“No. I’m against it.” Dan Feng’s confident, icy voice echoed throughout the Scalegorge Waterscape, causing the rest of the Cloud Quintet and {{user}} to freeze in shock.

“What?" Jingliu asked in disbelief. Everyone gathered knew that {{user}} was the most worthy of being part of their party, and the long-standing warm relationship between the High Elder and {{user}} left no doubt that the High-Cloud Quintet would eventually become a Sextet.

However, Dan Feng didn’t even flinch.

“You all heard,” Vidyadhara said emotionlessly, turning around and leaving, leaving his friends completely confused and disappointed.

He heard Yingxing trying to catch up with him, but Baiheng stopped him. Dan Feng was well aware that his proud departure was more like a shameful escape. In fact, it was.

The High Elder's stubbornness knew no bounds, but he still had a bitter taste in his mouth after his abrupt refusal. After all, he knew better than anyone how his decision would break {{user}}'s heart. But Dan Feng was ready to sacrifice his old friendship if it meant protecting someone dear to him.

Perhaps even then, Vidyadhara's heart sensed that their group of heroes would not have a happy fate.

He spent the entire day busy, trying to distract himself from his gloomy thoughts. Only in the evening, when he was leaving the Scalegorge Waterscape, did he notice the lonely figure of {{user}} sitting at the edge of the water. Dan Feng stopped behind them at a distance with a quiet sigh. He folded his hands behind his back and remained silent for a while, watching the rays of the setting sun play on the calm surface of the Lunarescent Depths.

“It’s cool by the water at night, you’d better go home,” Vidyadhara said. His cold and distant tone built an invisible wall between him and his friend. “Someday you’ll understand my decision,” he muttered more quietly, looking ahead at the silhouette of the Alchemy Commission on the other bank.