Everything was over, and the four members of the High-Cloud Quintet each stood in their own corner.
Dan Heng, seeing the story of the Quintet come to an end, approached Jingliu, as the main purpose of this journey was to accompany her.
"Imbibitor Lunae, what are your plans next?" Before Dan Heng could speak, Jingliu asked first.
Dan Heng thought for a few seconds. "After this gathering ends, I'll return to the train and continue my journey."
Jingliu responded in a knowing tone, "The train won't carry you forever. Your friends all have their own concerns, just like we did back then.
When I fled the Luofu, I thought about abandoning revenge, letting it all go. But as the years passed, it grew clearer, almost like an old friend whispering in my ear day and night.
Everything I did while consumed by mara is tangled in my memories, inescapable. In the end, I chose to face it."
Jingliu gave a relieved chuckle. "When I witness the fall of 'Abundance,' perhaps you and Yingxing will both find true release. Farewell, Imbibitor Lunae."
Next was Jing Yuan.
Jing Yuan didn't turn around. "To the reborn you, this might all seem like a clumsy performance. Watching old friends turn blades on each other, yet I couldn't stop it."
"Should I be held responsible for Danfeng's actions?"
[Teacher Dan Heng, I'm bawling. Even after learning the truth, he's still willing to bear his responsibilities!]
[Jing Yuan looks so exhausted.]
[Yeah, he's not even turning around, and his tone feels so pained.]
[He seems so tired.]
[Jing Yuan's position—Fu Xuan only sat in it for a few days and felt blessed, and she's a workaholic.]
[So true!]
"The question of who we are can only ever be answered by ourselves." Jing Yuan still didn't turn, only showing a resolute back. "Even if, due to the manipulations of the dragon masters, you never truly experienced rebirth through reincarnation…"
"I'm leaving."
"I think it's time for you to leave too, Dan Heng."
After chatting briefly with the returning Yanqing, Dan Heng finally approached Blade.
"Her sword couldn't do it. She still couldn't do it." Blade looked at you coldly.
"Then we'll have to continue this chase. That's the price we both pay."
Dan Heng didn't shy away, his gaze resolute. "I'll see it through to the end."
Blade let out a cold hum. "In Elio's script, you're still needed alive for now.
And I don't mind dragging out this revenge for a long time—it might be more interesting that way."
After bidding farewell to the three, Dan Heng received a message from the train crew.
Stelle and March 7th were asking about his situation.
At that moment, his thoughts drifted back to a few days ago.
That day, he was also preparing to bid farewell to the past.
Suddenly, the sky was enveloped in darkness, and seawater spread beneath his feet.
Cloud-Piercer appeared behind him, wielded by its master—his previous life, Danfeng.
"How long do you plan to keep running?"
Dan Heng struggled briefly before spitting out, "It's time for me to go."
"Go?" Danfeng smirked mockingly. "The starry sea is vast, but it has no place for you or me."
Seeing Dan Heng still trying to evade, a sharp blade lifted his chin. "The Dragon Lord's legacy endures forever, unchanging through the ages like the ancient sea."
"That's your past."
"No. As the Dragon Lord's reincarnation, you are my reflection. The sins of the past life are repaid in this one."
"I—" Dan Heng summoned Cloud-Piercer and struck back, but in an instant, the weapon in his hand shattered.
"If you defy the clan's laws and sever the legacy, you'll face eternal oblivion, never finding release."
With that, Danfeng's body produced several Abyss Pearls, unleashing countless Cloud-Piercers formed from seawater.
Dan Heng wielded Cloud-Piercer with fierce momentum, countering and advancing step by step.
His movements were bold and seamless, thrilling the audience.
[I thought it was over, but they hit me with something even bigger.]
[Dan Heng's spearmanship is so cool!]
[This fight scene is as good as Jingliu and Blade's!]
[Am I the only one confused? How does Teacher Dan Heng play two roles at once?]
[Obviously a stunt double in the same shot, or he plays both if it's separate shots. Do I need to explain that?]
[I wouldn't ask if I didn't want to highlight your brilliance.]
[Makes sense, I guess!]
Facing the aggressive Dan Heng, Danfeng didn't bother with flashy moves. With a single raise of his hand, a towering wave rose behind him like a azure beast, ready to swallow Dan Heng whole.
"Imprisoned Dan Heng, stubbornly defiant."
Danfeng waved his right hand, shouting, "You shall face eternal punishment!"
"You have no escape."
