Playing Stat-Sticks in Honkai: Star Rail

"Tch, what a buzzkill!"

March 7th looked thoroughly displeased.

She hadn't managed to trick anyone into standing with her to challenge the limits.

Arriving at the common carriage.

When Liuge, March 7th, and Stelle walked in, they saw that Dan Heng, Himeko, and Welt were already there.

Dan Heng was sitting on the sofa, reading a book with a dark green cover, while Welt was looking at his phone, engrossed in whatever he was seeing, his expression changing drastically from time to time. Himeko, meanwhile, was brewing coffee, smiling as she watched the three arrive.

"You three are here. Please, have a seat. The train is about to warp to the next destination."

"You got that right, Paimon!"

Pom-Pom also walked over, its gaze fixed directly on March 7th.

"Passenger March 7th, please sit down this time. If you stand during the warp every time, you're the one who suffers, Paimon!"

Pom-Pom's expression was like a doting mother worried about her silly child getting hurt.

"Hehe, I want to challenge myself this time!"

"As you wish, Paimon!"

Knowing she couldn't convince this silly child, Pom-Pom shook its head helplessly and looked at Stelle and Liuge.

"Then you two, quickly find a seat! The train is about to start warping!"

After everyone else had sat down, with only March 7th standing in the middle of the common carriage, striking a pose of readiness, the entire Astral Express began to emit a flowing, iridescent glow.

In the next instant, Liuge saw the universe outside the carriage turn into dark, shadowy light.

In the blink of an eye, the train reappeared in the cosmos.

However, at this moment, Liuge was captivated by the scenery outside the carriage.

It was a massive planet, ninety percent of its surface covered in pure white, with only tiny specks of blue visible on its surface. From the outside, it looked as beautiful as a pure white snowball.

"According to the train's records, this is a planet called Jarilo-VI, which was once one of the train's stops."

Himeko looked at the planet, recalling some details.

"However, according to the records, this planet shouldn't look like this."

Himeko looked at the snow-white planet with some confusion.

"Is it possible... I mean, is there a possibility that what caused this planet to be like this was also caused by a Stellaron?"

Liuge spoke up at this point.

If they continued according to the plot, the explanation would likely take a long time.

"What you're saying isn't impossible. But we can't jump to conclusions before we have a definitive answer."

Welt stepped forward, gazing at the planet, and adjusted his glasses.

"Um, rather than discussing it here, I think it would be better if we went to survey it ourselves."

March 7th raised her hand from behind and suggested.

As soon as she spoke, everyone's gaze turned to her, and even Dan Heng looked surprised.

"Wh-what's wrong?"

Seeing their gazes, March 7th thought she had said something wrong and shrunk back, looking bewildered.

"March, your suggestion is excellent. Instead of discussing it here, why not go and see for ourselves!"

Himeko said with praise.

"Coincidentally, we have new passengers on the train. You and Dan Heng can take them to survey it! Consider this an exploration mission."

Welt also said.

"Huh? Just the four of us?"

March 7th looked at Himeko and Welt, a bit confused.

"That's right, just the four of you. Welt and I will be your support here, waiting for your return."

"You mean slacking off!"

Liuge chimed in at the opportune moment.

This caused Himeko and Welt to look at him.

In response, Liuge shrugged indifferently.

He had been on the train long enough, and if he didn't get out to move around, Liuge felt like his body was going to go moldy.

"Then let's go!"

Stelle looked at everyone and spoke.

Stelle had also been feeling a bit restless these past couple of days. Although her relationship with March 7th had improved dramatically, she couldn't stand the fact that some doll lady kept messaging her to test the Simulated Universe every day. It was so annoying.

She had only just left with the train, and it would take some time to get back, wouldn't it?

So, rather than getting annoyed replying to those messages, Stelle felt she should go see what the situation was on this planet and relieve some of her own stress.

"Gogogo!!!"

March 7th pushed Dan Heng's back as she, Stelle, and Liuge boarded the train's warp capsule.

With a flash of light, the four figures vanished within the train's warp capsule.

Watching the young people's energetic demeanor, Welt pushed up his glasses.

