Himeko looked at Stelle, then at Jiang Yu, her tone gentle.
Seeing Stelle's bewildered expression, March 7th asked from beside her, "You don't know about the Astral Express?"
Stelle shook her head blankly.
Jiang Yu raised his hand and shouted excitedly, "I know! I know!"
"Very good! Contestant Jiang Yu, let's hear your answer!"
March 7th moved behind Jiang Yu and held his shoulders. A warm, clean scent drifted into her nose.
"I've heard plenty of stories about the Nameless on the Xianzhou!"
Although he had only lived on the Luofu for three days, he had listened to Mr. Xiyan's storytelling every day. He bluffed freely, fleshing out his own backstory. Besides, if he counted his previous life, he wasn't exactly lying.
"The Astral Express travels along the tracks among the stars, connecting worlds and planets and constantly exploring the universe. It's the train Akivili, the Aeon of Trailblaze, once rode! The Nameless aboard it follow in the Aeon of Trailblaze's footsteps, embarking on one adventure after another across the universe!"
"Correct!" March 7th remained behind Jiang Yu, the kid who smelled of sunshine. "And Himeko is our Navigator, which means she calls the shots on where the train goes!"
Himeko chuckled. "I've been keeping an eye on Little March and Dan Heng. Little March must have caused you quite a bit of trouble along the way."
"She sure did." Jiang Yu planted his hands on his hips. "She almost lost the key needed to authorize the elevator. Himeko, you should scold her!"
Stelle nodded in wholehearted agreement. "I've never met such a careless girl."
"Huh?"
Panic flickered across March 7th's face before she stubbornly retorted, "That's just how I am! I didn't cause any trouble this time... You'll get used to it! Look, Dan Heng hasn't said anything!"
Dan Heng closed his eyes and sighed helplessly.
"I have the right to remain silent."
As he spoke, he stepped forward with a stony expression and separated Jiang Yu and March 7th, placing himself between his fellow Xianzhou native and the irrepressible March 7th.
March 7th's expression froze in embarrassment...
"Hehe..." Himeko covered her mouth and chuckled. "Young people have so much energy. It's easy for you to hit it off. It looks like you've already gotten quite close." Then she turned around. "Come on, let's leave the chatting for later. Asta must be getting worried about you."
"Tracking radar projection is normal. Telemetry signal frequency is too high. It must be maintained at the average level."
In the Master Control Zone, Asta was busy directing the space station's operations and defenses. Even from far away, they could see the young lady's beautiful long pink hair.
Her steady composure, reassuring voice, and measured commands all demonstrated the station manager's outstanding ability.
Despite her youth, she made people want to sigh in heartfelt admiration, "That's what a higher education gets you."
The Antimatter Legion's assault had yet to cease. With a resolute expression, the young woman told the staff to prepare to defend themselves and fight.
"Station Manager Asta! We're back!" March 7th was the first to greet her.
Asta turned around, relief showing in her eyes. She let out a soft breath. "I'm glad you made it back safely. Arlan was here just now, and he told me everything that happened in the Storage Zone. Thank you for your help."
Then Asta added with a sigh, "When disaster strikes, it becomes clearer than ever that the staff are the space station's most valuable asset... Alas, we were far too unprepared for emergencies. We neglected to build up our security and combat personnel."
At this point, Asta swept her gaze across them, finally revealing her true aim. "Every member of the Astral Express, on the other hand, seems exceptionally capable..."
Understanding her unspoken meaning, Dan Heng asked directly, "What's the space station's current situation?"
Asta briefly explained the station's current condition. Damage to the facilities and the alteration and corruption of data were still within acceptable limits. The greater problem lay with the staff who placed absolute faith in Ms. Herta.
Their trust in Ms. Herta was so blind that it had never even occurred to them that Herta Space Station might be invaded.
Without question, the Antimatter Legion's sudden attack and successful breach of the station had dealt them a heavy blow. Their psychological panic was difficult to handle.
Himeko said that the Astral Express Crew would first speak with the station's staff and try to calm them down. Then she asked Asta whether she had contacted Herta and informed her of the situation.
Asta gave Jiang Yu a strange look before saying, "All the emails I sent earlier disappeared into the void. I haven't received any replies. As you know, Miss Himeko, the space station is just a warehouse for her collection of followers and Curios. However..."
"However?" Himeko looked at Asta in puzzlement.
"She suddenly replied just now, saying she'd be here soon to deal with things."
"That's perfect." Himeko nodded. "We'll check on the staff first."
"All right." Asta nodded, then called out to stop Jiang Yu as he prepared to leave with the Astral Express Crew.
The Astral Express Crew soon left. In the end, only Jiang Yu and Asta remained.
"Jiang Yu, please let me thank you again. Thank you for saving Arlan," Asta began.
Jiang Yu nodded, looking at Asta nervously, a little panic on his face.
He didn't believe Asta had kept him behind just to thank him. As station manager, she couldn't possibly be unaware that he had crashed into and damaged the space station. Surely she was here to hold him accountable and demand compensation!
"Arlan told me all the details, including, of course, how you crashed into and damaged the space station."
Just as I thought!
Jiang Yu's heart sank. The moment everyone else left, Asta got straight down to business!
Although this wealthy woman wasn't short of money, she clearly had no reason to clean up someone else's mess for free.
"Ahaha... Ahahaha... It was an accident... All an accident..." Jiang Yu laughed awkwardly, already bracing himself for her verdict.
"I imagine you've already realized why Ms. Herta suddenly decided to return. It's because she saw you cross through space from the far side of the Blue Planet, then ram headfirst into the space station and punch a hole in it..."
"Um... Can I still leave the space station normally?" Jiang Yu asked cautiously.
"I don't know." Asta shook her head. "Ms. Herta clearly wants to deal with you personally..."
A hint of helplessness appeared in the pink-haired young woman's eyes. "Herta Space Station belongs to Ms. Herta, so there's nothing I can do even if I want to help you. What happens next will depend on her decision."
"Got it." Jiang Yu nodded, then turned and left.
Jiang Yu had already anticipated the possibility of attracting Herta's attention. Things would work themselves out when the time came. Although he felt a little nervous, it was only a little.
If all else failed, he could focus his mental energy and form a blue exclamation mark above his head, then offer a few hundred Stellar Jade to get the Stellaron Gremlin to help him.
That was how you were supposed to use the protagonist's halo.
After leaving Asta, Jiang Yu was about to look for the Astral Express Crew when he suddenly felt his phone vibrate.
He took it out from inside his clothes and glanced at it.
Mengming and Mr. Xiyan had given him this phone when he said goodbye to them before coming to the space station.
The two had said that carrying a Jade Abacus made it easier to stay in touch.
Even now, Mengming and Mr. Xiyan were the only contacts on his phone.
Yet the message had come from a stranger.
The profile picture was a blank silhouette, the default avatar for an unknown user, and the name consisted of three question marks.
And the very first thing this person sent was actually...
"I'm Aha, buddy. Come have a drink at the Tavern!"
Before you continue