Chapter 186

"The Ciming Tribe has no parents or family; after birth, there will be a mentor who teaches the young Ciming the cloud-chant arts and various kinds of life knowledge."

Cloud Chant Technique

"If you're asking about the Ciming Tribe's tradition, I have no such experience; I have long been a Wanderer unable to return to my homeland, and in my fragmented dreams I sometimes see old comrades met in battle."

"Speaking of this, Dan Heng seemed to recall something, a faint smile appearing at the corner of his mouth: 'But on the journey, I always manage to meet people who could be called mentors.'"

"'Since I can remember, only the Dragon Masters have told me what to do here and there, and only the medics of Dan Ding Si have asked me to heal and save people. I truly don't know whether that counts as being a mentor.'"

"Bai Lu turned her head to look at Dan Heng, smiling gently: 'Do you know? You are exactly like the mentor I have been waiting for a long time. 'Former life's virtuous bond, next life's teacher'... Perhaps we were friends or master and disciple in a past life.'"

Alchemy Cauldron Office

"Dan Heng initially worried that Bai Lu only had the title but lacked the Dragon Sovereign's power, but now he realized he was overthinking—Bai Lu not only possesses it, but it is uniquely his Dragon Sovereign's power, which reweaves the seal and forms the vital force of the Mysterious Root."

"This is completely different from the destructive power he bears."

Astral Express

Filien

"No wonder Dan Heng can open the Jianmu seal but cannot close it—apparently he has inherited only part of Dan Feng's power."

"If we could combine their Dragon Sovereign powers, we might be able to glimpse the full power of the previous Dragon Sovereign—too bad..." Xiu Ta'erke's gaze shifted away from Dan Heng, and he sighed regretfully.

"If Mr. Dan Heng leaves Luofu aboard the Astral Express, wouldn't that mean the Ciming Tribe's Dragon Sovereign lineage will forever be lacking this portion of power?"

"Filien felt that although Dan Heng mastering a portion of the Dragon Sovereign's power is good, if it consequently prevents the Dragon Sovereign from being fully passed down, then in the long run it would not be beneficial for the Ciming's development."

"'Filien, don't think too much about it... Dan Heng is also of the Ciming Tribe; the Ciming's characteristic is self-reliance through reincarnation, so as long as Dan Heng doesn't die out there, after a few years when he undergoes metamorphosis, his soul will also return to this ancient sea, bringing back the remaining Dragon Sovereign's power, right?' Fuli Lian guessed."

"However, the Ciming Tribe can also live a very long time; by then Filien and the others might not necessarily witness this scene. After a few more centuries, I myself might have the chance to see a Dragon Sovereign with complete power—thinking this way, perhaps I don't need to wait long."

"After a brief discussion about each of their Dragon Sovereign powers, Bai Lu first returned."

"'Dan Heng, shall we go too? March 7 and Uncle Yang have come to pick us up; they're waiting up ahead,' Xing reminded from beside."

Response Star

"Following Xing, Dan Heng's steps suddenly halted before the Xianlong Grand Sacrifice Hall."

"Wind swept over the stone steps before the hall, lifting threads of the ancient sea's damp humidity. He raised his head, his gaze falling upon the mottled statue in the hall—its once majestic outline eroded by time, badly damaged, only the stone carving's spear tip and gaze pointing toward the distance, as if awaiting an appointment that will never come."

"——'Yueyin! Don't just stand there spacing out, the wine's going to get cold!'"

"Dan Heng jerked his head back, as if hearing that familiar voice again."

"On the other side of the statue, it seemed four people still stood—Jing Yuan's eyes held a smile as his fingertips turned the wine cup; Jing Liu's usual snow‑covered face seemed brushed by a warm breeze, rare a tender smile; even Ying Xing, who never smiles lightly, now had a hint of softness in his eyes; and Bai Heng——"

"The fox‑woman laughed as she downed the drink in one gulp, her eyes crescent like a new moon, the silver bell hanging from her hair tinkling softly in the breeze."

Scale Abyss Realm

Jianmu Seal

"Bai Heng, don't make things difficult for them; those two are still thinking about their previous match against Jing Liu, huh?"

"Want to have another match? I'd be happy to."

"..."

——

Teyvat

"Heroes of the mortal world, they gather and part from time to time."

At Wangshu Inn, Zhongli raised his head to gaze at the past scenes of the Cloud Retainer Five Warriors, murmuring with feeling.

The beautiful past of the Cloud Retainer Five Warriors likewise stirred Xiao's memory, causing his brow to furrow imperceptibly, as if scorched by karmic obstacles, or as if stabbed by surging memories.

He lowered his gaze, and something in his golden pupils trembled slightly.

In a hazy moment——

He recalled how Floating Temple would always, while he was resting, doodle on his face—sometimes a clumsy turtle, sometimes a crude bird. He also recalled how Famine would always sprinkle a few dried Cleansing Heart petals into his almond tofu, adding a hint of bitterness to its sweetness……

"Xiao, you always keep such a stern face; be careful, or you'll forget how to smile."

——Yingda's voice sounded as if it were by his ear, carrying a teasing smile.

He abruptly closed his eyes, turned his head, and no longer looked at the light screen showing the Cloud Retainer Five Warriors' past; those warm memories now felt like thousands of needles pricking him……

His Adam's apple rolled; Xiao forced himself to take a deep breath, barely suppressing the myriad emotions.

"……What are you thinking of?" Zhongli's voice carried a hint of concern.

"Hmm."

The night wind blew past, carrying away Xiao's faint, almost inaudible sigh from the corner of his mouth.

"Some…… things about their past."

——

"As the sun set westward, Danheng closed his eyes, smiling as he prepared to leave."

"But suddenly, a sheet of black clouds spread from the direction of the Scale Abyss Realm, shrouding the twilight; by the time Danheng reacted, the ground beneath him was already surging with waves, and the sharp spear tip pressed against his throat, as if it would pierce him in the next second."

"He slowly turned his head."

"Danfeng walked out slowly from behind him, that face almost identical to his flashing with the cold light of killing intent."

"\"You, how long do you plan to keep running? \""

"Danheng took a deep breath, a flash of resolve in his eyes: 'I should go.'"

"\"Go? \" Danfeng still looked at him expressionlessly: 'The Star Sea may be vast, but it has nothing to do with you or me.'"

"Danheng was about to lower his head, but the spear tip jerked his chin up, forcing him to look at the Dragon Sovereign behind him: 'The Dragon Sovereign's legacy endures forever, like the eternal ancient sea, unchanging through myriad ages.'"

"Danheng angrily turned his head: 'That's your past!'"

"\"No! As a reincarnation of the Dragon Sovereign, you are my mirror; past-life sins must be repaid in this life. \""

"\"I… am not you! \""

"Ji Yun appeared from his hand, the long spear like an angry dragon leaping from the sea; one strike drove back Danfeng behind him, the two standing with spears, their stance like the Chu-Han border."

Danfeng, however, let out a low chuckle, slowly raised his head, and coldly said: "If one defies the clan's rules and cuts off the inheritance, they will forever fall into oblivion, never to be liberated."