BOOM—CRACK!
In a dimly lit room, a table split cleanly in half from a single punch.
"This is what you call going all out?"
The accusation came from Taoran, the Vidyadhara Preceptor. He genuinely couldn't believe their so-called "all-out effort" had turned out this pathetic.
"You said you'd intercept them, yet you couldn't even delay them a quarter of an hour?!"
Abominations of Abundance would always be Abominations of Abundance—he must've been insane to trust these things.
Taoran pinched the bridge of his nose. A bone-deep exhaustion he'd never experienced swallowed him whole.
He had leaked the "safe route" and travel plans to these Abominations of Abundance, and they'd sworn to ambush them with everything they had.
Yet, in the end? The targets still arrived at the Sky-Faring Commission exactly on schedule, completed registration, and even showed up slightly earlier than planned.
Meaning these idiots not only failed to kill them en route—they hadn't even managed to stall them for fifteen minutes.
"The ship was meant to jam communications, the Gudiao was supposed to block them head-on, the Zhuhuai should've intercepted any escapees… All those clans mobilized, yet only one returned."
On the other end of the Vidyadhara Preceptor's call was a figure shrouded in shadow.
She was the one countless Borisin and many Denizens of the Abundance called Prophet of the Master of Immortality—"Mangas."
A languid, soothing voice drifted from her. No one would've guessed the speaker was a woman.
She responded to Taoran's doubts—or rather, tossed them back as questions:
"You told me the entire ship was filled with celebrity actors, with only a single Vidyadhara worth calling 'capable.'"
Yet now those "celebrity actors" had suddenly turned into combat monsters—each far stronger than the Denizens of the Abundance by who knew how many orders of magnitude.
"Don't you think, Vidyadhara Preceptor, your intelligence might've been the issue?"
Hearing her retort, Taoran merely stared at the screen, his gaze icy.
"There might have been unforeseen combatants. But my question is—if you truly went all out, why are you still safely hiding in the rear?"
"Or what—when we strike with full force, do you think the Antimatter Legion just sits still?"
Taoran's words plunged the line into a brief silence.
She claimed to be guiding the "secret master of longevity," but Taoran had known her true identity for a long time.
Her real identity was a Lord Ravager under the AEON of DESTRUCTION—Phantylia.
"'Mangas' might fool the Denizens of the Abundance, but you won't fool me."
A soft, amused laugh sounded through the call. "See? I told you. Those so-called Disciples of the Sanctus Medicus couldn't have survived on the Xianzhou without someone secretly backing them."
"And who would've imagined the ones assisting them… were the Vidyadhara, whom the Xianzhou Alliance calls its most reliable ally?"
The Vidyadhara enjoyed the Alliance's trust. To honor that trust, the Alliance had even entrusted them governance of one of the seven Xianzhou ships—the Xianzhou Fanghu.
The Disciples of the Sanctus Medicus were Xianzhou natives who worshipped YAOSHI, the AEON of ABUNDANCE—a catastrophe of the highest order for the Xianzhou.
Yet on the Luofu, the Vidyadhara had actively sheltered the Disciples' movements.
Taoran didn't care about any of that now. He only wanted to know why his goal hadn't been achieved.
"Don't change the subject. Explain why your Antimatter Legion never moved."
Jin Xing of the Cangyan had vanished without a trace—did Taoran truly not understand the other party's motives?
The primary culprit behind the old chaos, Dan Feng, had already reincarnated and was far from the Luofu. As an accomplice, Taoran had once possessed leverage that prevented the Vidyadhara from recklessly convicting him.
Now, with Titania's emergence, that leverage had become useless.
Which meant his current standing was about to slip from his grasp.
How could Taoran permit that?
So he had to eliminate that group.
Yet due to a Lord Ravager's inaction, they'd successfully reached the Luofu.
How could he not be furious—how could he not panic?!
"Aren't you afraid I'll report everything to the Alliance and wipe you out with them?"
When the other side refused to pull their weight, Taoran resorted to his usual tactic—threatening to report to the Alliance.
He'd handled Titania's earlier bounty similarly, and now he was employing that strategy again.
If he reported the unusual mobilization of Denizens of the Abundance, Phantylia's scheme would crumble to nothing!
But Phantylia sounded completely unruffled.
