"Re...surrection?"
"Do you know what you are saying?"
Jing Yuan's expression turned cold, his knuckles cracking as he clenched his fists.
A storm of anger surged in the depths of his eyes; he wished he could seize his Master on the spot.
The Xianzhou Alliance strictly guards against the chaos of the Abominations of Abundance.
To touch it is a crime; to encounter it is a disaster.
Back then, Dan Feng went against the heavens, recklessly using the "Transmutation Arcanum" in an attempt to resurrect Baiheng.
And the result?
Half of Scalegorge Vidhyadhara was destroyed.
Countless Vidyadhara and Cloud Knight soldiers fell.
Incalculable Vidyadhara eggs turned into lifeless stone fetuses, never to hatch again.
These were all the consequences of recklessly meddling with the traces of the Abominations of Abundance.
That catastrophe was carved like a knife into the Xianzhou's history books, and the bloodstains have not dried to this day.
"Master, once, you also calmly accepted Baiheng's passing."
Jing Yuan's voice lowered, each word like iron.
"Because Dan Feng and Yingxing desecrated her glory and tarnished her posthumous name, you even once wanted to kill them."
"The dead are gone; the living must not recklessly move the laws of heaven."
"Why? Why do you, of all people, now harbor such thoughts?"
As he spoke, Jing Yuan's fists tightened, his knuckles turning white, and fire burned in his eyes, mixed with the pain of disappointment.
"Are you also going to follow in Dan Feng's footsteps and create another catastrophe?"
Bailu is the warning right before us! She is still trapped in the Alchemy Commission!
In the group chat, the true Jingliu watched silently, not saying a word.
[Istaroth]: "Your disciple's concern is not without reason. I have seen disasters similar to 'resurrection' too many times. Every time, they are accompanied by the withering and wailing of life."
"I think you've misunderstood, General Jing Yuan."
Ryuga's expression remained composed as he smiled.
"The 'resurrection' I speak of does not involve using the power of Abundance, nor does it summon spirits. There is no need to worry about the disaster of the Abominations of Abundance."
"It is about 'Time.'"
Skirk was not Jingliu after all; although the two were almost identical, speaking too much would lead to slips.
Even though she had been learning from Jingliu since Eden's concert.
After returning, she had specifically learned from Jingliu about eating, walking, speaking habits, and gestures, and had even studied some of her moves and abilities.
Additionally, Skirk had absorbed a massive amount of Imaginary energy to avoid using Abyss power, which would arouse Jing Yuan's suspicion.
It could be said that as long as she stood there, Jing Yuan would not be able to tell the difference.
But after all, she had only spent three days with Jingliu; doing or saying too much would eventually reveal flaws.
Jing Yuan had followed her for a hundred years.
"Time?"
Jing Yuan raised an eyebrow.
"Yes!"
After saying that, Ryuga suddenly raised his hand.
"Snap."
A porcelain cup on the tea table suddenly flew into the air.
The moment it fell into his palm, the cup instantly lost its glaze, turning into a lump of red clay and pigment until it completely disappeared.
Then, under time acceleration, the red clay reappeared in his palm and reshaped itself into a tea cup.
The glaze reappeared, as fresh as new.
Before Fu Xuan and Qingzu could even react from their shock.
Next, the tea cup began to age rapidly, the glaze cracking, the porcelain body turning yellow, until it was as mottled as rotten wood, with the edges peeling off.
In an instant, it seemed to have experienced a thousand years of wind and frost.
Cracks spread, and the tea cup vibrated slightly, looking as if it were about to crumble into dust.
But at that moment, time reversed again.
The cracks closed, the color returned, and the tea cup once again became crystal clear, no different from before.
Ryuga gave it a casual toss, and the tea cup flew back into Jing Yuan's hand.
"..."
Jing Yuan's expression was one of pure surprise, and his face softened slightly.
As long as it wasn't using the power of the Abominations of Abundance, then it was fine.
Fu Xuan's brow was furrowed, her fingers constantly calculating, but she was never able to capture Ryuga's trajectory.
Qingzu took a deep breath of cold air.
Ryuga had performed experiments.
The "Complete Restoration Liquid" had no effect.
And the "Time Kerchief" only worked on blood; it didn't work on hair or nails for some reason.
