Chapter Summaries

Tingyun brought the Express Crew to Changle Heaven and directed them toward Kafka’s trail while secretly plotting to revive the Ambrosial Arbor as Phantylia. After the group received Kafka’s coordinates and learned her signal came from Stellar Harbor, Tingyun hurried away, leaving Welt suspicious of her behavior.

• Tingyun welcomed the Express Crew, mistook Kiana for a stranger, and offered to take everyone to rest after a day of travel.
• Tingyun secretly planned to use the Medicine Master's Legacy and Dan Shu to awaken the Ambrosial Arbor with the Stellar Core and regain her complete form as Phantylia.
• Tingyun brought the group to Yichen Inn in Changle Heaven and provided each traveler with an allowance of ten thousand Xun Di.
• Tingyun showed the group Kafka’s recorded message, and Welt and the others discussed its cryptic reference to coordinates and intersecting paths.
• Tingyun explained that the Artificer Department traced Kafka’s background noise to the shipbuilding facilities at Stellar Harbor and urged the group to rest before pursuing her.
• Tingyun hurriedly left in her starskiff, and Welt wondered why she had seemed so eager to depart.

Welt and the others settled into Yichen Inn and enjoyed its buffet while Theresa spotted IPC specialist Scott and planned to play a prank on him later. Back on the train, Dan Heng recognized Blade in Kafka’s saved communication and told Himeko he wanted to return to the Xianzhou, but she urged him not to bear his burdens alone.

• Welt showed the inn staff the group’s passage Jade Seal, and they were guided to their rooms and a buffet charged to the Supreme Court.
• Theresa and the others sampled the inn’s food, and Theresa spotted Scott and anticipated having fun with him over the Golden Market bid.
• After the group returned to their rooms, Himeko found Dan Heng troubled in the train hall and offered to replay Kafka’s remote communication.
• Dan Heng recognized Blade in the recording and warned Himeko that his presence on the Xianzhou would put everyone in danger.
• Dan Heng called Blade his Inner Demon and said he wanted to return to the Xianzhou, while Himeko reminded him that the others also carried burdens and urged him not to overthink it.

Dan Heng left the Astral Express for the Luofu Xianzhou and tried to contact his friends, while the Aeons and Theresa gave him cryptic messages to deliver. On his way to meet the others, he found a blond man and a woman surrounded by Abundance Vermin and prepared to help them.

• Himeko agreed to let Dan Heng leave the Astral Express during its seven-day stay, and Pam teleported him to Flowing Cloud Crossing.
• Dan Heng's terminal connected to a strange Wi-Fi network set up by Immortal Dragon Qin, who asked him to tell a blond man, "There are five people, three persecutors. Ruan Mei, you aren't one of them."
• Theresa privately asked Dan Heng to tell the blond man to have a glasses-wearing man with a scarf say, "Joachim, it has been a long time since New York. I truly miss it."
• Dan Heng learned that the others were staying at Yichen Inn in Everlasting Heaven and planned to meet them at Stellar Harbor.
• Dan Heng found fragments of Cloud Knight armor, then encountered a blond man and a woman surrounded by Abundance Vermin; Jingliu was hidden inside the man's coffin.

Ruan Mei, Sushang, and Dan Heng fought off a horde of Abundance Vermin, with Ruan Mei healing and shielding the others. Afterward, Sushang offered to escort them to safety across the dangerous Starcruiser Sea.

• Sushang stopped Ruan Mei from fighting alone, and Dan Heng joined them against the Abundance Vermin.
• Ruan Mei healed Sushang and protected her and Dan Heng with a green barrier as they defeated the monsters together.
• Dan Heng explained that he was separated from his companions and wanted to reunite with them.
• Sushang introduced herself as a Cloud Knight and offered to escort Dan Heng and Ruan Mei to a safe zone.
• Sushang learned their names, briefly mistaking Ruan Mei for “Radish,” then promised to protect them.

After breakfast, Theresa and her companions prepared to investigate the Stellaron Hunters while waiting for Dan Heng to join them. Tingyun met them outside Yichen Inn and noticed Theresa’s newly appeared purple crystals, while secretly anticipating her future transformation into Phantylia.

• Sushang led Dan Heng and Ruan Mei toward the Starcruiser Sea exit and asked them to help write their names because she feared getting the characters wrong.
• Theresa and the others washed up, and Theresa explained that the purple crystals on her transformed outfit were Judas’s King of Flames Sword.
• Theresa, March 7th, Stelle, and Himeko joined Welt for breakfast, where Welt said they would investigate the Stellaron Hunters and Kafka after Dan Heng arrived.
• Welt complained that Theresa kept tormenting him, and March 7th teased him about being afraid of her.
• Tingyun met the group outside Yichen Inn and noticed Theresa’s crystals before privately imagining how imposing she would be as Phantylia.

