Since the Imbibitor Lunae Rebellion, the Vidyadhara population had been dwindling... No, perhaps it's more accurate to say that this fatal vulnerability for the Vidyadhara had already become apparent during the numerous wars against the Denizens of Abundance.
The Imbibitor Lunae Rebellion merely accelerated this crisis.
From a certain perspective, although that man-made disaster was caused by the willful actions of the Imbibitor Lunae and his friend Yingxing, it was essentially an 'attempt' inevitably triggered by the declining Vidyadhara population.
After all, the common Vidyadhara were fine, untouched by these issues. But whether it was the High Elders or the Preceptors, though they constrained each other for personal gain, they were united in their concern for the future of the Vidyadhara race.
Therefore, the Imbibitor Lunae Rebellion also involved the machinations of Vidyadhara Preceptors—otherwise, the High Elders responsible for leading the Vidyadhara wouldn't have had such easy access to the 'Transmutation Arcanum,' the Vidyadhara lifeline traditionally controlled by the Preceptors.
However, none of them had anticipated that events would escalate as they did, transforming from an experiment into a widespread catastrophe.
The outbreak of the Imbibitor Lunae Rebellion took a heavy toll on the Vidyadhara population—an undeniable tragedy.
But...
In the eyes of certain individuals, or rather, in the eyes of those Vidyadhara Preceptors, it wasn't just a tragedy.
It also represented a possibility.
A breakthrough, taking Vidyadhara population growth from zero to one.
It was a miracle, and also a glimmer of hope.
It showed the Preceptors, who worried day and night about the Vidyadhara's future, a way forward, a source of hope.
Thus, since the Imbibitor Lunae Rebellion, there had been no shortage of attempts within the Vidyadhara race to replicate the Transmutation Arcanum used by the Imbibitor Lunae.
Although some objected, fearing a repeat of the past disaster, the significance of the goal was so great that even opponents merely maintained their stance of opposition, allowing the other faction to proceed unchecked.
After all, regardless of the outcome, it was an internal Vidyadhara matter. If reported externally, the Vidyadhara race would undoubtedly suffer the most.
And Preceptor Taoran was precisely such a radical Preceptor obsessed with replicating the Transmutation Arcanum.
He colluded with the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus and contacted the Borisin, all in an effort to utilize the miracles of Abundance to complete the Transmutation Arcanum.
However, despite meticulous planning, his efforts were ultimately outpaced by change.
Regarding the former, the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus—the Preceptors had held expectations for those believers of Abundance, waiting for the day they would receive rewards for effectively selling out the Xianzhou.
The result... the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus were inexplicably wiped out, root and stem.
As for the latter, honestly, they had originally planned to liaise with the Borisin during the Luminary Wardance.
But... moving mountains is hard, but shaking the Yaoqing is harder.
With such a martially powerful Xianzhou ship, one that struck fear into the hearts of the Borisin, docked right next door, how would the Borisin dare make a move?
Even if they could achieve something, did they really want to race against those bloodthirsty soldiers of the Qingqiu Army from the Yaoqing?
Adding to that, the figurehead High Elders had recently become restless, causing the Preceptors immense stress, seeing no way forward.
And just at this moment.
"Mang Gu, Emissary of the Master of Immortality, pays a special visit to the Undying Dragonkin."
He had initially thought that Miss Tingyun, the confidante of the Sky-Faring Commission's Helm Master Yukong, with whom he had some dealings, was bringing some request from Lady Yukong. Unexpectedly, upon meeting, he heard such delightful news.
"The Emissary of the Master of Immortality..."
The Vidyadhara hadn't yet received news about Mang Gu. After all, the Luofu wasn't on the front lines, and the Seat of the Divine Foresight had been keeping a tight watch since the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus incident.
Thus, Taoran knew very little about the situation with the Borisin—but that didn't diminish his enthusiasm for the title 'Emissary of the Master of Immortality'.
After all, the Borisin's Master of Immortality was none other than the Merciful Medicus, the Aeon of Abundance, Yaoshi.
Yaoshi's emissary... wouldn't that be an Emanator of Abundance?
The appearance of an Emanator of Abundance would be a disaster for the Xianzhou, but in Taoran's eyes, it was an undeniable opportunity.
However, he still harbored doubts and caution: "Do you have proof?"
Since she wore Tingyun's face, Taoran was very worried this might be a trap set by that cunning Divine Foresight General.
He knew that the Vidyadhara had already given the Xianzhou plenty of ammunition regarding the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus affair. It was only because the evidence wasn't sufficient that he reckoned the 'closed-eyed' General wouldn't dare risk the crime of sowing discord among allies to trouble the Vidyadhara. But if he were caught red-handed again, it would be difficult to handle.
