On the train...
March 7th stumbled, nearly falling to the floor.
"Huh?"
"We already declined Kafka's request! Why are we still heading to Luofu?"
Himeko smiled gently. "Don't worry, March. Welt and I discussed it, and our decision to go to Luofu isn't because we agreed to Kafka's plea."
"On the contrary, we need to inform Xianzhou Luofu's General about the Stellaron Hunters' planned prison break and the imminent eruption of the Stellaron."
"Oh, I see..." March looked enlightened.
Stelle also stepped forward, adding, "The most crucial part is protecting our train's guard!"
"That Blade must be quite a headache for Dan Heng; keeping individuals like him confined in The Shackling Prison seems safer."
Upon hearing this, Dan Heng lifted his head, revealing a rare hint of a smile.
"Thank you."
"Yes! This way, we can catch Kafka off guard too. I can't wait to see her flustered!"
Seeing March 7th's energetic spirit return, Stelle couldn't help but shake his head slightly. His eyes momentarily dimmed, as unexpectedly, he felt a sudden concern for Kafka's safety.
What nonsense is this?!
"Have I really started seeing her as my mother?"
Pom-Pom nodded and stepped forward to address everyone.
"Pom-Pom doesn't like Kafka and won't follow the game plot created by Feathered Spirit. However, the path and goals of the Trailblazer must be chosen by the Trailblazer themselves. This is Akivili-sama's belief."
"I wish you all the best!"
As Pom-Pom counted down, the Leap began.
Arriving at Xianzhou Luofu, the Trailblazing team preparing for their journey aligned with the decisions made in the game narrative.
Naturally, Dan Heng could not proceed to Luofu, while Himeko would remain on the train, monitoring the live stream and maintaining contact with the group. This allowed them to promptly communicate any significant deviations from the storyline.
Just as Old Yang, March 7th, and Stelle were about to embark,
Dan Heng suddenly joined them.
"Dan Heng?"
"I've decided to join you this time," Dan Heng declared firmly amidst their surprised gazes. "No matter what, my past is something I must confront eventually."
"This time, I won't run away again." His eyes regained their usual calm and sharpness, with an unprecedented determination flickering deep within.
Welt patted him on the shoulder. "Since this is your decision, I respect it."
March 7th, slightly worried, chimed in, "Dan Heng, quickly ask Himeko to check if you said these exact lines in the game's storyline!"
"Characters who utter such phrases usually end up meeting a tragic fate..."
Dan Heng remained silent, taken aback.
Stelle gently touched Dan Heng's dragon-patterned pauldron. "Perhaps...you should tell us about your hidden powers beforehand? That way, we can leak some spoilers on the 'Honkai: Star Rail' forums ahead of time!"
Still speechless, Dan Heng suddenly felt a twinge of regret.
The port began guiding them for docking.
Unlike the prolonged silence depicted in the game's scenario, they smoothly entered Luofu's harbor under the assistance of local staff.
Just as they were about to step onto Luofu's land, Himeko's voice came through their earpieces with a warning.
"Everyone, in the game's storyline, you would encounter an attack by Demonic Yin Bodies here."
"While it might not pose much of a challenge for any of you, still... be cautious at all times."
Welt responded, "Understood." He promptly drew his cane, his gaze steady and composed.
Seeing this, Dan Heng, March 7th, and Stelle also retrieved their weapons, readying themselves with utmost vigilance.
The Jade World Gateway slowly opened.
All four individuals were instantly stunned on the spot—even Old Yang momentarily lost his composure!
Near the densely packed shipping containers stood throngs of people!
They grouped in twos or threes, striking various poses for photos, aiming to capture the Jade World Gateway in the background as well.
It seemed that instead of being a place for travelers to disembark, this area had transformed into a popular tourist hotspot for taking selfies!
Drawn by the sound of the opening gateway, everyone spontaneously turned towards them.
A second later, a wave of enthusiastic cheers and applause erupted from the crowd!
"They're here, they're here! The Astral Express has truly arrived!"
"Welt, I'm your biggest fan, aaahh~!"
"Welcome to Xia Dengzi's live stream! Finally caught sight of the Astral Express Crew members. Ten likes and I'll go ask the Trailblazer for a selfie!"
"Dreamscape illusion, one dig into eternity!"
"Miss March 7th, please bless me with your touch!"
Welt, Dan Heng, March 7th, and Stelle were utterly dumbfounded, completely unprepared for this spectacle!
Welt hastily stowed away his cane, while the three others beside him quickly sheathed their weapons.
However...
The crowd surged forward like a horde of unleashed zombies!
Dan Heng reacted quickest, immediately attempting to return through the still-open Jade World Gateway. After years away, he found his homeland had become terrifyingly transformed!
Stelle and March 7th swiftly followed suit.
March 7th often daydreamed about becoming famous, but now, confronted by these frenzied fans, she realized—
Going viral might not be such a good thing after all!
Just then,
a contingent of Cloud Knights rushed in from both sides, wielding weapons that glinted menacingly, as if divine soldiers descending from the heavens.
They formed a barrier, shielding the enthusiastic crowd from advancing further.
Leading this group was Yukong, the helmswoman of the Sky-Faring Commission.
"My apologies for startling you, esteemed guests," she said. "General Jing Yuan anticipated your arrival. Please follow me."
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******
In Exalting Sanctum, at an open-air plaza,
a woman with light makeup held her jade tablet, engrossed in its content just like everyone else around her.
However, unlike the others, she wasn't playing Honkai: Star Rail nor watching Little Gui Zi's stream.
