"...Mr. Caelus, then you really are... exceptionally gifted." Jing Yuan finally squeezed out a dry evaluation.
Well, what else could Jing Yuan say besides calling him exceptionally gifted?
"I am not questioning you, but this matter concerns the entire Vidyadhara race and has significant implications. If word gets out, the resulting turmoil will be immeasurable. Mr. Caelus, you must understand the Luofu's caution. Because of this, I must, in my capacity as the General of the Luofu, make a request to you—regarding Lu Shi's existence and this... technology you possess..."
Jing Yuan hesitated, then sighed again.
Let alone the descendants of Permanence, anyone on the Xianzhou could sense the powerful surge of imaginary energy.
It was impossible to hide.
"I still need to know if Lu Shi is a product of an experiment."
"Then I'll say it once more: this child was born naturally. She wasn't made in some strange experimental pod or petri dish using genetic experiments."
He looked at Caelus; the other's expression was frank and certain, without a trace of lying or concealment.
Jing Yuan looked back at Lu Shi. The little girl was trying her best to stand on her tiptoes, reaching for the last exquisitely shaped lotus flower cake on the table, her little face full of concentration.
"In that case, you might not be able to leave for a while."
Jing Yuan shook his head.
"Can't leave? What do you mean?"
"This child has been unconsciously causing the bloodlines of all dragon descendants on the Luofu to resonate. The intensity and range are unprecedented."
Jing Yuan sighed.
"So, what does the General mean?"
"Your daughter's existence is of too great a significance to the Vidyadhara." Jing Yuan hesitated. "I shouldn't speak biasedly, but you must know that the Dragon Masterss of the Vidyadhara have made unimaginable sacrifices, even crossing lines, just to ensure the survival of their descendants."
After a long silence, Jing Yuan looked up and spoke to Caelus again.
"Do you know who the current High Elder is?"
"Tell me."
"...She's a little girl about the same height as Lu Shi, named Bailu. But she... only possesses half of the High Elder's power. Currently, within the Vidyadhara... she is under house arrest."
Jing Yuan's implication was that Lu Shi's appearance meant that Bailu, the 'High Elder' under house arrest... The playful look on Caelus's face slowly faded. He looked down at Lu Shi, who was still trying to reach the lotus flower cake. The little girl seemed to sense the change in atmosphere, stopped her actions, and nervously tugged at the corner of his clothes.
"Mama?"
Caelus picked her up, letting her sit in the crook of his arm, and gently patted her back.
"I understand what the General means." Caelus's voice calmed down. "Then... what if my daughter has another identity?"
"Another identity?"
Jing Yuan was stunned for a moment.
Caelus took out a ticket shimmering with yellow and red luster from his inner coat pocket and pinned it to Lu Shi's collar.
"...!"
A Trailblazer?
The child of a High Elder, and at the same time, a 'Trailblazer' recognized by the Astral Express?
The identity of a Trailblazer represents a special status in the galaxy. They follow the Will of Trailblaze, traveling upon the star rails and interacting with various factions, usually maintaining a relatively neutral stance. More importantly, the Astral Express and the power behind it are something that even the Xianzhou Alliance must grant considerable respect.
"A child holding the ticket of a predecessor from the Astral Express can inherit their will and, with this ticket, embark on the Path of Trailblaze."
Caelus said softly.
These words left Jing Yuan stunned as well, before he chuckled.
Either Caelus obtained this ticket by chance, or... Caelus himself was once a Trailblazer.
Seeing the situation, Jing Yuan was certain it was the latter.
"I see..." He nodded gently, as if a puzzle that had bothered him for a long time had been solved. "The descendant of a Trailblazer, that makes sense."
A Trailblazer walking between the stars, joining with the High Elder of the Vidyadhara in some unknown way and giving birth to a child with the traits of both—this explanation, while still shocking, was at least much more 'reasonable' and easier for all parties to accept than two men giving birth naturally or some product of a forbidden experiment.
More importantly, the identity of a Trailblazer was an excellent protective charm. It meant that Lu Shi was not a rootless drifter; behind her stood the Astral Express, the star rail that spanned the galaxy, and the Will of Trailblaze.
Even the most radical Dragon Masterss within the Vidyadhara would have to think twice before trying to make a move on this child.
If they provoked a Trailblazer, and the star rail connecting to the universe was retracted or closed off specifically to the Vidyadhara, the consequences would be more than the Vidyadhara could bear.
Trailblazers are indeed the 'nice guys' of the galaxy, but that doesn't mean they are easy targets.
"It seems I was overthinking things."
"The General was just doing his duty, I understand. So, about our previous cooperation...?"
"As before, of course as before. The value of the minerals provided by your company is not low. As for those'standard-issue equipment'..." He gave Caelus a meaningful look. "It just so happens there's a batch of old models in the warehouse ready to be replaced. If Mr. Caelus doesn't mind that they are'scrap,' the price is negotiable."
"Scrap is good; I like scrap."