"Hehe, this is proof from the Borisin."
"As for proof from the Master of Immortality, apologies... We are currently on the Xianzhou. To avoid attracting the attention of that Divine Foresight General, this little lady must exert all effort to conceal herself if she wishes to remain undiscovered."
Phantylia produced a wolf-fang-shaped pendant from somewhere, smiling.
"This is... proof from the Borisin Warleader?!"
Taoran, having sharp eyesight, recognized the wolf fang's true nature at once, somewhat surprised. As far as he knew, this item was akin to the Xianzhou's alliance jade abacus for the Borisin. Of course... it wasn't used for calling for help, but simply an object to prove identity.
It proved that the Borisin Warleader recognized the holder of this item.
But the Borisin usually recognized others in only one way: the other party was a supreme warrior who had personally taken it from the Warleader's hand. Otherwise, it was unthinkable.
Knowing this item couldn't possibly be fake, although he still had reservations about her identity as an Emissary of the Master of Immortality, learning of her connection to the Borisin sent a wave of ecstasy through Taoran.
Isn't this the opportunity?
He had just been worrying about the Borisin being too scared to come because of the Xianzhou Yaoqing's presence. Unexpectedly, not only did they come, but they sent someone significant!
"Good, good, good..."
Though extremely excited, Taoran maintained a natural expression, eagerly sizing up Phantylia before him, repeatedly praising her.
"One doesn't visit a temple without a cause."
"Emissary of the Borisin, why have you sought me out?"
'Tingyun' smiled charmingly, covering her face slightly: "This humble one prefers straightforward people like Preceptor Taoran."
"In that case, I won't beat around the bush."
"I hear the Shackling Prison is guarded by the Vidyadhara clan. To unify the scattered Borisin, and also to welcome the blessings of the Master of Immortality, this little lady hopes Your Excellency Taoran can open the door of convenience for me."
"After the matter is concluded, this humble one will surely offer generous thanks."
Hearing this, Taoran looked relaxed, his expression clearly saying, Is that all? I thought it was something serious. Then, with a touch of self-satisfaction, he said proudly:
"Hehe, merely this."
"Although the Shackling Prison is hidden beneath the ancient sea, it is guarded by us Vidyadhara. Sending you in is as easy as turning over my hand."
"However, because of those idiots from the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus earlier, the Shackling Prison was renovated, and the Ten-Lords Commission's security has become increasingly strict..."
"While I can get you inside, that's the extent of my ability."
"Your Excellency Taoran need not worry. As long as you can get this little lady inside, that will suffice."
Remembering that the other party was an Emissary of the Master of Immortality, Taoran instantly felt reassured.
"In that case, I won't say anything further."
"Next, I shall personally lead the way for Miss Mang Gu."
"Please."
He cupped his fist politely. Normally, to avoid leaving tracks, Taoran shouldn't have gone himself.
Doing so could easily leave evidence.
But since the other party was an Emissary of the Master of Immortality, he certainly couldn't appear lacking in stature.
With a Vidyadhara Preceptor escorting her, the path was unobstructed. Very easily, Taoran led Phantylia past the Vidyadhara's Cloud-Chant Barrier, bringing her before the Evil-Suppressing Gate, the entrance to the Shackling Prison's domain.
"From here on, it is inconvenient for me to accompany you. Please be careful, 'Miss Tingyun', and remember not to attract the attention of the judges."
After saying this, Taoran left the fellow Vidyadhara who had accompanied Phantylia to guide her, then departed with his hands behind his back.
Passing through the Cloud-Chant Gate, he was in an exceptionally good mood, humming a Vidyadhara Cloud-Chant tune as if foreseeing a beautiful future. He planned to return to his residence and await good news.
However, just after passing through the curtain door, he froze.
"General Feixiao?!"
Before the water curtain entrance, Feixiao sat calmly, looking as if she had been waiting for a long time. Beside her stood a short, brown-haired girl in green clothes with Mengmo perched on her shoulder. He recognized her as Qingque, someone who seemed to work at the Seat of the Divine Foresight and was rumored to be groomed by Jing Yuan as his successor.
"You've worked hard."
"Uh... haha, guarding the Shackling Prison is the duty my Vidyadhara clan owes the Alliance. How can it be called hard work?"
Feeling extremely guilty, Taoran chuckled awkwardly. "But General Feixiao, why did you come to my Vidyadhara clan's territory without prior notice? I could have prepared, so as not to appear impolite like this now. Please forgive my lack of welcome, General Feixiao."