Hair and nails would eventually disappear.
Mhm, these were the results verified repeatedly using countless death row prisoners.
"I understand. You want to use Baiheng's blood to rewind her time to before she died?"
Jing Yuan still felt that this was also a desecration of life.
This was still a taboo on the Xianzhou.
Even if it wasn't using the power of the Abominations of Abundance.
"Yes."
Ryuga nodded.
Having Baiheng's blood would make things much easier; he could resurrect Baiheng right now.
Jing Yuan remained silent for a long time before finally speaking: "There... should be none left. That day, Dan Feng probably used it all."
After all, back then, there were only a few drops of Baiheng's blood.
It wasn't even enough for Dan Feng.
"Can I go to the Shackling Prison and ask him personally?"
Ryuga asked again.
"I'm sorry, but that's probably not possible!"
Jing Yuan refused flatly.
"For major prisoners under the jurisdiction of the Ten-Lords Commission, the procedures for a single visit are far too complicated."
"Furthermore—after the shedding of scales and rebirth, Dan Feng is no longer his former self. I do not believe he still remembers things from seven hundred years ago."
As he spoke, Jing Yuan shook his head.
He had other concerns in his heart.
Currently, Dan Heng's situation had stabilized; he did not want the figure he once chased to once again become a pawn in the games of various forces.
If the Ten-Lords hadn't intercepted, he would have already issued a pardon and exiled Dan Heng to the beyond.
Unfortunately...
But at least, over the years, the Vidyadhara Preceptors had rarely gone to find him.
The bad part was that they had turned their gaze toward Bailu.
Damn!!
"Then forget it."
Ryuga sighed lightly, a hint of regret flashing in his eyes.
It seemed he would still have to go back to the past to fish people out.
Fortunately, after upgrading "Northern Star's Majesty," he was now unafraid of Shuhu and that "Black Sun."
After speaking, he suddenly raised his hand and tore open a shimmering portal.
Skirk's figure flickered and jumped into it, disappearing without a trace in an instant.
"Where did she go?"
Jing Yuan's heart tightened.
"Don't be afraid. She's just going to see old friends, look at old things, walk old paths, and reminisce about old times."
Ryuga smiled and waved his hand calmly.
The group chat was open, and with Jingliu giving her directions, there was no need to worry about Skirk getting lost.
Jing Yuan: That's exactly what I'm worried about, okay!!
Reminiscing about old times?
What if she triggers Mara-struck again?
And she's still a wanted criminal! He felt his head throbbing.
Ryuga replied in the group chat.
[Desert Reaper]: "Remember, absolutely do not kill anyone. Knocking them out is best. Of course, if there's really no other way, killing is killing, but after that, you probably won't be able to train on the Luofu anymore."
Bringing Skirk here was mainly to temper herself.
Killing would be troublesome.
Furthermore, she was currently wearing Jingliu's skin.
Any deaths would be blamed on Jingliu.
Although she probably wouldn't care.
But defeating an enemy without killing shows true skill and can better train Skirk's fine precision.
Using the minimum force to achieve the maximum effect.
Of course, if a critical moment truly arrived, there was no need to hold back, but once she killed someone, she wouldn't be able to stay and would have to return to Teyvat.
[Frozen Violet Melon]: "Understood. By the way, you're really famous. As soon as I landed, a squad of Cloud Knights spotted me."
[1] "..."
On the other side, just as Skirk had teleported out, a patrolling squad of Cloud Knights happened to pass by, and the captain at the head recognized her on the spot.
"Traitor! Jingliu?!"
"On guard!"
"Form ranks!"
"Quickly notify the General!"
Shouts rang out, swords were unsheathed, and halberds were swung as the Cloud Knight squad charged forward nimbly.
"..."
Skirk's gaze turned cold, her figure darted out, and the longsword in her hand brought forth afterimages.
After a few muffled 'thud, thud, thud' sounds, the members of the Cloud Knight squad all had blood splattered on their foreheads, their vision went dark, and they were knocked unconscious, falling to the ground. It was clean and efficient, without taking a single life.
Soon, the news was reported up through the ranks, and in just a few moments, the information that Jingliu had appeared on the Luofu reached Jing Yuan's desk.
