[HSRGSS] Chapter 113: Things Going Against One's Wishes

Cough!

"Short life... I-I'm the first to die?"

Baiheng had just raised her wine cup to her lips when she nearly choked upon hearing Lucian's revelation.

Shouldn't she have been the one to board the Astral Express and travel the world? How did it suddenly become her dying first, while Dan Feng ended up being the one to board the Astral Express instead?

Everyone was stunned, since no one had expected such an outcome.

"Teacher, you must be joking, right?" Yingxing asked with a strained smile.

Unfortunately, what met him was Lucian's calm gaze, which clearly showed he was not joking at all.

Yingxing's smile instantly stiffened.

How could someone like him, a short-lived species, possibly be immortal?

"Since it came up, let me give you all a little warning."

Lucian decided to explain in detail, to prepare the five of them mentally, since he could not be at their side every moment. If something unexpected happened, they must not immediately resort to Transmutation Arcanum.

"In my dream, people called you the High-Cloud Quintet."

"In the Year 7379 Star Calendar, an Emanator of Abundance, Shuhu, led a great army of abominations to press down upon the Xianzhou Luofu."

"Teng Xiao sacrificed himself, gravely injuring Shuhu, while the five of you fought the wounded Emanator."

"Dan Feng transformed into a dragon and battled Shuhu, but ultimately fell into Dragon's Delirium. In the end, Baiheng charged alone into the fray, saving Dan Feng and Jingliu, but perished alongside Shuhu."

At the mention of Teng Xiao's death, Jing Yuan's mind went blank, for he could not imagine that such a powerful general, the mentor he respected most, would be killed by an Emanator of Abundance.

"W-Well, not bad..." Baiheng grinned. "At least I traded my life for an Emanator's life—that's a fair deal!"

Of course, the others knew she was only trying to ease the heavy mood.

Jingliu and Dan Feng remained silent, unable to fathom why they would end up so cornered that Baiheng had no choice but to sacrifice herself.

"In the next dream, the antagonists were Dan Feng and Yingxing." Lucian continued.

Upon hearing this, Dan Feng and Yingxing looked stunned, then exchanged glances.

At this moment, everyone couldn't help but question how an old man nearing eighty and a Vidyadhara High Elder could end up as the antagonists.

"Dan Feng later learned that with the blood of a vidyadhara and the soul of a High Elder, another High Elder could be created."

"In the end, the two of you went to the Scalegorge Waterscape and buried the remnants of your fallen friend's blood, attempting to use the Transmutation Arcanum along with Shuhu's flesh and the powers of Ambrosial Arbor to bring Baiheng back to life."

"From Baiheng's remnants, you tried to create new life, but instead of Baiheng, you birthed a draconic abomination that nearly destroyed the Scalegorge Waterscape, slaughtering anyone without restraint, until Jingliu pierced its skull and killed it."

"In the end, Yingxing was tainted by Shuhu's flesh, cursed with immortality, and turned into a long-life species, unable to die."

"And Jingliu, having slain her close friend, was struck by mara, slaughtered her comrades, subdued by Jing Yuan, and then fled the Xianzhou Alliance."

As Lucian finished his so-called dream recount, the five fell silent—even the usually cheerful Baiheng could not smile anymore.

Needless to say, this was what people called 'things going against one's wishes.'

A life that should have been whole and destined for happiness instead ended in tragedy because of unexpected twists.

"So, without Teacher, Baiheng's death would have been the start of our downfall?" Jing Yuan said in a heavy tone, not daring to imagine how distressing it would be if that truly came to pass. "Honestly, that dream is terrifying if it ever becomes reality..."

"No wonder I had a nightmare recently… I dreamt I became a dragon, thrashing on an island, with many people attacking me..." Baiheng muttered in a slight daze. "I wanted to run, but I couldn't move, and finally, I saw Jingliu aiming her sword at my head... It scared me awake..."

Right after saying this, she quickly clung to Lucian's arm like a child seeking comfort.

"I told you, it's just a dream." Lucian raised his hand and gently patted her head. "With me here, it won't happen."

