Chapter 112 - 111: The High-Cloud Quintet Unites Onscreen! How Terrifying, Imbibitor Lunae!

Please support me on Patreon, where you can read a bunch of extra chapters, not just for this novel, but for all the novels I'm translating. I upload at least 2 times daily for each novel. Patreon.com/ThatGreatStuff ****** By the time Little Gui clicked into the video, over 100,000 viewers had already tuned in live! "It's barely been released!" "I clicked on it right away as soon as I received the notification." "Your reaction speed is insane!" Even with the initial black screen, real-time comments flooded in relentlessly. "Ah?" "I've been lurking on Feathered Spirit's account all this time—finally caught it!" "I'm March 7th, here to witness Dan Heng's past!" "I'm the Trailblazer, here to observe Dan Heng's history!" "A Luofu City resident come to spectate!" "A veteran from the era of the High-Cloud Quintet, fulfilling my wish to watch!" "I am Dan Heng, checking out my own promotional video!" At that moment, March 7 and her companions also received the notification. Quickly, March 7 rushed to secure a spot among the early viewers. She gleefully left her name as a comment, only to be followed by a swarm of copycat messages with various flashy and colorful chat bubbles. Her own comment got drowned amidst them, much to her frustration, pouting indignantly. "When will Feathered Spirit finally verify me? The real March 7th isn't even as popular online as those fake ones!" Dan Heng interjected, "March, quiet down, the main video is starting." March 7 composed herself and focused on the screen. "That's...the statue of the High Elder?" The first scene indeed showed the statue of the High Elder within Scalegorge Waterscape. Just as everyone anticipated it would seamlessly connect to the ongoing main storyline... Below the statue, four hands raised their cups in celebration. "Cheers!" came distinct voices—some cool, some indifferent, others lively or confident. Then, the full figures of these four individuals appeared on the screen. In that moment, as all four figures appeared together on screen: Dan Heng's mouth dropped open in astonishment. March 7th and Stelle wore expressions of sheer surprise! Ahead, Jing Yuan, Jingliu, and Blade... All three were instantly stunned, involuntarily halting their steps. "This voice..." Jingliu swiftly removed her black blindfold and materialized behind March 7th and Stelle. Upon seeing the content projected, her pupils slightly contracted. "Indeed...it's from that time..." she murmured. Simultaneously, Jing Yuan and Blade joined to watch alongside them. As they took in the scene, each briefly seemed lost in thought! Within the projection, from left to right: there was Jing Yuan, holding his wine cup with a faint smile gracing his lips; Jingliu, expression serene as she sipped her drink; Bai Heng, face beaming with delight and a goofy grin; and Ying Xing, feigning indifference yet willingly joining in the toast. Sunlight streamed through gaps, casting upon their faces. The image radiated warmth, capturing a tranquil moment frozen in time. "I really love this line from Honkai: Star Rail fans..." "Huh?" "It's a 'Thunderous Opening' moment!" "Is that the High-Cloud Quintet? It must be them, right?" "The one on the far right is Blade, isn't it?! But he looks much older than now! Is his hair already turning white?" "And this fox maiden is also part of the High-Cloud Quintet! How adorable..." The High-Cloud Quintet stood together. It was evident that this footage depicted events from the past, not the present. Jing Yuan, Jingliu, and Blade momentarily appeared stunned but swiftly regained their composure—or at least, they managed to do so outwardly. Without uttering a word, they continued watching the video intently. "Ying Xing, don't furrow your brow like that," Bai Heng gently chided in a casual tone. "And Imbibitor Lunae, why not smile?" Initially, the trio had composed themselves. However, upon hearing Bai Heng's lively voice, they found it difficult to maintain their calm once more. Jingliu's fists clenched slightly, while Blade seemed agitated, resting his forehead against one hand. Even March 7th hesitated, fearing movement might trigger something, muttering inwardly, "Are these two on the verge of a Mara-Struck episode..." Fortunately, Jing Yuan's voice interjected just in time: "Bai Heng, let them be," he said. "They're still preoccupied with their previous match against Jingliu." Jingliu spoke up, "Care for another bout? I'd gladly accept." As petals drifted down, the scene shifted. The four figures turned towards where Imbibitor Lunae would have been standing. But instead of the Imbibitor Lunae from those days, it was Dan Heng, recalling memories of the past as he paid tribute here. He took a sip from the cup in his hand and then poured its contents onto the stone slab beneath his feet. Dan Heng gazed at the statue of the High Elder, revealing a contented smile. This unexpected moment left all the players astonished! "So Jingliu had such a tender side after all." "Is this from their time as the High-Cloud Quintet?" "They seem so close!" "Bai Heng is adorable—where is she now? Will she be added to the card pool later?" "Mystery solved! Blade is Ying Xing! But wasn't Ying Xing from a short-lived race? How did he end up like this?" "I can already envision a heartwarming tale of brotherly bond and camaraderie!" "Just seeing this scene compared to how things are now makes me want to cry T_T" After commemorating his past companion from Imbibitor Lunae's perspective, Dan Heng closed his eyes. It seemed as if he intended to draw a pause on these memories of the past. He turned away from the High Elder's statue. However! Just as his back faced the statue, a multitude of shadows suddenly chased towards him from the sky behind. In mere moments! They enveloped the entire landscape! What was once clear weather now plunged into utter darkness. The atmosphere instantly shifted from sunlit serenity to chilling brutality! Dan Heng's expression changed abruptly. And beneath his feet, a vast surge of seawater began to rise! Dan Heng had yet to fully comprehend what was happening. A gleaming bayonet pressed against his neck from behind! "What the hell is happening?!" "Dan Heng couldn't even react—just who is this formidable expert?" "With such a terrifying presence, could it be another Destruction Monarch seeking revenge for Phantylia?" "There's an enemy! Call Jing Yuan!" However, when everyone saw the identity of the enemy behind them, chaos erupted instantly! The shock was so profound that no one could even manage to send further comments! This figure bore similarities to Dan Heng's features but had distinctive diamond-shaped eyes, sharper than the tip of a spear itself. His aura radiated icy coldness, akin to a vengeful ghost. The dragon horns atop his head and intricate details of his attire revealed his identity: the previous Vidyadhara High Elder— Imbibitor Lunae! Dan Feng! "How long do you plan to keep running?" Dan Feng questioned icily. Dan Heng closed his eyes and softly replied, "It's time for me to leave." "Leave?" Dan Feng's response sounded like he'd heard a joke. He continued, "Though vast, the star sea holds no relevance for us now." A struggle flickered across Dan Heng's face. Yet, Dan Feng showed neither courtesy nor mercy. With the spearpoint directly under Dan Heng's chin, he forced him to face himself, expressionless as if a relentless specter. "The legacy of the High Elder," he declared emotionlessly, "endures forevermore." "Bloody hell!" "Like the enduring Gǔhǎi Sea, unchanging through millennia." "Damn, can someone explain what's happening here?!" "Has Dan Feng been resurrected? Or is this just his spirit?" "Is he planning to seize control of Dan Heng's physical body?" "Holy crap, Imbibitor Lunae is so ruthless! In comparison, the little azure dragon really seems quite innocent." Even Dan Heng seemed taken aback by witnessing this scene unfold within the video. His gaze turned solemn, reflecting the image of Dan Feng. As if, the events unfolding on screen mirrored his own experiences over countless days and nights! Beside him, Jingliu let out a subtle sigh. She knew well that the Imbibitor Lunae depicted in the video was not the true Imbibitor Lunae. The defiant Dan Feng and the resolute Imbibitor Lunae—how could they possibly impose the burden of High Elder upon their reincarnation's shoulders? This shadow bearing Dan Feng's appearance was merely a manifestation of Dan Heng's inner demons. However, she too wished to observe what would transpire next. How would Dan Heng, the current incarnation of the Imbibitor Lunae, confront this obsession and make his choice?