Playing Stat-Sticks in Honkai: Star Rail

[Stelle: What is that?]

[Bronya: What is that?]

[Bronya: Cough, cough, I checked. Mara-Struck is unique to Xianzhou citizens...]

As she spoke, Bronya privately explained to the members of the Astral Express crew, and Dan Heng, the key point, also added some details.

[March 7th: Oh oh oh, I get it. So, Liuge, are you okay?]

[Liuge: Get what?]

[March 7th: About the Mara-Struck! So, are you okay!]

[Liuge: Oh, is that so!]

[Stelle: ...I feel like it was on purpose!]

[Bronya: Liuge, if you act like this, no girl will like you!]

[March 7th: So annoying!]

[Liuge: Cough, cough, sorry, sorry! I'm fine, it's just...]

[March 7th: Just?]

[Liuge: How should I put it, this time the Mara-Struck was caused by the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus.]

[Dan Heng: Disciples of Sanctus Medicus...]

[March 7th: What's that now?]

Before Liuge could answer, Yanqing emerged from the General of the Xianzhou's manor. He cupped his hands towards Liuge and gestured for him to enter.

"My apologies for making you wait, the General has been expecting you for quite some time."

Though he said "quite some time," it had only been about three to four minutes, not very long at all.

"It's fine!"

Liuge nodded and followed Yanqing into the General of the Xianzhou's manor.

Before long, they arrived in a grand hall.

In front of the hall, a virtual chessboard resembling cyber chess was laid out on the floor. Behind it, seated in the main seat, was Jing Yuan, with his white hair and an expression that always seemed to be battling drowsiness.

"General Jing Yuan!"

Liuge looked at Jing Yuan, cupped his hands, and bowed.

"You've arrived!"

Jing Yuan looked at Liuge, a hint of curiosity in his eyes.

"Speaking of which, it hasn't been long since you returned to Xianzhou, yet you've already helped Xianzhou twice."

"It was just a small effort, a small effort. Also, the reason I encountered the anomaly in the Dan Ding Division this time was at the instruction of Grand Tutor Fu Xuan, who asked me to conduct inspections around."

"Is that so?"

Jing Yuan nodded upon hearing this, seemingly lost in thought.

"By the way, General Jing Yuan."

"Hm?"

Jing Yuan blinked and turned to look at Liuge.

"It's like this, actually, before I appeared on Tingyun's merchant ship, I was a Nameless from the Astral Express."

"You're a Nameless?"

This time, Jing Yuan was genuinely a little surprised.

He knew about the Astral Express.

It was a train ridden by followers of the will of the late Aeon of Discovery, Akivili. Their actions and deeds were all about forging paths to connect the universe in friendship.

No matter where they arrived, as long as there was a Stellaron crisis, they would head there without hesitation to seal it.

They were a group of respectable people.

"Yes!"

Liuge nodded.

"So, why are you suddenly mentioning this?"

"Regarding this, I wanted to say that my companions might be arriving at the Loufu soon."

"Oh, is that so! There's nothing wrong with that; we Xianzhou people welcome friends from afar."

Jing Yuan didn't seem too surprised. Instead, he began to ponder something.

After a moment, he looked at Liuge.

"Speaking of which, young friend Liuge. I wonder if there are any limitations to your ability to transform into others?"

"Hm?"

Liuge was a bit confused when he heard that.

However, he quickly realized that Jing Yuan might be planning to use his ability to deal with the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus.

"General, what do you mean?"

"The Disciples of Sanctus Medicus, you know them!"

"Mm!"

Liuge nodded.

"I want you to disguise yourself as someone else and infiltrate the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus."

"..."

Upon hearing Jing Yuan's words, Liuge fell into deep thought.

So he wants me to be a mole!

"I must refuse!"

Liuge immediately rejected the offer.

Putting aside everything else, his acting skills were simply lacking.

If he had an acting Stat-Stick, he might actually be able to pull this off, but as it was now, it was an absolute no-go!

"That's a shame!"

Jing Yuan smiled, not forcing the issue.

