Chapter 700

【These past days, I've suffered countless defeats and long understood the truth that there are always higher heavens above the heavens, and stronger people beyond one's peers.】

【But today, having witnessed General Feixiao's skill, unease has crept back into my heart.】

Yanqing recalled the scene from moments ago, when General Feixiao had casually intercepted both him and Miss Yunli,

and his mind still wandered a little.

【There's no need to belittle yourself — after all, General won't be entering the arena at the Martial Arts Ceremony.】

【So long as you keep hold of the mindset you had that day — when you challenged me and Blade alone, casting life and death aside — you'll be able to overcome most challengers.】

Brother Dan Heng said this to Yanqing at this moment.

Stelle: "Got it — what Brother Dan Heng means is, as long as you don't care about dying, you can beat most challengers!"

Boothill: "Damn right, that ain't wrong."

Boothill: "Folks who don't fear death got a vicious streak in 'em — anyone with a weak heart, once they catch that vicious streak head-on, they'll freeze right up on the spot."

March 7th: "The problem is, that's just a sparring arena!"

March 7th: "It's not like going into real combat — going that hard... isn't that a bit much?"

Dan Heng: "It's not about making Yanqing ruthless — it's about letting him cast aside most of his concerns and throw himself wholly into the fight."

Dan Heng: "He practices the art of sword-control, which demands total concentration of mind and spirit."

Dan Heng: "Otherwise, its power will be greatly diminished."

Dan Heng: "Besides, he's suffered repeated setbacks lately, and without realizing it, he's already lost a great deal of his edge."

Black Swan: "Put plainly, this young man has also sprouted a touch of inner demons in his heart."

Black Swan: "If he could overcome the demon within, perhaps his swordsmanship might leap forward by leaps and bounds — who knows?"

Hu Tao: "So what Miss Yunli said earlier really wasn't false..."

Hu Tao: "Young man Yanqing's current state really isn't great."

Yunli: "Naturally!"

Yunli: "I, of course, wouldn't stoop to falsehoods."

Yunli: "Too bad, a certain someone couldn't grasp my pointers."

Yunli: "And even thought I was talking nonsense."

March 7th: "I can actually understand Yanqing's thinking."

March 7th: "After all, hearing a weapon speak really does sound a bit like a fairy tale."

Stelle: "So what?"

Stelle: "I can even chat with trash cans!"

Stelle: "Isn't that even more of a fairy tale?"

Yunli: "Mm, compared to chatting with a weapon, you really are the more impressive one."

Yunli: "But I just can't figure out how on earth one chats with a trash can..."

Silver Wolf: "What's the big deal? Just treat the trash can as a weapon, and you're done!"

Stelle: "Genius!"

Firefly: "Beetroot!"

Miss Qingque: "I'm jealous of your cauliflower!"

Yunli: "Oh! Now that's a point! Learned something!!"

The video continues.

【I understand now — thank you, Teacher Dan Heng, for your guidance!】

【Today's matter can be considered wrapped up. My General wishes to invite you all to the Divine Strategy Hall for a brief visit — he says there's an important matter to discuss.】

Yanqing thanked Dan Heng,

and then invited the three of them.

【An important matter?】

Stelle was a little puzzled.

【It must be to discuss how to handle the arrival of the Generals of Yaoqing and Zhuming.】

March 7th guessed.

【Sigh, Yanqing doesn't want to taste the scheming and backstabbing of adults so soon...】

【I only hope Generals Feixiao and Huaiyan can see the truth of the matter clearly.】

【Before the Martial Arts Ceremony arrives, may no further disturbances arise upon Luofu.】

March 7th: "Has the General finally come to formally request aid from our Trailblazer crew?"

Stelle: "Clearly, the time has come to put our little elite force to use."

Stelle: "Sigh — looks like the happy slaving life is about to start again."

General Jing Yuan: "Hehe, what are you saying? You lot are honored guests of my Luofu — what's this talk of slaving? That'd be far too distant."

General Jing Yuan: "It's merely a small bit of help I'm seeking, through our personal ties."

Stelle: "Easy easy, General — toss in another Alliance Jade Abode and I promise I'll slave away for you properly!"

General Jing Yuan: "Sigh, too bad Luofu only has that one!"

General Jing Yuan: "Even if I wanted to give one, I'm powerless to do so..."

Furina: "Do the other Luofu Xianzhou have them too?"

Furina: "Suddenly I'm curious — what would happen if one collected the Alliance Jade Abodes of every Luofu Xianzhou?"

Miss Qingque: "Well, about that..."

Miss Qingque: "Let me boldly hypothesize!"

Miss Qingque: "Maybe we could summon the Marshal directly?"

March 7th: "Collect all the Alliance Jade Omens from the Luofu Xianzhou?"

March 7th: "Wow, that's probably something even the Star Rail crew couldn't accomplish after nine life-or-death struggles!"

March 7th: "I think we'd better skip it..."

The video continued.

Moments later,

Hearing Yanqing brought Stelle and the others into the Divine Strategy Office.

【Earlier, in the Chamber of Celestial Hours, I had already introduced the guests of the Star Rail to Elder Huaiyan.】

【But back then, there were too many people around, so we could only exchange polite small talk.】

【Now, I formally present these three to Elder Huaiyan.】

【These three braved great peril, accompanied General Jing Yuan into death zones, expelled the primary malefactor Huanlong, and exposed the conspiracy behind the Medicine King's secret transmissions.】

【For details, Elder Huaiyan may ask anything he wishes to know.】

Seeing Hearing Yanqing bring Stelle and the others,

General Jing Yuan immediately spoke to General Huaiyan beside him.

【I have read all the reports submitted by Diviner Fu Xuan to the Alliance regarding the rebirth of the Ambrosial Arbor.】

【She herself was summoned to the Jade Quarters for interrogation on this matter.】

【There is much suspicion within the Alliance about this affair...】

【... but I trust you.】

【Since you joined the military, you have achieved extraordinary feats.】

【After the Five Cloudly Valiants vanished, though many in the Alliance criticized you, the Marshal still stood firm against all opposition and entrusted Luo Fu to you.】

【Over these years, you have devoted your utmost loyalty and wisdom to the Alliance.】

【You crushed the abominations of Talaras, lifted the siege on the Jade Quarters Xianzhou, and destroyed the demonic star summoned by the Fertile Folk...】

【I still remember every detail of your battles.】

【Some worms doubt your loyalty and falsely claim you are foolish and incompetent—they rejoice at your missteps because that is their nature: they have accomplished nothing, and live only by feeding on others' failures.】

【But I have witnessed too many failures; I would rather believe—believe that your loyalty has never wavered.】

Stelle: "I didn't expect General Huaiyan holds such high regard for General Jing Yuan."

Stelle: "This is admiration, isn't it?"

General Jing Yuan: "Thank you, Elder Huaiyan, for your trust—it is my honor."

General Huaiyan: "Hah, though I am old, I am not blind, nor have I lost my wits!"

General Huaiyan: "My heart is as clear as a mirror—I know perfectly well who truly bleeds for the Alliance, and who is merely corrupt, incompetent, and putting on a show!"