Chapter 338: Sealing Lessons and Pink Legacies

NOTE: Hey everyone! Just as a quick update, there will be only one chapter today and probably tomorrow as well since I'm on holiday. Thanks for understanding, and I'll be back to the usual schedule soon!

Once upon a time, Dan Heng thought the pink bunny's influence over weapons was already impressive. But when he regained the use of this power, he realized just how absurdly potent Pei Guang's weapon effects were.

No wonder Pei Guang had claimed that this particular effect was incredibly rare. It could even influence the power of a dragon. While the change was purely superficial—affecting only visual and auditory elements—it was still deeply unsettling. Altering a being's intrinsic power was one thing, but transforming its outward appearance and sound while even fooling cameras and other devices? That was something entirely different.

Bailu: "Wow, this is amazing! I really hope I can become this powerful one day. But speaking of which, why did Dan Feng choose me back then?"

In response to her question, Dan Heng answered calmly: "The Imbibitor Lunae's legacy required the execution of the secretive Dragon Incarnation Ritual, along with an artifact considered to be the "Dragonheart." He pursued his own experiments—methods that defied tradition entirely. But he failed. Part of his power remains with me, and part of it is with you."

Before the battle with Phantylia, Dan Heng had already glimpsed the memories of the previous High Elder and Imbibitor Lunae. From those memories, he learned the reasons behind the current situation. However, it was not something he could reveal yet.

Until Bailu had fully matured in strength and understanding, this secret would remain hidden. Only when she was ready would he disclose it.

This wasn't a riddle or deliberate mystery—some truths simply weren't suitable for Bailu to learn at this time.

Hearing Dan Heng's explanation, Bailu sighed thoughtfully. "It sounds like that guy was just some quack doctor who recklessly changed treatments. And look at the result—he screwed himself over and dragged everyone else down with him."

At her remark, Pei Guang, who had been watching the "cutscene" unfold, couldn't help but interject. "A quack doctor, huh? I don't think so. Dan Heng, I get the feeling you're holding something back. That look on your face—it doesn't scream failure to me."

Dan Heng: "Indeed, according to his perspective, he failed. But judging by the results, he succeeded. And Bailu... she has gained the power dragon transmutation. However, the imperfections in the inheritance have caused her to lack many things..."

Dan Heng's gaze rested on Bailu. From the memories he had reviewed, Dan Feng had failed yet simultaneously succeeded. While the cost was immense, and it unjustly labeled Dan Heng as a sinner, Dan Feng had achieved his goal. However, that same act led to issues in the transmission of the legacy.

Pei Guang: "You know, from my perspective, this whole dragon legacy thing you all rely on—just passing down memories—is pretty dull. Handing it down for thousands of years, yet always cycling through the same few tricks. Every few centuries or millennia, you come up with something 'new.' Tell me honestly, this seal on the Ambrosial Arbor—how long ago was it created?"

Dan Heng: "A very long time ago..."

Pei Guang: "Exactly. You have this incredible power, yet there's no thought to innovation? Just relying on inherited memories, repeating the same techniques when issues arise—what's even the point? Honestly, I find the current situation more interesting. Sure, Bailu might not instantly master skills, but she can learn and adapt to create powers that are uniquely hers. Instead of relying on rigidly transmitted abilities, evolving with each generation makes more sense. Remember, the only constant in this world is change."

Dan Heng's eyes flickered as he looked at Pei Guang: "Is that... truly what you think?"

Pei Guang: "Absolutely! I mean, this whole world is essentially a free exploration zone for me. Theoretically, I could've been handed a complete skill set, but I wasn't. Instead, I had to figure it out for myself. And you know what? That's way more fun. Even though I grumble about missing resources or features, I appreciate the freedom: it allows me to take what I know from different games and systems, then experiment and create something new. 

So, Bailu, here's my suggestion: after Dan Heng teaches you the sealing technique, don't just follow it to the letter. Try applying your own understanding and seal it in your way first. If it doesn't work, fall back on the traditional method. Sounds good?"

Bailu hesitated: "Do you think I can? I mean... I'm not particularly talented. If it weren't for you and Dan Heng, facing Phantylia..."

