"Hey—ha!!!"
On Mount Taixuan, Sushang gripped the Xuanyuan Sword, facing the rising sun and draped in the evening glow, practicing the Edge of Taixuan day after day.
"Mountain Collapse, Instant Dust, Shaking Wind!!—"
Swish—
With the girl's sharp cry, fierce sword winds surged in every direction.
In the past, Sushang had thought her swordsmanship had improved greatly. Only after receiving guidance from Fu Hua did she realize just how shallow her former self had been.
"When forming the sword shape, you cannot rely solely on brute force. Sushang, you have strength to spare but lack technique. Again."
Fu Hua's crisp voice rang out.
"Mm... not bad. Actually, she's improving quite quickly."
Setsuna sat nearby, taking a sip of tea.
He had merely come by during a routine inspection, only to find that Sushang had, by a twist of fate, taken Fu Hua as her master. In a way, it was a curious kind of destiny.
"You've taught her well too."
As he spoke, he gently slipped an arm around Fu Hua's waist and pulled the girl into his embrace.
"We're training with the sword. Everyone's watching. Save it for later."
Fu Hua shot him a reproachful look and pinched him.
"Ow..."
From Sushang's angle, her gaze kept drifting over. She had never expected the usually strict Grandmaster to blush like that.
Thinking about it, one was her Grandmaster, the other a Sacrosanct. They were quite well matched.
She muttered to herself inwardly, and soon a flood of questions surfaced.
Grandmaster's spouse... what should I call him? Grandmaster-in-law? Eh? Is that right?...
Her mind wandered with all sorts of thoughts, and the movements in her hand instantly lost form.
Her sword stance turned chaotic and disordered, making Fu Hua frown deeply.
"Cultivating the Edge of Taixuan requires a heart as still as water. Why are you so restless?"
"If you cannot settle your mind, go meditate on Mount Taixuan's peak for half a day before returning."
"Eh?!—"
At the mention of meditation again, Sushang looked utterly despondent.
"No, no, no... I-I-I... I was thinking about Grandmaster-in-law!!"
"What nonsense are you talking about?"
Fu Hua's brow furrowed even more.
"I-I-I... I just think the Edge of Taixuan is really difficult to practice. Um... I don't know how many years it'll take before I can graduate..."
In front of the Immortal, Sushang's tongue tied itself into knots.
"Um, may I ask, Grandmaster—what's the shortest time it's taken to grasp Divine Insight?"
"One month. Someone, with absolutely no foundation in swordsmanship, used Taixuan Eminence to shatter a planet within a month."
Fu Hua answered expressionlessly.
"Eh, eh, eh—who was it?"
Sushang was astonished. Following Fu Hua's gaze, she saw Setsuna smiling at her.
"Practice a bit more. Grasping Divine Insight isn't that difficult."
Setsuna had high hopes for Sushang.
"Hm."
Fu Hua gave a noncommittal snort.
"Her talent is indeed good. She's just overly chivalrous and somewhat impetuous. And she hasn't read enough—she can't even understand the sword manuals."
"When I have her write reflections, they're full of misspellings. If there's time, she should return to school for a while."
"My mother says the same thing about me!!!"
For a moment, Sushang felt an unexpected warmth, as though hearing her mother's scolding in a foreign land.
Upon learning that Setsuna had also cultivated Taixuan Eminence, she was even more surprised.
Even after being in the Starsea Empire for so long, Setsuna remained a rather mysterious figure to them.
Aside from knowing he was the ruler of the Starsea Empire and commanded the empire's flagship, they knew almost nothing else.
They could only infer from bits and pieces spoken by the shipgirls, Heroic Spirits, and Spirits that Setsuna commanded many different kinds of power.
And he was quite popular too.
Even someone like Sushang, who devoted herself to sword practice and was not particularly perceptive about the outside world, found herself unable to resist glancing at him a few more times.
Mm... we've never seen someone like this in the Yaoqing or the Luofu... What was that called again? Presence? Yes, presence...
The Sacrosanct is quite handsome too...
As she stared, the sword movements in her hand went astray once more.
Bang!
"Focus!"
Fu Hua, at her wit's end, flicked a strand of sword qi from afar against her forehead, then shot Setsuna a glare.
