True, the Transmutation Arcanum could very likely fail and bring severe consequences; the former Dan Feng had already proven that—but so what?
Just because it failed once before, should they not try again? Should they just watch helplessly as Twilight died like that?
No! Dan Heng would absolutely not accept such an outcome! He had made so many preparations, even taking the details of the Transmutation Arcanum to Herta, asking this top genius of the universe for improvements... He wouldn't fail. He couldn't fail! What the former Dan Feng couldn't achieve didn't mean he, Dan Heng, couldn't either!
And to accomplish all this, the power of the Vidyadhara was essential. This was why Dan Heng had spared the lives of these old, undying Preceptors just now, instead of directly cleaving them in two.
The Scalegorge Waterscape, the Shackling Prison... These two places, which should have been impenetrable, were simultaneously interfered with by external forces. These Preceptors must have been involved. If not for their actions, perhaps Caelus's plan could have succeeded, Twilight wouldn't have died, and they could have used the Ambrosial Arbor's power to extend her life.
All because of these damned old bastards...
Dan Heng didn't consider himself a very rational person, but the intensity of the resentment and fury burning within him now still surprised him. However, from this perspective, the fact that he could suppress such violent emotions perhaps indicated his rationality ultimately prevailed.
Without giving these Preceptors any more courtesy, Dan Heng coldly assigned them tasks, everything done with practiced ease, just like the former Vidyadhara High Elder.
"Do things cleanly. Don't get caught, just like how you hid things before." After relaying the necessary preparations, Dan Heng paid them no further mind, silently turning to leave. Only as he was about to exit the Scalegorge Waterscape did he silently glance back, his gaze sharp. "You better not entertain any more foolish ideas. Otherwise, I wouldn't mind letting the Luofu Vidyadhara get a new batch of Preceptors... I believe both the Luofu and your new High Elder would be very pleased."
Dan Heng's undisguised threat sent cold sweat trickling down the Preceptors' backs. They had been pampered for so long; who had ever dared speak to them like this? Even the Luofu's General, Jing Yuan, had to be polite... But clearly, all the respect brought by their status and position meant nothing in the eyes of Dan Heng, this former High Elder expelled from the Xianzhou.
Especially after he became one of those crude Nameless. The Preceptors were certain that if they truly angered Dan Heng again, this madman might actually run them through one by one with his spear.
The Preceptors weren't afraid of death; they were willing to dedicate everything to the Vidyadhara race, at least that's what they believed—but if all the Preceptors were killed off at once, how could the remaining young ones protect the Vidyadhara? Thinking this way, it seemed cooperating with Dan Heng first was indeed necessary...
---||---
"I see. So it was all that Tingyun's scheme..."
Aboard the Astral Express, the crew members sat in the main hall, the atmosphere heavy. Himeko frowned in thought.
The distraught Caelus had already told them about his previous encounter with Phantylia, and they naturally made deductions based on it.
"Trapping us and releasing the Borisin was all to create the current situation, forcing us to find a way to rescue that former Emanator of Abundance, Shuhu... But I remember hearing that Emanator should have already died, with only flesh and blood remaining sealed away."
"Although only flesh and blood remain, no one knows if it might revive. After all, it's normal for such beings to not be easily killed."
With the sound of the door opening, Dan Heng silently walked into the carriage. "Even now, the remnants of Shuhu's flesh are still sealed within the Shackling Prison. Though we don't know what she intends to do, her objective is clearly related to Shuhu."
Although they had lodging on the Xianzhou with much better living conditions than the train carriage, it was still Xianzhou territory; who knew if there were listening ears? Therefore, when discussing matters detrimental to the Xianzhou, everyone ultimately returned temporarily to the absolutely trustworthy Astral Express.
"Dan Heng, you're back..." Himeko sighed. "How did things go?"
"Very smoothly. With the help of those Preceptors, the Transmutation Arcanum can now be put on the agenda," Dan Heng shook his head, but his voice was firm. "There's no need to give up. We still have a chance to save Twilight."
"Transmutation Arcanum? I remember that's..."
Welt was slightly startled, then frowned. "Dan Heng, are you really going to do this?"
"There's no other way."
"...Himeko, did you know all along?" Welt silently turned his head towards Himeko.
"I only realized when Dan Heng mentioned it..." Glancing at the ice-cold Dan Heng, Himeko closed her eyes wearily. "Only this could push you to such lengths... March was too emotional back then and didn't notice. She should understand once she calms down."
"There's no need to worry about safety. With Herta's help, the Transmutation Arcanum will surely succeed this time."
Dan Heng clenched his fists, his eyes sharp. "Whatever that Tingyun is plotting, for now, what she said is still helpful to us... Just as she said, Twilight's power is immense; an ordinary body might not be able to contain her existence. Borrowing some external materials for this is acceptable..."
"That Shuhu's flesh is sealed in the Shackling Prison, heavily guarded. How can we possibly obtain it?" Welt pointed out the practical difficulty. "Besides, if Shuhu truly is still alive, wouldn't taking her out of the Shackling Prison be committing a grave mistake?"
"We've already been committing grave mistakes, whether seeking longevity or tampering with the Ambrosial Arbor," Dan Heng showed no sign of backing down.
"But Shuhu, after all, committed heinous crimes in the past. It's different from other things..." Welt hesitated. "Perhaps we could try the normal Transmutation Arcanum process first, without using Shuhu. If it doesn't work, then—"
"There's no room for that," Dan Heng decisively cut off Welt's thought. "The Xianzhou is watching us; otherwise, we wouldn't need to hide on the Express to discuss these things now. Besides, once the Transmutation Arcanum is initiated, the commotion will be immense. The Luofu will definitely know what we intend. There won't be a second chance... The first battle is the decisive battle. We must do everything we possibly can!"
"Once the other steps are ready, we directly raid the Shackling Prison... It's the only way!"