Chapter 180

Dragon clan—

Frankly speaking, I also feel that Yukong and their sacrifice is meaningless.

Kaisa gently swirled the champagne in his hand, "The power of the Star God is akin to a nuclear bomb, extremely efficient for slaughter. Relying on this power, when danger arrives, let the Patrolling Star God strike first, then reap the battlefield—wouldn't that be good?"

"Not really." Chu Zihang shook his head slowly, "... It seems like an efficient reliance on the divine, but in reality it is the chronic suicide of the Astral Express civilization's immune system."

Could you lay off the overly academic jargon?

"Fine." Chu Zihang said calmly, "Put simply, if the Astral Express people over-rely on the manifestation of the Patrolling Star God, then doom is inevitable. A civilization that over-relies on the divine will be wiped out the first time it loses divine protection."

Before the Cangcheng Astral Express was devoured by a vivified planet, I didn't believe there were no followers praying to the Star God Lan for help, but judging from the outcome of Cangcheng's destruction... the Star God clearly does not always answer the faithful's summons.

"Your argument actually reminds me of what the headmaster said—" Kaisa suddenly switched to the headmaster's distinctive British accent, "'Why must half-bloods slay dragons? Because even gods have moments of dozing.' So, do you think Yukong and their sacrifice is meaningful?"

Well, only through generation-to-generation resistance and sacrifice can we cultivate stress-resistance genes... that is a civilization's true immune system.

Chu Zihang said lightly, "The stories of the mortals who died in battle before the Star God's descent are more enduring than divine power—because future generations need to remember not 'We were once saved by the Star God,' but 'We are worthy of being saved by the Star God.'"

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"But..." Yukong changed the subject, "I shouldn't have made decisions for others just because of my own fear... even if that person is my daughter. I rudely interfered with your life choices, I'm sorry, this is my failure as a mother."

Qingni's tears welled up, she realized Yukong had finally come around and was willing to let her become a battleship pilot.

"Mom... there's no need to apologize, really no need to apologize."

Yukong looked at her gently, she who had finally understood everything was now willing to firmly decide to support Qingni's dream.

"I worry that you'll walk my path, and even more that you'll walk Caiyi's path. But since this is your choice... I am willing to fully support you until you regret it."

Qingni wiped her excited tears: "Mom... I still have one small request..."

Yukong: "Go ahead, tell me."

"I want... to fly together with you once." Qingni looked at her with eager anticipation.

"Hmm..." Yukong slowly turned her head: "That won't do. I won't fly again."

"But... why?"

Gazing at the star rafts speeding to and fro beyond the Yujie Gate in the distance, those streams of light flickered and vanished in an instant... Yukong calmly shook her head.

"Because I have already touched the sky."

What went wrong with trying to pick up girls in a dungeon?

At night.

Just now, Hesitiya, who had been watching this mother and daughter reconcile, lay on the bed, her feet tapping the sofa's backrest, her gloomy voice echoing in the narrow basement.

"Ahhhh Bei'er Jun—! I can't sleep! Every time I close my eyes, my mind is filled with Yukong, ahhh uhhh uhhh..."

Bei'er skillfully covered the girl's legs with the kicked-off blanket, smiling slightly: "Upper God, please rest well. Yukong's story can wait until tomorrow to chat."

"Hmm... but..." Hesitiya turned to the side, looking at Bei'er asleep on the sofa, and murmured, "Bei'er Jun, if I were like Yukong and locked you up at home, forbidding you from going on adventures, what would you do?"

"Uh... this question..." Bei'er scratched his head, "I'd probably do the same as Qingni—like sneaking out, for example... but would the Upper God really do that?"

Just supposing! It's only a hypothesis!

Hesitiya's fingers unconsciously twirled the ends of her hair: "I would never confine important people in a cage, even if—even if it came to Bei'er Jun..."

The timely pause made the boy's ear tips instantly flush red, and Bei'er, feeling a bit embarrassed, lowered his head: "Upper, Upper God..."

Silence immediately spread through the basement until the clock tower's time signal came from outside.

Bei'er sprang to his feet: "I-I'll go brew a fresh pot of tea! With double the sugar cubes!"

Hesitiya burst out laughing: "Idiot Bei'er Jun, changing the subject is too obvious! But I want triple the sugar cubes, and then I'll keep you company watching the sky until dawn."

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Watching Yukong and Qingni, this mother and daughter, reconcile, Xing finally put his mind at ease.

Just as she was planning to return to the inn with Mister Walte, her phone vibrated again, and someone sent her another message.

After the war, Dan Heng, who had been recuperating, has recovered quite well; he wants to take advantage of still being in the Astral Express to meet the current Cherishing Light Dragon Sovereign. On this trip, he intends to invite Xing to come along.

Arriving at the Ruomu Pavilion agreed upon in the message, Xing spotted Dan Heng from afar chatting with a Cherishing Light woman.

The woman's name is Huanxi, a lady-in-waiting attending the current Cherishing Light Dragon Sovereign Bailu; after finishing the arrangements for the audience, she herself actually had an improper request for Dan Heng.

But, before explaining...

Huanxi glanced at the Xing slowly approaching beside Dan Heng and asked, "May I ask who this is?"

"Just pretend I'm a streetlamp!" Xing said with a straight face, spouting nonsense.

Sorry, there are no eavesdropping streetlamps on the Astral Express. I'm in a discussion with Mister Dan Heng; unrelated personnel, please withdraw.

Fortunately, Dan Heng promptly explained Xing's identity, and after dispelling Huanxi's doubts, she also frankly stated her request: 'Then I hope you will not meet Miss Bailu.'

"Did the Dragon Sovereign's maid, Shinü, take it upon herself to block guests for the master?" Xing furrowed his brow, feeling that things were not simple.

Huanxi sighed and slowly explained: "Perhaps you should know. Miss Bailu's becoming the Dragon Sovereign was neither according to regulation nor her own wish—it was the result of the previous Dragon Sovereign, Dan Feng, acting stubbornly on his own; his arrogant and arbitrary decisions caused the Luofu Dragon Sovereign Inheritance to be severed."

"The Dragon Masters heard the news of Mister Dan Heng's return and, for a moment, didn't know whether it was good or bad. But everyone was guessing that the Luofu Dragon Sovereign Inheritance might be recovered, restored to unity—a cause for celebration."

"Whether choosing a worthy successor per clan rules, or… or you retaking the position, there is still room for a turnaround."

""However, if Lord Danheng entrusts everything to Miss Bailu to inherit, it would surely cause a great turmoil, which would be of no benefit to her either.""