"Dan Heng, I feel like those Preceptors aren't as bad as you said. They were all quite easy to talk to..."
After receiving the communication from Himeko and the others, Dan Heng and March 7th bid farewell to the Preceptors they had visited and snuck back to the Astral Express.
Then, they entered openly via the Starskiff Sea Haven as if arriving on the Xianzhou for the first time. On the way, March 7th couldn't help but wonder why the Preceptors they actually met were so different from Dan Heng's earlier descriptions.
In his words, those people were practically all scheming old immortals, full of ill intentions.
"It's only because what we want to do now aligns with their interests. We absolutely cannot let our guard down because of this." Looking at the figure of the General's envoy already waiting at the Starskiff Haven port, Dan Heng frowned slightly and reminded March 7th, "March, don't mention our contact with the Preceptors while on the Xianzhou... Especially anything about the Transmutation Arcanum, absolutely not a single word, understand?"
After all, since Jing Yuan had openly invited him here to resolve this matter, Dan Heng didn't believe someone as cautious as him would overlook the possibility of him attempting the Transmutation Arcanum again...
"Are you Mr. Dan Heng and Miss March 7th? This one is Yanqing, awaiting you both here under the General's orders."
They had barely taken a few steps onto the port when a golden-haired youth quickly approached, clasping his fist in greeting. "The members of the Express crew and the General are already waiting. Please follow me."
"Mm. Himeko already informed me via communication earlier. Please lead the way directly, thank you."
Following behind Yanqing, Dan Heng's tightly knit brow didn't relax. As the keeper of the Express's data bank, how could he not recognize the esteemed disciple of this Divine Foresight General? Having such a figure welcome him and March 7th showed respect on one hand, but likely also served as surveillance on the other...
So, his suspicions hadn't been completely dispelled. Fortunately, although the Xianzhou seemed peaceful on the surface, undercurrents were turbulent, and Jing Yuan's manpower was stretched thin. Otherwise, meeting those Preceptors undetected might not have been easy.
...
How long had it been since they last met?
Seeing the familiar figure standing below the platform, Jing Yuan felt a momentary daze. For the long-lived Xianzhou people, a few years were definitely not considered long. Yet, Jing Yuan felt a distant sense of reunion, as if the stories of the High-Cloud Quintet were from a very, very long time ago...
Or perhaps it truly had been a long time? Sigh...
"Dan Heng, this time on the Xianzhou—"
"No need to say more."
Dan Heng suddenly raised his hand, interrupting Jing Yuan. He glanced around.
Perhaps considering Dan Heng's sensitive identity, Jing Yuan had dismissed all unrelated personnel. Confirming nothing was amiss, Dan Heng fell silent for a moment, then looked at Jing Yuan seriously, stating bluntly, "Dan Heng is Dan Heng, Dan Feng is Dan Feng. After Vidyadhara reincarnation, they are different beings. The Xianzhou is indeed in crisis now. If you need me to act in the capacity of the High Elder, it's not impossible, but... I have one condition."
You've changed. You used to be such an enthusiastic, kind child who never asked for anything in return. Now your demands come first...
Jing Yuan, initially feeling nostalgic and melancholic, couldn't help but smile helplessly upon hearing Dan Heng's words. But he wasn't surprised. After all, a certain someone, even in their previous life, was the type to do anything to protect those around them. Bargaining with the Xianzhou General now was hardly a major event.
"Speak freely."
"Our companion on the Express, Twilight, doesn't have long due to a life defect. I wish to obtain the elixir of immortality for her," Dan Heng stated calmly.
If Dan Heng helped the Xianzhou unseal the Scalegorge Waterscape and seal the Stellaron, he would be a hero who saved the entire Luofu. Asking for the elixir of immortality to save someone wasn't excessive. However, broadly speaking, this operation was akin to dancing on the Xianzhou's minefield; ordinary people best not imitate it.
Although preparations for the Transmutation Arcanum were already underway, if possible, Dan Heng still hoped not to resort to such extremes. If a single elixir of immortality could resolve Twilight's current situation, why risk experimenting with the unreliable Transmutation Arcanum 2.0?
If it didn't work, maintaining sufficient insistence on the elixir could also keep Jing Yuan's attention focused on longevity prescriptions and the like, reducing the possibility of him discovering his actual Plan B...
"Pursuing immortality is one of the Ten Unpardonable Abominations on the Xianzhou..." Jing Yuan rubbed the corner of his eye, feigning a headache.
"I am not a Xianzhou native now," Dan Heng stated firmly. "Either provide the elixir of immortality to save our companion, or find someone else more capable and wait for that Dragon Lady to fully master the power of the High Elder."
Dan Heng's attitude was much more aggressive than Himeko's during their earlier discussion.
After all, having been a Xianzhou native in his past life, he knew well that the Xianzhou people liked compromises. If you politely asked them for an elixir of immortality, they might refuse. But if you mentioned letting a Stellaron explode on the Xianzhou, they would likely change their tune and be willing to consider gifting the medicine.
Besides, acting this way would also help Jing Yuan justify himself later to the Marshal and other colleagues. After all, the General actively gifting medicine and someone vital to the Xianzhou requesting medicine were entirely different concepts.
The rest was simple. Dan Heng and Jing Yuan exchanged a few insincere words and finalized the matter. The Astral Express would help the Xianzhou deal with the Stellaron Hunter and Stellaron issues, and the Xianzhou would provide an elixir of immortality as reward.
With his objective achieved, Dan Heng wasted no more words, directly leading the group towards the Scalegorge Waterscape. Anyway, he had mentioned this to the Preceptors earlier, so he didn't need to worry about the matter being exposed because of this.
Meanwhile, Twilight, still lying on the inn bed, opened her eyes and slowly sat up against the wall.
It's coming. Is this moment finally coming?
Despite entrusting the Stellaron matter to the Astral Express, Jing Yuan clearly couldn't just wash his hands of such a major event.
Therefore, besides Dan Heng, Caelus, and the others from the Express heading to the Scalegorge Waterscape, Jing Yuan himself also mobilized a portion of the Cloud Knights to accompany them...
After all, it was unclear what those hidden factions elsewhere on the Xianzhou intended, but those Vidyadhara Preceptors truly might rebel if given the chance. He couldn't rest easy without some insurance.
Thus, Twilight could see the dense cluster of light dots heading towards the Scalegorge Waterscape on the map. And waiting at the target location was another familiar acquaintance—Phantylia herself.
Twilight didn't think Phantylia would be foolish enough to actually brawl with the Luofu's General and High Elder right at the Ambrosial Arbor's entrance. There had to be some scheme.
Just how entertaining was this going to be? Twilight waited with anticipation.
Anyway, she had already bought all her buffs. She had spent a fortune upgrading her original [Delayed Retreat] trait further. Lasting until Dan Heng and the others' Transmutation Arcanum took effect shouldn't be a problem.