Guess who's back, back again.
Anyone still here?
Raws got updated to around chapter 600, so get ready for much, much more of this awesome novel.
******
Little Gui's livestream.
After the new version update.
She naturally dived into the Trailblaze Mission right away.
Previously, when tackling the new main storyline, Little Gui was always filled with excitement, tension, and thrill.
Her eyes sparkled as if she had discovered a rare treasure!
But this time, during the livestream.
She mostly wore a mournful expression.
Her gaze was dim.
Interspersed with frequent sighs.
As a result, the mood in the livestream chat was also quite low.
She couldn't help but exclaim, "I never expected, I never expected this!"
"Just a short while ago, she was responding to those calls of 'Benefactor, Benefactor,' and in the blink of an eye, we can no longer hear Miss Tingyun's voice!!!"
"I had calculated and planned for everything, but I never anticipated that the main quest in this version update..."
"Would be an entire episode of a funeral!"
Jing Yuan was injured in the previous battle and needed to recuperate for a while.
Now, Fu Xuan is temporarily acting as the general.
And Tingyun has been declared as having sacrificed herself...
Entrusted by Fu Xuan, she went to the Palace of Astrum to sort through the belongings Tingyun had left behind.
Among them were some gifts that had not yet been delivered.
While performing the task, she felt as if she was fulfilling the wishes of the deceased.
Even Guinaifen's heart grew heavier.
There was one last item left.
A finely crafted bow with a resonant string.
Without a doubt.
This was a gift Tingyun had intended to give to Yukong.
Arriving at Stargazer Navalia.
Yukong was overseeing the construction of a Starskiff for the ceremony.
After delivering the gift.
Yukong's expression also turned somber.
She sighed and said, "This bow was a gift Tingyun chose for me? She understood my pain, but I can no longer do anything for her..."
"Thirty years ago, I participated in a brutal war. I set sail with my closest friend, but when I returned, I was alone."
"After that war, it was as if we were afraid to touch the scars left by the conflict. The Xianzhou Luofu has been recuperating along its route, engaging in trade and commerce..."
"Although I was promoted to the position of helmsman, I come from a military background and am not naturally adept at these intricate business matters. Tingyun, however, was a born merchant. Officially, she was my subordinate, but she always loved discussing business with me and offering advice."
"She never fought alongside me on the battlefield, but she was a comrade in another sense. Without the help of Tingyun and the merchant groups, Luofu would not have been able to recover its vitality in just thirty short years."
Yukong's heartfelt lament and sorrowful voice undoubtedly pained the hearts of the players watching!
...
"Wuwuwu, is my Tingyun really dead?"
"Lady Yukong, please stop talking, Tingyun's remains haven't been found yet! There's still hope..."
"What hope is there? The Ten-Lords Commission has already closed the case."
"Then what about the Tingyun in my team?"
"That's Phantylia in disguise, the one calling you 'Benefactor' is also Phantylia."
"I thought there would be a turning point in this latest main quest, but it ended up being a funeral! I can't accept this!"
"But have you all noticed something! In this storyline, Yu Ling hasn't provided definitive evidence that Tingyun is completely dead, it's just that everyone assumes she must be. What does this mean? It means there must be a twist!"
"I like your reasoning."
...
Guinaifen also saw the comments.
Her previously dim heart suddenly lit up with a glimmer of hope.
Perhaps...
Maybe...
Possibly...
Tingyun might actually appear in future storylines?
However.
Hope is one thing.
In this storyline, they still had to complete this memorial ceremony.
"I once thought that times had changed, and so had the Xianzhou. People like Tingyun are the future of the new generation of the Sky-Faring Commission. She could bring prosperity to Luofu. Unlike me, who is only skilled at rushing through blood and fire."
"I was wrong. Until the pawns of the Antimatter Legion are eradicated one by one, the Xianzhou still needs me... needs people like me who rush through blood and fire in the skies."
"The Starskiffs prepared for the ceremony are all ready. Everyone, please place Tingyun's mementos on the Starskiff."
This ceremony is not just for Tingyun.
It is also for the ordinary people who suffered misfortune due to the calamity of the Ambrosial Arbor, and for the Cloud Knights who fell in battle.
After placing the mementos.
Yukong addressed the Starskiff carrying Tingyun's offerings: "Tingyun, the Sky-Faring Commission will not forget you... I will uncover the truth. If you have perished, I will avenge you."
"The time has come. It is time to hold the memorial ceremony. Everyone, we shall meet at the Earthrise Agora in the Starskiff Sea."
Approach to investigate the Starskiff.
[Inside the Starskiff are the items you have chosen. Soon, it will set sail towards an unknown star and eventually vanish in its radiance.]
[Whether long-lived or short-lived, this is the path that all must take.]
Guinaifen couldn't help but sigh again.
The glimmer of hope she had just felt now lay dormant.
The atmosphere had been set just right.
It felt like even if Tingyun were alive, she probably wouldn't be able to return…
We headed to Earthrise Agora.
The memorial ceremony began.
People raised their heads one by one.
Watching as the Starskiffs, filled with heartfelt sentiments, flew into the distance.
Not just the one for Tingyun.
But also for others who had sacrificed their lives in this disaster.
Following behind.
One by one, they returned to the stars.
...
"Tears in my eyes, these are all people who sacrificed themselves to protect Xianzhou…"
"Salute to all the heroes who defended Xianzhou!"
"Heroes of Xianzhou, may your journey be smooth."
"I understand your noble sentiments, but the thing is… no one from our Xianzhou actually sacrificed themselves, right?"
