Dan Heng returned to the dock, exchanged glances with his companions, then looked toward Jing Yuan.
"The seal is complete. My matters on the Luofu are temporarily concluded."
Jing Yuan: "Do you plan to stay on the Luofu? The exile order has been lifted, and the Dragon Master won't dare act rashly in the short term."
"This is a good opportunity for you to return to your homeland. Have you considered it?"
A trace of an Elation arc rose at the corner of Stelle's mouth: "Dan Heng, stay. Just remember to keep in touch with us."
Dan Heng closed his eyes and sighed.
Instead, Jing Yuan couldn't help but smile and ask: "You're just letting him leave like that?"
Stelle nodded repeatedly: "Our Astral Express is very democratic. Staying or leaving is entirely voluntary."
Jing Yuan's gaze fell on Dan Heng's face: "So, what is your decision?"
Dan Heng's expression was resolute.
"As a Nameless, the train is still waiting for me."
"The Astral Express is my home. I have no attachments to the Luofu, nor any homesickness."
"Because I am Dan Heng, not Dan Feng."
Jing Yuan was not surprised: "Hmm… That's truly a shame."
Dan Heng: "Farewell, General. Miss Bailu."
Though Bailu was somewhat reluctant, she still waved her hand: "Come visit me often when you have time."
Stelle laughed: "We will, we will."
As he watched the three depart, a trace of melancholy finally swept across Jing Yuan's smiling face.
"Things remain, but people have changed…"
Bailu asked in confusion: "General, why the sigh?"
Jing Yuan did not hide his inner thoughts. He placed his palm on Bailu's head and chuckled softly.
"The Cloud Quintet has fallen apart, each walking vastly different paths."
"Some pursue death and walk roads never imagined."
"Some pursue what they desire, even at the cost of betraying their oaths…"
"Some bid farewell to their past lives, resolve their former duties, and embrace an entirely new future."
"Some shed their carefree nature, distance themselves from the future they once yearned for, and silently bear everything."
"And some… Heh, never mind."
Jing Yuan ruffled Bailu's hair and spoke the remaining words only to himself.
And some reincarnate through the wheel of rebirth, taking on duties that do not belong to them.
Never mind. Never mind.
This is fine.
...
"Did you all understand?"
Ah Xian glanced at the bullet chat.
[Understand… Understand what?]
"The one pursuing death refers to Blade. The one bidding farewell to their past life is Dan Heng. The one who betrayed their oath is temporarily unknown—probably not Baiheng."
"It might be Jingliu… Honestly, does falling into the mara and killing Cloud Knights count as betraying an oath? I'm not quite sure."
"The person who silently bears everything is undoubtedly referring to himself."
"Literal sense: of the Cloud Quintet, only he remains. Not only must he lead the Luofu, he also has to clean up the messes left by his old comrades and deal with the disasters they caused."
"Personally deciding the fates of his old comrades, exiling Dan Heng, severing the master-disciple bond. As the Emanator who patrols and exterminates the undying scourges, he still has to witness Blade transform into such an existence…"
"Jing Yuan is definitely no less than eight hundred years old, yet shows no signs of falling into mara. You can see how strong his mental resilience is."
"I would call this character writing on the same level as Leon. The experiences of both people are essentially about enduring loss."
"They both shoulder their duties in their own ways, protect what they care about in their hearts, and fulfill their Paths and missions. It's truly great."
"To make up for possible missing information about Leon, I went through all the in-game text. Now I have a conjecture."
"Bailu should be Baiheng."
"In the final conversation between Dan Heng and Bailu at the Ancient Sea, they mentioned that in their previous lives they might have been friends or master and disciple. Do you think that's a coincidence?"
"I personally don't think so."
"Moreover, when Jing Yuan was evaluating the Cloud Quintet, he left one person out, yet his hand was placed on Bailu's head."
"The way he looks at Bailu carries the flavor of looking at the shadow of a former comrade."
"You might not feel it much, but as someone who draws doujinshi, I can truly sense that subtle, mysterious look."
[Ah Xian is pretty great too.]
[You don't need to say that. Rich, generous, bold, straightforward.]
[…I meant her cooking power for Leon is great, so she gained another persona: Lore Investigator.]
[For real. She explains it so clearly I almost thought I clicked into Old Toby's livestream.]
"This is love, my Xiao Chu Nan friends. If you haven't experienced it, of course you wouldn't understand."
[You're starting already?]
[Actually starting to roast old fans. She's getting cocky!]
"How could I? Where am I roasting you? I'm pitying you. Haven't you noticed I haven't rested a single day these past few months?"
[Indeed, why?]
"Because the streamer knows that most of you in the livestream, from childhood to now, have never had any opposite-sex friends."
"You might not even have held an opposite-sex hand, let alone companionship."
"I diligently stream precisely to provide cyber companionship and give all you Xiao Chu Nan spiritual food to eat your fill, right?"
"I even stream during my period. That brother wasn't wrong in praising me. I do think I'm quite great—at least in terms of dedication."
The livestream viewers sucked in a breath of cold air.
What a poisonous mouth!
Yet they couldn't find a way to clap back.
So frustrating!
First a big stick comes down, then a carrot is given.
It left all the Go-senpai and Va-kouhai in the livestream completely tamed.
As expected of someone born in '98. They can't outplay her.
...
Bailu nodded half-understandingly at Jing Yuan's words.
"Then this young lady will return to the Alchemy Commission first. See you, General."
"Mm, I should also return to the Shackling Prison to interrogate those who troubled you."
Seeing this, players thought Dan Heng's journey had ended here, but an unexpected wave of significant plot suspense followed.
Scene: The Shackling Prison.
Character: Luocha.
Luocha, who had disappeared for a long time after separating from Dan Heng at the Alchemy Commission—making people suspect he was just a cameo but still unable to feel at ease about him—finally appeared.
Jing Yuan gave a dry cough and began questioning.
"Those who step in here are either jailers or prisoners."
"Which one are you, sir?"
The Cloud Knights gripped their weapons tightly and slowly encircled Luocha.
Luocha tilted his head and glanced sideways, a smile appearing at the corner of his mouth as he performed a foreign courtesy toward Jing Yuan.
"Neither. I am merely a lost traveler."
"What a grand formation."
Jing Yuan slowly descended the stairs and walked toward Luocha.
"Stellarons, Ambrosial Arbor, Disciples of Sanctus Medicus, the Destruction Lord…"
"A series of threats came one after another, nearly succeeding in diverting everyone's attention and forgetting the question that now seems irrelevant—"
Jing Yuan drew his array blade. The tip gleamed with cold light, hovering behind Luocha's head.
Jing Yuan's voice gradually turned icy.
"The person who brought the Stellaron into the Luofu—what is their intention?"
"Surrender obediently, and I may grant you a quick death— Yaoshi's abomination."
Luocha's smile remained unchanged as he slowly spread his arms.
"General, it is true that my power comes from Abundance, but I, like you, am an enemy of Yaoshi…"
Seeing this posture, some players almost jumped up in shock.
"I super! With that face, he's really not a good person, huh?"
...
Good morning. May your vacation never end.