Back on Earth, Elysia returned to the Fire Moth headquarters with the Herta puppet in tow. Meanwhile, Pei Guang and his companions had made their way back to Xianzhou.
The trio decided to retrace their steps, opening all the treasure chests the Luofu had gifted to Trailblazers. Once that was done, they parted ways for a while, each driven by their own interests.
Their goal? To immerse themselves in the Luofu's unique culture, landscapes, and way of life. Despite their penchant for mischief, the three of them were, at heart, quintessential Trailblazers.
March 7th had her eyes set on discovering the beauty unique to the Luofu. Whatever she found, she wanted to keep it a secret for now—saving the surprise for someone she'd like to show it to when the time was right.
Stelle, ever simple, just wanted to wander aimlessly and soak in the atmosphere.
As for Pei Guang? He delved into Luofu's technology and culture. As a player, he couldn't just hit a policy button and have everything magically fall into place. If he wanted to develop the civilization under his control, he needed to understand its intricacies.
Exploring and understanding a dungeon or region—this was a fundamental part of any player's experience. While he occasionally skipped tutorials or fast-forwarded through plotlines, he always made time to revisit areas post-storyline, savoring the unique charm of each map.
And once he'd absorbed all the Xianzhou had to offer? Pei Guang figured he could head back to Earth. There was a whole planet to play with—why not build a few wonders while he was at it? Still, as much as strategy and management played a part in his plans, he preferred to focus on role-playing and leave the tedious micromanagement to others.
Embracing this mindset, Pei Guang continued exploring the Luofu, learning about its lore and world-building. As he wandered, his phone buzzed. It was a message from Dan Heng.
Dan Heng: "Ah Guang, do you have some time? There's something I'd like to ask for your help with."
Pei Guang raised an eyebrow at the cryptic message and quickly replied.
Pei Guang: "What's with the mystery? What's going on?"
Dan Heng quickly elaborated.
Dan Heng: "I've arranged with Bailu to head to the Scalegorge Waterscape for some matters. However, after the recent battle, things there are far from peaceful. If it were just Bailu and me, I fear complications might arise. With you, things would be different. You're the Luofu's benefactor and have helped Bailu greatly. Your presence would make everything easier."
Pei Guang: "Got it. Count me in. I'll head over now~"
Dan Heng: "Great. We'll be waiting for you at Exalting Sanctum. The situation here is… complicated. Honestly, Ah Guang, you might be the only one who can handle it."
About ten minutes later, Pei Guang arrived at the meeting point. He found Dan Heng attentively learning something from Bailu.
However, he couldn't help but notice the tense atmosphere in the area. Scanning his surroundings, it didn't take long for him to spot groups of people whose gazes lingered on Dan Heng and Bailu a little too long.
Had it not been for the presence of numerous Cloud Knights, Pei Guang suspected these people might've already tried something shady against the two.
Understanding the situation, Pei Guang began to piece it together: this must be why Dan Heng was worried about "complications."
From what he had learned, Dan Heng carried guilt from his past on the Xianzhou. Even though his crimes had been pardoned, there were undoubtedly people who still saw him as Dan Feng and wanted him to pay.
But, with the Cloud Knights around, those people wouldn't dare make a move… at least not yet.
In reality, Pei Guang had guessed wrong. So far, no one dared to make a move against Dan Heng, but not because they feared the Cloud Knights. The Vidyadhara race wasn't weak; in fact, they possessed unique abilities that could easily facilitate assassinations under the right circumstances.
What truly struck fear into their hearts wasn't Dan Heng himself but the fluffy, pink bunny in his hands—a deceptively adorable entity that meowed like a kitten. One glance at its unnerving glowing eyes was enough to instill dread.
They would die. Absolutely die. Getting struck by Dan Heng's fluffy pink companion was a death sentence—not just physically, but socially. The sheer humiliation of the situation would haunt them in the afterlife. Imagine: an investigation reveals you were killed by a meowing pink bunny. The notion alone was enough to send shivers down their spines.
As for the nearby Cloud Knights? They were merely responding to the tension in the air, instinctively closing ranks. After all, there were still remnants of the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus hiding in various corners of the Exalting Sanctum, and Bailu, being a high-priority target, required heavy protection.
Pei Guang took stock of the situation, observing the marked individuals who seemed to linger suspiciously before calling out to his two companions:
"Dan Heng, Bailu, I'm here!"
Bailu's eyes lit up instantly. "Ah Guang! Finally, you're here. Without you around, life has been so dull! Let me tell you, I've gotten much stronger lately. I may not be as skilled in combat as Dan Heng, but in other areas, I've really stepped up! If you ever get injured, just come to me. I guarantee I'll heal you right up."
Pei Guang chuckled at her self-satisfied grin. "That's fantastic. You're the only healer in our group, so the whole team's survival depends on you. But let's get to the point—Dan Heng, you didn't call me here just to chat, did you? What's the mission?"
Experienced as ever, he could tell from Dan Heng's expression that there was a task awaiting him.
Dan Heng nodded. "Indeed, I need your help with something. I'm planning to take Bailu to seal the Ambrosial Arbor. Only an Imbibitor Lunae can perform the sealing ritual, but…"
His gaze swept over their surroundings. The malice in the air was palpable—an unspoken hostility emanating from those watching Dan Heng and Bailu.
Not everyone within the Vidyadhara wanted Bailu dead. On the contrary, many deeply respected her role. However, there were also those who viewed the uncontrollable power of the Imbibitor Lunae as a threat and believed her existence was too dangerous to leave unchecked.
As for the sealing of the Ambrosial Arbor, it was a task that had to be done. The Arbor was a direct threat to the safety of Xianzhou. Sealing it would not only block those coveting the power of Abundance but also give Bailu an opportunity to master her burgeoning abilities further.
Dan Heng wasn't an Imbibitor Lunae himself, but he carried the memories of past Imbibitor Lunaes. These memories contained secret techniques that couldn't be allowed to disappear. At the very least, before leaving Xianzhou, he planned to pass them all on to Bailu.
Bailu's identity as a Imbibitor Lunae was somewhat unique, but that uniqueness also symbolized the success of the Hua Dragon Arts (T.N. I don't know how to translate this, if someone knows please comment and I'll change it!). Unfortunately, that success came at a steep price…
Thinking of this, Dan Heng's gaze grew somber. His sadness wasn't about what had happened in the past but rather the years of unjust punishment he had endured. Still, he had accepted it. If inheriting Dan Feng's powers and being his reincarnation meant bearing this punishment, so be it.
But one thing was clear: he was Dan Heng, not Dan Feng.