"Please, let's finish watching the story before making any decisions."
"Of course."
Jing Yuan, upon hearing the request from the Express crew, graciously agreed.
"Why don't... we all watch it together here? We can project the Jade Abacus feed onto the sand table. That way, we can examine the details of the battle and any clues on the map more clearly."
"If we encounter any doubts, we can discuss them and strategize together."
"What a rare and joyous occasion for us to gather like this..."
"Mr. Yang, your hometown couldn't possibly be a planet like Xianzhou, could it? How do you come up with such flowery words so effortlessly?" March 7 remarked in surprise.
Old Yang offered no explanation.
Under Yukong's arrangements, everyone took their seats around the sand table.
Together with Jing Yuan and Fu Xuan, they began watching the livestream.
The vast Hall of the Diviner grew unusually quiet, as if time itself had frozen.
All attention was fixed on the unfolding story.
The top-left corner displayed:
Current Objective: Pass Through Liuyun Crossing and Catch Up with the Trailblazing Team.
Dan Heng's inner monologue played out:
"Just like when I left..."
"In my memories of the Luofu, apart from the darkness, there's only this place left."
March 7 couldn't help but glance at Dan Heng beside her.
All she saw was his cold, sharp profile. She wanted to ask what he had experienced on the Luofu—
*Had he never stepped outside since birth until the day he left?*
But with so many important figures present, March knew now wasn't the time.
Keep watching!
Nearby, a young girl stood with her hands on her hips, radiating confidence as she declared:
"You just stay put over there!"
"Leave the life-saving to the professionals—"
A man leaned calmly against an ornate, oversized box, exuding an air of detached composure.
At this sight, streamer Xiao Guizi let out an astonished cry: "Sushang?! Am I seeing things?!"
"Someone really came to rescue Dan Heng... and it's actually you?!"
Sushang blinked, rubbing her eyes in disbelief.
"Ahhh! It really is me!"
"Wow! I've made it big!"
"I'm in the story of Honkai: Star Rail!"
Watching the two lively girls in the stream, the group couldn't help but chuckle.
Only Old Yang looked as if he'd seen a ghost, especially when the camera zoomed in on the blond man.
His appearance and demeanor were unmistakably... Loucha.
Sweating bullets, Old Yang shifted uncomfortably in his seat.
Dan Heng noticed his unease and asked, "Mr. Welt, what's wrong?"
"These two... they're... my... old acquaintances..." Welt forced out the words with difficulty.
Meanwhile, in the story, Dan Heng stepped up to help Sushang fight a Shapeshifter from the Yaoshi Sect.
But this Shapeshifter was far stronger than ordinary Mara-struck, its spear attacks even regenerating its health!
Sushang's HP bar quickly turned red, sending Xiao Guizi into a panic.
"Sushang, you're about to die!"
"What do we do?! There's no shield or healer in this team!"
"Should we retreat for now? Maybe eat a [Cosmic Fried Rice] before fighting again?"
Sushang jabbed back: "Dan Heng's still alive! It's not like I'm actually dying!"
Then, a sudden twist—
The blond man moved!
A black-and-white greatsword "shunk" into the ground, unleashing a blossom of cyan energy.
Dan Heng and Sushang were stunned.
"Since you've fought for my sake, how could I stand idly by?"
"Stay back."
The man's intervention was impeccably timed—cool, stylish, and elegant.
But upon hearing his voice, Welt shot to his feet, cold sweat beading on his forehead.
He took a deep breath, wiped his brow, adjusted his glasses, and sat back down, eyes locked onto the blond man on screen.
"This must be... some kind of survivorship bias..."
"Because only important characters appear in the game's story, that's why I keep seeing shadows of old acquaintances..."
He scrambled for rationalizations—he had to.
This was too much of a shock.
These two characters corresponded to Loucha and Li Sushang from his homeworld.
Sushang seemed younger, more naive and lively, with a different vibe.
But the blond man?
That deep, calculating aura screamed troubl*.
If Luocha was just a wandering merchant, fine.
But if he was anything like Loucha...
He had to be monitored closely.
The battle resumed, now with the blond man—Luocha—joining the team.
When Dan Heng was struck, Luocha raised an ornament: "White Flower, release!"
Instantly, Dan Heng's HP was restored.
With this healer in tow, the fight became trivial.
The Shapeshifter was defeated.
"Hah! It's the Cloud Knights' duty to protect people like you. This area's been secured—I'm evacuating civilians. Follow me, I'll take you to safety."
Sushang insisted the two accompany her to a safe zone.
"Let's go! Stick with me, and you'll be fine!"
"Oh, and later... help me sign something? I don't know too many characters, might mess it up..."
Dan Heng's perspective faded out.
March 7 sighed softly. "Seems Dan Heng's safe for now."
"That Cloud Knight girl's a bit reckless, but she's got a good heart."
Then she noticed Welt drenched in sweat.
"Huh? Mr. Yang, what's wrong?!"
Stelle also turned, surprised to see the usually composed Welt in such a state.
"This man... must not be underestimated!"
"From the moment I started playing Honkai: Star Rail until now... I've encountered many who resemble people from my past."
"They exist in different worlds, yet their fates share eerie parallels."
"And the two who bore resemblance to this 'Luocha'... were anything but benevolent."
"They were individuals capable of toppling entire worlds with ease."
At these words, everyone—including Jing Yuan and Fu Xuan—looked alarmed.
After a pause, Fu Xuan spoke. "I'll notify the Divination Commission and Sky-Faring Commission to scrutinize this man's records and movements."
March 7 immediately clapped. "A wise decision, General!"
Stelle chimed in: "Investigate Luocha!"
To be continued…
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