Recaps

Lin Shuang brought Acheron home for dinner, made her wash off a strange odor, and heard that she was enjoying her travels instead of hurrying to Penacony. Afterward, Lin Shuang arranged to test Herta’s Simulated Universe and caught up with March 7th and Stelle about the Express crew’s successful trailblazing on Jarilo-VI.

• Lin Shuang ordered dinner at The Reverie, invited Acheron back to her home, and pushed her into the bathroom after noticing a pungent smell.
• Acheron ate with Lin Shuang and said she had grown fond of traveling, while Lin Shuang asked when she would reach Penacony.
• Herta messaged Lin Shuang to test the Simulated Universe, and Lin Shuang arranged to visit Herta Space Station with Stelle the next day.
• March 7th shared photos and stories about the Express crew’s experiences on Jarilo-VI, including their encounters with Cocolia, Bronya, and Seele.
• Stelle showed Lin Shuang her new lance and reminded her of their agreement, and Lin Shuang confirmed they would meet at Herta Space Station.

Lin Shuang tested Herta’s updated Simulated Universe and transformed into a dragon after collecting Curios of the Permanence. Herta logged her out when the transformation proved to be an unexpected effect of Aha’s data, and Lin Shuang returned safely but found her human body uncomfortable by comparison.

• Lin Shuang and Acheron discussed Lin Shuang’s Stellaron use over breakfast before Lin Shuang teleported to Herta Space Station.
• Lin Shuang met Stelle, and they went to Herta’s office to test the Simulated Universe update featuring the Path of the Permanence.
• Lin Shuang collected Permanence Curios and gradually transformed into a True Dragon, gaining a stronger affinity for the path.
• Herta told Lin Shuang the dragon transformation was an unintended effect of Aha’s data and urgently logged her out for a checkup.
• Lin Shuang said she was unharmed but felt restrained and out of sorts in her human body.

After an accident in the Simulated Universe, Lin Shuang learned that Aha had made Stelle see her as The Permanence proposing to Akivili, leaving Stelle convinced they were newlyweds. During a psychological assessment, Lin Shuang grew dragon horns and a tail, then sent Acheron a photo; Acheron said she would return to take a look.

• Herta explained that Aha had swapped Lin Shuang's appearance with The Permanence's and altered Stelle's event so the Aeon proposed marriage to Akivili, whom Stelle was playing.
• Stelle admitted she had accepted the proposal and had been preparing for the wedding night before Herta ended the test.
• Lin Shuang and Stelle went to the Infirmary, where a psychologist tried to help Lin Shuang overcome her discomfort with her body.
• Lin Shuang's therapy triggered a transformation that gave her white dragon horns, a scaled tail, and greater affinity with The Permanence.
• Stelle photographed Lin Shuang and shared the picture in the Star Rail Express group chat.
• Lin Shuang sent Acheron a selfie of her tail, and Acheron replied that she would come back and take a look.

Lin Shuang learned that Aha had altered the Simulated Universe but had not directly caused her new draconic features, leaving their true origin uncertain. Herta proposed further research, while Lin Shuang and Stelle joked about her tail.

• Acheron worried about Lin Shuang’s transformation and wondered whether it was connected to The Permanence.
• Herta examined Lin Shuang, found that she was still human, and asked to study her draconic features.
• Lin Shuang agreed to Herta’s research, and Herta’s affection score rose as her interest grew.
• Stelle stroked Lin Shuang’s tail and nearly licked it, so Lin Shuang hit her with it.
• Stelle told Lin Shuang that Dan Heng had reacted to her tail, and Herta reported that Aha had only added code to the Simulated Universe.
• Herta said the changes likely came from Lin Shuang or The Permanence and suggested further experiments with interested collaborators.

Lin Shuang learned that her dragon features came from her growing power on the Path of the Permanence, though she could not yet retract them. Firefly showed her evidence that Gallagher had been appointed to Charmony Festival security without Sunday’s approval, then took over the Family investigation herself.

• Herta left to study Lin Shuang’s transformation and the Path of the Permanence, while Lin Shuang returned home and told Acheron what had happened.
• Lin Shuang tried to retract her horns and tail by drawing in her Permanence power, but could only make them smaller; Acheron examined and cuddled her tail.
• At The Reverie, Firefly mistook Lin Shuang for a Vidyadhara, and Lin Shuang explained that her dragon features were temporary and tied to her Path.
• Firefly showed Lin Shuang a photo of Gallagher and explained that Sunday had not appointed him as a security officer for the Charmony Festival.
• Firefly said she would investigate which Family branch had appointed Gallagher, while Lin Shuang offered to help if she ran into trouble.

