My Honkai Star Rail: Reversing All Phenomena

However, Hua Yi remained calm, showing no joy at all.

The credit system established by the Interastral Peace Corporation assigned a price to every commodity in the universe. Assets beyond measure gathered beneath the megastructures of Pierpoint, The Company Headquarters, like a silent black hole swallowing all imagination of where wealth might end.

How many people toiled, fought, and traded for nothing more than the numbers displayed on their terminals? Yet truly precious things could not be bought with Credits alone.

For example, when Asta wanted to purchase a Star Destroyer, she had tried directly contacting major corporate figures and placing high-priced purchase orders, yet gained nothing.

The Interastral Peace Corporation had not established its rules through the credit system alone, nor simply because it had seized an early advantage.

Nearly eight hundred Amber Eras ago, subspace tremors shook heaven and earth. A silent colossus forged a barrier spanning the stars in solitude, while those who claimed to have received divine revelation began to act, determined to help Aeon of Preservation Qlipoth build the wall.

They believed the universe stood on the brink of disaster and that the wall had to be built without delay. Calling themselves the Aeon's support team, they were willing to devote everything to the Amber Lord.

This was not some superficially grand yet secretly filthy hypocritical slogan. Back then, the support team truly could borrow the power of Preservation, pilot fleets to different Stellarons, purchase construction materials such as stone, timber, gold, and super titanium, then transport them nonstop to the subspace barrier until planetary wastelands were piled high with supplies.

Later, the support team gained a foothold in Pierpoint and founded the Interastral Peace Corporation. To carry out their vision of dedication, they turned their eyes toward deep space.

By now, not everyone in the enormous Corporation fanatically believed in the Amber Lord or followed the Path of Preservation.

After all, quite a few employees were ordinary people rushing about for performance evaluations rather than Walkers on the [Preservation] Path. They made up the vast majority.

Yet it was not this majority that truly defended the authority of the Interastral Peace Corporation and its credit system.

In a universe where gods truly existed, Aeons and Paths were lofty truths and supreme rules.

A simple, pure framework.

Hua Yi had already entered that framework and followed its rules. Credits could not draw much of his attention; Paths were what deserved pursuit.

Herta Space Station had given him the chance to explore [Wisdom]. The Aeon simulacrum had outlined [Preservation] and [Memory], while the countless Voidrangers of the Antimatter Legion had become kindling for the flames of [Destruction].

All four Paths had opened before him. By using the Imaginary Oar, he could stir up waves and wield the mighty power of the Paths in unconventional ways.

However, if those waves grew too large, they would attract the Aeons' attention. They might discover someone taking several boats at once and dabbling in multiple Paths.

The size of the waves did not depend entirely on Hua Yi. Even if he remained as still as a mountain on the level of the Paths, facing an enemy like the Doomsday Beast, one capable of stirring disturbances of a certain magnitude, would still create a conspicuous phenomenon like river water crashing against a dam.

As it happened, a fifth option had now appeared: [The Path of Exploration], represented by the Astral Express.

Unlike the previous four Paths, Trailblaze Aeon Akivili had fallen. On this ownerless Path without a Hunter, Hua Yi seemingly could act however he pleased.

Even considering that Sentient Celestial Bodies were mysterious and unfathomable, that death might not mean permanent departure, and that Aeons had connections with one another, a sudden Giant Waves on the long-silent Trailblaze Path could attract the attention of other Aeons. Still, in terms of the level of power he could wield, [The Path of Exploration] might be a cut above those Paths with owners.

Yet stirring up trouble on an ownerless Path would make its nature even more unusual. There were advantages and disadvantages.

"Let's try it."

Hua Yi spread his palm. Imaginary Energy lightly stirred [Wisdom], sending ripples across it, then touched [Destruction], heralding calamity. It condensed into the ice of [Memory] and ignited the flames of [Preservation], evolving a wondrous sight in one corner of his palm that defied the laws of the universe.

Time and space warped beneath the Principle of Propagation. The Imaginary Oar dipped in turn into the four great rivers of Wisdom, Destruction, Memory, and Preservation, then resolutely left with a heart of iron, allowing not a single drop from any Path to splash upon it and leave behind the aura of a particular Path.

It remained free, unfettered, bound to no Path.

It began attempting to explore an entirely new domain, that ownerless Path without an Aeon.

The Imaginary Oar transformed into a key, gradually unlocking the locks of unobservable truth and knocking upon the door of [The Path of Exploration], stirring special waves on a Path with no Aeon at its helm.

Bzzz...

A strange fluctuation of energy spread from Hua Yi's fingertips. A burst of air appeared from nowhere in the sealed room, stirring his hair and the hem of his clothes.

Tiny motes of light streamed forth, trailing fiery tails as they drew a small circle around Hua Yi's fingertips. Then they abruptly went out, leaving only a fleeting brilliance in the mind of their sole witness and creator.

"It was like seeing a fragment of the Astral Express trailblazing the universe and leaving behind Stellar Tracks. But my understanding of [The Path of Exploration] is still insufficient, and the real Astral Express happens to be parked at the platform. That's practically naked temptation."

