating to him that made him spectacularly more powerful than the average Marastruck whilst this Mara may have been tempered by Dan Feng's essences that caused him to both de-age to be much younger than he was and prevent the Mara from overtaking him completely, like it most Marastuck.
A cage of Voracity
With the curious amount of ties between Abundance, Permanence and Voracity, perhaps it shouldn't come as a surprise that Voracity would be able to both contain/temper an Emanator of Abundance (Shuhu), to outright consuming it. This was revealed in the 4.3 MSQ, The Lethe Below the Living, Primeval and Other Times .
While this says nothing specifically of tempering Abundance, what it does speak of is the ability to contain it, if in a grisly fashion that speaks more of an attrition than true disposal, let alone termination.
In a way, this "attrition" makes sense. As Ruan Mei explains it in Arcadia Of Mystery And Terror, in an unknown period after the Swarm Disaster when Oroboros was said to have disappeared, like cutting off the heads of the mythical hydra, AHA personally sealed countless vestiges of Oroboros' body, suppressed it with Voracity, and powered it via the Path of Voracity.
In Primeval And Other Times, Ren makes his plan clear: Oroboros will serve as the furnace, Abundance as the iron, and their endless undying would be the hammer that culminates in a cage that will contain Shuhu for all eternity.
As I've written previously, there's an extreme likelihood that Long the Permanence may have been a Leviathan like Oroboros. When you double that up with the fact that it's possible that Abundance stems from Permanence, it adds up to an interesting possibility that Ren's immortality, if it was affected by Permanence ala the Half-Draconic Abomination in some way, then turning to Voracity to contain Shuhu does make some sense.
