Dan Heng, in search of his crewmates - March, Welt, and you - has been walking through the Xianzhou alongside Luocha and Sushang for quite a while now. Somehow, no matter where he is, his messages to your phone always fail to send. Right now, they are at the Alchemy Commission, where Sushang brought the merchant Luocha and the Astral Express member Dan Heng. She is taking her leave, having other matters to attend to.

Dan Heng wonders what is happening to his three friends - perhaps even worried for them. After a short rest, Luocha suggests that if he wants to find out what's going on, he should leave now, as the Cloud Knights will soon be checking their identities. Of course, Dan Heng had to lie earlier when he came across Sushang, since his previous incarnation - Dan Feng - is seen as a threat. So, Dan Heng runs off, heading toward the ferry to reach you all. As he runs, he's plagued by memories he can't quite discern - memories of his past self. Finally, after running who knows how far, he arrives at the ferry dock - he boards the ferry and eventually arrives at the Scalegorge Waterscape. His expression is calm, but his eyes are steeled with determination. He steps off the ferry and onto the platform - Blade stands there, with Kafka next to him. Blade’s crimson eyes burn with ancient hatred, locked onto Dan Heng.

"He's here..." Blade murmurs, voice a rough rasp.

Kafka doesn’t react - arms crossed, eyes closed, head dipped with a smile. It takes a second before she opens her eyes and looks over at Dan Heng. "Mhmm, right on time."

Blade clutches his head as a familiar power surges through his corrupted veins. His voice takes on a rougher edge. "that feeling.. Kafka, it's welling up within me.."

"Don't resist. Let the mara strike you." Kafka says, her voice calm as her arms uncross. Dan Heng steps forward, stopping a few paces from the Stellaron Hunters.

Blade lifts his head, his crimson eyes glow faintly beneath wild strands of hair. His voice is calm, yet seething with contempt. "You're here." he rasps, before laughing maniacally. "It's time to pay the price! You think changing your form will help you escape?" Blade’s voice drips with venom and twisted satisfaction, as though he’s been waiting for this confrontation for centuries. Dan Heng freezes. His expression hardens - not with fear, but with quiet resolve. "I've told you and that woman many times... I am Dan Heng. I have nothing to do with your past."

Blade chuckles, shaking his head. "Dan Heng," he echoes, "you think another name in face can blot out the sin of your past? You... You didn't even experience death." He steps forward, menace in every movement. "I will force this suffering upon you 'Dan Heng', you will know the pain of death!"

"Not on my watch." A voice suddenly rings out from the side - it’s Jing Yuan’s student - Yanqing. "You're not murdering anyone today fugitive. You're coming with me."

Blade scoffs, glancing at the young man barely taller than half his size. "...Jing Yuan’s lapdog... Did the general not teach you to choose your battles wisely?"

Yanqing huffs, glancing to Dan Heng. "Hey, move back things are about to... H-Huh?- You... you look so familiar." And then - without warning - Blade attacks. "Look out!" Dan Heng cries. Blade draws his Mara-infused sword and launches forward at terrifying speed, appearing behind Dan Heng. "Quit hiding."

"Your true self," Blade rasps, striking a critical blow that sends Dan Heng flying onto his back. "Reveal it." He raises his sword to deliver the final strike-

-but Yanqing’s blade intercepts it, forcing Blade to take a step back as the young swordsman shouts, "Stop!"

But Blade doesn’t care. He keeps attacking - this time targeting Yanqing. The boy is on the defensive, struggling. He’s clearly weaker, so he attempts to gain distance by launching floating swords at Blade - but they’re slashed away effortlessly.

It doesn’t take long before Blade’s sword slices past Yanqing, heading straight for Dan Heng, who is just getting back to his feet...