Shaking his head and dispersing the Imaginary Oar, Hua Yi was in no hurry to visit the Astral Express.

Truth was right there. [The Path of Exploration] was merely one part of it.

The Invincible Star Used a Kabedon!

The Space Station's system clock accurately indicated the time. It was a new day, and Hua Yi could tell from the fluctuations of aura through the walls and door that an energetic individual was pacing back and forth outside.

Why not send a message or knock on the door?

It seemed she was afraid of waking him if he happened to be sleeping in. She was quite considerate.

When he used his terminal inside his residence to open the cabin door, the girl outside thought there was something wrong with the equipment. She was waving her access card around, thinking it had caused an identification error.

Star peeked around outside the open door, torn between entering to remind Hua Yi, "Your room's security system isn't very good. It opened on its own while I was just walking around," or continuing to stand guard outside to keep unrelated people from barging in and ensure the great hero could keep sleeping soundly.

"Come in. I opened the door."

"Oh, oh."

Amused, Hua Yi took in every little expression on the Galaxy Bat Hero's face and noticed faint dark circles around those golden eyes.

"You stayed up late?"

"Uh... for a little while. I read novels, downloaded games, and stuff. The Interastral Peace Network is really interesting, hehe."

"I thought you stayed up shopping. You received the Credits I transferred to you, right?"

"Huh? What Credits?"

She asked instinctively, then the gray-haired girl realized what he meant. After operating her terminal for a while, she indeed saw that her wallet balance, which should have been zero, had become a long string of numbers.

"Ones, tens, hundreds, thousands... millions, tens of millions!"

"Consider it your living expenses for the near future. There aren't many places to spend money inside the Space Station. Food and lodging are provided according to rank. If you want to buy anything else, you'll mostly need online shopping. I'll send you a few shopping sites."

Yesterday, Star had still been trying to make something of her life. She had searched Trash Cans and opened treasure chests to earn her first pot of gold, only to suffer a severe blow upon learning that Heart of Total Eclipse was not a Curio that could be casually used and that the materials it converted belonged to the various departments.

Today, she suddenly discovered that she had become a wealthy person with assets exceeding ten million, already achieving financial freedom.

And Hua Yi had called it "living expenses for the near future," which meant there might be another payment after some time!

It seems I don't need to work hard anymore.

Her life had risen and fallen, then risen again, soaring into the sky. How could a girl who had lost all memory of her past have expected such a development? She stood frozen in place, unable to speak for a long while.

There seemed to be similar scenes in the novels from the Fan Group. The rising star of tomorrow at the Space Station, the handsome Lord Hua Yi, would domineeringly tell the novel's heroine, "I'll support you." In response, the girl in the story would begin a sweet life of carefully tending to her lover's daily needs and finding new ways to please him.

Good thing I stayed up last night studying those novels. Now I have reference material!

The Galaxy Bat Hero had no intention of forcibly refusing the living expenses. After all, Hua Yi was the one sending the money, and the two of them had been Childhood Sweethearts ever since she could remember, even if that was only from the girl's perspective. Forget living together for now; she could at least care for his daily needs and please him. She could find no reason to resist.

Star immediately looked toward Hua Yi's bed, ready to take care of his daily life by tidying the bedding and smoothing the sheets. Yet there was not the slightest mess there. Then she looked over the great hero's clothes. They were neat and proper, with his collar and cuffs perfectly flat as well.

"...Have you eaten?"

"Mm. A cooking robot delivered food earlier. What, are you hungry?"

"Ahem, ahem. I ate too."

Only then did Star remember that she did not seem to have any memories of cooking. Though it was possible she could uncover her body's potential and act on instinct as she did when fighting with a Baseball Bat, competing with the Space Station's professional Cooking Robots right away was still somewhat dangerous.

If she had known earlier, she should have sought culinary training from the Express crew. For example, Himeko's coffee had been specifically mentioned by the Navigator, so its flavor must be extraordinary. She had to try it and had to learn it.

Her plan to care for his daily needs had temporarily failed, so Star turned to considering how to please Hua Yi.

Eh, those novels had plenty of useful reference material!

The knowledge she had crammed into her head overnight flowed through the girl's mind, giving her an enlightenment as though she had been struck awake. The Door of Truth seemed to have silently opened, and no lock of riddles could stop the Galaxy Bat Hero's thirst for knowledge.

Herta Space Station was a famous Wisdom Gathering Place throughout the universe. Could anyone working here be simple? Everyone in the Fan Group was talented, and the romance fantasy novels they wrote were undoubtedly Crystals of Wisdom.

And I, Star, spent one night reading through all the group chat logs and premium novels. Like a seeker of knowledge constantly absorbing information like a sponge, I have now become a master in the field of romance!

Wisdom and knowledge surged forth without end. Yes, although it felt slightly different from the Path's turbulence when Aeon of Destruction Nanook had watched me, without that sensation of power rushing through me, I must have received the gaze of [Wisdom] Nous at this moment as well.

