"Mm, a planet affected by a Stellaron, almost completely frozen over. This is where the people underground struggle to survive."
Madam Herta introduced it with a calm tone, as if stating an objective fact.
"Those people... are they fighting?"
Cyrene looked at the two confronting sides below, especially the huge robot Svarog, and her small hands unconsciously tightened their grip on the edge of her cloak.
"For now, they are still exchanging words. That big chunk of iron is Svarog, protecting the white-haired girl Clara, and also guarding some... ancient protocols and knowledge. On the other side, the gray-haired one is Xing, the clone Jack you met; the noisy pink-haired one is March 7th; and the black-haired one is Danheng, all members of the Astral Express. The one in uniform is Bronya, one of the administrators of Belobog's Upper District. The blue-haired one holding the scythe is Seele, belonging to the Moles, which is considered the Lower District's... civilian defense organization?"
Madam Herta, uncharacteristically patient, pointed them out one by one and briefly explained the background.
Cyrene listened, half understanding, but her eyes were full of wonder: "The Astral Express... is that the legendary vessel that Ms. Baiheng spoke of, sailing through the Sea of Stars? They look like... they need help?"
She saw that the negotiations below seemed to have reached a stalemate, with Svarog's massive body exerting intense pressure.
Madam Herta chuckled, a hint of amusement in her voice: "Help? They have their own fate and trials. We are just spectators, Cyrene. Observation is the fastest way to understand this world."
She noticed that although Cyrene was still a bit nervous, she was much better than her previous state of being a scared bird in the System Space.
At least now she would actively ask questions and express curiosity, instead of being solely fearful and silent.
"That white girl... she looks so small. Isn't she cold?" Cyrene's gaze fell on Clara, carrying a natural trace of sympathy.
"She's used to it, and she is also a Pathstrider."
Madam Herta said indifferently, "Moreover, with that big chunk of iron there, no one can hurt her."
She paused and looked at Cyrene, "Instead of worrying about them, how do you feel? Being truly 'outside' for the first time."
Cyrene took a deep breath of the cold air, feeling the real touch that was completely different from the System Space, and whispered, "It's a little cold... but it's very real. I can see so many... different things and hear different sounds."
She hesitated for a moment, then added, "It's better than being alone down below..."
Madam Herta nodded slightly: "You'll get used to it. The universe is vast; there are beautiful Seas of Stars, and corners like this where people struggle to survive. You will see more in the future."
Cyrene raised her head, looking at Madam Herta's grayish-white hair being ruffled by the cold wind and her calm profile. For the first time, she didn't feel fear, but rather a vague sense of dependence.
It was this person who brought her here from endless chains of confinement. Although the method was strange and the purpose unknown, at least... she saw a different landscape.
"I... I want to see what they do next," Cyrene said, gathering her courage, her gaze returning to the snowfield below.
Madam Herta glanced at her, a flicker of satisfaction crossing her purplish-black eyes.
"Then watch closely," she whispered. "This farce triggered by the Stellaron has only just begun."
[Xianzhou Luofu · Commercial District]
Baiheng strolled along the bustling streets of Luofu. The black eye mask adorned with dark patterns on her face complemented her Xianzhou Attire, which was primarily black and accented with dark gold flowing clouds. This made her seem like a specter walking on the edge of light and shadow, naturally reducing her presence and avoiding excessive attention.
Her mission on this trip was to purchase some comfortable Furniture for Madam Herta, to arrange a corner that felt more like a "home" for Cyrene, who had recently gained partial "freedom" in the System Space, and also to organize a suitable room on the Astral Express.
Weaving between familiar shops, comparing the texture of different woods and the softness of fabrics, Baiheng felt a strange sense of peace in her heart.
This feeling of bustling about for a "home" was a luxury akin to a dream for her, an existence long considered one of the "Deceased."
Just as she stopped in front of a shop selling exquisite utensils, a small stall nearby, which was completely surrounded by people, caught her attention.
The crowd was noisy, discussions mixed with excitement.
She approached with some curiosity, and relying on her agile figure and the special vision granted by the eye mask, she easily squeezed her way to the front.
The stall owner was a charmingly smiling woman who also possessed Foxian features, eloquently promoting the goods in her hands.
"Come, come, take a look! The latest limited-edition image of General Jing Yuan of the Seat of Divine Foresight! Capturing the General's composure as he reviews documents, showing his wisdom, and his effortless grace when practicing Cloud Knights Spearmanship! Only available here! Miss it today, and collecting it later will be difficult!"
Baiheng was slightly stunned.
(Jing Yuan... General?)
She looked at the exquisitely printed "photos" in the stall owner's hand. The man in the picture, smiling yet inherently dignified, was indeed the young Jing Yuan from her memory—the boy who always liked to squint and follow Jingliu around calling her "Sister Baiheng." However, he had shed his youthful greenness and gained the accumulated presence and grit of many years.
(I never expected that lazy-looking kid from back then would actually become the General in charge of Luofu...)
A smile mixed with emotion and inexplicable relief quietly spread across Baiheng's lips.
She barely hesitated, joining the crowd to buy an image of Jing Yuan holding a Formation Saber and gazing into the distance.
Holding the paper, which was light yet felt heavy as a thousand jun, Baiheng walked to a relatively quiet street corner, leaning against the cold wall, her fingertips gently tracing Jing Yuan's face in the image.
The smile gradually faded from her face.
Since being pulled back from the brink of death by Madam Herta and existing in this state of neither living nor dead, she had not failed to try and find out what happened to the companions she cherished after her "departure."
She inquired cautiously, like searching for a reflection in a broken mirror.
The information, worn down by time, was pieced together bit by bit, forming a picture that broke her heart.
The Imbibitor Lunae Rebellion.
These four characters alone were enough to stir up a massive storm in her heart.
She learned about Dan Feng—the Vidyadhara Elder, her former comrade-in-arms—and Yingxing—the brilliant, somewhat stubborn Short-Life Species Artisan. What did they do it for?
Rumor has it... they tried to use methods beyond common sense to reverse an already fated outcome, an outcome... related to her, Baiheng?
(These two... Idiots! Madmen!)
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