Tingyun explained that Starcrag Port had fallen into chaos and asked the group to investigate Kafka with help from a tracking device. She introduced the Diviner Beast, which could follow Kafka’s traces, and the group prepared to set out.

• Tingyun told the group that Starcrag Port’s Stellar Orrery and checkpoint had stopped operating, monsters were rampant, and the Cloud Knights were occupied searching for the Stellaron.
• Welt gathered the Stellaron Hunters to discuss their plan to find Kafka, and Theresa said she could handle any threat with her power.
• The group agreed to search for Kafka and rendezvous with Dan Heng, while March 7th and Stelle joked about resisting any attempt to control them.
• Tingyun introduced a Diviner Beast borrowed from the Artificer Department and explained that it could track Kafka by following her footprints or scent.
• March 7th happily hugged the Diviner Beast as the group prepared to leave for Starcrag Port.

Stelle used Theresa's Ever-changing mask to disguise herself as a Mechanical Bird and accidentally spent three hours delivering takeout while Tingyun and the Stellaron Hunters searched for her. When the disguise wore off, Stelle returned to the group with a thousand Credit Points and Tingyun admitted defeat.

• Tingyun set the Diviner Beast to track Stelle's scent, and Theresa gave Stelle an Ever-changing mask to use as a disguise.
• Stelle transformed into a Mechanical Bird and was recruited by another bird to help deliver takeout around the Starcruiser Sea.
• Tingyun and the Stellaron Hunters followed the Diviner Beast across the area but failed to recognize Stelle among the Mechanical Birds.
• Tingyun admitted defeat and waited for the mask's time limit to expire.
• Stelle turned back into a gray-haired woman inside a shop, received one thousand Credit Points from a Mechanical Bird, and returned the mask to Theresa.

Stelle recounted how she had spent three hours disguised as a Mechanical Bird delivering takeout, while Tingyun discovered the Diviner Beast had not malfunctioned. The Stellaron Hunters traveled to Starcrag Port to continue tracking Kafka and learned how the Xianzhou grew and built its star skiffs.

• Stelle told the group that, disguised as a Mechanical Bird, she had delivered takeout, eaten the food, and become a trending sensation.
• March 7th and Welt explained that Tingyun had overlooked Stelle because Mechanical Birds were a familiar sight in the skies, and Tingyun apologized for the wasted time.
• Tingyun arranged for the Cloud Knights to take the Stellaron Hunters to Starcrag Port while she returned to report to Yukong and clarify the Mechanical Bird incident.
• The Cloud Knights explained that star skiffs grew from seeds through sprouting, embryonic, and shaping stages before being fitted for combat, cargo transport, or passengers.
• Welt compared the three star-skiff types to fighter jets, cargo trucks, and passenger cars so the group could understand their roles.

The Express crew pursued Kafka through Starcrag Port, where she controlled the Cloud Knights and escaped after putting most of the group to sleep. Theresa helped the crew catch up, and Kafka surrendered, explaining that the encounter was not a plan but an attempt to shape the best possible future.

• Stelle used the Diviner Beast and a severed Cloud Knight weapon to track Kafka, following clues she had left around Starcrag Port.
• Kafka emerged after controlling the Cloud Knights and put the group to sleep, but Welt and Theresa resisted her; she vanished and the others soon woke.
• Theresa used wake-up spray to revive the Cloud Knights, who withdrew, then kicked a sealed alloy gate out of the crew’s way.
• The Diviner Beast led the crew to Kafka, who stopped and surrendered when they surrounded her.
• Stelle and Welt questioned Kafka about her intentions, and Kafka said they had intervened in countless futures to make the best outcome real.

March 7th and Welt confronted Kafka over the Stellaron Hunters’ plans, but Kafka attacked while waiting for Fu Xuan to arrive. Fu Xuan took custody of Kafka and led the group toward the Divination Department for interrogation, with the Express crew insisting they be allowed to observe.

• March 7th accused Kafka of derailing the Express crew’s trip and getting them used and mistrusted, while Kafka argued that the journey had still earned them General Jing Yuan’s trust.
• Welt offered to take Kafka to Jing Yuan, but Kafka refused and opened fire on the group with her submachine guns.
• Kafka said she had been waiting for someone, then fired upward as Fu Xuan descended and redirected the bullets with her Divine Eye.
• Fu Xuan identified herself as a member of the Divination Department and claimed custody of Kafka, while Stelle and Theresa jokingly called her “Type-C—Fu Xuan.”
• Fu Xuan showed Jing Yuan’s decree assigning the Divination Department to interrogate captured Stellaron Hunters, and Welt secured the Express crew’s right to observe.
• Fu Xuan led the group to the Divination Department, assuring March 7th that Kafka could not escape and that the interrogation had to happen there.