With the matter settled, the atmosphere relaxed. Jing Yuan even had the leisure to tease Lu Shi a bit.
"What are Mr. Caelus's plans next? If you're staying on the Luofu for a few days, I can arrange for a guide," Jing Yuan offered politely.
"No need for a guide, we'll just wander around." Caelus waved his hand. "Mainly, I want to take the child to see the world."
"In that case, I won't say more." Jing Yuan stood up with a warm smile. "I will send someone to discuss the specific details of our cooperation. While you are on the Luofu, if you need anything, feel free to contact us."
"Alright."
"However, I still have something to remind you. That is... all Vidyadhara currently on the Luofu... except for the High Elder, have no dragon horns or tails." Jing Yuan looked at Lu Shi's head and tail. "Do you know Cloudhymn magic?"
"Cloud... hymn?"
Lu Shi thought for a long time and finally shook her head.
She didn't know what Cloudhymn magic was.
"Papa only taught me one kind of power."
"One kind? What is it?"
Lu Shi wrinkled her little face, sensing something that had made her uneasy yet curious ever since she stepped onto this giant ship.
Water.
Lots of water.
"When Papa taught me the incantation, he seemed to be thinking of something unhappy."
Lu Shi reached out a hand, and the horns on her head glowed slightly, just as Dan Feng's once did.
"Cave of the Moons Siphon—"
Rumble rumble rumble... A massive sound came from the distance, like war drums. The Luofu seemed to tremble slightly at this moment. All ships on the Sea of Imbibing shook violently; in the streets and alleys, pedestrians stopped and looked toward the direction of Scalegorge Waterscape.
"Alright, alright, no need to—"
—Azure Dragon Cleansing the World!
On this day, everyone near Scalegorge Waterscape and the Sea of Imbibing saw a sight they would never forget.
The entire ancient sea transformed into a soaring water dragon, with scales, claws, and whiskers clearly visible, its whole body flowing with the radiance of Permanence. The water dragon raised its head to the sky, and its roar echoed throughout the Xianzhou Luofu. It was a call originating from ancient bloodline instincts.
The form of the azure dragon slowly dissipated, turning back into a sky full of crystal-clear water droplets, falling like a gentle rain over Scalegorge Waterscape and the Sea of Imbibing.
Lu Shi wiped the sweat from her little head.
"..."
Jing Yuan stood there, looking at the distant Sea of Imbibing, which was gradually calming down but still filled with water vapor. For a moment, he was speechless.
This was no longer a question of whether she resembled him.
You're even more powerful than the Imbibitor Lunae.
Even the Imbibitor Lunae wasn't this powerful at your age.
With a casual chant and a thought, the entire ancient sea followed her command, transforming into an azure dragon taking flight... At this point, concealment was futile. Most of the Luofu had seen that earth-shattering sight, and things must have already reached a boiling point over with the Vidyadhara.
"Mr. Caelus. It seems our previous 'low-profile' plan needs some adjustment."
"It's fine. We'll cross that bridge when we come to it. Anyway, we just came here to talk business and do some sightseeing."
His nonchalant attitude actually caused Jing Yuan's tense nerves to relax slightly.
"In that case, why don't you all follow me back to the Seat of Divine Foresight to rest for a while?" Jing Yuan invited. "I expect 'guests' will be arriving soon."
Caelus followed readily. "Sure, just let my daughter rest for a bit. That move just now probably wore her out."
"I'm not tired. I can do it several more times."
As if refusing to back down, the little girl raised her small hand.
"Cave of the Moons Siphon—!"
Jing Yuan quickly gave Lu Shi a piece of sugar cake, interrupting her attempt to summon the ancient sea dragon again. The sugar cake successfully stuffed little Lu Shi's mouth, avoiding an artificial rain that might have affected the entire Luofu.
Truly a little ancestor...
After coming out, Lu Shi, who was planning to buy a Jade-Apple Skewer, was exchanging wide-eyed stares with a purple-haired little girl.
"Why do you have horns on your head just like me?"
The purple-haired little girl widened her eyes and pointed at Lu Shi, who also had horns and a Tail.
Could it be?
"Are you also a Vidyadhara? I don't think I've seen you before. Are you a Vidyadhara from another Xianzhou ship?"
"Me? I am..."
Lu Shi's brain couldn't remember such a long string of names, like the Holy Emperor of Terra and Chairman of the Cosmic Junk Company... so Lu Shi simply simplified it.
"I was born from my Papa and Mama."
Bailu:?
Right, is that right?
No, that's not right.
"No, no," Bailu wagged her finger, her little face full of seriousness. "Vidyadhara are all born through Molting Rebirth. How could there be any logic in being born from a Papa and Mama? You must have remembered wrongly! And the scent on you... feels so familiar, and so powerful!"
But Lu Shi didn't look like she was lying at all.
"Let me check your pulse... Hmm?"
She reached out, checked Lu Shi's pulse and bone age, and her expression turned puzzled.
