[HSRGSS] Chapter 111: Imbibitor Lunae, Dan Feng

In the fifth match, Jingliu encountered a red-haired man who made Lucian feel some familiarity.

Lucian searched his memory and finally recalled that the man was someone from Jarilo-VI—a fighter who had once left home to seek help for his homeland—Igor Haft.

In the original story, after failing to gain assistance from the Xianzhou Alliance, Igor immediately returned home, joined the fight against the Antimatter Legion, and eventually died.

Lucian honestly had not expected to meet someone from Jarilo-VI inside Jingliu's script.

As their match started, without surprise, Igor was instantly defeated by Jingliu with a single strike.

Just like in the game, Igor shouted to everyone after his defeat, warning them to beware of the Antimatter Legion and pleading for support for Jarilo-VI.

Just then, a figure suddenly appeared before him.

It was none other than the famous Azure Sword Immortal, the master of the formidable woman who had just defeated him, Lucian.

"Igor, is there a Lord Ravager behind the Antimatter Legion that invaded Jarilo?"

On the stage, Lucian asked the surprised Igor calmly.

Lucian was actually trying to find out whether Lord Ravager Celenova was present. Because her face was hidden in the game, Lucian wanted to see what she truly looked like if he encountered her.

Igor froze for a moment, surprised that the 'Azure Sword Immortal' would speak to him first, then answered.

"I don't know, sir..." Igor shook his head. "I only know there are many Antimatter Legion troops... Would you be willing to support my homeland?"

Lucian obviously agreed without hesitation.

Considering the contents of the script could affect certain aspects of reality, if he saved Jarilo-VI this time, perhaps he could even change its true history, sparing it from disaster and allowing its civilization to recover.

Of course, this was not guaranteed.

Nonetheless, Lucian was simply willing to try.

After all, defeating the Antimatter Legion was like child's play to him, and if luck allowed him to meet Celenova, even better.

"Let's go. I will save your homeland."

Right after saying this, Lucian grabbed Igor and threw him forward.

Lucian remembered Jarilo-VI's coordinates clearly, so he did not even need Igor to guide him.

In the next moment, the two disappeared instantly, leaving the spectators gasping.

"Azure Sword Immortal is personally taking action—Jarilo will be saved!"

"Is it that certain?"

"Kid, you're too young. You don't know about the Heavenly Ascendant whose reputation was built by cutting down countless enemies."

A while later, Lucian returned to the Luofu alone.

'A pity she wasn't there...'

Lucian had not found Celenova, so he casually wiped out the Antimatter Legion and then left in style.

Thankfully, the timing was perfect—he returned just in time to witness the showdown between Jingliu and Jing Yuan.

As always, Jingliu's entrance was commanding and full of aura, and by now, most of the spectators were already her diehard fans.

"Oh, the ringmaster looks so young. He probably won't last long."

"Judging by Jingliu's previous record, it'll be another one-strike win."

"Maybe this swordsman from the Luofu is strong too?"

Amid the spectators' chatter, Jingliu and Jing Yuan finally made their moves.

However, to everyone's surprise, not only did Jing Yuan not fall after one strike, but he even exchanged blows evenly with Jingliu.

Jingliu's acting was truly impeccable—no one could see any flaws at all.

It was only natural.

Not only was she being paid, but this was also her master's request, so she could not afford to be careless.

"Holy crap, I didn't expect the ringmaster to be quite capable! No wonder he's the ringmaster!"

"Jing Yuan, right? To last this long under the Moonlight Sword Immortal… He's definitely a genius!"

"Ohoho, Xianzhou Luofu's future is bright."

"I think Jing Yuan has the bearing of a general!"

"Three hundred moves already! To endure three hundred moves, Jing Yuan must be unmatched among his peers!"

"Indeed, who else could last so long against Jingliu?"

One after another, the spectators praised Jing Yuan enthusiastically, and no one suspected that the match was actually rigged.

It was understandable.

Given the undeniable prestige of the Heavenly Ascendant and Teng Xiao as the Luofu's Arbiter-General, the spectators would never have expected that they would stage a fake match in front of so many people.

Of course, the match was not truly rigged—just a little holding back, which was exactly what Teng Xiao had wanted.

At this moment, Teng Xiao was grinning from ear to ear.

Not only did this match protect the Luofu's reputation, but it also gave Jing Yuan the title of a prodigy warrior.

Finally, after four hundred moves, Jingliu stopped holding back, instantly defeating Jing Yuan with a single strike in the very next second.

Seeing the result, the spectators sighed in regret.

"Such a shame. A few more years of training, and he could have won."

"Even so, to last four hundred moves under Jingliu's sword, Jing Yuan truly deserves to be called a genius—that's more than enough."

With that, the Luminary Wardance Ceremony came to an end, with the final victor being Jingliu.