Lin Shuang reunited with Firefly on a luxury spacecraft bound for the island resort planet Ilulu, where Firefly eagerly showed her around and played bartender. The chapter left Lin Shuang ready to taste Firefly’s homemade cocktail.

• Lin Shuang met Firefly at Azur Star's Starport and surprised her with her new Dragon Horns and Dragon Tail.
• Firefly learned Lin Shuang's transformation was linked to the Path of the Permanence and eagerly asked to touch her tail.
• Firefly led Lin Shuang around the luxurious spacecraft and accidentally tugged her along by her tail.
• Firefly dressed as a bartender and made Lin Shuang a cocktail she called the Firefly Special.

Firefly got drunk after experimenting with cocktails with Lin Shuang, then apologized the next morning and let Lin Shuang comb her hair. The chapter left them sharing a quiet breakfast aboard the spaceship.

• Firefly made Lin Shuang a cocktail, and Lin Shuang admitted that it tasted good.
• Firefly tried many drinks and cocktail recipes, became completely drunk, and clung to Lin Shuang's tail while rambling.
• Lin Shuang helped Firefly onto the sofa, gave her water, and listened to her drunken plans to go surfing and barbecue the next day.
• The next morning, Firefly apologized for getting drunk and asked Lin Shuang about her condition.
• Lin Shuang reassured Firefly, offered her breakfast, and gently combed her hair.

Lin Shuang and Firefly went for a high dive from their ship, where Lin Shuang discovered Firefly could not swim and had to help her back to the surface. Firefly admitted she had expected Lin Shuang to teach her, while Silver Wolf and Kafka discussed whether Silver Wolf wanted to join them.

• Firefly thanked Lin Shuang for looking after her and spent the day resting until her hangover passed.
• Firefly chose a swimsuit and persuaded Lin Shuang to join her for a high dive from the ship.
• As they fell, Lin Shuang learned that Firefly could not swim, and Firefly struck the water headfirst while holding her hand.
• Lin Shuang pulled Firefly to the surface, and Firefly explained she had always swum using Sam and asked Lin Shuang to teach her.
• At the Stellaron Hunters' base, Silver Wolf sneezed and blamed Lin Shuang for talking about her, while Kafka suggested she tell Firefly if she wanted to join them.

Firefly and Lin Shuang enjoyed a private beach trip on the Resort Planet, while Kafka and Silver Wolf checked in on them from the Stellaron Hunters’ hideout. The chapter ended with Firefly transformed as Sam, grilling skewers with Lin Shuang as they took photos together.

• Kafka received photos of Firefly and Lin Shuang riding a jet ski and forwarded them to Silver Wolf, who secretly looked at them after Kafka left.
• Firefly brought Lin Shuang to their secluded beach setup, and they agreed to explore the islands and watch the sunrise together.
• Firefly showed Lin Shuang Sam’s Summoner and transformed into Sam to prepare a barbecue.
• Firefly declared, “I shall-set the sea ablaze!” and began grilling while Lin Shuang handled the seasonings.
• Lin Shuang took photos of Sam grilling and wondered why Silver Wolf had not joined them.

Firefly woke Lin Shuang before dawn so they could watch the sunrise together on the Island. After getting ready and heading outside, they decided to sit together instead of making breakfast while they waited for the sun.

• Firefly entered Lin Shuang’s underwater villa and tried to wake her for their sunrise plans.
• Lin Shuang woke after Firefly pulled away her covers and reminded her that sunrise was approaching.
• Lin Shuang changed into a swimsuit and agreed to join Firefly for a natural hot spring soak that evening.
• Lin Shuang warmed and lit their path with teal flames as they left the villa.
• Firefly suggested grilling food at the Barbecue Stand, but Lin Shuang lowered her hand and asked them to sit together for a while.

After sharing a sunrise and a conversation about Acheron with Firefly, Lin Shuang returned to the Xianzhou alone and summoned Acheron to keep her company on the spaceship. Acheron arrived expecting danger, but found Lin Shuang relaxing in a hot spring and was invited to join her.

