Please support me on Patreon, where you can read a bunch of extra chapters, not just for this novel, but for all the novels I'm working on. I upload at least 2 times daily for most novels.
Patreon.com/ThatGreatStuff
******
Some time later...
Following Bai Heng's earlier reconnaissance, recent developments indicated that the Huiyin tribe and Winged Ones were indeed moving forward with their alliance plans. This was a significant event, and to prevent the formation of the Fertile Lands Alliance, Su Qing joined his comrades on the battlefield—a rare occurrence.
Before the battle commenced, Dan Feng, usually silent and reserved, sought out Su Qing, proposing they gauge each other's prowess based on their performance in this conflict.
If Blade's recklessness manifested outwardly, then Dan Feng's pride simmered within. Previously, he had engaged Jingliu in multiple trials by combat, only conceding when Jingliu unleashed a strike powerful enough to part the ocean tide.
In this battle, Dan Feng transformed into dragon form, summoning clouds and rain to engulf their foes with thunderous waves.
The presence of the Vidyadhara High Elder on the battlefield left the cloud riders feeling cautious, awed by his might and fearful of any mishap that could lead to dire consequences. However, upon spotting Su Qing's familiar figure—the Cloud Knight Lieutenant—soaring amidst them, their trepidation dissipated.
As they watched him weave his flying sword through enemy ranks, effortlessly mowing down adversaries like chopping vegetables, the cloud riders regained their usual confidence, their morale soaring.
[Seele: Their 'usual confidence']
[Firefly: Is Su Qing always this incredible?!]
[Silver Wolf: Of course, what else would you expect?]
[Seele: Cheerful, Firefly is expressing admiration, while little Silver Wolf is imagining himself stepping up for some epic slaughter.]
[Qingque: Although it seems extraordinary, such feats are par for the course when it comes to Su Qing. In fact, one should expect nothing less.]
[Qingque: How else could he match or even surpass the renown of the High-Cloud Quintet?]
[Sushang: Exactly! Since these five can work together, each must be more formidable than the last!]
[Guinaifen: Shuangshuang appears quite captivated by this notion~]
Bai Heng piloted the star ferry, providing reconnaissance while also tallying their combat achievements on the side.
Luofu had deployed nearly all its top-tier forces this time, resulting in a remarkably smooth battle. The potential alliance between the two Plentiful Tribes was snuffed out before it could take shape.
[Stelle: What an impressive victory!]
However, the fight ended too swiftly, leaving Su Qing and Dan Feng without a clear winner.
Bai Heng observed, "The number of enemies you both defeated seems quite similar. With the main battlefield so chaotic, I couldn't provide an exact count."
After discussing it, the pair decided to engage in another sparring match. Conveniently, the swift conclusion of the battle meant they hadn't fully satisfied their competitive spirit yet.
The others gathered on the ground as spectators.
Moments later, amidst swirling dark clouds in the sky, a jade dragon emerged, accompanied by thunder and lightning.
Su Qing ascended on an ordinary sword, wielding his six Non-Grasp swords. They pierced through the cloud layer, darting about in fierce combat with the jade dragon.
Initially, things went smoothly. However, as the fight progressed, Dan Feng found himself increasingly off-balance.
These Non-Grasp swords, forged by Yingxing, were exceptionally sharp, easily penetrating his dragon scales. Thus, he had to constantly guard against each blade. Moreover, if Su Qing's swords behaved like typical flying swords, following predictable patterns, it would have been manageable.
However, these six Non-Grasp swords were elusive, appearing and disappearing unexpectedly like ghostly apparitions. At any moment, they would vanish only to suddenly reemerge as unwelcome "surprises."
As Dan Feng engaged in battle, he found himself constantly counting the flying swords within his sight, ensuring there were exactly six present. Otherwise, one might dart out from anywhere to strike him unawares.
Even dragons have vulnerabilities, including their sensitive scales. It wasn't clear if it was just Dan Feng's perception, but towards the end of the fight, he felt that two of the heavy swords among the six consistently teleported abruptly. In the next instant, they would sway ominously near his vulnerable scales... Always targeting those weak spots!
No dragon could endure such relentless focus on its Achilles' heel!
[Silver Wolf: By now, surely you all grasp Ether Editing and understand my true prowess, right??]
[Stelle: Well said, but then why is your bounty only 5 billion?]
