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I have no interest in commenting on the deeds and sins of Imbibitor Lunae. Given the choice, I would like to cast his name aside... Even so, the consequences of his power will be borne by me alone.

(Editor: After the Sedition of Imbibitor Lunae was quelled, some Vidyadhara individuals still worshiped Dan Feng in secrecy, creating various literary works and dramas remixing the whole narrative of the sedition from the perspective of supporters.

The Luofu's Six Charioteers let most of these plays go, but "Six Charioteers Adjudicating the Imbibitor Lunae" was very influential at the time, even prompting some Vidyadhara individuals to form groups against the Alliance. The Seat of Divine Foresight was forced to ban performances of this play and strictly prohibited publication of its libretto.

But nowadays, the Sedition of Imbibitor Lunae and its aftershocks have long subsided. This editor believes that "Six Charioteers Adjudicating the Imbibitor Lunae" is worthy of reexamination and reinterpretation as an artifact of its time, and so I've compiled the only fragments remaining of this libretto for the benefit of the dear reader.)

...

The trembling general, rage undying, half chastising, half sighing:
"Three disasters the Luofu purged, standing alone against the mara scourge."
"Surviving odds so difficult, how on earth could you revolt?"
"I beseech you please to change your mind, lest you lose the will of all mankind!"
Hearing this, Imbibitor Lunae turned his head, his lustrous eyes glowed as he said:
"Beseech me not so piteously, m'Lord, if my life's long, then yours will be short."
"Once out of this hall I tumble, Divine Foresight's where my spear will rumble."
"Cause trouble, and your golden age will be perturbed."
"Make mischief, and your peace will be disturbed."
"For millennia your excellencies have ruled the Luofu in domination, but in one fell swoop I've cut short your immortality!"
His retort left the general shocked and pained: "How will peace ever be maintained?"
Imbibitor Lunae chanted up to the sky, his sonorous song like whale's cry:
"Draw thy bow and shoot down the morning star, scorch my eyes and dip my soul in tar;"
"Plunge down the ancients into dark violence, and rid yourself of those with loyalty and valiance."
"Forcing the people into tranquility; this is how peace is kept in perpetuity!"

Edited 2023-08-31 19:28 (UTC)

HIGH-CLOUD QUINTET

The Intelligentsia Guild once witnessed and even participated in the multiple battles between the Xianzhou people and the Denizens of Abundance to record and interpret the Xianzhou people's tactics and techniques. The brutality and darkness of every battle had always helped those dazzling souls shine. In addition to the well-known figures like the Seven Arbiter-Generals, there are many legendary heroes on the Xianzhou who have left their names in history.

High-Cloud Quintet is a historical story of the beloved heroes of the Xianzhou people. As members of the long-life species, they only had a short-lived brilliance, making their story even more splendid.

When the Denizens of Abundance had gathered a massive army to attack the Yuque, five heroes from different Xianzhou ships came together. Among them was a sharpshooting Foxian pilot and a short-life species that came to Xianzhou to learn. The five ventured to perilous lands and successfully killed the enemies. They destroyed the incarnosphere created by the Denizens of Abundance and prevented the Yuque from collapsing.

This legend inspired many Xianzhou poets and Foxian immersia, and their works made the five heroes famous. Unlike the historical background behind the story of the Seven Arbiter-Generals, the story of the High-Cloud Quintet is more like a heroic tale created by the folks.

Unfortunately, their heyday did not last long. In less than a century, the heroes parted ways and passed away. There was even a dark prophecy hinting at depravity and betrayal among the five. Other than General Jing Yuan, who can still be often seen in public now, the rest of the group has faded into oblivion and is hardly mentioned.

As a cultural phenomenon, the High-Cloud Quintet seems to have always existed alongside the Alliance over time. This reminds me of a serialized novel that has been active for more than 30 years. There is a story titled 17 Days of Crown, which centers around a regime in the history of the Morrowen Kingdom that existed for only seventeen days, destroyed by the Antimatter Legion. Despite the short reign, the story of the regime will never end.

This is probably how the Xianzhou people perceive the High-Cloud Quintet. As long as people keep telling their stories, the stories will go on forever, and so will the best times of the Alliance. After all, it is hard not to be entranced by the illusion of nostalgia.

Dan Feng the sinner, embracing immorality and breaking the ban,
thieving immortality and inciting riot.
Both gods and man alike are enraged, such that none can grant repentance,
It is only right to execute justice and punish the guilty, in order to uphold order and peace.

However,
Taking into account his past merits, he shall be spared a heavy punishment,
Through molting shall he atone for his faults.
A never-ending exile far beyond public opinion.
With total interception across the whole dominion.

Edited 2023-08-31 19:27 (UTC)

(The inscribed text has been damaged.)

[Above text is missing]

[Missing] (Presumably from Preceptor Taoran's speech)...Preceptor...[Missing]...ancestral law...[Missing]...isn't that ridiculous!

