The moment she heard there was a discount, March 7th lit up with excitement.
Right after that,
March 7th quickly asked, "Miss Hu Tao, what exactly do you sell?"
Hu Tao cleared her throat and assumed a solemn expression. "Coffins—"
March 7th froze. "What? Coffins?"
So she really ran a funeral business?
Good grief... she had almost been fooled by Hu Tao. They hadn't even reached the Star of Wishes yet, and Hu Tao was already cursing them to death.
Feeling displeased, March 7th muttered, "We're not going to die. We'll never die."
Hu Tao smiled and explained, "They're not for you. You've traveled all over, made plenty of enemies, and gotten into countless conflicts. Even if you defeat them, you can't just leave their bodies out in the wilderness, right..."
March 7th suddenly understood. "I guess that does make sense."
Himeko fell silent. "..."
The Trailblazer was speechless. "..."
They had no interest in Hu Tao's business. What truly intrigued them was Liyue—Sam Li and the Adepti.
However,
Himeko slowly said, "My apologies, but we've already set our destination. Once we return from the Star of Wishes, we'll definitely visit your homeland."
Hu Tao grinned. "It's a deal—"
Though they had only just met,
the train crew had traveled all this way to help fight the giants. They might not have contributed much, but they hardly seemed like bad people.
So Hu Tao quickly warmed up to them.
At that moment,
the Trailblazer seemed to recall something and asked about the Star of Wishes. "I've heard it's an enormous planet, constantly shrouded by a special force that seals it off from the outside world, cloaking it in mist... And now, after five hundred years, it's the best time to enter. Do you know anything about this planet?"
A planet?
Cloud Retainer and the other Adepti didn't even know what a planet was, much less anything about the Star of Wishes.
They were completely clueless.
After chatting for a bit,
Himeko noticed something extremely strange. These powerful "Adepti" before her seemed to know nothing about the universe—neither planets nor star systems...
Their understanding of the cosmos was less than that of a three-year-old child aboard the Xianzhou Luofu.
They possessed great power and advanced expertise, yet seemed utterly unaware of the universe they lived in... It made no sense. None at all.
Himeko couldn't figure out what the issue was.
Seeing her puzzled expression,
Cloud Retainer said slowly, "Mr. Sam Li has seen much and knows much. Perhaps he can offer you some different insights."
Himeko nodded. "Thank you for the reminder. I'll pay Mr. Sam Li a visit."
Speaking of Mr. Sam Li only surprised her further.
He appeared to carry a strong [dragon] bloodline—its force extremely potent—yet he wasn't of Vidyadhara descent.
Thinking of this,
Himeko recalled the Senior Dan Heng had mentioned earlier. The two shared many similarities. Perhaps Sam Li could help Dan Heng.
However...
According to Dan Heng, that Senior should be on the Star of Wishes.
...
With Hollow Zero fully suppressed,
the following days plunged all of New Eridu into celebration. Festivities spread from the city center outward, all the way to the Outer Ring...
Everyone rejoiced in their victory.
Everyone dreamed of a brighter future.
Online forums were filled with trending topics about the suppression of Hollow Zero and discussions about the Adepti and deities.
During this period,
Sam Li, the Cunning Hares, Zhu Yuan and Qingyi, Tsukishiro Yanagi, No. 11, the Sons of Calydon, Victoria Housekeeping, Belobog Heavy Industries... all the factions that had taken part in the war gathered to celebrate New Eridu's promising future.
While everyone basked in victory,
Keqing maintained the composure befitting one of the Liyue Qixing, continuously meeting with New Eridu's officials to negotiate and plan the city's future.
During this time,
the train crew sought out Sam Li multiple times, exchanging extensive information about the starry skies with him.
About Belobog, about the Xianzhou Luofu, about the Aeons, about the Emanators...
The Trailblazer held nothing back, recounting everything about the cosmos to Sam Li and the Adepti.
After listening to the Trailblazer and Himeko,
the Adepti exchanged looks.
Cloud Retainer frowned deeply. "Beyond this world, there exists another world so wondrous..."
The Trailblazer explained, "Not just one—countless. The planets you live on now are merely one among billions upon billions in the universe..."
To this,
Sam Li wasn't surprised.
At that moment,
Himeko finally found the opportunity to ask, "Mr. Sam Li, have you ever heard of a peculiar planet called the Star of Wishes?"
Sam Li furrowed his brow slightly. "The Star of Wishes?"
Why did that name feel so familiar?
Himeko continued, "Yes, the Star of Wishes. It's said to be an immense planet, constantly covered by a special force that isolates it from the outside world, veiling it in mist... Based on the information we have, this year marks exactly five hundred years—making it the optimal time to enter."
Wait—
Five hundred years?
A sky sealed by a special force, cut off from the outside world... It felt familiar.
Suddenly,
Sam Li realized.
Wasn't that the very planet where Teyvat was located?
He hadn't expected the Star of Wishes they were searching for to be the world of Teyvat itself.
Thinking this through,
Sam Li didn't reveal anything, only wearing a thoughtful expression.
Teyvat had been sealed off for millennia. The last major upheaval occurred when the Traveler and their sibling arrived...
Now the train crew was coming. Who knew what changes would befall Teyvat this time?
Himeko asked earnestly, "Mr. Sam Li, do you know?"
Sam Li answered slowly, "I know a little."
Hearing this,
Himeko, March 7th, Dan Heng, and the Trailblazer were overjoyed.
They had asked everyone, yet none of the Adepti knew anything—not even the ever-arrogant Herta could observe more. But Sam Li actually knew.
March 7th quickly urged, "Tell us about that planet! Dan Heng's Senior is there!"
Sam Li said calmly, "It's a very peculiar planet. It's not something I can explain in a few words. Rather than discussing it here, it's better for you to see it for yourselves."
The Trailblazer agreed. "I feel the same. Seeing is better than talking."
However,
Sam Li did give them one warning:
Once they entered the Star of Wishes, they must not provoke the floating island in the sky.
The Trailblazer noted it immediately.
March 7th brightened. "Mr. Sam Li, why don't you come with us?"