[Qingque: If so powerful, how come you can't defeat Kafka?]
[Seele: And why aren't you the leader of the Stellaron Hunters?]
[Silver Wolf: Shh, because I prefer staying low-key.?]
[Sparkle: Ha ha ha, welcome back! I can sense it—the stubborn boasting has returned!]
[March 7th: Even after becoming champion, the stubbornness remains unchanged—this is our little Silver Wolf!]
[Bronya: ...Actually, I must admit, Silver Wolf might possess some genuine strength.]
[Stelle: Oh no! Bronya is completely taken aback!]
The onlookers below noticed that as the battle intensified, it was taking a concerning turn.
It seemed like real anger had flared up.
A flying sword swept past, slicing off several dragon scales, hinting at drawn blood.
Thunder roared alongside dragon's cries; amidst the clouds, a dragon claw descended. Su Qing raised his hand, defiantly enduring the strike.
Jing Yuan gazed skyward and shook his head, "Aiya, this truly is..."
Jingliu watched intently.
Bai Heng, feeling apprehensive, tugged at Jingliu's sleeve. "Should we stop them?"
Yingxing, however, was fully engrossed. "Stop them? This is how you determine a winner. Without spilling some blood, how can one judge superiority?"
[Himeko: Here we see the distinct differences in their personalities.]
[Sparkle: Joy, Yingxing: Bloodthirsty spectator?, Jingliu: Appreciating the spectacle?, Jing Yuan: Worried for comrades?, Bai Heng: Stop fighting already!?]
[Qingque: Ha ha ha, these reactions are so vivid!]
After another fifteen minutes of fierce combat, Jingliu deemed it enough and intervened to separate the two.
Su Qing's flying sword gently descended, touching down softly, while Dan Feng transformed back into human form upon landing.
Both combatants' breaths were agitated, their excitement yet to subside.
A moment passed silently.
Bai Heng watched them with concern.
Jing Yuan spoke up, "In my view, this match should be declared a draw."
Yingxing let out a derisive laugh. "Jing Yuan, always playing peacemaker again?"
Jing Yuan smiled wryly. "We're all comrades; why insist on determining a clear winner?"
"If we don't declare a winner," Yingxing countered, "wouldn't it have been a pointless fight?"
Jing Yuan seemed inclined to continue the discussion.
However, Jingliu calmly interjected, "The outcome has already been decided."
Bai Heng looked questioningly at both Su Qing and Dan Feng.
Dan Feng collected himself, recalling the details of the battle, and then admitted, "...I lost."
Towards the end of the duel, based on his cautious movements and evasive actions, Su Qing had deduced Dan Feng's vulnerability. After centuries of continuous warfare, Su Qing's battlefield instincts had become incredibly sharp, bordering on uncanny.
As High Elder, Dan Feng possessed formidable strength, but his firsthand experience on the front lines paled in comparison to Su Qing's extensive involvement.
Seeing the others' confusion, Dan Feng briefly explained, leading to their sudden understanding.
While Jingliu remained silent, the other three curiously asked about Dan Feng's weakness.
Initially speechless, Dan Feng eventually responded, "Do you really think I'd reveal that willingly?" He then glanced at Su Qing.
Su Qing shook his head, indicating he wouldn't divulge the secret.
Dan Feng nodded.
Yingxing observed them both and remarked, "So, you two have developed quite the understanding during your fight?"
They proceeded to exchange combat insights.
The others stepped aside, watching as the pair discussed by the riverbank.
Dan Feng spoke first.
Then Su Qing summoned his flying sword, gesturing and responding with his own thoughts.
Watching from afar, Yingxing crossed his arms arrogantly and commented, "Dan Feng only fell behind because he didn't use the spear I forged for him."
Bai Heng lightly slapped him, exclaiming, "Some nerve you've got!"
Jingliu nodded in agreement, "Indeed, Non-Grasp's exceptional sharpness proved immensely helpful. Interestingly, while Dan Feng can command wind and rain in dragon form, wielding a spear in human form grants him greater agility."
Jing Yuan added, "And yet, Su Qing managed to withstand a direct hit from dragon claws! We usually see him engage enemies solely with his sword; who knew his physical strength was equally formidable."
Their discussion continued animatedly.
