Xiao Guizi's Livestream
After rescuing Tingyun, the group followed her lead and boarded a starskiff to the Central Starskiff Haven.
On the way to the Divination Commission's palace, Xiao Guizi couldn't resist interacting with everything she saw. She was even more excited than in previous maps—after all, this was a place she was intimately familiar with, making the experience incredibly immersive.
"Look at this bridge! It's exactly like the one I saw when I went to Starskiff Haven!"
"Look at this starskiff! It's identical to the one parked downstairs at my place!"
"Look at these Cloud Knights! They're exactly like all the other Cloud Knights… Ahem, well, that's because most of them are NPCs using the same model."
...
[Chat]
"Amazing work, Yu Ling! It's not just similar—it's a perfect match!"
"Friendly reminder: This is a game, not a live broadcast."
"I saw the Express crew at the Jade Gate today! Yu Ling wasn't lying!"
"I got there too late—the area was already cordoned off by the Cloud Knights..."
"Xiao Guizi, hurry up and push the story! I want to get to the next location early and ambush the Express crew for a real-life takedown!"
...
After touring Starskiff Haven, Guinaifen reluctantly made her way to the Divination Commission's palace.
The Sky-Faring Commission's leader, Yukong, was cold and aloof. "Tingyun has already informed me of your purpose here. Ordinarily, receiving travelers is not part of my duties."
"But since you are aware of the Stellaron and have expressed your intent to assist the Luofu, it is only proper that I grant you an audience..."
"...so I may personally decline your offer."
This response stunned not only the Express crew but even Xiao Guizi.
Yukong continued calmly, "A mere Stellaron is nothing. The Alliance has long been aware of its existence and has its own methods to deal with it. Xianzhou has soared for eight thousand years—we have weathered countless crises. Though this disaster strikes fiercely, the Luofu still possesses the strength to handle it on its own. We have no need to rely on outsiders to quell this calamity."
"You have traveled far as our guests, and there is no reason for you to involve yourselves in this matter. Do I make myself clear?"
...
[Chat]
"Yukong is so domineering!"
"Do I have a thing for strong women? Am I a masochist?"
"Listen to that tone! What was a civilization-ending disaster for Jarilo-VI is just a 'mere Stellaron' to them. Is Xianzhou really that powerful?"
"From what I know, they've dealt with the Heliobi uprising, the rebellion of the Automatons, and the remnants of the Abundance. Compared to those, a Stellaron? Barely a splash."
"Xianzhou has been fighting for eight thousand years—a single Stellaron really isn't that scary."
"No wonder all you Luofu netizens are so calm..."
...
Guinaifen nodded in deep agreement.
As an outworlder herself, she understood the sense of security and belonging the Xianzhou provided—something no other place could match.
Just then, a knock came at the door.
A young woman's voice rang out clearly.
"Xiao Guizi, open up!"
"Haha, you'll never guess what mission they gave me!"
"By order of the Cloud Knights, I've been assigned to protect your safety!"
Guinaifen's face lit up with delight.
"Shang Shang, this game is absolutely insane! They've recreated you perfectly!"
"Everyone, hold on a sec. Gotta open the door! Be right back!"
......
[Chat]
Meanwhile, at the Cloudford of the Luofu.
Tingyun had just finished receiving a group of business partners collaborating with Xianzhou Luofu. Even for her, it had been exhausting.
With a long sigh, she finally returned to her residence.
Once the door was closed, she stood in the empty room.
Her usual gentle, refined demeanor—tinged with a touch of vulnerability—instantly shifted.
"Finally, I don't have to keep up that weak, delicate act anymore!"
Her eyes ignited with an eerie blue light, like ghostly flames.
Staring at her reflection in the mirror, she muttered, "Playing this foxian's role is unbearable..."
"Some greasy middle-aged man even had the gall to flirt with me!"
"These lowly, vulgar humans truly deserve death!"
Suddenly, the blue flame in her right eye flickered gold.
The reflection in the mirror morphed into the image of a composed, indifferent woman.
The woman spoke. "Phantylia, we have a serious problem."
"The Cloud Knights have locked down all major locations and are systematically searching for the Stellaron."
Tingyun—no, Phantylia now—narrowed her eyes coldly.
"Why is Xianzhou moving so quickly this time? Have you been exposed?"
The woman shook her head slightly.
The mirror's surface shifted, displaying another scene—a livestream of Honkai: Star Rail.
"Because of this game, our plans have been leaked prematurely."
"A game? An illusionary play?"
Phantylia had been fully immersed in her role as "Tingyun" and had only vaguely heard about this game's sudden popularity. But she had paid it no mind.
How could something as trivial as mortal entertainment possibly interest her?
Her thoughts were consumed by visions of the Xianzhou crumbling from within, of lives reduced to ruin.
She scoffed. "You, the leader of the *Denizens of Abundance*, have also fallen for this lowly mortal pastime?"
"How disappointing."
Dan Shu's expression darkened, but she pressed on. "Phantylia, I'm not lying. This game follows the Trailblazer's perspective—"
"Enough!"
"A mere illusionary play could never predict my actions!"
"It's nothing more than a coincidence."
"Watching the Xianzhou panic over a disaster that hasn't even happened is amusing in its own way."
Dan Shu sighed.
She knew there was no point arguing with this Emanator of Destruction.
"In that case, I'll have to accelerate my plans."
"The Stellaron must be delivered to the sealed realm where the Ambrosial Arbor lies. Only then can it be revived, allowing the miracles of the Abundance(Yaoshi) to return."
"However, since we're acting ahead of schedule, the Stellaron's eruption will have minimal impact. Don't expect to see the realm torn asunder or polluted by its corruption."
With that, Dan Shu severed the connection.
Phantylia stared at her reflection, her expression shifting between dark and contemplative.
"The revival of the Ambrosial Arbor... Now that is something I look forward to."
"Perhaps this is the immortal, indestructible vessel I've been searching for..."
To be continued…
Guys, I am finally back! I will try my best to update the fic on daily basis!