"Vidyadhara Preceptor… are you sure you understand your position clearly?"
Unhurriedly, she laid out reality with perfect calmness. "Right now, you're the one begging us. If you're asking for help, act accordingly."
"And if you truly report this to the Alliance… do I really need to spell out what happens next?"
What happens next? Did she really need to spell it out?
Cold sweat instantly beaded across Taoran's forehead.
If it had just been the Vidyadhara using Abundance blessings, there might've been a path to survival.
But harboring the Disciples of the Sanctus Medicus and secretly contacting a Lord Ravager—those charges alone warranted execution without possibility of rebirth.
Yes—execution. No chance of reincarnation.
And now the Vidyadhara even possessed methods to increase newborns.
His death would be celebrated. His name would be nailed to a pillar of shame.
Anyone mentioning him in the future would spit.
Was that the legacy Taoran desired?
Absolutely not. He wanted immortality in history books—the reputation of a hero who'd saved the Vidyadhara from suffering.
But now everything was spiraling away from his vision.
Damn it. Damn it. What do I do? I need to think of something.
Phantylia watched every shift in his expression—and smiled.
"In that case… why don't I offer you a brighter path?"
"You?"
Taoran furrowed his brow.
"Of course. Why not imitate the Foxian ancestors and establish your own branch?"
The Borisin and Foxians shared a common bloodline but had separated into two branches.
Ultimately, the Foxian ancestors had sought help from the Alliance—allowing the Foxians to become independent.
Now, Phantylia offered Taoran a similar solution.
Imitate the Foxian ancestors. Become an independent branch. Break away from the Alliance.
Hearing this, the Vidyadhara Preceptor couldn't help but frown.
He did have a means.
The young High Elder was currently in his hands.
With some careful planning, he could still open the Scalegorge Waterscape.
But once he took that step, there was no turning back.
"It's fine. I have plenty of time," Phantylia remarked casually. "You can think it over slowly."
With that, she ended the call.
Taoran stood frozen in place, his expression shifting between shadow and light.
The visitors from the Cangyan had already arrived on the Luofu. In a few days, the investigation into the Sedition of Imbibitor Lunae would inevitably resume.
Phantylia had time.
Did he?
Thinking of what awaited him, Taoran finally made his decision.
...
"Aiya, aiya—Benefactor, it's been so long. Somehow, you've gotten even more handsome."
A lovely Foxian woman was currently receiving Hoshigaki Sora's group.
Her true identity was Tingyun, Head Representative of the Whistling Flames Merchants' Guild under the Sky-Faring Commission.
Back then, due to the Swarm, she'd had the misfortune of being swept into the catastrophe.
After their long separation, Tingyun hadn't expected she'd meet her benefactors again so soon.
She was meeting Sora now because of Jing Yuan's arrangements.
"Since you've arrived on the Luofu," he'd said, "let those who benefited from your kindness guide you and show you around."
Under his orders, Tingyun had become the Foxian responsible for hosting Sora.
She hadn't resisted the assignment in the slightest.
If not for Sora and the others, the Swarm King's forced enthrallment might have cost Tingyun her life.
She was sincerely grateful to those who'd saved her.
"So, upon hearing my benefactors were coming to the Luofu, this little lady simply had to do her utmost to serve you well."
Born and raised on the Luofu, Tingyun was a perfect guide.
This was particularly appreciated by Titania, who currently had only one thing on her mind:
"How many people are going to become my believers?!"
Titania couldn't wait to crush Sora completely.
Jing Yuan had already explained this to Tingyun, and after a moment's thought, she understood Titania's intent clearly.
"Benefactor, would you like to visit the Alchemy Commission?"
The Alchemy Commission was where most Vidyadhara gathered, and the film's promotional activities would later take place nearby.
Titania immediately nodded enthusiastically at this suggestion.
Seeing Titania's reaction, Tingyun finally turned to Sora.
What could Sora say? He simply went along with it.
With the destination set, the group headed for the Alchemy Commission.
Along the way, Tingyun introduced the Luofu's numerous delicacies and scenic views.
The Luofu strongly resembled the Cangyan, yet in many ways its scenery differed significantly.
They wandered leisurely, eventually reaching their destination—the Alchemy Commission.
