Hearing Jing Yuan's words, Dan Heng was momentarily dazed. He pursed his lips, nodded, and said, "Once this matter is settled, I'll completely let go of the past."
"That's the spirit," Jing Yuan said with a faint smile. "Now, everyone, we need to discuss something even more serious."
"According to reliable intelligence, one of the Lord Ravagers, Phantylia, has infiltrated the Xianzhou. There's a high chance she's already reached the Ambrosial Arbor's mysterious roots, plotting something that could upend the entire Luofu."
Jing Yuan paused. "Based on galactic intelligence, this Lord Ravager's philosophy of destruction is unique, even described as 'merciful.' She excels at unlocking the potential of sentient beings, transforming them into something new."
Bailu, puzzled, asked, "Isn't that a good thing? How can that be called destruction?"
Jing Yuan patted her head. "Heh, let me ask you this: If you had two options in front of you—one is 100 credits, the other is 101 credits—what would you choose?"
Bailu: "Obviously the 101 credits!"
Jing Yuan: "And then?"
Bailu blinked her big eyes. "And then?"
Jing Yuan: "…A normal person would choose both."
"Ohhh—" Bailu suddenly realized. "Why didn't I think of that?"
Everyone: …
Dan Heng and the others had initially thought Bailu was a reserved, low-key master. Now… her image had completely collapsed.
"…Ahem, in short, desire is boundless. What Phantylia does is open the Pandora's box of desire. Those whose potential she unlocks will subtly have their true nature altered, becoming greedy and uncontrollable."
"The end result for these people is often sinking into the abyss of desire, acting recklessly and causing the collapse of order—a spiritual destruction."
"This tactic is also commonly used by the Borisin."
Bailu listened quietly to Jing Yuan's words, her hand touching her chin, her expression growing increasingly serious. "So that's how it is? No wonder, no wonder…"
Everyone: ?
Bailu raised her hand. "Now that you mention it, I think I've encountered something like this before."
"Tonight, I was about to go to bed when I got a 'recharge cashback' text. I think that's when this Lord Ravager's power affected me. After I got a 5-credit cashback, I ended up recharging 800 more…"
Everyone: …
Jing Yuan coughed lightly. "Phantylia's goal hasn't been achieved yet. Logically, without a Stellaron to power her, she can't extend the Borisin's influence across the entire Xianzhou…"
Everyone: …
Bailu quietly crouched to the side, drawing circles on the ground.
"Uh… in any case, General Qingque and I will deal with this matter. But first, we need the power passed down through generations of Luofu Dragon Sovereigns to unlock the seal on the Ambrosial Arbor," Jing Yuan said, looking at Dan Heng. "We need its full power."
Dan Heng sighed softly. "I understand."
Even though he wanted to completely break free from his past, the power of the Dragon Sovereign within him was undeniable. As a Nameless, he couldn't stand by idly either.
Jing Yuan chuckled and walked behind Bailu. "Master Bailu, care to lend a hand?"
Bailu said glumly, "I want some peace."
Jing Yuan waved his hand grandly. "Hey, it's just 800 credits. I'll cover it for you."
Bailu leapt up instantly. "You mean it? Thanks, Old Jing, you're the best, hehe… Unlocking the Ambrosial Arbor's seal, right? I'm on it!"
She walked to Dan Heng's side, extended her hand, and smiled brightly. "Senior Dan Heng, unlocking the Ambrosial Arbor's seal will probably need your cooperation. Um… we need to chant the incantation together."
Dan Heng: "What's the incantation? I'll memorize it."
Bailu: "Seal Release!"
Dan Heng: ?
That's the incantation? Isn't that a bit too casual? Shouldn't it be some long, complex phrase, like reciting a scripture?
"The incantation is 'Seal Release,'" Bailu said. "It's a bit casual… but it only works when spoken by someone with the Luofu Dragon Sovereign's power. The ancestor who set the seal probably thought this way to avoid unnecessary hassle… Anyway, we both have to say it together, and loudly."
Dan Heng: "…Alright."
The two stood side by side at the edge of the sea. Looking down, they could faintly see the majestic, sprawling Dragon Palace beneath the water.
Bailu raised three fingers. "Three—"
"Two—"
"One!"
—"Seal Release!" they shouted in unison.
"…"
Their voices echoed across the sky, but the sea remained calm, the sound of waves seemingly mocking them in silence. Nothing happened.
Dan Heng's face darkened. "Miss Bailu, are you sure you didn't get the method or incantation wrong?"
"That shouldn't be…" Bailu bit her fingernail, her face full of confusion. She pondered for a long time, then suddenly clapped her hands in realization. "I got it!"
"I must've gotten the incantation wrong!"
Dan Heng: Phew… that makes sense. "Seal Release" was absurdly ridiculous…
"The correct incantation should be 'Release Seal'!" Bailu said confidently. "Come on, let's try again!"
Dan Heng: …
—"Release Seal!"
They shouted in unison again.
"…"
The sea remained still.
Everyone: …
Dan Heng, dejected, crouched to the side to draw circles. He, too, wanted some peace now.
"Huh? Why didn't it work?" Bailu scratched her head in frustration, utterly baffled. She figured even if she got the incantation wrong, trying both versions should've caused some reaction—
Boom!
At that moment, a muffled thunderous sound erupted from the sea floor. The waters ahead visibly churned, as if an invisible greatsword had cleaved the sea in two, leaving a chasm in the middle. The surrounding water levels surged upward, standing like sheer cliffs on either side.
The Ambrosial Arbor's seal had truly been opened!
"Unveil~ my heart and, song~" (Samudrartha Eng VA ver.)
Bang!
"Hey? March, you hit my head again…" Stelle rubbed her head, aggrieved.
"Don't randomly sing while holding a kid! You'll corrupt her!" March 7th jabbed Stelle's forehead sternly.
The little Stellaron glanced back and forth between them, ultimately deciding to follow her instincts. In a sweet, childish voice, she sang, "Mighty roars that rings ever long~"
March 7th gently rubbed the little Stellaron's face. "So smart, you learned it right away."
Stelle: !!!
Why did it feel like she'd fallen out of favor? No! March, you weren't like this before!