As night deepened, Wende, exhausted from a full day's work, finally sent off the last Cloud Knight who had come for treatment.

Aside from the initial batch of patients, the rest were basically fresh from the front lines. The Disciples of Sanctus Medicus had used some insidious method to seal the inner paths of the Alchemy Commission. Any Cloud Knight who drew near would have their minds bewildered, eventually risking the onset of Mara.

Forced into a corner, the Cloud Knights had no choice but to halt their advance. Otherwise, the rebellion of these Abominations of Abundance would have been completely suppressed within a day.

But alas, the enemy had grasped the one thing the Xianzhou people feared most. If Wende hadn't been holding down the rear, panic would have likely already spread throughout the Cloud Knights' ranks.

"How are you? Are you okay?"

Seeing Wende stagger to his feet, March 7th quickly supported his arm, her voice full of concern.

He had been sitting here for an entire day. If not for a few other physicians who had arrived at the last minute to help share the burden, he would have likely been busy even later into the night.

"Don't worry, I'm fine."

Wende patted March 7th's hair and shook his head.

Although he was exhausted, the condition of these soldiers was relatively stable, perhaps because he was here...

The thought made Wende wonder what would happen if he weren't around... These Cloud Knights did not fear sacrifice, nor did they fear powerful enemies... their only fear was being forced to turn their blades against the comrades they lived and fought beside day after day.

If it truly came to that, with the intense emotional turmoil and the deliberate machinations of the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus, the situation on the front lines would probably be even more grim.

Wende shook his head with a bitter smile. He, a "sinner" who should never have appeared on the Xianzhou, had now become the spiritual pillar of the Cloud Knights. It was truly a strange twist of fate.

"Doctor Wende, it's getting late. I will escort you all to your accommodations."

A Cloud Knight walked into the tent that had been set up for Wende, their hands empty, and spoke to him with great respect.

"Mm, thank you."

Wende nodded with a smile, then walked out of the tent with March 7th. Seeing this, the Cloud Knight immediately moved to the front of the pair, retrieved their weapon from a comrade at the entrance, and flanked them protectively.

Stelle and Welt followed close behind. They had just been speaking with the Cloud Knight officer in charge here and had learned that the front line was unable to advance any further.

"Wende!"

Seeing Wende's exhausted face, Stelle hurried forward, her expression full of concern.

"Relax, I'm fine. A good night's sleep is all I need," Wende said with a smile, comforting the anxious-looking girl.

"You've worked hard," Welt said, nodding at Wende.

"Mm. By the way, where is Miss Tingyun?" Wende looked around but didn't see the big-eared Foxian girl anywhere.

"Miss Tingyun went to help manage the supply distribution. The Xianzhou is short on manpower right now, as most of the logistics personnel went with the main Luofu forces to the Yaoqing. With Miss Tingyun's help, the logistical pressure here should be much lighter."

"It seems Miss Tingyun is quite busy, too," March 7th mused. She was the Sky-Faring Commission's emissary, a far cry from the tour-guide mascot who usually just drank milk tea and got massages.

"Everyone, the inn that used to serve the Alchemy Commission is just ahead. Not many people came here in the past, and with the troublemakers running rampant now, the accommodations might be a bit basic. However, we've already tidied up. We hope you can make do for one night..." the lead Cloud Knight said apologetically. Judging by the voice coming from behind the helmet, she seemed to be a gentle older sister type.

"No, no, it's wonderful that we have a place to stay at all! Thank you so much for cleaning the rooms for us!" March 7th quickly waved her hands. They were lucky to have a roof over their heads; many Cloud Knights were sleeping right on the streets...

"I see. In that case, we won't disturb you any longer. If you need anything, you can find us at any time. Our squad's post is nearby. The Master Diviner said you are free to command us if you require assistance."

The Cloud Knight big sister nodded in understanding, then led her team away.

"Wow, that short Master Diviner really values us, huh? She let a whole squad of Cloud Knights take orders from us. What an honor!" March 7th said excitedly, watching the retreating backs of their escort.

