Suddenly, the Ambrosial Arbor on Xianzhou Luofu began to grow wildly due to the Stellaron's influence, and the crisis escalated rapidly. Jing Yuan and Fu Xuan found you and officially entrusted the Astral Express crew with assisting in sealing the Stellaron. You appeared eager to help, volunteering actively. This was exactly the opportunity you wanted.
Afterward, you went to the Ministry of Industry to help, and after defeating the Abundance Abomination that emerged from the Ambrosial Arbor, the Alchemy Commission experienced another sudden anomaly. Inside Luofu, the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus, an organization that worships Yaoshi, launched a full-scale rebellion, instantly plunging Xianzhou Luofu into a predicament of internal and external threats. This unexpected incident exceeded the expectations of the Xianzhou high-ranking officials. And among them, you naturally had a hand in secretly fanning the flames.
Subsequently, you proceeded to the Alchemy Commission for support. The fake Tingyun continued to act as your guide, performing flawlessly and playing her role perfectly. Fu Xuan deployed your Astral Express crew as a surprise force to the core area of the Alchemy Commission. Your mission was to shut down the alkahest furnaces set up by the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus that released poisonous smoke, causing the Xianzhou people to fall into the Mara-Struck state. Because you were not Xianzhou people, you were unaffected by the poisonous smoke.
In the alkahest furnace area, you encountered the leader of the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus, Dan Shu. After an intense battle, you successfully defeated her. But before Dan Shu died, she uttered another name unfamiliar to everyone—Huan Long.
The climax arrived suddenly. The fake Tingyun, who was walking ahead, suddenly stiffened and turned to look at everyone. Her originally lively eyes instantly became hollow and lifeless. Then, her neck strangely twisted, and her body softened as if all its bones had been removed. She did not fall but declared in a cold and flat voice, "Allow me to reintroduce myself…"
As soon as she finished speaking, her body began to emit a faint, greenish-blue flame. In the blink of an eye, she suddenly fell, losing all signs of life. The Astral Express crew members witnessed this incredible scene, all turning pale with shock. Especially March 7th, she gaped, her eyes filled with astonishment. Stelle also turned pale; she hadn't even reacted to what had happened. Apart from you, no one could understand what was happening to Tingyun at that moment.
Immediately afterward, a voice filled with immense pressure came from the sky. The voice echoed throughout the entire Alchemy Commission, resounding in everyone's mind.
"I, Aeon of Destruction Huan Long, will guide you to true liberation—destruction."
As the voice faded, the Alchemy Commission returned to silence, leaving only the widespread devastation and the shocked expressions of the Astral Express crew members.
March 7th finally reacted, stammering, "Could it be… that Miss Tingyun… wasn't real?!"
Fu Xuan, who had just arrived, saw everything that had happened, her face extremely grim. She looked up, gazing into the distance, and said in a deep voice:
"Huan Long… that is indeed the name of an Emanator of Destruction."
"I fear that this Emanator of Destruction is the mastermind behind this crisis."
"Luofu's current crisis is far more severe than anticipated."
A moment later. March 7th's lips trembled: "Huan Long… Emanator of Destruction… Miss Tingyun, she…"
She looked at the Foxian body on the ground with its twisted neck; a person who was vibrant moments ago had turned into this, and behind it was even an Emanator of Destruction? This exceeded all her previous experiences on her trailblazing journey. Stelle also looked pale, her eyes complex as she gazed at the corpse. The gentle and considerate Miss Tingyun, who had guided them all this way, was actually fake? And… she was created by that Emanator of Destruction named Huan Long? Her mind was in chaos, unable to process this information.
You stood to the side, your face showing just the right amount of shock, with indignation in your eyes.
Fu Xuan quickly composed herself and looked at you: "Now is not the time for shock. The Ambrosial Arbor is still growing wildly; we must stop it as soon as possible. Members of the Astral Express crew, you are experts in dealing with Stellaron… I implore you. You must go to the depths of the Ambrosial Arbor's roots; that should be the core of the Stellaron's erosion."
Although Stelle and March 7th were still shaken, their sense of responsibility as Trailblazers quickly made them pull themselves together. They exchanged glances, both seeing determination in each other's eyes. No matter who the enemy was, they would not back down.
"Okay, we'll go," Stelle said firmly.
"For Miss Tingyun… and for Luofu!" March 7th clenched her fists.
You also stated: "Since Huan Long is the mastermind, I will never let her go! I must avenge Miss Tingyun…!"
Fu Xuan: "Mm. The depths of the Ambrosial Arbor's roots are fraught with danger; there will be many Mara-Struck and Abundance Aberrations blocking your way. You must be careful."
After getting ready, guided by Fu Xuan and Jing Yuan, your group began to advance towards the depths of the Ambrosial Arbor's roots. Along the way, just as Fu Xuan had said, you encountered more distorted monsters. These Mara-Struck and Abundance Aberrations were swiftly cleared with the cooperation of you, Stelle, and March 7th. Stelle still maintained her protectiveness towards you during the battle, always instinctively shielding you.
"Orion, look out!" Stelle pulled you again, helping you avoid an attack from a Mara-Struck.
"Thank you." You gave her a gentle smile, which instantly made her blush, and then she quickly averted her gaze.
At the same time, on the other side. Dan Heng was acting alone, having infiltrated Luofu. He was searching for the Astral Express crew's whereabouts on Luofu, fearing that his companions might be in danger. During this time, he was preoccupied, trying to keep that sealed past suppressed, but Luofu's crisis and the Ambrosial Arbor's anomaly seemed to be forcing him to confront that identity he wished not to touch.
"I found you."
A low voice suddenly sounded behind him, filled with intense killing intent. Dan Heng's body stiffened. He turned around and saw the man holding a long blade with fanatical eyes—Blade. A fated encounter instantly escalated into a fierce battle. Blade's words were like sharp knives, precisely piercing Dan Heng, forcing him to confront his past.
Finally, Blade seized an opportunity and stabbed Dan Heng through the body with a single strike! The intense pain ignited the hidden power within Dan Heng… The Vidyadhara dragon blood boiled in his veins, and a majestic dragon's might soared into the sky!
Dan Heng awakened into the form of the Vidyadhara Dragon Lord—Imbibitor Lunae!
The scene was magnificent and shocking, with terrifying currents sweeping in all directions. Just then, Kafka appeared. She quickly withdrew with Blade, leaving only the transformed Dan Heng and the belated Jing Yuan.
Soon after. When you, Stelle, and March 7th arrived at Scalegorge Waterscape, you witnessed a sight that would be unforgettable for the rest of your lives. Beside a Dragon Lord statue stood General Jing Yuan, and a figure who was both strange and familiar.
"Dan… Are you Dan Heng?!" March 7th exclaimed in surprise.
Stelle also widened her eyes, her mouth slightly agape, completely unable to connect the majestic and powerful Dragon Lord before her with her quiet Astral Express companion.
"What… what's going on?"