• Lin Shuang and Firefly danced together on a cliff and watched the sunrise before discussing Lin Shuang's first meeting with Acheron.
• After two days vacationing with Firefly, Lin Shuang set off for the Xianzhou to visit Jing Yuan and Fu Xuan and seek texts about The Permanence.
• Lin Shuang chose the passenger spaceship home and summoned Acheron because she was bored during the trip.
• Acheron appeared with her blade drawn, then sheathed it after realizing Lin Shuang was safe in a hot spring.
• Lin Shuang offered Acheron a swimsuit she had prepared, and Acheron agreed to wear it.

Lin Shuang and Acheron soaked in a hot spring and shared drinks as Lin Shuang tried to learn more about Acheron’s past. After arriving at the Xianzhou Luofu, Lin Shuang met Tingyun and planned to visit Fu Xuan and Jing Yuan.

• Lin Shuang secretly photographed Acheron in her swimsuit, and Acheron found and admired the picture before browsing Lin Shuang’s photos with Firefly.
• Acheron asked why Lin Shuang had not performed her Ritual with Firefly and explained that rings held special meaning in her homeland; she also said she had recovered a few more memories.
• Lin Shuang drank liquor with Acheron in hopes of learning about her past, while Acheron finished the bottle.
• Two days later, Lin Shuang and Acheron arrived at the Xianzhou Luofu, where Lin Shuang had learned to conceal her Dragon Form.
• Tingyun greeted Lin Shuang at the Starport, and Lin Shuang said she planned to visit Fu Xuan and Jing Yuan before accepting Tingyun’s dinner invitation.

Lin Shuang visited Fu Xuan to learn about The Permanence after developing a dragon form, but found that the Divination Department had little information and that a Vidyadhara Dragon Lord was her best source. She left the Luofu’s Dragon Masters alone for now and planned to ask Jing Yuan, while giving Fu Xuan an Origami Bird plush.

• Tingyun arranged a Starskiff for Lin Shuang and sent pastries and Joy Tea with her to the Divination Department.
• Lin Shuang revealed her dragon horns and tail to Fu Xuan and explained that The Permanence had appeared as she purged the effects of Nihility.
• Fu Xuan explained that the Divination Department had few texts on The Permanence and recommended seeking a Vidyadhara Dragon Lord.
• Lin Shuang reviewed the available materials, discussed dragon forms and the Luofu’s Vidyadhara with Fu Xuan, and said she did not want trouble with the Dragon Masters.
• Lin Shuang gave Fu Xuan an Origami Bird plush and left intending to ask Jing Yuan what he knew.

Lin Shuang met Huohuo in Starskiff Haven and frightened her with an illusion before offering her tea. Huohuo calmed down briefly, but she remained so timid that Lin Shuang’s attempt to speak to her made her scream again.

• Lin Shuang gave Fu Xuan and Qingque Origami Bird toys, and Qingque asked about visiting Penacony.
• Lin Shuang learned that Jing Yuan had little information about The Permanence and then waited for Tingyun in Starskiff Haven.
• Huohuo approached Lin Shuang, but Lin Shuang’s illusion of ghosts frightened her into crouching with her hands over her head.
• Lin Shuang dispelled the illusion, took a photo of Huohuo, and offered her tea while Tail scolded her for being timid.
• Huohuo relaxed while drinking tea, then sprang up screaming when Lin Shuang tried to speak to her.

Lin Shuang met the timid Foxian Huohuo, who had come to ask whether she had encountered anything strange. After Tail sensed the Heliobus within Lin Shuang, she explained that she had a great Heliobus sealed inside her, and Huohuo grew comfortable with her before accepting her affection.

• Huohuo introduced herself to Lin Shuang and asked whether she had encountered anything strange lately.
• Tail emerged and warned Huohuo that Lin Shuang carried a powerful Heliobus aura.
• Lin Shuang revealed that she had a great Heliobus sealed inside her and described how it had been tainted by Nihility.
• Huohuo and Tail bickered about how much they depended on each other, while Lin Shuang watched with amusement.
• Lin Shuang stroked Huohuo's head and ears, and Huohuo relaxed and began to sniffle at the comforting touch.

Lin Shuang protected Huohuo during the Jianmu’s reawakening and subdued a Cloud Knight afflicted by the Scythe of Annihilation. She planned to check on Tingyun and Fu Xuan, and Huohuo insisted on accompanying her.

• As the Jianmu’s power spread through Starskiff Haven, an afflicted Cloud Knight charged at Lin Shuang and Huohuo.
• Lin Shuang transformed, disarmed the knight, and pinned him down until the Cloud Knights arrived to take him away.
• Lin Shuang told Huohuo to go home while she checked on her friend Tingyun at the Sky-Faring Commission.
• Huohuo said she was a judge of the Ten Lords’ Court and offered to come along, despite being nervous about fighting.
• Lin Shuang agreed to let Huohuo accompany her.

