『 [ Those words are actually quite insightful; it was my own narrow-mindedness. ]
[ Well then, Yanqing, I have been on the Luofu for a long time, but I have not yet had the chance to see the venue for this Wardance. ]
[ Hearing you talk so passionately about it now, I can't help but feel a bit curious. I wonder if you could take me over to have a look? ]
After chatting with Yanqing and Yunli for a while, Jiaoqiu suddenly wanted to see the venue for the Wardance Ceremony. So, he made a request to Yanqing.
[ Mr. Jiaoqiu wants to go see the Skysplitter? Sure! ]
[ Yunli and Miss March must not have seen it either. ]
[ How about this, I'll take everyone to go have a look. ] 』
『 ....』
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
Stelle: "Speaking of the Wardance…"
Stelle: "Did Jiaoqiu just say that tomorrow is the Wardance?"
March 7th: "Uh… which means, today is this young lady's very last day of sword training?"
March 7th: "I have to get on the stage tomorrow?"
Yunli: "What's wrong?"
Yunli: "You've been practicing for so long, are you actually nervous?"
Yanqing: "Stepping onto the stage to duel with swordplay for the first time, it's only natural to feel nervous."
Yanqing: "But since both Yunli and I highly acknowledge you in the video, it means Miss March's swordplay has indeed reached a decent level."
Yanqing: "Winning a few matches will definitely not be hard!"
Furina de Fontaine: "Miss March 7th, have some confidence in yourself!"
Stelle: "March, you've got to step up!"
Stelle: "Let the contestants at the Wardance see the mighty power of our Astral Express's chief swordmaster!"
March 7th: "You guys sure have a lot of confidence in me!"
March 7th: "I only hope that once I'm on the stage, I win at least one match no matter what!"
March 7th: "Otherwise, losing my own face is a small matter, but I'm afraid my two young masters' faces will be completely disgraced by me."
....
『 The four of them follow Yanqing to Stargazer Navalia. From here, they look out towards the venue of the Wardance, the Skysplitter.
[ I didn't expect so many people to be looking at the Skysplitter from afar? ]
Jiaoqiu looks around at the people nearby and can't help but speak.
[ …Huh? ]
At this moment, Jiaoqiu spots a group of people not far away. Sniffing his nose, he seems to catch a familiar scent. This makes him frown slightly.
[ Mr. Jiaoqiu, what's wrong? ]
Yanqing notices Jiaoqiu's unusual behavior and can't help but ask.
[ No… nothing. ] 』
『 ....』
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
Hu Tao: "That group of people just now…"
Hu Tao: "It seems Mr. Jiaoqiu noticed something strange about them?"
Paimon: "But Mr. Jiaoqiu seemed to be sniffing!"
Paimon: "Could there be something wrong with the way those people smell?"
Robin: "Does everyone still remember?"
Robin: "At the very beginning, those unidentified individuals disguised as Cloud Knights."
Robin: "Those people, it seems, have not been exposed even until now!"
Yanqing: "Oh no!"
Yanqing: "On the eve of the Wardance, that group of suspicious people actually hasn't been weeded out!"
Yanqing: "I'm afraid there will be great chaos!"
Lumine: "Those few people Mr. Jiaoqiu specifically observed just now, could they also be in disguise?"
Furina de Fontaine: "Hard to say, from the outside, they look completely like normal Foxians."
Furina de Fontaine: "Sigh, I just hope no major setbacks occur."
....
『 [ Do you see that flying ship in the distance? That is the venue for this Wardance—the Skysplitter. ]
Hearing Jiaoqiu say it was nothing, Yanqing points to a massive flying ship in the sky, showing it to the three of them.
[ Looking at it from afar, it doesn't seem particularly special. ]
Jiaoqiu looks up, observing the flying ship which seems rather ordinary to him, and comments.
[ This Skysplitter was remodeled from a retired Luofu warship. Before the Wardance officially begins, people are temporarily not allowed to board. But tomorrow, when the bell rings and the salutes fire, Yanqing will represent the Xianzhou Luofu Cloud Knights, standing on the stage to accept the challenges of brave warriors from all directions. ]
[ Yanqing has been by the General's side since childhood, learning swordplay and military strategy. ]
[ Swinging the sword ten thousand times a day, thrusting ten thousand times, over and over, over and over… I understand that I seem a bit different from normal children. ]
[ I have never envied the toys and freedom they had, nor have I ever felt that practicing the sword single-mindedly was boring or difficult. Even when stepping onto the battlefield to slay enemies, when facing those hideous abominations, I have never felt any fear. ]
[ Every day, I can feel myself getting stronger, stronger, and just a bit stronger… Grasping victory in my hands time after time, there is nothing in the world happier than this. But later, I received a strike from a certain someone. ]
[ That single strike shattered my once-flawless confidence into pieces. At the moment that strike arrived, for the first time, I felt fear. Perhaps this is what Mr. Jiaoqiu referred to as the fleeting moment between life and death, where all thoughts turn to nothingness. ] 』
『 ....』
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
Paimon: "Huh?!"
