The situation within the Alchemy Commission was incredibly delicate.
Dan Shu's actions had nearly torn the Commission apart, ideologically splitting it into two major factions—a schism among the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus.
Racially, it was also divided into two parts: a schism between the Xianzhou natives and the Vidyadhara.
One of these conflicts would have been manageable, but with both intertwined, they were forced to rely on the divination powers of Fu Xuan's Divination Commission to determine the theoretical direction of the Pure Land Sect.
The Pure Land Sect now held a position of absolute dominance over the Alchemy Commission.
Bailu, the "Dragon Lady with the Elixir," a High Elder personally appointed by Dan Feng.
In the midst of Dan Shu's upheaval, she was completely used as a shield, placed in the most prominent position.
Where did the Vidyadhara marrow come from? Who was watching over the Vidyadhara's seal? Who revealed the Vidyadhara's secrets to Dan Shu?
Bailu couldn't answer a single one of these crucial questions. Even her Vidyadhara handmaiden, Huanxi, who had always cared for her, was powerless to help.
Huanxi was like a puppet caught between the Preceptors and the Alchemy Commission, completely unable to assist Bailu in any meaningful way.
This feeling of helplessness reached its peak when she saw 'Dan Feng.'
Dan Heng was spotted and stopped before he even reached the Alchemy Commission. Huanxi, the handmaiden, had abandoned her post of caring for Bailu and was now blocking his path.
And she also saw the other person…
When Noldrei's eyes, the color of the ancient sea, focused on her, Huanxi felt her breath catch in her throat, a suffocating pressure building in her chest.
"Lord Dan Heng, please go back… The Ambrosial Arbor is gone now. Miss Bailu no longer needs the title of High Elder. Why have you returned? And…"
Huanxi looked at Noldrei with a complicated expression, a mixture of fear and hatred in her eyes.
She didn't dare to express her emotions, much less show any hostility toward Noldrei directly.
As the founder of the Pure Land Sect, Noldrei's words were treated as gospel by the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus. This authority in matters of faith determined Huanxi's standing before him.
Dan Heng was exasperated. She was talking as if he was going to do something to Bailu.
He was finally starting to see the benefits of being someone like Noldrei. If he were Noldrei, Huanxi would have no choice but to powerlessly accept his decision to see Bailu, instead of spouting such nonsense.
"Miss Huanxi, is it? I know you care deeply for the current High Elder, Bailu. I will not speak of the past. However, the handover of certain things is still very important. Huanxi…"
Dan Heng sighed. "You don't want Bailu to remain the Dragon Lady with the Elixir forever, do you? Huanxi, have you still not understood why Bailu is so easily manipulated?"
Huanxi froze, realizing what Dan Heng meant.
"Having the power of the High Elder and not using it is one thing. Not having the power at all is another. Step aside. If you wish, you can also speak with my friend here."
Dan Heng might not be good at much else, but he certainly knew how Dan Feng would have handled these Vidyadhara.
As long as he adopted Dan Feng's demeanor, these people would naturally make way for him.
"I… This…"
Huanxi truly didn't know how to handle this situation. She had never expected Dan Heng to be so blunt.
These weren't words Dan Heng would have normally said. It was thanks to what he had learned from watching Noldrei's interactions with Dan Shu. The atmosphere of that encounter had left such a deep impression on him that he now understood just how easy it was to bully someone who was too timid.
Even Jing Yuan had to compromise in the face of a Dan Shu like that. For Huanxi to try and dissuade him with emotional appeals or her own standpoint…
Dan Heng found the idea laughable.
The Xianzhou had already given him the green light. Just how little did this woman think of the original High Elder?
"It's just that you're too easygoing, Dan Heng. If Dan Feng were still here, this person wouldn't even have the courage to stand at the gate and block you."
Noldrei saw Dan Heng's importance to the Vidyadhara at a glance. Even Bailu's own handmaiden could leave her side to perform such a task.
Their conversation was a scathing rebuke of this junior Vidyadhara.
She didn't even know why Dan Heng was here, yet she had unilaterally tried to negotiate. It was truly an overestimation of her own abilities.
"Miss Huanxi, as a handmaiden whose job is to care for someone… while I don't emphasize professional relationships or class differences, for you…"
Dan Heng shook his head. "If you are not prepared to face the same fate as Dan Feng, then do not meddle in the internal power struggles of the Vidyadhara. I will not investigate who sent you to obstruct me. I am now going to see High Elder Bailu about more important matters."
"Are you sure you want to make this decision for her? A decision about her future and the freedom of her power."
Huanxi's face flushed crimson. Under the weight of Dan Heng's presence, she subconsciously took a step back.
That single step made her feel utterly ashamed of her own resolve.
"Let's go."
Dan Heng ignored the handmaiden's attempt at negotiation. He used his own power to demonstrate the powerlessness of her words, revealing the class difference between a High Elder and a common Vidyadhara in an exceptionally cruel way.
Even if he was a deposed High Elder, he was still a High Elder of the Vidyadhara. He still had his supporters, and he still had the power of the Permanence attached to him. This was not something that could be changed by simply losing a title or shedding a set of clothes.
After Huanxi left, no one else was foolish enough to appear before Dan Heng.
Seeing this, Dan Heng's admiration for Noldrei grew.
"No wonder Jing Yuan was so eager to send you away. If everyone could grasp the weaknesses of the Xianzhou people like you do, even I wouldn't be able to sleep soundly if I were the Divine Foresight."
Dan Heng had originally intended to accomplish his task through friendly negotiation.
But Noldrei had told him to simply state what he wanted to do and explain the consequences of obstructing him. Then, the other party would naturally clear a path for him.
Huanxi was just the first victim.
The next person to appear before them was…
None other than the Divine Foresight General, Jing Yuan, who had come to see what was going on for himself.
General Jing Yuan, who had emerged from battle without a scratch, had personally come to the Alchemy Commission to wait for Lord High Elder. This just went to show… the intimidating power of Noldrei. He was terrified that he would lead this High Elder, who had already left the Xianzhou, astray.
Seeing Dan Heng, Jing Yuan said, "I never thought your travels across the universe would sharpen your tongue so, Dan Heng…"