Lin Shuang and Huohuo helped contain people afflicted by the scythe of annihilation as the Xianzhou responded to the Jianmu's revival. After learning Tingyun was stranded at Cloudford, Lin Shuang headed there with Huohuo to check on her.

• Huohuo reported the incident and Lin Shuang's involvement to Hanya, who decided to investigate Lin Shuang.
• Lin Shuang subdued people afflicted by the scythe of annihilation while Huohuo restrained them for the Cloud Knights.
• Tingyun told Lin Shuang she was at Cloudford, where fallen cargo containers blocked the way out, and Lin Shuang decided to go to her.
• Huohuo insisted on accompanying Lin Shuang rather than going alone to the Sky-Faring Commission.
• Lin Shuang and Huohuo borrowed a Starskiff and flew toward Cloudford.

Lin Shuang and Huohuo reached damaged Cloudford and flew in on Bella to find Tingyun. Tingyun was helping the injured when two merchant guild employees succumbed to the Scythe of Annihilation, leaving the Cloud Knights to face them.

• Lin Shuang warned Huohuo that damage to the Crafting Division might release the heliobi sealed in its furnace, and Tail delighted in the possibility.
• Lin Shuang and Huohuo arrived at Cloudford, found its passages blocked by collapsed cargo, and Lin Shuang used Bella to fly them inside.
• Tingyun organized care for the injured and began inventorying the merchant guild's shipment while trapped in Cloudford.
• Two merchant guild employees succumbed to the Scythe of Annihilation, and Tingyun urged the others to protect the injured and support the Cloud Knights.
• Two Cloud Knights charged the afflicted employees despite being outmatched, while the merchant guild workers hesitated to fight their former colleagues.

Lin Shuang arrived at Cloudford with Huohuo and Bella just as Tingyun and the others faced overwhelming enemies. After rescuing Tingyun and defeating the afflicted enemies, Lin Shuang and her companions identified themselves to the survivors, who were still recovering from the attack.

• Tingyun and the Cloud Knights struggled against the afflicted enemies as merchant guild members joined the fight, but the group suffered a casualty and was attacked by Fragmentum creatures.
• A huge monster descended and crushed an Imaginary Weaver, while the gale threw Tingyun backward.
• Lin Shuang caught Tingyun in a bridal carry, and Tingyun blushed when she realized everyone had seen her clinging to Lin Shuang.
• Bella burned the afflicted enemies to charcoal as the survivors watched her and Huohuo nervously.
• Huohuo showed her Ten Lords' Court token and explained that she and Lin Shuang had come to support Cloudford, easing the Cloud Knights' fears.

Lin Shuang organized rescue efforts in Cloudford after defeating the Scythe of Annihilation-stricken enemies, lending Bella to two Cloud Knights to evacuate survivors. While resting with Tingyun and Huohuo, she found both Foxfolk girls vying for her closeness; the story left off as the journey to Cloudford was described as smoother than expected.

• Lin Shuang assigned Bella to carry two Cloud Knights through the air so they could rescue people and reassure them.
• The Cloud Knights recognized Lin Shuang and eagerly agreed to follow her instructions, unaware that Jing Yuan had used her name to support his purge of corrupt officials.
• Tingyun thanked Lin Shuang for saving her again and jokingly offered to leave her duties and travel with Lin Shuang, whose teasing raised Tingyun’s affection.
• Lin Shuang invited Tingyun and Huohuo to rest before she cleared a route out of Cloudford.
• Tingyun curled her tail around Lin Shuang while Huohuo hugged her arm, and Lin Shuang was left between the two girls.
• The chapter ended by noting that the trip to Cloudford had gone more smoothly than Lin Shuang had expected.

Lin Shuang rescued Cloudford’s survivors and spoke with Jing Yuan, who warned her to stay cautious while Phantylia remained missing. Meanwhile, the Astral Express Crew learned of the Xianzhou crisis and March 7th messaged Lin Shuang to ask about the Luofu.