Old Jing's face instantly turned as dark as ink.
What are you guys playing at?!
"..."
Ryuga turned his face away, ignoring Jing Yuan's resentful gaze.
"So, how does one become a High Elder? Since the Vidyadhara are self-governing, it can't be that I am one just because General Jing Yuan says so, right?"
Aponia gave a shallow smile and asked calmly and gently.
"The news of a 'High Elder' appearing on the Luofu has probably spread throughout the Xianzhou by now."
"As long as you walk out of the Seat of Divine Foresight now, they will likely appear immediately."
Jing Yuan lightly tapped the desk and said with a smile.
A chess piece was placed, waiting for the opponent to enter the game.
But who knows who is truly the chess piece and who is the player?
"..."
Aponia lowered her eyelashes; she understood.
This General was entirely using her name to stir up trouble.
A typical hands-off manager.
"Currently, the Vidyadhara are divided into two factions."
"One is the Preceptors, who prioritize power; the other is the Alchemy Commission, who consider themselves orthodox and maintain the High Elder's rituals, which is why the Dragon Lady Bailu is in the Alchemy Commission."
Ryuga's gaze turned slightly cold. With a 'tss' sound, he picked up his tea cup, blew on it, and took a sip.
Imprisoning Bailu before a window and calling it 'protection.'
Ridiculous!
Calling it protection, but actually just using her as a banner, a shield to oppose the Preceptors.
They just saw that Bailu had no power and was easy to bully.
Try that with the old Dan Feng?
He would have beaten the crap out of you long ago.
The Preceptors have repeatedly submitted petitions, requesting the reinstatement of Dan Heng as the High Elder.
And for Bailu, the Seat of Divine Foresight likely has at least dozens of records of attempted assassinations against her.
In the plot, after Dan Heng returns, it's brought out into the open.
"I understand."
"As long as Aponia appears, the Preceptors will definitely come to contact her. They crave a new High Elder with power to lead them."
"And Aponia will rightfully become the High Elder."
Elysia's eyes lit up, and she lightly clapped her hands.
"Smart."
"When the time comes, punishing some of the filthy characters among the Preceptors will be all too simple for Aponia."
Ryuga smiled.
"Then, what about the Alchemy Commission side?"
Elysia understood instantly.
Aponia is a super-strong psychic; controlling a Preceptor puppet would be a simple matter, wouldn't it?
Mere Preceptors are nothing more than marionettes in her palm.
"That side is even simpler!"
Ryuga chuckled, put down his tea cup, and lightly tapped his finger on the desk.
"Since the descent of the 'Hunt' Aeon, Lan, the Alchemy Commission has long since declined. What was once a major site for healers is now just a group of madmen hiding behind medicine furnaces, researching forbidden drugs all day long."
"This won't be hard for you. When the time comes, in the name of the High Elder, just gather some evidence and clear out a batch of the leaders. Furthermore—"
As he spoke, Ryuga's gaze turned cold.
"Just based on the fact that the Alchemy Commission imprisoned the Healer Lady Bailu, you, as the High Elder, can fully hold the Alchemy Commission accountable."
Elysia nodded: "Then when the time comes, I'll take the opportunity to abduct little Bailu."
The hall fell silent for a moment.
Stepping out the door was the Exalting Sanctum, where the lights were as bright as day and the voices of people were like a tide.
Turning the street corner was the most prosperous food street: Aurum Alley.
It wasn't far from the Alchemy Commission either.
The time he spent discussing with Jing Yuan was enough for the High Elder matter to ferment within the Xianzhou.
If it weren't for the fact that the "New Disciples of Sanctus Medicus" hadn't been born yet, and Dan Shu hadn't improved the "Dragon's Transition" recipe, why would it be so troublesome?
Just the matter of "Dragon's Transition" involving the live extraction of Vidyadhara dragon marrow would be enough to clean out the internal Vidyadhara.
"..."
Jing Yuan frowned, always having a feeling that things were sliding out of control?
His original intention was to use Ryuga to suppress the Vidyadhara's separatist tendencies and, along the way, clear up the chaos in the Alchemy Commission.
Those healers were always causing some trouble for him one after another.
But now?
"Miss Aponia, can you manifest your dragon form?"
