Guinaifen's livestream.
After rescuing Tingyun, the crew boarded a Starskiff under her guidance and traveled to the Starskiff Haven hub. On the way to the Palace of Astrum, Guinaifen couldn't help but interact with everything she saw. She was far more excited than she had been on previous maps.
After all, this was where she actually lived. The sense of immersion while playing was unparalleled.
"Look at this bridge! it's exactly the same as the one I see when I go to Starskiff Haven!"
"Look at this Starskiff! It's identical to the one parked downstairs from my place!"
"Look at these Cloud Knights! They look just like every other Cloud Knight... cough, well, that's because most Cloud Knights are NPCs and use the same character model."
...
"Great job, Boss Yu Ling! I can't say it's identical, only that it's exactly the same!"
"Friendly reminder: this is game footage, not a live broadcast of the streets."
"I actually saw the Express crew over by the Jade Gate today! Yu Ling really wasn't lying!"
"I got there too late, the Cloud Knights had already cordoned off the area..."
"Guinaifen, hurry up and progress the plot! I want to know the next location so I can set up an ambush and solo the Express crew in real life!"
...
After touring Starskiff Haven, Guinaifen made her way to the Palace of Astrum, though she still wanted to see more.
Yukong, the head of the Sky-Faring Commission, was cold and aloof. "Tingyun has already reported your intentions to me. Originally, my duties did not include receiving travelers."
"But since you know of the Stellaron and have expressed a desire to help the Luofu, then by all accounts of reason and courtesy, I must give you this chance for a face-to-face meeting..."
"...So that I may decline your offer in person."
This answer stunned not just the Express crew, but Guinaifen as well.
Yukong spoke calmly, "It is merely a Stellaron. The Alliance has long been aware of such things and possesses the means to deal with them. The Xianzhou has been sailing for eight thousand years; we have seen our fair share of existential crises. Though the current disaster is fierce, the Xianzhou has the strength to handle it. we have no need to borrow the strength of outsiders to quell this trouble."
"You are guests from afar. There is no reason for you to be embroiled in this matterdo I make myself clear?"
...
"Lady Yukong is so dominant!"
"I love this energy. Am I a masochist?"
"Listen to that tone! A disaster that could wipe out civilization on Jarilo-VI is just 'merely a Stellaron' to them. Is the Xianzhou really that powerful?"
"Just from what I know, they've dealt with the Heliobi Rebellion, the Aurumaton betrayal, and the Abominations of Abundance. Compared to those, a Stellaron? That's just a drop in the bucket."
"The Xianzhou has spent eight thousand years fighting. They really have nothing to fear from a single Stellaron."
"No wonder the local Luofu players are so calm..."
...
Guinaifen nodded in deep agreement. As an outworlder herself, the sense of security and belonging she felt on the Xianzhou was unlike anywhere else.
Just then, a knock sounded at her door. A girl's voice, full of energy, pierced through the room.
"Guinaifen, open up!"
"Hahaha, you'll never guess what mission I was assigned!"
"By order of the Cloud Knights, I'm here to protect you!"
Guinaifen looked surprised and delighted. "Sushang! I'm telling you, this game is incrediblethe way they made your character is a perfect match!"
"Wait a second, family. I'm going to open the door! Be right back!"
Meanwhile.
The Luofu, Cloudford.
Tingyun had just finished receiving a group of business partners cooperating with the Xianzhou Luofu. Even for her, the exhaustion was beginning to show. She let out a long sigh and finally returned to her residence.
After locking the door, she stood in the empty room.
Her originally elegant and pitiable temperament underwent a sudden, jarring transformation!
"Finally, I don't have to keep pretending to be that soft, delicate thing anymore!"
A ghostly blue light flickered in her eyes like a spectral fire. She whispered to her reflection in the mirror, "This Foxian work really isn't for people..."
"To think there are actually greasy middle-aged men who dare try to flirt with me!"
"These low, vulgar humans... they truly deserve to die!"
Suddenly, the blue spectral fire in her right eye shifted to gold. When she looked again, the image in the mirror had changed into a mature, cold woman.
The woman spoke, "Phantylia, things have taken a turn for the worse."
"The Cloud Knights have cordoned off all major locations and are conducting a room-by-round search for the Stellaron's location."
Tingyun... or rather, the one who should now be called Phantylia, narrowed her eyes. She said coldly, "Why is the Xianzhou moving so quickly this time? Has your side been exposed?"
The woman shook her head slightly. Another image appeared on the surface of the mirrorit was a stream of the game Honkai: Star Rail.
"Because of the appearance of this game, the details of our plan have been exposed in advance."
"A game? A Phantasmagoria?"
Phantylia had been busy playing the role of "Tingyun" lately. Although she had heard that a game had suddenly become popular, she hadn't paid it any mind. How could she care about the low-brow interests that mortals indulged in? Her mind was filled only with the beautiful vision of the Xianzhou crumbling from within and the ensuing carnage.
"Heh, to think the leader of the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus has also been tainted by such mortal vulgarity?" Phantylia mocked. "I am truly disappointed."
Danshu's expression soured as she continued to explain, "Phantylia, I am not lying. This game is told from the perspective of the Trailblazer..."
"Enough!" Phantylia snapped. "A mere Phantasmagoria, and you think it can predict my movements?"
"It is nothing more than a coincidence."
"Though, watching the Xianzhou people scramble in a panic over a disaster that hasn't even happened yet does provide some amusement."
"Sigh..." Danshu sighed. She knew there was no point in explaining further to this Lord Ravager.
"In that case, I am going to begin the operation ahead of schedule."
"The Stellaron must be placed into the Delve where the Ambrosial Arbor resides to trigger its revival and bring back the miracles of Abundance."
"However, because we are moving early, the impact of the Stellaron's outbreak will be minimal. You won't be seeing any sights of Fragmentum erosion or widespread pollution."
With that, Danshu cut the connection.
Phantylia stared at herself in the mirror, her gaze shifting unpredictably.
"The revival of the Ambrosial Arbor... I find myself looking forward to it as well."
"Perhaps that is the eternal, indestructible body I have been searching for..."
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