"Hohoho!"
The moment Titania arrived, she puffed out her chest, clasped her hands behind her back, and began strolling around.
She seemed less a visitor and more someone inspecting their territory.
Tingyun's eyelid twitched.
If she remembered correctly… wasn't this the same person who, back on Tartaro, had been completely different?
Titania had been quiet, sharp, and clever—formidable beneath a calm exterior.
But now… she seemed to have shifted from "clever" to "hopelessly dense."
"Sora, Benefactor," Tingyun asked curiously, "did Commander Titania experience something?"
Had she gone through some major life upheaval?
Otherwise, how could someone so shrewd become… this?
"Experience something?" Sora pondered briefly, then shook his head.
Titania lived the same daily life he did—what special experience could she have had?
"Maybe it's precisely because her life is ordinary," Robin interjected, "that she's showing her true nature."
Sora couldn't help thinking about it again.
If put that way… perhaps that really was the case.
Titania had been created as a countermeasure "mother body" because the Swarm disaster had spread everywhere—when had she ever experienced ordinary life?
Perhaps this had always been the real her.
As for her earlier silence and razor-sharp intelligence… perhaps those had merely been forms of self-protection, ways to avoid being hurt.
When the crisis ended and everything returned to normal, she'd reverted to her original self.
And there was another crucial reason, of course—
Titania had never received proper formal schooling.
She was catching up now, but back then she'd been what people called… academically hopeless.
Sora's smile became faintly sinister.
Titania shuddered, feeling something was off. She looked around, but couldn't pinpoint the source of the chill.
Must be my imagination. Whatever!
"Fenille, what do you think—should we chop down this tree and erect a statue of me right here?"
Titania stared dreamily at the chosen spot, already picturing countless people gazing up in admiration.
Fenille looked at the massive tree, helpless.
"Titania, this isn't Tartaro. And this tree might be thousands of years old. The Luofu definitely won't let us cut it down."
Her dream shattered, Titania immediately glared at the tree in disgust.
Trash incapable of spreading my divine miracles doesn't deserve more of my attention.
She trotted cheerfully away, continuing her "inspection."
Titania busied herself surveying the future gathering place for her believers. As Sora observed, the area suddenly became noisy.
He glanced over.
Nearby, Jin Xing was squatting, holding up a small child by the scruff of her neck. The little one was yelping nonstop:
"Let go of me! Let go!"
Tingyun saw the tiny girl and gasped, covering her mouth.
"Lady Bailu?!"
That's right—currently dangling from Jin Xing's hand was the Luofu's future High Elder, Bailu.
She wasn't yet an adult, nor had she formally assumed the title of High Elder.
At present, she was still the "Healer Lady," as everyone called her.
Bailu never would've guessed her quick attempt to sneak out and play would result in being yanked out from some random corner.
Seriously, what was going on? Usually, the Cloud Knights and the other Vidyadhara weren't this sharp—how had she gotten caught so easily?
But hearing Tingyun's greeting, Bailu stopped struggling and assumed a dignified "High Elder" pose.
"Ahem. So it's Tingyun. Why have you come to the Alchemy Commission?"
"I'm here accompanying my benefactors. But Lady Bailu… you were planning to…?"
Tingyun recalled the rumors about Bailu frequently sneaking out, and immediately understood.
Bailu's cheeks flushed bright red. "The Alchemy Commission needs a few medicinal ingredients! I was just going out to find some!"
Sneaking out to play, only to get caught before even leaving—and telling such an obvious lie—
Bailu's cheeks turned as red as apples, glossy and vibrant.
Right as she forced herself to maintain her High Elder dignity, her cheeks were suddenly squeezed firmly between two fingers.
"Who dares—? Do you know the crime of offending the Dragon Maiden—?!"
Bailu slapped the hand away and was about to "sentence" the culprit when she finally saw the person's face clearly.
"Huh—Jin Xing-jiejie?!"
She froze, unable to believe Jin Xing was really here.
Then her forehead got flicked. Pain blossomed, and she finally realized this wasn't a dream.
"Jin Xing-jiejie!"
She immediately dashed toward her, her tone becoming sweet and clingy.
"I held you up for that long, and you still didn't recognize me. Don't you deserve a smack?"