As Jing Yuan spoke, he added: "I mean, dragon horns, a dragon tail, and... transforming into a dragon."
"I can."
Aponia replied softly.
"Hmm?"
Ryuga was stunned for a moment, then he saw Aponia's ears becoming longer and sharper, and on both sides of her forehead, a pair of dragon horns—one pink and one blue—emerged, shimmering with a dreamlike crystalline glow.
And behind her, a phantom dual-colored dragon tail swayed gently, its scales shimmering like stardust.
Beautiful as hell.
Oh, "Protean Jak'Sho."
He had almost forgotten.
Using "Protean Jak'Sho" can indeed weave illusions, reshape appearance, and change the form seen by outsiders.
As for "transforming into a dragon," Aponia could likewise display the woven dragon form to outsiders.
It was enough to pass for real and deceive the eyes and ears.
Earlier, Aponia had been using "Protean Jak'Sho" to weave her dual-dragon form.
"Then, we will go and prepare first."
Ryuga stood up, leading Elysia and Aponia, and turned to walk out of the Seat of Divine Foresight.
He then looked up and shouted to Pardo, who had already climbed up the pillars to play.
"Pardo, come down."
"Oh!"
Pardo's small figure flipped, landing as lightly and nimbly as a cat.
The four of them soon left the Seat of Divine Foresight.
"By the way, remember to approve a large courtyard for Aponia to use as an orphanage. It needs to be a place that can house a hundred people, something spacious. Mhm, preferably close to Carole."
"As for the matter with Master, you don't need to worry about her; she'll leave when she wants to."
From afar, Ryuga's voice drifted back.
"..."
Jing Yuan stood for a long time without speaking, only feeling that inexplicable sense of losing control tightening.
As for Jingliu?
He was also very helpless.
From the way Ryuga sounded, it seemed Jingliu also had a Curio—that 'marble stone archway'?
Could she really just open a door and leave whenever she wanted?
Then what's the point of trying to catch her?
There's no one on the entire Xianzhou who is a match for Jingliu; if he doesn't pilot the giant robot, he can't take her down at all.
...
Fu Xuan's flat chest heaved for a moment, and she took a deep breath: "General, you trust him just like that? Aren't you afraid of things spiraling out of control?"
"Lady Fu, do not worry; this is an open scheme."
"Even without my pushing, the news of a 'High Elder' appearing on the Luofu cannot be hidden."
"For these hundreds of years, the Vidyadhara have suffered long without a High Elder."
"They will push with all their might for Miss Aponia to take the position."
Jing Yuan shook his head helplessly.
Fu Xuan is so rash; how is she fit to be a General?
Sigh. He didn't know how many more years he could hold on.
Thinking of the Luofu's future, Jing Yuan felt a wave of exhaustion.
"Is it time to choose a disciple?"
Jing Yuan lightly tapped the jade desk, talking to himself. My lovely 'disciple,' where are you?
It was also time for him to choose a successor for himself, an executioner.
Yanqing: Soon, soon, Master, wait for me for another 15 years.
"Mr. Ryuga has no hostility toward the Luofu, and furthermore..."
Emmm... thinking of Jingliu still wandering around the Luofu, Jing Yuan felt his brain buzzing.
"Regardless, Qingzu, first notify the Shackling Prison to have them strengthen their guard."
"I hope another prison break drama won't be staged."
As he spoke, Jing Yuan pinched the bridge of his nose.
"Yes, General."
Qingzu nodded and turned to leave.
...
At this time, inside Aurum Alley.
Ryuga was leading Elysia, Aponia, and Pardo, feasting to their heart's content.
For the sake of the plan, Aponia did not hide her dragon form.
The surroundings were already packed so tightly that not even a drop of water could leak through.
People watched the High Elder before them in shock, too stunned to speak.
"Make way! Make way!"
Suddenly, a series of rough shouts interrupted the noise.
The crowd was forcibly parted, and a squad of Cloud Knights clad in scale armor and holding long halberds strode over aggressively.
The leader stared at Aponia to confirm, his breath hitching and his pupils shrinking abruptly.
In the next instant, he bowed respectfully in greeting.
"Preceptor Taoran, respectfully welcomes the High Elder!".
To be continued…
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