"This plot is completely different from the original... It seems the Xianzhou storyline has undergone a major overhaul."
After carefully reviewing the narrative from Cloudford to the Central Starskiff Haven, Little Bear reached this conclusion.
"Looking at it this way, Lumina's status, both in-game and in the lore, is exceptionally high."
The Closed Beta storyline could be rewritten on a whim, and her in-game prestige kept reaching absurd heights with each update. Little Bear refused to believe she wasn't the developer's favorite.
[You're right! That's just Lumina. I've forgotten what happened before and what happens next—all that matters is she's ridiculously overpowered!]
[Hearing about her "favorite daughter" treatment makes my heart sink... They won't just kill her off later, will they?]
[Story intensity: stable. Gameplay intensity: stable. The amount of heartbreak we're in for: stable (laughing through tears).]
"Stop dwelling on potential tragedy. Let's focus on when Lumina will actually be added to the gacha pool," Little Bear said, shaking his head and silencing the frantic comments in the live stream.
Currently, there was zero information about Lumina's skill kit or her gacha release date. This meant her banner was likely at least three to four versions away.
Instead of uselessly speculating, they should use this time to thoroughly observe Lumina.
With that thought, Little Bear walked to the highlighted area in front of the Palace of Astrum, signaling the end of this "preparatory period."
As he did so, Lumina and Tingyun slowly approached.
"Everyone, are you ready?" Tingyun asked, surveying the group assembled before the Palace of Astrum. "Do you need more time to prepare?"
After their discussion about... well, let's just call it "cooperation," Lumina and Tingyun approached.
"Miss Tingyun, we're ready," Welt replied, nodding briefly.
"Hmm..." Tingyun murmured, then pulled out her phone. "During our conversation, I relayed your information to Madam Yukong."
"She's waiting for you inside the Palace of Astrum."
With a warm smile, Tingyun tucked away her phone and gestured for them to proceed.
"Uh... I don't think I need to go in, do I?" Qingque glanced at the imposing Palace of Astrum, then at Tingyun, before finally turning to her sister, Lumina.
If the Master Diviner from the Divination Commission finds out I entered the Palace of Astrum and met Madam Yukong, she'll drag me back and lecture me relentlessly...
Lumina chuckled and waved her hand dismissively. "You can stay here, Qingque. It's fine."
"This concerns Miss Tingyun, the Sky-Faring Commission, and the Astral Express. It has nothing to do with us," Lumina said.
"Of course, if you want to get involved, you're welcome to join them inside the Palace of Astrum."
As Lumina watched Qingque before her, she increasingly felt like she was looking at March 7th.
How could Qingque, the Divination Commission's brilliant prodigy and the designated successor to the Master Diviner, always act so utterly clueless around me? Lumina wondered, never once considering her own possible influence on Qingque's behavior.
"Aha... then I think I'll pass," Qingque chuckled awkwardly, scratching the back of her head and looking thoroughly foolish.
"Huh? Sister Lumina, aren't you coming with us?"
Qingque's words had barely faded when March 7th, the real airhead of the group, chimed in.
Lumina shook her head gently, patiently repeating her earlier explanation: "This is a matter for the Astral Express and the Sky-Faring Commission. Qingque and I, as outsiders, have no reason to get involved."
"Oh... okay," March 7th replied, a hint of disappointment in her voice, but she said nothing more.
After all, Sister Lumina was right. This was a matter for the Astral Express and the Sky-Faring Commission, and it wouldn't be right to involve her.
"Then... Sister Lumina, once we're done at the Sky-Faring Commission and everything's resolved, you absolutely have to show me around Luofu, okay?!"
March 7th's disappointment didn't last long. Within seconds, she was back to her usual cheerful and adorable self.
"Of course!♪" Lumina replied with a smile.
If it weren't for the players watching from outside the game, Lumina would have eagerly reached out with her wicked... ahem, her pure and holy hand, to gently ruffle March 7th's cute little head.
Sigh... If only I had the power to cut off the players' view at will.
Another desire blossomed in Lumina's heart.
"Why are you so utterly useless?" she grumbled, turning her frustration on the hapless System.
Unable to obtain what she longed for, Lumina needed someone to vent her anger on. The useless System, as always, became her target.
[...]
The System, now Lumina's punching bag, dared not speak, question, or protest. After all... it truly couldn't do anything. /T_T~/
Lumina pushed the thought aside. What's unattainable will always remain unattainable.
"Let's hurry inside. As the head of the Sky-Faring Commission, we shouldn't keep Madam Yukong waiting too long."
"Very well, Miss Tingyun will escort you in." Tingyun nodded and led Lumina and the Astral Express Crew into the Palace of Astrum.
"Sister Lumina, I'm so sorry. It seems my divination was incorrect today..." Qingque said sincerely, pursing her lips after Tingyun and the crew entered the palace.
To apologize, you have to show your belly!
Hearing Qingque's apology, an absurdly fitting thought inexplicably popped into Lumina's mind.
But Lumina didn't voice it. Instead, she gently placed her hand on Qingque's head and softly rubbed it.
"Qingque did great♪"
"Besides, your divination wasn't wrong at all. I genuinely felt happy in Cloudford."
"So, Cloudford was my lucky place today. That part was right♪"
"Mmm..." As Lumina's hand caressed her head, Qingque couldn't help but feel a sense of contentment.
But when she heard Lumina's words, her expression suddenly turned serious. "Sister Lumina, let me try divining for you again!"
"This time, I promise I won't mess it up!"
"Alright, alright," Lumina replied, withdrawing her hand. Seeing Qingque's earnest expression, she smiled and didn't refuse.
As usual, Qingque produced the Celestial Jade and invited Lumina to choose an Albedo at random.
After Lumina made her selection, Qingque picked it up and read the divination's result.
Qingque: ...
Staring at the outcome, Qingque suddenly questioned the very fabric of her existence.
"What's wrong?" Lumina asked, her curiosity piqued.
"Sigh..." Qingque put away the Celestial Jade, her expression a mix of bewilderment and unease.
Looking at the angelic beauty before her, she hesitated for a moment before finally revealing the divination's verdict:
"Sister Lumina, your lucky location for today..."
"...is still Cloudford."