"My, my, this is quite a rare spectacle. What an honor. To think that I would have the fortune of witnessing a scene that even the long-life species have never seen…"
Tingyun, who had been strolling through a part of the Divination Commission, watched the approaching members of the Astral Express crew. She looked up towards the distant Ambrosial Arbor, her tone filled with amazement.
"The Ambrosial Arbor has been infused with some kind of energy, which is why it has revived."
Wende stated, looking at the celestial anomaly that was the Arbor before turning to Welt.
"Yes, this peculiar energy is undoubtedly caused by the Stellaron."
Welt nodded in confirmation. This wasn't his first or second encounter with a Stellaron. While he was no longer surprised by the phenomena they could cause, bringing a former blessing of Abundance back from the dead… this was a first for him.
"I have a feeling we're about to get involved in some serious business again."
March threw up her hands, shaking her head with a sigh.
"It's not a feeling, it's a certainty."
Stelle stated with conviction. Kafka had already told her everything she knew. Now, the Astral Express was completely tied to the Xianzhou…
"Hmph, that bad woman… if it weren't for her, we wouldn't be in this mess!" March said resentfully.
"Alright, alright, didn't you also vote 'yes' back when we were deciding?"
Wende couldn't help but smile, recalling little March's earlier declaration that "heroes can't flee from a challenge."
"I… I was concerned about the people of the Xianzhou! But if it weren't for that bad woman, we might not have even come here!"
March puffed out her cheeks, indignant.
"Indeed, if not for Kafka, we would have bypassed the Xianzhou. But since we are here, we must shoulder the responsibilities of the Trailblaze."
Welt said with great seriousness.
Although they were now heading down the worst-case scenario he had envisioned, the negative outcomes hadn't fully materialized. The Astral Express could, as Kafka had suggested, use this opportunity to form a friendly, cooperative relationship with the Xianzhou, which would certainly provide great convenience for the Express's future voyages.
As a former leader of an organization, Welt immediately understood the pros and cons. While they would inevitably be drawn into the Xianzhou's internal affairs, the potential benefits were too great for him to choose avoiding harm over seeking profit.
However…
Welt turned his gaze toward Wende.
"Hm?"
"I don't think we need to rush. Let's first get an update from the Diviner and the General, and then we should rest."
Welt said with a straight face.
The hour was already late. Although this pocket dimension was perpetually dark, rest was still necessary when it was due.
"Mhm, I think what Uncle Yang says is very reasonable!"
March nodded in fervent agreement. Forcing people to work without a single break, isn't that just treating them like beasts of burden?!
"Miss Tingyun, would you like to try some? Wende's pastries are delicious!"
March extended a warm invitation to Tingyun.
"Hehe, since Benefactor March has invited me so graciously, it would be difficult for this little lady to refuse~"
Tingyun replied with a charming laugh.
"Hmm… I wonder if the Divination Commission has any milk tea. I'm craving something sweet!"
Stelle said with a serious expression.
"Err… I think you'd better not get your hopes up."
The expressions of Welt and Tingyun, who had already experienced the Divination Commission's cafeteria, changed instantly. Welt even offered a word of caution to Stelle.
"Huh? What's the deal? Could there possibly be food worse than the dishes from Belobog's Underworld?"
March looked at Welt with curiosity. Something that could stump the invincible Uncle Yang… what could it be?
"March, I think your curiosity will get you into trouble sometimes."
Welt shook his head, advising her against it. He hadn't forgotten the incident where she drank that fermented mung bean juice on the starskiff. It was bad enough that March fell victim to it, but if Stelle got addicted…
Welt instinctively tightened his grip on his cane.
Pom-Pom… would probably kick her off the Express, right?
Hmm… I wonder how the Express is doing right now…
"Passenger Himeko! Your delivery of Xianzhou specialty products and some coffee has arrived!"
Pom-Pom carried two parcels over to Himeko's side, waving its ears.
"Hehe, thank you for your hard work, Conductor."
Himeko accepted the two packages with a smile, thanking Pom-Pom.
"You're welcome, Pom! If you need anything else, just let me know!"
"Mhm."
Watching Pom-Pom toddle off towards the kitchen car, Himeko smiled gently and began to open the two packages.
"Hmm, this Xianzhou coffee looks pretty good. Dan Heng and Wende are from the Xianzhou, right? I'll have to see if they're used to this kind of taste later."
Setting aside the package of pitch-black coffee, Himeko eagerly opened the other parcel.
"Hmm… why does this package feel a little familiar?"
Staring at the very familiar packaging, Himeko tapped her chin with her index finger, a look of confusion on her face.
"Oh well, let's just open it first."
She shook her head slightly, deciding not to overthink it. This was her happy package-opening time!
After unpacking the "critically acclaimed" Xianzhou specialty, Fermented Mung Bean Soda, Himeko stared curiously at the bottle in her hand, at the murky, yellow-green liquid inside.
Glug, glug.
Shaking it gently, she could hear a viscous sound from within, accompanied by a faint fizz as bubbles stirred the impurities, causing them to float upwards.
"Is this really… a product with rave reviews?"
Himeko looked doubtfully at the cloudy liquid in her hand, but in the end, she gently twisted the cap open.
"Let's have a smell…"
Himeko brought her elegant nose close to the bottle's mouth. A refreshing aroma of green beans wafted out.
"Hmm… this smells pretty nice, actually?"
A small smile graced Himeko's red lips. It seemed she hadn't stepped into a trap after all.
"Then let's have a taste…"
Gulp…
Blergh…
"AHHH!! Passenger Himeko! What happened! No! Don't vomit on the floor! AHHHHH!"
Pom-Pom's terrified shrieks echoed through the Express.
…Well, with people from the Sky-Faring Commission and the Cloud Knights around, the Astral Express should be fine, right?
Welt stroked his chin, lost in thought.
"Uncle Yang, what do you think we should say to the Diviner later?"
March looked at Welt with curiosity.
"You needn't worry about that. Just leave it to me."
Welt stood with his hands behind his back, the reliability and composure of a true adult on full display.
"Wow… as expected of Uncle Yang!"
Welt paid no mind to March's praise. After all, back in his day…