Fu Xuan escorted the Express Crew and Kafka toward the Divination Department, while Theresa reassured Kafka and helped Stelle reconnect with her. Tingyun diverted the group to Everlasting Heaven, where Qingque remained unaware that Fu Xuan had arrived nearby.

• March 7th worried that Kafka would face a brutal interrogation, and Stelle instinctively moved to shield her before returning to the Stellaron Hunters' side.
• Fu Xuan explained that the Divination Department would use the Great Deduction Array to question Kafka, then summoned skiffs for the group.
• Theresa arranged to ride with Kafka and Stelle, and told Kafka she trusted her not to escape; Kafka then comforted Stelle, answered her questions, and let her fall asleep on her lap.
• Theresa gave Kafka handmade plush dolls of Stelle and Kafka, and Kafka promised that the Stellaron Hunters would never become enemies of the Astral Express.
• Tingyun brought the skiffs to Everlasting Heaven instead of the Divination Department, claiming the Stellar Orrery had malfunctioned while secretly pursuing the Medicine Master's Legacy.
• Qingque continued playing cards, unaware that Fu Xuan had arrived at Everlasting Heaven.

Fu Xuan divined that the Divination Department was in trouble and arranged for the group to wait while she handled it. Theresa revealed her disguise, copied Fu Xuan, and left the real Fu Xuan free to return secretly, while Tingyun realized her plans were in jeopardy.

• Fu Xuan divined that the Divination Department had been affected by the Stellar Core disturbance and told the others to wait for a guide before entering.
• Fu Xuan promised that Kafka's interrogation would not begin until the group arrived and explained that she had sent a disciple to Everlasting Heaven Plaza.
• Theresa lifted Fu Xuan and transformed into her, proposing to stay behind in disguise while Fu Xuan secretly returned to the Divination Department.
• Fu Xuan agreed to Theresa's plan, instructed Tingyun to assist the Stellaron Hunters, and departed with the Cloud Knights.
• Tingyun recognized that Theresa had been disguised among the Stellaron Hunters and realized she might have to abandon her plans involving the Medicine Master's Legacy members.

Theresa, disguised as Fu Xuan, joined the group on their way to meet the person Fu Xuan had mentioned, but they encountered Bailu treating Cloud Knights who had transformed into Abundance Vermin. Bailu introduced herself as a qualified physician of the Vidyadhara Clan and explained that she had no parents.

• Theresa bought Imperial Jade proficiency and an advanced master scroll, then absorbed centuries of knowledge in an instant.
• Theresa and the group headed to the plaza, where Xianzhou citizens greeted her as Fu Xuan and Tingyun explained that her unusually friendly manner surprised them.
• Tingyun spotted a Cloud Knight transforming into an Abundance Vermin, and Bailu knocked him unconscious with her lightning-charged dragon tail.
• Several more Cloud Knights transformed and surrounded Bailu, but Stelle and March 7th helped knock them down.
• Bailu thanked the group, introduced herself as the Vidyadhara Clan's Dragon Maiden of the Medicine, and explained that Vidyadhara reincarnated without parents.

Bailu met Rin and offered to train her in the Divination Department, where Rin could learn Xianzhou healing arts and become more capable. The group agreed to leave Rin there for training while they continued their work on the Luofu.

• Bailu warned the group that the Luofu had become unsettled and asked them not to wander recklessly.
• Bailu asked Fu Xuan about Ruoyue, and Theresa explained that Fu Xuan had dismissed her to protect her from danger foretold by divination.
• Theresa introduced the group to Bailu, and March 7th, Welt, Himeko, and Stelle greeted her.
• Rin introduced herself as an accompanying physician, and Bailu offered to take her to the Divination Department for advanced medical training.
• Welt and Himeko agreed that Rin should study with Bailu, and Rin joined her so she could learn proper Xianzhou healing arts.

Bailu treated the Mara-struck Soldiers while Rin helped and learned Xianzhou medicine, then the Stellaron Hunters followed Tingyun to meet Qingque. Qingque was caught slacking by Fu Xuan, who had been hiding behind the group.

