『 [ The time is not particularly pressing. ]
[ This trailblazing expedition is a special case. Before heading to the next stop, the Astral Express must make necessary preparations regarding supplies and support. ]
[ It just so happens that Madam Herta has paved the way. Before we set off, I was planning to deliver some Leviathan fossils from Calenga Abyss to Ruan Mei, of the Genius Society, as a small favor in exchange for future cooperation. ]
[ But calculating the time, it will take at least a few weeks to return. ]
Himeko said after a moment of thought. 』
『 ....』
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
Stelle: "When did Miss Ruan Mei ever ask the Express crew for help?"
Stelle: "And what on earth are these Leviathan fossils?"
Stelle: "I don't think I've ever seen one."
March 7th: "Judging by the name, it sounds like some kind of fossil."
March 7th: "Anyway, I think going to the Luofu sounds way more fun…"
March 7th: "After all, this lady here isn't exactly cut out for archaeology!"
Dan Heng: "The problem is, if we follow this itinerary, we are destined to miss Luofu's ceremony."
Furina de Fontaine: "Oh my~ this choice suddenly seems incredibly difficult!"
Furina de Fontaine: "We have to complete the train's resupply and build connections, but we can't ignore Xianzhou Luofu's invitation either."
Furina de Fontaine: "But with time so tight, how are we supposed to choose?"
Aventurine: "I suggest we go with what I said earlier—just flip a coin and let fate decide!"
Jing Yuan: "Haha, this is indeed my oversight."
Jing Yuan: "I truly did not expect the Express crew to be so stretched thin at this particular juncture."
Jing Yuan: "Had I known earlier, I would have certainly chosen a more suitable time."
Hu Tao: "Yeah, everything is happening all at once. This is really tricky."
Hu Tao: "I suppose in the end, some compromises will have to be made?"
....
『 [ Oh, so that means… we won't be able to go to the Luofu. ]
Hearing Himeko's words, March 7th looked rather disappointed.
[ Being an adult means maintaining relationships, whether we like it or not, March. ]
[ Since the Xianzhou Luofu has extended an invitation, then as friends, the Astral Express should naturally attend. ]
[ I plan to arrange it like this: Pam will send everyone to the Luofu first. ]
[ Afterward, Welt and I will proceed to fulfill our agreement with Ruan Mei. ]
[ Stelle, March, and Dan Heng can represent the Express at the ceremony. ] 』
『 ....』
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
March 7th: "Oh, right!"
March 7th: "We can split into two groups!"
March 7th: "That way, nothing gets delayed!"
Stelle: "The question is, will this extra trip run the Express completely out of fuel?"
Welt Yang: "Not to that extent."
Welt Yang: "Although the Express seems to have reached its limits."
Welt Yang: "We did not come away empty-handed from Penacony."
Welt Yang: "With the energy provided by the trailblazing expedition in Penacony, the Express can last at least a bit longer."
Paimon: "Heheh, this is great!"
Paimon: "We won't break our promise to others, and we won't miss Luofu's celebration. It's a total win-win!"
....
『 [ Stelle, Dan Heng, any objections? ]
Welt looked at Stelle and Dan Heng, asking a question.
[ I want to play with Leviathan fossils, too! ]
Seeing Welt ask, Stelle immediately answered loudly!
[ Himeko-jie and Uncle Yang are going to do serious scientific research! ]
[ Besides, fossils can't compete with martial contests when it comes to fun, right? ]
[ Plus, you're the only one with so many friends on the Luofu. I'll be lost if you don't come along! ]
[ You have to lead the way. ] 』
『 ....』
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
March 7th: "Stelle, what's so fun about playing with Leviathan fossils? Those are just cold bones and stones!"
Stelle: "It might not be fun, but it's definitely safe!"
Stelle: "On the other hand, with this Luminary Wardance, I feel like we'll just end up as errand runners, dragged into some bizarre trouble the moment we arrive."
Stelle: "To be honest, it hasn't even been a single system hour since the Penacony trip ended. I really want to rest!"
Stelle: "You have to let me catch my breath!"
March 7th: "Uh… you do have a point."
March 7th: "But they invited us, so it wouldn't be polite not to go, right?"
Qingque: "Exactly, exactly! Our Xianzhou is currently as stable as a mountain, a true era of peace."
Qingque: "Just come and have fun, nothing will happen."
Li Sushang: "Mhm, I can testify to that!"
Li Sushang: "The Xianzhou Luofu is indeed very peaceful right now."
Li Sushang: "I patrol the streets every day, and I can barely find anyone causing trouble anymore."
Stelle: "Since my dear friends have put it that way."
Stelle: "Then I can hardly refuse such warm hospitality."
Stelle: "But let's get one thing straight—when I arrive, you all have to throw me a proper welcome feast!"
Bailu: "Tsk, look at you getting ahead of yourself."
....
『 [ Since the passengers have reached an agreement, we shall prepare to warp to the Xianzhou Luofu. ]
Seeing that the discussion had concluded, Pam began to prepare for the warp.
Meanwhile, Stelle, having nothing to do, began to wander around the cabin.
