The verdant Scalegorge Waterscape didn't stir any excitement in Dan Heng.
Although it was the Vidyadhara's forbidden ground, that only mattered to the former Dan Feng. As Dan Heng of the Express crew now, the final state of the Scalegorge Waterscape mattered far less to him than the safety of his companions.
And when he finally followed Caelus back to the base of the Ambrosial Arbor, all he saw was Caelus kneeling blankly before Twilight's corpse.
No further words were needed. Caelus had failed. He couldn't save Twilight. Everything he did, in the end, merely wasted their chance to see Twilight one last time.
Twilight was dead. That girl would never come back...
"Dan Heng, I understand your grief, and I know this situation is hard for you to accept, but... it is already fact."
A hand rested on his shoulder from behind. Dan Heng turned woodenly to see Jing Yuan's grave expression.
"The dead cannot be resurrected. This is the rule of the universe... You should understand this too."
Jing Yuan didn't speak plainly, but Dan Heng knew what he meant. Without saying much, he just waved his hand silently, indicating Jing Yuan needed to say no more. "I understand..."
Wasn't the lesson of Baiheng back then enough? The sins committed by Imbibitor Lunae Dan Feng to revive her remained unpaid even now.
Dan Heng understood it all. This kind of wishful self-satisfaction ultimately brought happiness to no one. Would Twilight really want to see him turn her into a half-human, half-dragon monster, dragging the entire Express crew into a predicament where they were condemned by thousands?
She wouldn't. Because Twilight was a gentle child. That's why she always hid her fear of death, always endured the pain, not wanting them to worry.
So he couldn't do this. He should respect her wish... Everyone dies eventually. For him, a Vidyadhara, he would inevitably witness the departures of Himeko, Welt, even Caelus and March 7th.
Yes, it was time he got used to the taste of parting...
"Although Twilight died protecting the Xianzhou, ultimately, her time was already near its end... We will not blame the Xianzhou. It's just that Caelus was momentarily overcome with emotion and lost his composure, entertaining the thought of using the Ambrosial Arbor. I hope the General can show leniency."
Looking at the state of the Scalegorge Waterscape around them, was this just 'entertaining the thought'? Clearly, it was an unsuccessful attempt to use the Arbor to save someone, only managing to save a bunch of grass!
But Jing Yuan ultimately possessed reason, refraining from voicing this absurd thought aloud. Seeing his old friend abandon the notion of using his 'little trick' again to revive a deceased companion already eased his mind somewhat. How could he possibly pursue the matter of using the Ambrosial Arbor and make an issue out of it with the Express crew?
Anyway, the Arbor's revival this time hadn't affected the rest of the Xianzhou. Since that was the case, it was equivalent to it not existing.
"The Xianzhou will remember Miss Twilight's assistance to the Luofu. Later, we will hold a funeral for her with the highest honors—"
"That won't be necessary," Dan Heng interrupted Jing Yuan wearily. "We will handle Twilight's body ourselves; no need to trouble the Xianzhou... I only have one request, General Jing Yuan."
Dan Heng turned silently to look at Jing Yuan. "During the chaos on the Xianzhou this time, we were trapped in the Scalegorge Waterscape, unable to return. This ultimately led to my companion's death from exhaustion... There must have been Borisin collaborators involved. Regarding those connected to Twilight's harm, I wish to deal with them personally."
Jing Yuan didn't reply immediately, just met Dan Heng's gaze wordlessly.
Although the other's eyes were as calm as still water, Jing Yuan saw flames burning fiercely within. If used for revenge, they could burn enemies to ash. If used for other purposes, they could set the entire galaxy ablaze.
The latter cost was simply too great... If letting those responsible suffer the consequences could calm Dan Heng down, Jing Yuan naturally wouldn't refuse.
Besides, who could those collaborators be? Everyone had a pretty good idea... Besides those Preceptors, it was difficult for others to tamper within the Scalegorge Waterscape. These Preceptors had always been troublesome—hard to teach, impossible to kill. If Dan Heng could deal with them this time, it would actually be a good thing.
