"Dr. Tesla, based on the recent endoscopy, there's a foreign object in Mr. Walter's stomach."
Su spoke to Tesla while holding Welt Yang's medical report.
"Wait… coffee stains? I'm a bit confused."
"To put it simply, food in the stomach is either broken down and absorbed in the intestines or, if it can't be absorbed, the stomach triggers a rejection response—commonly known as vomiting.
But Mr. Walter fainted directly, which doesn't fit either reaction.
I haven't been at miHoYo's hospital for long, and originally, Dr. Luocha had a deep understanding of conditions caused by consuming Himeko's coffee.
For the sake of both parties, I'm stepping in. The current recommendation is a gastric lavage.
I reviewed past cases, and most patients had a strong rejection response after just a sip.
The hospital's record is held by Miss Sparkle, who drank seven cups in a row and only ended up in the ICU—an impressive feat."
Tesla helplessly pressed her forehead. "Wash it, wash it. I don't understand why Joachim would drink coffee."
Su leaned in close to Tesla's ear, his face serious. "You could try searching for 'Yang Transcends.'"
Tesla nodded and quietly opened her phone.
…
Elsewhere.
Su Chen sat in Luocha's office.
"I'm saying, you're the expert on treating Himeko's aftereffects. Why not go handle it?"
Luocha stared intently at his computer screen, his hands typing nonstop, yet he still managed to respond calmly. "Dr. Su is more than capable. With his expertise, a quick look at other patient records should suffice."
"Hm." Su Chen responded softly. What exactly happened between them?
This was the real world, after all, not some supernatural realm of fighting and killing, so?
What was the truth?
"I have a question."
Luocha paused his typing. "I know what you want to ask. You want to know the truth, what's really going on, right?"
"Exactly, exactly."
"When I first read the Honkai Impact 3rd script, I was shocked too. You actually wrote my relationship with Walter so intensely. Maybe that's just art imitating life."
Su Chen nodded, staying silent, waiting for Luocha to reveal the answer.
"It's roughly like this…"
…
Some time later, Su Chen left Luocha's office.
He scratched his head repeatedly, feeling like his brain was about to sprout.
"Ugh, I really don't get it. Making such a fuss over something so trivial? Ugh, my head's so itchy, I feel like I'm about to grow a brain."
"Hey! Little bro!" Stelle's hands mischievously rubbed Su Chen's head, shouting, "Yoshi, yoshi, yoshi, yoshi…"
"Stop rubbing! You're gonna make me bald."
"Couldn't help myself, sorry." Stelle put her hands down, satisfied.
"By the way, how's Old Yang doing?"
"After the gastric lavage, he just needs a few days of observation." Stelle patted Su Chen's shoulder. "Besides, don't you trust Dr. Su? He's the guy who 'accidentally' locked Kevin in the hospital storage for three days and nights."
"Oh, right, my adorable and charming Sister Stelle." Su Chen asked with a serious tone, "Do you think two grown men would fight over some animal, to the point of becoming sworn enemies?"
"Uh… what, are they both part of an animal protection group? Or is this animal a national first-class protected trash or second-class protected trash?"
"It's a capybara."
"Oh, you mean that 'alive it's fine, dead it's okay, emotionally super stable' capybara?"
"Yeah."
"If that's the case, I think it's possible."
"I see."
— —
A few days later.
Welt Yang, lying in the hospital bed, slowly opened his eyes.
"How long was I out?"
"Two days."
A familiar voice reached Welt's ears, and for some reason, a surge of inexplicable anger welled up in his chest.
He turned his head and saw—it was Luocha?
"Old friend, miss me?"
Luocha, for reasons unknown, had followed Su Chen's advice to try mending this relationship.
Luocha: "…"
Welt Yang: "…"
…
…
"Prepare to die!"
"Calm down, calm down!"
"Ahhh!!!"
— —
After the storm, life returned to calm.
After all, a quiet and simple life is the truest.
But.
Today was also the airing day for the second half of Season 5.
miHoYo had completely overhauled its livestream conditions.
miHoYo's web drama livestream channel now operated 365 days a year without interruption.
