[Look at Jing Yuan's eyes—he's looking at him like trash.]
[Jing Yuan's words are the real heart-stabbing ones.]
[Taoran thought he predicted your prediction, but Jing Yuan already predicted that you predicted his prediction of your prediction.]
[??? Bro can you stop with the wordplay and just speak human?]
— —
With the "Wolf Hunt Ring Defense" operation concluded, emissaries from the Equilibrium Commission consoled the citizens, and the momentary panic quickly subsided.
In the Alchemy Commission, Stelle is mourning someone.
March 7th's camera sits on a stone chair.
Bailu and Stelle are wiping tears, crying dramatically.
"Wuwuwu… Miss March 7th…"
[????]
[No way? March 7th is gone?]
[Opening thunderstrike!]
[miHoYo what the hell? What did my March 7th ever do to you? Why is she gone!!!]
[Wuwuwuwu… It's over. March fans are cooked for life.]
[She just clung to a leg—did Feixiao kick her away? I remember Feixiao woke up though?]
[How could March 7th get knifed? This has to be abstract trolling right?]
[Bro… don't you think the barrage is also playing abstract?]
[…]
— —
Stelle sobs. "There were still so many things I didn't get to say…"
"Miss March! My Miss March!" Bailu cries even louder.
"I just went to the restroom for a second, and you two already arranged my funeral?" March 7th slowly walks up behind them. "Trailblazer, can you play some normal, wholesome games with Lady Dragon for once?"
[Hahaha, I lost it…]
[March 7th's disgusted little face—it's on par with hating Scott.]
[I'm dying. As expected of Stelle —even the games she plays are one-of-a-kind.]
[Bailu too—I'm gonna die laughing. Bailu usually has such a carefree personality.]
[So March 7th got pranked?]
[Arranged crystal clear.]
[March 7th's tone is pure sarcasm—her line delivery is top-tier.]
Stelle's pupils shrink. "Help! The corpse is moving!"
March 7th looks utterly done and gives a dry laugh. "Fun, huh?"
[Way too fun.]
[This is peak entertainment.]
[Fun!]
[You have no idea how fun.]
[Fun to the point of explosion—hundreds of thousands of players already gave super positive reviews.]
[Seriously so fun you can't even imagine.]
— —
March 7th sighs helplessly. "Alright! Enough playing around—we need to go visit my Masters."
Bailu points in a direction. "The ward is over there—go on your own~ Come find me to play again next time!"
"Next time, please don't play this ultra-realistic house game with Stelle, okay?"
"No choice~ During the wolf hunt operation, General Feixiao didn't give me any chance to shine." Stelle pockets her hands. "If I'd been on the ring, one bat swing and even ten Hoolays would've gone down."
"You sound exactly like Master Yanqing. But right now both he and Yunli have been sent to the Alchemy Commission for mandatory bed rest.
Sigh—the one with the lowest swordsmanship skill ended up unscathed. I really have to thank my two Masters for tanking literal tons of damage for me."
[Hey, don't say it like that.]
[Yeah yeah—you at least risked your life leg-dragging.]
[Physically dragged the leg.]
[But you clung to Feixiao's thigh!]
[Three heroes vs Lu Bu—who was the one with the dual swords? No need to remind everyone, right?]
— —
With everything settled, Stelle and March 7th head together to the Alchemy Commission to visit those heavily wounded in the Skysplitter battle.
They've barely walked a few steps when they run into Lingsha and Yunli.
"Hehe, look who's here." Lingsha had spotted them long ago. "The universally beloved Trailblazer, and little March who makes flowers bloom wherever she goes."
[Hahaha, that mouth is dripping honey.]
[No wonder she's the Cauldron Master of the Alchemy Commission.]
[And the car-bursting Dan Heng—wait, Dan Heng isn't here. Where's he idling now?]
[Sister really knows how to talk.]
Lingsha continues: "You two came to the Alchemy Commission today… Oh, I get it. Stelle must be accompanying March to visit her two Masters, right?"
March 7th nods quickly. "Yes yes—are my two Masters doing okay?"
Yunli folds her arms across her chest. "Unfortunately, only one Master is here. I'm fine though."
"Yanqing… couldn't hold on after all?" Stelle delivers her usual stable performance.
Yunli: "His injuries aren't that severe… but longer mandatory rest is still necessary. After all, he fought Hoolay fiercely, then had a… cough, very intense spar with General Feixiao! That little frame of his couldn't take it anymore."