Paimon: "Swinging ten thousand times a day, thrusting ten thousand times?!"
Paimon: "Practicing the sword… is actually such a hard thing?!"
Lumine: "Yanqing probably hasn't said everything."
Lumine: "Footwork and other things also need to be practiced. If you add those, it would definitely be even harder."
Qingque: "This is what it's like when someone more talented than you is also more hardworking than you!"
Qingque: "How are you supposed to catch up?"
Furina de Fontaine: "Yanqing practiced the sword from a young age and didn't find it boring, but actually found it interesting…"
Furina de Fontaine: "If it were any other kid, they'd probably be thinking about how to slack off every single day."
Stelle: "This is the innate Sword Dao Saint Body!"
Stelle: "The Luofu's destined next Sword Champion!"
Yunli: "With his current state of mind, he's still far from being the Sword Champion."
Yunli: "Just because he took one sword strike, he became so depressed."
Yunli: "Aren't you embarrassed?"
Yanqing: "Easy for you to say."
Yanqing: "If you could take a strike from that person, you'd probably understand how I feel."
March 7th: "Speaking of which, was that former Sword Champion really that powerful?"
Yanqing: "Powerful, incredibly powerful!"
Yanqing: "Her swordplay is the greatest I have ever seen in my life."
Dan Heng: "Jingliu's sword has indeed transcended the mundane."
Dan Heng: "It has touched a higher level."
Dan Heng: "For most swordsmen, having the fortune to witness her strike might actually be a tragedy."
Dan Heng: "Because after seeing her sword, it will cause a deep sense of frustration to rise in their hearts."
Dan Heng: "They would think that the sword they practiced for a lifetime is actually nothing more than that."
Dan Heng: "But with Yanqing's talent, I believe he will eventually walk out of it."
Dan Heng: "When that time comes, his swordplay will improve greatly."
Stelle: "Wait, speaking of which, I think I remember…"
Stelle: "That former Luofu Sword Champion is actually General Jing Yuan's master, right?"
Stelle: "Which means she is Yanqing's grandmaster."
Stelle: "Since she's your grandmaster, what are you so upset about, Yanqing?"
Stelle: "In terms of swordplay, your master couldn't beat your grandmaster, and you couldn't either. Isn't that only natural?"
Yanqing: "Ah, this…"
Furina de Fontaine: "Huh?"
Furina de Fontaine: "There's actually such an unbelievable relationship?!"
Furina de Fontaine: "I didn't expect even a great figure like General Jing Yuan to have a master?"
Jing Yuan: "Hahaha, there is nothing strange about this."
Jing Yuan: "Even the Arbiter-General had times when he was young and powerless like Yanqing."
Jing Yuan: "Without a powerful master to guide me, how could I have achieved even greater heights?"
Hu Tao: "Then since she is General Jing Yuan's master, how did she end up becoming a major criminal now?"
Lumine: "There should be many complex matters involved here, likely secrets of the Xianzhou Alliance."
Lumine: "We had better not pry casually."
Hu Tao: "Oh, right, my bad for asking so abruptly."
Jing Yuan: "No matter, the past is in the past."
March 7th: "Then looking at it from this perspective…"
March 7th: "Perhaps Jingliu's strike was actually teaching Yanqing?"
March 7th: "Hahaha, you should thank your grandmaster!"
Yanqing: "Yes… I indeed must thank her."
Yanqing: "Because without that strike, I might still be lost in my own world, smugly pleased with myself every day."
....
『 [ After that, Yanqing had to lower his head, picking up those shattered pieces one by one, trying to piece back the happy self of the past. But no matter what I did, I couldn't seem to recreate my past state of mind. From time to time, I would ask myself, why exactly do I swing my sword? ]
[ If I am destined to face the next defeat, why should I continue to swing my sword? Is it to find the joy of victory again? To live up to the General's expectations? Or to leave behind achievements for the Cloud Knights? ]
[ The General can guide my swordplay, but he cannot teach me the reason to swing my sword. He told me: The reason to swing the sword must be found by myself. Or this, Yanqing was deeply distressed, tossing and turning. ]
[ But after this chat with Mr. Jiaoqiu, Yanqing now has the answer in his heart. As a member of the Cloud Knights and the General's disciple, I carry a lot on my shoulders, and am destined to carry even more. But only when I swing my sword do I feel that I can let go of everything. ]
[ I like the me who charges forward with all his might to strike down the obstacles ahead, going forward without looking back. And I swing my sword precisely for that version of myself. ] 』
『 ....』
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
Stelle: "My goodness, Yanqing is really speaking from the heart, saying so much all at once."
March 7th: "A chat with Mr. Jiaoqiu?"
March 7th: "But what did Mr. Jiaoqiu even say?"
Jiaoqiu: "It doesn't matter what I said; he suddenly gained enlightenment on his own."
Jiaoqiu: "Tsk, kids nowadays are really something."
Jiaoqiu: "So young, yet more sentimental than adults."
Jiaoqiu: "The key is that he actually managed to realize something from it."
