"Description from Lady Fu Xuan… isn't it a bit too vague?"
On his way back, Daichi tapped his chin thoughtfully trying to imagine what kind of creature could match her words.
A mouth large enough to devour Luofu itself? That didn't sound like anything he'd ever seen in Honkai Star Rail or any game, for that matter.
The only thing that came close was Oroboros The Voracity Aeon, that unsatisfied devourer.
But Oroboros could swallow the entire Luofu in one bite. There was no "slow consumption" involved.
Besides, wasn't Oroboros sealed outside the Amber Lord's barrier?
No way it suddenly appear inside and start "eating" everything.
So… maybe it was some kind of hidden boss?
"Forget it."
Daichi muttered.
"Thinking too hard about it won't help. Better to think about breakfast, lunch, dinner… and maybe a late-night snack tomorrow."
He raised the Jade token Jing Yuan had given him and sent a message to Tingyun.
{The Giant of Light Fears No Darkness}: Tingyun, did Lady Bailu get home safely?
{Speak Properly, Don't Argue}: Of course! I hadn't even reached the Alchemy Commission yet and a whole crowd came to fetch her. Poor thing—someone her age should be playing freely, not trapped by duty.
{The Giant of Light Fears No Darkness}: Well, she is a Vidyadhara, one of Luofu's most important figures.
{Speak Properly, Don't Argue}: Exactly! I just can't help but feel sorry for her.
{Speak Properly, Don't Argue}: Anyway, how did your talk with Lady Fu Xuan go?
{The Giant of Light Fears No Darkness}: Just some light conversation. Nothing major.
{Speak Properly, Don't Argue}: I see… so, Benefactor, any plans for tomorrow? If not, how about going out with me?
{The Giant of Light Fears No Darkness}: Sure, I'm free tomorrow.
{Speak Properly, Don't Argue}: Perfect! Then it's settled!
—————————————————
The next day, Daichi was dragged out by Tingyun once again.
They had tried to invite Bailu too, but the poor little dragon was under strict supervision, forced to spend her day pouting while tending to patients at the Danding Commission.
As they strolled through the bustling streets of the Star Skiff Nexus, Tingyun noticed Daichi was absorbed in the X Devizer.
"Benefactor, what are you looking at?"
"Oh, this?"
Daichi waved his X Devizer.
Because Daichi couldn't read xianzhou language, he use X devizer as translator.
"It's the Luofu's historical chronicle."
Tingyun leaned closer.
"Benefactor's interested in our history?"
"A little," he admitted.
"For instance, I'm curious about this era called The Five Heroes of the Skies."
"The Five Heroes…" Tingyun smiled.
"The General was one of them."
As the member of the Whistling Flame Caravan, Tingyun knew the Luofu's past well. Her gaze softened.
"The Five Heroes once brought great prosperity to Xianzhou. They were adored by nearly everyone… but within a century, they drifted apart and disappeared… a tragedy for the Alliance."
"That's a shame."
Daichi said quietly, closing the terminal.
They soon reached the grand gates of the Sichen Palace the first hall that greeted every visitor to the Luofu. Its decor was as magnificent as expected.
Tingyun was here to submit the Whistling Flame Caravan's post-expedition report.
"Lady Yukong."
Tingyun's tone was cheerful as she greeted the mature fox-woman seated in the main hall.
"Tingyun, you're back,"
Yukong said warmly, setting down her scrolls.
When she had first received Tingyun's urgent report about a "Lord Ravager" sighting, her heart nearly stopped.
Thankfully, the report later confirmed the threat had retreated, and no casualties occurred.
Yukong had watched Tingyun grow up almost like a daughter. If anything had happened to her, she wouldn't have been able to bear it.
"Then this must be the Benefactor who saved you all."
Yukong approached Daichi gracefully and bowed.
"I am Yukong, Navigator of the Sky-Faring Commission. You may simply call me Yukong. On behalf of the Luofu and personally I thank you for rescuing the Whistling Flame Caravan."
"Eh—wait, wait! Why does everyone here bow so much? The General already did that yesterday! Please, there's no need!"
Yukong chuckled.
"This isn't as an officer, it's as someone who sees Tingyun as a daughter. I'm simply grateful you brought her home safely."
