Chapter 180: Ichor of Two Dragons 『 Part 1 』
「 "The Vidyadhara has no parents or family. After birth, a mentor teaches the young Vidyadhara to master the art of cloudhymn and various kinds of life knowledge."
Bailu looked toward Dan Heng. "…Dan Heng, did you have a mentor like that?"
"If you're asking about Vidyadhara tradition, I have no such experience. I am merely a wanderer who can no longer return to his homeland. In my fragmented dreams, there are only old acquaintances meeting on the battlefield."
At this point, Dan Heng seemed to recall something, a faint smile gracing the corner of his mouth. "But during my travels, I have always been able to meet people who could be called mentors."
"From the time I can remember, there were only the Preceptors telling me to do this or that, and only the healers of the Alchemy Commission telling me to treat the sick and save lives. I have no idea if that counts as having a mentor."
Bailu turned to look at Dan Heng with a bright smile. "You know? You really seem like a mentor I've been waiting for a long time. 'In the past life, virtuous friends; in the next life, mentor and disciple'… perhaps we were friends or master and apprentice in our past lives too."
"A friend or beloved disciple of Dan Feng? Perhaps."
Dan Heng had initially been worried that Bailu held the title in name only without the power of the High Elder, but he now realized he had overthought it. Bailu not only had it, but it was a High Elder's power unique to her—the vitality that re-weaves seals and forms the Roots of Arbor.
It was diametrically opposed to the power he bore, which excelled only at destruction and devastation. 」
「 .....」
〜Frieren: Beyond Journey's End World〜
"No wonder Dan Heng could open the Ambrosial Arbor's seal but couldn't close it. It turns out he only inherited a portion of Dan Feng's power."
"If the High Elder powers of both could be combined into one, would we be able to glimpse the complete power of the previous High Elder? What a pity…"
Stark shifted his gaze away from Dan Heng and let out a regretful sigh.
"If Dan Heng-sama leaves the Luofu with the Astral Express, wouldn't that mean the Vidyadhara's High Elder inheritance will forever lack that portion of power?"
Fern felt that while it was good for Dan Heng to possess a portion of the High Elder's power, if it caused the subsequent High Elders to be unable to inherit the full legacy, it would not be a good thing for the development of the Vidyadhara in the long run.
"Fern, don't think too much about it… Dan Heng is also a Vidyadhara. The characteristic of the Vidyadhara is the cycle of rebirth. As long as Dan Heng doesn't die out there, after he undergoes molting and rebirth years from now, his soul will return to this ancient sea, bringing the remaining High Elder power back with him, right?"
Frieren guessed.
However, the Vidyadhara could live for a very long time; Fern and the others might not necessarily witness that moment. But in a few hundred years, she herself would have the chance to see the High Elder with complete power. Thinking of it that way… it didn't seem like a long wait at all.
—
「 After a brief chat about their respective High Elder powers, Bailu took her leave first.
"Dan Heng, shall we go too? March 7th and Uncle Yang are here to pick us up, they're waiting just ahead," Stelle reminded him from the side.
"Yeah."
Following Stelle, Dan Heng's footsteps suddenly halted before the Dragon-Slaying Pavilion.
The wind swept across the stone steps of the pavilion, carrying wisps of the ancient sea's damp scent. He looked up, his gaze falling upon the weathered statue in the hall—its once majestic silhouette had been eroded by time, broken and dilapidated. Only the stone-carved spear tip and gaze remained fixed toward the distance, as if waiting for a promise that would never be kept again.
—"Imbibitor Lunae! Don't just stand there dazing, the wine is getting cold!"
Dan Heng whipped his head around; he felt as if he had heard that familiar voice again.
On the other side of the statue, four figures seemed to still be standing there—Jing Yuan's eyes were filled with smiles as his fingertips twirled a wine cup; a warm breeze seemed to pass over Jingliu's perennially snow-covered face, offering a rare, affectionate smile; even the usually stoic Yingxing had a hint of softness in his eyes at this moment; and Baiheng—
The Foxian woman laughed as she downed her wine in one gulp, her eyes curving like crescent moons, the silver bells hanging from her hair chiming softly in the wind.
"Yingxing, stop frowning."
"You too, Imbibitor Lunae, smile a bit more."
"Baiheng, don't make it hard on them. These two are still brooding over their last match with Jingliu."
"Want to go another round? I'd be happy to oblige."
"…" 」
「 .....」
〜Genshin Impact World〜
Teyvat—
"Heroes of the floating world, gathered and scattered in their time."
At Wangshu Inn, Zhongli looked up at the images of the High-Cloud Quintet's past, murmuring with emotion.
The beautiful past of the High-Cloud Quintet similarly stirred Xiao's memories, causing his brow to furrow imperceptibly, as if burned by karmic debt or stung by the surging tide of recollections.
He lowered his eyes, something trembling slightly within his golden pupils.
Vaguely—
He remembered that Bosacius would always take advantage of his rest to doodle on his face, sometimes a clumsy turtle, sometimes a crude bird. He remembered that Bonanus would always sprinkle a few petals of dried Qingxin flowers into his Almond Tofu, making it a bit bitter amidst the sweetness…
"Xiao, you're always wearing such a long face. Be careful, or you'll forget how to smile later."
—Indarias's voice seemed to be right by his ear, carrying a playful laugh.
He abruptly closed his eyes and turned away, no longer looking at the images of the High-Cloud Quintet on the light screen. That tender past now felt like the prickling of ten thousand needles…
Xiao's Adam's apple shifted as he drew in a deep breath, struggling to keep the rush of emotions under control.
"…Did you remember something?"
Zhongli's voice carried a hint of concern.
"Yes."
The night wind blew past, carrying away a nearly inaudible sigh from Xiao's lips.
"Some… old matters with them."
—
「 As the sun set in the west, Dan Heng closed his eyes and prepared to leave with a smile.
But suddenly, a dark cloud spread from the direction of Scalegorge Vidhyadhara, shrouding the twilight. By the time Dan Heng reacted, the waves were already surging beneath his feet, and a sharp spear tip was already pressed against his throat, as if it would pierce through in the next second.
He slowly turned his head.
Dan Feng walked out slowly from behind him, his face—almost identical to his own—flickering with the cold light of murderous intent.
"You… how long do you intend to run?"
Dan Heng took a deep breath, a flash of resolve appearing in his eyes: "I have to go."
"Go?" Dan Feng still looked at him expressionlessly. "Though the sea of stars is vast, it has nothing to do with you or me."
Dan Heng was about to lower his head, but the spear tip flicked his chin up, forcing him to look at the High Elder behind him: "The High Elder's legacy continues eternally. Constant as the ancient sea, unchanging for ten thousand generations."
Dan Heng turned his head away in anger: "That is your past!"
"No! As the High Elder's reincarnation, you are my shadow. The sins of the past life are the debts to be paid in this one."
"I… am not you!"
Cloud-Piercer appeared in his hand. The long spear was like an angry dragon emerging from the sea, forcing the Dan Feng behind him back with a single strike. The two stood with spears leveled, like the boundary between two warring states.
Dan Feng let out a low laugh. He slowly raised his head and said coldly: "If you defy the clan rules and sever the inheritance, you shall sink into eternal extinction, never to be liberated!" 」
「 .....」