[Missing] (Presumably from Preceptor Xuepu's speech)...After the sedition, the Vidyadhara's reputation has been incredibly tarnished. If we don't turn the other cheek and show friendship, it could damage our alliance with the Xianzhou people. And that's undoubtedly what the Preceptors would hate to see. Therefore, I propose that the Luofu Vidyadhara should temporarily move away from the rule of the high elder and instead submit to rule by the council of Preceptors, to ensure [Missing]

Preceptor Taoran said: Lady Xuepu, you've served as one of Dan Feng's tutors during his development phase. The disasters he has waged are now inextricably linked to the indulgence of you, his teachers. Dan Feng's imprisonment is his own fault, and has nothing to do with the succession of high elders. I shall repeat: The ancestors have formulated laws, and these cannot be changed. Our solemn responsibility is to confiscate the Transmutation Arcanum and the Orb of Abysm from Dan Feng to uphold the continuation of the Ichor Lines. Your bold suggestion of Preceptors entangling in political activity is the height of malice!

Preceptor Fenghuan said: Some people keep secret little scores within themselves. Few dare to expose them. Then allow me to clear the air here and now: The Preceptor Council is a stop-gap measure for when the High Elder position is vacant or governance is untenable, but Xuepu's message rings loud and clear. She wants to take advantage of [Missing] being cut off to completely replace the High Elder position with the Preceptor Council.

Preceptor Xuepu said: I shall recommend that you do not slander me.

Preceptor Fenghuan said: Then you have misunderstood. I am in agreement with you. The High Elder system is an outdated one, handing over power to a single chosen one. This has caused countless tragedies in the history of our kind. Now that Dan Feng has been detained by the Ten Lords, isn't now the perfect time to hand back power to the people? Or are you saying that these people are so used to being loyal subjects that they're incapable of learning how to be their own masters?

The Preceptors erupted loudly in a ruckus, debating and cursing each other. This has not been recorded verbatim.

[Missing] (Cannot identify who the speaker here is) ...Cursing aloud, in here? Scandalous! [Missing] ...must think clearly about this, as it will decide our fate for the next few thousand years.

[Below text is missing]

Edited 2023-08-31 19:26 (UTC)

Alchemy Commission - Official Gazette: Comments Section

Day: March 15, Year 8100 Star Calendar
It is advisable to work overtime and avoid taking time off
Have fewer chatter about trivial matters, and discuss more about serious topics — Officer of the Comments Section

Current Affairs: Oh no! The Dragon Lady has disappeared!

This morning I brought her favorite breakfast for the high elder and found her missing! I've searched everywhere for her... the Medicine Bureau, the Elixir Research Terrace, the Medical Pavilion... but I can't find her! Have you seen her?

I found out that all the starskiffs in delve had gone missing, and I couldn't get a response to my messages to the Realm-Keeping Commission. The chief alchemist, chief healer, and lead medical assistant were all out of town for a meeting, so I couldn't report to anyone.

Will any kindhearted friend from the Alchemy Commission help me?

Signed, Lingering Clouds

Relax, she is probably skipping home again.
How many times do we have to do the whole shebang for this little girl? No more serious work to be done?
I think we should just keep doing our work at hand, and then maybe one day she'll just quietly come back.
Hey, just like when finding lost things, when you don't go looking for it, it'll just appear on its own.
It always turns out that way, right guys?

Signed, Unconcerned in the Medical Hut

Hey previous commenter, I hope you show the most basic respect to the high elder.
She is the rightful leader of the Vidyadhara after that man!
And I think she's doing a much better job than that so-called great hero.
It's also because of the Dragon Lady's genius that we've been able to make progress in many of our prescription research. Even the chief alchemist also said that the Dragon Lady's capabilities are immeasurable.

Signed, Peeved Bald Healer

I understand. I'm just tired of this childish drama.
The high elder is not merely a mascot, but should carry herself like someone deserving of the title of high elder.
I'm maybe a few years older than you, so I have seen that person's heroism in battle with my own eyes.

Signed, Unconcerned in the Medical Hut

Yeah, and then he got locked up.
How many of our people were never able to undergo hatching rebirth again because of his one decision?
In my opinion, the current high elder may not have defeated any abominations, or vanquished any evils, or stepped up for Vidyadhara affairs... But her efforts in saving lives and healing the wounded is a hundred times better than those Preceptors and that so-called hero!

Signed, Thunderous Scalegorge Tides

You guys...
Stop arguing!
The high elder is still naive and pure, and ignorant of worldly affairs. What if someone kidnaps her with bad intentions!

Signed, Lingering Clouds

Whoa, Yunyou here is pretty scary.
I might have a clue. The day before yesterday I saw Banxia sneak off to the high elder's medical chambers. I don't know if it was to talk about escaping to have some fun?
...This doesn't count as tattling, right?

Signed, Yuluo

I can't thank you enough! I'll gather the maids and go look for her.

Signed, Lingering Clouds

Well...
So, can we continue arguing now?