When Su Qing and Dan Feng returned, Bai Heng noticed they had both regained their composure, appearing unaffected by the intense battle. Relieved, she raised her hand and declared cheerfully, "Alright, now that the fight is over, let's leave any grudges behind!"
In high spirits, Bai Heng exclaimed, "Also, since we achieved such a resounding victory today, let's celebrate properly tonight again!"
Later that evening...
Su Qing prepared some snacks, and Bai Heng brought fine wine, procured from beyond the star sea.
As they drank and conversed, the topic gradually shifted to discussing their aspirations, though it was unclear who had initiated it.
Bai Heng spoke first. "For me, I hope to pilot a star ferry and explore even more unknown landscapes!"
[Jingliu: Come to think of it, Bai Heng is also one of The Nameless.]
[March 7th: Eh???]
[March 7th: Didn't see that coming, but true enough! She embodies a trailblazing spirit in every aspect!]
Jing Yuan gazed at the wine in his cup, swirling it gently. "If given the future chance, I would aspire to become a Galaxy Ranger, roaming freely amidst the clouds and seas, seeking justice with unbridled fervor—a life untethered."
Everyone except Su Qing seemed surprised by this revelation. Jing Yuan typically displayed calm reserve, so no one expected such ambitions hidden within him.
Dan Feng spoke next, "Guarding the World Tree and protecting the Holding Bright Clan."
Yingxing promptly commented, "How dull! Tell us something more interesting!"
After a moment's contemplation, Dan Feng continued, "Then let it be leading my people away from the cycle of rebirth onto a new path."
"That shows some ambition," Yingxing acknowledged, draining the rest of his wine in one gulp. "I'd rather be like fireflies drawn to their doom than a sturdy tree enduring aimlessly through time."
"As Yingxing, my goal is to make those decrepit old fools on Xianzhou realize that, despite having only decades to live, I will far surpass their long yet futile existence—by leaps and bounds!"
Jing Yuan smiled, "Somehow, I feel included in that statement."
Yingxing grinned widely. "Of course, you two are different."
As they warmed up with wine and conversation, even Jingliu's spirits soared.
Drawing her sword and pointing it at the starlit sky, she declared resolutely, "With this blade, I would cut down even the stars above."
In the past, when Jingliu wielded her sword, all that fueled her was the resolve to die for her cause. But today, surrounded by friends, she experienced for the first time what it meant to embrace life.
"Excellent!" The group cheered enthusiastically.
Only Su Qing remained silent. As everyone looked towards him, he said, "I'll follow suit."
Jing Yuan waved his hand dismissively. "No way! You can't just repeat someone else's aspiration—share your own!"
Su Qing pondered briefly before responding, "Then let me aim for the moon."
If the stars represented Directive Envoys, could the moon symbolize Yaoshi?
Yingxing burst out laughing. "Never thought there'd be someone more audacious than myself!"
Exchanging sword techniques had become a cherished tradition among them. Today, as Su Qing and Jingliu engaged eagerly in their sparring, unlike previous bouts focused solely on technique, their movements took on a more artistic quality, resembling a dance of swords.
Jing Yuan tapped rhythmically on the stone table and began singing a folk song from Xianzhou. Luofu, long embroiled in warfare, often reflected these themes in its lyrics, yet beneath lay a deep yearning for peace and prosperity.
Yingxing refilled his cup once more, draining it swiftly. The fiery taste exploded in his throat, and following suit, he raised his voice in song, exuding unrestrained freedom.
Bai Heng sat on the stone bench, gently swaying from side to side and humming along.
Initially, Dan Feng merely watched, but as Bai Heng waved him over with a smile, he joined in.
With their friends' singing accompanying them, the pair dancing under the moonlight felt even more exhilarated and immersed in their practice.
A flying sword soared across the little courtyard's airspace.
Its pristine blade reflected both the moonlight above and the figures below.
In this moment of youthful vigor, filled with grand aspirations, they felt as if even the stars within reach were theirs for the taking.
Such radiant and splendid days seemed ordinary at the time, taken for granted.
***
Jingliu observed the scene in the courtyard, where old friends shared wine and camaraderie, feeling an immense sense of nostalgia.
The world is vast, the universe boundless,
Yet such friendship and memories cannot be found nor witnessed anywhere else.
March 7th: What an amazing friendship!
March 7th: So envious! I wish I had friends like that too!
Stelle: @March 7th, ?
Stelle: @March 7th, ???
