In the courtyard, Sparkle lounged on a reclining chair. Her eyelids were half-lowered, a content smile playing on her lips. Before her floated a translucent jade screen, displaying the latest in-game developments—specifically, the Alliance Jade Token that had just been handed over to the Astral Express crew.
Pinching her own soft cheek, Sparkle sighed, "So the Xianzhou really gave the [Alliance Jade Token] to the Astral Express team?"
"Tsk, I wonder when I'll get to see them actually use it..."
[Before returning to the Express, bid farewell to those you've met on the Xianzhou.]
What followed was a series of in-game dialogues as players ran around talking to various characters.
Sparkle stretched lazily, sitting up from the recliner. Honestly, staying here wasn't so bad. The outside world was just one big circus, while this place was a rare haven of quiet.
As for finding amusement? Well… she had become the biggest joke herself.
Just then, she spotted that man descending from the second floor. Instantly, Sparkle's expression shifted—her eyes glistened with unshed tears, her lips pouted slightly, as if she had suffered the greatest injustice.
What else could she do? Here, all her abilities had been stripped away, leaving her no different from an ordinary girl. The only thing she still had was her impeccable acting skills.
"Hey!" she whined, "I finished all my tasks! Running around like this, my feet are so sore..."
"Could you massage them for me?"
Tatsuke's eyes narrowed slightly as he glanced at Sparkle, who was now dramatically cradling her delicate, pale feet with a pained expression.
"Prison guard?"
Tatsuke walked over and began kneading her feet.
"Ah, right, I haven't checked today's shop refresh yet."
As he spoke, he pulled up the system shop interface—a blue screen only visible to him. Sparkle, oblivious, thought he was deliberately avoiding eye contact.
Heh, trying to act all aloof? Got you!
With a mischievous grin, she swiftly removed the mask from her forehead and slapped it onto Tatsuke's face.
Tatsuke: "…?"
"What's this for?"
Seeing no reaction from him, Sparkle froze.
Even the mask doesn't work anymore?
Not only can't I use my abilities, but he isn't affected either?
So the restrictions aren't just targeting me…
"You're… giving me your mask?" Tatsuke mused. "For a Masked Fool, isn't this the most important possession? Such a precious gift—how could I possibly accept?"
"N-No, I…" Sparkle fumbled for an explanation.
Before she could finish, Tatsuke clamped a hand over her mouth—the same hand that had just been massaging her feet.
Sparkle's mind short-circuited.
This bastard just touched my feet and now my mouth?!
"Shh, no need to explain. I'll cherish this gift," Tatsuke said solemnly, then snatched the mask and bolted.
Left behind, Sparkle clenched her fists, looking ready to murder him. Unfortunately, she was confined to the first floor.
However—
Just as Tatsuke reached the second floor, admiring his new mask, he suddenly froze.
The system shop had refreshed, revealing a Legendary-tier item!
But this time, it wasn't an ability—it was game content for Honkai: Star Rail.
[All Version 1.0 Update Content Bundle: Includes everything from Version 1.0 to 1.6. One-time purchase, non-refundable.]
[Price: 50 billion points.]
"All of Version 1.0's content?!"
Tatsuke had never seen such an item before. At most, he'd gotten 1.1 and 1.2 bundled together.
Honestly, it wasn't a big deal now—new versions were Schrödinger's updates, appearing randomly. The longer the gap since the last update, the higher the chance of a refresh. It forced him to manage the game in stages, just like in his past life.
But now?
A mega-bundle had dropped.
After two seconds of deliberation, Tatsuke hit Purchase without hesitation. Who knew when 1.4, 1.5, or 1.6 would appear individually?
[Payment successful.]
This meant the next update would be unprecedented in scale—everything up to Penacony's storyline would be implemented!
Glancing at the mask in his hand, Tatsuke smirked.
"Then let's do it."
"I've been wanting to try this for a while."
"This update will shatter every player's expectations."
"I will—ignite the cosmos!"
Returning to his room, Tatsuke activated [Master of Dreams] and recorded an announcement video: a historic update was coming tonight.
With a click, he released it.
A storm that would sweep across the universe had just begun.
---
Meanwhile, on the Astral Express…
After March 7th's companion quest wrapped up, under Pom-Pom's direction, the crew conducted a thorough inspection of the Express to ensure no anomalies had crept aboard.
Pom-Pom declared, "While we found nothing unusual this time, we must remain vigilant!"
"We must defend the Express' sovereignty—no more letting random things hitch a ride!"
"So, we'll be keeping a close eye on Honkai: Star Rail. It can help us predict unwelcome guests."
March 7th immediately opened a livestream, tuning into Guinaifen's latest broadcast.
Seeing the in-game Express crew receive the [Alliance Jade Token], her eyes sparkled.
"Mr. Yang! Come look!"
"We got the Alliance Jade Token in the story! Since we've helped so much in reality, don't you think Jing Yuan owes us one too?!"
Welt chuckled. "March, it's just a game. In reality, Jing Yuan wouldn't hand over something so valuable."
