Seeing the faintly threatening tone in Jing Yuan's words, Scaramouche let out a cold, scornful laugh, clearly ready to fire back again.
But as their bickering continued, time slipped away unnoticed—
The twenty-minute countdown hit zero.
[Ding! Time's up!]
[Now playing: One of the Divine Plot Highlights of Honkai Star Rail, edited by a content creator from Blue Star — Penacony Arc!]
The system's voice echoed through everyone's minds.
"Divine Plot of Honkai Star Rail… the Penacony Arc?!"
"So it's going to show a story about Penacony?" March 7th blinked in surprise.
"We were just about to head there… and now this thing shows up, playing a story about Penacony?"
"Is that really just a coincidence?" Himeko frowned, clearly deep in thought.
"Could this be the Family's doing?" Dan Heng asked, glancing at Welt.
"Too little information. We can't reach any conclusions yet," Welt replied calmly.
"But if it truly is their handiwork… what are they trying to achieve?"
"First gathering all factions at Penacony, and then introducing this… device…"
After a brief exchange, the two fell silent.
There simply wasn't enough evidence to form anything concrete.
"Penacony Arc?"
"What even is that?"
"And Honkai Star Rail… what does that mean?"
"Is it some kind of railway called the Star Expanse?"
"Ugh, my head hurts. None of this makes sense!"
On Teyvat, Paimon looked utterly lost.
She understood every individual word —
yet when they were put together, she had no idea what they meant.
Star Rail. Penacony.
Names she'd never heard before.
"It is strange…" Lumine murmured.
"It doesn't feel like something from Teyvat at all."
Mondstadt — Acting Grand Master's Office
"Penacony…" Jean pressed her fingers to her temple.
"Lisa, you studied in Sumeru. Have you ever heard of this place?"
"No," Lisa replied after a moment's thought.
"None at all. As far as I know, there's no such location among the Seven Nations."
"Could it be a relic of some ancient civilization?"
The office door suddenly opened, and Diluc stepped inside.
"Diluc, you see it too?" Lisa asked, surprised.
"Yes. That strange screen," he confirmed.
"That's why I came."
"And how are the citizens of Mondstadt?" Jean asked quickly.
"No abnormalities," Diluc answered calmly.
"Most of them don't seem to see this live room at all."
With his usual meticulous nature, he had already conducted discreet investigations —
and the result was clear.
"So it doesn't let just anyone in…?"
Lisa chuckled softly. "Now that is interesting."
Liyue — The Jade Chamber
"Yelan, what did you find?" Ningguang asked.
"Most areas are normal," Yelan reported.
"Only a very small number of people can see the live room — same as us."
"Who are they?"
Yelan handed over a list.
"Consultant Zhongli, Director Hu Tao…"
"Yanfei, Xingqiu, second young master of the Feiyun Commerce Guild…"
Ningguang quietly read each name aloud, expression thoughtful.
Fontaine — Palais Mermonia
"Yesss! We get to watch a story!"
"At least I won't be bored anymore!"
Inside Neuvillette's office, Furina was practically bouncing with excitement.
"Lady Furina," he said wearily, "you do realize the origin of this thing is highly suspicious?"
"There may be hidden dangers."
"Oh, relax!" she waved him off.
"I'm the Hydro Archon of Fontaine — Furina Focalors! What's there to be afraid of?"
Saying that, she laughed brightly, showing no concern whatsoever.
"…As long as you're happy," Neuvillette sighed, choosing not to argue.
Yet behind her carefree smile, even Furina couldn't completely shake the unease in her heart.
What exactly is this thing…?
And will it bring harm to Fontaine?
Neuvillette lowered his gaze.
This requires covert investigation.
Back in the Live Room
Ignoring everyone's shock, the system immediately began playing the video.
[First of all, thank you for watching my edited compilation.]
[However, to help those unfamiliar with the lore and avoid confusion, I'll begin with a short explanation of the Honkai Star Rail world setting.]
[If you already understand it, feel free to skip ahead!]
The voice of the editor calmly filled the space.
"World of Honkai Star Rail?" March asked in the chat.
"Is that referring to our world?"
Fu Xuan:
"From the sound of it, most likely."
"But I am more curious about who this 'editor' really is."
Steluna:
"By the way… isn't anyone curious what a 'cloud player' means?"
Silver Wolf:
"A cloud player refers to someone who knows a game only indirectly, without actually playing it."
"They usually understand very little, yet speak with unjustified confidence."
Somewhere unknown, Silver Wolf answered with admirable precision.
