Below, Blade suddenly burst up from the underground of the Divination Commission. A streak of green swordlight flashed, and in an instant, Kafka was free.
"Goodbye, everyone from the Astral Express." At the edge of the Divination Commission, Kafka spread her arms and leaped away, vanishing from view.
"W-what do we do now?" March 7th asked, flustered.
"Don't panic. There's a good chance the Luofu Xianzhou authorities allowed them to leave. Let's go find the general first. As for Xiao Xi..." Welt calmly assessed the situation.
"I'll go find Dan Heng. Based on the clues we've gathered, Blade and Kafka most likely went after him," Xiao Xi said seriously.
"Good. Then that's what we'll do."
Where was Dan Heng most likely to go? The Luofu's crisis centered on the Ambrosial Arbor's revival and the Stellaron disaster. From the information Kafka had brought, it was clear that the two were now practically one and the same. So was their point of convergence most likely in the Scalegorge Waterscape? Either way, she should go check.
At Scalegorge Sea, in front of the Scalegorge Waterscape, Xiao Xi sensed Dan Heng's presence along the edge of the beach after hurrying all the way there.
"Dan Heng! I finally found you. You haven't run into the Stellaron Hunters, have you?" Xiao Xi asked as she hurried over.
"Xiao Xi, what are you doing here? Are our friends on the train all right?" Dan Heng was clearly taken aback to see her.
"Everyone was fine when I left. If nothing unexpected happens, both our groups should meet up in the Scalegorge Waterscape in the end, since that's where the Ambrosial Arbor is." Xiao Xi explained the situation in detail.
"I see. That's a relief. In any case, let's hurry to the Scalegorge Waterscape. We have to get there before anything happens."
"Okay..."
"Five people, three prices. Dan Heng, you're one of them. Do you think you can just walk away from the sins you committed centuries ago, Dan Feng?" A green barrier appeared, and Blade and Kafka, who had escaped earlier, stepped out of it.
"Miss Xiao Xi, we meet again," Kafka greeted her.
As soon as Kafka spoke, Blade unleashed an incredibly sharp slash.
"Dan Heng, watch out!" At the last possible moment, a chain woven from golden flames wrapped around the incoming Drifting sword and knocked it off course.
"Dan Feng, is hiding behind your companions all you can do...?" Blade taunted.
"...First, I'm not Dan Feng. Second, if you insist on believing that, then I won't let you hurt my companions."
As Dan Heng spoke, a waterspout enveloped him. At the same time, his presence grew steadily stronger. When the curtain of water dispersed—
Dan Heng's attire had changed. Jade-green antlers had sprouted from his head, and a lotus made of water floated beneath him.
"Xiao Xi, since these are the sins my past life left behind, I should be the one to settle them now."
"Are you sure you can handle it?"
"Don't worry. I still have to go see March and the others with you."
"All right." Xiao Xi nodded, then turned her gaze to Kafka. "Then we'll stay here and watch. You won't interfere, will you, Kafka?"
"Don't worry, Miss Xiao Xi. This is Blade's own business, so I naturally won't intervene. Besides, aren't you here to keep an eye on me?"
"I hope so." Although Kafka had said that, Xiao Xi didn't let her guard down.