"Hmph, those old geezers in the vidyadhara were still trying to split the authority among themselves, and now the only thing they can think about is who should become the High Elder."
Fu Xuan's small face was filled with astonishment as she remarked, clearly finding the sudden change in the vidyadhara leadership rather amusing.
Jingliu and Baiheng exchanged silent glances, and both saw the same mixture of helplessness and amusement reflected in each other's eyes.
As expected of Lucian—he always managed to accomplish the impossible in the most unexpected ways, often leaving everyone else struggling to figure out how he had done it in the first place.
"Hm, what an astonishing method..." Kafka elegantly lifted her teacup, took a refined sip, and smiled faintly. "As expected, you're still hiding quite a few secrets."
She had always known Lucian was holding something back, yet every time she thought she had reached the limit of what he was capable of, he revealed another unbelievable ability.
Rather than satisfying her curiosity, each new revelation only made her want to learn even more about him, as though there were always another layer hidden beneath everything he showed them.
"Gotta admit, you're freaking awesome, partner."
Silver Wolf simply raised a thumbs-up, her expression showing just how impressed she was.
Phantylia, meanwhile, upon witnessing Lucian displaying such miraculous power for the first time, immediately had countless thoughts flood her mind.
If he could restore power that had been split apart, then perhaps he could also restore an Emanator's shattered authority. Maybe there was even a chance for her to become an Emanator of Destruction once again.
The mere possibility filled her heart with anticipation, and the more she thought about it, the more excited she became.
'Looks like I'll have to suck up to him even more, behave myself, and make him happy. First I'll earn the divine fruit as a reward, then become an Emanator. Perfect.'
Before she knew it, Phantylia had already envisioned a bright and glorious future for herself, complete with all the possibilities that had seemed utterly impossible only moments ago.
Blade merely glanced over, let out a quiet snort, and remained silent.
Meanwhile, Dan Feng looked at Dan Heng and Bailu, whose auras had both undergone dramatic transformations. A complicated yet deeply relieved smile gradually appeared on his face as he watched the two of them.
Perhaps, this truly was the best possible outcome.
Bailu had inherited the complete power of Imbibitor Lunae, granting her the strength to protect herself while also enjoying Lucian's protection. With such power at her disposal, she would no longer have to rely entirely on others whenever danger arose.
Dan Heng had likewise regained the complete power of Imbibitor Lunae and would continue traveling aboard the Astral Express, allowing him to pursue the path he had chosen for himself without having to bear the burden of an incomplete inheritance.
Needless to say, with two successors now carrying identical inheritances, Imbibitor Lunae's legacy would never again risk disappearing.
In other words, Dan Feng could finally return to the Scalegorge Waterscape without any lingering concerns and properly restore order to the increasingly chaotic vidyadhara. At least now, he could devote his attention to the problems there without constantly worrying that the inheritance he had once carried would be lost again.
Unable to contain her excitement, Bailu happily ran over to Dan Heng and curiously sensed the power flowing from him. Her eyes lit up as she carefully examined the familiar yet powerful aura surrounding him.
"Whoa! Dan Heng, you got stronger too!"
Bailu immediately skipped back to Dan Feng and carefully sensed his power as well.
After confirming her suspicions, the little girl proudly planted her hands on her hips, puffed out her tiny chest, and declared with boundless confidence.
"Now the three of us are equally strong! Let's see who dares bully me anymore! From now on, we're Fyxestroll Garden's High Elder Trio! Papa's the team leader!"
Lucian blinked at her sudden declaration before laughing helplessly.
"So, I've become the boss of a crime syndicate now?"
As soon as those words left his mouth, the entire courtyard erupted into laughter.
Needless to say, the unexpectedly hilarious exchange between Lucian and Bailu pushed the already cheerful atmosphere of the party to an even greater height, and for a moment, everyone's previous concerns seemed to have been left behind.
As for how the vidyadhara leadership would react after learning this earth-shattering news, that was a headache for Jing Yuan and Dan Feng to worry about. Whatever arguments, disputes, or headaches followed would have to be dealt with after they returned.
At least for this moment, Fyxestroll Garden was filled with nothing but the rich aroma of grilled meat, carefree laughter, and an abundance of vidyadhara, creating a rare atmosphere of peace and warmth.
===
The following day, after the brief but lively reunion finally came to an end, everyone gradually returned to their respective responsibilities.
Kafka straightened her jacket before gracefully bowing toward Lucian, Jing Yuan, and everyone else present.
"Thank you all for your hospitality, especially you, Lucian. It's time for us to return and report to Elio."
She paused for a moment before smiling knowingly, her eyes carrying that familiar hint of curiosity.
"Well, the next time we meet, I hope you'll have something I actually want to hear."
Right after saying that, she turned toward Jing Yuan.
"General Jing Yuan, thank you for going against your conscience to cover for us Stellaron Hunters."
Her words immediately made Jing Yuan's expression twitch.
What did she mean by 'going against your conscience'?
"I simply didn't want to ruin Lucian's plans, so I decided to let you go."
Having no intention of wasting any more words on the Stellaron Hunters, Jing Yuan turned his head away without another glance, clearly unwilling to give Kafka another opportunity to twist his words.
Silver Wolf casually chewed her bubble gum while waving at Lucian.
"Thanks, partner. Next time you're catching another Lord Ravager, remember to bring me along. I wanna catch one myself too."
Blade, meanwhile, stood silently at the rear with the Shard Sword resting in his arms. His complicated gaze lingered briefly on Dan Feng, who stood behind the group, as countless thoughts seemed to pass through his mind.