Steluna:
"..."
"Thanks. Without you, I'd still be confused."
Jing Yuan:
"Haha, I think Steluna meant why viewers of a lore explanation are called 'cloud players' in the first place."
Steluna:
"As expected of the Divine Foresight General — you get me completely!"
Sinking back into the sofa, she couldn't help chuckling.
After all, she played plenty of games herself.
But hearing someone explain their own world like it was part of a game?
That was unsettling.
Boothill:
"Thunderin' stardust, we live in this world — who here wouldn't know its basics?"
"Skip this fluff and get to the good stuff already!"
He clearly had no patience for the introductory lecture.
Scaramouche:
"And who are you to decide that?"
"What makes you think your words carry any weight?"
The moment Boothill's name popped up again, Scaramouche snapped.
Boothill:
"Oh right, forgot the primitive was still here."
"Sorry I stepped on your sore spot, partner."
Lumine:
"…Somehow it feels like we're getting dragged into this too."
Hu Tao:
"Mr. Boothill, we don't mind you disliking Scaramouche…"
"He does seem rather uncouth."
"But maybe avoid throwing around terms like 'primitive' and 'native', yeah?"
"If he's a primitive, then wouldn't we all be?"
Her blunt honesty was unmistakably Hu Tao.
Boothill:
"Oh? You folks are from the same world?"
"Well— cough, cough!"
"You're right, Miss Hu Tao. No offense meant. I'll watch my words."
To his credit, Boothill adjusted immediately.
Scaramouche:
"Little girl, who are you calling uncivilized? Ever heard the saying 'watch your tongue'?"
Paimon:
"@Zhongli Your Director's getting threatened! Are you just gonna sit there?!"
Lumine:
"@Zhongli +1"
Venti:
"@Zhongli +2"
Zhongli:
"..."
Zhongli:
"Sir Scaramouche, I would ask that you grant me this small courtesy and spare my young Director."
"She is still young — from a rational perspective, her words are merely childish innocence."
Dragged out by the coordinated tagging, Zhongli finally spoke up.
Scaramouche:
"Your face? And who are you supposed to be?"
At this point, even the audacity was impressive.
Wangshu Inn
"Disrespecting the Adepti…!"
Xiao paid no attention to anything else. He was already gripping his weapon, ready to move.
But a calm, distant voice reached his ears.
"I shall make a personal visit when time permits."
Gentle. Authoritative.
"…Yes, Rex Lapis."
At those words, Xiao immediately retreated into silence.
"Wow, he really insulted the Geo Archon too…" Lumine muttered in disbelief.
"At this rate, we might not even need to do anything to save Nahida."
"You think Zhongli will actually go?" Paimon whispered.
"He's basically retired… all he does is stroll birds and listen to storytelling now."
"Let's just wait and see," Lumine shrugged.
"If Scaramouche keeps provoking him, even Zhongli might snap."
As Zhongli fell silent, the barrage slowly calmed —
and the video continued smoothly.
[You all understand the concept of the universe. Honkai Star Rail is set within such a vast cosmic expanse.]
[Within it exist countless miracles beyond imagination.]
[And foremost among them… the Aeons.]
[In this universe, the Aeons are great beings embodying highly condensed philosophical ideals…]
The editor's narration flowed clearly, systematically explaining the core cosmology of the Star Rail universe.
Dr. Ratio:
"An excellent explanation. Quite suitable for enlightening the ignorant."
Jing Yuan:
"Indeed. Concise, logical, and well-structured."
Hook:
"Wow… so the universe is that big? After hearing this, Hook really wants to explore it too!"
March 7th:
"Then hurry up and grow big and join the Astral Express!"
"You can measure the universe yourself!"
The commentary received overwhelming praise from the people of the Star Rail universe.
Lumine:
"It is very well explained…"
"But… this doesn't feel like our world at all."
By now she was certain —
none of what the video described belonged to Teyvat.
There were no Aeons here.
No Paths.
No Stellar Deities.
Boothill:
"It's not your world? That's a new one."
"You telling me there's another world out here?"
"Nah, your home must just be too remote. Never linked up with interstellar routes."
"That's why it all sounds like nonsense to you."
He paused, then typed:
"Look, the Astral Express is right there."
"Why not have 'em swing by your world?"
"Let them hook you up to the Star Rail too."
Paimon:
"L-Link up the Star Rail…?"
"Is that… really possible?"
Her eyes glittered with sudden imagination.
After all…
a bigger universe meant more delicious food.
And that alone made it sound very appealing.
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