Feixiao: "Impressive, Jiaoqiu. You might as well change careers to become a therapist."
Feixiao: "You don't even need to say anything; just tagging along is enough to help people resolve their inner conflicts."
Feixiao: "Isn't this much better than your medical skills?"
Furina de Fontaine: "So Yanqing has now found the meaning of swinging his sword, and has broken free from the shadow of that strike?"
Black Swan: "He has probably broken free from most of it."
Black Swan: "For that kind of deep-seated fear, wanting to completely break free is not that easy."
Black Swan: "A proper opportunity is still needed."
Black Swan: "But when that opportunity will come, that's hard to say."
....
『 [ Yanqing, oh Yanqing, so young yet acting so old… Speaking of which, how old are you really? ]
Yanqing's deep reflections almost left Jiaoqiu completely bewildered.
[ Age doesn't really matter. All swordmasters will understand how I feel.]
Yanqing shakes his head.
[ Hmm... I get it. Looks like all the kids on the Luofu live tough lives. So, how about you, Miss Yunli? ]
Jiaoqiu nods, then looks at Yunli.
[ It's not polite to ask a girl her age, no matter which Xianzhou ship you're on. ]
Yunli says with a hint of displeasure.
[ I'm not asking your age! I'm asking if you have a dream as Yanqing has? ]
Jiaoqiu waves his hand, explaining.
[ You don't talk like a cook; you sound more like a TV host or something. ] 』
『 ....』
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
Feixiao: "Hahaha!"
Feixiao: "Jiaoqiu, don't say, your inquisitive manner really does show some talent for hosting."
Jiaoqiu: "Sigh, fine, I'm almost becoming an all-rounder."
Qingque: "Mr. Jiaoqiu, I think you've misunderstood one thing."
Qingque: "The children of the Luofu don't have it hard; most of them are happy every day."
Qingque: "Yanqing is just an exception on the Luofu; you can't generalize!"
Yanqing: "But Yanqing didn't feel it was hard either?"
Jiaoqiu: "Alright, my mistake."
Jiaoqiu: "I should say, the children of the Luofu are indeed too happy!"
Fu Xuan: "…That is completely unnecessary."
....
『 [ …Remember this, I am a healer. ]
Hearing Yunli still calling him a chef, Jiaoqiu facepalms speechlessly.
[ Well, I... I don't have a dream as Yanqing does. The only reason I'm participating in the Ringmaster's Challenge is that I made a promise to my grandfather that I'd win the precious sword he's contributed to the Wardance. ]
Yunli thinks for a moment, but still answers Jiaoqiu's question.
[ Sounds like that mind of yours is just filled with swords. ]
Hearing Yunli say this, Yanqing can't help but tease.
[ I bet you've got nothing better on your mind! ]
[ My… father was a craftsman of the Zhuming Xianzhou. Just because of his one foolish thought, many people died under the demonic swords he forged. ]
[ Since I was a child, I understood that many people are simply not fit to hold any weapon. ]
[ Allowing them to hold a sword is cruelty to the innocent. ]
[ Whenever I meet someone whose virtue does not match their sword, my palms itch, and I want to snatch the weapon from their hands. ]
[ Isn't… little brother Yanqing defending the stage for this Wardance? ]
[ I am kindly stepping up to ensure the sword does not fall into the wrong hands. ] 』
『 ....』
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
March 7th: "Eh? Hearing Miss Yunli's words, it seems she also has a tragic past?"
Yunli: "What tragic past? March, don't make it sound like I'm so pitiful."
Stelle: "A craftsman of the Zhuming Xianzhou?"
Stelle: "Your father was General Huaiyan's disciple?"
Stelle: "And what is a demonic sword?"
Yunli: "A demonic sword is naturally a demonic sword."
Yunli: "The kind of sword that bewitches people's minds is a demonic sword!"
Furina de Fontaine: "A sword that bewitches people's minds?"
Furina de Fontaine: "There are actually such swords?"
Yunli: "Do you know about Heliobi?"
Yunli: "A demonic sword is forged by casting a Heliobus into the sword."
Yunli: "This way, using the characteristics of the Heliobus, the demonic sword can unleash unexpected power."
Stelle: "Whoa!"
Stelle: "Casting a Heliobus into a sword?"
Stelle: "Is this some kind of weapon spirit?"
Stelle: "That is a brilliant idea!"
Fu Xuan: "But creatures like Heliobi are mostly evil and uncontrollable. Using them as sword spirits carries an extremely high probability of backfiring on the owner!"
Yunli: "Exactly, so my father ultimately made a terrible mistake."
Yunli: "He himself was ruined by the demonic sword."
Yunli: "And I am determined to clean up the mess he left behind!"
Yunli: "I vow to melt down all demonic swords!"
Yanqing: "I didn't expect Miss Yunli to have such an experience."
Yanqing: "Yanqing expresses his deep sympathy."
Yanqing: "But I still want to ask…"
Yanqing: "What did you mean by your last sentence?"
Yanqing: "What do you mean by 'falling into the wrong hands'!?"
....