But after a long silence, he ultimately chose not to say a single word. Instead, he simply gave Lucian a slight, silent nod as his farewell before turning away with the others.
"Yingxing!" Dan Feng suddenly stepped forward. "Where are you going?"
"Going home. Looking for death."
Blade answered without the slightest hesitation.
"Can you not go looking for death?"
Dan Feng asked with a frown, his expression becoming somewhat helpless.
"If I don't, are you going to support me?"
Blade glanced at him indifferently.
"Sure."
Dan Feng answered without even pausing to think.
"..."
Kafka and Silver Wolf wore flat expressions, finding the conversation too unbearable to continue listening to, and neither of them wanted to hear where it might go next.
"Bladie, listen to me. It's time to go."
Kafka directly used her Spirit Whisper and took Blade away without hesitation.
Just before leaving, however, she stepped close to Lucian and leaned toward his ear, whispering softly enough that only the two of them could hear.
"By the way... thank you for not hurting Blade. It won't be long before we meet again."
Hearing that, Lucian merely raised an eyebrow before responding with a faint, noncommittal smile.
And so, the three Stellaron Hunters departed together, their figures gradually vanishing into the distance.
Dan Feng remained standing exactly where he was, silently watching Blade's departing figure until it completely disappeared from sight.
'Once I reclaim my position as the High Elder, I'll definitely bring Yingxing back... and make him stay.'
Deep inside, Dan Feng found himself making a silent promise before turning toward Lucian and respectfully bowing.
"Teacher, words cannot express my gratitude. I'll return to the Scalegorge Waterscape immediately. It's time to settle some old debts."
Dan Feng's eyes sharpened, and the imposing dignity that had once belonged to the former High Elder gradually resurfaced.
With his complete power restored and an overwhelming figure like Lucian quietly supporting him from the shadows, Dan Feng's confidence in reclaiming control of the Xianzhou Luofu's vidyadhara had increased tremendously.
Although he had once committed grave sins, no one could deny that his intentions had always been sincere. Now that the vidyadhara of the Xianzhou Luofu had already decayed from within, someone had to restore it.
Dan Feng then turned toward Jing Yuan and Fu Xuan.
"Jing Yuan, Master Diviner Fu, the vidyadhara's internal affairs may become somewhat turbulent from here on, but I'll resolve everything as quickly as possible and won't cause any trouble for the Luofu."
"No problem. Go stir things up as much as you need." Jing Yuan merely smiled and waved dismissively. "If you require the Cloud Knights to maintain order, just let me or Master Diviner Fu know."
Standing beside him, Fu Xuan silently nodded in agreement.
Finally, Dan Feng looked toward Dan Heng and simply gave him a nod, since nothing needed to be said between them.
In the next instant, Dan Feng's figure transformed into a streak of azure light that shot toward the Scalegorge Waterscape.
A few moments later, once the various groups had finally departed, Lucian stretched lazily before clapping his hands together.
"Alright, the show's over. Time for us to head out too. Himeko, is the Astral Express ready? Our next stop's Penacony. There are still two troublemakers waiting for me over there."
"We can depart at any time."
Himeko smiled gently as she answered.
Lucian nodded, but before leaving, he pulled Jingliu into his arms and softly kissed her rosy lips, then embraced Baiheng and kissed her delicate lips as well.
Finally, he lifted Fu Xuan into his arms before giving her cherry-red lips a gentle kiss.
"Take good care of Bailu. I'll be away on business for a few days."
At Lucian's words, Jingliu gently reached up and caressed his cheek.
"Mm. I'll keep an eye on her."
Jingliu nodded and gently promised.
"Don't worry, darling! We won't cause any trouble!"
Baiheng grinned brightly and raised her fist.
"When I miss you, you have to come back."
Fu Xuan spoke softly as she tightly held onto Lucian's hand.
"Alright. I'm off."
Lucian smiled and nodded.
Bailu, meanwhile, remained fast asleep inside the house, breathing softly without the slightest sign of waking up. At the Alchemy Commission, someone would always supervise her daily routine, but here, she was free to sleep for as long as she pleased.
After all, children were supposed to get plenty of sleep.
Lucian casually teleported Stelle, March, Evernight, Himeko, and Dan Heng back onto the Astral Express one after another.
Soon afterward, the Astral Express slowly departed from the Xianzhou Luofu, transforming into a brilliant streak of light before disappearing into the vast sea of stars.
===
Some time later, inside the Arbiter-General's residence of the Xianzhou Fanghu, the Seat of Seiche Queller, General Xuanquan was engaged in a confidential discussion with the Fanghu's Vidyadhara High Elder, Glaciator Marum, whose elegant figure radiated a naturally cool temperament and a faint aura of frost.
At this moment, Jing Yuan's projection floated quietly in midair as he delivered astonishing news.
Imbibitor Lunae Dan Feng had been resurrected by Lucian, so now, the Xianzhou Luofu possessed not one, but three complete Imbibitor Lunae—Dan Feng, Dan Heng, and Bailu.
As the homeland of the vidyadhara and the seat of the foremost among the Five Vidyadhara High Elders, the Xianzhou Fanghu naturally had to be informed of such an earth-shattering development.
As soon as Xuanquan and Glaciator Marum heard that Imbibitor Lunae had not only returned from the dead but had somehow produced two additional complete inheritances of the High Elder's power, both of them instinctively frowned.
"Lucian again? Why does he always end up stirring up trouble for us, vidyadhara?"
Xuanquan rubbed her forehead before giving Glaciator Marum a strange look.
"Glaciator Marum... does he have a thing for you or something? Is he trying to get your attention?"
===
[A bonus chapter for reaching 400 Power Stones]
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