Awakening

"Is that so? Regardless, you've been a huge help to me. If I had woken up all alone without you, I truly wouldn't have known what to do."

"We can consider ourselves friends now, right? So please, just accept my gratitude." Hearing Arlan's explanation, Xiao Xi blinked, her tone intentionally playful to lighten the mood.

"I see. I suppose I was being too formal." Hearing this, Arlan's previously stiff tone softened considerably. "By the way, I need to take you to see Station Master Asta. If you intend to stay on the space station, we'll need her to make the arrangements."

"Alright, thank you for your help, Arlan."

Herta Space Station, Master Control Zone.

Xiao Xi met the Station Master Asta that Arlan had spoken of. To be honest, Xiao Xi was quite surprised; she had expected the leader of such a massive space station to be someone much more mature. She had been feeling rather nervous before arriving.

Once they actually met, Xiao Xi realized that Station Master Asta was a girl with short pink hair, around her own age, who was warm, generous, and kind.

"You're Xiao Xi, right? I've already heard about your situation from Arlan. I'm very glad to see you've woken up. Do you have any plans for the future? If you don't know where to go for the time being, you can stay on the station as a researcher."

After hearing about Xiao Xi's circumstances, Station Master Asta nodded and asked.

When she had first woken up, Xiao Xi had already asked Arlan about the current situation. A long time had passed since the explosion of that year, and the galaxy was vast; she needed to settle down somewhere first.

"Then thank you, Station Master Asta. I was just worrying about what to do next. I am willing to stay on the space station." Xiao Xi nodded and said gratefully.

"Good. Spend these next few days getting used to the environment, and I'll arrange some work for you later. Don't worry, the atmosphere on the station is very friendly." Asta replied in a lighthearted tone.

After staying at the Herta Space Station for a few days, Xiao Xi gradually became familiar with the environment and the staff. She began to explore this mysterious place, which was filled with a sense of advanced technology.

Xiao Xi felt curious and excited about everything here. However, good times did not last long. One day, while she was wandering around the station, a piercing alarm suddenly sounded, and explosions seemed to be echoing from afar.

"What's happening?" Xiao Xi frowned, a sense of unease rising in her heart. She stopped in her tracks, listening to the commotion around her.

The alarm continued to blare, evoking tension and fear. Xiao Xi took a deep breath and silently gathered the power of her Path, preparing to deal with any potential danger.

Ever since she woke up, she had discovered that a powerful energy from a Path existed within her body, and through her exploration over the past few days, she had begun to master how to wield this power.

"I hope nothing goes wrong..." Xiao Xi whispered to herself, keeping a vigilant watch on her surroundings.

Two system-hours ago, guided by the Stellaron Hunters, the Antimatter Legion had surged into the Herta Space Station like a tide. Their numbers were vast and their ferocity abnormal, to the point that the station's defensive facilities had been breached. By now, many Voidrangers had successfully infiltrated the interior of the station.

The Herta Space Station was enormous, filled with countless corridors and rooms; if one walked blindly, they might easily get lost.

Therefore, Xiao Xi knew clearly that her most important task was to find the main group as quickly as possible and rendezvous with them. Only then could she better deal with the enemy's assault.

On her way to the Master Control Zone, Xiao Xi suddenly felt a slight fluctuation in the Path energy within her. It was as if countless purple spiderwebs were flickering before her eyes; this strange phenomenon left her feeling suspicious.

"Hm? What is this?" Xiao Xi whispered, confused by this sudden occurrence. She stopped and carefully observed her surroundings, but found nothing out of the ordinary.

Faced with this situation, she hesitated for a moment, but ultimately decided to go and investigate.

Just as Xiao Xi reached her destination, a beautiful woman wearing a black-and-white vest with purple hair began walking toward her.

Her gaze was deep and enchanting, as if she radiated an indescribable charm. Upon their first meeting, Xiao Xi subconsciously grew wary. She was very surprised by the appearance of this stranger; appearing here at such a time made it difficult not to suspect her motives.

"Hehe, don't worry. My name is Kafka, and I am a member of the Stellaron Hunters. I bear you no ill will; I've only come to see the 'variable' of destiny that Elio spoke of." Kafka curled her lips into a mysterious smile, her tone light.

Xiao Xi did not lower her guard. "You're the outsider who broke into the space station, aren't you? Did you lead the Antimatter Legion here?"

Facing Xiao Xi's questioning, Kafka maintained her mysterious smile and replied, "You could certainly say that, but I can guarantee that in the script written by destiny, the Herta Space Station will not suffer many casualties."

"Ah, we've been chatting for a bit too long." As if suddenly remembering something, Kafka smiled and bid Xiao Xi farewell. "It's time to say goodbye, 'variable' of destiny. I look forward to our next meeting."

After Kafka vanished, Xiao Xi noticed a gray-haired girl lying unconscious on the cabin floor.

"Miss, are you alright?" Xiao Xi quickly helped her up and reached out to check her pulse. Hmm, the pulse is steady. Given the situation, it's highly likely she's just asleep.

Just as Xiao Xi was trying to wake the gray-haired girl, footsteps suddenly sounded behind her.

"Hey, to think there was still someone who hadn't evacuated from the Herta Space Station. This is..."

A voice filled with confusion rang out, and the footsteps drew closer.

"Is the girl in your arms alright?"

The person speaking this time was a girl with pink hair, her tone filled with worry and concern.

Hearing the voice, Xiao Xi turned around and found two young people walking toward her. One girl had short pink hair and lively, bright eyes; the other was a young man with short black hair and a calm, composed expression.

"Who are you?" Xiao Xi did not answer their question immediately, but instead asked with caution.

"I am Dan Heng, and she is March 7th. We are Nameless from the Astral Express. We intended to rest at the Herta Space Station, but we happened to run into the Antimatter Legion's attack, so we came along to help," Dan Heng replied in a steady tone.

"Nameless from the Astral Express..." Xiao Xi murmured, as if remembering something.

She looked at the two before her and finally let out a sigh of relief, saying, "So that's how it is. I am Xiao Xi, a researcher at the Herta Space Station. When the attack happened, I was a bit far from the main group, so I couldn't evacuate with everyone else."

"As for her, she was already unconscious when I found her. Fortunately, her vital signs are quite stable. I estimate she should be waking up before long."

"Oh!" As she spoke, she could feel the girl in her arms stir slightly.

A pair of beautiful golden eyes slowly opened. At this moment, it felt as if destiny had converged; the companions who would walk the Path of the Trailblaze in the future had officially met.