In the Seat of Divine Foresight, Jing Yuan invited the Astral Express crew and General Huaiyan for a candid discussion, laying bare the intentions of the Yaoqing and Zhuming Generals.
The two old foxes sparred with cunning, their brief exchange showcasing their wisdom.
After stating his purpose, Huaiyan presented a gift—a box.
The box gleamed dully, crafted from a material neither wood nor metal. Its surface was inlaid with intricate metal filigree, forming lotus patterns with masterful artistry.
"During the Martial Exhibition, countless duels and celebrations take place. The most important is the 'Defend the Stage' contest.
The host must field a skilled warrior to hold the stage, facing challenges from all sides to showcase the Xianzhou's martial prowess. When I heard you mention the Astral Express would attend, I assumed the Luofu's Dragon Sovereign would be the one to hold the stage…"
Huaiyan's words were clearly directed at Dan Heng.
Jing Yuan laughed it off. "General Huaiyan jests. The Dragon Lady is young and untrained in martial arts—how could she hold the stage?"
Huaiyan smiled knowingly. "When it comes to jesting, I'm no match for you."
[Jing Yuan's emotional intelligence is unreal!]
[Bailu: Me? For real?]
[No wonder he's the top-voted character of the year—he's so smooth!]
[Jing Yuan, you're making me cry. Still protecting Dan Heng after all this time.]
[Greatness needs no words.]
[This conversation is so juicy—so many layers of cunning!]
[Back then, Jing Yuan promised Dan Heng he'd stop calling him Dan Feng. Now, Dan Heng is just a Nameless of the Astral Express, no longer the Luofu's Dragon Sovereign.]
[That's the logic—classic Seat of Divine Foresight General!]
— —
Seeing the Dragon Sovereign angle wouldn't work, Huaiyan suggested Yanqing hold the stage.
At this, Yunli's enthusiasm flared up again.
The two fell into an inevitable argument, agreeing to settle their rivalry at the Martial Exhibition.
Then Jing Yuan and Huaiyan devised a better plan: they'd jointly mentor a disciple to compete in the Exhibition and win at least one victory.
The question became—who'd be the disciple?
Stelle and Dan Heng simultaneously turned to March 7th.
March 7th looked around, bewildered. "Huh? Who? Me?"
Huaiyan stroked his beard. "I noticed Miss March was quite invested in your rooftop sword duel. Why not have you two teach her the basics of swordsmanship?"
"What? No way! Is the old General serious?" March 7th never imagined her spectating would drag her into this. "Why am I suddenly involved? I've never trained with a sword! Zero foundation! Can I even learn? I won't end up shamefully expelled from the school, will I?"
Stelle pointed to herself. "Why not me?"
"Your physique and meridians are… rather unique. Are you interested in swordsmanship too?" Huaiyan's tone shifted.
"But in my years of judging people, you don't need to hone swordsmanship to bolster your strength… and there's likely no one in this world who could guide your path."
[She's a Stellaron, after all.]
[Of course, the protagonist isn't ordinary.]
[That line just raised Star Rail's prestige by several notches.]
— —
Yanqing, Yunli, Huaiyan, and Jing Yuan smoothly bamboozled March 7th.
Dan Heng offered a reminder. "March, this is ultimately your decision."
Stelle chimed in. "This way, I won't have to worry about you shooting my butt anymore."
[Only Stelle could say something like that.]
[Hahaha, I'm dying.]
[Jealous of March's arrows!]
[Is… that okay?]
[Classic Stelle, haha.]
In the end, March 7th naturally agreed, becoming Yanqing and Yunli's disciple.
Huaiyan smiled wordlessly and left the Seat of Divine Foresight with Yunli.
March 7th was still puzzled. "Ugh… General Huaiyan's gone. Why do I feel like that conversation went off the rails?
Did we get sidetracked? How'd it come to this?"
Dan Heng cut to the core.
"Since the Luofu's report to the Alliance mentioned the Express's actions, he wants to see for himself if we're as capable as claimed, or just an excuse to cover something up.
The Martial Exhibition is his touchstone. He even dragged Yunli into it. What started as a friendly duel between two youngsters has now become you two training March 7th."
Jing Yuan gave a wry smile, admitting he was no match for Huaiyan's experience. "Old Huaiyan's still the same headache-inducing Huaiyan.
I must apologize. I invited you all back to observe the ceremony with the intent of presenting you as proof to the two Generals, but I wasn't forthright. That's my fault.
Besides Huaiyan, in the coming weeks, I'll arrange for you to meet General Feixiao to answer her questions and ease her doubts. I hope you'll be prepared."
The Express crew brushed it off as a minor issue.
— —
Meanwhile, in Aurum Alley, Feixiao met a long-lost comrade.
Yukong appeared, her long legs striking. "Making the renowned Sky-Striking General wait this long? I've earned some serious face. It's been a while, General Feixiao."
Feixiao's eyes gleamed. "Big Sister Yukong, hasn't it been nearly thirty years since we last met?"
[Whoa! So many gorgeous foxian women—time for a debut?]
[That kinda makes sense.]
[Feixiao calling her 'Big Sister Yukong' is so charming!]
[Can we ship this pair?]
In the ensuing conversation, Feixiao was an open book, explaining her purpose to Yukong.
Besides the Marshal's secret order to observe Jing Yuan, she had a more critical mission—investigating Hoolay.
[Oh, snap! Here comes the boss!]
[See? The flags are everywhere!]
[I knew it! All that talk of 'it's safe here,' 'right on schedule,' and 'Hoolay in the Shackling Prison'—it's all setup!]
— —
Yukong sighed. "Nothing but bad news."
Feixiao quickly reassured her. "Not entirely. Things might not be as bad as you think. The target you asked me to track down—we've got a lead."
"Tell me!"
"The Verdantia Army followed the route you provided and found the wreckage of the 'Igniting Flame' Chamber's ship. Regrettably, there was no cargo or survivors."
Yukong's expression turned vacant, as if her last shred of hope had vanished.
"But before we reached the crash site, someone else had already been there."
Seeing a glimmer of hope, Yukong pressed, "Our people? Or the IPC's?"
"Neither. Yukong, do you know Ruan Mei?"
— —