"Brothers, we've finally arrived on Xianzhou!"
In Little Bear's live stream on Bilibili, the streamer was playing the popular game Honkai: Star Rail.
Watching his in-game character finally step off the Astral Express and onto Xianzhou's soil, Little Bear exclaimed excitedly, "Let's go!"
[Known: Lumina is the final boss of Xianzhou. Also known: the Astral Express has come to help Xianzhou resolve its troubles. Therefore: we must defeat Lumina!]
[Defeat Lumina? Can we even win?! Guaranteed loss, brothers!]
[Why are we fighting an Emanator so soon? Is the Astral Express this intense?!]
[Sister Lumina, Sister Lumina, I want off the train! I want off the train!]
Little Bear shook his head at the flurry of comments flooding the screen.
Until the truth was revealed, Little Bear maintained a cautiously neutral stance, observing the situation.
After all, all the current information was just speculation based on the promotional video.
Little Bear refused to believe it. Maybe Lumina just happened to pass by and accidentally stumbled upon the Stellaron, giving the promotional video some negative publicity. She couldn't possibly be some behind-the-scenes mastermind.
"Alright, alright, stop spamming the chat," Little Bear said hastily, noticing the "Waifu Faction" and "Mommy Faction" comments on the verge of erupting into a full-blown argument in the comment section. He quickly intervened to stop them.
Then, he focused on controlling his character and resuming the main story.
"Lumina probably won't appear until after the point where the closed beta storyline ends," he said. "So there's no need to rush."
With that, Little Bear ignored the chat and concentrated on the main story.
Time passed quickly, and soon Little Bear's character reached the scene with Tingyun.
"Huh? Lumina!"
The moment he saw the pure white figure standing beside Tingyun, Little Bear gasped in surprise.
Little Bear had anticipated that her actions might alter the storyline, but she never expected the changes to manifest so quickly.
Does this mean the entire Xianzhou arc will undergo a major overhaul, just like the Space Station arc?
The moment Lumina's figure appeared on screen, the live stream's comment section erupted into a chaotic frenzy:
[Wife! Wife! Wife! Hiss, hiss...]
[Mom! Mom! Mom! Lumina Mom!]
[While you're still simping for "wife" and "mom," I've already shared a bed with Lumina. (Smiley face)]
[Meh, she's alright. National affairs are far more captivating. (Calm) I don't understand why you're so obsessed with women. (Calm)]
[Bro, you're talking tough now that you've had your turn. (Smirking)]
Little Bear scrolled past the comments without a word, long accustomed to such madness.
Guiding the character, he headed toward Lumina and Tingyun.
"Hey, hey, hey! Uncle Yang, Stelle, I think someone's here! Come quick and see!"
March 7th called out to Stelle and Welt, her gaze fixed on the figure that had appeared before them.
When she realized it was none other than Lumina, the pure white figure she had longed to meet, the light in March 7th's eyes instantly brightened.
"Sister Lumina! Sister Lumina! We've finally met!"
She rushed forward and threw herself into Lumina's embrace, relishing the comforting, calming, motherly aura emanating from her.
Lumina didn't scold her for her impulsiveness. Instead, she wrapped her arms around March 7th and gently stroked her back, enveloping her in warmth.
As she sensed Stelle and Welt approaching, Lumina tapped March 7th's shoulder, signaling her to release her grip.
"March," Lumina teased kindly, "we have company. Don't make a spectacle of yourself, now~"
Reluctantly, March 7th peeled herself away from Lumina's warm, motherly embrace.
"Sister Lumina... who is this?" Qingque asked, her gaze fixed on March 7th.
Qingque didn't think much of March 7th's impulsive embrace of Sister Lumina. I'm just a friend, she reasoned. It's not my place to meddle in such matters.
Besides, judging by the pink-haired girl's demeanor and Sister Lumina's affectionate gaze, there seemed to be no hint of romantic interest between them. They were likely just close girlfriends... or perhaps even like a mother and daughter?
Observing their dynamic, Qingque had a sudden realization. So Sister Lumina really likes having a daughter? she mused inwardly.
Oblivious to Qingque's thoughts, Lumina introduced them to each other. "This is March 7th, a passenger on the Astral Express."
"And this is Qingque, a Diviner from the Divination Commission on Luofu."
Hearing the introduction, Qingque extended her hand to March 7th with a smile. "Hello, Miss March 7th. It's a pleasure to meet you."
Seeing Qingque's outstretched hand, March 7th's eyes flickered with confusion. Realizing it was a Xianzhou handshake, she quickly extended her own and clasped it.
"Miss Qingque, hello! It's a pleasure to meet you too!"
How naive, Lumina thought, shaking her head inwardly as she watched March 7th's earnest demeanor.
March 7th had it all: looks, personality, and even brains, not to mention her undeniable charm.
After a moment of silent admiration, Lumina shifted her gaze to Stelle and Welt, who were slowly approaching.
"Does this count as our second meeting?" Stelle asked as she reached Lumina, her eyes fixed on the flawless figure before her. Her first words were a reminder of their earlier agreement.
"Of course it does," Lumina replied with a gentle smile.
"Then you can tell me now, right?" Stelle grinned back.
The Space Station, this encounter, and the upcoming trip to Penacony... that makes three times already, Stelle thought.
"Not so fast," Lumina teased. "What if I suddenly change my mind about going to Penacony?"
Lumina could easily guess what Stelle was thinking, but she had no intention of granting her wish.
So, Lumina shook her head, rejecting Stelle's proposal.
I need to leave some suspense for the players. What if they suddenly change their minds?
"Alright..." Stelle said, sounding a little disappointed, but she quickly regained her composure.
Lumina smiled, itching to ruffle Stelle's hair. But with so many people around, she suppressed the urge.
Turning to the bespectacled man, Lumina introduced herself and extended her goodwill.
"You must be Mr. Yang from the Astral Express," she said. "Hello, my name is Lumina."
"I'm Welt," he replied with a nod.
Lumina returned a slight nod. After scanning their surroundings, she addressed the group. "Let's get moving. This isn't a safe place for a chat."
She could sense multiple presences approaching. To avoid trouble, she decided retreat was the best option.
"As for these people..."
Lumina gazed at the lifeless bodies of the elderly sprawled across the ground. She extended her palm, which began to glow with a vibrant green light.
The emerald light enveloped them all, slowly lifting each body into the air.
Having completed this task, Lumina nodded in satisfaction and turned to face the others.
"Let's go♪"