Tingyun led them deeper into the Starskiff Haven, the two Cloud Knights flanking the group. The corridors were wide, metal walls lined with cargo crates and equipment. Emergency lights flickered overhead, casting everything in dim red.
Signs of the crisis were everywhere. Scorch marks on the floor. Damaged equipment pushed against walls. The occasional bloodstain no one mentioned.
March walked close to Stelle, looking around nervously. "This place is huge. How big is the Luofu anyway?"
"Massive," Welt said, adjusting his glasses. "The Xianzhou ships are entire civilizations unto themselves. Millions of people live aboard each one."
Kevin walked silently, observing. The place felt familiar in a way he couldn't acknowledge. Corridors he'd seen through a screen. Locations he'd navigated with a controller.
He pushed the thoughts down. Focus on the present.
Tingyun glanced back, tail swishing. "Normally this area would be bustling with merchants and travelers. The lockdown has everyone confined to secure zones." Her voice softened. "It's been difficult for morale."
They turned a corner and found their path blocked.
A makeshift barricade stretched across the corridor metal crates stacked high, reinforced with steel beams. Two Cloud Knights stood guard, spears crossed.
"Halt!" one called out. "This area is restricted. Turn back immediately."
Tingyun stepped forward, opening her fan with a practiced flourish. "I am Tingyun, Amicassador of the Sky-Faring Commission. I'm escorting guests to Madam Yukong on official business."
The guards exchanged glances. The first one lowered his spear slightly. "Apologies, Miss Tingyun, but orders are orders. This barricade was erected to contain the mara-struck. We can't let anyone through without proper clearance."
Tingyun's smile tightened. "And how long will it take to obtain such clearance?"
"Several hours at minimum. Maybe longer, given the current situation."
March groaned. "Several hours? Are you serious?"
Welt frowned, arms crossing. "Is there another route we could take?"
The second guard shook his head. "All other paths are either blocked or too dangerous. This is the safest way to the central district."
Kevin stepped forward. The guards tensed, hands tightening on their weapons.
He didn't say anything. Just looked at the barricade. Heavy. Reinforced. But not impossible.
The Ring of Finality pulsed softly on his right hand.
"Kevin?" March said uncertainly.
He raised his hand. Dark purple light flared around his fingers, coalescing into solid form. Not the full blade. Just enough.
A lance materialized, sleek and dark.
The guards' eyes widened. "What—"
Kevin drove the lance into the base of the barricade. The metal groaned. He twisted, applying leverage, and the entire structure shifted. Crates tumbled. Steel beams bent.
He pulled the lance free and stepped back as the barricade collapsed inward, clearing a path.
The lance dissolved, returning to his ring.
Silence.
The guards stared, mouths open.
Tingyun's fan snapped shut. "Well. That's one way to handle it."
March pumped her fist. "That was so cool!"
Stelle just nodded, like she'd expected nothing less.
Welt adjusted his glasses, a faint smile on his face. "Efficient."
Kevin walked through the gap without a word.
The others followed.
They moved through two more barricades the same way. Kevin didn't wait for permission. Didn't explain. Just cleared the path and kept walking.
By the third one, Tingyun stopped trying to negotiate. She just gestured for the guards to stand aside before Kevin reached them.
Finally, they arrived at a landing platform.
A small starskiff waited there, sleek and compact. Blue and white hull, curved wings, designed for speed rather than cargo.
Tingyun stopped at the base of the boarding ramp and sighed dramatically. "Do you know how much tail hair I lost running around today?" She turned, inspecting her bushy tail with exaggerated concern. "Look at this. It's going to take hours to groom properly."
March blinked. "Uh... sorry?"
"It's fine. Occupational hazard." Tingyun's tail swished as she started up the ramp. "Now then, I'll be piloting us to the central district."
March froze mid-step. "Wait. You're driving?"
"Piloting," Tingyun corrected cheerfully. "And yes. Is there a problem?"
"I was completely calm until you said that."
Tingyun laughed, the sound bright and warm. "Don't worry! I'm an excellent pilot. Probably."
"PROBABLY?"
Stelle patted March's shoulder. "You'll be fine."
"That's not reassuring!"
Kevin boarded the starskiff without comment. The interior was small but well-maintained. Rows of seats, control panels glowing softly at the front. He took a seat near the window.
Welt sat beside him. March and Stelle took seats across the aisle, March still grumbling about "probably" and "tail hair."
Tingyun slid into the pilot's seat, hands moving across the controls with practiced ease. The engines hummed to life, vibrations running through the hull.