"How should I put it? General Jing Yuan, my transformation ability is limited to these two forms!"

As he spoke, Liuge equipped Tingyun's transformation Stat-Stick and immediately performed a dramatic transformation into a fox for Jing Yuan.

Jing Yuan, who had already expected this, showed no surprise. However, Yanqing, who was watching from the side, widened his eyes.

How did he suddenly turn into the chief representative of the Minghuo Merchant Guild?

Next, Liuge swapped the Stat-Stick for one belonging to Yuuka Kazami.

In the next instant, he transformed into a tyrannical flower queen.

This caused Jing Yuan's eyes to widen slightly.

It wasn't for any other reason than the fact that the aura of the tyrannical flower queen, Yuuka Kazami, was too strong. Even if she were to go undercover, it would be impossible; she was far too conspicuous!

As for Tingyun, she was too famous, so that wouldn't work either.

He sighed, implicitly accepting Liuge's refusal.

However, what he didn't know was that Liuge had another transformation form.

That was the form of Bronya, the [Haxxor Bunny]!

But since he was supposed to be going undercover, it was better not to mention it. After all, being a mole was just too troublesome!

051 Brave March, Fearless of Difficulties!

After leaving the General's residence, Liuge casually found a seat in Chang'le Sky-Garden and gazed upwards.

In reality, however, he was looking at the brand new Stat-Stick he had just obtained from the Stat-Stick Library.

This Stat-Stick had dropped from the General of the Xianzhou's residence, or rather, from Jing Yuan.

This wasn't something to be too surprised about!

But the problem was that this Stat-Stick was scarlet red, the kind that looked very eerie, as if it had been stained by blood.

[One Awesome Attack]

Quality: Scarlet

Description: I shall unleash one awesome attack!

Special Note: There are side effects; please use this Stat-Stick only after ensuring your own safety.

This was the only Scarlet quality Stat-Stick he had ever obtained, and the only one with a special note.

All of this indicated the uniqueness of this Stat-Stick.

Although he really wanted to try it out, Liuge suppressed the urge.

Trying this thing out might just lead to his demise!

After all, it explicitly stated to use it only after ensuring his own safety.

After a moment of thought, Liuge temporarily put the Stat-Stick away.

At the same time, he was also very curious about what kind of new Stat-Stick this could form later on.

Liuge would never admit that the moment he obtained this Stat-Stick, the image of the Heavenly Fire Sacred Judgment flashed in his mind.

"Liuge, you're here!"

Suddenly, a gentle voice sounded beside him.

Liuge turned his head and saw a foxian woman, dressed in a red and white Hanfu, walking towards him like an exiled immortal.

"Tingyun, are you finished with your business?"

The person who arrived before him was none other than Tingyun.

"Uh... yes!"

Tingyun paused for a moment before nodding.

In reality, Tingyun had been busy with guild matters. However, upon hearing that Liuge had encountered a Mara-Struck incident at the Dan Ding Division, she immediately put down her work and rushed over.

But halfway there, she heard that the Mara-Struck soldiers and the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus at the Dan Ding Division had been forcefully suppressed by a mysterious traveler from outside, and that Liuge was safe at the General of the Xianzhou's residence. So, she wasn't in a hurry anymore.

"What's wrong?"

Liuge looked at Tingyun's hesitant expression, finding it a bit strange.

"N-nothing."

Tingyun opened her Six-Ribbed Folding Fan, covering her lower jaw and revealing her beautiful eyes, as if she were smiling.

But Tingyun knew herself that she wasn't smiling at all.

She even felt a bit unsure how to speak, wanting to invite Liuge to eat together, but feeling too shy.

It was truly strange.

This had never happened before, so why was it happening now?

"Looking at the time, it's getting late. Miss Tingyun, would you do me the honor of sharing lunch with me?"

"...So stiff and formal. Liuge, you really talk strangely. Just be normal!"

Hearing Liuge's words, Tingyun chuckled and teased him.

"So, is that a yes?"

"Naturally!"