Chapter 153

The atmosphere between them suddenly grew somewhat stifling and awkward.

To break this tense atmosphere, Jing Yuan gave a small smile and spoke up: "Let's chat about something happy. The friends you met on the train are right here—don't you want to see them?"

"Xing, San Yue, and Uncle Yang… did you bring them here?"

"Exactly, right ahead at the Manifest Dragon Grand Sacrifice Hall." Jing Yuan took the lead, turned and smiled at Dan Heng. "Come on, your friends are waiting for you."

Slaying Crimson Red Eye—

"Jing Yuan really has everyone figured out—not just Dan Heng, but even Ren hasn't been spared." Najieta chuckled, lit a cigarette, and said, "Having Ren force Dan Heng to reveal his Dragon Sovereign form is probably part of his plan too, right?"

"But there's still a slip‑through—they didn't factor in his beautiful master." Lei Onai spread her hands. "Wouldn't it be better to let Jingliu deal with the Emissary of Destruction?"

"…Lei Onai, saying that just shows you're underestimating her Demonic Yin Body." Najieta exhaled a puff of smoke. "You know, when her Demonic Yin Body erupts, even her disciple Jing Yuan would be cut down without hesitation. Who knows which of the train crew will end up dying at Huanlong's hands or under Jingliu's blade?"

Someone with such immense power and zero controllability must be the first struck from the plan.

"And… Lei Onai, haven't you noticed anything? Jingliu, Jing Yuan, and Dan Heng obviously knew each other long ago, but they went their separate ways because of some incident years ago—most likely related to the 'Great Sinner' Dan Feng."

"If Jingliu were to see Dan Heng's face, remember an old acquaintance, and trigger her Demonic Yin Body, she might lash out and hurt someone." Najieta imagined it briefly and shuddered.

If that scene were real, Jing Yuan would probably have to rush out overnight to bring Kafka back.

Dan Heng and Jing Yuan walked side by side toward the Manifest Dragon Grand Sacrifice Hall ahead.

Along the way they passed an ancient mirage, gazing into the distant primordial sea.

"According to our records, this body of water is a portion of the Hot Sea our clan brought from our homeland, pure and unblemished." The old voice said, "The Dragon Ancestor nurtures us with the waters of life, granting us everlasting immortality. Having emerged from here, we must return here."

"The mirage of the Everlasting Elder stirred Jing Yuan's memories of the past. He told Dan Heng, 'Do you know? When Dan Feng committed a grave crime, the Ten Kings Office pushed to destroy you. As for the Everlasting, half agreed, half opposed. Haha, because the Dragon Transformation Inheritance was only half‑complete. The Everlasting Elder hates you, yet dare not kill you.'"

"To give an account to the Ten Kings Office and the Heavenly Vessel Office, under pressure they still carried out the Forced Scale‑Shedding Technique on Dan Feng—but deliberately left a flaw. The elder thought he could hide it from the Ten Kings Office, heh, what a clever scheme, but paper can't contain fire."

Dan Heng remained silent; the past Jing Yuan spoke of was simply too distant.

Upon reaching the Manifest Dragon Grand Sacrifice Hall, they saw Xing battling a squad of the Antimatter Legion.

"Look, your friends are fighting the legion's lackeys… hurry up, we'll lend a hand." Jing Yuan urged.

But Dan Heng had already moved; without needing Jing Yuan's reminder, the Heavy Abyss Pearl in his hand began to spin, and he lifted his fingers slightly: "Heavenly Flood Rush!"

The towering waves turned into a surging water dragon that smashed into the Antimatter Legion on the battlefield, instantly grinding the foes to dust.

When the water receded, only a large crater remained—identical to the one left when Yan Qing was struck.

Emiya House—

"Hmm… ever since he got that Heavy Abyss Pearl, this kid's strength has jumped up more than one tier." Ku Qiu Lin carefully examined the small bead in Dan Heng's hand. "His attack style shifted all at once from Lancer to Caster, and his whole demeanor underwent a fundamental change."

"How about it? Are you also thinking of switching your class from Lancer?" The Saber sitting opposite the brazier gave a curious glance.

As a hero of Celtic myth, Ku Qiu Lin also masters the eighteen Original Runes; if he wishes, he can fully qualify as a Caster.

"…It's not impossible, but for now this spear feels more natural to wield."

Ku Qiu Lin waved his hand, his face showing considerable regret, "I originally still planned to learn a few moves of the Astral Express spear technique from Dan Heng, but unexpectedly halfway through it turned into a magic attack... Oh well, oh well, anyway I can't learn it."

Seeing Jing Liu and Yan Qing take action, Assassin and Saber seemed to have gained something; although his original intention in coming to the Wei Gong Jia household was just to mooch a meal…… but thinking that in the end only he would return empty-handed, he still couldn't help feeling a bit envious.

——

"Jing Yuan, you finally came!" Fu Xuan turned around and saw Jing Yuan and Dan Heng rushing over together, delighted.

"Haha, I'm late, thanks to Fu Qing's support all along the way. I've already received the battle report sent by the Shen Ce Fu; as for Huan Long's plan..."

"Jian Mu—the greatest omen is right there." Fu Xuan blurted out, "It is said that the means of the Great Emperor of Annihilation, Huan Long, is to cause things to self-destruct through internal chaos. She surely intends to lay hands on Jian Mu, spreading the power of the Longevity Plague and Calamitous Ancestor... turning Luo Fu into a hellish realm where undead monsters roam."

"Hmm, I already know." Jing Yuan gestured for her not to say these for now, turned his head to look at Xing and the others, "Everyone of the Astral Express crew, I've brought someone you surely want to meet."

Dan Heng silently stepped out from behind Jing Yuan.

Faced with this extraordinarily noble youngster before him, March 7 couldn't believe his eyes, covering his mouth he softly exclaimed, "You... you're Dan Heng?! No way..."

March 7 examined Dan Heng up and down several times, yet still couldn't believe it: "You... are Dan Heng, right? What's with those horns on your head?"

"It's a long story, March." There's too much to explain; Dan Heng didn't know where to start: "In short, it's me."

"No, you really have hidden power?!" March 7, though he didn't quite understand, was greatly shocked.

"Back when we casually said it in Yarilo VI, it actually turned out to be true? Could she be the great prophet?"

Inside Saint Freya Academy—

"Bu Luo Ni Ya sister, I have a question." Xi Er furrowed her brows slightly, feeling things weren't that simple.

"What's the question?"

"Sister, do you still remember the underground boxing arena in Yarilo VI?" Xi Er recalled, "Back then San Bo gave Dan Heng the nickname 'Cold Noodle Little Azure Dragon'—compared to others, he seemed to have already known Dan Heng's true identity."

"Indeed." Bu Luo Ni Ya, although she didn't much like this oily-tongued type of person, was still quite interested in the hidden forces behind him.

"Even though you have the strength to see through Dan Heng's true identity at a glance, you still like to act weak in front of everyone, Ha Ji Sang, you bastard..."