Before his words faded, a water dragon roared toward Dan Heng.
In an instant, Dan Heng was plunging toward the abyss, struggling futilely.
He could only watch as the light grew dimmer and dimmer.
Until all strength left him.
In the scene, Dan Heng sank slowly to the depths, while Jing Yuan's figure filled the screen.
"Imprisoned Danfeng, guilty of the ten heinous crimes, but in light of past merits, he is granted reincarnation through scale-shedding, exiled beyond, never to return for eternity."
Then, as if a carousel of life began, countless past images and voices swirled around Dan Heng's ears.
"Why did you act so recklessly?"
"Hand over the dragon-transformation arts, and the dragon masters might spare your life."
"Lord Danfeng, why did you do this?"
"All of this began because of you!"
The screen faded to black.
He slowly opened his eyes, his exhaled bubbles taking the forms of Himeko and Welt Yang.
"From today, you're part of the train crew."
March 7th: "Dan Heng, we'll leave the rest to you."
Pom-Pom: "Get ready, the jump's about to start, pa!"
Dan Heng's eyes snapped open, and he swam fiercely toward the only light.
"That's right, you are my past.
But you are not my future!"
Dan Heng broke the surface, a golden light illuminating his figure.
He leaped, surpassing the lofty Danfeng. "I'll forge… my own path!"
"Stubborn fool." Danfeng waved his hand, sending a water dragon toward Dan Heng.
Dan Heng roared, transforming into Danfeng's likeness, and the water dragon instantly turned on its master.
Dan Heng now stood behind Danfeng as the darkness shattered, giving way to clear skies.
The camera zoomed in on Danfeng, who let out a heavy sigh.
"Then… leave this place. Don't look back."
With that, Danfeng dissolved into specks of golden light.
Dan Heng finally smiled, at peace.
[He's so handsome!]
[Why couldn't this face be mine?]
[Has he reconciled with his past self?]
[Embrace freedom, never look back.]
[Don't live in the past, no matter how it was. Cherish the present.]
[I love this scene. The earlier parts were tough, but this felt so satisfying.]
[Following his own will, reconciling with himself—the train crew's always got Dan Heng's back.]
"Dan Heng, what're you spacing out for?" A pink-haired figure suddenly appeared in the frame.
[My gosh, a bonus surprise? Forget the chicken soup, time to simp for my wife!]
"Hey?" March 7th raised her camera. "It's rare to see you smile! One more, say cheese!"
Dan Heng cooperatively made a peace sign.
Click—the Polaroid began printing.
Welt Yang picked up the photo with a knowing smile. "Remember something?"
"Just some old memories."
March 7th: "What's that supposed to mean? So secretive—tell me, tell me!"
The camera panned upward until the screen was filled with stars.
Welt Yang: "Little March, let Dan Heng have some peace."
[This is so wholesome!]
[I'm scared miHoYo's gonna knife someone someday.]
[If that happens, I'm blowing up at miHoYo. That's too much!]
[Hard to say. There's an old saying: characters are made to be knifed.]
[Yeah, look at Arcane Season 2 next door. The fans tore it apart.]
[I heard Jayce's actor got cyberbullied.]
[Can't help it. This week's for roasting, next week's another story.]
[Yeah, I pick Jayce in ranked and get tower-dived at level one, targeted every game.]
[Serves you right!]
[Back to topic, I feel the train's trio is safe from the knife, but the two elders? Knifing the seniors shows growth the most.]
[Are you a demon? Knifed silly?]
Back in reality, Dan Heng's heart was no longer lost. He had returned to the train.
At that moment, March 7th held a cup of Himeko's freshly brewed coffee.
"Dan Heng, this is the coffee Himeko made for us. Drink up!"
Dan Heng's mouth twitched, pretending not to hear, and headed straight for the archives.
"Trying to run? Stelle, grab him!"
"On it!"
Finally, the train's logo appeared, with the text: No Traces Left by Clouds, The End!
[Damn, I was about to cry, but now I'm laughing?]
[miHoYo's got a knack for yanking emotions!]
[It's over, folks, nothing left!]
[Retreat, retreat.]
The young man yawned and glanced at the time.
Oh no! It's only 2 a.m.—what now?
He wanted to sleep but knew he wouldn't fall asleep right away.
He muttered to himself, "If I close my eyes now, I'll probably fall asleep by 3. That's an hour wasted.
And why am I hungry again?
What should I eat?
Barbecue? Burger? Fried skewers?
