Astral Express.
After this major update, everyone immediately launched Honkai: Star Rail.
Following the previous discussion, they decided to first explore the storyline related to the train.
Himeko, Old Yang, March 7th, and Stelle logged into their accounts, sifting through numerous clues.
"Since we're focusing on the train first, we should definitely check the Astral Express Crew's messages…"
March 7th picked through the dazzling array of information.
Soon, her eyes lit up!
"This is it!"
"This message is sure to trigger the storyline!"
"And it's related to our train!"
Himeko, Welt, Stelle, and Pom-Pom immediately gathered around March 7th.
On her game interface, they saw a message from Pom-Pom.
[Pom-Pom: Aaaaaahhh]
[Pom-Pom: March Stelle, are you there!!!!]
Stelle's gaze immediately became intriguing.
"Your game name is... March Star?"
"Hahaha, after all, the protagonist of the game is you, but the player is me. I think this name is quite fitting, haha..." March 7th awkwardly explained with a laugh.
"As long as you're happy."
Replying to Pom-Pom's message.
[Why so urgent?]
[What major event happened?]
[Pom-Pom: Super-duper urgent matter]
[Pom-Pom: Pom-Pom dares not even think about it]
[Pom-Pom: The long-awaited grand cleaning day of the train is finally approaching ahhhhhhh]
[...Huh?]
[I get it]
[You want to call me back to help with the cleaning]
[(Crying)...]
[Pom-Pom: No]
[Pom-Pom: But if Passenger March Star is willing to help, Pom-Pom would be very welcome!]
[Pom-Pom: We are about to head to the nearest Car Wash Star]
[Pom-Pom: When will you have time to come back and see Pom?]
After this part of the 14th episode ended.
A prompt popped up below.
[Accept the task ―― [Night of Universal Hallucinations]?]
[You can watch a preview short before accepting, click here to play]
"Night of Universal Hallucinations?"
Himeko saw the name of this task and revealed a smile full of interest.
"It does sound related to the train, with a touch of romance."
"I agree to do this task first."
Old Yang spoke up: "The task description is to go to Car Wash Star. We can first watch the preview short to confirm the content."
"Uncle Yang, aren't you about to spoil it!" March 7th pouted.
Himeko explained: "Welt is probably also thinking about prioritizing, after all, there's so much content now. If this task is just about traveling to Car Wash Star and introducing various things there... it wouldn't be that important to us."
"Oh~"
March 7th showed a look of realization.
"Then let's watch it together."
"I hope it doesn't spoil the key content in advance."
Clicking the link.
Beside the four of them.
Pom-Pom couldn't help but lean forward.
Its bright big eyes looked at the screen.
It also wanted to see if there would be any train-related content in this task.
"Deng deng――!"
"Deng deng――!"
The moment the short started, there was a series of urgent tones.
In the universe.
The train was rapidly moving forward, the light from the windows trailing behind!
In those dark red nebulae, something seemed to be chasing the train!
The carriage jolted violently.
In the flickering lights.
March 7th and Stelle fell directly to the ground.
Seeing this scene.
Pom-Pom's mouth opened in surprise.
Just going to Car Wash Star, how could such a dangerous situation occur?
Before it could react.
Something happened in the carriage!
The ambient lights in the Passenger Cabin became like spotlights.
Under the beams of light.
They converged on the final protagonist.
"Pa――!"
It was actually a shocked Pom-Pom.
And in the background.
A voice said: "Legend has it, deep in the universe."
"There is a solitary beast known as [Omen]."
"Its scales are as hard as armor,"
"Its claws and teeth are sharper than divine weapons."
Pom-Pom was stunned!
What does this voice mean!?
Is it implying that I am that solitary beast, Pom!?
And in the golden light.
A red-haired man appeared on the train.
His armor reflected a dazzling light as he held a spear intertwined with gold and red, step by step approaching Pom-Pom.
March 7th and Stelle were instantly shocked!
"Who is that guy!?"
"How did he get on the train?"
"How dare he bully our adorable conductor?"
In the video, Pom-Pom reacted quickly.
Though his legs were short, he ran extremely fast.
But the red-haired man was relentless in his pursuit.
And as he chased, he said, "But on its corpse lies the spear of a knight."
The spear tip then descended.
With a "thud," it landed right in front of Pom-Pom.
Pom-Pom was so frightened that he fell to the ground.
And his shadow, cast on the wall, unexpectedly revealed the form of an omen—a grinning demonic face.
The next moment.
The red-haired man swung his spear.
At the same time.
The train's carriage instantly turned a deep crimson, with thick black mist enveloping the surroundings.
In the darkness, it seemed as though monsters were lurking.
But the short film abruptly ended there.
The video concluded.
Everyone couldn't help but turn their gaze toward Pom-Pom.
Pom-Pom immediately felt a chill.
He cautiously took two steps back.