After a brief exchange, Tingyun handed over her report with a respectful nod.
Yukong glanced through it quickly, then smiled knowingly.
"I've heard some shops in the Aurum Alley are holding a sale these days. If you're free, why not go relax?"
It was clearly a polite way of saying, You're dismissed.
Tingyun caught the hint instantly.
"Then, Lady Yukong, we'll take our leave."
As they left the palace, Daichi suddenly asked.
"Say, Tingyun, have you heard of the Astral Express?"
"The train of the Path of Trailblaze?"
Tingyun tapped her chin.
"Hmm… during my intelligence work, I didn't receive any reports about such a train. Why do you ask, Benefactor? Interested in those who inherit the will of Trailblaze?"
"Something like that."
Daichi replied vaguely.
In truth, he just wanted to confirm whether the main storyline had started yet.
If the Express hadn't arrived, that meant the Space Station arc hadn't begun.
As they wandered through Aurum Alley, Daichi spotted a familiar large dragon tail twitching behind a pillar.
It was unmistakably Bailu's.
"That's… Lady Bailu's tail?"
Tingyun laughed softly.
"Sneaking out again, I see."
She motioned for Daichi to follow her quietly.
"Lady Bailu~"
"Eek!"
Bailu nearly jumped out of her skin, but relaxed when she recognized the voice.
"Tingyun! Don't sneak up on me like that!"
"Oh, but you're just too cute to resist~"
Tingyun teased, pinching her cheeks.
"Stop that! My face'll get swollen!"
Bailu rubbed her red cheeks indignantly.
"Running off again, Lady Bailu?" Daichi asked.
"Of course! It's too boring at the Danding Commission!" she huffed.
"Those old fogies keep giving me books full of weird words I can't read! I'd rather treat patients directly!"
Tingyun sighed.
"You do realize most healers would kill to be in your position?"
"Let them! They can have my spot if they want it!"
she said, puffing her cheeks before grabbing Daichi's hand.
"Let's go somewhere fun, Benefactor! You too, X!"
[Curious.]
X's voice came from the terminal.
[Why is Lady Bailu always so heavily restricted whenever she goes out? Even now, several watchers are following her from a distance.]
Tingyun's expression softened.
"Because Lady Bailu's identity is too special. She's both the Vidyadhara's High Elder and the Danding Commission's chosen successor. Either one alone is crucial—but both together? That makes her indispensable."
"So it's less a restriction." Daichi said.
"and more like protection."
Daichi gently patted Bailu's head. The little dragon puffed her cheeks.
"Stop that! I won't grow taller if you keep touching my head!"
[Won't grow taller?]
After a short pause, X spoke again.
[I've analyzed her physiology. Based on her cellular composition, Lady Bailu's body has already reached full maturity. There is no further growth potential. Therefore, head-patting will have no effect.]
"X!"
Daichi quickly covered the screen, but the damage was done.
Bailu froze.
Her eyes lost focus.
Her dreams shattered.
So… I'm already at my full height? Already mature? No more growing taller?
The dream of standing eye-to-eye with Tingyun… gone forever.
She had always hoped she'd grow as tall as Tingyun one day after all, she drank tonics and took good care of herself!
Now, that dream had been crushed by X's clinical tone.
Truly, there was no mourning deeper than the death of hope.
Before anyone could comfort her, a scream tore through the crowd.
A Cloud Knight collapsed to the ground, body convulsing violently. Golden leaves sprouted across his skin, spreading fast.
"This—this is Mara!" someone shouted.
The plaza descended into chaos.
Mara, the curse looming over every Xianzhou citizen. When age or mental strain exceeded one's limits, reason gave way to madness, and the victim transformed into a mindless immortal monster.
The Knight's weapon fused with his arm, his flesh twisting grotesquely. His eyes glowing crimson.
A group of his comrades surrounded him, weapons drawn—but anguish written across their faces.
Moments ago, he had been one of them.
Now, the only mercy they could offer was to stop him before he could destroy everything he once swore to protect.
Steel clashed. The mutated Knight roared and thrashed, but was quickly subdued by the others' practiced formation.
When it was over, no one cheered.
They had won the battle but lost a brother.
And so, in the heart of the Aurum Alley. Grief settled over the Luofu, a mourning deeper than death itself.