Alchemy Commission.
After watching this segment of the story, Bailu felt a complicated mix of emotions.
Though it was just an in-game plotline, she couldn't shake a faint sense of loss.
From a third-person perspective…
This Heliobi really wasn't bad at all.
It had even stepped forward willingly when she was trapped.
Bailu couldn't help but sigh: "If only we could let Luxie out to play someday..."
She knew it wasn't realistic.
Once this story was over, she'd go visit Luxie by the Creation Furnace.
Even though they'd never met in reality…
Bailu still wanted to talk with Luxie, to chat like friends.
Beside her, Jingliu remarked softly: "It's wonderful to see Lady Bailu so full of vitality."
"It's just a shame she's constantly restrained by the medical staff, deprived of freedom and joy."
"If Lady Bailu minds, perhaps you could bring it up with the General."
"Jing Yuan, you'd understand, wouldn't you?"
Jing Yuan immediately wore a wry smile.
What kind of question was that?!
Even Jingliu was speaking up now…
He could only reply: "I'll notify the Alchemy Commission to arrange more outings for Lady Bailu—perhaps an extra half-day off each week..."
Bailu's face lit up with joy!
"Thank you, Sister Jingliu!"
"Actually, things are already pretty good now!"
"As long as they don't confiscate my Jade Abacus, I'm fine."
"In this game, even if I never leave home, I can still roam the world as a Nameless~"
That single "Sister Jingliu" actually drew a rare, faint smile from Jingliu!
And then—Blade spoke up.
He pulled out his phone and sent Bailu his contact info.
"If anyone locks you up again, call me."
Jing Yuan: "..."
Could you not add fuel to the fire?
But Bailu had already saved the number, grinning brightly.
"Thank you, Uncle Blade!"
Jing Yuan sighed helplessly.
Once Bailu played Honkai: Star Rail a bit longer, she'd realize just who this "Sister Jingliu" and "Uncle Blade" really were.
From now on…
She could practically strut sideways across the Xianzhou!
It seemed he'd have to "visit" more often under the pretext of "checking in."
Still, despite her childishness, Bailu was kind-hearted and adorable.
And now that the ambitious Dragon Elders eyeing her had all been purged…
He probably didn't need to worry too much.
Back to the story—
As the Heliobi vanished, Bailu snapped out of her playful obsession.
Guiltily, she murmured: "My memories are fuzzy, but... I think I did a lot of weird things earlier..."
Guinaifen reassured her: "Don't feel bad, Lady Bailu. Just treat it like a dream where you played freely—it wasn't your fault."
Bailu fidgeted. "But... everyone went to so much trouble for me... I remember, and I feel awful."
Guinaifen chuckled. "Wanting to escape when you're restrained or confined is just human nature. The problem lies with the adults who keep trying to 'correct' you, who dictate what you 'should' do."
"I'd prepared an apology speech... Big Sis, you're messing up my script."
Guinaifen grinned. "Why apologize? I'm like you—even though I'm almost an adult, I still miss the days of running around barefoot as a kid."
"Getting scolded by elders, being told to do this and that, pressured to 'act mature'... Then came the rebellion, the running away, proving I could survive on my own. That's how I ended up settling on the Xianzhou."
"Turns out, whether you're the Dragon Lady or just an ordinary person like me, most lives follow similar paths."
"One day, Lady Bailu, you'll have the strength to leave this chapter behind and move on to the next. So my advice? Cherish the fun you have now—don't keep apologizing for its struggles."
Bailu blinked. "Big Sis, you're really good at motivational speeches. Want to hang a shingle at the Alchemy Commission as a therapist?"
The moment this scene played out—
Chat exploded!
"Guinaifen's so sweet!"
"Bailu's so mature too!"
"The streamer's right!"
"Xiao Guizi's so warm!"
"Someone @ the Dragon Elders for me!"
"Bruh I was laughing my head off and then this emotional dialogue hit me like a truck!"
"I think I've been possessed by a Heliobi—I get antsy if I don't watch Xiao Guizi's Star Rail streams daily!"
"Check the bottom-right corner—why are Xiao Guizi's eyes glinting?"
"Did the streamer just… emotionally wreck herself?"
"Streamer, take off your colored contacts..."
On camera, Guinaifen took a deep breath.
Yep.
She'd gotten a little carried away by her in-game monologue.
Memories of her childhood resurfaced…
But thankfully—
Guinaifen was a professional streamer.
She wouldn't let her emotions derail the broadcast.
It was fine.
Those painful, unbearable experiences were in the past.
Her job now was to bring everyone joy!
With that thought, her eyes cleared.
"Hey, folks, notice something?"
"Bailu's basically Yu Ling's favorite child—she gets story content every patch and even pops up in side quests!"
Chat fired back:
"Well, she's adorable and kind-hearted!"
"Then what about my boy Jing Yuan? He shows up for every Luofu-related event and actually contributes!"
"Like this Ghost-Hunting Squad—Lao Jing's making another appearance!"
"Bailu's at least the mascot of Star Rail—Jing Yuan's just an overworked corporate slave with no life!"
"Speaking of which… General Jing Yuan's getting old. Why no wife or kids?"
"Jing Yuan: 'The Luofu isn't prosperous yet—how can I spare thoughts for romance?!'"
"Damn, Jing Yuan… the Luofu would collapse without you!"
"Hey, my boy Yanqing won't stand for this! He gets beaten up in every Luofu event—by different people too! What does that say about his worth?"
"No way! There's no chance Yanqing gets clobbered in this storyline, right?"
Reading the chat, Guinaifen's lips twitched.
Star Rail players really had no filter!
Did they not fear Jing Yuan might be watching?!
…Nah.
The General was swamped with work—no way he'd lurk in some random streamer's chat.
Back to the mission!
This clearly wasn't the only Heliobi.
After leaving the Illusory Maze, the group reflected.
"Honestly… Luxie didn't seem as dangerous as other Heliobis we've heard of."
Sushang nodded. "Yeah, aside from the cardio workout, it wasn't exactly heart-stopping. Though a few more laps and I'd be filing for workers' comp."
"Heliobis aren't inherently good or evil—they just act on their desires and emotions. Hopefully, the others will be this easy to handle."
[It's good that this was resolved smoothly.]
Bailu sighed. "I should probably turn myself in to the two medics who were searching for me."
Next—
It was time to announce their victory in the Luofu Digest.
They had to downplay the danger to avoid panic while still making it eye-catching enough to showcase the Ghost-Hunting Squad's triumph.
This was as tricky as exorcising the Heliobi!
Luckily, players didn't have to write the article themselves.
Three pre-written options appeared:
[Shocking Headline]
[Mystery Feature]
[Gossip Column]
Guinaifen selected [Mystery Feature].
The article auto-generated:
[The Truth Revealed! A Case of Spacetime Σ-Phenomenon!]
Guinaifen stared.
"Holy—!"
"This is way too convenient!"
"Am I studying journalism in Star Rail now?"
"Wait, no—I'm running a marketing account in Star Rail!"
To be continued…
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