Chapter Summaries

After Kafka gives Lin Shuang a new outfit and matching accessories, Lin Shuang draws a skill that increases her resistance to mental attacks. Acheron reacts jealously to Kafka’s gifts, removes most of Lin Shuang’s new jewelry, and pins her down to help temper The Permanence.

• After seeing Kafka off, Lin Shuang uses her Purple Draw chance and receives Mental Resistance Up instead of the Word Spirit Art she had hoped for.
• Acheron comes home that evening and asks Lin Shuang about her new outfit, learning that Kafka bought it for her.
• Acheron pins Lin Shuang to the sofa and removes the necklace, earring, and ring Kafka gave her, leaving only their matching band.
• When Lin Shuang asks whether Gepard is unhappy, Acheron says she may be and declares she will remove the outfit while helping Lin Shuang temper The Permanence.
• Acheron undresses Lin Shuang despite her protests and straddles her on the sofa.

Lin Shuang joined Firefly on a trip to Penacony and learned the secret message hidden in the Charmony Festival invitation. After considering the message's warning about death in the Dreamscape, Lin Shuang cautioned Firefly against assuming the Family was the sole target.

• Lin Shuang and Firefly discussed meeting in Penacony, where Firefly planned to show Lin Shuang around and introduce her to Sunday.
• Firefly worried Sunday might pressure Lin Shuang, but promised to stay beside her during their private meeting.
• Lin Shuang boarded Firefly's ship, and Firefly gave her the music-box invitation to the Charmony Festival.
• Firefly recited the invitation's message about witnessing the impossible, seeking the Watchmaker's legacy, and asking why life slumbered.
• Lin Shuang and Firefly concluded that death could be the impossible event in Penacony's Dreamscape, but Lin Shuang warned that the message might not be aimed solely at the Family.

After arriving in the Asdana Galaxy, Lin Shuang felt an unsettling influence from the Memoria and stayed wary of Penacony. Black Swan then approached her, curious about Lin Shuang’s unusual abilities and hidden memories, but Lin Shuang remained suspicious of her intentions.

• Firefly told Lin Shuang that traveling with her made her feel they could help Penacony instead of being swallowed by its revelry.
• After two nights aboard the ship, Lin Shuang and Firefly reached the Asdana Galaxy, where Lin Shuang sensed an illusion-like presence and went to rest in a medical pod.
• Lin Shuang’s discomfort eased, but she kept [Mystic Seal of True Sight] active and considered whether the Family could be manipulating Penacony’s environment.
• Black Swan appeared in the ship’s corridor, introduced herself as a Memokeeper, and offered Lin Shuang a divination.
• Lin Shuang declined and questioned Black Swan’s motives, while Black Swan revealed that Lin Shuang’s memories were obscured from her and praised her ability to modify Light Cones.
• Black Swan said the Garden of Recollection did not intend to attack Lin Shuang, but Lin Shuang remained unconvinced by her claim that she had come only out of interest.

Black Swan gave Lin Shuang a blurry Light Cone and a new ability to observe fragmented memories in Memoria, giving her a possible lead for investigating Penacony. Lin Shuang arrived there with Firefly and met Sunday, then prepared to enter the dream while noticing how much Firefly enjoyed spending time with her.

• Black Swan offered Lin Shuang a Light Cone containing an obscured figure’s memories, then left after inviting her to dance in Penacony.
• Lin Shuang’s system recorded Black Swan as a friend and rewarded her with a draw that granted the ability Remembrance Takes Shape, letting her observe fragmented memories in Memoria.
• Lin Shuang returned to Firefly, who apologized for her condition and explained that Sunday would meet her at Penacony’s Starport.
• Sunday welcomed Firefly and met Lin Shuang, then escorted them to The Reverie and arranged adjoining VIP rooms.
• Firefly stayed with Lin Shuang, reviewed the precautions for entering the dream, and Lin Shuang reflected on Firefly’s eagerness to spend time with her.

Lin Shuang entered the dream and discovered that the Firefly who guided her toward Penacony’s Dreamscape was actually Sparkle in disguise. After exposing Sparkle, Lin Shuang held onto her as they fell toward the dream below.

• Lin Shuang entered the Dream Pool and glimpsed scattered memories while sinking into the dream.
• Lin Shuang woke in a distorted room outside Penacony’s Dreamscape and decided to leave through a Dreamscape Frame rather than explore.
• Sparkle, disguised as Firefly, appeared and led Lin Shuang through a corridor toward the Dreamscape Frame.
• Lin Shuang sensed something was wrong, seized Sparkle, and plunged through the frame with her.
• Sparkle revealed her true appearance, and Lin Shuang refused to release her as they fell toward the dream below.