March 7th nods at first, then quickly realizes. "Master Yunli, didn't you fight a big battle too?"
Yunli lifts her chin proudly. "Hmph, the little kids of the Luofu just don't have the same sturdy constitution as us Zhuming children!"
"By the way, Moze mentioned your group was surrounded by wolf soldiers and fought a brutal battle. Did you get hurt fighting alongside Moze?" Lingsha turns to Stelle.
Stelle recalls the arrow streaking through the sky—its power comparable to a nuke. "The enemies were basically cleaned up by General Feixiao."
Yunli chimes in. "I heard from the Cloud Knights on site. But the rumors range from dozens of wolf soldiers to thousands—currently the number is still climbing. The more versions I hear, the more ridiculous it gets!"
"Yunli, go lie down properly!" Lingsha finally remembers her duties.
Yunli reluctantly agrees. "Fine, Sister Lingsha."
March 7th: "Right—that squinting fox healer, and the hooded guy…"
"Luckily Stelle and the others found Jiaoqiu—he lost too much blood and needs proper rest. Both he and Moze are critically injured. I put them under strict lockdown—no one leaves the Alchemy Commission."
Lingsha sighs helplessly. "All three were at death's door. Thank goodness the Luofu still has a miraculous Dragon Lady who dispenses medicine—it's the silver lining in this misfortune."
"Ah, looks like the entire Yaoqing delegation is gathered in the Alchemy Commission. Should we buy some fruit and go visit General Feixiao?" March 7th rubs against Stelle's arm.
"I was going to say 'no, they need quiet rest'… but never mind. Who can blame them when their boss is just as restless."
Lingsha smiles and adds, to keep March 7th from wasting effort:
"General Feixiao slipped out of her recovery ward just now—she thinks she's sneaky. I know every move in the Alchemy Commission. If you want to visit, check around the ancient sea near Wave Moon—she headed that way."
— —
Somewhere near the Alchemy Commission…
Feixiao approaches Jiaoqiu at the railing, while Moze lingers in nearby shadows.
"Heh, from the footsteps… isn't this General Feixiao? Why aren't you following doctor's orders and resting properly? Sneaking out alone again." Jiaoqiu keeps gazing at the sea without turning.
[Honkai: Star Rail still has this good point—they don't just kill people off casually.]
[You guys don't know—seeing Jiaoqiu like that, I thought he was definitely dead. Thank goodness he survived.]
[If this were Honkai Impact 3rd, he'd have gotten the lunchbox for real.]
Feixiao asks knowingly, "What a coincidence—there's another person here ignoring doctor's orders."
"I'm a doctor myself. My understanding of my own body isn't necessarily inferior to Lady Dragon's."
"Healers don't heal themselves—don't push yourself in front of me." The smile fades from Feixiao's face. "I'm sorry, Jiaoqiu. I never expected you'd use the 'feed the wolf with poison' method. How reckless—if I'd found you sooner… if I hadn't sent you to the Shackling Prison…"
[Isn't it supposed to be worry-free, regret-free, invincible?]
[Feixiao regrets it.]
[Feixiao broke her no-regrets streak.]
[I don't think it's breaking no-regrets—just normal self-blame.]
— —
Jiaoqiu smiles calmly. "Those words—do I really know this Feixiao? Or is it a borisin assassin mimicking your voice to take my life?"
Feixiao falls silent, momentarily at a loss.
After a pause, she speaks slowly, confirming the painful truth. "Jiaoqiu… your eyes… you can't see anymore, can you?"
[Ah?]
[Blind?]
[Now he's a genuine squinting fox.]
[Damn it! Why make Jiaoqiu blind? Why?!]
[You think eating Stumbling Powder—where medicine is three parts poison—was going to let him off easy? Getting his life back was already lucky.]
[Don't worry too much—Star Rail's tech tree is high. Later they can just find a Genius Society member to fix Jiaoqiu's eyes. Didn't they mention Ruan Mei in the first half?]
[Ruan Mei treatment—those eyes still usable? Might turn into laser eyes instead.]
— —
"I can still hear the waves clearly… that's enough for now." Jiaoqiu slowly turns. His eyes are tightly shut, but his expression is surprisingly relaxed. "No need for guilt. You know what I care about more: after swallowing the 'Crimson Moon,' has your body changed in any way?"
