Chapter 73: Assassinating an Aeon! The Tree of Foundation Emerges? Feathered Spirit, You Dare to Write This?!
Yanqing quickly activated his Jade Abacus, preparing to document the unfolding events.
Kafka continued, "Here's the intriguing answer: The Stellaron Hunter's arrival, Blade's capture, and my confinement in this Matrix of Prescience were all orchestrated to bring the Astral Express to Xianzhou."
"In Elio's envisioned future, 'The Hunt' is essential. To achieve this, it was crucial for you to connect with the alliance..."
"That's why I had to deceive you into coming here. I needed you to interact directly with the General of Luofu, help them resolve the chaos caused by the Stellaron, and earn their gratitude."
"This way, in the distant future, at the most critical moment, Xianzhou will support you."
After hearing this dialogue, Jing Yuan fell deep into thought.
As I looked at Stelle again, she seemed like a precious treasure. Even Stelle appeared slightly embarrassed under his gaze.
Suddenly, the scene shifted.
Behind Kafka, a golden figure emerged.
It was Nanook, the Aeon of Destruction!
Against this backdrop, Kafka revealed even more crucial information:
"Elio didn't disclose the key details to me. The possibilities of the future are endless; learning the truth at the wrong time could ruin our efforts."
"Regarding the future, I can only tell you one thing: In both the best and worst scenarios, you will ultimately face Nanook, the embodiment of [ Destruction]. At that moment, you'll need all the help you can get, as it will be a brutal battle on the scale of Aeons."
"It's beyond the reach of you, me, or even the Astral Express. In most futures, destiny ends there. However, if you follow Elio's 'script,' there might be a glimmer of hope."
"...Did you know? Even an Aeon can be killed."
Upon hearing these words,
Jingliu, who had remained silent, suddenly lifted her head.
The black veil covering her eyes disintegrated into wisps of ash.
Her crimson pupils locked onto Kafka.
"Your ultimate goal is also to kill an Aeon?"
Silver Wolf, seemingly enjoying the drama, chimed in, "Do you want to slay an Aeon too?
"How coincidental! We're aiming for the same thing!"
"I see we're kindred spirits with shared ambitions!"
"Why don't we stop their fight, sit down together, add each other as game friends, and figure out how exactly to take down the Aeon once and for all?"
Silver Wolf's dry humor left everyone momentarily frozen, as if under a group silencing aura!
Feeling awkward, March 7th looked skyward, pretending to divert her attention.
"They're still not done fighting?"
In the live stream:
Guinaifen and Sushang's eyes widened, their mouths agape, looking utterly stunned.
Over 100,000 viewers bore witness to this moment together!
"Is this something I'm allowed to witness?"
"I knew interrogating Kafka would reveal many secrets, but I didn't expect her to spill everything!"
"Well, now the entire universe knows the future storyline."
"We can already foresee the climax of the final chapter—the Trailblazer stretching their hands towards the sky: 'All my friends across the cosmos, lend me your strength!'"
"Holy shit?! With that revelation, we might as well be there already!"
Amidst the uproar and speculation about this unfolding narrative,
the story was far from over.
Kafka had more explosive revelations to make!
To be precise,
it was Feathered Spirit revealing them!
Without Feathered Spirit turning these events into plotlines, they wouldn't have been witnessed by so many players!
"Long of [ Permenence], Idrila of [ Beauty], Ena of [ Order], Tayzzyronth of [ Propagation], and... Akivili of [ Trailblaze]."
"These were once names that resounded throughout the universe, but now, all have vanished, leaving behind only unclaimed destinies."
"As currently known to humans, there are three methods for causing an Aeon's fall."
"Firstly, when overlapping destinies collide, the broader destiny will swallow the narrower one—such as how Ena of [ Order ] was assimilated by Xipe of [Harmony]."
"Secondly, through divine wars between Aeons. The stronger party eliminates the weaker—the case of Tayzzyronth of [Propagation]'s demise. Similarly, under the guidance of [Hunt], the Xianzhou Alliance traversed the starry seas, purging the abominations spawned by [ Abundance]..."
"...And finally, what they ultimately wish to achieve."
Why does Xianzhou want to kill [ Abundance]?
How did Tayzzyronth die?
What about Akivili? Did they perish at the hands of another Aeon?
These questions were undoubtedly of immense significance!
Regarding "Why does Xianzhou want to kill [ Abundance]?", Guinaifen, despite being an outlander, had some understanding of the reasons. Even just examining the game's Mara Struck's Body and Disciples of Sanctus Medicus lore made it clear.
As for the second question about the Propagation Aeon, no related storyline had emerged in the game yet, so it hadn't garnered much attention.
Thus, she chose the third option:
What about Akivili? Did they die by the hand of another Aeon?
"I don't know; Akivili's disappearance is quite mysterious. Only Nous, the Aeon of Erudition, could likely answer that. After all, Machine Head—Nous's nickname—knows everything."
What is the third method?
With a slight tremble, Guinaifen selected the new dialogue option.
Oh, Aeon!
They were now discussing how to kill an Aeon!
Such blasphemous and heretical scenarios could only unfold within this game!
However, the question remained unanswered.
Suddenly, Kafka spoke up, "...Wait, it should be about time."
"Oh, here it begins!"
At the center of Xianzhou, that section of tree root began to swell, generating billowing white smoke. Its tip rapidly ascended, as if poised to pierce the heavens themselves!
Branches sprouted from the tree's top, with golden leaves unfurling gracefully.
Simultaneously,
Kafka broke free from her restraints and walked towards the edge of the Matrix of Prescience.
Stelle hastily pursued her.
But a Blade descended from the sky, blocking their path...
"Let's go, Bladie," said Kafka. "There are still two more places we need to visit."
Turning around like an actor exiting the stage, he leaned back and leaped down.
Blade swiftly followed suit.
"Feathered Spirit, you dare to write anything! First exposing the Aeon's secret, and now hinting at the rebirth of the Ambrosial Arbor?"
"I'm impressed with no one else but this game's developers!"
"The events unfolding over these few days are more thrilling than most of my life combined!"
"Before the Ambrosial Arbor starts regenerating, I'd better hurry up and buy some insurance!"
"By the way... do you guys really believe the Ambrosial Arbor will be reborn? This segment from Feathered Spirit seems overly dramatic! It must be embellished purely for theatrical effect."
"I agree, it feels impossible. How could such a mind-boggling event occur in reality?"
"This is too damn fake! If it happens, I'll gift every viewer here a 648000 credit voucher!"
"You lot sound like professional trolls, don't you? Every major event in Honkai: Star Rail since its inception has mirrored real-life occurrences. And yet, there are still doubters among us regarding our great Feathered Spirit?"
"I've got my eye on that guy promising the 64800 vouchers!"
"Don't play dead when the truth unfolds!"
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