After sprinting all the way and using the Realm Anchor several times in succession, Lin Feng and March 7th soon reached the Starrail Platform.
The enormous platform, cast from dark gray alloy, floated outside the Base Cabin of Herta Space Station.
Like golden threads, the Starry Sky's rails stretched to the edge of the sky before converging in a sea of stars beyond the reach of sight.
Across the vast, desolate heavens, twinkling stars shone like gems set into a black curtain, casting a mysterious, distant glow.
Though this was not his first time seeing such a magnificent Starry Sky, the sight still shook Lin Feng to his core.
"Roar!" A thunderous bellow echoed in every direction. The Doomsday Beast, built like an armored dragon, spread its enormous wings and wheeled through the sea of stars before diving at Herta Space Station with claws as massive as hills.
Buzzz! Orange-yellow ripples spread over a kilometer. The invisible barrier trembled violently, but barely managed to withstand the Doomsday Beast's physical attack.
The Peace Shield, the Wide-Area Spatial Repulsion Field... Herta Space Station's last line of defense...
Lin Feng's gaze sharpened slightly as understanding dawned on him.
He had arrived just in time. At least the Peace Shield had not shattered yet; otherwise, the consequences would have been unthinkable.
But this Doomsday Beast... just as I expected, it's far stronger than before!
Leaving everything else aside, Lin Feng could see that this Doomsday Beast alone was several times larger than the one he had encountered in the Path Simulation. Even from dozens of kilometers away, it radiated an overwhelming menace.
"L-Lin Feng, how are we supposed to fight a monster that terrifying...?"
After witnessing the Doomsday Beast's terrifying power firsthand, even March 7th's bow arm began to tremble.
Turbulent currents of interstellar energy tousled March 7th's short pink hair, and her beautiful pink eyes were filled with anxiety.
"Leave it to me..."
Lin Feng reached out and gently stroked the top of her head, putting on an air of calm indifference.
Though the power of a stellaron resided within him, he was not entirely sure whether he could handle such a powerful Doomsday Beast.
"Come on! Let's reach the front of the platform before the Peace Shield breaks!"
As he spoke, Lin Feng broke into a sprint. March 7th gritted her teeth, did her utmost to steady herself, and followed close behind him.
"Roar!" Above the boundless sea of stars, the white armored beast swung its enormous body around and launched another attack.
A moment later, dense beams of deep blue energy shot skyward like a torrential downpour. Blue ripples burst across the Doomsday Beast's head in rapid succession, slowing its charge slightly.
Herta Space Station's Defense Firepower Module was already operating at maximum output, but against this Planet-Destroying Rank monster, it could only leave faint scorch marks on its outer armor.
A few minutes later, Lin Feng and March 7th reached the front of the Starrail Platform, where several familiar figures were already waiting.
"Himeko, Dan Heng! And Uncle Yang... even an old-timer like you came!"
Welt Yang adjusted his glasses, his face darkening with exasperation.
March 7th really needed to work on her emotional intelligence. Did he truly look that old?
"March, you... don't you ever check your phone? You're driving me mad!"
"You chose a moment this dangerous to vanish off the face of the earth?"
Himeko frowned as she spoke, her arms folded across her chest and a trace of anger on her fair, beautiful face.
"Ah... well, I forgot... I was following Lin Feng the whole time, and I was so nervous, haha..."
March 7th scratched her head awkwardly, a sheepish grin appearing on the pink-haired girl's face.
While she and Lin Feng had been making their way here, the Astral Express group chat had already blown up.
"Honestly, there's nothing surprising about it. This is perfectly in keeping with March's usual behavior..."
"Oh, and March, Pom-Pom said in the group chat that you're a brainless idiot..."
With one hand resting on the ancient Azure Spear, Dan Heng wore a faint, cool smile.
"What? That little... Pom-Pom! When we get back, I'm going to give his ears a good yank!"
March 7th stamped her feet hard against the floor, puffing out her cheeks in an indescribably adorable sulk.
While March 7th exchanged greetings with the others, Welt stepped forward and placed his palm against Lin Feng's chest.
"The stellaron is very stable. There are no signs of corrosion..."
Welt nodded silently, his expression growing slightly intent. As though he had confirmed something, a faint, gentle smile appeared on his lips.
"Lin Feng... what do you intend to do now?"
"There's still time if you want to withdraw to the Astral Express..."
"If you choose to stay and fight the Doomsday Beast, the Astral Express Crew will stand with you."
With her left arm folded across her chest, her ample pale breasts shifted slightly beneath her dress. Himeko rested her mature, flawless cheek on her right hand and parted her rose-colored lips, her clear amber eyes seemingly brimming with curiosity.
This was her first time dealing with Lin Feng, and she approached him with some caution.
"I'll stay and fight the Doomsday Beast..."
"Herta Space Station won't fall here..."
Lin Feng spoke slowly, his expression resolute.
"It seems you've made up your mind..."
"Very well. In that case, I'll risk my life alongside you..."
Her delicate brows relaxed slightly, and a gentle smile graced Himeko's lips, captivating enough to leave one entranced.
Speaking with Himeko at such close quarters for the first time, Lin Feng felt somewhat unsettled.
Though Asta and March 7th were both exceptionally beautiful girls, they lacked some of the feminine allure of the red-haired beauty before him. Himeko's maturity and elegance, along with the air of leadership she exuded with every gesture, made it all too easy to lose oneself in her.
Moreover, scattered memories in his mind seemed to be breaking free of a seal, leaving him slightly dizzy.
Himeko... why does she seem so familiar... have I seen her somewhere before?
His thoughts in turmoil, Lin Feng shook his head with a wry smile and stopped dwelling on it.
Perhaps as an aftereffect of traveling through two worlds in succession, his memories of the past had become somewhat hazy.
He could still remember certain things, such as coming from Blue Star and having been a university student before crossing over to the Naruto world.
Now, he had come to this world of boundless stars.
Compared with the Ethical War of the Shinobi World, where the death rate was terrifyingly high, he naturally preferred to stay here. Nothing could persuade him to cross back.
Yet some of the memories in Lin Feng's mind were like fragments of a mirror. No matter how hard he tried to piece them together, he could never succeed.
That inexplicable sensation held an unspeakable sorrow, leaving him momentarily at a loss for words.
Of course... what Lin Feng did not know was that Himeko was feeling much the same way at that very moment.
Lin Feng's face was all that filled her beautiful amber eyes. Looking somewhat dazed, Himeko started to reach out to touch his face, only to regain her senses in an instant. Instinctively, she took a step back, keeping her distance from him.
Standing nearby, Welt gave an almost imperceptible smile. Then, resting both hands on his cane, he turned his gaze toward the Doomsday Beast soaring through the Starry Sky.
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