Just then—
Ding.
A notification popped up in the [Astral Express Family] group chat.
[Dan Heng: Jing Yuan has pardoned my exile and given me an [Alliance Jade Token].
Once I wrap things up here, I'll bring it back to the Express.]
March and Welt stared in disbelief.
After a beat, March frantically typed back:
[March 7th: Dan Heng, you're joking, right?! A real [Alliance Jade Token]? Not the in-game one?!]
[Dan Heng: It's real. We saw the story too. Jing Yuan believes the Express crew deserves this reward.]
"YESSSSSSSSSS!!!!" March screamed, bouncing in excitement.
"I love this storyline!"
"Whether in-game or reality, this Trailblaze journey turned out amazing!"
Welt nodded, smiling faintly. Seeing March so happy eased his own tension.
---
In Guinaifen's Stream…
Having bid farewell to her Xianzhou friends, Guinaifen returned to the Astral Express.
"So, our next stop is…?" Stelle asked.
Himeko replied, "Penacony. Remember? Before Kafka's invitation, we were headed there."
"According to the Express archives, Penacony was once a prison planet for the IPC—at least, that's what records say."
"But after the Stellaron outbreak, it embraced Xipe's embrace, transforming into a prosperous 'Land of Dreams.'"
"The Family is hosting a banquet there. They sent us an invitation. I'm curious about what's happening, so I accepted."
"Once Pom-Pom finishes preparations, we'll depart for our next destination."
As the story seemed to wind down, Welt picked up his cup, about to take a sip—
When suddenly, text flashed on-screen:
[Meanwhile, deep within the Shackling Prison…]
Welt's hand froze mid-air.
Because there, standing in the prison's depths—was Luocha, a man who should have long exited the story.
Walking calmly through the darkness, he was soon surrounded by Cloud Knights, their spears leveled at him.
Jing Yuan's voice echoed: "Those who enter this place are either jailers… or prisoners."
"Which are you?"
Luocha remained unfazed.
"Neither. I am but a lost traveler."
Jing Yuan descended the steps, his gaze sharp.
"Quite the spectacle you've orchestrated—Stellaron, the Ambrosial Arbor, the Denizens of Abundance, the Emanator of Destruction…"
"A relentless onslaught of threats, nearly diverting all attention…"
"Making everyone forget the one seemingly insignificant question—"
He stepped behind Luocha, gripping his glaive.
"Who brought the Stellaron onto the Xianzhou?"
The blade's edge glinted at Luocha's back.
Welt's relaxed mood evaporated instantly.
He never expected—Jing Yuan and Luocha on the verge of battle!
And Jing Yuan's revelation: Luocha was the one who smuggled the Stellaron aboard?!
This completely overturned Luocha's previous "harmless" image!
Memories of his homeland surged in Welt's mind.
Damn it…I should've known better than to trust someone with that face!
Jing Yuan's voice turned icy: "Surrender now, and I might grant you a quick death."
"You abomination of Yaoshi."
The Cloud Knights closed in, weapons ready.
Welt's heart pounded—Jing Yuan was still recovering from his illness. In the earlier story, Yanqing had urged him to rest after the ceremony.
Yet here he was, rushing straight to the Shackling Prison.
If Luocha unleashed some hidden power—
General, you're in danger!
Then—
Luocha spread his arms, as if heralding a grand performance.
"General, your deductions are… not incorrect."
"But like you, I am an enemy of Yaoshi."
Welt's hand trembled.
That posture, that tone…
It all felt too familiar.
He could almost see the smirk on Luocha's face.
His worst fears were confirmed.
Suddenly—snowflakes began to fall in the dark prison.
A voice cut through the cold: "Indeed, Jing Yuan."
"Do not interfere."
From the shadows emerged—Jingliu.
"The Arbor's rebirth was an omen—a sign the Xianzhou has reached a crossroads of fate."
"The Reignbow Arbiter, the Plagues Author, the Destruction…"
"This is the gods' chess game. If you don't stand on our side, you lose."
"And this time—"
"We will ensure Yaoshi's demise."
Jingliu and Luocha—
Welt massaged his temples, a headache brewing.
This is bad. Really bad.
He recalled earlier scenes—Luocha had been aligned with Jingliu in the Shackling Prison.
Their goals were the same.
And in reality?
After the battle against Phantylia, Luocha had been allowed to roam the Xianzhou freely—partly due to his contributions, partly because the in-game story had "exposed" his true nature early.
But this twist? It shattered Luocha's facade entirely.
We can't let him roam free!
He and Jingliu are clearly plotting something!
Welt summoned his Star of Eden-modified pistol.
He knew—Jing Yuan and Dan Heng must have seen this too. The general would act immediately.
And so would he.
Just then—
March let out a shocked squeal.
"What is it?" Welt asked, already on high alert.
"T-That—" March stammered, too excited to speak coherently.
Taking a deep breath, she blurted:
"The developers—!"
"They just dropped an announcement!"
"I—I don't even know how to describe it…"
"Mr. Yang, you have to see this!"
To be continued…
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