Jing Yuan was injured.
Fortunately, not seriously.
It was exhaustion more than anything—days of relentless work, followed by a full-scale battle against Phantylia.
The Lightning Lord hadn't been able to destroy the Undying Divine Fruit body.
But neither had Phantylia managed to overpower him.
Bailu prescribed medicine.
Then added:
"Rest more. Eat more. Have fun more."
As for taboos?
In the Dragon Lady's worldview, there were none.
If you ate well, played well, and lived well—
You healed well.
Simple.
If the Xianzhou had foot massage parlors, Jing Yuan would've gone immediately.
"Grand wellness therapy," he muttered wistfully.
But with Bailu present—
Her "Thunder King" acupuncture technique was far more effective.
Welt chuckled softly.
"General Jing Yuan truly is… interesting."
"The Astral Express never refuses those with the will to Trailblaze."
"If you carry that spirit, you are already Nameless."
Jing Yuan smiled faintly.
"It's not that simple."
"Fu Xuan shows me no mercy."
"I'm injured, yet still working."
"And those elders are already sending inspection teams."
"Sigh. Such a tragic fate."
Fu Xuan crossed her arms.
"General. I heard your entire conversation in Scalegorge."
"Dragon Lady clearly said it was only old injuries flaring up."
"You handed half your duties to me."
"And spent the last two days eating and drinking with them."
"Don't pretend."
Jing Yuan coughed lightly.
Then Fu Xuan grew serious.
"But this was close."
"An Emanator of Erudition… who is also a Nameless."
"Without him…"
Jing Yuan nodded.
When the Genius Society's 85th seat appeared, Fu Xuan's Divination Array had already sensed a shift.
But no one expected—
Their first cooperation would be a catastrophe-level crisis.
March and Stelle fell silent.
They hadn't known.
That idiot—
Was actually an Emanator.
Of Erudition.
If they'd known, they wouldn't have worried so much.
That jerk.
Welt shook his head.
"No matter his title."
"He is still Nameless."
Jing Yuan smiled.
"Yes… Nameless."
Just like Baiheng once was.
No matter the identity—
In the end—
Only a Nameless.
Then Jing Yuan frowned.
"Where are Dan Heng and Su Heng?"
"…Oh."
March blinked.
"They said they're leaving soon."
"So before that, they're going to back Bailu up."
"Probably went to find her."
Silence.
Jing Yuan froze.
"…What?"
Even Yanqing was gone.
Oh no.
Backing Bailu up.
That meant—
The Dragon Preceptors.
Disaster.
He would rather duel Phantylia again.
At least that was clean.
Internal politics?
Nightmare.
Vidyadhara Enclave — Luofu
Three figures appeared.
One blond youth with his face partially covered by a scarf.
"Teacher Su…"
"Are we really doing this?"
"They're Dragon Preceptors…"
Yanqing whispered.
Su Heng shrugged.
"What do Dragon Preceptors have to do with me?"
"I'm not Xianzhou."
Dan Heng stepped forward calmly.
"I am Nameless."
"Xianzhou law does not bind me."
Yanqing swallowed.
Su Heng smiled faintly.
"Tell me, little swordsman."
"When a small girl is bullied—"
"What should a swordsman do?"
Yanqing's grip tightened on his sword.
"Uphold justice."
"Exactly."
Su Heng casually swung once.
No technique.
No flourish.
Just a light motion.
A Tai-Xu sword qi cut across the ground—
A massive fissure split the earth between Bailu and the Dragon Preceptors.
The crack ran deep.
Terrifyingly precise.
Dan Heng stepped out from behind the stone.
Spear in hand.
Cold expression.
The Vidyadhara internal rot was undeniable.
Evidence had already surfaced—
Dragon Preceptors colluding with the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus.
Letters referencing "the messenger" and "the seed."
Likely Destruction Emanator and Stellaron.
And a "restless girl" used as leverage.
Bailu may have been—
A hostage.
An experimental subject.
For the Dragon Preceptors' ambitions.
Unforgivable.
"Dan Heng! Su Heng-ge!"
"You really came!"
Bailu's eyes shone.
Su Heng walked forward.
"Promised I'd back you."
He gently patted her head.
Then looked up.
At the four Dragon Preceptors.
Especially—
Taoran.
That aura.
Faint.
But unmistakable.
Residual Arbor energy.
Abundance corruption.
Dan Heng's gaze sharpened.
"Ambrosial Arbor."
"You've fallen far."
One Preceptor forced a smile.
"Dan Feng, you've returned."
"With you back, the Vidyadhara can stabilize."
Dan Heng's voice was ice.
"I am not Dan Feng."
"I have no interest in the Dragon Lord seat."
"I am here because I made her a promise."
Another Preceptor snapped:
"This is Vidyadhara internal affairs."
"Outsiders have no right to interfere."
Su Heng tilted his head.
"Xianzhou law?"
"I'm not Xianzhou."
"Dan Heng?"
"I am Nameless."
Dan Heng's faint smile was cold.
"Xianzhou law does not apply to me."
"Dan Feng!"
Now they panicked.
If Dan Heng refused identity—
They lost leverage.
Su Heng crouched slightly.
"Bailu."
"Say what you want."
"I'm here."
"I'll decide."
Bailu grabbed his sleeve—
And burst into tears.
"I don't want to be Dragon Lord!"
"I don't want to be used!"
"I don't want to stay here!"
"I want to travel!"
The Preceptors' faces darkened.
"You dare!"
"This is Vidyadhara governance!"
"Leave now! We won't pursue that earlier strike!"
Su Heng laughed softly.
"That strike?"
"That was mercy."
He stepped forward.
Eyes cold.
"You Dragon Preceptors."
"Really do look like stray dogs."
Silence fell.
Yanqing's sword hummed.
Dan Heng's spear lowered slightly.
The air turned sharp.
This wasn't politics anymore.
This was judgment.
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