Jin Xing grabbed Bailu's soft, collagen-rich cheeks and squished them into every shape imaginable.
"Bailu didn't recognize Jin Xing-jiejie—that's my fault, hehehe."
Bailu offered no resistance, giggling as she played along.
Even Sora was surprised by the sight.
Their relationship was clearly far from ordinary.
Then, as Jin Xing explained, he gradually understood why.
"Bailu's background is… sensitive. Countless people keep a close eye on her."
Bailu was the Luofu's High Elder—and also the only Vidyadhara newborn in recent years.
That meant her surroundings were always filled with watchful eyes and hidden schemes.
"A tiny Vidyadhara child, yet you guard and suspect her like this, robbing her of childhood—is this what you believe you should be doing?"
"But she's the High Elder. She must—"
"High Elder my ass! She's just a kid—nothing more!"
Jin Xing scoffed at all of it. To her, Bailu represented nothing more than a Vidyadhara.
Back then, Jin Xing's words had caused every High Elder present to burn with shame—but none had given an inch.
Jin Xing had watched her entire people die in front of her, and she knew clearly: all the talk of "High Elder" was meaningless.
Did the title guarantee a child's safe growth? Did it ensure people could shed their scales and be reborn peacefully?
If Sora hadn't been there, a title would've been utterly meaningless.
Yet, the Luofu had no intention of letting Bailu leave.
In the end, Jin Xing departed the Alliance with just one sentence:
"Fine! If you won't let her go, then I'll visit her more often."
"When I'm here, she's just a kid. No one will use some bullshit 'High Elder' title to restrain her."
Thus, the [Healer Lady] gained a few special days each year.
On those days, as long as she finished treating patients, she could run wild—no one dared interfere.
Of course, a few short days were never enough for a child, so Bailu often tried to sneak out at other times.
"Hehe. Jin Xing-jiejie, what are we playing today?" Bailu asked eagerly.
Jin Xing rubbed her head. "I have some business to handle first. Afterward, how about I take you out properly?"
Once she'd dealt with the Vidyadhara Preceptor, she'd play with Bailu to her heart's content.
Bailu appeared a bit disappointed, but she was a sensible child.
"Okay…"
"Don't worry. In a few days, I'll take you starskiff racing. You've been dying to try that, right?"
"Really?!" Bailu immediately brightened. She'd always wanted to try starskiff racing.
"It's a promise."
"Yay!"
Bailu cheered happily. Indeed, whenever Jin Xing-jiejie came, good things followed.
After that brief interruption, Bailu abandoned her earlier plan to sneak away from the Alchemy Commission.
Instead, she excitedly went back to await her starskiff racing adventure.
But she'd only turned and walked a few steps before someone collided with her, knocking her to the ground.
"Oww, that really hurt!"
"S-sorry! I—I didn't mean it!"
Jin Xing studied the other party.
It was a girl—no fox ears, no Vidyadhara traits. Just a Xianzhou native.
Normally, bumping into Bailu and apologizing would settle things.
But what puzzled Jin Xing was that the little girl wasn't facing Bailu as she spoke.
"This kid…"
Looking down on Bailu?
Jin Xing strode forward, but the girl seemed to sense something and quickly turned toward Jin Xing.
"Ah—someone's there? I'm very sorry."
Sora immediately looked at the girl, perplexed.
Could this kid be…?
At that moment, Bailu quietly leaned toward Jin Xing, whispering, "Jin Xing-jiejie, Xiao Yu is one of the Incomplete Ones. She can't see."
With those words, everyone's doubts vanished instantly.
The Incomplete Ones were a special group, even among the long-lived.
In simpler terms, they were born disabled.
Ordinarily, disabilities were easily remedied in this advanced interstellar age.
Missing an arm? Attach a prosthetic. Blind? Install artificial eyes…
But the Incomplete Ones couldn't benefit from these treatments.
Even if their useless eyes were removed and replaced with artificial ones, within days—as soon as the wounds healed—their vision would revert to darkness.
Because their bodies were "locked" in that broken state. No external measures could alter it.
Precisely because of this, the Incomplete Ones were among the most tragic Denizens of the Abundance.
Born into broken bodies, they endured centuries trapped in their conditions.
Many attempted suicide, but the power within ensured they'd never succeed.