[ Calenga Abyss… what does she hope to find there? ]
[ Currently, all research on ancient beasts only proves that we know absolutely nothing about these lifeforms… ]
As Stelle strolled through the carriage, she overheard the conversation between Welt and Himeko.
[ Knowing nothing—that is precisely the domain where geniuses operate. ]
[ What science must do is pierce a hole in the veil of ignorance… ]
Himeko offered her own insight in response to Welt's doubts.
Subsequently, the two began discussing the matter using complex, highly professional terminology.
In her confusion, Stelle could only faintly catch phrases like 'Assumptive Astrobiological Chemistry' and 'Trans-dimensional Evolutionary Theory,' along with other incomprehensible, high-sounding jargon. 』
『 ....』
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
Stelle: "…"
Stelle: "Oh no, my brain is going to grow!"
Stelle: "What on earth did I just listen to?"
March 7th: "Stelle, see?"
March 7th: "I told you we aren't cut out for scientific expeditions."
March 7th: "After all, we can't even understand these professional terms!"
Furina de Fontaine: "Uh, what is this feeling of suddenly feeling completely illiterate?"
Furina de Fontaine: "The things Miss Himeko and Mr. Welt are discussing are just a bit too profound!"
Hu Tao: "I don't understand it, but it sounds incredibly impressive."
Lumine: "Miss Himeko and Mr. Welt really know a lot."
Lumine: "Paimon, when will you ever know this much?"
Paimon: "Huh?"
Paimon: "At most, I can only go… aba aba aba…"
Lumine: "Sigh, you really are a hopeless Paimon."
....
『 [ Have a safe trip, you two. ]
[ Come back soon. ]
Although she could not comprehend the academic discussion of the two elders, Stelle still chimed in, telling them to return early.
[ Stelle, don't miss us too much. ]
[ If I stumble upon some cool Leviathan fossils, I'll bring a few back as souvenirs for you. ] 』
『 ....』
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
Stelle: "Thank you, Himeko-jie!"
Stelle: "Himeko-jie is still the best!"
March 7th: "I want some too!"
March 7th: "Himeko-jie, you can't favor one over the other!"
Himeko: "Haha, everyone gets a share, don't worry."
Furina de Fontaine: "Speaking of which, this ancient beast sounds like some kind of massive creature."
Furina de Fontaine: "So, could this souvenir be a skeleton as large as a house?"
Stelle: "Ah…"
Stelle: "I don't have any space to put that!"
Dr. Veritas Ratio: "Leviathan fossils are merely a general term."
Dr. Veritas Ratio: "In fact, their appearances vary greatly, and they are not necessarily all giants."
March 7th: "That's a relief."
March 7th: "Otherwise, my room really wouldn't be able to fit it."
Stelle: "Mhm, March's room only needs to fit me."
Mualani: "Giggles, that suddenly reminds me of how Miss Stelle wanted to squeeze into Miss March 7th's suitcase and be dragged along at the very beginning!"
Silver Wolf: "Only someone with her train of thought could do something like that."
Hotaru: "Ah, isn't that quite nice?"
Hotaru: "It shows Stelle has a childlike heart."
Stelle: "Speaking of a childlike heart, where is my Clockie?"
Stelle: "Oh no, now that I've left Penacony, my Clockie is gone!"
Lumine: "In that case, the Clockwork trick can't be used either, right?"
Amber: "Such an amazing ability, it's such a pity it can't be used anymore…"
Stelle: "Forget it, at least I can still use it when I return to Penacony."
Stelle: "I'll just treat it as a region-locked skill!"
Qingque: "You really are optimistic!"
....
『 Welt and Himeko plunged back into their complex academic discussion. Seeing this, Stelle decided to find March 7th and Dan Heng to talk about something more down-to-earth.
[ Himeko-jie really understands people. ]
[ Giggles, between Leviathan fossils and the Luminary Wardance, the latter definitely sounds more interesting. ]
[ By the way… Dan Heng, this time on the Luofu, you'll get off the train and walk around with us, right? ]
As March 7th spoke, she looked toward Dan Heng.
[ Leaving you and Stelle to wander around the Luofu unsupervised? I wouldn't feel at ease. ]
[ And Mr. Welt is right. The Ambrosial Arbor crisis has just been settled, and both the long-life and short-life species are still shaken by the disaster. ]
[ Jing Yuan chose to hold the Luminary Wardance at this time clearly to demonstrate the Luofu's stability to the outside world. ]
[ Since he sent an invitation, it is only right that I go and see my old friend. ] 』
『 ....』
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
Stelle: "Not at ease?"
Stelle: "What is there to be worried about?"
Stelle: "It's not like I'm going to cause trouble, right?"
Stelle: "I clearly only ever clean up March's messes!"
March 7th: "???"
March 7th: "How dare you!"
March 7th: "You're indirectly slandering me!"
March 7th: "When have I ever caused trouble?"
Stelle: "No, what I meant was."
Stelle: "You can play as boldly as you want."
Stelle: "If you cause any trouble, I'll clean it up for you!"
Silver Wolf: "Understood, you just want to get close to her. You rogue."
