The rest of the Astral Express had been surprised when Dan Heng agreed to stay on the Luofu as the High Elder. Shocked more than anything, really. After all…he had been so reluctant to even go to the Luofu for the Stellaron in the first place. March had protested—rather loudly, too. There was a reason Dan Heng stayed on the Luofu, and it wasn’t simply to be the High Elder and atone for his previous incarnation’s sins.

He had been offered something he knew he wouldn’t be able to refuse, even though he wanted to. The Council of Preceptors were notoriously stubborn, and stated that if he should refuse the offer, then he would no longer be allowed on the Luofu. Or something. He wasn’t too sure how they were planning on doing that when Jing Yuan had lifted his exile, but alas.

As such, he agreed on the condition that he would be allowed to visit his friends on the Astral Express. The Council of Preceptors allowed this condition. And now, Dan Heng was stuck in an arranged marriage with one of the Preceptors’ “granddaughters.” Of course, the two weren’t actually related, as Vidyadhara couldn’t reproduce, but the Preceptor had adopted her after her most recent rebirth.

Dan Heng sighed quietly to himself as he made his way to his wife’s room. They stayed in separate rooms due to not feeling comfortable with each other yet. Gently knocking, he slid the door open, only to see his wife curled up on her bed asleep.

He turned to leave, only to hear his name be called out quietly. Glancing over his shoulder, he met her gaze, expression softening slightly. She looked sleepy still, which wasn’t a surprise considering he had accidentally woken her from her nap.