"Did you come here on purpose to charm young girls?!"
"I haven't even said anything."
Setsuna spread his hands.
"Just sitting there is enough!"
Fu Hua pinched him again.
After a few playful exchanges, just as they were about to continue supervising Sushang's training.
A message arrived from Tingyun.
"The return fleet is ready. The Luofu delegation will depart immediately and return to the Xianzhou."
...
...
"These past days, we have been deeply indebted to the Sacrosanct's care. This humble girl is most grateful."
"However, there are many matters that must be reported to the Xianzhou leadership. I must return in person. My apologies~"
Inside the administrative center, Tingyun briefly bid farewell to Setsuna.
The merchant group had imported many local specialties from the Starsea Empire, along with certain weapons, equipment, and Gundams to take back.
Additionally, the proposal Setsuna had given her was of great importance and required discussion with the Xianzhou leadership.
"Once this humble girl has completed her report, I shall return to the Starsea Empire. Hehe... perhaps the delegation will even have a few more members next time. I'll be relying on the Sacrosanct's continued care."
Tingyun handled herself with impeccable courtesy, and Setsuna rather liked this smooth and tactful girl.
After thinking for a moment, he recalled something.
He took out three amulet-like items and handed them to Tingyun, Sushang, and Qingque.
"Here. Keep them on you."
"This is...?"
Tingyun accepted it and examined it closely, sensing a mysterious power contained within.
"It's a negatively triggered device activated by magic. If you suffer an unexpected attack, it will automatically counterattack and create a protective spell. The creator will also sense the situation."
"Just treat it as a protective charm."
Considering Tingyun's special status, there was a possibility someone might target her after she returned.
Better to be prepared.
"Thank you, Sacrosanct!"
Tingyun and the others were flattered and expressed their thanks repeatedly.
Just as they were about to board the ship, a green-haired repair girl arrived with a small squad of Bulins and Angeloids.
"Commander, I'm going to the Xianzhou with them too, nya!"
"What are you going there for?"
Setsuna rubbed Akashi's head.
"Grey said she wants me to bring some helpers to deal with a few engineering problems."
Akashi nuzzled against him.
"And I want to expand into overseas markets while I'm at it, nya!!"
"???"
"Overseas markets?! What are you planning to sell on the Xianzhou?"
Setsuna was startled.
In the entire Starsea Empire, the most obsessed with making money was probably Akashi.
For her, earning money wasn't about buying things or showing off. It was simply pure enjoyment.
Whether it was earning from Nyarko's side of the Universe Alliance, or from the Xianzhou Alliance and the Interastral Peace Corporation, it was all the same.
"Of course—boxes, nya!"
"I'm going to sell boxes together with the Whistling Flames Guild! Nobody's bought boxes in the Starsea Empire for ages, nya!"
Akashi directed the Angeloids to load a pile of boxes onto the ship—golden on the outside, though who knew what their actual quality was.
"And there's also the most, most, most profitable project, nya!!!"
As she spoke, she pointed to another group of Bulins carrying large quantities of what looked like communication relay devices and AI cores.
It seemed she intended to set up a server over there.
"Huh???"
"You're going to promote your shady pay-to-win game there too?!"
Several accompanying shipgirls immediately caught on.
"It's the interstellar era over there. Everyone can play games. I heard there are many types, like Geometric Warfare and Star Cheetah or something..."
"Perfect timing for us to enrich their game selection, nya!"
"And no one over there believes in Eris!!! That's very important, nya!! No one's going to pull soft pity forever without missing, or casually hit three golds in a ten-pull!!"
Akashi harbored considerable grievances about the Goddess of Luck's blessings. Eris was practically a performance destroyer for pay-to-win gacha games.
She urgently needed an untapped blue ocean market to unleash her creativity in fleecing players.
"Hm?"
Tingyun completely failed to understand what Akashi was talking about.
Only Setsuna and the shipgirls held their foreheads and sighed.
"Akashi... you're unstoppable."
...
Buzz—
Xianzhou Luofu, Starskiff Jetty.
Under the gaze of countless onlookers, a rather sizable fleet passed through the Jade Gate and slowly descended.
