Inside the villa.
Looking at the rows of mostly useless items in the system shop, Tatsuke couldn't help but shake his head.
"Why hasn't anything good shown up in the shop lately?
"Seems like... I'll have to go out for a walk to change my luck."
He called out to Sparkle, who was watching a livestream nearby, "Hey, little Sparkle, I'm heading out for a bit. Keep an eye on the house."
Sparkle pouted and grumbled, "Why call me? It's not like I can move around freely here anyway—"
But as soon as Tatsuke walked over, Sparkle immediately switched to a different expression. She put her hands on her hips and said, "It's so late—where are you going to fool around? Come back early, or I won't leave the door open for you!"
Flick!
Tatsuke playfully bopped Sparkle on the forehead and then left without another word.
In an instant, he sensed which familiar faces had arrived in his territory—Jinren Alley.
"Bailu's holed up in some shady internet café playing games? Hah, she's really into it—even crouching in the corner like a pro.
"Hmm? Huohuo's here alone... watching a livestream?
"Guess I'll go say hi."
With a single thought, Tatsuke teleported to the courtyard where Huohuo was. To avoid startling her, he deliberately approached from behind the bamboo grove, giving her some advance notice.
Huohuo tensed up, raising her flashlight.
Shhk...
"Umm... who's there...?"
Tatsuke pushed aside the bamboo blocking his path, revealing himself. He pretended to be surprised to see her there.
"Huohuo?"
Recognizing Tatsuke's voice, Huohuo relaxed.
"Big Brother... how did you get here?"
Tatsuke pointed at the livestream playing in front of her.
"Oh~" Huohuo's face lit up with realization.
"That... must be embarrassing for you to see.
"Even though I'm a judge... I'm so useless. Hiding here, watching livestreams out of fear...
"I don't even know why Yu Ling made my experiences into in-game story content.
"I'm so weak compared to Lady Hanya and Lady Xueyi...
"Yui Lng should've just made me a 3-star character so people wouldn't have to waste pulls on me..."
Tatsuke smiled faintly.
"I think Yu Ling must have had a deeper meaning in doing this."
Tail immediately piped up in Huohuo's ear:
"What's the point telling him all this?
"This guy might just be here to mock you!
"Tch, guess I'll have to step in myself—"
"Tail, don't—!"
Huohuo tried to stop it, but it was too late.
Tail materialized into a wolf-shaped form made of spiritual flames, its voice low and menacing as it growled at Tatsuke:
"If you've got nothing better to do, scram!
"I'm way fiercer in real life than in that game! I actually eat people!"
Tatsuke simply raised a finger and flicked it forward lightly.
Poof!
Tail instantly reverted to its original form—a small, flickering flame.
Its eyes widened in shock, as if it couldn't comprehend what had just happened.
The next second, it was forcibly resealed, returning to its place as Huohuo's burning tail.
"Eh?! Tail?!" Huohuo gasped. This was the first time she'd seen Tail get instantly owned upon meeting someone.
"It's fine. Tail's just a bit too impulsive sometimes."
With that, Tatsuke pinched Huohuo's cheek, leaving her stunned.
"Don't overthink it.
"I believe... being included in the game as a playable character means you must have something special about you.
"You might seem fragile on the outside, but you've got a strong heart.
"Even when you're scared, you keep pushing forward—and when it matters, you've never let anyone down."
Tail seethed internally:
"That's only because I'M here!!"
Too bad it couldn't speak for the moment.
Huohuo's eyes shimmered with unshed tears. She didn't understand how this person could know her so well—every word felt like it struck right at her heart. It was like having a gentle, patient older brother.
"Thank you, Big Brother...
"Can... can you tell Huohuo your name...?"
"Tatsuke.
"Here, have a cup of Immortal's Delight."
With a light clap of his hands, a standard-serving cup of the tea appeared on the table.
Huohuo blinked in surprise before taking a careful sip. Instantly, her eyes curved into happy crescents.
"Ah... so good..."
It was as if all her earlier fear and sadness had melted away.
"Don't worry about the livestream. No ghosts or monsters will dare cause trouble here tonight."
"Mmm..." Huohuo nodded. Coming from Tatsuke, those words felt like an absolute decree—nothing would go wrong.
"Big Brother... can you stay with Huohuo a little longer...?"
Huohuo froze.
When she turned her head, the person beside her had already vanished without a trace.
Yet, strangely, she didn't feel afraid. Instead, she quietly committed that name to memory.
"Tatsuke..."
At that moment, Tail regained a bit of freedom and peeked out from beside Huohuo, its eyes still wide.