Lin Shuang entered Penacony’s dream with Sparkle, then met Firefly and Sunday and spent time exploring Golden Hour with Firefly. She revealed that a Memokeeper had given her a lead for their investigation, surprising Firefly with how quickly she had met people from two mysterious factions.

• Sparkle set off a bomb that became a firework as she and Lin Shuang crashed into a plaza, where Lin Shuang tied Sparkle’s twin tails together before leaving.
• Lin Shuang met Firefly and Sunday, explained the explosion, and apologized to Sunday for the trouble she caused.
• Sunday left Firefly to show Lin Shuang around Penacony before visiting him for work the next day, and warned her to investigate carefully.
• Firefly changed her outfit and hid her Halo, then took Lin Shuang around Golden Hour and showed her own advertisement on a billboard.
• Firefly asked where Lin Shuang would begin investigating, and Lin Shuang said a Memokeeper had given her a lead, astonishing Firefly.

Lin Shuang told Firefly she would investigate the blurry Light Cone, then returned home and teased Acheron over messages about her encounters with Black Swan and Sparkle. Acheron arrived through the Portal and forced Lin Shuang into a sparring match that ended with a Nihility-powered slash hurtling toward her.

• Lin Shuang gave Firefly the unfinished Light Cone and promised to make progress on the investigation by the next day.
• Lin Shuang returned to Azur Star, reassured herself that she could leave Penacony, and told Acheron about meeting Black Swan and Sparkle.
• Acheron warned Lin Shuang to avoid drawing attention, but Lin Shuang teased her until Acheron told her to open the door.
• Acheron came through the Portal, pinned Lin Shuang to the sofa, and insisted they spar.
• Acheron attacked Lin Shuang on the barren planet, and a red Nihility slash rushed toward her before she could react.

Lin Shuang and Acheron sparred on a desolate world, then returned to Azur Star and examined the Light Cone Black Swan had given Lin Shuang. After Lin Shuang repaired it, they discovered its image showed a man formed from overlapping figures, whom they planned to investigate in Penacony.

• Lin Shuang split Acheron's blood-red blade light with a fiery slash, then charged at Acheron to continue their sparring.
• After their long fight, Lin Shuang rested in Acheron's arms and accused her of deliberately hitting harder; Acheron sent her a crying sticker and suggested they head home.
• Back on Azur Star, Lin Shuang showed Acheron the faint, memory-filled Light Cone Black Swan had given her.
• Lin Shuang read the Light Cone's memories, which showed a middle-aged man layered with dozens of indistinct figures, then used her skill to re-imprint the Light Cone.
• Acheron noticed the repaired Light Cone's man still seemed to consist of overlapping images, and Lin Shuang decided he would be the focus of their investigation in Penacony.

Lin Shuang and Firefly traced the figure in the restored Light Cone to a possible Hound Family uniform and agreed to investigate separately. While Lin Shuang explored Penacony, Sparkle surprised her and guessed that Silver Wolf had given her an earring, but Lin Shuang denied it.

• Lin Shuang brought the restored Light Cone to Firefly, who identified the figure’s clothes as likely belonging to the Hound Family.
• Firefly copied the image and planned to investigate inside the Family while Lin Shuang searched the streets of Penacony.
• Lin Shuang planned to explore Golden Hour and Blue Hour and considered buying a gown for a date with Acheron.
• Sparkle sneaked up on Lin Shuang, gave her a handmade Sparkle Doll, and asked to join her investigation.
• Sparkle guessed that Silver Wolf had given Lin Shuang her earring, but Lin Shuang told her she was wrong.

Lin Shuang questioned Sparkle about Silver Wolf, then used her Restricted-Class Hair Care Technique to overpower and embarrass the clingy Masked Fool. The first day of Lin Shuang and Firefly’s investigation ended without finding their target, while Sparkle secretly vowed to stick close to Lin Shuang.

• Lin Shuang pressed Sparkle to explain where she had met Silver Wolf, but Sparkle evaded her questions and clung to her.
• Lin Shuang carried Sparkle into a nearby room and used the Restricted-Class Hair Care Technique to weaken and pin her.
• Lin Shuang left Sparkle sprawled in a recliner, but Sparkle recovered her awareness and resolved to pursue Lin Shuang and use the ability to torment Black Swan.
• Lin Shuang and Firefly finished their first day investigating Golden Hour without finding their target, despite checking the Hound Family’s patrols and premises.

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.