"Finally getting to the main theme. The High-Cloud Quintet should be a story about five individuals, similar to a superhero team-up—heroes gradually emerging before eventually being recruited by someone to unite and face a great enemy together. Though I've seen this trope many times, I have to admit it still works like a charm!"
Workday, seated diagonally behind Wise, once again voiced his thoughts.
Wise glanced around the surroundings. His younger sister, Belle, was still engrossed in lively fun with Guinaifen.
Only when he quieted down did he notice something unusual about the seating arrangements around him.
Seeing that Wise wasn't responding, Zho Tian pressed on, "My friend, why the silence? Is it because we're too far apart to converse comfortably?"
"Uh, not really."
Workday smiled faintly and snapped his fingers. In an instant, everyone in the outer circle around him stood up and, in an orderly fashion, swapped seats within minutes.
Now, Workday was seated right beside Wise, while the heavily bundled person who had been next to him earlier took Workday's former seat.
Wise cast a glance at that person, and Workday caught the subtle motion.
"No need to worry. This is my younger sister. Due to certain… special circumstances, I can't disclose more details."
The corners of Wise's lips curled slightly. "I understand! I also have a lovely younger sister." He pointed to his left.
Workday nodded in satisfaction, as if he had found a kindred spirit.
Wise: "You must be an extraordinary person. Without some 'connections,' it's practically impossible to get tickets to this premiere, yet you managed to secure so many?"
At this point, Wise was almost certain that Workday's sister was none other than the household-name celebrity—Robin.
That much was indisputable. But why was Robin not as lively and vibrant as she appeared on screen? There wasn't even a hint of emotional fluctuation detectable.
Workday also noticed Wise's unusual perceptiveness and chuckled lightly. "You flatter me! Let's just focus on the film. I'm looking forward to seeing which five members the High-Cloud Quintet will highlight."
——
Thud, thud, thud…
Little Yingxing was under Huaiyan's guidance, continuing to hone his craftsmanship.
Watching this short-life species child, Huaiyan was utterly delighted.
He imparted every technique he knew without holding anything back.
Strangely enough, Yingxing's talent was frighteningly high.
Whatever Huaiyan demonstrated once, Yingxing could replicate flawlessly without missing a single step.
Gradually, he began making a name for himself in the Artisanship Commission.
Just when everything seemed to be progressing smoothly, little Yingxing encountered that ice-cold Cloud Knight.
A white-haired woman with crimson eyes was passing through the Zhuming Xianzhou with her Cloud Knight unit.
The subtitles labeled her: "Cloud Knight—Jingliu."
By sheer coincidence, Jingliu caught sight of Yingxing. Perhaps it was because she had taken on a little brat of similar stature as her disciple, or perhaps it was the air of aloofness Yingxing exuded that drew her attention.
Huaiyan had to oversee all major and minor affairs of Zhuming, so it was impossible for him to attend to everything personally.
As Huaiyan's personal disciple, Yingxing could very well be called the face of Huaiyan's legacy.
This time, it fell to little Yingxing to receive Jingliu.
On screen, the two now sat in a pavilion.
Jingliu held a teacup, gazing at the scenery beyond.
Yingxing kept his head lowered, staring at the ground. The atmosphere was so awkward he could've dug out a three-bedroom apartment right there.
Finally, he couldn't take it anymore and spoke first. "Esteemed Cloud Knight, might I ask…"
"I'd like to ask—are you an outworlder?"
Yingxing froze for a few seconds. He hadn't expected the conversation to start this way.
What followed was a rather mundane exchange.
After hearing Yingxing's story, Jingliu fell into deep recollection.
Her thoughts seemed to travel back hundreds of years.
Her inner monologue served as narration, and the scene shifted accordingly.
On a Xianzhou ship named "Cangcheng," Jingliu was just a few years old—small and helpless.
The people around her began sprouting branches from their "danfu," transforming into Mara-struck.
In an instant, sparks flew, blades flashed, and the Cloud Knights clashed fiercely with the Xianzhou natives afflicted with the "Long-Life Disease."
Not only that, but a "star" in the sky was also hurtling toward Cangcheng at terrifying speed.
It was a long-dead celestial body, blessed by the Abundance Emanator—Shuhu—transforming into a living planet: "Rahu the Devourer of Worlds."
On screen, the massive celestial body opened its maw. Against such absolute power, Cangcheng stood no chance—it could only be devoured whole.
Jingliu was saved by a Cloud Knight clad in battle armor, becoming one of the very few survivors of that catastrophe.
"Cloud Knight… Cloud Knight!"
Little Yingxing's calls pulled Jingliu back to reality.
She took a sip of tea. "My apologies, I was lost in thought. From what you've said, your lifespan… is it truly only a hundred years?"
Yingxing showed no trace of discouragement. "So what? I'll use my limited time to master every technique the Artisanship Commission has to offer!"
Jingliu smiled faintly.
How audacious!
She'd remember this brat.
However…
Looking at Yingxing's small stature, she spoke again.
"Good! Arrogance is a virtue! Seeing your height, I can't help but think of my disciple."
"Disciple?" Yingxing found it hard to believe, given Jingliu's icy demeanor. "You have a disciple?"
"Heh, don't believe me?" Jingliu gestured at Yingxing's height. "He's about your size, though much older. His ideas are eccentric, and he wasn't particularly gifted in swordsmanship to begin with. Fortunately… fortunately, he's diligent and hardworking."
"Oh, if there's a chance, I'd like to meet him. Though I fear my short lifespan as a mortal would make it an eternal farewell compared to you long-life species.
But I swear—I will forge the mightiest weapons for the Cloud Knights! I will eradicate every last abomination of the Plague Author, leaving none alive!"
Jingliu glanced at Yingxing before raising her eyes to the sky. "Such ambition! Then I too swear—even the stars in the sky, I shall strike them down!"
——
At this point, Workday couldn't help but interject.
"Striking down stars? Is this echoing the earlier mention of the living planet—Rahu the Devourer of Worlds?"
"Most likely. This line feels like foreshadowing.
So far, we've confirmed that the Dragon Lord Dan Feng is one of the High-Cloud Quintet." Wise paused.
"Baiheng, Jingliu, and Yingxing have gotten significant screen time, so they must be members too. That leaves just one more."
"Once all five appear, the real story begins. The first half is mostly setup—highlighting their extraordinary traits,
along with repeated mentions of the Abundance Emanator Shuhu, the Abundance's followers, the Plague Author, and Emanators—these are clearly the film's villains."
"The beginning isn't boring, but it lacks major climaxes. I'm just waiting for the high-octane mid-section."
At this moment, Wise and Workday exchanged glances, deeply resonating with each other's views. They felt a mutual admiration, as if they'd met a kindred spirit too late!
Then, both turned to look at their younger sisters and declared in unison:
"Truly, my sister is the cutest in the world!"
"…Huh?"
"Say that again. Whose sister is the cutest?"