The upper echelons of the Xianzhou had placed great importance on the delegation's return and had cleared half the wharf early in the morning.
Clack, clack—
With the assistance of unloading equipment, the cargo ships began discharging their goods one after another.
Tingyun stepped down from the gangway and greeted those who had come to receive them.
"Here. This is the Starsea Empire's invoice. Make the necessary preparations once you return."
She transmitted a list to her colleagues at the Sky-Faring Commission.
Such cross-dimensional trade was naturally not settled in real time. Out of the host's generosity, the delegation had been allowed to run a tab within the Starsea Empire. Upon returning to the Xianzhou, equivalent goods would be sent back in exchange.
"Wh-What?!"
Several Amicassadors from the Sky-Faring Commission skimmed through it and nearly jumped in shock.
"Miss Tingyun, y-you... how much did you buy?!"
"Th-This... we'll need both the Whistling Flames Guild and the Celestial Guild to prepare everything—and report it to the Helm Master!"
The scale of the invoice far exceeded expectations. Its value was nearly equivalent to the combined assets of the Whistling Flames Guild and the Celestial Guild. Only the Sky-Faring Commission could coordinate resources on such a scale.
"Ah, there were simply too many marvelous things in the Starsea Empire... Rest assured, it will absolutely be worth the price!"
Tingyun fanned herself confidently.
"If anything goes wrong, we'll go bankrupt, you know?!"
The Amicassadors could only trust the chief merchant's judgment, clutching the invoice as they hurried off to prepare the goods.
The Starsea Empire did not accept Credits, nor did it have much interest in the Xianzhou's standard currency. It only accepted specialties from the Honkai Star Rail universe. The entire merchant group was mobilized to procure goods from all over.
They even contacted the Interastral Peace Corporation to arrange several bulk orders.
After settling basic affairs, the delegation wasted no time and hurried to the Palace of Astrum, where Jing Yuan, Yukong, Fu Xuan, and other high-ranking officials of the Luofu were already waiting.
They were eager to hear the report.
"How was the journey? In your view, what kind of world is the Starsea Empire?"
No sooner had they sat down than Jing Yuan asked impatiently.
"Mm..."
Tingyun steadied herself and took a deep breath.
"An eye-opening experience. I never imagined such a wondrous civilization could exist in this world."
"Oh?"
The senior officials leaned closer, trusting her judgment.
"Compared to the Luofu—or rather, to the Xianzhou Alliance—how does the Starsea Empire measure up?" Yukong asked.
"The Starsea Empire surpasses the Xianzhou Alliance by hundreds, thousands of times. In the vast universe, we are but a drop in the ocean."
"Even adding the Interastral Peace Corporation and every world we have encountered, none can compare to them."
Tingyun's tone was resolute.
"What do you mean by that...?"
Whoosh—
Tingyun produced a tablet and projected a dazzling star map.
Stars glittered across the holographic interface in breathtaking splendor.
"This is the territorial scope of the Starsea Empire."
"Oh?"
Jing Yuan and Yukong leaned in closer to examine it carefully.
"Their cosmic structure seems different from ours..."
"Which of these star systems is their world?"
Yukong searched among what appeared to be habitable star clusters.
There were simply too many to discern clearly.
"All of it. This entire map is the Starsea Empire's domain."
Tingyun's words fell like thunder.
"Moreover, this represents only their native universe. They also control dozens of similar worlds."
"The empire's territory stretches across tens of thousands of light-years, spanning numerous distinct dimensions. Each world is an entire universe unto itself."
"What?!"
Yukong froze, staring blankly at the holographic projection.
"...All of it? This..."
Silence settled over the Palace of Astrum.
The senior officials exchanged glances, each face marked by disbelief.
They finally understood what kind of colossal interstellar behemoth they were dealing with.
"In addition, their native world contains many wondrous aspects. Unfortunately, I lacked the time to thoroughly tour each world."
"If Diviner Fu Xuan and Madam Yukong have the leisure, you may wish to see it with your own eyes."
From the moment she arrived in the Starsea Empire, Tingyun recounted her experiences in sequence.
A capital city larger than the Luofu itself. Races from countless worlds gathered in one place. A group of little girls shouldering the empire's entire scientific research. Shipgirls capable of freely storing and deploying their vessels...