"The eruption of the Stellaron, the rebellion of the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus, and the Lord Ravager… these calamities were all foreseen through Honkai: Star Rail and perfectly resolved by our Luofu."
"Didn't you see the report of the great victory a few days ago?"
"Damn, I almost forgot this was the game's storyline! Thanks to Yu Ling, our Luofu emerged victorious in this event!"
"Thank you, Yu Ling! Thank you, Honkai: Star Rail!"
"Another day to be proud as a Star Rail player! (Hands on hips)"
...
Guinaifen pinched her nose.
"Oh, right."
"Why am I mourning here?"
"Luofu achieved a great victory this time!"
"Miss Tingyun still has a chance…"
"Life is still beautiful."
After the memorial ceremony ended.
Jing Yuan also appeared at the scene.
Yanqing, who accompanied him, reminded him, "General, the ceremony is over. You should rest now."
"Wait a little longer. I still have a few words to say to our friends from the Astral Express Crew."
Jing Yuan looked at the Astral Express Crew: "Apologies, Yanqing has been insisting I rest properly… I couldn't come to see you all earlier."
"Before you leave Luofu, I have two things I'd like to give to the Astral Express."
"Well then, everyone, let's meet at the Seat of Divine Foresight."
Arriving at the Seat of Divine Foresight.
Welt, Stelle, March 7th, and Dan Heng were all present.
Jing Yuan addressed the group: "Everyone, I've gathered you here to reiterate Luofu Xianzhou's gratitude for the noble actions of the Nameless from the Astral Express Crew."
"I believe Fu Xuan has already spoken to you about this. But I feel that what you've done is far beyond what Luofu can ever repay. Therefore, on behalf of the Cloud Knights of Luofu, I present to you a Jade Abacus symbolizing our alliance."
"Thousands of years ago, when the Alliance was formed, all the Xianzhou ships swore an oath together, and it was recorded on the Jade Abacus as proof. Even if heaven and earth perish, this oath will remain unbroken."
"This Jade Abacus is the same. It records the promise of the Cloud Knights of Luofu to the Astral Express Crew, and it also serves as a beacon—hold it tight, and it will send a message to the paired Jade Abacus in my hand."
"No matter how vast the galaxy or how long the journey, the Cloud Knights of Luofu will come to rendezvous with the Astral Express and fulfill your requests."
On the table lay two tiger-shaped jade talismans.
Seeing that Jing Yuan was about to give such a precious gift, the live stream instantly erupted!
...
"Oh my god! The Jade Abacus of Allying Oath?"
"Gaining the help of Xianzhou Luofu is equivalent to gaining the entire Xianzhou Alliance. I never expected Jing Yuan to give such a grand gift!"
"Is this the legendary 'one arrow through the clouds, a thousand troops come to aid'?"
"From now on, we can also deploy surprise troops!"
"This is Kafka's goal. Jing Yuan accepted the favor of the Astral Express's help, and in doing so, he also agreed to Kafka's purpose!"
"Jing Yuan: I'm offering myself as the wildcard to you all!"
...
Everyone was stunned by Jing Yuan's magnanimity.
But that wasn't the end of it!
Jing Yuan then turned his gaze to Dan Heng.
"Dan Heng."
"By the decree of the Ten-Lords Commission, I hereby revoke your exile order. From this moment on, you are free to come and go as you please on Luofu."
"However, I must remind you that Dan Feng's sins run deep. And some people's thoughts are like the tides of Scalegorge Waterscape—they won't easily change with a mere decree."
"I can only guarantee your freedom of movement, but I cannot guarantee your safety. I hope you understand this."
Dan Heng nodded slightly. "I understand."
...
At this moment.
Alchemy Commission.
Jing Yuan, Dan Heng, Jingliu, and Blade were sitting on an open-air platform by the sea, casually sipping tea.
That's right!
These four individuals, who were usually at odds, had gathered together not for a fight, but to enjoy tea and watch a game livestream.
Fortunately, the physician nearby wasn't a player of Honkai: Star Rail.
Otherwise, secretly capturing this scene and posting it on the forum's exposure thread would have caused an uproar!
The physician carefully refilled their tea, wishing she could leave the area immediately.
She hurriedly asked her subordinates when they could bring back the High Elder.
The aura of these four great figures sitting together was too intimidating.
It made them afraid to even speak loudly!
On the table in front of them.
Jing Yuan was using his Jade Abacus to watch the livestream.
It was, of course, Little Gui's stream!
Dan Heng, seeing that his exile had been pardoned in the storyline, couldn't help but let out a soft sigh.
Jing Yuan smiled faintly.
"We really have to thank Honkai: Star Rail for this."
"Otherwise, I could never have imagined the four of us sitting together like this."
Jingliu, who seemed unusually calm at the moment, spoke up. "And you'd still be severely injured, unable to leave Exalting Sanctum, right?"
"Ha, you're too concerned about me."
Then, turning to Dan Heng, she added, "Don't worry, once this matter is settled, I'll also apply to the Ten-Lords Commission for a decree to revoke your exile, just like in the storyline."
"Thank you."
Dan Heng took a gentle sip of his tea.
But then he suddenly asked, "There's one thing I'm curious about, though."
"You're here to find the [High Elder]…"
"Though she's the current High Elder, she's still just a child. Why are you all so concerned about her?"
Hearing this.
Blade, who had been silent until now, finally spoke.
"Dan Heng, though you're not him."
"Back in Scalegorge Waterscape, you must have regained some of Dan Feng's memories, right?"
"Can't you really remember?"
"How this generation's High Elder—that little girl named Bailu—came to be?"