Paimon: "Haha, that's so funny."
Lumine: "I really envy the relationship between Miss Stelle and Miss March 7th; they are so close."
Stelle: "Of course, we share the same blanket, how could we not be close?"
Stelle: "Speaking of which, for this Luminary Wardance, can I get a Path of Hunt?"
Stelle: "It would be great to boost my strength."
Fu Xuan: "As for that… you should go ask the Reignbow Arbiter."
Stelle: "Oh my~ I don't have the courage for that."
Stelle: "If the short-tempered Reignbow Arbiter shoots an arrow at me, I'll be done for…"
....
『 The screen shifted abruptly.
The trio of Stelle had once again arrived at the Xianzhou Luofu.
[ Revisiting this familiar place, this lady truly feels a wave of emotion… ]
Looking at the familiar Xianzhou architecture before her, March 7th spoke with a sigh.
[ Next, please listen to a poetry recital by March 7th… ]
Beside her, Stelle immediately chimed in.
[ It hasn't reached the point where I need to recite poetry for this scene! ]
[ I just thought of the twists and turns and the terror when we first arrived at the Xianzhou… ]
[ This time, we weren't half-coerced and half-tricked, nor are we here to hunt down some wanted criminal, and we didn't land at the cargo docks. Everything is so smooth… ]
[ It's truly rare! ] 』
『 ....』
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
Furina de Fontaine: "Huh?"
Furina de Fontaine: "Is it that abrupt?"
Furina de Fontaine: "One second they were chatting, and the next second they've already arrived?"
Qingque: "Mhm, concise and to the point, no dragging. Excellent!"
Hu Tao: "Wow, is this the Xianzhou Luofu?"
Hu Tao: "Looking at this classical architectural style, it's quite similar to our Liyue!"
Ningguang: "Although the architecture is similar, our Liyue is far behind in essence."
Ningguang: "I remember the introduction at the beginning mentioned that the Xianzhou Luofu is a colossal ecological ship sailing through the cosmos."
Ningguang: "In terms of actual size, it is comparable to a planet!"
Ningguang: "In other words, this single Xianzhou Luofu is probably much larger than our Teyvat."
Paimon: "That's too ridiculous, I never thought a ship could be this massive!"
Paimon: "As expected of the Xianzhou Alliance!"
Zhongli: "It is indeed an eye-opening sight."
Mualani: "By the way, judging from Miss March 7th's complaints."
Mualani: "The Express crew's first visit to the Xianzhou Luofu was probably not very pleasant!"
Stelle: "More than that, it was a complete roller coaster!"
Stelle: "Incredibly thrilling!"
Stelle: "But with March speaking like this, I can only say…"
Stelle: "We're doomed again!"
Stelle: "It's as if March's mouth has been cursed."
Stelle: "Since she said that, I can guarantee something is bound to go wrong this time."
March 7th: "Hey, come on, it can't be that bad, right?"
March 7th: "Sometimes, my words aren't that… uh… accurate… right?"
....
『 [ Please don't jinx us… ]
Seeing March 7th speak like this, Stelle quickly told her to shut up.
[ This is a beautiful wish, you're the one who's jinxing us! ]
March 7th grumbled in dissatisfaction.
A chime sounded, and it was Stelle's phone receiving a message.
Thus, Stelle quickly pulled it out to check.
⚠︎, Yanqing
" /Yanqing: Stelle, I saw the notification from the Sky-Faring Commission that the Express has completed its docking. "
" /Yanqing: So, have you arrived at the Luofu? "
" /Stelle: I see you're quick with the news! "
" /Yanqing: The General arranged for me to welcome everyone at Starskiff Haven. Let's chat when we meet. " 』
『 ....』
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
Stelle: "Oh, I didn't expect Yanqing to come and pick us up."
Stelle: "This time on the Luofu, we actually have someone welcoming us."
Yanqing: "Haha, it is Yanqing's honor to personally welcome the Nameless."
March 7th: "The General's retainer personally welcoming us, this treatment can be considered VIP level, right?"
Stelle: "I don't think it's enough. At the very least, the Lady Diviner herself should come to welcome us for it to be true VIP treatment."
Qingque: "The problem is that the Lady Diviner is actually out on business, and she probably hasn't returned yet!"
Qingque: "If all else fails, I can go welcome you instead!"
Stelle: "Oh my~ to have General Qingque personally welcome us, that would be an even greater honor!"
Qingque: "Go away!"
Qingque: "Curse you, don't put me on the spot!"
Guinaifen: "Hahaha, General Qingque, hearing this title, I'm really going to die of laughter."
Li Sushang: "Maybe in a few years, Qingque might manage to become Diviner Qingque, but as for General…"
Li Sushang: "I don't think she's suited for it."
Qingque: "Please, stop it!"
Qingque: "I'm just an ordinary low-level employee. I have no grand ambitions in this life, and I don't want to be anything!"
Fu Xuan: "Hmph, Qingque, you truly are hopeless."
Fu Xuan: "Just keep slacking off then!"
....
(Another meme that became canon: General Qingque)