The moment Huo Linfei's foot touched the Astral Express's metal floor, a sharp shriek exploded inside his head.
[Faction change detected!]
[Identifying Astral Express group—]
[Warning! Warning!]
[Recommended: Host should join Herta Space Station! This organization's research capabilities far exceed the current group!]
"Shut up!" Huo Linfei blurted out.
March 7th, walking ahead, whipped around. "Huh? I didn't say anything?"
Her pink hair swayed lightly as she tilted her head.
Huo Linfei rubbed his temples in embarrassment. "Not you… I meant the noisy thing in my head."
[After precise calculations, remaining on the space station is the optimal choice!]
The system's mechanical voice suddenly sounded… oddly human, even a little aggrieved.
[Herta Space Station's research equipment is 114.514 times more advanced than this lousy train!]
"If you say that number again, I swear I'll burn myself with Energion," Huo Linfei hissed under his breath.
"Pfft—" March 7th burst out laughing. "You look so dumb arguing with yourself!"
Huo Linfei was about to clap back when a fluffy creature—somewhere between a bear and a rabbit—suddenly hopped out from the connector between cars, nearly smacking into his face.
"Hello, new passenger! I'm the conductor, Pom-Pom!" Pom-Pom raised a round little paw and solemnly handed him a shiny ticket. "This is your personal ticket! Please keep it safe!"
The instant Huo Linfei took it, another system prompt detonated across his vision:
[Key item acquired: Astral Express Pass]
[Faction locked: Astral Express member (temporary)]
[This system files a solemn protest! A solemn protest!]
"Thank you, Conductor Pom-Pom," Huo Linfei said, forcing a polite smile through the headache. He bent down and shook Pom-Pom's paw. "Um—where's the restroom? I need to have a private talk with my… 'little assistant.'"
Five minutes later, Huo Linfei had locked himself inside the bathroom. He stared into the mirror, grinding his teeth.
"Where'd the cold, aloof act go? Why are you such a chatterbox now? Can you please calm down?!"
[This system is a growth-assistance program tailor-made for the host!]
The voice abruptly shifted into a childish, chirpy tone.
[Only by joining the Genius Society can the host's full potential be realized!]
"Don't sell me that!" Huo Linfei lowered his voice. "You think I don't know? That 'Lord of Silence'—Polka-whatever—doesn't give a damn whether I join the station or not. This is you acting on your own!"
The system went quiet.
After a moment, a small line of text appeared in his field of view:
[…How does the host know that?]
"Guesswork." Huo Linfei smugly flicked his still-not-fully-restored pink bangs. "You think I'm stupid? If that big shot really cared, they'd have shown up personally. They wouldn't need you to nag me."
In the mirror, Huo Linfei watched a translucent, furious emoticon pop up on his forehead:
(╯°□°)╯︵┻━┻
[…This system is entering silent mode.]
[But sooner or later, the host will understand this system's good intentions!]
"Finally, some peace…" Huo Linfei exhaled deeply and pushed the door open—
—and promptly ran into a "human wall."
Dan Heng stood there with arms crossed, leaning against the corridor wall.
"Uh… hi?" Huo Linfei gave a stiff laugh. "The restroom's pretty clean, huh…"
"Himeko wants to see you," Dan Heng said simply, turning to lead the way. "Don't keep her waiting."
Following Dan Heng through the train's retro-styled interior, Huo Linfei couldn't help looking around.
The Astral Express was far roomier than he'd imagined. Beyond the windows, the flowing starfield was so beautiful it didn't feel real. A few mechanical lifeforms were cleaning; they all offered respectful salutes as the two passed.
"So…" Huo Linfei quickened his pace to walk beside Dan Heng. "Where are we headed next?"
"Jarilo-VI." Dan Heng glanced at him. "A planet the Express has visited before."
Huo Linfei whistled. "Sounds like a moon."
"It's not." Dan Heng stopped in front of an ornate wooden door, giving Huo Linfei a meaningful look. "According to older records, its environment used to be decent. I hope your body has recovered."
Before Huo Linfei could respond, the door slid open automatically.
The scent of coffee drifted out. A red-haired woman sat gracefully in an armchair, a white porcelain cup steaming in her hand.
"Welcome to the Astral Express, Mr. Huo Linfei." Himeko smiled and gestured for him to sit. "I'm Himeko, the navigator of this train."
Huo Linfei had only just taken a seat when footsteps approached from behind.
Welt Yang entered with Stelle and March 7th. March 7th was carrying a pile of snacks.
"Everyone's here," Welt said, adjusting his glasses. "Huo Linfei, we need to understand your abilities. That information is important for what comes next."
"Basically you can turn into a flame warrior?" March 7th spoke through a mouthful of chips. "It's pretty cool, but last time you almost combusted…"
Stelle silently walked up and sat next to Huo Linfei, then suddenly poked his bright pink hair.
"It's lighter," she observed.
"Thanks for the update," Huo Linfei replied flatly, rolling his eyes. Then he turned to Welt. "Honestly, I'm still figuring it out myself. Energion is like… a life-based potential energy. I can convert it into flames or other energy forms. For now I still need this thing—the Ability Lock—and…"
He paused.
