Meanwhile, Dan Heng and Lingsha arrived at Scalegorge Waterscape and met with the current Vidyadhara the Preceptor.
Not long ago, they were investigating the attack on the Borisin in the Prison of Deep Seclusion when they were attacked by one or two remnants of the Demon Yin who were able to hide their tracks.
Lingsha quickly deduced that the prison break from the Prison of Deep Seclusion was orchestrated behind the scenes by high-ranking members of the Vidyadhara faction.
"Long Shi Taoran respectfully welcomes Miss Ling Sha."
The handsome young man turned around and looked at Lingsha.
" Lingsha greets Preceptor Long Shi. It has been a long time since we last exchanged greetings. I have brought a friend with me this time, and he should be considered an outsider."
Lingsha turned slightly to the side, Taoran's gaze naturally fell on Dan Heng behind her.
" Taoran... Elder?" Dan Heng was extremely surprised. "When I was banished, you were already nearing the end of your reincarnation lifespan. But... how did you become like this?"
"All of this is thanks to your past life. If you hadn't acted recklessly back then, why would I have had to seek a perilous path to liberate my entire clan, transforming myself into this inhuman and ghostly form?"
" Mr. Dan Heng, it's a real pity that you've returned twice but never deigned to meet with us old folks. It's quite ironic that we're meeting under these circumstances now."
"I came with Miss Lingsha today not to reminisce," Dan Heng said.
"That's right. Lord Cauldron Master sent an invitation; how could Preceptor not accept?"
Lingsha Lingsha smiled and said, "I am honored to hold the position of Cauldron Master of the Alchemy Commission is in dire need of rebuilding, which is why I am only able to speak with you today. Please forgive me, Elder."
"Regarding the matter of the Prison of Deep Seclusion, I have found some physical evidence and sent it over. Preceptor must have already seen it."
"Hmm." Taoran nodded. "You delivered the [Remains of the Mara-Struck ], the [Map of the Prison of Deep Seclusion ], and a [ Transmutation Arcanum ] to your residence."
"Those remains belonged to an assassin who used the Cloudhymn Magic to conceal their movements, allowing the Borisin to move unimpeded through the Prison of Deep Seclusion."
"That outlined map is the escape route of the prisoners from the Prison of Deep Seclusion. The Vidyadhara craftsman once devised the design for the Prison of Deep Seclusion."
"Presumably, Mr. Taoran also possesses a copy of the same map, and this pill—"
Taoran crossed his arms and laid his cards on the table. "It's the [ Transmutation Arcanum ]. That's right, I played a part in planning the prison break from the Prison of Deep Seclusion."
He was secretly delighted. At this point, with Hoolay causing chaos on the Xianzhou, he wouldn't have the time to bother with Vidyadhara. He stopped pretending.
"So the appearance of the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus and the Lord Ravager in the Alchemy Commission, causing chaos in the Alchemy Commission, introducing the Stellaron, and Vidyadhara the Ambrosial Arbor to be reborn are also related to Chiming?" Lingsha repeatedly confirmed.
"Ha, not bad."
Dan Heng was also stunned. Was this Preceptor just so openly admitting it, without any hesitation?
"Surprised? You two were sent by the Seat of Divine Foresight as envoys, didn't you just want to hear me confess?"
"Since the Imbibitor Lunae's Rebellion, the number of those Vidyadhara the Dharma has dwindled day by day. With the High Elder exiled, I and a few other Preceptor have had no choice but to do our utmost to save the day from imminent collapse."
"The methods may be somewhat radical, and may not be understood, but ultimately they all aim for one thing—'the continued existence of Vidyadhara.'"
"However, the Xianzhou native are determined to eradicate the Plagues Author and remain indifferent to the suffering of those Vidyadhara."
Taoran sighed, " Dan Heng, Lingsha, as members of the Vidyadhara, you should understand my good intentions. All I've done is strive for survival."
"How could I not know the problems that I, as a Vidyadhara, face? Seeking survival is not a sin."
"But the elder's actions have exceeded the bounds of what a survivor should do... He's like a beast that only knows how to Propagation, but has no humanity or compassion whatsoever."
"Oh? Even if we call ourselves 'noble dragons,' we've always been nothing more than upright-walking animals."
"The survival of the race is of paramount importance. If I don't commit bestial acts, Vidyadhara I won't even be able to be considered human!"
"As the ancients said, 'Sages are not benevolent.' Since the High Elder has relinquished his responsibility to maintain the survival of his race, I am left to take all the evil of the world upon myself!"
" Lingsha and Dan Heng, the past is gone, but the future of Vidyadhara still rests in your hands. Now, the situation on the Xianzhou Luofu has changed drastically. We, the Chi Ming, Vidyadhara unite as one and must not repeat the mistakes of the past, such as Imbibitor Lunae."
Lingsha stated, "I was initially skeptical about Luofu Vidyadhara's betrayal of the Alliance... but after hearing the elder confess his sins, I feel that talking about trust is meaningless."
"Violating the Alliance's sacred law will Vidyadhara race. Even if they regain the possibility of reproduction, what then?"
