Astral Express Crew Wiped Out at the Start

The Astral Express Crew continued its voyage. Next stop: a frozen planet called Jarilo-VI.

There was a Stellaron there that needed to be dealt with before they could move on.

Originally, the plan for this Trailblaze Mission was for you, Stelle, and March 7th to go together.

However, you frowned, casually making an excuse: "I don't like the cold."

Dan Heng took your place, embarking on the icy planet with Stelle and March 7th.

While they handled matters on the planet, you stayed on the Astral Express alone, secretly moving long-buried chess pieces.

You mobilized a force within the Destruction Legion, launching a silent attack on a Xianzhou Loufu trade convoy.

That convoy was the one carrying the Foxian girl, Tingyun.

Almost simultaneously, you fabricated a puppet shell identical in appearance to Tingyun.

This shell was lifelike, perfectly mimicking even her mannerisms.

Then, you extracted a portion of your powerful Suyang Essence Core from your main body.

This process was not easy.

You, a powerful Suyang, were formed from the aggregation of countless Suyangs. Splitting off such a pure part destabilized your mental core and weakened your power.

But your spirit was strong enough, and your self-awareness unbreakable.

The Suyang that was split off had its own independent consciousness and a similar way of thinking, but it remained under the control of your main will.

You injected this part of the Suyang into the body of the fake Tingyun.

In an instant, the puppet "came to life."

It disguised itself as Tingyun, a survivor of the attack, and cleverly infiltrated Xianzhou Loufu.

To avenge the Xianzhou Alliance, every step you took had to be foolproof.

Infiltrating Xianzhou Loufu successfully! Villainy +200!

After the successful completion of the Trailblaze Mission on Jarilo-VI, the Astral Express prepared to head to its next destination.

Just then, a communication request sounded in the Astral Express's main control room.

It was a message from Kafka of the Stellaron Hunters.

She wasted no words, directly threatening the lives of countless ordinary people and demanding that the Astral Express change its planned course.

Faced with such blatant coercion, the Astral Express Crew had no choice.

They compromised.

A new destination lit up on the star map.

It was the place that stirred your millennia-old hatred, the place that buried countless pains and humiliations—

The Xianzhou.

You stood by the Astral Express's large observation window, gazing at the point of light on the star map that represented Xianzhou Loufu.

In the depths of your black eyes, there was no warmth, only endless killing intent, like frozen millennia-old ice.

Xianzhou, just you wait.

Age 6400, Star Calendar 8100.

The Astral Express arrived at Xianzhou Loufu.

This time, Stelle, March 7th, and you entered the Loufu.

Welt Yang had originally planned to go as well, but considering that you needed experience as a newcomer, and that your relationship with Stelle had been somewhat strained recently, he thought that acting together might resolve some issues, so he gave his spot to you. Dan Heng, Himeko, and Welt stayed on the Astral Express, ready to provide support at any time.

Under the identity of "Jiang Mo," you stepped onto this giant ship with the two of them.

Golden Threads surged out like a silent tide, instantly covering every corner of the Loufu.

In your eyes, this giant ship held no secrets.

You sensed the Abundance monsters lurking in the shadows, the mutations surging within the Alchemy Commission, and the complex power struggles among the Xianzhou's upper echelons.

Everything was under your control and within your expectations.

This time, your goal was clear: There was a Stellaron on the Loufu that needed to be found and sealed to resolve this crisis.

The Loufu was currently fraught with danger.

You quickly encountered a group of Mara-Struck Soldiers who were besieging a Foxian.

You acted in a timely manner, rescuing the Foxian with Stelle and March 7th.

She claimed to be Tingyun of the Sky-Faring Commission.

You exchanged a glance with her, the puppet clone you had infused with a portion of your Suyang Essence Core, the fake Tingyun.

Then she returned to normal, expressing her gratitude to you, repeatedly calling you her "benefactor."

Under the guidance of the fake Tingyun, you successfully met Jing Yuan, the general of the Loufu.

[You behaved appropriately, steady and reliable. And Jing Yuan showed you initial trust.]

[He attributed the Loufu's crisis to the Stellaron Hunter who infiltrated and entrusted you with assisting in the investigation.]

[You sneered inwardly.]

[This was exactly the misdirection you wanted to see.]

[By focusing the Xianzhou's attention on the Stellaron Hunter, your true purpose could be better concealed.]

[Afterward, you followed the Astral Express Crew in their operations on the Loufu, playing the role of a reliable teammate.]

[In several battles against the Abundance monsters, you deliberately restrained your power, acting as if you were barely coping.]

[On one occasion, you even feigned being nearly injured after being hit by an Abundance monster.]

[These actions, which appeared to be desperate attempts to protect your teammates, further deepened the Astral Express Crew's trust in you.]

[They felt that although you were strong, you still needed their protection.]