"Why... why are you all looking at me, Pom!"
"You don't think I, the conductor, am some kind of [omen], do you?"
Seeing Pom-Pom's flustered expression, March 7th couldn't help but laugh: "Haha... what are you thinking, Conductor~"
"We won't let anyone bully our conductor, right?"
Stelle chimed in, "Exactly, only we can bully him."
Seeing this, Pom-Pom breathed a sigh of relief.
It must be because the content of the short film was just too strange!
Pom-Pom patted his chest and stepped back in front of everyone, speaking seriously, "That guy talking to himself in the background looks really dangerous!"
"Besides, fighting on the train is not allowed, Pom!"
"He... he even dared to attack me, the conductor, which is even more outrageous, Pom!"
"Let's hurry and start this mission to see what's really going on!"
March 7th showed a worried expression.
She added, "Also, I just noticed that in that black mist, there seemed to be insect-like monsters..."
"Eek! I don't want our train to be tainted by bugs!"
"Hurry, hurry! We must prevent this incident in advance!"
...
In Little Gui's livestream.
Guinaifen's face was glowing red.
She was both excited and anxious.
Like a starving vagabond who suddenly stumbled upon a lavish feast!
For a moment, she was even at a loss about where to start!
"Urgent, urgent, urgent!"
"Folks! Which mission should I do first!?"
"Pom-Pom sent me a message telling me to hurry back to the train!"
"Dan Heng sent me a message asking me to accompany him back to the Luofu!"
"Bronya also sent me a message telling me to return to Belobog for the Sun Festival...!"
Just as she was checking all the clues.
Several viewers in the livestream suddenly started gifting her at the same time.
[[Does Bailu's little feet stink?] gifted Little Gui 5 Diting Storms! And left a message: Little Gui, hurry and play the Aetherium Wars event, you appear in this event's storyline!]
[[Apricot Kernel Hunter] gifted Little Gui 5 Super Starskiffs! And left a message: Open the message and talk to Verlder to accept the quest.]
[[Playing Cards with Life] gifted 20 Star Rail Special Passes to streamer Little Gui! And left a comment: Just finished watching the poses of all the characters in the finals, and I have to say, the most stunning one is definitely our Guinaifen!]
Seeing these comments.
Guinaifen was shocked.
"Really? Are you guys messing with me!?"
"I'm in Honkai: Star Rail now?"
"I've made it!?"
Guinaifen herself could hardly believe it.
She thought of herself as just a street performer, a craftsperson who made a living through tricks and stunts.
If it weren't for Honkai: Star Rail, she'd still be a third-rate online streamer.
Unlike Sushang, who at least was a proper member of the Cloud Knights.
Someone like her.
A freelancer.
Being an NPC added to the roadside for flavor would already be the pinnacle of her expectations.
She never dreamed she'd appear in the actual story.
So, at this moment, she was still half in doubt.
Instead of jumping into the event quest her viewers were talking about.
She directly opened the Honkai: Star Rail forum and searched for her name.
Soon.
A video with over a hundred thousand likes appeared on the screen.
[Qingque reminds you, this video doesn't have much important content, just the poses of the event characters. Giving everyone 5 seconds to react.]
Guinaifen was still wondering what this event was about and why they had to strike poses.
The video had already started playing.
On the grand stage.
A red-haired man was furiously punching a sandbag.
With one final powerful punch, he sent the sandbag flying.
Then, with a confident smile, he revealed a coin-like badge in his hand.
"That's… Luka, the new 4-star character added in the last update!"
Guinaifen recognized him immediately.
Before she could process it.
The second character had already taken the stage.
"Ta-da—!!!"
A girl appeared in the frame from a selfie angle.
Holding a phone in one hand and a lit firecracker in the other.
She made a cute expression, winking with one eye.
Guinaifen's jaw dropped in shock!
This… this… this…!!!
It's really me!!!!!
I'm actually in Star Rail?
And Yu Ling even specially designed a pose for me!
Next to her, there were several Diting of various sizes.
One of the larger ones had a bigger firecracker at its feet.
After lighting it up.
The Diting instantly went "whoosh—" and took off.
Exploding into a dazzling firework display above the venue.
Then.
She reached out and caught the Diting as it fell from the sky.
Holding it in her arms.
The Diting was holding a coin in its mouth, which flashed with a golden light!
In an instant!
An overwhelming sense of happiness enveloped her.
Guinaifen felt an unprecedented surge of emotion.
Excitement, joy, gratitude…
The feelings built up layer by layer.
It was like she was about to float into the heavens!
"Deep breaths…"
"Deep breaths…"
"This is nothing!"
"This just means Yu Ling has acknowledged me…"
However.
Two seconds later, Guinaifen couldn't hold it in anymore.
She let out an ecstatic scream.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!"
"I'm so happy!!!!!"
"I'm finally in Honkai: Star Rail!!!!!"