Like a curse, they were forced to suffer for centuries before finally gaining release.
When Bailu revealed Xiao Yu's identity, Jin Xing's anger vanished entirely.
She couldn't blame the girl.
Xiao Yu was already suffering from fate's unfairness.
Xiao Yu—hearing them—began trembling uncontrollably.
Every time someone exposed her identity, whispers followed.
And she, still young, was deeply sensitive about it.
Did she not want a complete body?
Of course she did. She longed for it desperately—wanted to see the blue skies outside, the bustling crowds of Starskiff Haven.
But could she?
Never.
Even Sister Dan Shu had no solution to her condition.
All Xiao Yu could do was keep moving forward through darkness, until centuries later when true darkness finally arrived.
Yet, in those centuries… how often would she cry? How much would she endure?
No one knew.
"S-sorry… I still have something to do. I'll leave first."
Xiao Yu slowly stepped backward, trying to escape.
But before she'd moved far, she bumped into someone else.
She jumped, startled—afraid she'd run into another person.
"S-sorry!"
"It's okay, little sister."
Xiao Yu heard a man's voice—one that felt oddly familiar.
Like…
Wait. Yes. She'd heard this voice in the recently premiered holo-drama!
She remembered how excited her companions were, wanting the protagonist's autograph.
But then sadness struck again—she didn't know what the protagonist looked like. She could only recognize voices.
Just then, she heard him crouch down in front of her.
"Little sister, help big brother with a magic trick."
"Huh? A magic trick? I can't… I can't see."
Unconsciously, she shrank back. Her identity had become evidence of her inadequacy.
"It's okay. It's a very simple trick. Will you help me?"
"Can I… really?"
"Trust me. You can definitely perform this trick."
His gentle reassurance convinced Xiao Yu to accept.
She didn't understand why someone would choose her, a blind girl on the street, for a magic trick. Was it because she'd collided with people?
Was he trying to embarrass her publicly?!
Xiao Yu began trembling again.
But suddenly, she felt her hand gently taken into his.
It was warm, rough with calluses—like he'd done physical labor.
Then his finger began tracing something in her palm, stroke after stroke.
"It tickles…"
"It's alright. The trick will be done soon."
Xiao Yu concentrated, carefully feeling the movements he made.
After a moment, he stopped.
"Okay. Just now, I wrote four characters on your palm. Can you tell me what they were?"
Huh?!
Xiao Yu froze.
She tried to recall the sensations, but she couldn't decipher any characters at all.
He really was making things difficult for her…
Then his voice came again, softly:
"Here, let me tell you. The four characters are: [AS LONG AS THERE'S LIGHT!]"
"As long as… there's light?"
Xiao Yu repeated the words, confused.
At that moment, a pair of hands slowly covered her eyes.
"Come on. Keep saying it. When you finish, something magical will happen."
"As long as there's light!"
The hands felt so warm. Xiao Yu had never felt palms this warm before.
Not even Sister Dan Shu's compared.
"As long as there's light!"
The hands shifted downward.
Xiao Yu suddenly felt an itch around her eyes. She resisted the urge to scratch, enduring it.
"As long as there's light!"
"Well done. Now I'll gently blow—feel the magic."
As he spoke, Xiao Yu felt a gentle breath across her face.
Then… nothing.
She didn't fly. She didn't vanish. Her body felt the same—
Xiao Yu froze.
The darkness she'd always known was peeling away, revealing shapes in front of her.
At first, everything was blurry, but soon clarity returned, sharpening until it became solid and real.
A massive ancient tree. Crowds flowing by. Patients seeking care. And someone nearby, arguing loudly about erecting a statue…
Everything was vividly real.
Especially the man crouching in front of her.
"So? How was the magic trick?"
He smiled gently.
That smile was carved into Xiao Yu's heart forever.
At that instant, Xiao Yu understood the meaning of being the protagonist of a holo-drama.
From now on, no one else could claim that role but him.
...
In the end, the Vidyadhara Preceptor made his choice.
He would follow the path the Foxian ancestors had taken.
Before that, he'd secretly entered the Scalegorge Waterscape and carefully reviewed the dragon-transforming secret art.
Even after so long, he hadn't forgotten a single detail.
After all, it had once been the leverage that kept him alive.