• Bailu offered the Stellaron Hunters discounted treatment and began healing the Mara-struck Soldiers, teaching Rin Xianzhou medical knowledge as she helped.
• The Realm-Keeping Commission asked Theresa, disguised as Fu Xuan, to return to the Divination Department, where branches of the Ambrosial Arbor were running rampant.
• A Divination Department contact called Slack-off Diviner messaged the Stellaron Hunters and sent them an address in Changle Heaven.
• Tingyun led the group to Qingque, who played Imperial Jade while claiming she was balancing work and slacking off.
• Fu Xuan crept up behind Qingque and revealed that she had caught her slacking, leaving Qingque trembling and declaring she was done for.

Theresa, disguised as Fu Xuan, caught Qingque playing Imperial Jade and used the threat of withholding her bonus to challenge her. The chapter ended with Qingque accepting a five-win streak duel for a doubled bonus, while Jing Yuan discovered the match on a livestream.

• Qingque panicked when Theresa, disguised as Fu Xuan, confronted her for neglecting her assignment and playing Imperial Jade.
• Theresa reassured the nearby Xianzhou people that the Divination Department's troubles were minor, then threatened to deduct Qingque's bonus after Qingque remarked on her height.
• Qingque clung to Fu Xuan's thigh and begged to keep her bonus, prompting Theresa to propose an Imperial Jade duel.
• Theresa offered to double Qingque's bonus if Qingque won five consecutive rounds after teaching her the game for three rounds, and Qingque accepted in front of the crowd.
• Xianzhou viewers began livestreaming the duel, and Jing Yuan clicked on a sensational headline and found Fu Xuan and Qingque facing off.

Theresa, disguised as Fu Xuan, played Imperial Jade against Qingque in Changle Heaven while the real Fu Xuan dealt with conspirators at the Divination Department. Qingque lost the wager and had to wear maid outfits to work for a month.

• Jing Yuan learned that Theresa had disguised herself as Fu Xuan and kept the livestream running to lure hidden enemies into acting.
• Qingque invited Stelle and March 7th to join the Imperial Jade match and taught them the rules.
• Theresa wagered that Qingque would obey her and wear a maid outfit for a month if she lost, and Qingque confidently accepted.
• Qingque won the opening rounds as Theresa occasionally let her win, bringing the match to a tie at 4/4.
• Theresa won with a Concealed Kong, Thirteen Orphans hand, and Qingque collapsed in disbelief.
• Theresa told Qingque she would keep her bonus but had to wear a different maid outfit each day for a month.

Qingque accepted Fu Xuan’s terms after losing their Imperial Jade match, agreeing to wear a different maid outfit or cheongsam each day for a month and help the Stellaron Hunters. Theresa then returned to the group, whose members were stunned by her overwhelming charm, while Phantylia resolved to accelerate her plan before she fell for Theresa.

• Qingque accepted her defeat, and Fu Xuan released her from the threat of eating Imperial Jade tiles.
• Fu Xuan demanded that Qingque wear a different maid outfit or cheongsam each day for a month, assist with Divination Department affairs, and help the Stellaron Hunters.
• Fu Xuan left, and Qingque joked with the Stellaron Hunters about her new fame and nickname.
• Theresa arrived in her original appearance, stunning Qingque and the surrounding Xianzhou people with her charm.
• Phantylia worried that Theresa’s charm was affecting her and decided she had to speed up her plan.

Qingque led Theresa and the others to the Divination Department, where Theresa cleared monsters with her flames and smashed through a sealed bronze door. The group entered deeper into the department, while Tingyun continued to conceal her plan to awaken the Ambrosial Arbor.

• Theresa and Welt hurried the group onward, and Qingque led them above Changle Heaven to view the Ambrosial Arbor.
• Qingque took the group by starskiff to the Divination Department, while Tingyun secretly anticipated the Arbor's revival.
• Theresa burned the Abundance Vermin blocking their path with a multicolored fire dragon.
• Qingque found a huge bronze door sealed and had no key to open it.
• Theresa transformed her cross into Judas and smashed the bronze door apart while Stelle carried Qingque away.

Qingque led the Stellaron Hunters through the Divination Department after Theresa smashed a gate, and Mingyue mistook Theresa for a Cat Person. At the Great Deduction Array, Qingque explained Jade Seals, leaving the visitors to compare them to chips.

• Theresa smashed the bronze gate, and Qingque agreed to lead the group through the Divination Department rather than take a long detour.
• Mingyue greeted the group, teased Qingque about avoiding work, and called Theresa a possible Cat Person because of her ears.
• Qingque led everyone to the Great Deduction Array and introduced the Divination Department’s large Jade Seal calculation terminal.
• Welt asked what a Jade Seal was, and Qingque explained how the Xianzhou inscribed talismans into jade to power mechanisms and divinations.
• Theresa compared Jade Seals to chips and noted that their technology had been guided by Bowshen, the Aeon of The Path of Knowledge.