As a result, the spectators chanted Jingliu's name, further elevating the prestige of the Heavenly Ascendant.

Elsewhere, in the VIP viewing stands, a young man with dragon horns quietly pondered after watching Jingliu's matches.

"High Elder, shall we continue watching?"

An attendant behind the young man stepped forward to ask.

"No."

Hearing his attendant's question, the young man snapped out of his thoughts and slowly stood up.

"Let's go find General Teng Xiao."

He was Dan Feng, the current Vidyadhara High Elder of the Xianzhou Luofu, known as 'Imbibitor Lunae'—a prodigy of the vidyadhara, entrusted with great hopes to restore their 'immortality.'

Watching Jingliu's presence and swordsmanship stirred his competitive spirit, making him want to see who was stronger between them.

Of course, it was mainly her aura.

Dan Feng noticed that every time Jingliu appeared, her aura was so overwhelming, which finally made him realize where he fell short—his own entrances were far too ordinary.

As for her strength, considering Jingliu had fought Jing Yuan for such a long time, her strength was not beyond his reach.

Even if she had been holding back during the match, it was unlikely she restrained herself for four hundred moves, right?

'An organization like the Heavenly Ascendant would never take money to throw a match.'

Dan Feng believed that an aloof organization of sword immortals like the Heavenly Ascendant must have their own principles and pursuits, so they would never lower themselves before millions just for material gain.

With this belief, Dan Feng assessed himself against Jingliu and felt that the strength gap between them was roughly seventy to thirty.

As a result, Dan Feng decided to skip past Jingliu and directly challenge her master, the Azure Sword Immortal.

"Please ask General Teng Xiao to arrange a meeting. I wish to see Jingliu and her master."

Dan Feng calmly ordered his attendant.

Nodding obediently, the attendant immediately went to convey Dan Feng's request to Teng Xiao.

===

Xianzhou Luofu, Seat of Divine Foresight.

As Lucian entered, flanked by Baiheng on his left, Jingliu on his right, and Yingxing following behind, he saw a figure with flowing black hair and dragon horns standing beside Teng Xiao.

Lucian recognized the figure at once—Dan Feng, the Vidyadhara High Elder of the Xianzhou Luofu and a member of the High-Cloud Quintet in the original story.

"Here they are. Let me introduce you." Teng Xiao said with a smile, acting like a guide. "He is Dan Feng, our Luofu's Vidyadhara High Elder. He is the one who wishes to meet you."

"General Lucian, the world says your sword makes anyone kneel." Dan Feng immediately spoke, not beating around the bush. "Today, I want to see if your sword can make me kneel."

Upon hearing this, everyone was stunned, staring at him as if he had lost his mind.

Clearly, Dan Feng was unaware of Teng Xiao's kneeling incident when he sparred with Lucian.

Even an Emanator had to kneel, so how could he hope to remain standing?

Lucian felt slightly helpless.

No wonder the High-Cloud Quintet could achieve great things—each member was equally bold.

"Don't do this. You can't win." Teng Xiao pulled Dan Feng aside and whispered quietly. "Forget it. Maybe spar with Jingliu instead."

"To shrink back before a strong opponent—how could we ever advance like that?" Dan Feng said with a frown.

He truly looked impressive, truly handsome, but he had simply chosen the wrong target, which made him seem somewhat ridiculous.

Lucian did not bother explaining.

It did not matter who it was—even if an Aeon came in person, they would have to kneel before his sword, let alone a mere Vidyadhara High Elder.

"As you wish."

Lucian casually drew a sword and immediately gave it a light swing.

Smack!

Dan Feng, kneeling with both palms pressed together, wore a face full of disbelief.

Why couldn't he even resist?

Was the gap truly this vast?

"Again."

Smack!

"Again!"

Smack!

After twenty such kneels, Dan Feng finally admitted defeat—he was utterly subdued.

Usually, this proud genius rarely met an equal, and only Teng Xiao could spar with him, but now, faced with an unreasonable sword immortal, his proud head was pressed down.

At this moment, Dan Feng understood what he had to do.

He could not remain stagnant and had to pursue greater breakthroughs to bring back 'immortality' for the Vidyadhara—and Lucian was the next step.

Dan Feng lowered his head, deep in thought.

Seeing this, the others were unsurprised and did not mock him—not because of any special reason, but simply because Lucian was just too abnormal, as no matter one's status, everyone would kneel without exception when he swung his sword.

"Sir, I wish to join the Heavenly Ascendant!"

Dan Feng suddenly straightened and bowed to Lucian as he spoke these words.

Teng Xiao was dumbfounded.

How could he not?

Didn't this mean the Vidyadhara High Elder of the Xianzhou Luofu wanted to join the Xianzhou Cangcheng's side?