Tales from other worlds poured forth, holding everyone spellbound.
"Shipgirls? Ah... I saw the Bulins freely store and release ships. I see, I see..."
Yukong nodded thoughtfully.
"With such convenient interstellar travel methods, it's no wonder they expanded so rapidly..."
"Mm. If the opportunity arises, I would indeed like to see it."
She and Fu Xuan closed their eyes, constructing in their minds a super interstellar civilization spanning the cosmos and integrating technologies and magic from countless worlds.
It required every ounce of imagination just to grasp a fraction of it.
"This humble girl has another crucial matter to report."
After outlining the Starsea Empire's general situation, Tingyun's expression grew solemn.
She dismissed all unrelated personnel and ordered the Cloud Knights to guard the surroundings, forbidding anyone from entering.
Only the senior officials, along with Tingyun, Sushang, and Qingque, remained in the Palace of Astrum.
"The Starsea Empire has achieved true immortality. It does not rely on the Plagues Author's power. It is accomplished through pure biological science."
"!!!"
Just as when Tingyun had first learned how widespread immortality was in the Starsea Empire, the officials' breathing halted for a moment.
"You are certain it has nothing to do with the Plagues Author?"
Jing Yuan frowned and asked again, wary of any connection to Abundance.
—If such a civilization were tied to Abundance, the Xianzhou would stand no chance.
"The Plagues Author has brought countless calamities to the Xianzhou, yes. But how could it govern an empire in another universe?"
Tingyun shook her head.
"Within the Starsea Empire, the cycle of life and death is governed by the Underworld. If I recall correctly, the Goddess of the Underworld is named Ereshkigal."
"Incidentally, this humble girl died once and returned to life within the Starsea Empire."
She described her experience of entering the Underworld and being sent back.
Sushang nodded vigorously beside her.
"That's right! So that's what death feels like... Ah, if a gentle Underworld goddess came to receive me, dying in battle might not be so frightening after all?"
"What?!"
Dying and returning to life. Unlimited resurrection through the authority of the Underworld.
The miracle left them utterly stunned.
It was even more shocking than the advanced technologies they had just heard about.
When they learned that someone in the Starsea Empire had experimentally killed themselves more than a dozen times in a single month, their expressions grew even stranger.
A civilization that had completely conquered death.
It was both enviable—and faintly terrifying.
Yukong, in particular, felt a spark ignite within her aging body.
The Foxian lifespan barely exceeded three centuries. She was already two hundred and forty-six years old.
The pursuit of longevity was the instinct of every living being.
"The Sacrosanct has also put forward a proposal—to have the Starsea Empire's Underworld assume control over the Xianzhou Alliance's cycle of life and death, taking over part of the Ten-Lords Commission's functions."
"In exchange, they would also resolve the issue of mara."
Tingyun relayed Setsuna's proposal.
Matters of life and death were of the utmost importance and had to be reported in person.
"This..."
Fu Xuan looked conflicted.
"If the Underworld manages the Xianzhou's life and death, what exactly do they intend to do?"
"The Xianzhou is merely a starting point. The Sacrosanct envisions something far grander."
Tingyun offered only a few hints, and the others immediately understood.
"To forge a new Path, ascend to Aeonhood, and govern the cycle of life and death across the entire cosmos?!"
"What audacity!"
They could not help but exclaim.
If an ordinary person had proposed such an idea, they would have been dismissed as mad.
But coming from the Starsea Empire, it demanded serious consideration.
Mara had plagued the Xianzhou for countless years. If it could truly be eradicated, it would be an immeasurable boon.
Yet establishing a new Underworld here and introducing a new deity was still difficult to comprehend.
"This matter is of great consequence. I shall report it to Marshal Hua and consult with the other ships before making a decision," Jing Yuan said after long deliberation.
They all sensed that the Starsea Empire's proposal carried profound strategic intent.
In the bustling cosmos, aside from a minority of inorganic beings, all living things were bound by the cycle of life and death.
To control birth and death was little different from ruling the universe itself.
"Wait. That Miss Grey is reportedly researching artificial intelligence..."
"One governs the organics, the other the inorganics—ah?!"