Dragon Raja.

The night colors of Tokyo filtered through the floor-to-ceiling window, shattering the warm, ambiguous light of the lovers' suite onto the carpet. Lu Mingfei kept stuffing barbecue-flavored potato chips into his mouth, but as he continued eating, he suddenly tasted something off... Why did these chips taste like cucumber?

Watching the Astral Express Crew finally prepare to return to the Xianzhou Luofu, he somehow felt a sense of finally coming home. Maybe it was because there were too many demons and monsters outside the Xianzhou Luofu? In any case, he specifically ordered late-night snacks, planning to eat them with Erii.

But right now... he quickly understood.

"Serve the midnight snack!" he clapped his hands grandly.

The door opened, and Lu Mingze walked in, holding a shimmering silver tray. However, this time he wasn't wearing that awkward chef's uniform and French toque.

"First, stop with your Magic Breakfast routine, and second, put down my midnight snack. Spit it out if you have something to say!" Lu Mingfei was practically ready to see him out.

"Alright, alright, we devils occasionally need to visit our clients." Lu Mingze placed the tray on the table. "Now that the Astral Express Crew is about to return to big brother's happy old home, what are your thoughts?"

"Bullshit, when did I ever think the Xianzhou was my happy old home?"

"What, doesn't big brother like Fu Xuan the most?"

"Nonsense, when did I ever say that?"

"Then... Ms. Tingyun?"

"Hey, hey, hey, why are you bringing up characters who are no longer available?" Lu Mingfei squinted at Lu Mingze.

"How could I? Of course, I know, but I can't help it. The client is the boss, and if the client says they don't like something, they don't like it. How dare we devils say 'no'?" Lu Mingze smiled. "It's not that I guessed wrong; it's that the client has changed."

"I changed? Changed into what? Ultraman?"

"Maybe you changed into a monster?" Lu Mingze shrugged. "It's understandable. I almost forgot that big brother is currently sitting next to the most precious beautiful girl in all of Japan... oh no, sitting next to a little monster. If it were me, I'd defect too. It wouldn't matter if we both turned into monsters."

"Get out, stop talking such disheartening nonsense. Do you have anything else to say? If not, don't interrupt me eating my takeout."

"Alright, alright, big brother truly forgets friends when he sees beauty." Lu Mingze quietly walked toward the door, turning back at the doorway. "Cherish her well."

"Cherish what? You little—"

Before Lu Mingfei could finish his sentence, the door clicked shut.

The scene beside him returned to normal. Erii, leaning on his shoulder, was breathing softly. He slightly turned his head and saw the girl's chest gently rising and falling.

She was asleep.

——

"The Xianzhou Luofu has just overcome a crisis. Holding a Wardance is a way to outwardly demonstrate its state of peace and safety."

March 7th pouted: "But everyone said the same thing before we went to Penacony! 'Under the Family's protection, there won't be any danger~'"

Dan Heng said flatly: "There is no need to be overly suspicious. The Wardance is not like The Charmony Festival, which concealed many secrets. It is merely a festival established to commemorate the great feat of The Reignbow and the Cloud Knights fighting the Abominations of Abundances and saving the Xianzhou. Besides the Star-skiff parade performance, the ceremony itself is just a competition of martial arts and sword fighting. It's no different from the Tycho-An Mobile Ball games we've watched."

"Himeko, what do you think? Given the Astral Express's current condition, since we accepted Ms. Black Swan's proposal, we should arrange a Trailblaze journey to Amphoreus to refuel."

Himeko pondered slightly: "Time is not too pressing. This particular Trailblaze journey is special; the Astral Express should also prepare for resupply and support before heading to the next stop. Coincidentally, Madam Herta has provided a connection, and I originally planned to retrieve a set of Ancient Beast Remains from the Jingalun Deep for Ms. Ruan Mei, Genius Society #81, before we depart, as a favor exchange. However, calculating the time, it will take at least a few weeks to return."

March 7th's eyebrows immediately drooped: "Oh, so... we can't go to the Xianzhou Luofu."

Himeko smiled faintly: "Little March 7th, maintaining relationships—this is the price adults must pay. Since the Xianzhou Luofu has extended an invitation, as friends, the Astral Express naturally ought to attend."

Himeko's arrangement was simple: she and Welt would complete the agreement with Ruan Mei, while Star, March 7th, and Dan Heng would attend the ceremony as representatives of the Astral Express.

"I want to play with the Ancient Beast Fossil!" Star raised her hand.

March 7th yanked hard on the strap behind Star: "Himeko and Uncle Yang are going to do serious scientific research! How could an Ancient Beast Fossil be more fun than watching the martial arts competition?"

——

Baki.

"Oh? The Xianzhou is about to start a martial arts competition? Does this mean a grand tournament is opening?"

Upon hearing about the martial arts competition, the group led by Tokugawa immediately became uncontrollably excited, especially Retsu Kaioh, whose shoulders trembled slightly: "Can we use this opportunity to witness masters from across the universe and the galaxy? People who are even stronger than Jing Yuan and Jingliu in martial arts... will we be able to meet them?"

"Stronger than Jingliu and Jing Yuan in martial arts? Such people are truly hard to imagine..." Miyamoto Musashi still remembered the astonishment and shock Jingliu's swordsmanship brought him, but thinking that there might be someone even more excellent in swordsmanship in this universe, his heart couldn't help but surge with excitement.

Retsu Kaioh frowned: "However, for this Xianzhou Wardance, will Yanqing still be the sole representative from the Xianzhou Luofu? Is he the only genius among the younger generation of the Xianzhou?"

Kaku Kaioh shook his head in disagreement: "You can't say that. The Xianzhou has a massive population, and there must be many hidden masters and seniors among the common folk. There are certainly some whose strength rivals Yanqing's... or even surpasses his. But they may be advanced in age and no longer willing to seek fame and profit among the younger generation."

"That's a bit of a shame..." Retsu Kaioh had previously watched Sushang use her sword, and her technique was quite good, but he heard her swordsmanship was passed down through her family. Presumably, her parents are the hidden masters among the common folk Kaku Kaioh mentioned. If they were willing to visit the Xianzhou, perhaps they would have a chance to surpass Yanqing in this martial arts competition.

——

"Besides, you have the most friends on the Xianzhou Luofu. If you don't go, I won't know where to have fun! You need to lead the way."

Since the group had reached a consensus, Pom-Pom prepared to initiate the jump. Before long, the three of them successfully arrived at the Xianzhou Luofu. The Xianzhou Luofu was as peaceful as ever, with countless Star-skiffs streaking across the sky like meteors, trailing long light streaks beneath the azure dome.

The hawking vendors on both sides of the street, the storytellers and opera singers on the road... everything was exactly the same as in their memories.

"Returning to this familiar place, this girl feels quite emotional..."

"Next up: March 7th's poetry recitation..."

March 7th repeatedly waved her hands: "It hasn't reached the point where I need to recite poetry for this scene! I'm just thinking about the twists and frights from the last time we arrived at the Xianzhou... This time, we weren't half-coerced and half-tricked by someone, nor are we chasing some wanted criminal, nor are we landing at a cargo dock. To have such a smooth journey... it's truly rare!"