Pei Guang nodded: "Of course, you can! You're Bailu, my main healer! And let me guess—your Path is Abundance, right? Use your understanding of that Path and apply it. Even if it fails, the traditional method is always there as backup."

Bailu seemed intrigued by his words, and Dan Heng, as if to support her further, handed his weapon to Pei Guang: "Ah Guang, attach this to Bailu's equipment."

Pei Guang grinned: "No problem! Bailu, hand over your weapon."

Bailu held up her gourd: "I don't exactly have a weapon, but will this work?"

Pei Guang took the gourd: "This is perfect. It counts as a weapon too!"

After applying the Pink Bunny weapon effect to the gourd, Pei Guang handed it back to Bailu. She took it, inspecting it curiously and tilting her head in confusion.

"It... doesn't seem any different?" Bailu said, puzzled.

Pei Guang smirked: "Ah, that's the magic. To you, it looks the same, but to everyone else, it's transformed. Don't believe me? Take a look!"

Pei Guang pulled out a mirror. Bailu held up her gourd and glanced at her reflection. Her eyes widened in astonishment as she saw the dramatic changes in the weapon's appearance.

"Oh, so that's how it works! Huh? It's so cute!"

Even though the gourd in Bailu's hand still appeared as a gourd, through the mirror, she could see an adorable pink bunny doll. At that moment, Bailu felt her heart melt.

Pei Guang: "Alright, Dan Heng's power has been lent to you! Now let him teach you how to seal the Ambrosial Arbor!"

Dan Heng nodded. However, Pei Guang's earlier words had reminded him of something: during his fight against Phantylia, he had used his understanding of his abilities, combined with the peculiarities of the Pink Bunny weapon effect, to create some new techniques.

Although these techniques wouldn't be directly applicable to the sealing process, Dan Heng decided to teach them to Bailu anyway.

Dan Heng: "Bailu, now I will teach you how to repair the Arbor's seal!"

He began channeling his power while reciting the incantations. Seeing this, Bailu hung the gourd on her waist and began following his demonstration.

This kind of teaching didn't require verbal instructions; a simple demonstration was enough. As the Vidyadhara's chosen successor, Bailu could naturally grasp the flow of power and learn its application. While learning, she even started experimenting with her own understanding, trying to improve the sealing process.

Surprisingly, Bailu found this process incredibly enjoyable. She began to understand why Dan Feng might have been seen as a reckless "quack doctor" meddling with traditional methods—it truly was satisfying to innovate and experiment!

That said, she wasn't being reckless. Her attempts at modifying the seal were grounded in the principles of the original method, and Dan Heng was there as a mentor to oversee her progress. If something went wrong, Dan Heng could step in. While he couldn't restore the seal, his destructive powers were enough to halt any failed attempt.

As Bailu practiced and experimented, outside the Ambrosial Arbor's domain, the assassins who had learned of Dan Heng and Bailu's presence at the Arbor wore expressions of glee.

"It's gone! It's gone!"

The Vidyadhara assassins were practically overjoyed. Earlier, the sight of the Pink Bunny splitting the Lunarescent Depths had felt like an insult to their entire race.

There was no way around it. Other than a Imbibitor Lunae, no Vidyadhara could part the Lunarescent Depths, let alone restore it.

Now, with Dan Heng having removed the weapon effect and handed it to Bailu, the Pink Bunny and its accompanying meows had disappeared, returning the Arbor's surroundings to their original state.

For these assassins, this was the happiest day of their lives. The pink monstrosity was gone, and now they had a chance to eliminate the Imbibitor Lunae—it was a win-win!

But when they entered the Arbor's domain and looked towards the seal in the distance, their expressions froze. The once-magnificent dragon body and dragon head of the seal were gone. In their place stood something... pink. A pink, doll-like figure?

What happened to the dragon? Where was the dragon?!

For the assassins, this was only the beginning. Back in the Exalting Sanctum, those who had targeted Dan Heng and Bailu had merely been watching from the sidelines, so Pei Guang had refrained from taking extreme measures, simply apprehending them and taking what he could.

This time, however, the assassins had come to kill. Their mission wasn't just to eliminate Dan Heng—they were here to assassinate Bailu as well.