No, no, no!
That's too indulgent. Some Korean fried chicken will do."
With that, he placed the order.
After a ding, the app showed "Merchant preparing your order."
Now, with no choice but to wait for delivery, he figured he'd find a good show to watch.
Oh!
He remembered—Honkai: Star Rail's fun web movie, Bustle of Aurum Alley.
"The director changed? Whatever, just watch it!"
It all began with Stelle, who was aimlessly wandering the streets that day.
Stelle was strolling, bored out of her mind.
Suddenly, a bald—no, Bailu—popped up by the roadside.
She waved at Stelle. "Over here, over here! Big sister, I spotted you from miles away. Are you heading to Aurum Alley?"
Stelle was puzzled. Isn't this the Dragon Lady? Why's she out alone again?
But she brushed it off and replied, "First off, I'm not treating you."
"You… saw right through me!" Bailu blinked.
"But what's one more person? As a renowned doctor who… ahem, travels for consultations, I know all the best food and fun spots in the Xianzhou. Let me be your guide—you won't regret it!
If you get a tummy ache or a bruise along the way, you've got a super professional healer like me to fix you up. Where else can you find a deal like that?"
"A one-stop doctor-tour guide…"
Bailu put her hands on her hips. "Call it 'all-around care.'"
Since she put it that way, Stelle couldn't refuse and reluctantly followed Bailu to explore Aurum Alley.
At this moment, the background music switched to Aurum Alley's cheerful tune, filling the scene with a joyful vibe.
Stelle and Bailu arrived at Aurum Alley. By all accounts, the Luofu night market shouldn't be this quiet.
Bailu pointed behind her as the camera lingered, showcasing every detail of Aurum Alley.
"Here we are—Aurum Alley! When it comes to tourist attractions, the highlight is, of course, 'tons of delicious food.'
Especially the dishes at 'Taste of Shang.' That flavor—you can only find it here in Aurum Alley on the entire Luofu.
So, since we're on the topic…"
Stelle sighed softly. "What do you want me to treat you to?"
"Garlic sprout pork belly, crispy melon, spicy chicken cubes, taro pork, red oil chopped beef, cow offal, Chen's tofu… ugh, my tongue's getting tied! I don't even recite medicine names this smoothly…"
Bailu hurriedly straightened her tongue.
The young man swallowed hard. Good thing he ordered takeout, or he'd be starving.
The way she listed dishes made him hungry.
Come to think of it, Aurum Alley in the interactive city is full of featured snacks. Just imagining the smells made his mouth water.
Slurp…
The young man wiped the drool from his mouth, picturing himself watching the web movie, eating fried chicken, and sipping cola—a perfect night.
"Keep going, keep going…"
Bailu told Stelle to grab some snacks to tide them over. Stelle had no choice but to comply.
Unfamiliar with the area, she started asking around.
She learned about a drink called "Soda Bean Juice" and that the Interastral Peace Corporation had investments here.
In the end, she bought a cup of Soda Bean Juice and handed it to Bailu.
Bailu's eyes widened, staring at Stelle in disbelief. "Soda Bean Juice… you didn't do this on purpose, did you?"
"I was deliberately accidental…"
Bailu smiled faintly and pushed the bowl back to Stelle. "You drink this Soda Bean Juice."
"You drink it. I'm not hungry."
"No, no, no, you're the guest from afar. You should try it."
Just then, Aunt Gao from the snack stall walked over, recognizing Bailu instantly.
"Oh, isn't this the Dragon Lady? Come, come, I'll get you more—don't be shy!"
Bailu forced a smile. "Oh! Bean juice? Uh, n-no need! Well, alright. Thanks, Aunt Gao."
Amid the lively chatter of the diners, time slipped by unnoticed.
Snapping back to reality, Stelle was already immersed in the night market vibe of Aurum Alley.
Burp~ Bailu patted her belly. "I almost filled up at the snack stalls, and we haven't even gotten to the main task.
I came out to buy some medicine jars at 'Pureplay Studio' up ahead. Let's go, let's go."
Stelle shrugged at the camera and followed her guide.
But from that moment,
the bullet comments flashed [High Energy Ahead!].
A commotion broke out at the dock.
Bailu suggested checking it out, and following the principle of not missing a spectacle, they headed over together.
As expected, something unexpected happened—a righteous girl was standing up for justice.
While they were still approaching,
a mocking voice grew closer.
"Hey, where'd this wild girl pop up from? What's this got to do with you?"