Xiao Guizi's Livestream
The main quest of [Obsequies Performed, A Long Road Ahead] had just concluded. But the post-credits easter egg undoubtedly delivered a massive "surprise!" to all players. Guinaifen stood frozen for a long moment before finally exclaiming in awe:
"March 7th, you really are a prophet!"
"Is she actually a genius?"
"Got it! From now on, whatever March says at the beginning, I'm believing it!"
In the live chat, viewers were furiously debating whether Luocha was truly innocent. However, no definitive conclusion was reached. While the current storyline had revealed many secrets, details about Luocha's identity remained scarce. Players would have to wait for future updates.
...
As Guinaifen prepared to farm materials for Dan Heng (Imbibitor Lunae), she mused aloud about the next version update:
"This cliffhanger is killing me!"
"But what can we do? It is what it is."
"Those who know, know!"
"We can only hope for an early update—maybe even another preview livestream..."
"Next version, Jingliu should be added to the gacha, right?"
"Do you think Yu Ling might even drag Jingliu into a livestream?"
...
Suddenly, Guinaifen received a notification—a new video from Yu Ling! She froze for a second before immediately clicking on it.
[ "To All Players Across the Universe..." ]
The title alone made Guinaifen tense up.
"AHHHHHH!!!!"
"What's happening?!"
"Is Yu Ling stopping updates?"
"Are they shutting down the game?!"
...
In the livestream chat, after a brief silence, messages exploded like a geyser:
"What's going on? I got this notification too!"
"No way! Did Yu Ling get exposed after that last universe-wide livestream?"
"Impossible! Absolutely impossible!"
"Isn't Yu Ling suspected to be a Memory's Emissary? Who could even touch them?"
"If Honkai: Star Rail is gone... how am I supposed to live?!"
"I just pulled Dan Heng Imbibitor Lunae—is the game really shutting down?!"
...
Then, Yu Ling's next words made every player's vision go dark:
[ "For a long time to come... I will not be updating the game." ]
Guinaifen clutched her head, on the verge of tears.
"NOOOO!"
"Don't tell me... Yu Ling got targeted by some unspeakable forces because the game revealed too many secrets?!"
"If that's the case, it's understandable!"
"Yu Ling should lay low for a while—just release some events, no more big revelations!"
"We Star Rail players will always support you!"
...
The chat echoed her sentiments:
"Xiao Guizi's right!"
"I always felt Yu Ling's storytelling was too bold! The Astral Express, Stellaron Hunters, Herta Space Station, the Xianzhou, the IPC... they exposed everything!"
"Even for an Emissary, that's too much pressure! Yu Ling's under the whole universe's scrutiny now!"
"Rumors say some players have stopped believing in Aeons and now worship Yu Ling instead."
"The more we talk, the more dangerous it sounds. Yu Ling's decision to take a break is wise."
"I still haven't cleared Simulated Universe or Memory of Chaos, and there are so many side quests left... As long as the game stays, I'm fine waiting!"
Just as players—and Guinaifen—were coming to terms with this, Yu Ling's next sentence dropped like a bomb into a still lake, detonating the entire scene:
...
[ "So... I've decided to release ALL remaining content in one massive update!" ]
[ This includes everything originally planned for versions up to 1.0. ]
[ ...6 new limited 5-star characters, 3 new 4-star characters, all in this update. ]
[ ...New Trailblaze Missions, Companion Missions, and Event Quests. ]
[ Want to know the future? Everything's here—go play Honkai: Star Rail! All my work is in it! ]
The video ended with Yu Ling's signature mysterious smile.
...
This sent shockwaves through the player base:
"IS THIS FOR REAL?!"
"Someone slap me—am I dreaming?!"
"6 LIMITED 5-STARS AND 3 NEW 4-STARS?! ALL AT ONCE?! Yu Ling, ARE YOU INSANE OR AM I?!"
"By the Aeon of Elation, this is peak entertainment!"
"I can already imagine how wild Honkai: Star Rail will be tonight!"
"Tonight, the entire universe's players will lose sleep!!!"
...
Guinaifen was so excited she fell off her chair—but she didn't even feel the pain, her face flushed with exhilaration.
"The whiplash is too much!"
"One second, I thought the game was ending; the next, we get THIS?!"
"My emotions are on a rollercoaster!"
Catching her breath, she grinned.
"All I can say is..."
"Yu Ling, you absolute legend!!!"
---
Elsewhere in the Universe
Aboard the Astral Express
March 7th, Stelle, Himeko, Welt, and Pom-Pom stood frozen after watching Yu Ling's video. Their expressions were a mix of shock and awe—especially March 7th, whose brain was short-circuiting. Even the usually composed Himeko and Welt were stunned.
Pom-Pom was the first to recover, hopping onto the couch with excitement:
"Hahaha! Yu Ling, you've outdone yourself, Pom!"
"Now we can prepare for any unexpected guests!"
"As the conductor, I propose we prioritize the Express's storyline first!"
Himeko nodded. "Agreed. As the navigator, the Express's safety comes first."
Welt: "Same here."
March 7th and Stelle fist-bumped: "Us too! No more weirdos like the Memokeepers boarding!"
---
At the Alchemy Commission
Jing Yuan, Dan Heng, Jingliu, and Blade watched the video in tense silence. Even Blade frowned, visibly unsettled.
Jing Yuan broke the silence: "If I'm not mistaken, our roles in the upcoming plot will be... significant."
"This likely involves Luocha, and perhaps... the Cloud Quintet."
Jingliu: "Naturally."
Blade's eyes gleamed coldly under his bangs. "Good. I'd like to see whether this story pits us against each other... or leaves us as we are now."
Then, his phone buzzed—a message from the Stellaron Hunters group chat:
[Silver Wolf: Yu Ling really went all out this time.]
[Kafka: The universe is about to change. Everyone featured in the game's story will face upheaval. I need to prepare.]
[Sam: Jealous you all have your own arcs. I'm the only Stellaron Hunter not in the gacha yet.]
[Silver Wolf: Patience! Yu Ling won't forget you—maybe this update's 6 limited 5-stars include you!]
[Kafka: Sam's script was set in Penacony, right? Maybe you'll debut there.]
[Sam: Wonder how Yu Ling will introduce me?]
[Silver Wolf: Probably like Kafka—playable AND a boss. Your combat style's perfect for it!]
[Silver Wolf: @Blade, you alive? Say something!]
Blade typed a single reply:
[...]
Then he pocketed his phone, resuming his aloof demeanor. "Let's begin."
---
Herta Space Station
In her office, Herta, Screwllum, and Ruan Mei sat before massive screens, analyzing Honkai: Star Rail's Simulated Universe.
Herta's screen showed her battling the Swarm Disaster's final boss—the True Swarm (Complete). As her Fu Xuan fell, she pushed the screen away dismissively.
"Thoughts on this in-game Simulated Universe?"
Ruan Mei: "The combat system is standard, but the text-based events hold intriguing insights. In some ways, this format is more accessible to players."
Herta smirked. "High praise. And you, Screwllum?"
Screwllum adjusted his glasses. "We shouldn't focus solely on the Simulated Universe. The prophetic narrative deserves equal attention."
Herta rolled her eyes. "You mean following the Express's soap opera? Hard pass."
Then, Ruan Mei shared Yu Ling's video.
"What if the story returns to the Space Station?"
"Perhaps... I will become a playable character."
Herta burst out laughing. "Wishful thinking! Yu Ling just made me a puppet. If you get the same treatment, I'll never let you live it down!"
Ruan Mei remained serene. "Then let's find out."
To be continued…
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