Just now, he thought he saw some familiar figures flash past them, which made him feel a bit nostalgic.

"I'm really getting old! To think I'd start reminiscing!"

Welt said with a sigh.

"What's wrong? This is the first time I've ever heard you say that about yourself,"

Himeko glanced at Welt and then asked with a smile.

"It's nothing, I just saw some children in these kids. It made me realize I'm also an old man."

"That's quite a sentiment from someone who's getting on in years!"

Himeko smiled, but she didn't quite agree that she herself was getting on in years.

"Alright, let's watch how the kids survey this situation!"

"You're right!"

With that, Welt and Himeko sat down on the sofa, watching the real-time footage of Liuge and the others that appeared before them...

019 Honey, say something!

Pale snow, a cold wind blew across the mountain ridges, bringing waves of chill.

At this moment, the four people appearing in the pale valley were slowly walking through this unfamiliar territory.

"Phew, it really is a bit cold!"

March 7th rubbed her arms, sounding a little displeased.

"It's your own fault for knowing we were coming to an ice-covered planet and still wearing a short skirt. While it's a nice sight, you should still be careful! Getting frostbite on your legs would be troublesome!"

Liuge glanced at March 7th's fair legs and retorted.

"Who knew it would be this cold! Besides, Stelle is also wearing a short skirt, why aren't you saying anything about her!"

March 7th pointed at Stelle, who was scratching her face in confusion, sounding a little displeased.

Is that the point of the conversation? Shouldn't you be asking why he's staring at your thighs?

Dan Heng remained silent, but he was thinking this to himself.

"Then let me ask you a question."

Liuge looked at March 7th and spoke.

"Go ahead?"

"Your Path is Preservation, right?"

"Yeah!"

"And your elemental attribute is Ice, correct?"

"Mm!"

March 7th found it a bit strange why Liuge would ask such obvious questions.

"Then why is it that you, who uses Ice element power and is of the Preservation Path, feel cold? Yet Stelle, who follows the Path of Destruction, doesn't feel cold?"

"Uh..."

In an instant, a blush spread across March 7th's face.

She seemed to realize how embarrassing it was for someone who used the Ice element to complain about the cold.

However, Dan Heng glanced at March 7th calmly and sighed almost imperceptibly.

He really wanted to say that feeling cold had nothing to do with one's Path or elemental attribute; it was purely a matter of personal constitution.

But March 7th's little brain couldn't process it quickly enough, and she was completely led astray by Liuge.

Stelle, standing nearby, almost burst out laughing but managed to hold it in.

And so, the group walked through the snowy valley for about an hour. During this hour, March 7th's mind was filled with Liuge's question on repeat.

Then, as she walked up a slope, she tripped. The coldness of the snow on her palms jolted her, and she suddenly realized.

"Wait, what does this have to do with what element I use or my Path!!!"

"..."

March 7th's sudden outburst caused all three of them to fall silent.

Then, Liuge and Stelle exchanged a glance.

"HahHahahahahahahaha!!!!"

Both of them were overjoyed, and even Dan Heng by their side had a smile on his lips.

"You... you guys already knew the answer to this question, didn't you!"

March 7th looked at the others indignantly, especially at Liuge.

"I think, probably when I asked the question, Dan Heng and Stelle had already reached a conclusion!"

Liuge said, looking at Stelle and Dan Heng beside him. Both of them nodded in unison.

"..."

March 7th was instantly silenced.

Then, she became a little withdrawn.

Seeing her like this, Liuge smiled, pinched her cheek, and then spoke.

"That's why! March, it's good for you to read books when you have free time!"

Dan Heng, standing nearby, also nodded in agreement.

"Hey, how can you just pinch a beautiful girl's cheek!"

March 7th slapped Liuge's hand away, saying indignantly.

"It's just because little March is too cute, I couldn't help but pinch her!"

"You know, I've had that thought sometimes too!"

Stelle chimed in.

Hearing this, Liuge and Stelle exchanged a look and, with perfect understanding, raised their hands and high-fived.

As expected of kindred spirits, their interests were the same!

"You two!"