"Quite the opposite," Taoran explained to the two. "Once my plan succeeds, the Alliance will see Vidyadhara as their savior, because the Alliance's and Vidyadhara's ultimate interests are aligned."
"Oh? The discussion about 'survival' fails, so the elders want to talk about 'interests' now?"
" The Alliance and the Denizens of Abundance have fought a bloody war for a thousand years, but no victor has been decided. Have you ever considered why? Because if the Alliance wins, it will become the next Denizens of Abundance; if it loses, the Alliance will be plunged into annihilation."
"Therefore, the Alliance has long maintained this precarious balance with a facade of hypocrisy. But I have a way to transcend this predicament."
"The way to save the Alliance lies in the [ Mystic Dragon Transformation Method ]!"
When the Mystic Dragon Transformation Method was mentioned, Taoran's lips unconsciously curled up slightly:
"Imagine if there were a way to transform other life forms into Vidyadhara. The Alliance would have a constant stream of soldiers, free from the burden of casualties."
Dan Heng's lips twitched for a moment; the more he heard those words, the more familiar they sounded...
"Once the war ends, these soldiers will not continue to multiply, so there is no need to worry about them becoming a plague. This is the solution of the [ Xianzhou Alliance ], the supreme path to eradicate the suffering of the plague throughout the world. Only I, the Vidyadhara, can do it!"
"... Did the elder use this argument to persuade those ignorant people in the Vidyadhara to risk their lives for you?"
" Lingsha is utterly disappointed in you; your thoughts and ideas are beyond human comprehension."
Lingsha could no longer stand it and prepared to call the Cloud Knights forward and arrest Taoran.
"Wait!"
Taoran quickly retreated a few steps. Several remnants of the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus teachings appeared beside him at some point, and they also took ' Bailu, ' the current High Elder of Luofu, hostage.
Dan Heng had no immediate intention of Cloud-Piercer Spear for a fatal blow, not because he was afraid of hurting Bailu, who was being held hostage, but mainly because...
After the Bailu solar term, the air is filled with the sweet aroma of bubble tea.
"You think I don't know why you sent this message? Was it Jing Yuan who sent you to test me?" Taoran's face turned fierce, and he didn't even notice the strange behavior of ' Bailu ' beside him.
"According to the oath the Alliance and the Vidyadhara, one must not cause the Vidyadhara to bleed or be injured within the territory of the Vidyadhara. Are you all going to break this oath in the presence of the High Elder Luofu?"
"Elder, the Holy Land of Vidyadhara and the High Elder are not life-saving charms in your hands!" Lingsha warned repeatedly.
"The elder spoke eloquently and seemingly concerned about the country and its people, his arguments sound and reasonable. But in the end, he still used a little girl as a life-saving charm. It's both laughable and pitiful."
"As I have already said, seeking survival is never a sin. You and I are all Vidyadhara, and should understand my good intentions. As an Vidyadhara being, I have also left you with a dignified way of embracing differences."
"Everyone, now leave the Scalegorge Waterscape and petition the Alliance's higher-ups. Let the Six Charioteers publicly try and punish me, sentencing me to the punishment of having my scales shed, so that I may be reborn."
Taoran brought ' Bailu ' to his side, his intentions were self-evident.
"I'm fully aware of Mr. Taoran's wishful thinking. Reincarnation Vidyadhara erases all sins from the past life... But I'm also well aware of the despicable tricks the Preceptor play during the reincarnation process. You may not be you anymore, but you will still be you."
"I will not easily excuse my past sins by claiming ignorance, nor will I allow you to evade responsibility," Dan Heng said.
" Dan Heng, I've always hated your lack of pragmatism. Even after reincarnation, you haven't changed at all."
Seeing that Taoran had made up his mind, Dan Heng said nothing more.
"Elder, are you really going to do this?"
"Elder, all those things from the past... do you really... not remember them?"
"Oh!"
Taoran Ran, already obsessed, scoffed. Now you want to play the emotional card? Too late!
"All those things from the past, are you referring to... hmm?"
He froze, stiffly turning his head. The words he had just heard didn't seem to have come from Lingsha or Dan Heng; they could only have Bailu, who wasn't even half his height.
Um...
Just as he was wondering, ' Bailu ' kicked away the remaining members of the [ Disciples of Sanctus Medicus ] with unimaginable force, and the smell of milk tea in the air became even stronger.
"What?!"
Taoran was dumbfounded. How did this girl suddenly become so powerful?
While he was still in shock, ' Bailu ' had already leaped in front of him like a ghost and unleashed a heavy punch!
As if out of respect for all things, ' Bailu ' revealed its true form before Taoran was completely embedded in the stone wall.
It would have been better if it hadn't been revealed, but this revelation stunned everyone present, especially the two remaining members of the [ Disciples of Sanctus Medicus ].
They racked their brains but couldn't figure out that the High Elder Vidyadhara actually a creature disguised as a muscular being, half milk tea and half trash can.
On the Skysplitter, Xing, who was still seeking advice from Saileni, suddenly sneezed for some reason.
"Ah, I feel like I missed something very important..."
"It's just your imagination," March 7th said, patting her shoulder affectionately.