Then, he took control of the Alchemy Commission and announced a medicinal bath event:
[Register within the specified period to join a group medicinal bath.]
[Strengthen your body, ward off illness, improve recovery—a perfect choice for martial training and body fortification.]
[Act now! Only 998 spots available! Register quickly at the Luofu Alchemy Commission!]
According to his logic, with the Alchemy Commission's reputation, people should have rushed to sign up.
Once a crowd gathered, even the general would have to step back a bit.
But when he eagerly asked the physician responsible for registration, the reply shocked him:
"What did you say? Not one person signed up?!"
"That's right, Vidyadhara Preceptor. It's been days. My butt hurts from sitting here—but not one person has come."
The clerk even complained, puzzled about the point of sitting around doing nothing.
"How is that possible? Everyone knows the Alchemy Commission's medicine cures everything—why has no one signed up?"
If no one signed up, his plan would fail immediately.
The registration clerk thought of something happening elsewhere.
"Maybe it's because of the event currently going on at Starskiff Haven. It seems they've drawn all the foot traffic."
With that reminder, the Vidyadhara Preceptor finally noticed—the usual crowd around him was shockingly sparse.
Compared to normal, there wasn't even one-tenth the usual traffic.
"What event?"
He demanded through gritted teeth.
Anyone daring to block my path deserves death!
"It seems to be a film promotion. Everyone also got an order from General Xuanquan—everyone must buy a ticket and pick up a souvenir."
The Vidyadhara Preceptor froze.
A film…
Don't tell me those harbingers of doom have arrived?!
Panic drove him toward Starskiff Haven—until the enormous banner ahead stopped him dead in his tracks.
Wasn't that… the very group he feared most?
A massive crowd stretched into long queues, and nearby, the Luofu's beloved Healer Lady was busy treating patients.
Next to her stood a bright-eyed Xianzhou girl, observing and learning diligently.
Those two small figures seemed oddly out of place in such a massive venue.
No wonder no one was inside the Alchemy Commission.
They'd all been intercepted and pulled here!
Only then did the Vidyadhara Preceptor realize how many Vidyadhara were lining up, happily taking souvenirs from someone wearing a proud expression.
Small stone carvings—exquisite and finely crafted.
Yet the sight filled him with dread.
That thing.
That thing had pushed him step by step into the abyss—forcing him into this choice.
"This kind of thing—this kind of thing…!"
It belonged at the bottom of the abyss!
He lunged forward, snatched a stone carving from a clansman's hands, and hurled it far into the sea of clouds.
Something like that deserved to be buried with garbage!
The Vidyadhara whose carving was taken stared in disbelief. He'd never imagined the venerable Vidyadhara Preceptor would behave like this.
More importantly, that carving was something their clan leader had specifically instructed everyone to cherish.
Now the Vidyadhara Preceptor had thrown it away—what should he do…?
As he panicked, something suddenly rose from the sea of clouds and landed neatly back in his hands.
He looked down.
Wasn't this the very carving the Vidyadhara Preceptor had just thrown away?
How had it returned?
The Vidyadhara stared at the carving, overjoyed.
But then, a dull thud sounded behind him.
BANG!
He turned—and saw the Vidyadhara Preceptor pinned firmly under a woman's foot.
"You bastard—how dare you throw away the token I gave my believers?"
Titania stepped down heavily, holding him down, while a crystal blade appeared in her hand, creeping toward his throat.
"You have an issue with me?"
The crystal blade drew closer. The Vidyadhara Preceptor strained with all his might, desperately attempting to resist—to demonstrate what he was capable of.
But it was pointless.
He couldn't budge her foot even an inch.
Titania stood above all Emanators. The Vidyadhara Preceptor's strength meant nothing to her.
Resistance was futile.
Nearby Vidyadhara tried to intervene, but Jin Xing's Bitao blocked their path.
"Titania—ah, the deity—was personally entrusted by the clan leader. What are you rushing in for?"
Jin Xing calmly watched. Far from helping, there was even amusement in her voice.
Seeing him like this delighted her—she almost wished she'd done it herself.
"Hey. Say something."
Titania lightly tapped his cheek with the blade. She didn't know who this guy was exactly—
but tossing her token away right in front of her was the same as slapping her face.