Normally, Vidyadhara Preceptors were quite assertive towards Xianzhou Generals, relying on their Vidyadhara status. But perhaps because he had done something wrong, seeing the General now—even though it wasn't Jing Yuan who governed the Luofu, but the neighboring Yaoqing General—he was still respectful.
"I don't blame you. Explain your actions yourself to the Alliance and the High Elders."
"Caelorum Venti, this is an internal matter for your Vidyadhara clan. I'll leave the rest to you."
Feixiao casually dropped the line, then bypassed Taoran and entered the Shackling Prison.
Only the girl carrying Mengmo and the stunned Taoran remained. He looked up towards the higher ground.
His gaze fell upon a beautiful woman with dragon horns and wings, staring at him with a frosty expression. Beside her stood a short girl, none other than the Vidyadhara High Elder, the Dragon Healer Lady Bailu.
"...Lady... Caelorum Venti?!"
The moment he saw her, Taoran instantly stammered, his heart filled with immense dread.
Although Caelorum Venti of the Yaoqing wasn't as stern and hateful of evil as Lady Huyuan of the Fanghu, and was even considered relatively approachable among the High Elders, in a place as martially vigorous as the Yaoqing, how approachable could she truly be?
Recalling the Sky-Faring General's words just now, he instantly understood that he had likely been exposed.
Perhaps... that person named Mang Gu was even part of a setup by Jing Yuan, designed to catch him red-handed.
And in the current situation, Taoran felt he had probably been caught in the act.
However, the next moment, remembering something, he suddenly calmed down.
"Caelorum Venti, let me explain!"
Taoran knew that Caelorum Venti, like himself, was one of the Vidyadhara higher-ups concerned about their race's future. She had even strongly advocated for the Imbibitor Lunae who should have been executed back then.
If so, then he had a chance.
As long as he framed this incident as being for the Vidyadhara's future, shifting the conflict from one between enemies to an internal Alliance dispute, then even if colluding with the Borisin was a grave crime, the worst outcome would likely be shedding his scales and reincarnating.
For him, that was entirely acceptable.
However, Caelorum Venti merely shook her head: "There's no need to say more."
"Colluding with a general under the command of the Ruin Author, bringing chaos to the Xianzhou, attempting to help seize Hoolay and destroy the Xianzhou—Preceptor Taoran, your crimes are unforgivable!"
"I did it for the Vidyadhara..."
Taoran, attempting to explain, suddenly froze upon hearing these words.
His face filled with disbelief, incomprehension.
"Caelorum Venti! Caelorum Venti, you're mistaken! I didn't! I didn't collude with those Antimatter Legion bastards! That person was an emissary sent by the Borisin, an emissary of the Plagues Author! Yes! I want to report a merit! Mang Gu is an emissary under the Plagues Author, an Emanator of Abundance, no less significant than Shuhu back then! If we let her enter the Shackling Prison, it will surely lead to great chaos!"
Sweating profusely, Taoran stammered, speaking extremely rapidly in his attempt to explain.
Colluding with the Borisin and colluding with the Antimatter Legion were crimes on completely different levels! Although both likely meant death, he was a noble Vidyadhara Preceptor. If he framed his collusion with the Borisin as being for the Vidyadhara's future, the other Preceptor might at least protect him, striving for the punishment of shedding scales.
After all, that was an internal Vidyadhara matter.
But colluding with the Antimatter Legion transformed him from an internal traitor colluding with external enemies into someone anti-humanity, anti-Xianzhou, guilty of plotting to overthrow the Xianzhou!
How could he admit to such a crime? Even if beaten to death, Taoran wouldn't dare bear this accusation.
"Caelorum Venti! Caelorum Venti, believe me! I colluded with the Borisin! It was the Borisin! She really isn't part of the Antimatter Legion!"
"Take him away!" Caelorum Venti looked impatient and disgusted.
"Hold on."
"?"
She looked strangely at [Qingque], who had stopped her. According to Feixiao, this girl was the mastermind who had invited her to watch this grand spectacle. Caelorum Venti was full of confusion.
"Since our dear Preceptor here is so insistent he colluded with the Borisin, we should at least let him see for himself. Otherwise, what if someone claims the Alliance is falsely accusing a Vidyadhara Preceptor~"
The girl [Qingque] said with a grin, producing an Celestial Jade Tablet from somewhere. She casually tossed it into the air, where it expanded like a screen. The scene displayed within was unmistakably the interior of the Shackling Prison.
And the protagonist was none other than 'Tingyun'—Phantylia—who had infiltrated the prison.