"Everyone secure? Good. Off we go!"
The starskiff lifted smoothly, rising from the platform. Tingyun guided it forward, threading through the massive interior structure of the Luofu. Metal walls blurred past. Other platforms appeared and vanished in moments.
March gripped her armrests, eyes wide. "Oh wow. Okay. This is fine. This is totally fine."
Stelle looked out the window, unbothered.
Kevin watched the Luofu pass by. The scale was staggering even knowing what to expect. Entire districts built into the ship's structure. Streets and buildings stacked vertically, connected by bridges and transit systems.
A city. A civilization. All contained within a single vessel.
Welt noticed his gaze. "Impressive, isn't it? The Xianzhou Alliance's engineering is unmatched in the known universe."
Kevin nodded slowly. It was impressive. Even seeing it directly, it still felt surreal.
The starskiff banked, turning toward a cluster of tall buildings in the distance. The largest one stood at the center, towering over everything else. White and gold architecture, elegant and imposing.
Tingyun's voice came over the intercom. "We'll be landing shortly. Please remain seated."
The starskiff descended toward a platform near the base of the tallest building. The landing was smooth professional despite Tingyun's earlier teasing.
The engines powered down.
Everyone unbuckled and disembarked.
Kevin stepped onto the platform and looked up. The building stretched impossibly high, disappearing into the artificial sky of the Luofu.
Tingyun came up beside them, brushing down her dress. She turned, spreading her arms in a welcoming gesture.
"On behalf of the Sky-Faring Commission, welcome to Starskiff Haven." Her smile was warm but professional. "Normally I'd be a good host and show you around, but these are difficult times." She gestured toward the entrance. "Let's head to the Seat of Astrum first and report your arrival to Madam Yukong."
March perked up. "Seat of Astrum?"
Tingyun turned, pointing up at the towering building behind her. "That's the Seat of Astrum. Biggest building here, and the headquarters of the Sky-Faring Commission." She lowered her hand, expression turning serious. "Now let's hurry. We haven't got much time."
She started toward the entrance, tail swishing with each step.
The others followed.
The interior was just as impressive as the exterior. High ceilings, polished floors, elegant architecture blending function and beauty. Decorative screens and banners hung from the walls, displaying the symbols of the Sky-Faring Commission.
Despite the grandeur, the place felt empty. Only a handful of people moved through the halls, all of them looking stressed or hurried.
Tingyun led them to a waiting area near a set of large doors. "Please wait here. I'll go inform Madam Yukong of your arrival."
She disappeared through the doors, leaving them in the lobby.
March immediately deflated, flopping onto a nearby bench. "Ugh. I hope this isn't another Belobog situation."
Kevin looked at her.
March caught his gaze and waved her hand. "Oh, right. You weren't there for that. I'll tell you the whole story when we're back on the train."
He didn't understand why she specified when they were back, but he nodded anyway.
Stelle crossed her arms, leaning against a pillar. "Yukong's a Xianzhou top leader, right?"
Welt nodded. "Helm Master of the Sky-Faring Commission. One of the Six Charioteers of the Luofu."
"Then we should let Mr. Yang do the talking," Stelle said bluntly. "If one of us says the wrong thing, we'll get hunted again."
March sat up. "Oh! We can cheer from the side!"
"Don't do that," Welt said firmly, adjusting his glasses. "Just let me do the talking."
Kevin nodded in agreement. He wasn't good at talking to others anyway. Better to stay quiet and observe.
They waited in silence for a few minutes.
Then Tingyun returned, smiling but looking a bit tense. "Sorry to keep you waiting. Madam Yukong is expecting you." She gestured toward the doors. "I've brought Madam Helm Master Yukong up to speed. It's all up to you now, crew of the Astral Express."
She led them through the doors and down a long corridor. At the end was a lift, and they stepped inside.
The lift rose smoothly, climbing higher and higher. Through the transparent walls, Kevin could see the central district spreading out below. Buildings, streets, people moving like ants.
Finally, the lift stopped at the top floor.
The doors opened.
They stepped into a massive chamber. The ceiling stretched impossibly high, supported by ornate pillars. Screens and displays covered the walls, showing maps, data streams, and communications channels.
And at the center, facing away from them, stood a figure speaking into a communication device.
"Report the losses to General Jing Yuan and find someone from the Divination Commission." The voice was sharp, authoritative, carrying easily through the vast room. "They can't stand there watching while we deal with this mess."
The figure turned.
Kevin got his first clear look at her.
