Actually, besides wanting to build hype and showcase the game, he had another reason for starting this livestream.
Part of it was to see if he could attract any investment.
That's how game development works; some studios and companies might not have much capital at the start, so they'll first set up a project and plan out the general direction and content.
Then they release it to stir up hype, specifically to pull in investment.
This allows them to kickstart the formal production process for the game's follow-up.
While Xu Qiong didn't need that kind of help, any credits invested could be converted into Cosmic Shards!
That was exactly what he needed.
And now, he had finally caught a bite.
[Tonight Eat Roast Chicken: I am the producer of honkai: star rail. If you have any questions, you can talk to me directly.]
After sending the message, Xu Qiong checked the other party's profile.
It was actually a corporate business account?
Wait, no.
"Herta Space Station?!"
[Ding-dong!]
Another message arrived.
[Herta Space Station (Business Account): That's great! I really like the game 'honkai: star rail,' and I've had a deep experience playing it!]
[Herta Space Station (Business Account): If your team is willing to cooperate, I've prepared an initial funding of 20 billion credits for now. We can go through the procedures anytime...]
Xu Qiong: "(⊙ˍ⊙)"
"How much?!"
Xu Qiong's expression froze.
20 billion credits?
Although the sales from the Castorice banner should eventually reach this level, those were all converted into Cosmic Shards; he didn't get a single Credit from that.
Having such a massive sum of credits suddenly thrown at him was truly hard to imagine.
But then again, he was familiar with Herta Space Station.
Who in there could directly pull out 20 billion credits?
Ms. Herta definitely doesn't manage the accounts, so that only leaves...
[Herta Space Station (Business Account): Sorry, considering the commercial game is still in its early stages, our further funding...]
What else was there to say?
[Tonight Eat Roast Chicken: 'honkai: star rail' Animated Short: 'The Long Night to Rest' has been sent successfully.]
[Herta Space Station (Business Account): ???]
Since the other party had said so much, they were now partners.
Xu Qiong naturally uploaded the existing game animation directly; he had to give them an unexpected experience!
Meanwhile, on Asta's side.
Seeing the other party send over a video file, she raised an eyebrow.
"Could this be... the animated short about Castorice that the preview mentioned?!"
At this moment, her 'money power' was on full display.
The corners of Asta's mouth curled up inadvertently; she had obtained something others hadn't seen yet.
Immediately.
She couldn't wait to click on it: "Let me see what good stuff this is!"
Xu Qiong also leaned back on the sofa, quietly waiting for less than ten minutes.
...
Very soon.
"Waaaahhhhhhh~!"
"Arlan! Arlan! Waaaaah—!"
Asta: "(;´༎ຶД༎ຶ`)"
The office door flew open, and Arlan rushed in, staring at Asta with a bewildered face.
"M-Miss, what's wrong?"
Asta was currently slumped over the desk sobbing, holding up three fingers: "Help me, help me prepare the paperwork. I'm going to invest in a game..."
"Huh?" Arlan was stunned.
[Herta Space Station (Business Account): I don't think 20 billion is enough. I'm adding another 10 billion credits. Let's go through the procedures now! Right now!]
On the other side, seeing the message from Asta, Xu Qiong paused before breaking into a slightly wicked smile.
It had to be Castorice; she was practically a comet-sized emotional bomb!
Even Asta couldn't hold out.
Indeed, if it really was Herta Space Station, Asta was the only one who could pull out this kind of money.
[Herta Space Station (Business Account): This is just the initial investment. If the future versions of the game still have this kind of content, I will invest more!]
[Tonight Eat Roast Chicken: That will do.]
[Tonight Eat Roast Chicken: If it's convenient, we could also arrange an offline meeting. I've opened an offline Amphoreus 'Museum' here, but invitation slots are currently limited.]
"What? Amphoreus? And an offline museum?!"
Seeing the message, Asta wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes, her expression looking a bit excited.
It made sense.
Since the other party could make this game and seemingly had a connection with Ms. Herta, there must be massive power or capital behind them.
Opening a museum wasn't that big of a deal.
[Herta Space Station (Business Account): Okay, you set the time. If I'm free, I'll definitely visit!]
Asta replied excitedly.
A moment later, Xu Qiong shared the star chart coordinates with her.
"It's here?" Asta's eyes lit up. "Let me see, let me see..."
She tried to open the location on the star chart.
"Wait, Amphoreus?!"
The star chart coordinates did indeed mark a planet, but the name was actually Amphoreus!
That's right.
It wasn't a specific location on a planet; the entire planet was called Amphoreus?
No way.
He couldn't have directly terraformed a whole planet into a one-to-one replica of Amphoreus, could he?!
...
After the invitation, Xu Qiong turned his attention back to the game livestream.
Since they were investment partners now, she was basically an insider. It was fine for her to come over, and besides, he and Asta were on very good terms.
He just had to figure out how to explain things to her when she actually arrived.
Also, while Herta didn't manage the accounts, the Space Station was her property to some extent.
Directly fleecing another 30 billion credits from her gave Xu Qiong a slight sense of guilt.
"Whatever, the great and merciful Ms. Herta will naturally choose to forgive me!"
Xu Qiong nodded silently and looked at his mobile phone screen.
After the Citizens Assembly ended, everyone was clearly in disbelief at Castorice's actions.
And Castorice told them the story of why she stood with Senate.
It was a story from the long-distant past.
Guinaifen's eyes widened; finally, it was time for content related to Castorice.
In the memory, Polyxia showed Calypso the story of the Styxia allegory.
But Calypso also asked a question: if one had the power of resurrection, would they use it for a cherished person to bring them back from the dead?
[This question? Polyxia actually answered in the affirmative?]
[For real? Polyxia already has someone she likes! Who is it, who is it?]
[Wait, I feel like this Q&A is some kind of foreshadowing.]
[Guys, an oracle has appeared! This time the oracle seems to be about Polyxia!]
While the bullet chat was discussing, a brand new oracle was revealed.
"You shall wither, letting the departed sprout from the remnants, and the fire that died together shall be reborn..." Calypso murmured.
This oracle arrived during 'that moment'.
And without a doubt, that moment was the Trial of the Fireseed.
But what felt strange to the players in the livestream was that Polyxia had actually failed the trial?
Calypso said regretfully: "How pitiful, fate is truly so cruel."
"Is there no other way to interpret it?"
"I'm afraid its meaning is very clear," Polyxia said calmly. "One of us, my sister or I, must make a sacrifice—at the cost of life—to complete our trial."
"I suppose that is precisely why the prophecy chose a pair of twins."
Guinaifen: "?"