When there was a main episode, it aired the main episode; otherwise, it played exclusive PVs or character movies in chronological order.
So the livestream was now bustling with activity.
[Finally survived the content drought!]
[Start it already, come on!]
[Feixiao's been hyped for so long, but last season she barely had any spotlight. Hope this season makes up for it.]
[It better make up for it. This season heavily cut the protagonist's screentime just to pave the way for Feixiao. If she doesn't get some standout moments, it'll be so boring.]
[How long till it starts?]
[Soon, soon.]
…
Soon enough.
Season 5, Part 2 officially began.
After a black screen, the camera revealed the bustling streets of Starskiff Haven.
Tourists began chattering:
"So, when's this Martial Exhibition Ceremony starting? That Skirmisher battleship's been floating up there for days. When can we board and check it out?"
"Is this the lifestyle of long-life species? So slow-paced. The 'anticipation' value in my emotional core is skyrocketing. I need some coolant to calm it down."
"Relax, as long as you've got a ticket, the Bureau of Civil Affairs will send boarding notifications in advance. I read in the gazette that before the ceremony starts, the Skirmisher will fire a salute cannon!"
"Check the first day's schedule. The defending swordsman, as the host, is taking on four challenges in one go? I heard he's just a kid—is that true? Bardo, who're you betting on?"
"Neither side. I lost all my credits betting on motorball in Taikiyan. This time, I'm done relying on probability games to complete the 'get rich quick' task…"
"Sigh." The camera slowly pulled back, and Yanqing shook his head. "The Martial Exhibition Ceremony."
After Penacony's prison fell and Hoolay escaped, the Xianzhou Luofu kept the news under wraps.
After all, it was the preparatory period for the Martial Exhibition Ceremony. If word got out now, it could cause panic among tourists.
It would also be a huge blow to the Xianzhou Alliance's reputation!
Stelle slowly approached Yanqing.
The two exchanged details of their recent experiences.
Yanqing stated he wouldn't defend the stage. "For me, the Luofu's safety takes priority. Before taking on the honor of defending swordsman, I must first fulfill my duties as a Cloud Knight.
Those tourists coming and going just want to watch an exciting sword fight. For a match like that, anyone can do it—why does it have to be me?
The real victory isn't on the Skirmisher's stage—it's here. If we can't apprehend the fugitive soon, with Hoolay's vicious nature, he'll turn everything upside down.
There's clearly someone carefully orchestrating this prison break, trying to stir chaos. If they succeed, what honor would the Cloud Knights have left?"
"Well said."
A familiar voice interrupted their conversation.
The two turned to see Feixiao sitting leisurely on a wooden chair, a table laden with food in front of her.
"Though you're not taller than a folding stool, this Luofu kid's got the spirit of a Yaoqing warrior."
[So, are Yaoqing's folding stools really tall?]
[It's a metaphor, she's using a metaphor.]
[This drunkard's showing up this early?]
[Feixiao's kinda cool and kinda pretty—what's up with that?]
— —
Addressing Yanqing and Stelle's questions, Feixiao explained,
"Jiaoqiu always says I'm the most impatient among the Cloud Knights, and his advice is usually right, so you've got no reason to be more impatient than me.
I've fought the Borisin for years and know their ferocity and the cunning behind it. This prison break was clearly planned by the Borisin. The enemy's in the shadows, so there's no reason to rashly step into the spotlight.
The prey is cunning and savage, so the hunter must be patient. Like drawing a bow to shoot an enemy, you store energy until the string is taut for a fatal strike. Once Hoolay loses patience and shows his claws, that's the best time to take him down."
Yanqing, still anxious, pressed further. "When will this best time come?"
"I told you… just the time it takes to finish a meal."
Meanwhile, at the Seat of Divine Foresight.
Jing Yuan was absent, and Huaiyan was in charge.
After Huaiyan's speech, he outlined the current situation, analyzed the pros and cons, and highlighted the present dilemma.
Yunli listened, growing increasingly impatient. "So what do we do?!"