As a deity, she had to protect her dignity—and her believers.
"I… I…"
Could he really speak the truth?
If he did, Jin Xing would immediately prosecute him under Vidyadhara law.
All he could do was struggle—yet the foot pressing on him was like a mountain, making it impossible to move.
In the end, he could only swallow his humiliation.
"I… I was hallucinating just now. I mistook it for something else."
After all his years on the Luofu, the Vidyadhara Preceptor never imagined speaking to anyone in such a tone.
"Oh. I see. Then remember to go home and rest—don't wander around while you're sick, okay?"
Titania lifted her foot.
The Vidyadhara Preceptor seized the opportunity to scramble up. His once-pristine robes were now covered in dust.
This was Starskiff Haven—everyone traveling to the Alchemy Commission passed through here, so it was among the dirtiest places.
And he'd just rolled in it.
There was no need to describe how wretched he looked.
He felt like crying, utterly lost.
Just as Titania was turning away, she suddenly glanced back.
"Oh, right—almost forgot. Want a token, too? Believe in me, and good luck will come your way, you know."
Titania confidently flashed a thumbs-up at herself.
I believe you, my ass—￥#%&*!
The Vidyadhara Preceptor mentally hurled curses, but forced them down.
"I'll pass. Maybe after I've recovered."
With that, he left in his filthy clothes. Those watching his departing figure felt oddly sorry for him—he looked so bleak and defeated.
Meanwhile, Bailu exchanged a satisfied grin with Jin Xing.
That felt great.
...
The promotion quickly informed everyone on the Luofu that the famous film had arrived on their Xianzhou for publicity.
Visitors came flooding in, and Sora experienced firsthand what a "sea of people" truly meant.
Eventually, Jing Yuan had no choice but to dispatch a contingent of Cloud Knights to manage the crowd.
"I never imagined Mr. Hoshigaki Sora's film would cause such a sensation. If I'd known, I would've requested a cameo myself."
Jing Yuan occasionally visited, marveling at the excitement the film stirred up.
And seeing people so enthusiastic also reassured him—the era was peaceful.
His duty as general was precisely this: ensuring the people enjoyed this stability.
Faced with Jing Yuan's remark, Sora could only smile awkwardly.
Should he admit he hadn't even been optimistic about the film back then?
All he could say was—the universe changed too quickly, and he couldn't keep up.
After that, Jing Yuan's gaze shifted to Bailu nearby.
She was enthusiastically diagnosing patients, free from the gloom she usually carried at the Alchemy Commission.
Only today, Jin Xing wasn't by her side.
Things were accelerating—Jin Xing would be making her move soon. She hadn't come here merely for sightseeing.
"I only hope High Elder Fangyuan wraps things up swiftly," Jing Yuan murmured. "My Luofu can't handle her tossing it around."
That hot-tempered High Elder—when she acted, mountains shook and earth trembled. Who knew how much damage she'd cause if she struck even once?
"If you're so concerned, General, why not go and check things out personally?" Sora suggested.
"It's an internal Vidyadhara affair. Interfering directly would be stepping too far."
He just hoped he'd get to see the Vidyadhara Preceptor's face when they finally escorted him away.
That man had played no small part in the Luofu's internal and external troubles.
Thinking of that, Jing Yuan's lips curled into a faint smile.
But his smile quickly vanished…
Rumble, rumble, rumble!
The ground trembled violently. In the distant skies, waves surged upward, threatening to engulf everything.
"This isn't good…"
Jing Yuan was about to order everyone to evacuate when he realized—
Sora had already disappeared.
He glanced around, puzzled, until Bailu spoke and revealed where Sora had gone.
"Xiao Yu, run!"
"But—big brother just ran that way!"
In the end, Robin stepped in and calmed Xiao Yu down.
"Don't worry. This is nothing. Come—sister will take you to shelter."
Seeing Robin's casual demeanor and practiced evacuation skills, Jing Yuan's eyebrow twitched.
You people aren't going to tear my Luofu apart, are you…?
---
T/N: ITS TIME FOR ACTION!!! ALSO SORA IS SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO HOTT HES SO GOOD WITH KIDS AHHHHHHHH IM OVULATING
bonus chaps
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300 stones -> 3 chapters
and so on
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