“The Vidyadhara have no parents or family. After birth, a mentor teaches the young Vidyadhara members the Cloud Chant spell and various life knowledge.”

Bai Lu looked at Dan Heng: "...Dan Heng, do you have such a mentor?"

"If you're asking about Vidyadhara tradition, I haven't had such an experience. I've long been a wanderer unable to return to my homeland. In fragmented dreams, there are some old acquaintances I met in battle."

Speaking of this, Dan Heng seemed to remember something, and a faint smile appeared at the corner of his mouth: "But on my journey, I always meet people who can be called mentors."

"Since I can remember, only the Preceptors have told me to do this and that, and only the physicians of the Alchemy Commission have told me to heal the sick and save people. I don't know if that counts as a mentor at all."

Bai Lu turned to look at Dan Heng and smiled sweetly: "Do you know? You are especially like the mentor I have been waiting for for a long time. 'Former life's worthy disciple, next life's enlightened master'... Maybe in our previous lives, we were also friends or teacher and disciple."

"Dan Feng's friend or beloved disciple? Perhaps."

Dan Heng was initially worried that Bai Lu had the title but lacked the Dragon Lord's power, but now he found his worries were unnecessary. Bai Lu not only had it, but it was her own unique Dragon Lord's power, the vitality that re-weaved the seals and formed the profound root.

This was completely different from the power he possessed, which was only good at destruction and demolition.

—

Frieren: Beyond Journey's End.

"No wonder Dan Heng could open the Construction Wood seal but not close it. So he only inherited a part of Dan Feng's power."

"If the Dragon Lord's power of the two could be combined into one, perhaps one could glimpse the complete power of the previous Dragon Lord? What a pity..." Stark's gaze moved away from Dan Heng, and he sighed regretfully.

"If Mr. Dan Heng leaves the Xianzhou Loufu with the Star Rail, won't the Dragon Lord's inheritance of the Vidyadhara forever be missing this part of the power?"

Feilun felt that although it was good that Dan Heng possessed a part of the Dragon Lord's power, if it led to the subsequent Dragon Lords being unable to inherit the complete power, it would not be a good thing for the long-term development of the Vidyadhara.

"Feilun, don't think so much... Dan Heng is also of the Vidyadhara, and the characteristic of the Vidyadhara is reincarnation and self-reliance. As long as Dan Heng doesn't die outside, when he molts after many years, his soul will return to this Scalegorge and bring back the remaining Dragon Lord's power, right?" Frieren guessed.

However, the Vidyadhara can also live for a long time, and Feilun and the others might not be able to witness this scene by then. After another few hundred years, she herself would have a chance to see the Dragon Lord with complete power. Thinking about it this way... it doesn't seem like she has to wait very long.

After a simple chat about their respective Dragon Lord's power, Bai Lu left first.

"Dan Heng, shall we go too? March 7th and Uncle Yang are here to pick us up and are waiting ahead," Star reminded from the side.

"Okay."

Following Star, Dan Heng's steps suddenly stopped in front of the Exalting Dragon Grand Sanctum.

The wind swept across the stone steps in front of the hall, carrying wisps of the damp breath of the Scalegorge. He looked up, his gaze falling on the mottled statue in the hall—the once majestic outline had been eroded by time, badly damaged, only the stone carving's spearhead and gaze were directed into the distance, as if waiting for an appointment that would never return.

"—Imbibitor Lunae! Don't stand there in a daze, the wine is getting cold!"

Dan Heng turned back abruptly, as if he had heard that familiar voice again.

On the other side of the statue, four people seemed to be still standing—Jing Yuan's eyes were smiling, his fingertips turning a wine cup; a warm breeze seemed to sweep across Jingliu's face, which was covered in snow all year round, and she gave a rare gentle smile; even Ying Xing, who was always serious, had a hint of softness in his eyes at this moment; and Baiheng—

The fox woman smiled and drank the wine in one gulp, her eyes curved like a new moon, and the silver bells hanging from her hair jingled lightly in the wind.

"Ying Xing, don't frown."

"Imbibitor Lunae too, smile more."

"Baiheng, don't make it difficult for them. These two are still thinking about the outcome of their last match with Jingliu."

"Want another match? I'd be happy to."

"..."

—

Teyvat.

"Heroes of the fleeting world, gather and disperse with time."

On Wangshu Inn, Zhongli was looking up at the scene of the Five Kasas of the Cloud in the past, murmuring with emotion.

The beautiful past of the Five Kasas of the Cloud also stirred Xiao's memories, causing his brows to furrow almost imperceptibly, as if burned by karma, or pierced by the surging memories.

He lowered his eyes, and something in his golden pupils trembled slightly.

Vaguely—

He remembered that Fushe would always draw on his face while he was resting, sometimes a clumsy turtle, sometimes a simple bird. He remembered that Fana would always sprinkle a few dried Qingxin flower petals in his almond tofu, adding a bit of bitterness to the sweetness...

"Xiao, you always have such a straight face. Be careful, you might not even be able to smile in the future."

—Yingda's voice was like it was in his ear, with a teasing smile.

He suddenly closed his eyes and turned his head, no longer looking at the scene of the Five Kasas of the Cloud on the light screen. That warm past, at this moment, was as painful as being pricked by ten thousand needles...

His Adam's apple rolled, and Xiao took a deep breath with effort, finally managing to suppress the myriad emotions.

"...Did you remember something?" Zhongli's voice held a hint of concern.

"Yes."

The night wind blew, carrying away a barely audible sigh from Xiao's lips.

"Some... old stories with them."

—

The sun set, Dan Heng closed his eyes, and prepared to leave with a smile.

But suddenly, a black cloud spread from the direction of the Scalegorge Waterscape, covering the twilight. By the time Dan Heng reacted, the waves were already surging beneath his feet, and a sharp spearhead had pressed against his throat, as if it would pierce through in the next second.

He slowly turned his head.

Dan Feng slowly walked out from behind him, his face, almost identical to his, flashing with the cold light of killing intent.

"You, how long do you plan to run away?"

Dan Heng took a deep breath, a hint of determination flashing in his eyes: "I should go."

"Go?" Dan Feng still looked at him expressionlessly, "Although the star sea is vast, it has nothing to do with you and me."

Dan Heng was about to lower his head, but the spearhead lifted his chin, forcing him to look at the Dragon Lord behind him: "The Dragon Lord's inheritance, passed down forever. As constant as the Scalegorge, unchanging for ten thousand generations."

Dan Heng turned his head angrily: "That's your past!"

"No! As a reincarnation of the Dragon Lord, you are my reflection. The sins of the previous life are to be repaid in this life."

"I... am not you!"

Jiyun appeared in his hand, and the long spear was like an angry dragon coming out of the sea, forcing back Dan Feng behind him with one blow. The two stood facing each other with their spears, like the border between Chu and Han.

Dan Feng, however, let out a low laugh. He slowly raised his head and said coldly: "If you defy the clan rules and cut off the inheritance, you will forever fall into annihilation and will not be freed!"