"Understood. This matter was indeed caused by the Luofu's negligence. Originally, I should have personally brought these traitors before you all for judgment... But since you wish to handle it personally, then please proceed as you see fit."
"Thank you... Apologies."
Jing Yuan waved his hand, indicating Dan Heng needn't be so formal. Granting an external faction the authority to act freely on the Luofu was indeed excessive, but as compensation for his old friend, Jing Yuan felt it was acceptable.
He knew Dan Heng's character too well; he wouldn't use this to do anything outrageous. His past self was also from the Luofu; he should know the limits.
Besides, adding another charge of abusing authority didn't matter much to him now...
Watching Dan Heng and Jing Yuan seemingly conclude the matter with just a few words, March 7th grew anxious—They had agreed earlier that if something unexpected happened, they could use the Transmutation Arcanum to revive Twilight! But now that it really happened, why was Dan Heng suddenly getting scared?!
"Dan Heng, what are you talking about? It's not over yet! If Little Twilight isn't here... we still have other ways, right?! As long as we revive Twilight—"
"Enough, March... Do you know what that means? Do you really think you can bear the consequences!"
March 7th's words seemed unable to move Dan Heng in the slightest. He didn't even turn to look at her. "This matter, don't think about it anymore."
"—Dan Heng!"
"Don't say it! I've already decided!!!"
Dan Heng's tone turned unusually sharp, startling even the usually impulsive March 7th into silence, her breath catching.
But what could she do? If Dan Heng didn't cooperate, she could do nothing. She didn't know the Transmutation Arcanum, nor was she the former High Elder... How could she be so useless?
Without Twilight now, how could she be such a useless person, unable even to bring Twilight back, unable to do anything?!
All sorts of bitterness and the sorrow of losing a friend surged into her heart. Even though March 7th was strong-willed, she finally couldn't hold back the stinging in her nose, tears almost rolling down.
She felt she couldn't stand here any longer. The next moment, amidst the others' surprise, she turned directly and ran out of the place.
"...Himeko, Uncle Yang, please go after March. Take Twilight's body too and arrange for her properly," Without looking at March 7th, Dan Heng just closed his eyes silently.
"And you?" Himeko's usually bright eyes couldn't hide the helplessness and loss at this moment.
"I need to do... what I must do!"
The next moment, accompanying Dan Heng's icy tone, Cloud-Piercer appeared in his hand and slammed directly into the ground below, only the cold blade at the top gleaming chillingly.
Himeko said no more. She and Welt ultimately just gave Dan Heng a complex look, then silently took Twilight's body and pursued the direction March 7th had fled.
"General Jing Yuan, the Xianzhou once had a pact forbidding Vidyadhara blood to be shed within the Scalegorge Waterscape... I am not of the Xianzhou now; the pact does not bind me. But you all should leave temporarily. Otherwise, the situation later..." Cloud-Piercer creaked in his grip, emitting an eerie sound, "...might not be pretty."
Seeing this almost crazed Dan Heng, what else could Jing Yuan say? He could only say those Preceptors were truly too insane, having done something they were utterly incapable of bearing the consequences for... Those fools, they had awakened the true Azure Dragon.
Saying no more, Jing Yuan silently left the Scalegorge Waterscape. In the vast space, only Dan Heng now stood silently, holding his spear.
But he didn't wait long.
Those clueless Preceptors soon appeared here. Seeing the former High Elder who previously seemed interested in contacting them and strengthening the Vidyadhara race, their eyes lit up, and they immediately gathered around—only to be struck mid-waist by the whistling Cloud-Piercer the next moment, exploding outwards like a group of sandbags, crashing heavily onto the surrounding ground and ruins.
"Dan Heng, what do you think you're doing? Are you cra—"
Shhk!
Elder Taoran, the only one who looked relatively young, still wanted to say something after being slammed into the wall. He didn't get the chance to complain, as the tip of Cloud-Piercer followed immediately, piercing straight through his chest, pinning him to the wall on the spot!
"Preceptors..." Dan Heng looked up, his gaze sweeping over these people filled only with coldness and killing intent. "I need your assistance."