Instead, she was communicating with her companion across the Galaxy.
[Silver Wolf]: "Kafka, as per your request, the Astral Express has changed course and is heading towards Xianzhou Luofu."
[Kafka]: "Excellent. This completes the corresponding part of my script."
Not long ago, she had improvised a performance aboard the train.
In truth, she wasn't lying. The Stellaron Hunters indeed had another objective, but it was not for their own benefit. Their aim was to foster a connection between the Astral Express and Xianzhou.
To put it more bluntly, they sought to create a debt of gratitude from Xianzhou towards the Astral Express.
In the foreseen outcome, acquiring power through The Hunt seemed unattainable. Despite some complications, Kafka managed to complete her part of the plan.
[Kafka]: "Silver Wolf, I'm counting on you to open the Jade World Gateway."
However, there was no response from the other side of the screen.
After waiting three minutes, Kafka couldn't resist sending another message:
[Kafka]: "Hey, darling, are you there?"
Another three minutes passed.
[Kafka]: "Are you there, there, there, there, there?! If we don't act soon, the train crew will head back."
[Silver Wolf]: "Don't rush."
"Let me finish farming these materials first."
Kafka remained silent.
[Silver Wolf]: "Trying to level up eight characters at once—there's just not enough materials. It's so annoying."
[Kafka]: "Where did you even get all these five-star characters?"
[Silver Wolf]: "I'm also leveling some four-stars like March 7th, Astelle, and Tingyun."
"Even though they're only four stars, their skills and mechanics are quite interesting. Cultivating them until better alternatives appear isn't a bad idea."
"Ah, finished grinding for now."
[Kafka]: "Can we start now?"
[Silver Wolf]: "Let me check... Oh, they've already entered Luofu."
[Kafka]: "Huh? Wasn't the Jade World Gate sealed ahead of time?"
[Silver Wolf]: "Didn't you read Elio's script?"
[Kafka]: "Ever since Star Rail emerged, fate has become such a mess—you know that as well as I do."
[Silver Wolf]: "Although it was sealed, it turned into a popular tourist spot. The Luofu shuttle attendant opened the gate for us."
[Kafka]: "The site of the star core explosion becoming a trendy Instagram-worthy location? Xianzhou people sure have their quirks."
[Silver Wolf has logged off]
[Kafka]: "Babe, can we chat a bit more?"
[Silver Wolf has logged in.]
[Silver Wolf]: "Seems like you're quite happy today?"
[Kafka]: "I'm featured in Elio's script and even have a role in Star Rail's storyline—how could I not be thrilled?"
[Silver Wolf]: "Just wait till you enter the card pool; I'll summon you relentlessly."
[Silver Wolf has disconnected.]
Ending the conversation, Kafka downed the Caleb before her in one gulp and gazed at the dense cluster of buildings in the distance.
"All good times must come to an end."
"Bladie, just wait..."
"I've come to save you."
At the Star Ferry Sea, within the Palace of Astrum, Yukong led the Astral Express crew to their destination.
The moment they stepped inside, two holographic projections on the projection sand table turned towards them with intense gazes.
"...This is General Jing Yuan of Luofu, and this is Fu Xuan, head of the Divination Commission," Yukong introduced each figure in turn.
Feeling slightly overwhelmed, March 7th whispered to Stelle, "So many important people right off the bat—I'm not used to it."
Stelle nodded in agreement. "Me neither."
As Old Yang prepared to introduce himself, Jing Yuan smiled and spoke first, "Members of the Astral Express, your reputations precede you, stirring admiration from afar."
"Not only have I heard rumors about you all throughout the universe, but through the narrative of Honkai: Star Rail, I've witnessed your trailblazing journey from start to finish—it's truly been epic!"
March 7th bashfully fidgeted her fingers.
As expected!
This game had already taken Xianzhou by storm—even General Luofu was well-informed.
"This makes explaining many things much easier," Old Yang sighed with relief, nodding.
"Indeed! If not for experiencing the game's storyline, the Divination Commission would undoubtedly suspect you as accomplices of the Stellaron Hunters," Fu Xuan said, hands on her hips. "But now, I am entirely confident in your intentions."
"In that case, let us get straight to business." With a wave of his hand, Jing Yuan recreated the figure of a man within the sand table before them.
It was none other than Blade, the Stellaron Hunter.
"I assume everyone is familiar with this individual's identity," Jing Yuan began. "Currently, Blade is imprisoned at our Luofu's Shackling Prison. We anticipate his attempt to escape and have deployed most of our forces there for surveillance.
"However, the game's plot also foreshadowed another event—the impending eruption of the Stellaron!" He paused briefly. "With these two critical situations overlapping, Luofu's military strength is severely strained.
"This is precisely when we need the Astral Express's assistance like coal delivered amidst snowfall."
March 7th's eyes lit up. "I understand now! So, General, you want to entrust us with finding clues about the Stellaron and sealing it beforehand to prevent the disaster of its eruption, right?"
"No."
Jing Yuan cast a meaningful glance at Dan Heng.
"We have our own means to handle matters concerning the Stellaron."
"What I wish to request...is for you all to go to The Shackling Prison as unexpected reinforcements, preventing anyone from taking advantage of this situation to rescue high-profile prisoners."
Upon hearing these words, Dan Heng, March 7th, and Stelle were all taken aback!
Not long ago on the train, Kafka had intended to commission the Astral Express Crew to visit The Shackling Prison and help her rescue Blade. Now, Jing Yuan was also asking them to go there, but to prevent someone from rescuing Blade!
To save or not to save? That was the question!
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