[However, Stelle's attitude toward you remained complex.]

[In battle, she would subconsciously stand in front of you, shielding you from attacks, even though you didn't need her protection at all.]

[In private, you occasionally caught her secretly looking at you, her eyes filled with some indescribable emotion.]

[When you occasionally tested her by calling her "wife," she would blush instantly as if electrocuted and then flusteredly avoid you.]

[You enjoyed the pleasure brought by this emotional manipulation.]

[This Stellaron Spirit was more easily influenced by emotions than you had imagined.]

[You were like an experienced angler, watching the fish gradually bite the bait you had cast.]

Antagonist Value +50

[During your operations on the Loufu, you encountered Kafka again.]

[She was captured by Fu Xuan's Matrix of Prescience. After some interrogation, Fu Xuan seemed to understand the truth, realizing that the Stellaron Hunter was not the direct cause of this crisis.]

[Subsequently, Stelle had a brief conversation with Kafka alone.]

[At this time, Kafka seemed to see the confusion in Stelle's eyes.]

["What's wrong? Is there a problem?" Kafka asked, looking at her.]

[Stelle hesitated for a moment, but finally asked, "Do you know what it feels like... to like someone?"]

[Kafka chuckled upon hearing this, "Oh? Do you have someone you like?"]

[Stelle remained silent for a long time, without answering.]

[Kafka didn't press further, but just smiled and said, "If you like someone, go pursue them bravely, don't leave any regrets."]

[After that, Kafka successfully escaped with the help of Blade, who appeared suddenly.]

[Stelle gazed in the direction Kafka had left, muttering to herself, "Be brave if you like someone..."]

[Her gaze unconsciously turned to you, who was standing not far away, casually looking at the surrounding scenery.]

[In Stelle's heart, she seemed to have made some kind of decision.]

Chapter 37: Stelle's Confession

[The Loufu's crisis was still ongoing. Although the Xianzhou had been sealed off, some areas still maintained peace under the protection of the Cloud Knights.]

[The Astral Express Crew got a short break.]

[Rarely, you decided to stroll around the streets of the Loufu.]

[There were fewer stalls on the street than usual, but some people were still setting up as usual.]

[After all, for these long-lived species, what kind of crisis hadn't they seen in thousands of years? Many had long been indifferent to it, only caring about living their own lives.]

[The three of you walked down the street, waiting for news from Diviner Fu Xuan and General Jing Yuan.]

[However, Stelle was preoccupied, not as curious about everything as usual.]

[Thinking of something, she suddenly tugged at March 7th, who was walking beside her, quietly falling behind a few steps, letting you walk ahead.]

["March," Stelle lowered her voice and asked softly, "Have you... ever been in love?"]

[March 7th was startled by her sudden question, "Huh? Why are you asking this all of a sudden?"]

[Stelle didn't answer, but looked at your back as you walked ahead, then looked at March 7th, and pouted, "Never mind, looks like you have no experience."]

[However, March 7th's gossip radar was unusually sensitive at this moment.]

[She looked at Stelle, then looked at you walking ahead, and then recalled Stelle's strange attitude and reactions these days.]

[A mischievous smile appeared on March 7th's face.]

["Stelle, you're finally willing to face your heart and take the initiative to pursue him?"]

[Stelle's face flushed red instantly, and she waved her hands in a panic, "What are you thinking! I didn't say that!"]

[March 7th chuckled, with an "I know, I know" expression, "Hehe, don't worry, you've come to the right person for this! When it comes to emotional advice, you can't go wrong listening to this girl!"]

[Stelle was somewhat skeptical, "You?"]

March 7th puffed out her chest. "Don't underestimate me! Even though I've never been in a relationship, I've read tons of romance novels and manga! My theoretical knowledge is extensive! Leave it to me!"

March 7th began to impart her love confession secrets to Stelle in a very organized manner.

Stelle listened with a mixture of belief and doubt, but by the end, its eyes lit up.

"Good idea!"

After a moment, Stelle seemed to have prepared itself mentally.

It took a deep breath, straightened its clothes, and began to take the initiative.

You walk ahead, sensing everything around you, unconcerned by the whispers behind you.

Suddenly, you feel a rush of footsteps approaching from behind.

Stelle trots up beside you, a flush of unnatural redness on its face, holding a candied hawthorn that it just bought from a nearby stall.

It hands it to you, its voice trembling slightly. "J-Jiang Mo, this... this is really good, try it!"

You stop and turn to look at it.

Stelle's eyes don't dare meet yours, its gaze flickering around.

You look at its face, which is filled with nervousness, and then at the large string of candied hawthorns in its hand, and you can't help but find it a little amusing.

What kind of terrible idea did March 7th come up with? Giving food?

You don't take it immediately, but just look at it calmly.

Stelle becomes even more nervous under your gaze, its cheeks burning intensely.