Seele: Ha ha, someone's getting anxious.
Qingque: Dying laughing. Stelle: Am I not your friend then? Just how much am I NOT your friend?!
[March 7th: Oops, got too absorbed for a moment...]
[March 7th: @Stelle, of course you're my friend! Our friendship, with all our train companions, is just as strong!]
[Stelle: Humph! I'm not particularly thrilled to hear that from you!]
[Seele: Enjoy this rare sighting—the tsundere Stelle.]
***
Time flew swiftly after that day, spanning several more years.
During this period, most days were filled with battles and busyness. From the perspective of long-lived beings, it didn't feel like much time had passed; it seemed to go by in the blink of an eye.
As relationships among the group deepened,
Su Qing and Jingliu, sharing a common interest in swordsmanship, gradually grew closer than the others.
Initially, their friends paid little attention.
Once unnoticed, twice overlooked—but over time, they couldn't help but become aware of the growing bond between Su Qing and Jingliu.
One day,
with Su Qing and Jingliu absent, the rest gathered together.
Casually, the topic arose.
Yingxing stroked his chin, "Am I mistaken, or do Su Qing and Jingliu seem unusually close?"
Jing Yuan pondered briefly before responding, "It's likely not just your imagination."
Dan Feng nodded, "They have indeed become closer."
Bai Heng puffed up his cheeks, emphatic, "Definitely not my imagination!"
He provided an example, "At the Seat of Divine Foresight last time, I saw them chatting happily and initially wanted to join in.
"But as soon as I took a step forward, surprisingly, I worried about possibly disturbing them... As a result, I didn't dare approach until they finished their conversation!"
After discussing it, the group gradually realized what was happening.
Well, well—despite being part of the High-Cloud Quintet, these two had sneakily formed their own little clique without anyone noticing!
[Qingque: Ha ha, quite the cozy duo.]
[March 7th: It's like when a close-knit group suddenly sees two members growing increasingly close.]
[Sparkle: In such situations, others might feel subtly uneasy, no?]
Indeed, that was how it felt.
Especially Bai Heng, with his cheeks puffed out, experienced a sense akin to having his best friend snatched away.
Now, with everyone exceedingly familiar with each other, Bai Heng jokingly said, "Alright, Dan Feng, it's on you then! Go give Su Qing a good scolding!"
Dan Feng responded succinctly, "Can't beat him."
Bai Heng continued, "Then Jing Yuan, go mess with him!"
Jing Yuan shook his head vigorously like a rattle-drum. "I'm afraid of getting punched."
[Stelle: So it's not that you can't prank him, but rather, you fear the consequences afterward?]
Yingxing wore an expression of disdain.
In response, Jing Yuan retorted, "If you're so capable, why don't you do it?"
"Nonsense," Yingxing said, his demeanor haughty. "As an artisan, there's no reason for me to take the lead while you all hang back."
Jing Yuan muttered under his breath, "Always trying to show off."
[Stelle: Come to think of it, Sharpblade Bro wasn't even the main DPS during our last encounter; he wasn't even providing secondary support. Shouldn't we consider him... logistics?]
As they discussed further, they realized that without noticing, General Teng Xiao had become the only one at Luofu capable of keeping Su Qing in check.
However, Su Qing owed his rise entirely to Teng Xiao, who trusted him almost unreservedly—short of outright declaring him as his successor.
But if they sought help from General Teng Xiao...
It was more likely he'd side with Su Qing and turn on them instead.
Bai Heng pondered this situation. Jingliu's temperament was reserved, and Bai Heng couldn't gauge exactly how close she had grown with Su Qing. Could their relationship already surpass friendship?
[Firefly: Impossible—absolutely impossible!]
The mere thought intrigued Bai Heng. The group, focused primarily on combating demonic creatures, rarely indulged in matters of romance or sentimentality. However, if Su Qing and Jingliu showed signs of developing in that direction, it would indeed be most fascinating!
Bai Heng's beautiful fox tail, adorned with sleek fur, swayed gently.
Lowering her voice, she said, "Well, just to see how their little group is faring now."
Bai Heng turned to the others. "I have a great idea. We'll start by doing this, then proceed with that. So and so, thus and such..."
[Stelle: Mm-hmm, got it (nodding) (crosses arms). I completely understand now!]
[March 7th: Understand what?!]