"What the hell was that guy's deal?!
"Even I couldn't see through him?!"
Huohuo took another sip of tea. "I think he's a good person..."
"Tch, whatever you say.
"Speaking of which... is this Immortal's Delight really that good?
"Once I break free, I'm gonna possess someone and buy a cup to try it myself!"
[...]
Back at the villa.
Tatsuke refreshed the shop.
"Huh, it actually worked..."
A purple-tier item appeared in the product list.
[Heliobus Perfect Utilization Device]
- Can seal Heliobus-type entities within it, allowing for their energy to be harnessed without risk.
Recommended Uses:
Weapon Spirit Infusion: Forge self-guarding spirit blades, create "weapon spirits," or grant weapons sentience.
Purified Energy Conversion: Convert Heliobus into clean energy for interstellar travel, pocket-dimension construction, or combat applications.
Emotion-Infused Cuisine: Produce bread that temporarily enhances memory, alcohol that induces excitement, etc.
Price: 20 billion points.
Tatsuke bought it without hesitation.
Right now, points weren't the issue—useful items were.
After reading the instructions, Tatsuke murmured thoughtfully:
"This thing's pretty versatile. Only downside is how much Heliobus it consumes—gotta go catch more.
"In this converter, the energy output scales directly with the strength of the Heliobus used.
"If an average Heliobus is a battery, then a high-tier one like [Ignamar] would be a whole power plant..."
A glint flashed in his eyes.
"I know exactly who to put inside now..."
---
Alchemy Commission.
Jing Yuan, who had been dozing off, suddenly realized he'd slipped into a dream.
Before him stood a figure.
"It's you..."
"Indeed. It's been a while, General."
Jing Yuan smiled politely. "It's an honor to meet you again, sir."
Tatsuke chuckled. "No need for formalities. I know you've been troubled over how to handle Phantylia.
"I can help with that.
"Hand her over to me, and I guarantee she'll never escape."
Jing Yuan's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Sir Yu Ling... do you have a use for her?"
"Correct. She holds some value to me."
Jing Yuan laughed breezily.
"If Sir Yu Ling personally requests it, how could I refuse?
"The Luofu's victory owes much to Honkai: Star Rail's efforts.
"How should I deliver Phantylia's seal to you?"
"I'll send an attendant to the Alchemy Commission. You need only leave the containment device in the designated spot."
"Understood."
Internally, Jing Yuan was intrigued. Though Tatsuke himself wouldn't be coming, this was a chance to meet one of his subordinates—a significant step for the Luofu, and perhaps even the entire Xianzhou.
Then, Tatsuke added:
"Of course, this isn't a one-sided exchange.
"Here's a glimpse of Xianzhou's future in the upcoming storyline.
"Consider it a preview."
Future storyline?! About Xianzhou?!
Jing Yuan's gaze sharpened instantly.
He knew this was far more valuable than any other reward.
Yu Ling was willingly revealing future plot developments!
This was an absolute win!
As the misty images unfolded, Jing Yuan's breath caught.
The scene showed the Divine Foresight towering between heaven and earth, a azure dragon coiling around it. Two figures hovered mid-air, poised for battle—and those two were none other than Dan Heng and himself!
Even more shocking was the sky behind them, filled with—
"This is...?!"
Tatsuke's voice echoed in response:
"Correct. This is a future event set to unfold in Penacony."
Jing Yuan jolted awake.
The dream's final moments and Yu Ling's words still lingered vividly.
"Penacony..."
He knew this was the Astral Express's next destination.
Originally, he'd assumed the Xianzhou would have no further involvement there.
But now, it was clear—he'd been wrong.
Dead wrong.
Not only was the Xianzhou connected, but he would personally lead the Cloud Knights to Penacony as reinforcements!
Penacony was destined to become the stage for a universe-shaking event.
This intel was priceless.
"Thank you, Yu Ling."
Jing Yuan's expression shifted from solemn to resolute.
Through this "special consideration" from Yu Ling, he now understood:
The Xianzhou Luofu would face even greater challenges ahead.
In fact...
Jing Yuan now suspected that Yu Ling's true purpose in meeting him tonight was to deliver this warning.
The matter of Phantylia was secondary.
He needed to wrap up the Luofu's affairs swiftly.
"Jingliu and Blade's combat strength will be crucial...
"If possible, before that future crisis arrives, I must convince them to trust the Luofu again.
"We may not restore the glory of the High-Cloud Quintet, but if they can lend their strength at the critical moment...
"Just as they did against Phantylia.
"From now on, the Luofu must prepare—for the storm that looms on the horizon!"
To be continued…
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