"You were born just a week ago?"
"Mm-hmm!"
?
This size... just born?
However, Bailu didn't think too much about it. She had just taken advantage of some unknown occurrence to quickly escape from her maidservants' watch.
Hehe!
But for some reason, Bailu always felt a sense of common origin from Lu Shi.
"Could it be that you're actually a High Elder from another Xianzhou ship, just like me?"
Little Bailu knew many things, yet she didn't know that much.
Lu Shi was getting a bit dizzy from Bailu's rambling. She tried hard to remember what her Papa Dan Heng and Mama Caelus had taught her, but complex terms like "Vidyadhara" and "High Elder" were still too difficult for her. She just blinked her golden eyes and honestly repeated, "I was just born from my Papa and Mama."
"You... you really have a Papa and Mama?" Bailu couldn't help but ask again, leaning in closer.
Hearing Bailu's question, Lu Shi nodded seriously.
Could it be... that the Vidyadhara from other Xianzhou ships are different from ours on the Luofu?
Bailu scratched her head.
But that's not what it says in the medical books.
A mixture of envy, curiosity, and longing began to sprout in Bailu's heart.
"Do... do your Papa and Mama treat you well?" Bailu's voice unconsciously softened, carrying a hint of cautious probing.
"They do!" Lu Shi immediately put her hands on her hips and told Bailu, "Even though Papa doesn't like to smile, he loves taking me for walks. Mama is super amazing and also super busy. I also have a big sister named March 7th..."
The life she described was trivial and ordinary, yet it was filled with a warmth that Bailu had never experienced.
Bailu listened intently, her eyes shimmering with an irrepressible envy.
"Um... can I see your Tail?"
"Tail? Okay."
"...Why don't you have a chimu longevity lock?"
Bailu looked at Lu Shi's Tail and asked softly.
"Longevity... lock?"
The Dragon Masterss all said that the thing attached to her Tail was called the chimu longevity lock, a noble ornament that only a High Elder was qualified to wear, and it wasn't allowed to be taken off even when sleeping. But Bailu had never believed them. Today, she met a Vidyadhara who seemed even more powerful than herself, yet the other person knew nothing of any chimu longevity lock... "If it's uncomfortable... then why not just take it off?" Lu Shi blinked her big eyes and proposed what seemed like a simple solution to her.
Hearing this, Bailu's little face instantly slumped, and she shook her head vigorously.
"I can't."
The more Bailu spoke, the more aggrieved she felt, her eyes turning a bit red. She had snuck out just to get some fresh air, never expecting to meet a "kindred spirit" who was so similar to her yet so different.
Seeing Bailu's aggrieved look, Lu Shi's little brows also furrowed. She didn't quite understand why something that looked uncomfortable couldn't be removed, but seeing Bailu sad made her feel uncomfortable too.
"Don't be sad... How about I let my Mama take a look for you? My Mama is super amazing! She can do anything!"
"N-no need..." she declined in a low voice, subconsciously touching the cold chimu longevity lock on her Tail. This thing wasn't just an ornament; it was more like an invisible proclamation and a shackle, reminding her of her identity and the responsibilities she had to bear, as well as... the possible consequences of defying the Dragon Masterss' wishes.
Seeing her guarded look, Lu Shi thought it over and decided to reach out and try the chant her Papa had taught her.
"I don't know what to do, but Papa said that as long as I recite this, I can solve the problem!"
Then, Lu Shi grabbed the chimu binding lock with both hands. Before Bailu could even cry out to stop her, Lu Shi began to recite the chant.
"Heavenly Flood Surging—Divine Wyrm Cloud-Soaring, Rise!"
It wasn't intentional control, but rather like a dormant instinct being stirred by a common aura, spontaneously surging toward the shackles binding her kin.
*Crack!*
A crisp, heart-palpitating sound of shattering rang out.
That incredibly hard chimu binding lock was instantly shattered by the dragon phantom rising from Lu Shi's body.
Bailu froze completely. She stared blankly at her Tail, which had suddenly become incredibly light. The heaviness and sense of restriction that had accompanied her for years vanished instantly, and an unprecedented sense of freedom swept through her entire body. She subconsciously moved her Tail; it was flexible and free, no longer hindered.
And the Path energy overflowing from Lu Shi's body continued to pour into Bailu's body, making Bailu unable to help but draw closer, finally hugging Lu Shi.
"So warm..."
"Don't cry, don't cry."
The power within Lu Shi unconsciously began to complete Bailu's incomplete High Elder power.
Her High Elder inheritance, which felt as if it had been severed and could only exert half its power, now began to flow and connect spontaneously under the guidance of this common yet purer and more ancient power. Bailu could feel that her connection with this world—with the Luofu and the Scalegorge Waterscape—had become even tighter.
"Who... who are you exactly? Why... do I feel such an affinity for you?"
"My name is Lu Shi," Lu Shi answered seriously. "Don't be sad, I'll share half my candy with you."
Share with me... half?