"Everyone, according to the observations of the Luofu's Chief Diviner, the Ambrosial Arbor is located within the Scalegorge Waterscape... or more accurately, within the remains of the Ambrosial Arbor itself."
Before the Scalegorge Waterscape, Jing Yuan halted his steps, turning back to Caelus and the others, patiently asking, "I assume you all have heard of the Ambrosial Arbor's origins. It is a miracle left by Yaoshi, the Aeon of Abundance, possessing the power to overcome death... And the origin of the Xianzhou's mara-struck plague lies in this very object. It wasn't until the Reignbow Arbiter struck it down that the spread of the long-life 'poison' was barely contained."
"Now that the Stellaron has fallen into the Ambrosial Arbor, although it hasn't shown any special power before, since we are now going to seal it again, it certainly won't remain as calm as before. Although saying such things before battle is somewhat inauspicious, but... have you all said what needs to be said to your loved ones?" As if remembering something unpleasant, a barely perceptible melancholy flickered in Jing Yuan's eyes. "Parting is always abrupt... so we should always be prepared, lest it becomes too late."
"It's just a Stellaron; it shouldn't reach that point. Besides, saying things like that before a fight feels like it increases the probability of problems occurring," Caelus shook his head. "We told Twilight we'd be leaving for a short while, no need to worry."
"...Is that so? As long as you've decided."
Dan Heng noticed the faint sigh in Jing Yuan's voice and knew why he suddenly said such things. It was simply that the current Express crew reminded him of past events and old friends. But in Dan Heng's view, Jing Yuan was overthinking things.
The death of Baiheng back then was because Shuhu, Emanator of Abundance, led a massive army to besiege the Xianzhou and seize the Ambrosial Arbor. That was a bloody battle concerning the very survival of the Xianzhou; the entire Cloud Knights were nearly destroyed... But now, it was just a Stellaron.
It was impossible for things to become as chaotic as back then.
For this Stellaron, Jing Yuan, the General himself, even personally led a team with them. Even the Luofu's Master Diviner had already prepared heavy troops in the nearby Alchemy Commission delve... It could be said they were perfectly prepared.
Conversely, if they went to talk nonsense with Twilight about this, Dan Heng worried it might make her overly anxious, even causing her to disregard doctor's orders and rush over out of fear for their safety...
"General leading a large army into my Vidyadhara's Scalegorge Waterscape, so imposing, truly frightening. Those who don't know might think you intend to annihilate the Luofu Vidyadhara."
A somewhat sarcastic voice sounded. Jing Yuan frowned, looking up to see several Vidyadhara walking over with cold smiles.
"Mr. Dan Heng, you rarely return to the Luofu, yet refuse to grace us old folks with your presence. Truly heartbreaking," the young man leading the group smiled, but his tone held considerable dissatisfaction.
"Elder Taoran... When I was expelled from the Xianzhou, you were already nearing the limit for reincarnation. How have you ended up looking like this now..."
March 7th shrank back in the crowd, watching the cold Taoran and Dan Heng ahead, feeling emotional. They say the prettier the woman, the more deceitful. Now it seemed men weren't immune either. These two were chatting happily just a short while ago. When Dan Heng went looking for them and mentioned that 'Arcanum', Taoran was so pleased his mouth almost split with laughter. Now they could act like complete strangers...
Ahead, Taoran and Dan Heng's performance continued, finally ending with Taoran sarcastically remarking that Dan Heng heartlessly disregarded the Vidyadhara's future and came with the General's army, leaving them no choice but to step aside.
Ultimately, Jing Yuan still led the Cloud Knights majestically into the Scalegorge Waterscape.
"I originally thought we might need to take a tougher stance to enter this place," Jing Yuan remarked emotionally after entering the Scalegorge Waterscape. "After all, it's the Vidyadhara's forbidden ground. If there were some major disturbance, it would be one thing. But forcibly entering with an army under the current normal circumstances, those Preceptor elders likely wouldn't relent... Now, with you, it became much simpler."
"Time is pressing; there's not much time to waste talking nonsense with them," Dan Heng shook his head. If he wasn't worried about Jing Yuan suspecting him, why would he have bothered having the Preceptors come over and put on another act? "Let's go, I'll open the path to the Ambrosial Arbor—"
"Oh my, why are you all in such a hurry?"
A light, melodious voice interrupted Dan Heng's words, instantly alerting everyone around them. They simultaneously looked towards the source of the voice.
Appearing before them was a familiar person—Tingyun, the envoy who had greeted the Express crew upon their arrival. But now, no one would mistake this woman, suddenly appearing in the Vidyadhara forbidden ground, for that pitiful Foxian civil servant.
"Look, the scenery in this Scalegorge Waterscape isn't bad, accompanied by the divine tree of Abundance. Why the rush?" Phantylia gently fanned herself, smiling. "Why not join this humble one here for some tea and relaxation for a few days? It won't be too late to leave after things are over."
"Who are you?"
Jing Yuan's gaze turned dangerous. But even facing the killing intent of one of the Seven Arbiter-Generals of the Reignbow, Phantylia remained unhurried, narrowing her eyes slightly. "Is such a thing important? This humble one bears no ill will, merely wishes to keep you all here for a few days' rest."
As the saying goes, Emanators vary in strength; not every Emanator is Acheron. Although the Jing Yuan before her was also an Emanator, unfortunately, this General, who preferred using his brain, clearly wasn't among the most adept fighters.
Though Phantylia herself wasn't particularly skilled in combat either, she felt she was probably slightly stronger than Jing Yuan in a direct confrontation... probably.
Even though the opposing side had numbers now, what did it matter? She wasn't here to fight them to the death this time, merely to temporarily trap them within the Scalegorge Waterscape. Once her goal was achieved, she'd make a run for it; they definitely couldn't catch her.
"No time to waste with you here...!"
Almost the instant the voice sounded, Caelus's baseball bat and March 7th's arrows had already reached Phantylia's front—they were both anxious to resolve things and get the elixir of immortality to save Twilight; who had time to dawdle with this person! Whether it was a sneak attack or a group assault, quickly dealing with this unknown person was the priority!
Facing their attacks, Phantylia tapped lightly with her finger, stopping their weapons in mid-air. "As self-proclaimed righteous people, why resort to such unsportsmanlike conduct?"
Then, looking at the Lightning Lord appearing behind Jing Yuan, Dan Heng whose horns were beginning to grow prominent, and the swarm drones and black hole aiming at her head, Phantylia remained composed, scoffing dismissively. "Is that all?"
The next moment, the torrential onslaught directly tore her temporary body to shreds. But a ball of light drifted out from within, like a shooting star, vanishing instantly into the exit of the Scalegorge Waterscape behind them.
"I'll be taking my leave now. I'll lock the door here first. Hope you all have fun with the Ambrosial Arbor~"
Accompanied by a deafening roar, amidst countless terrified gazes and the shaking of heaven and earth, a boundless giant tree erupted from the seabed deep within the Scalegorge Waterscape!