Huaiyan stroked his beard. "The manhunt must continue, but everything on the Luofu must proceed as normal—or at least appear normal."
"As normal? Yanqing's gone off who-knows-where, saying he's going to ease the generals' burdens. Great, now the host's defending swordsman is absent—how's that 'normal'?"
"Exactly. That's why I called you two here."
March 7th had a bad feeling. "Don't tell me… General Huaiyan wants me… to replace Yanqing… and defend the stage?"
Huaiyan nodded with satisfaction. "Miss March is truly sharp as ice! That's exactly what this old man means."
[Haha, March 7th defending the stage, for real?]
[Huaiyan: Time for a surprise tactic.]
[March 7th: Me, defend the stage? For real?]
[Oh, so it's all about March 7th. No wonder Jing Yuan's absent from the meeting, but March 7th's here?]
[Haha, she's been set up.]
[Looks like March 7th's about to deliver an iconic moment.]
[Sharp as ice!]
— —
Yunli was confused. "Grandpa, March is a guest invited by General Jing Yuan to observe the ceremony! How can we let a guest represent the Luofu on the stage? Won't that make people mock the Xianzhou Luofu for having no one else?"
"Silly girl, the Nameless of the Astral Express are renowned across the cosmos. It's an honor to have them here! Besides, Miss March will compete as a 'disciple of the Cloud Knights'—how could that count as 'the Luofu having no one'?
You two, the Martial Exhibition Ceremony cannot falter. The task I'm entrusting you with isn't just about victory or honor on the stage—it's about the safety of the Skirmisher.
Yukong, tell them the arrangements."
— —
The camera cut.
The perspective shifted to Penacony's prison, where Jing Yuan was followed by Lingsha and Dan Heng.
The three arrived at the prison, still cleaning up the aftermath, trying to find clues from the Borisin's assault to catch the mastermind stirring the storm behind the scenes.
In the process, old matters were brought up again…
As they investigated, Lingsha explained why the Borisin could disguise themselves as Foxians.
Because Borisin and Foxians share the same origin, a drug could temporarily alter their forms.
Lingsha, with her keen sense of smell, followed the drug's trail and gradually uncovered the truth.
However.
Lingsha was clearly resentful, constantly throwing shade at Jing Yuan along the way.
"I've learned much. Was it with this mindset that you 'weighed' my master, exiling her to the Zhuming Xianzhou, only to watch the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus rekindle there?"
Jing Yuan gave a faint smile. "You say I couldn't bear to cut out the rot in the Alchemy Commission, instead sending a healer who wanted to save others to the Zhuming Xianzhou…
Did your master ever tell you… that, out of her own wishful kindness, she used the opportunity of a visit to perform a technique on Dan Heng, who had just completed his rebirth, to recall his past life's knowledge?"
"What?"
Dan Heng and Lingsha froze simultaneously.
"She thought that if the Dragon Lord regained his past intellect, he could resume the Vidyadhara's duty of guarding the Ambrosial Arbor, quell restless factions, and resolve all disputes within the clan to restore order.
But as I just said: many well-intentioned acts are merely the start of disasters. After that, the Six Charioteers decided the Alchemy Commission would no longer have a Chief Alchemist until you came today."
Lingsha's attitude softened instantly. "So, I should thank the General for protecting my master with a single exile order."
[Jing Yuan casually drops a bombshell.]
[Lingsha seems so refined, but why's her temper so explosive?]
[Lingsha's shade-throwing skills are top-notch. Jing Yuan says one thing, and she throws shade right back—haha, it's pretty fun.]
[She won't dare throw shade now. I still like Lingsha's defiant vibe.]
— —
Based on the final investigation results, the group concluded that the Vidyadhara Preceptors were behind it all.
Jing Yuan added, "But in my view, the Vidyadhara Preceptors hardly count as the mastermind. The one who saw through the cracks within the Luofu, instigated the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus' rebellion, and caused the Ambrosial Arbor's revival—the Lord Ravager Phantylia—she's the root of all this betrayal."