Signed, Peeved Bald Healer

NO! All those that have commented, start searching for her now!

Signed, Lingering Clouds

‘Dear Mellow-Golden-Mayor Immersia Club: I love the group portraits that you build into Xianzhou Sword Tale, especially when they include those two male characters Jim Yan and Denn Fang – they keep me up at night…

‘…So I’ve been writing my own fan fiction during the nights, ‘Untouchable Lovers’ – and I hope you’ll leave your comments on it!’

After that, a dramatic tale of love, hate, life, and death twists and turns over the next forty pages. In the end, the two male protagonists die poetically yet tragically in each other’s embrace.

You don’t understand why, but feel shocked as though your first love has been stolen away from you. You put back this manuscript and leave it with the box on the side of the road.

Tell me something from the High-Cloud Quintet

If the customer wishes for it, then allow me to regale you with a tale from the Imbibitor Lunae.

We must first speak of the Shackling Prison. On this day, a visitor from another star was jailed for slaying seven or eight Cloud Knight Soldiers, and was thrown into the depths of the prison for this heinous crime.

This prisoner's physique was shocking, standing over ten feet tall with a girth of over five feet. Everything was huge about him: his weight, visage, and facial features. His body was covered in natural golden armor, and impervious to weapons... To capture him, the Ten-Lords Commission had to dispatch its Judges to assist.
The myriad of cuffs, shackles, chains, and spikes hanging behind the tea drinker began to rattle, for the iron-skinned prisoner had already used his iron-wielding skipp to entrap the youth.

Yet this tea drinker poured himself another cup without missing a bit, then raised his cup, as if inviting the iron-skinned prisoner over. His voice was clear and cold, yet intimidating...

'It appears you're rather confident of your metal manipulation. How about I just use one cup of tea?'

The tea in the cup came alive in an instant, forming a small watery orb floating in mid-air. The prisoner reacted in kind, and a clattering cacophony, all the iron objects in the narrow corridor hurtled towards the tea-drinking youth.

The tea swirled like a serpentine dragon, batting away all the iron pieces with such inhuman speed and force that they were wedged in the walls from the powerful deflections.

Then the tea gathered and formed into a watery orb once more. The prisoner, taken aback, thought to cut his losses and retreat. But the tea made its move again, sealing the prisoner's nostrils and mouth shut.

With a ‘thud’, the towering iron-skinned figure fell to the ground, unconscious. The tea-drinking youth evenly muttered, 'This is not the lowest depths,' and disappeared into the darkness.

* The veracity of this tale is highly dubious.

THEY SAY THAT DAN FENG ONCE BETRAYED THE XIANZHOU...

I was initially kept in the Shackling Prison after reincarnating and received a thorough education on that person's life and crimes. According to the Judges, Dan Feng craved the power of Abundance and created abominations, causing widespread havoc in the Scalegorge Waterscape. He also terminated the high elder succession of the Vidyadhara and committed one of the Ten Unpardonable Sins. Therefore, as his reincarnation, I had to bear his punishment.

After my exile, I encountered many stories about Imbibitor Lunae beyond the prison walls... Xianzhou's storytellers and immersia creators seem partial to his deeds of heroism. They wrote scripts based on the stories of him and his friends, which were widely performed. As for what kind of person he really was... To be honest with you, I can't be certain either.

Jing Yuan's note:
In different people's minds, Dan Feng may have been an avatar of Long the dragon, a hero, or an immense evil... but never a person with feelings and emotions.

Edited 2023-08-25 14:44 (UTC)

In the Year 4800 of the Star Calendar, the five lineages of the Vidyadhara made alliance on the Yuque, putting their sacred vow into writing. "This oath shall remain unbroken, standing stronger than even earth and steel." — History of the Xianzhou: Exodus of the Five Dragons
In the Year 7379 of the Star Calendar, the Imbibitor Lunae Dan Feng caused turmoil that threatened the sacred wood. The Cloud Knights joined forces with the Vidyadhara Preceptors to assault him. — History of the Xianzhou: Cloud Knights War Records
"Noble successor of the Azure Dragon, bearer of divine blessings from the heavens. Traversing clouds and bestowing rain, shaping forms as the world's essence beckons."

He dreamed of shouldering his responsibilities, performing the ritual dance gracefully, and sealing the Ambrosial Arbor.
He dreamed of stepping into a battlefield where sharp blades and arrows fell like rain, and meted out punishment from the sky.
He dreamed of being chained between jade pillars, pierced by long nails, sealed in darkness.
He dreamed of wandering aimlessly in the darkness, chased by lurking shadows.

In all the dreams, he was a dragon, a hero, a sinner, but never a person with love, hatred, sorrow, or joy like everyone else in this world.

To take the throne, the high elder of the Vidyadhara needs to pass a series of trials during which their physical features slowly transform to resemble that of their predecessors. I see that loss of identity as a curse, rather than a gift. He managed to break free eventually, but should have done it in a different way...

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