• Lin Shuang and Tingyun checked each other for injuries and Heliobus possession, then Lin Shuang, Bella, and Huohuo helped rescue Cloudford’s survivors.
• A representative of the Sky-Faring Commission reported that the Xianzhou’s unrest had temporarily subsided, and the rescued people boarded a Starskiff.
• Jing Yuan called Lin Shuang, warned her that Phantylia’s location was unknown, and invited her to the Divination Department to discuss the incident.
• The Astral Express Crew planned to travel to Penacony, but Himeko cautioned that the Charmony Festival might not be peaceful.
• Kafka appeared as a projection and explained the Stellaron crisis on the Xianzhou, prompting the crew to consider going there.
• Himeko suggested asking Lin Shuang about the Luofu, and March 7th sent Lin Shuang an urgent message.

The Astral Express Crew chose to travel to the Xianzhou Luofu after March 7th learned from Lin Shuang that a Stellaron had erupted there. Lin Shuang met March 7th, Stelle, and Welt at Cloudford, where the crew saw signs of a recent battle and asked her about the situation.

• Lin Shuang told March 7th that a Stellaron eruption on the Luofu had stimulated Jianmu and could cause a disaster.
• March 7th relayed the news to the Astral Express Crew, who unanimously voted to go to the Luofu; she also noticed Stelle had saved Lin Shuang as “Cyber Wife.”
• Lin Shuang waited at Cloudford after Huohuo and Tingyun left, while the Express traveled to the Luofu.
• March 7th, Stelle, and Welt arrived at the deserted port and noticed evidence of a recent battle.
• Lin Shuang met the crew at Cloudford, and Welt asked her to explain the current situation on the Luofu.

Lin Shuang asked Welt to help seal the Stellaron she had stored in a card, freeing the card for a possible attempt to store the Jianmu. After leaving the Astral Express Crew at the Sky-Faring Commission, she arranged to meet Tingyun for a meal and headed to the Divination Department.

• March 7th and Stelle invited Lin Shuang to ask around about Dan Heng's secrets, while Lin Shuang considered the Dragon Lord's powers and the Jianmu.
• Lin Shuang showed Welt the Storage Card containing a Stellaron and asked the Astral Express to seal it.
• Welt and Himeko sealed the Stellaron, leaving Lin Shuang with an empty Storage Card.
• Lin Shuang accompanied the Astral Express Crew to the Sky-Faring Commission, where Tingyun introduced Welt to Yukong.
• Tingyun told Lin Shuang that Huohuo had gone home, and Lin Shuang arranged to meet Tingyun for a meal another day.
• Lin Shuang said goodbye to the Astral Express Crew and headed to the Divination Department.

Lin Shuang asked Jing Yuan about the revived Jianmu and the problem of opening its seal without the Vidyadhara Dragon Lord’s inherited power. She obtained archival photographs of the original sealing, which let her sense the past scene, while Acheron guessed she had become involved in trouble on the Xianzhou.

• Lin Shuang discussed the Jianmu crisis with Jing Yuan, who explained that only the Vidyadhara Dragon Lord could open the seal at Scalegorge Waterscape and that the current Dragon Lord’s succession had gone wrong.
• Lin Shuang asked Jing Yuan for visual records of the Dragon Lord sealing the Jianmu, keeping her plans to herself.
• While Jing Yuan searched the Divination Department’s archives, Acheron messaged Lin Shuang and correctly guessed that trouble had arisen on the Xianzhou.
• Jing Yuan found the archival entry, printed several photographs of the sealing, and warned Lin Shuang not to circulate them.
• Lin Shuang sensed the scene through the photographs, thanked Jing Yuan, and left with the records.

Lin Shuang used photographs of Yubie’s past to create a Dragon Lord’s Light Cone and gained detailed knowledge of Cloudsong Arts. She tested her new control over The Permanence by shaping water and fire, while Jing Yuan considered what her revelation about the Star Rail Express meant for the Xianzhou.

• Jing Yuan told Lin Shuang that the Star Rail Express had been asked to apprehend Kafka to clear the crew of suspicion.
• Lin Shuang told Jing Yuan that an Express passenger strongly resembled Yubie, and Jing Yuan inferred that she had brought the crew to help with the Luofu’s past calamity.
• Lin Shuang returned home and used [Memories of a Photograph] to witness Imbibitor Lunae Yubie and hundreds of Vidyadhara sealing Jianmu’s roots with Cloudsong Arts.
• Lin Shuang turned the memories into a Dragon Lord’s Light Cone and discovered she could not use it alongside her other Light Cone of The Permanence.
• Lin Shuang learned Cloudsong Arts, shaped water into a dragon, and tried applying the technique to form a fire dragon.