After that, it's the plot where Yanqing refuses to accept Jingliu and proposes a duel.
Worried that Leon might take the chance to slip away, Leon smoothly confirms his identity as a doctor.
Going through this segment of the plot, most players don't feel anything particularly special at first.
It isn't until Jingliu speaks, her tone carrying a faint trace of nostalgia, that it finally tugs at the heartstrings.
Especially for players who like Jing Yuan.
Everyone knows Jingliu is Jing Yuan's master, and they also know that Jing Yuan's sword training for his disciples follows the same lineage.
It seems that Jingliu's master once made the same demands of her and even invited a healer to relieve her fatigue.
She passed it on to Jing Yuan, and Jing Yuan passed it on to Yanqing.
Perhaps in the distant future, Yanqing will treat his own disciples the same way.
[Suddenly feeling a bit teary-eyed.]
[These offhand plot moments often leave one wistful. Has Leon ever experienced something like this?]
[That's unclear. We've never seen him use a sword.]
Yanqing perhaps thought of the time he spent with Jing Yuan and could deeply empathize with Jingliu's words, immediately apologizing to Leon.
His personality—neither stubborn nor putting on airs—changed many people's impression of him.
Though the kid is young and reckless, he's not unlikeable.
No longer suspecting Leon, Yanqing can finally feel at ease dueling Jingliu.
The cutscene begins.
Yanqing charges forward first, while Jingliu doesn't move yet, tilting her head slightly to ask Leon.
"You should just be lost, right?"
"You could put it that way. Actually, I'm more curious why you're looking for a Stellaron Hunter."
"Stellaron Hunter… so he's become a Stellaron Hunter now… Matters of the past are inconvenient to explain."
With that, Jingliu turns into a blue shadow and vanishes.
Leon slowly unfurls his wings, soaring into a glide, overlooking from midair the two figures darting and weaving, continuously slaying the monsters.
His inner thoughts inadvertently ring out.
The more the players listen, the wider their eyes grow.
Is it really that terrifying, bro?
Not only does he know Elio's script is orchestrating everything, but he even guesses the entanglement of Dan Heng and Blade's pursuit and escape.
Through his thoughts, the players finally realize the message Jingliu wants to convey by seeking Blade.
She knew Blade in the past, and Blade is hunting Dan Heng.
In the end, Dan Heng personally says he's forbidden from setting foot on the Luofu.
What does this indicate? It indicates that the three of them very likely had some interaction during a certain period.
"(If Dan Heng held a grudge against Jingliu and hunted her, it would form a bizarre closed-loop relationship.)"
It's this line that carries a bit of personal flair in its speculation, tinged with a hint of Elation.
"From the content of Jingliu and Yanqing's exchange, as well as the sword stances of the two when they strike, the former was once Jing Yuan's master."
"A contest between master-ancestor and grand-disciple… perhaps 'guidance' is a more fitting description."
"And this also explains that Jing Yuan knows of Blade. If Blade knows Dan Heng, then Jing Yuan must have had some connection with Dan Heng."
"Yanqing mentioned the Imbibitor Lunae Rebellion… could it be…"
"It should be. The little hacker in the Stellaron Hunters who disrupted the communication signals was likely targeting Dan Heng."
"Only by keeping Dan Heng constantly worried about his companions' safety can the next route be drawn out…"
"There aren't that many coincidences in the world. It seems Dan Heng is the key to the Luofu's Stellaron disaster."
"Then what about me? Are my every move also within the Stellaron Hunters' calculations…?"
"Heh, whatever. It doesn't matter. Just follow my own will to the curtain call of this script."
"The Nameless of the Astral Express care most about their companions' safety—an impeccable open scheme."
"If my guesses prove true, Kafka and Blade appearing on the Luofu—"
"Just to connect the Luofu with the Express… still an impeccable, downright open scheme."
Old Toby takes a deep breath.
"I knew Leon was extraordinarily wise, but I didn't expect him to be this terrifying."
"He's only just arrived on the Luofu and has only met people from the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus, plus Jingliu and Yanqing."
"Yet from just a few fragmented pieces of information, he nearly deduces the entire truth!"
"Keep in mind, at this point in time, even Jing Yuan doesn't know about the Stellaron Hunters or the deeper meaning behind Blade's appearance…"
"Combining that with what Jing Yuan said to Fu Xuan in the previous version, I can guess why he played chess with Leon."
"Eighty percent chance the two are trading riddles, using the chess game to metaphorically convey intelligence, information, and even declare their intentions."
"I'm even suspecting if Leon has read the script."
There is a script, but Leon never looks at it, acting entirely according to his own will.
From the players' perspective, the events Leon goes through aren't entirely consistent.
Parts involving major spoilers are altered and will only be revealed at the appropriate time.
Otherwise, players would already know Dan Heng's past life right now—most likely the Cloud Knight's High Elder, Imbibitor Lunae.
Though the current information can lead to this guess, a guess is still just a guess.
Until it's confirmed, players' curiosity will always be left hanging, eager to see the moment the truth is revealed.
And this… is the script that belongs to Leon.
The script exclusive to the game's gacha characters in the players' eyes.
But for now, the plot from the players' perspective is the outcome of Yanqing and Jingliu's duel.
The camera dives down from high in the sky, shifting to Yanqing.
Realizing he moved first but was unknowingly overtaken by Jingliu, Yanqing is utterly shocked and puzzled.
When did she get ahead?
In the final joint battle, Jingliu's tone even carries a slight hint of madness.
Then comes the scene from the preview PV, where she asks Yanqing if he'll take her sword.
Leon somehow retracts his wings at some point, leaning nearby to watch.
"Young man, you won't be crushed by this, right?"
"This sword isn't meant to kill you; it's to guide you…"
"As expected, Leon sees through Jingliu's true intentions at a glance."
Old Toby wears an unsurprised expression.
Even he can tell Jingliu has no intention of killing Yanqing—how could Leon not see it?
Jingliu accepts Leon's diagnostic incense—its effects unknown—thanks him, and departs.
Yanqing pants heavily. By the time he comes to his senses, Jingliu is long gone.
To this, Leon casually asks.
"Little Brother Yanqing, are you still going to pursue that fugitive named Blade?"
"Jingliu clearly didn't take you with her because she's serious. You can't beat her, so you can't beat Blade either."
Yanqing is silent for several seconds, then shakes his head.
"No, I'm not going."
Leon smiles.
"Sometimes knowing when to retreat is a form of wis—"
"I need to go back first, grab my best sword, and then set out."
Interrupted by Yanqing, the camera gives a close-up of Leon's face.
His squinted-eye expression clearly shows the corner of his eye twitching.
Only his inner thoughts are heard, never his spoken words.
"(You're quite the clever little rascal, aren't you, little glutton? You just love biting off more than you can chew, huh?)"
"(First fighting the master-ancestor, now wanting to fight Blade.)"
"(Do you think surviving the master-ancestor's sword gave you some epiphany, making you feel invincible now?)"
[Never expected Leon to have a day where he's left speechless.]
[A living example telling us: never try to guess the mindset of a hotheaded young kid.]
[Lol.]