"It's not so much an opinion, just some slight reflections," Workday's words seemed deferential, but his tone carried no emotion.
Wise took a sip of water to moisten his throat. "I'm the owner of a video store, with experience viewing thousands of documentaries. My sister and I have also attended many advance screenings of films. I can only analyze right and wrong from a market and commercial perspective."
"I'm all ears."
"Up to this point, the film, from many angles, fails to fully convince the audience. The main reason is that it deviates from their expectations. Dan Feng is Dan Heng, Yingxing is Blade—this much, I believe, everyone can agree on. But what they're doing now will inevitably diverge from expectations, which will undoubtedly stir up major controversy. This is miHoYo's first theatrical release, and the disputes are already significant. From a commercial standpoint, is it worth it for audiences to spend money and watch such a story?"
"I'm not here to debate whether it's worth it. I just want to say—" Workday's face darkened slightly, his expression unreadable. "I think these five individuals simply did what they were meant to do. Dan Feng, as the esteemed Dragon Sovereign, faced relentless pressure from the Vidyadhara population and the Dragon Elders. On top of that, he had a dragon's heart constantly whispering toxic affirmations in his ear. The only moments of peace he found were during gatherings of the High-Cloud Quintet. Yet after Baiheng's death, the Quintet ceased to exist. When the four of them reunited later, they could do little more than sit and drink in silence, unsure of how to even begin a conversation. Dan Feng was human at heart—he winced at the deaths of Cloud Knights, let alone the loss of his close friend. So, he had to do this—resurrecting his friend. He needed to prove his humanity."
"I understand the reasoning, but will other audiences grasp it? Will they consider all this? This time, the story is being told through a film, at least as a complete narrative. If miHoYo were to fragment the story and scatter it piecemeal across various sources, creating disparities in how audiences access the information, the backlash would only grow worse. Having attended so many advance screenings, I always advise others not to recklessly play against the tide. Once what you express clashes with public expectations, controversy will follow."
Workday smiled faintly. "You're absolutely right. In fact, I even think miHoYo could use someone like you. Still, I'd like to add that adjusting one's expectations is important. What the High-Cloud Quintet seeks to convey is humanity, perspectives on life and death, and the conflicts between different species. As a prelude to the third season, the Quintet's story must carry significant meaning. The focus of the narrative will later shift entirely to the last member—someone crucially important yet consistently absent from the spotlight."
"Jing Yuan?"
"Exactly. I'm very curious how Jing Yuan will handle things from here on out. Ah..."
"Ah..."
With that, Belle, Wise, Robin, and Workday all sighed in unison.
——
After a scene transition, Jing Yuan appeared on screen, walking slowly forward. Cloud Knights stood in two rows, watching him with reverence. Jing Yuan ascended the steps and raised a hand in command.
All the Cloud Knights immediately erupted in cheers:
"General Jing Yuan! General Jing Yuan! General Jing Yuan!"
Then, a narrator's voiceover played in the video:
"Star Calendar 7379: The criminal Dan Feng instigated the catastrophic 'Imbibitor Lunae Rebellion.' Currently suppressed by the Ten-Lords Commission, his body is pierced with dragon-binding needles and bound in heavy chains. His crimes are unforgivable!"
"Accomplice Yingxing, for meddling in the forbidden arts of life and death, is now imprisoned in the Shackling Prison!"
"Mirrorblade Herald Jingliu, though meritorious for slaying the abomination dragon, shows early signs of mara-struck affliction and is temporarily held under observation by the Ten-Lords Commission."
——
In the next moment, the scene shifted to a chamber where seven or eight sharp-eared Vidyadhara sat solemnly. Subtitles identified them—all were Dragon Elders of the Vidyadhara.
"After this catastrophe, the Vidyadhara's standing on the Luofu has hit rock bottom. If we do not take steps to mend relations and show goodwill, it will inevitably further damage our alliance with the Xianzhou natives. This is something none of the esteemed Elders wish to see. Hence, I propose that the Luofu Vidyadhara temporarily abandon the Dragon Sovereign's governance in favor of a council of Elders!"
"Elder Xuepu, as one of Dan Feng's mentors during his formative years, the crimes he committed are inseparable from the indulgence of teachers like you. Dan Feng's imprisonment is his own fault, and there is no reason to implicate the 'Dragon Sovereign's legacy.' Let me reiterate—ancestral laws are immutable. Our eternal duty is to extract the Dragon's Miraculous Art and the Pearl of Abyssal Depths from Dan Feng to continue the dragon lineage. Your proposal for an Elder council is nothing short of treasonous!"
"Some people's ulterior motives seem to go unspoken. Then I shall be the one to voice them. The Elder council was originally a provisional measure for when the Dragon Sovereign's seat is vacant or the Sovereign is incapable of governance. But Xuepu's intent is clear—she seeks to exploit this opportunity to permanently replace the Dragon Sovereign with the Elder council."
"You misunderstand. I support your view. The Dragon Sovereign's governance is an outdated system. Entrusting power to a chosen one has led to countless tragedies in our history. Now that Dan Feng is detained by the Ten-Lords, isn't this the perfect opportunity to return power to the people? Or have you old fossils grown so accustomed to servitude that you've forgotten how to rule yourselves?"
"ENOUGH!!!! How dare you all bicker at a time like this?! That abomination dragon that ravaged Scalegorge Waterscape has molted in the Primordial Soup Sea!"
The Elders fell silent instantly, the news striking them like a thunderbolt. Yet their shock was not out of mourning for a fallen kin.
"Does this mean... Dan Feng succeeded? He truly created a new Vidyadhara?"
"This is far more critical than our petty squabbles. Has our people finally been saved?"
"The Ten-Lords' judgments are notoriously severe. We don't yet know the sentencing, but we must pressure the Alliance immediately! We must also inform the Dragon Sovereigns of the other Xianzhou ships—this is our Dragon Sovereign!"
——
The scene then cut to Jing Yuan, staring at the unfinished board before him, unmoving.
To say Jing Yuan's situation was bleak would be an understatement.
When the previous Arbiter-General Teng Xiao neared the end of his lifespan, he summoned Jing Yuan. What followed was a series of ceremonies to formally assume the position of Arbiter-General.
Jing Yuan's dream had always been to become a wandering hero who upheld justice. But for the sake of the Xianzhou Luofu and its people, he had no choice but to accept the role.
It was during this period that he suddenly learned his friend, the Dragon Sovereign Dan Feng, had incited a massive upheaval. At first, Jing Yuan refused to believe it, personally verifying every piece of evidence and witness testimony. He thought it was all a conspiracy orchestrated by internal strife among the Vidyadhara.
Yet—
The true culprit was indeed the Dragon Sovereign Dan Feng, and his accomplice was none other than his other dear friend, Yingxing. Together, they had created new life, only for it to spiral out of control, transforming into an abomination dragon that wreaked havoc.
And that dragon was Baiheng.
His master, having slain the abomination, now showed early signs of mara-struck affliction and was under observation by the Ten-Lords.
He didn't understand how the world could change so drastically in his absence.
Jing Yuan slowly picked up a chess piece.
Now was not the time for despair.
He had to find a way to turn this deadlock around!