Yukong was a Foxian woman, like Tingyun, but older. More weathered. Dark teal hair fell past her shoulders, and her purple eyes held the weight of someone who'd seen too much. She wore an elegant qipao dress in shades of blue, brown, and white, with gold highlights and a white fur collar. A brown-sleeved glove covered her left arm, and her right arm had a long bracer-like sleeve. Long, ruffled sleeves hung from both arms, and the dress had three long ends like a tailcoat. High-heeled black slippers with gold accents completed the outfit.
Her fox ears twitched as she regarded them.
"Greetings, guests from the Astral Express."
Her tone was professional. Polite. But cold.
She crossed her arms. "Tingyun has informed me of the purpose of your visit. Receiving guests isn't normally one of my responsibilities, but since you know about the Stellaron and have stated you want to help the Luofu, I thought I should at least meet you in person."
A pause.
Then her expression hardened.
"And politely decline your proposal."
Stelle's eyes narrowed. "Why?"
Yukong's gaze shifted to her. "The Xianzhou Alliance knows what a Stellaron is. We've been dealing with cosmic threats for over eight thousand years. We've weathered countless dangers and crises." She gestured broadly. "While the situation is serious, we have more than enough resources to spare. Outsiders' help is not needed on this occasion."
Her arms remained crossed, posture unyielding.
"You are guests from afar. There is no reason for this matter to concern you." She tilted her head slightly. "Am I making myself clear?"
Kevin's thoughts drifted.
How long will Jing Yuan listen to this pointless conversation before he shows up?
Welt stepped forward, closing his eyes briefly before opening them again. His expression was serious but calm. "From what we've gathered, the influence of the Stellaron can still be contained."
He continued, voice steady. "If we can locate it in time and contain it, it's possible we can restore any space and individuals affected by the corrosion. We have experience preventing Stellaron disasters." He met Yukong's gaze. "We're only here to lend you that experience."
Yukong's expression didn't change. "I said this, and I'll say it again: this is an internal affair of the Xianzhou Alliance. There is no need for the Astral Express to get involved." Her tone sharpened. "I arranged this meeting as a gesture of respect, but my decision is final."
"But—"
"Never mind, Mr. Yang." March cut in, waving her hand. "If the Xianzhou Alliance says they can handle it, we're wasting our breath. Let's go."
Yukong's eyes gleamed. "I'm afraid that is pointless."
March blinked. "Huh? What's that supposed to mean?"
Yukong's arms remained crossed, but her posture shifted slightly. More rigid. More accusatory.
"It's been only a few days since the presence of the Stellaron was detected on the Luofu. Starskiff Haven has been on full lockdown. No one is permitted to leave." Her gaze swept over them. "So how does the Astral Express know about this incident? What led you to conclude it was linked to a Stellaron?"
Silence.
"I reviewed the access history of Starskiff Haven not long ago," Yukong continued. "Someone hacked into our system and opened the Jade Gate. Then they guided the Astral Express into our territory."
Her eyes narrowed.
"The hacker was skillful. They taunted us with her seal." She paused for effect. "Her name was Silver Wolf. A Stellaron Hunter."
Another pause, heavier this time.
"What do you have to say in your defense?"
No one spoke.
March shifted uncomfortably. Stelle's expression remained neutral, but her hand tightened on her bat.
Welt opened his mouth to respond
"You are forbidden—"
"Jing Yuan."
Kevin's voice cut through the room, clear and cold. Unusually sharp compared to his normal tone.
Everyone turned to look at him.
He stared at empty space beside Yukong.
"How much longer do you intend to listen to this pointless thing?"
A flicker of light.
A hologram materialized, walking forward with measured steps. The figure solidified a tall man with long white hair tied back, golden eyes half-lidded, and a relaxed smile on his face. He wore ornate white and gold armor, a flowing cape draped over one shoulder.
General Jing Yuan.
He walked up beside Yukong, completely unbothered by Kevin's tone.
"My apologies, guests." His voice was smooth, almost lazy. "Don't be so harsh, Yukong. If this gets out, the whole galaxy will think the Alliance has forgotten how to treat our guests."
Yukong looked up at him sharply. "General Jing Yuan—"
He raised a hand gently. "It's very unlikely the Express has joined forces with the Stellaron Hunters. They're mortal enemies, after all."
He turned to face them fully, inclining his head. "My name is Jing Yuan, General of the Cloud Knights here on the Luofu."
Yukong's hands tightened. "General, this is an internal affair for the Luofu."
Jing Yuan looked at her, his smile never fading. "I fully agree with you, Helm Master Yukong."
He paused.
"This is indeed an internal affair."