"What is it?" Himeko noticed his hesitation.
"N-nothing," Huo Linfei said quickly.
But when he raised his arm, he realized the Ability Lock had gone translucent. If he couldn't feel its weight on his wrist, he might've thought it vanished entirely.
He steadied himself, focused, and called up the Energion within him.
The Phantom Qilin Armament flickered across his body—then died out after only a few seconds.
[Energion insufficient: 20%]
[Recommendation: replenish energy source]
Huo Linfei shook his hand. "Recovery's slow after I overdraw it."
Himeko looked thoughtful. "It doesn't resemble any known Path…"
"Do you need specific conditions to replenish it?" Welt asked seriously.
"In theory, any living being has Energion, but…" Huo Linfei's eyes suddenly flicked to Stelle, who was quietly stealing snacks from March 7th. "Maybe Stellaron energy can work?"
Stelle immediately hugged the snack bag protectively. "Not trading."
"I'm not asking for your snacks!" Huo Linfei laughed helplessly. "I mean… that resonance thing earlier—"
Welt and Himeko exchanged a look.
"That proposal is risky," Welt said, frowning. "Last time you two made contact, the entire medical ward lost power."
"But it's theoretically feasible." Himeko set her cup down gently. "If we control it properly, it might help Huo Linfei recover quickly. Stelle—are you willing to try?"
Stelle tilted her head, thinking. Then she stuffed the snack bag into March 7th's arms.
"Okay. But I want payment."
"What kind of payment?" Huo Linfei asked, instantly wary.
Stelle pointed at his hair. "Turn pink again. Looks good."
March 7th nearly choked on her chips. "Stelle! That's my signature hair color!"
Under everyone's bemused stares, Huo Linfei and Stelle sat facing each other on the carpet.
Welt laid down a protective field. Dan Heng stood to the side with spear in hand, on guard. March 7th nervously crumpled an empty chip bag in her fist.
"Begin," Welt said with a nod.
Stelle reached out. Huo Linfei took a deep breath and clasped her hand.
That familiar resonance surged again—yet this time it didn't spiral out of control.
He could feel Stelle's Stellaron energy like a dark undercurrent beneath a glacier—cold, massive, silent. His Energion, by contrast, was like magma from the planet's core.
Opposing forces.
And yet, somehow, they found an impossible equilibrium.
[Energion charging: 30%… 45%… 60%…]
[Warning: Stellaron energy is excessively vast]
[Recommendation: disconnect]
Huo Linfei was about to let go—
—but Stelle tightened her grip on his wrist.
"Not enough," she said.
Golden light from the Stellaron and the crimson glow of Energion spun into a vortex between them. A power Huo Linfei had never felt before poured into his body.
Fragments of memory flashed—Huo Linfei training in the Superbeast world… (Did he ever actually train?!)
"That's enough!" Welt cut in abruptly, separating the two with his cane.
Huo Linfei stumbled back several steps, realizing his entire body was wrapped in a faint red aura.
Instinct took over.
He raised a Jeet Kune Do stance.
A single side kick snapped out—its shockwave rattling a vase three meters away, making it wobble violently.
"Whoa!" March 7th's eyes widened. "That's even cooler than the flame armor!"
[Energion restored: 85%]
[New skill unlocked: Jeet Kune Do fusion technique]
[Note: Due to host subconscious preference, combat system auto-adapted]
Huo Linfei stared at his hands in delight. "Huo Linfei's a Bruce Lee superfan… so now I can use Jeet Kune Do too?"
"What 'Lee'?" Dan Heng immediately caught the keyword.
"Uh—some martial arts master from my hometown," Huo Linfei improvised at lightning speed. "I learned a couple moves from him…"
Welt looked contemplative. "This energy seems to evolve according to the host's cognition… a very unique trait."
Himeko stood and applauded softly. "Looks like our new member will be solid combat support. Get ready—six hours until we reach Jarilo-VI."
Everyone began to file out of the meeting room.
Just as Huo Linfei moved to follow, Stelle stopped him.
"Wait."
She produced a small mirror from who-knows-where and held it up with solemn seriousness.
In the reflection—
Huo Linfei's hair was once again a vivid, unapologetic pink.
"Payment," Stelle said, nodding with satisfaction as she walked away.
Huo Linfei froze in place.
Then March 7th's shriek echoed from behind him:
"Stelle! You cheated!"
[Ding!]
[Although the host insisted on staying with the Astral Express]
[This system has detected a 23.8% increase in combat effectiveness]
[…Reluctantly acknowledges the current choice]
Huo Linfei rolled his eyes. "Shut up."
The system responded with an emoticon:
(:3」∠)
Outside the window, Jarilo-VI was now clearly visible. The planet being covered in snow came as a surprise to the others.
Huo Linfei didn't particularly care. He touched his freshly pink hair and comforted himself with a sigh—
"At least it's better than getting launched by a Hundred-Ton King."
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In Star Rail, Ultra-Beast Armored — Have I Caught "Equilibrium"? (All Chapter 26)
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