"I don't want to die... I want to stay quietly by your side..." Baiheng tilted her head, leaning against his shoulder with closeness. "If anything happens to me, you must save me, okay? I don't want to become a dragon and kill innocents, nor do I want to be stabbed by Jingliu."

Jingliu saw Baiheng's intimate gesture, but this time, she did not feel jealous at all.

In fact, she felt sympathy.

Why?

It was simply because when she was young, she had also dreamt of such a nightmare, where Rahu destroyed her home.

Back then, the vividness of that nightmare still haunted her—until she found that those nightmares truly came to pass. If her master had not appeared and slain Rahu, the Xianzhou Cangcheng would surely have become the hell she had seen in her nightmare.

"You two, remember my master's words." Jingliu said seriously as she gazed at Dan Feng and Yingxing. "I do not want to see such things happen. Otherwise, don't blame me if I cut off the problem at the root."

Seeing her so serious for the first time, the two men did not dare to refute.

"Yes, I understand." Yingxing nodded with a solemn expression. "No matter what happens, I will ask Teacher first."

Even though he was nearly eighty, Yingxing was well-maintained, looking no older than sixty. He had the chance for Lucian to restore his youth, but he refused, saying that when he was near death, if he still wished to live, he would then ask for Lucian's help.

"Mm, I won't act recklessly." Dan Feng nodded seriously.

He never intended to bring harm to his friends.

Besides, with a teacher possessing such unfathomable restorative power, there was no need for any Transmutation Arcanum.

'Death is not the end. Preserve the remains, find Teacher/Master/Lucian, and revival is possible.'

In the end, the five buried this thought deep within their hearts, their thoughts surprisingly in sync.

Lucian felt it was good for them to understand the stakes, so that even without him around, they would not recklessly cause trouble.

"Next year, Shuhu will most likely attack the Luofu. Remember to inform me early."

In history, the Shuhu Upheaval took place in the Year 7379 Star Calendar.

Now that they knew, the Luofu could prepare in advance.

If only he could find where Shuhu was hiding, Lucian would have killed him long ago—thrown him into a black hole, ensuring certain death.

"Alright!" Jing Yuan rose and saluted. "I will return now to report to the General, so he can prepare defenses and send more scouts."

Although he found Lucian's dream vision somewhat absurd, he dared not gamble on this. If a tragedy that could have been avoided truly happened due to his carelessness, he would be a sinner for eternity.

Dan Feng also stood up, leaving with Jing Yuan.

"In that case, I'll return to the Zhuming and rush the forging of arms." Yingxing also rose to leave.

Lucian simply sent the three to their destinations, leaving the courtyard with only one man and two women.

"Lucian, are you confident?"

Baiheng moved closer to Lucian, her tone serious.

"Of course." Lucian smiled with confidence. "Don't you know how capable I am?"

"But an Emanator of Abundance can heal and regenerate endlessly..." Jingliu chimed in with a frown. "It's hard to truly kill a being like that."

On this, Teng Xiao would have had the most to say—for even when he was utterly exhausted and had given everything, Shuhu still ultimately survived until Baiheng sacrificed herself.

"Just throw him into a black hole—there's no need for a prolonged fight." Lucian shrugged. "Don't worry, I have my ways."

He then rubbed Baiheng's head with his left hand and Jingliu's with his right—the gesture carried such a sense of safety that the two women asked no more.

===

A year later, Jing Yuan contacted Lucian.

"Master, as you predicted, scouts have found the Abominations of Abundance regrouping, moving toward the Xianzhou Luofu. More importantly, an Emanator of Abundance is among them. General Teng Xiao requests support from the Xianzhou Cangcheng."

Baiheng and Jingliu, sitting beside Lucian, heard this as well.

"When are we leaving?" Jingliu asked directly.

"Tomorrow—it doesn't matter." Lucian replied calmly.

With Absolute Hit, knowing the coordinates meant that travel time was irrelevant.

"In that case, I'll go out to pray for good fortune!" Baiheng exclaimed, putting on her coat and quickly leaving the house.

Truthfully, ever since Lucian revealed the tragedy in his dream, it had weighed heavily on her.

Because of this, afraid she might never speak the words she had always longed to say, Baiheng resolved to seek a blessing for love first.