"You can't escape!"
Blade shouted angrily, throwing his sword at Dan Heng, who was still on guard. The strike was extremely fast, or perhaps due to other reasons, Dan Heng was stabbed directly in the chest.
"Allow me to introduce him. This is a felon bearing a heinous crime... an exile who betrayed the Xianzhou and caused great chaos, the Vidyadhara High Elder, 'Imbibitor Lunae'."
As he spoke, Dan Heng underwent a drastic transformation. He slowly rose into the air, and a water dragon surged from the sea, merging with him. A dazzling cyan light emanated from Dan Heng's body, dragon horns grew from his head, his hair lengthened, and his attire changed as well.
"It seems our objective has been achieved." Kafka released her Voice-Control over Yanqing. Seeing this scene, Yanqing was momentarily stunned. He ran over to Baihong and asked, "What is wrong with you? What on earth is going on here?"
Baihong waved his hand and said, "I am fine. I am sorry, Yanqing. I still failed to stop that person. That brother got stabbed once and turned into this."
Yanqing looked closely at Dan Heng, and his expression suddenly changed drastically. "Could this, by any chance, be the Vidyadhara High Elder, 'Imbibitor Lunae'? What is happening here?"
"Heh, did you think only the Hunters infiltrated the Xianzhou?" Blade sneered with a cold laugh.
Yanqing said to Baihong, "Can you still fight? Both of these individuals are major criminals of the Luofu and need to be handed over to the General for judgment. The two of us will take them on together; we must not let them leave easily."
*Entering battle.*
"I have heard of your infamous reputation, 'Imbibitor Lunae'. I never expected you to come to the Xianzhou again. Today, neither of you will escape."
Yanqing set up his sword array, while Baihong stood ready in strict formation.
"Two against two? Perfect, this suits my wishes." Blade said.
"It seems it is time to go all out. Then, Ah-Blade, listen to me, release the Mara-Struck." Kafka lifted the restrictions on Blade once more.
"Rain and meteor, fall!"
Yanqing manipulated the sword array, lunging toward the two of them.
"Otherworld Interception!" Blade used his old trick, barely managing to withstand the impact of the attack. Dan Heng sighed helplessly. "I never intended to use this power, but I am sorry, the two of you."
He conjured an enhanced water dragon and charged it at Yanqing and Baihong.
"Ascendant Dragon!"
Baihong gathered his inner qi with his sword, materializing the form of a dragon that collided with the water dragon.
*It seems I must use my full strength. This youth's strength should not be underestimated. I wonder how March and the others are doing,* Dan Heng thought to himself.
"Daeos, Drop to Mundane World!" Imbibitor Lunae formed hand signs, once more summoning a gigantic water dragon that charged toward the two of them.
"Solitary Soul, Cleave the Tide!"
With that, the four of them remained deadlocked for a moment, neither side gaining the upper hand.
"Well now, everyone. It is rare to meet like this; fighting so fiercely is hardly a good idea!"
Yanqing looked back and was surprised to see Jing Yuan. The General stood there leisurely, looking at everyone with a composed expression.
"Why make such a huge fuss? The few of you returned to the Xianzhou without even a word to me." Jing Yuan exchanged some polite pleasantries, attempting to ease the atmosphere. He turned to Dan Heng and said, "Long time no, old friend."
Dan Heng frowned. "I am not him."
"Hahaha, my apologies, Dan Heng. It is just... sigh, never mind."
Jing Yuan then looked at the Stellaron Hunters. "You did me a small favor today, so I will let you leave."
Hearing the General's words, Yanqing could hardly believe it. These were major criminals—how could they be let off so easily? He wanted to say something, but was stopped by a look from the General.
Blade said nothing. He glanced at Dan Heng, then at Baihong, and walked away after Kafka without looking back.
"Dan Heng, your companions are waiting for you at Scalegorge Waterscape. Go on, it is time to face all of this." Jing Yuan crossed his arms with a solemn expression.
Dan Heng was silent for a moment before saying, "Indeed, it is time to face it."
Jing Yuan turned back to Yanqing and Baihong. "The two of you performed very well this time. However, what comes next is extremely dangerous; we are about to face the Legion of the Destruction head-on, and I cannot afford to take risks. Therefore, your task is to comfort and protect the civilians and wait for our good news."
"General, please let me go. Yanqing will surely do his utmost to contribute to the Xianzhou. Yanqing can still fight," Yanqing volunteered eagerly.
"Yanqing, you must not act rashly. Everyone on the Xianzhou is devoting themselves to its safety, striving until the very last moment. Going to the battlefield to kill enemies is not the only way to contribute. Doing what you ought to do and guarding what you must protect—that is what it means to take responsibility. Yanqing, it seems your mind is not yet fully mature; you still have growing up to do!
However, although Baihong is young in age, he is meticulous in thought and possesses extraordinary courage. Of course, while a person can certainly be strong on their own, the power of a team is what allows one to go further. Wouldn't you agree, Baihong?" Jing Yuan said meaningfully.
"Yes, Baihong will heed the General's teachings." Hearing Jing Yuan's words, flashes of imagery seemed to race through Baihong's mind, but they were all chaotic and blurry. What on earth were those? What had he truly experienced in the past? These sword techniques felt as though they were carved into his mind, mastered without a teacher.