"Wende's influence has already spread throughout the Cloud Knights. However... the Xianzhou people's fear of Mara seems to be even deeper than I anticipated," Welt said, shaking his head thoughtfully.

"Get some good rest. Wende won't have to hold a clinic tomorrow." Welt looked at Wende's tired face and announced this to the group.

"Yay! I finally don't have to just sit around in a tent all day!" March 7th clapped her hands.

"The Disciples of Sanctus Medicus are using the Alchemy Commission's furnaces to steep drugs that can induce Mara into the air. The Cloud Knights can't advance an inch. Tomorrow, the Master Diviner will arrive in person. She has a plan that will allow us to infiltrate their lines, shut down those furnaces, and clear a path for the Cloud Knights," Welt explained to the group.

"Seriously? How did we end up as the vanguard team again? Uncle Yang, did the Xianzhou buy life insurance for us with themselves as the beneficiaries?" March 7th grumbled.

"It can't be helped. It seems General Jing Yuan really wasn't joking," Wende said, shaking his head with a sense of resignation as he recalled the General's words.

"He said not to be polite, and he really isn't being polite at all!" Wende, who had been forced to act as a free medical station several times, was feeling quite put-upon.

As expected, that bad woman's disciple was no good either... Wait, in a way, he was also her disciple...

"Sigh..."

Just the thought of possibly seeing that woman again made Wende sigh involuntarily.

"Hm? Tired? Let's go rest, then," Stelle said softly, seeing Wende's dejected look.

"Yeah, let's go inside."

Looking at the concerned Stelle, Wende managed a small smile and nodded.

The rooms cleaned by the Cloud Knights were spotless and not too spartan. The group washed up briefly before falling into a deep sleep.

---o---

The next morning, everyone gathered at the Alchemy Commission's starskiff port, their eyes fixed on a fleet of skiffs slowly approaching from the distance.

Tingyun stood at the very front of the crowd, watching the lead starskiff with an unconscious smile on her lips.

Tap...

Fu Xuan slowly disembarked from the starskiff. Her star-like eyes scanned the crowd that had long been waiting, her gaze lingering on Wende. The corners of her lips curved up as she gave him a slight, smiling nod.

Wende returned the smile in kind.

Tug...

Stelle suddenly tugged on his sleeve. Looking into her eyes, which were brimming with emotion, Wende couldn't help but chuckle before patting her on the head.

Sigh... how can I get this rebellious child to be less jealous... Wende thought, vexed.

Over the past few days, Stelle's attitude towards him seemed to have been subtly influenced by the players again. Her once unstable and randomly chaotic personality had now stabilized into that of a normal girl, but she seemed to harbor very complex feelings for him.

Should he consider giving her a few "personality correction injections" to set her thoughts straight? His fatherly love hadn't become twisted yet!

"Excellent, it's the Master Diviner!"

"The Master Diviner is leading from the front, this is truly..."

"The good days for those villains are numbered!"

Seeing Fu Xuan arrive to take command, the spirits of the Cloud Knights present were instantly lifted. They felt their morale surge, and their passion for slaying the enemy ignited.

"Everyone, you have fought hard these past days. Thanks to your efforts, the situation in the Alchemy Commission has stabilized. With the exception of its most central, vital areas, the surrounding regions have all been reclaimed. Today, we will engage in the final, decisive battle with those fiends! May the Reign Bow bless us, victory belongs to the Xianzhou!"

Fu Xuan's impassioned speech to the Cloud Knights instantly set their fighting spirit ablaze.

"We, the Cloud Knights! Like a canopy of clouds! We shield the Xianzhou!" the lead captain shouted, and a hundred voices instantly echoed his cry.

"WE, THE CLOUD KNIGHTS! LIKE A CANOPY OF CLOUDS! WE SHIELD THE XIANZHOU!!!"

Fu Xuan nodded in satisfaction at the fully mobilized troops, then gestured for the Astral Express crew to follow her to a quieter place to discuss matters.