"I don't know—it seems unchanged… but so many doubts that used to plague me have simply vanished…"
"I thought I'd never live to hear you talk about your own body again… but thank Moze and that kid. Compared to the outcome now, the price I paid is truly negligible…
I have no complaints, Feixiao. I'm content."
"I don't know how to say comforting words or how to heal others." Feixiao clenches her fists. "I'm just a martial artist—so all I can give you is one promise…"
"'An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.'" Moze steps out from the shadows.
Jiaoqiu looks shocked. "So you're here too."
[Sigh, suddenly heartbroken.]
[Moze wasn't always there?]
[He was always there—probably protecting Jiaoqiu. Eyes blind now.]
[So Jiaoqiu really can't see anymore.]
— —
"The universe is vast—someone out there can heal your eyes. I'll find them. Until then…"
"The threats behind this storm need cleaning up too." Jiaoqiu smiles faintly. "You already have an idea, don't you? Say it."
"The Disciples of Sanctus Medicus resurfacing, borisin gathering… the black hand behind the scenes stirring chaos wants the Alliance stretched thin, ultimately like an arrow that misses every mark. Unfortunately this time, they picked the wrong target. Once I return to the Yaoqing, I will personally lead the Verdantia Army on campaign…"
As she speaks, azure winds swirl around Feixiao. "I swear to shoot down one Lord Ravager—make the Antimatter Legion understand the meaning of the Hunt."
Jiaoqiu doesn't stop her. "I knew it… you're always the impatient type who can't sit still."
[Phantylia: Oh no—it's coming for me.]
[The Hunt's revenge knows no end!]
[Lord Ravager kicked an iron plate.]
[What's the meaning of the Hunt? No overnight grudges—revenge on the spot!]
[Great victory is assured!]
[Recovering foreshadowing—the Hunt's revenge will come.]
[Phantylia now has two big heads.]
— —
The perspective shifts to the Seat of Divine Foresight.
The three generals gather once more.
Jing Yuan first explains that before heading to Jade Retreat, Fu Xuan divined a hexagram—even with twists and turns, all would pass safely.
Fu Xuan told Jing Yuan to trust in the power of the young.
[If Feixiao hadn't acted, the Luofu would've been destroyed by the Crimson Moon.]
[Not wrong though—at that point Yunli, Yanqing, and March 7th were already half-dead from Hoolay. Their health bars were empty.]
[Feixiao basically just blocked one hit for Yanqing.]
[Actually, I think Hoolay didn't lose—he really turned a dead game around.]
[How so?]
[Because Feixiao swallowed the Crimson Moon. Whether Moon Rage is cured or not, the borisin successor has been found—it's Feixiao. Hoolay living or dying doesn't matter, but finding the Crimson Moon's heir is huge.]
[But Feixiao would never become borisin leader.]
[Doesn't matter if she does—the seed is planted. What it grows into isn't Hoolay's concern anymore.]
— —
Afterward, inquiries from Alliance high command and issues related to the Martial Exhibition Ceremony all have effective resolutions.
But ultimately, one person remains the focal point.
"With that, Luofu's internal matters are settled." Huaiyan strokes his beard. "But I'm more worried about the black hand behind this calamity—from the Ambrosial Arbor disaster onward, every upheaval the Luofu has faced ties back to the Lord Ravager 'Phantylia.'"
Feixiao neither confirms nor denies. "Manipulating borisin to infiltrate the Xianzhou, inciting Luofu Dragon Preceptors to join the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus… Though from the results, her schemes failed for now. But I have a feeling… maybe she doesn't care whether her plans succeed."
Jing Yuan adds, "From her past patterns, Phantylia cares less about military victory and more about sowing discord among allies, planting seeds of chaos. If the Alliance can't mend these rifts, it will eventually crumble into dust."
Huaiyan feels the final divine war isn't far off.
And Marshal has already ordered General Yaoguang to divine and calculate the grand outline.
Suddenly Huaiyan changes topic. "The reason I summoned you three today isn't just to discuss Luofu's troubles—there's one more matter that requires all three of us present—
Yaoguang sent her communication seal from Jade Retreat Immortal Ship. She wishes to share the results she's divined and calculated in the array recently.
Jing Yuan—I need to borrow the 'chessboard' in the Seat of Divine Foresight."
Deep within Jade Retreat Immortal Ship, an ancient "Clock" is struck. Its ripples glide through gravitational ravines.
Thus light erupts from the chessboard's grid, weaving into the seal of General Rongtao.