Jing Yuan nodded and led Dan Heng to Scalegorge Waterscape.
The terrain of Scalegorge Waterscape was rugged and winding. The active area was small, and most importantly, the central portion was covered by seawater, taking up a vast amount of space in Scalegorge Waterscape.
Dan Heng followed Jing Yuan to the edge of a platform where the buildings were already dilapidated, leaving only broken walls and ruins.
Jing Yuan smiled with satisfaction and explained, "Thousands of years ago, to curb the growth of the Ambrosial Arbor, the Vidyadhara used this blessed domain as a vessel to seal the Arbor's root, and Scalegorge Waterscape is the homeland of the Vidyadhara. A certain High Elder guided the waters of the primordial sea here to submerge the root.
Ever since, the Luofu Vidyadhara have shouldered the duty of guarding the Ambrosial Arbor. 'Moon-Bathed Valley, a wondrous realm'—the scenery here has never changed.
And yet you and I, standing here today, are both different from before. It seems that even the immortal long-life species cannot stand shoulder to heaven and earth."
"The General must know the Vidyadhara custom of reincarnation and shedding. The primordial sea washed away Dan Feng's sins long ago. The person who once stood here together with you is no longer around. I am Dan Heng; whether that Dan Feng was a hero or a sinner has nothing to do with me.
I have already borne his punishment and accepted permanent banishment, for which I harbor no complaints. But when the General looks at me, please be sure to cast aside the shadow of the past." Dan Heng gathered his emotions and turned to speak to Jing Yuan.
"Sigh, reopening old wounds is certainly unpleasant. Perhaps it is your appearance and those dragon horns that make me faintly catch a glimpse of an old friend, which is why I associated you with him."
Hearing this, Dan Heng frowned and repeated, "I have already said—"
"Indeed, you said it, but so what? Others' attitudes toward you cannot be easily changed by a mere word of yours. If it were that simple, there would not be so many disputes in this world. If you want me to stop viewing you as Dan Feng, very well, do one thing for me.
Help me with one last task in his identity. Once it is done, I will let him die and rescind the decree of banishment against you. From then on, at least on the Luofu, you will no longer be anyone's shadow."
"What Dan Feng could do, I may not be able to," Dan Heng expressed his refusal.
"You must accomplish this matter, or none of it counts. Blame your past life for this; if not for the outrageous deed he committed, and if the power of the dragon had been completely inherited, I imagine I would not have had to force you." Jing Yuan's expression was extremely solemn.
"As I said just now, you and I standing here today are each different. Dan Feng is no more, there is only Dan Heng, and as for me... I have long been the General of the Luofu. Some things must still be done, even if one is reluctant."
With that, Jing Yuan wore a relaxed smile and said, "Let us talk about happier topics. The friends you made on the Astral Express are right here in this place. Do you not want to see them?"
Dan Heng thought of those familiar figures—the Trailblazer, March, and Mr. Yang...
"You brought them here?"
"Yes. When I said you could be found here, they followed me along. Noticing you were taking a long time, I went to look for you, and they are right ahead in the 'Great Hall of the Astrum'."
Along the way, there were quite a few monsters—the Legion of the Destruction, Abominations of Abundance, and the Antimatter Legion...
Jing Yuan analyzed the current situation, believing that Phantylia must have a backup plan. He added that although Dan Feng committed a grave crime, the inheritance of the dragon's power was only half-completed; therefore, while the Vidyadhara elders deeply hated Dan Heng, they did not dare to kill him. Pressured by circumstances, they were forced to perform the forced scale-shedding ritual on Dan Feng, yet deliberately left a flaw behind to deceive the Ten-Lords Commission. Dan Heng listened silently without speaking.
Gazing at the scenery before him, which was both unfamiliar and familiar, Dan Heng felt a myriad of emotions. He saw March and Fu Xuan fighting against the minions of the Legion.
Jing Yuan immediately stepped in to help them resolve the trouble.
"Jing Yuan, you are finally here." Fu Xuan was overjoyed.
"Haha, I am late. Thanks to Lady Fu for holding the line all the way. I have received the battle report sent by the Divine Foresight Mansion. As for Phantylia's plan..."
"The 'Ambrosial Arbor'—the greatest anomaly is right there. It is said that the Lord of Desolation Phantylia's tactic is to make things destroy themselves from within. She is undoubtedly aiming for the Ambrosial Arbor to spread the power of the Abundance plague... turning the Luofu into a living hell," Fu Xuan analyzed.
"Heh, let us put that aside for a moment. Members of the Express crew, I have brought Dan Heng. You must be eager to see him."
Dan Heng stepped forward, appearing within everyone's line of sight.
Seeing him, everyone was utterly shocked.
March saw Dan Heng with his dragon horns, covered her mouth in astonishment, and said, "You... you are Dan Heng? No way... what is going on with those horns on your head..."
Dan Heng nodded. "It is a long story, March. It is me." He sighed, looking somewhat helpless.
"I must say, you really do have hidden depths!"
"Let us set that aside for now. When everyone arrived at the Luofu, you claimed you came to resolve the Stellaron crisis. Jing Yuan did not dare to agree at the time because he suspected the Stellaron Hunters had other motives, but it now appears my worries were excessive."