"As expected of the Master Diviner, she really fired up those Cloud Knights!" March 7th said with admiration, looking at the petite Fu Xuan. Was this a case of not judging a book by its cover? Within that small frame hid a power that couldn't be ignored.

"This is all thanks to your help, especially Doctor Wende," Fu Xuan said, her gaze resting on him. "If Doctor Wende hadn't stabilized the knights' morale, I doubt their fighting spirit would be this high. On behalf of the Xianzhou and the General, I thank you, Doctor Wende."

Fu Xuan, who had always been proud and arrogant, gave Wende a slight bow to express her gratitude.

"Master Diviner, there's no need for such formality. We were simply doing our part for the Xianzhou," Wende hurriedly replied. He really didn't deserve such a courteous gesture.

"No. You had no obligation to get involved in the Xianzhou's current situation. If it weren't for..." Fu Xuan recalled a certain smiling face, and a surge of resentment rose in her heart. He was the one who invited them, but now she was the one left to offer thanks...

"Master Diviner, you are too kind. We are the Nameless, travelers of the Star Rail. When we see the Xianzhou in trouble, it is only right that we lend a hand and do what little we can. Furthermore, when we previously entered the Xianzhou by mistake, not only did you not hold us accountable, but you treated us with great courtesy. It is only natural that we help the Xianzhou overcome this crisis."

It had to be Welt. Ever the veteran statesman, he immediately gave Fu Xuan a graceful way to proceed.

"Mm. Since Mr. Yang has put it that way, I will get straight to the point." Fu Xuan nodded, very pleased with Welt's tact. "Next, I will have to trouble you all again. I trust Mr. Yang has already briefed you yesterday, so I won't repeat the details. Please, follow me."

Fu Xuan walked ahead of the group, leading them towards a specific location within the Alchemy Commission.

---o---

"It's about to start..."

Somewhere on the Xianzhou, Blade silently lifted his head, murmuring as he gazed at the sky-blotting Ambrosial Arbor on the distant sea.

"Yes... it's about to start," Kafka nodded beside him.

"Are you a parrot? Get in the team fight!" Silver Wolf, standing nearby, shot Kafka an annoyed look. It was one thing for Blade to muse aloud—his screen was already grey—but you're the DPS and you're slacking off here?

"Hehe, don't be so anxious, little Wolfie. Games are fun, but... isn't reality much more interesting?" Kafka said softly to Silver Wolf, nonchalantly closing her game client.

"Tsk... fine. I should have just slacked off outside instead of coming to this Xianzhou place with you. The internet connection is so laggy." Silver Wolf sighed and silently quit her 0/12 match. It seemed today was not a good day for gaming...

"Pop~ Seriously, are you sure you should be this relaxed? You've still got a tail following you," Silver Wolf said to Blade, popping a bubble of gum. He and that person behind them had been chasing each other for so long, so why was he so relaxed now?

"As I recall, you were the one who dragged me into a trio queue," Blade said coldly to Silver Wolf, his mood clearly souring.

"Uh... was I? Whatever. Seeing as you're all tilted now, I won't hold your throwing against you. I'm not in the next part of the script, right? I'm gonna dip. I haven't really explored the Xianzhou yet..."

With that, Silver Wolf's figure dissolved into a string of code and vanished.

"Sigh... she's still like this. I'm really afraid she'll get abducted by the Astral Express crew one day," Kafka said helplessly.

"I think you should be more worried about yourself."

"Ah, Blade, since when did you learn to make sarcastic retorts?"

"Hmph. That kid is coming. And that little brat," Blade said slowly, drawing his longsword and looking at the murderous intent reflected in his eyes on its surface.

"There's still some time. Don't be too hasty. The fog... hasn't lifted yet."

"..."

"So... another round?"

"Little Wolfie is gone already. Why don't you take this time to brew your emotions? Don't worry, I'm here to keep you in check, so there won't be any problems," Kafka said casually, glancing at a pack of wild wolves that had appeared nearby at some unknown point.

"Hmph..."