"Dan Heng, don't you think this whole sneaking around thing is a bit... unreliable?"
On a deserted path, March 7th followed behind Dan Heng, unable to hold back her question. "You committed offenses on the Xianzhou before and can't show your face openly, so sneaking in, I can understand. But not even bothering with a disguise, isn't that a bit much?"
"This matter is complex. Sneaking in is to avoid being seen by certain people; not disguising ourselves is to ensure certain people do see us. The details are hard to explain quickly... March, it would be better for you to go with Himeko and the others."
Dan Heng sighed. As an exiled sinner, secretly setting foot on Xianzhou territory was already a grave offense. What he planned to do next would make him wanted across the galaxy by the Xianzhou. If the Express crew knew what he was doing, they would be implicated if things went wrong.
That's why he hadn't told anyone his plan, instead acting alone under the pretext of being wanted—so he could sever ties with the Express crew if things turned sour.
But unexpectedly, March 7th, who usually loved crowds and stuck close to Twilight, chose not to go with Twilight and the others this time, insisting on coming with him...
"...No need to rush. I'll just look around outside a bit more." March 7th lowered her gaze. She wanted to stay by Little Twilight's side too, but now, seeing her just reminded her of the dream Twilight had proposed.
Stop worrying about Twilight's condition and do what she wanted to do? How could March 7th possibly do that?
But if she couldn't, it would sadden Twilight because her dream couldn't be fulfilled... Left with no choice, she opted for avoidance. As long as she wasn't in front of Twilight, even if she secretly continued worrying about finding a cure, Twilight wouldn't see.
Besides...
"Dan Heng, let's be honest... During this time at the Herta Space Station, what method did you actually find to save Little Twilight?"
Dan Heng's steps faltered. "Nothing. Progress hasn't been smooth—"
"Liar. I secretly checked the database's research logs for this period; they're all related to the Xianzhou... And you never liked talking about this place before, yet this time you were so eager to come. I don't believe you really didn't think of anything." March 7th stared steadily at Dan Heng. "Don't really treat me like an idiot... What is it for? Is there anything I can help with? As long as it can save Little Twilight, I'll do anything!"
*You are just a Nameless. Can you bear the future of the Vidyadhara and the Xianzhou?*—Dan Heng wanted to respond this way, but looking at her stubborn eyes, he ultimately couldn't say it.
He understood March 7th. Dan Heng knew that desire to save a companion all too well.
"After knowing, there's no turning back."
"When have Nameless Trailblazers ever chosen to regret and turn back!"
Receiving March 7th's decisive reply, Dan Heng fell silent for a moment, then hesitated no longer. "We're going to find the Vidyadhara Preceptors now."
...
"Speaking of which, I still don't know why you esteemed guests came to the Xianzhou?"
On the other side of the Xianzhou, Tingyun, clutching her tail, chatted seemingly casually with Himeko and the others while leading the way. "If it's merely to observe the ceremony, perhaps take some time to stroll around the Xianzhou during your leisure. The charm of the Xianzhou must be experienced firsthand to be truly appreciated."
"To be honest, we came to the Xianzhou this time also hearing that the Alchemy Commission's medical skills are superb, hoping to find a cure for our companion," Himeko gently stroked Twilight's hair, her heart aching. "Twilight's health has been deteriorating recently. Although we've consulted many famous doctors, the results have all been unsatisfactory..."
"I see, seeking medicine..."
As if reminded of something sorrowful, Tingyun sighed softly. "It's truly unfortunate timing. Many offworlders come to the Xianzhou seeking medicine even normally, stretching the Alchemy Commission thin. With the recent increase in injuries due to the Stellaron crisis, many physicians and alchemists were also lost. Seeking medicine now, I'm afraid..."
Hearing this, Caelus's expression stiffened slightly. They came all the way to the Xianzhou; was the only remaining option really to try and revive the Ambrosial Arbor...?
"However, you are esteemed guests after all. After meeting the General in a couple of days, I believe the General will surely make suitable arrangements. But if you are in a hurry, this humble one happens to..."
Tingyun trailed off, leaving Caelus anxious enough to quickly ask, "Could it be Miss Tingyun practices medicine too?"
"This humble one is merely an envoy; I certainly don't know such things... However, this humble one does have a friend who currently serves as the Chief Alchemist at the Alchemy Commission. Her medical skills are quite brilliant," Tingyun sighed, shaking her head. "But her health is also rather inconvenient, so she rarely goes out."
Could things be this coincidental? They happened to need a doctor, and Tingyun here happened to have a friend who was the Chief Alchemist...
Himeko narrowed her eyes slightly. Chief Alchemist wasn't a position just anyone could hold. While not leading the entire Alchemy Commission like the Master Alchemist, the requirements in terms of medicinal arts were certainly comparable. If they could get the Chief Alchemist to diagnose Twilight, it would basically be equivalent to receiving the highest level of medical diagnosis on the entire Xianzhou.
But it was all too coincidental, so much so that Himeko smelled a conspiracy... But so what?
Besides the Xianzhou officials, the only ones likely capable of such medical expertise were the hidden followers of Abundance... If the former wanted to use this to gain favor with the Astral Express, Himeko had no objection. If the forces of Abundance had ulterior motives, Himeko wasn't entirely against it either—after all, from the moment she chose to come to the Xianzhou, she had already prepared for this worst-case scenario.
Don't underestimate the information network of the Astral Express navigator. If one truly wanted to seek the medicine of longevity, besides finding Yaoshi herself, the simplest method was likely coming to the Xianzhou to find these Disciples of Sanctus Medicus.
"Miss Tingyun, if possible, could we trouble you to introduce us to that friend?"
Sigh, these two have eight hundred schemes swirling in their heads.
Twilight kept her head lowered, pretending to be dejected about causing trouble for Himeko and the others, while mentally critiquing the mind games between Tingyun and Himeko.
Overall, though, she felt Tingyun probably had the upper hand. Himeko could at best guess the other party was connected to the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus; who could possibly imagine the esteemed Lord Ravager was here LARPing as a Foxian civil servant? Especially a civil servant who had just been sexually harassed by her...
But what was Phantylia planning? Could she really be trying to rope in the Astral Express to stir up major trouble on the Xianzhou?
Sigh, I wonder if Jing Yuan can handle the Ambrosial Arbor rebirth, The Great Rebellion of Imbibitor Lunae 2.0, the arrival of a Lord Ravager, the Trailblaze crew's pioneering, AND the escape of the Borisin Warleader all happening at once.