At this moment, I am invincible!

...0 0

Hua Yi watched as Star's contemplation turned into fiery enthusiasm, her entire body radiating a different kind of momentum. Then she shot to her feet and dragged him toward a corner of the room.

He cooperated with the girl's every move, waiting calmly to see what came next.

Star pulled Hua Yi to the wall, positioned herself on the outside opposite him, then examined their surroundings once more.

The setting was right, their positions were right, and the timing was even more perfectly right.

Watch me show off my skills!

Bang.

The right hand that had relentlessly beaten the Doomsday Beast with a Baseball Bat now slammed forcefully against the wall beside Hua Yi, producing a powerful sound. Her outstretched arm and upright body formed an enclosure that gave him nowhere to flee and nowhere to avoid.

This move was called a kabedon, a romantic secret technique from novels. Several works in the Fan Group had mentioned it. It was an invincible finishing move that would surely greatly raise his affection for her.

That was not enough. She also had to pay attention to her facial expression.

Recalling the relevant descriptions from the novels, Star revealed the legendary wickedly charming, wild smile.

"..."

From Hua Yi's perspective, the tall gray-haired beauty had quite convincingly kabedoned him into the corner and gazed silently at him, her lips curving upward into a strange arc.

He confirmed it several times and made sure he was not seeing things—the Galaxy Bat Hero's smile contained thirty percent mockery, thirty percent cold indifference, thirty percent disdain, and thirty percent facial muscle malfunction.

The Secret Ritual Begins Again

That made it one hundred and twenty percent amusing.

"Pfft."

Hua Yi could not help laughing aloud.

"Where did you learn that expression?"

"Hehe, I can't tell you. Anyway, it's super effective, isn't it?"

Seeing that Hua Yi had been thoroughly entertained, Star achieved her goal and proudly raised her head. She hurriedly rubbed the corners of her mouth with her hands, which had nearly failed to hold their pose, feeling her cheeks tremble slightly.

Forcibly using a secret technique really did come at a cost.

"Mainly because you're a beautiful girl, so any expression you make gets an extra bonus. Otherwise, without that thirty percent facial muscle malfunction, your wickedly charming, wild smile would look a little like a big villain's, wouldn't it?"

"You know what wickedly charming and wild means? Did you anonymously join the Fan Group too?!"

"I guessed. I'll pretend I didn't hear the second half. If I really sneaked into a place where a group of girls whispered online, wouldn't that make me seem rather tactless?"

Seeing that Star was still grimacing, Hua Yi gently brushed the corner of her lips with his fingers, soothing the girl's facial muscles with a professional method that complied with Medical Department standards.

"Do you have any other moves you want to use?"

The Galaxy Bat Hero's gaze drifted slightly. Clearly, she was the one using a finishing move to raise his affection, so why did it feel like she was the one most affected compared to Hua Yi, who was still smiling and entirely at ease?

First, she had received praise that she was a beautiful girl, then he had gently touched her face... Ahem, ahem. I really do need to continue studying in the group and keep working hard.

"No, not for now."

"Next, I'm going to the laboratory to complete the optimized secret ritual for the Seed of Erudition and create an intermediate Path Product. Do you plan to come along and watch, or do something else, like buying something you're interested in online?"

"Of course I'm coming with you! How can I spend Credits recklessly, especially when you gave them to me? Oh, right—the [Heart of Total Eclipse] at the Space Station that can turn waste into treasure, how many Credits would it cost if I bought it?"

"Although the Department of Applied Materials treats some Curios as merchandise, that is limited to those lacking research or practical value. Heart of Total Eclipse ranks among the very best Curios in both practicality and research value. It is an important part of the Space Station's resource recycling and is not for sale."

Upon hearing that, Star became dejected.

"I see..."

"Credits are not omnipotent. The Interastral Peace Corporation did not become a giant merely by being rich."

"Because it received the favor of the Amber Lord Qlipoth?"

"That would not be quite accurate. Some Aeons do not deliberately grant power to mortals. [Nihility]'s IX is one example, while [Preservation]'s Qlipoth focuses on building walls. The Corporation's ability to wield the power of Preservation was not due to a stroke of luck either. More than anything, it relied on itself. And you happen to be the Galaxy Bat Hero who can carve out a world through your own efforts."

"Oh!"

Hua Yi could tell that Star was already calculating how to accomplish great deeds and obtain the Curio she so desperately wanted.

"I could directly ask for Heart of Total Eclipse, and the Space Station would not refuse. However, I do not intend to do so. It is not because you, a beautiful girl, are less important than a Curio, but because I am weighing its application scenarios against your level of need. Besides, Heart of Total Eclipse breaks down after operating for too long and often requires supervision from the Maintenance Department. It is not as useful as you think."

Casually retrieving Heart of Total Eclipse's usage and maintenance reports and sending them to Star's Personal Terminal, Hua Yi set off toward the laboratory.

In the gray-haired girl's heart, Heart of Total Eclipse was a treasure, but it was still nowhere near as important as her childhood sweetheart.