Astral Express · By the Observation Window
As the colossal object gradually occupied the entire observation window, and even the wider porthole view, even the well-traveled Welt Yang subconsciously adjusted his glasses.
"Is this... the Xianzhou Luofu?"
Stelle leaned against the window, her face almost pressed against the cold glass, her gray-gold eyes reflecting a magnificent scene that words could not fully describe.
It wasn't a planet, but a ship... a city... an ark of civilization sailing between the stars that defied simple definition.
The hull was unimaginably massive, where classical eaves and a streamlined bow merged strangely; golden energy patterns flowed and pulsed like veins across the bluish-gray main body.
Before it, the Astral Express, which usually seemed quite spectacular, now truly looked like an exquisite toothpick that had accidentally drifted next to a giant dragon.
March 7th's mouth hung open as she exclaimed, "So... so big! Is this really a ship? It's even bigger than Jarilo-VI!"
Dan Heng stood slightly behind her, his voice calm but tinged with complexity: "To the Xianzhou people, this giant ship is their mobile homeland, their entire world. It has been sailing like this for an unknown amount of time."
Welt gazed at this miracle of civilization, his brow furrowing slightly: "Such a powerful creation, such an ancient civilization, with the disciplined Cloud Knights and an unfathomable Xianzhou General... I still don't understand how they could be stumped by a Stellaron. It doesn't make sense."
His tone was filled with a scholar's inquiry and a warrior's vigilance.
"To be safe."
Welt turned around, his cane tapping lightly on the floor, his gaze sweeping over the eager young people.
"For this Trailblaze, I will move with you."
"Haha! Awesome!"
March 7th immediately cheered, instantly throwing her shock at the Xianzhou's size to the back of her mind. She jumped to Welt's side, her eyes full of trusting little stars.
"With Uncle Yang here, it doesn't matter what monsters or Stellaron derivatives we face, we won't be afraid at all! Uncle Yang's cane can shatter stars! (Exaggerated metaphor)"
Welt adjusted his glasses helplessly: "...It doesn't actually have that function."
Meanwhile, Stella was looking at the system panel that only she could see, making the difficult "pre-battle team composition" decision with a serious face.
Team composition! This was the most critical step! Just like forming a group with a tank, DPS, and healer before entering a dungeon in a game!
[Phainon] (LV.40 5-Star) - Hmm, a must-have! My only ace! Powerful, and always has a clever trick at the critical moment! That takes one spot!
[Jing Yuan] (LV.23 5-Star) - Must bring him too! Although his level isn't the highest, he comes with four'summons': [Jingliu], [Bai Heng], [Dan Feng], and [Yingxing]! He's basically a whole squad by himself! His strategic value is irreplaceable! That's the second spot!
[Bailu] (LV.40 3-Star) - Healer! The guarantee of survival! With her LV.40 healing, as long as you aren't insta-killed, she can heal you back! Plus, she's lively, cute, and can lighten the mood! Must bring!
Alright, three spots are full...
Hmm, DPS, Support, and Healer all accounted for! Perfect!
"Are you ready, Stella?"
Welt's voice pulled her back from her team-building thoughts.
Stella immediately closed the panel, straightened her back, and nodded vigorously: "Ready, Uncle Yang! The team has been configured!"
Just then, Himeko walked over from the train's control console, a rare look of gravity on her beautiful face.
"Everyone."
She spoke, her voice carrying clearly to everyone's ears.
"Something is a bit off. The login request and identification signals we sent out haven't received any official response. The Luofu side hasn't given any docking instructions or sent a guiding Starskiff either."
She looked out at the massive Xianzhou, which was eerily quiet: "It's as if... it's asleep, or, it's deliberately ignoring us."
"Eh—?!!"
March 7th's exclamation was loud enough to lift the roof.
"No response? No guidance? The Luofu couldn't... couldn't have really had something happen to it, right?! A Stellaron burst, everyone unconscious? Or occupied by some monster?!"
Her imagination immediately took flight, filling her head with various disaster movie scenarios.
Dan Heng analyzed calmly: "Unlikely. If the Xianzhou truly suffered a great disaster, the external defenses and patrol fleets couldn't be this peaceful. It's more likely that..."
[Jing Yuan] took over the conversation. He looked at his hometown outside the window, his eyes sharp as an eagle's: "It's more likely that some kind of...'situation' has occurred internally that requires information to be blocked and silence to be maintained. The Xianzhou's system is complex; if the higher-ups disagree or certain systems are deliberately interfered with, this state of 'loss of contact' isn't strange. Of course..."
He paused.
"If something truly big happened, the commotion wouldn't be this small."
While everyone was speculating—
The massive, usually tightly closed external gate of the Xianzhou Luofu—the Jade Gate—suddenly moved!
Without warning or inquiry, the giant gate that seemed capable of swallowing stars slowly slid open to both sides before their eyes, revealing a deep navigational entrance that seemed to lead to another world.
The roar of the gate opening could be felt as a vibration even through the train's hull and the vacuum of space.
Immediately following, a standard, steady, but emotionless synthesized broadcast voice patched directly into the Express's communication channel:
"The Jade Gate is opening. On behalf of the Xianzhou Alliance Luofu, I welcome our guests from afar. Please follow the guidance and dock in an orderly manner."
As the words fell, the broadcast abruptly ended.
As for the so-called "guidance," not even a flashing cursor or an arrow appeared.
The interior of the Xianzhou remained silent; the open Jade Gate, against the backdrop of the vast starry sky, looked like a silent, waiting mouth ready to swallow them.
Everyone: "..."
March 7th poked Dan Heng and said, "This welcome... is a bit sloppy, isn't it? And where is 'orderly docking' supposed to be? It should at least give us some coordinates!"
Welt's expression became completely serious, his hand gripping his cane: "The situation is abnormal. But the gate is open, and we have no reason to retreat. Himeko, I'll leave the Express to you and Pom-Pom. We'll go in and see exactly what is happening inside the Xianzhou Luofu."
Himeko nodded, her cup of coffee appearing in her hand at some point. She said composedly, "Go ahead. Pom-Pom and I will guard the Express. If necessary, the Express's support fire is not just for show."
At this time, [Yingxing], who had been standing in the corner trying to minimize his presence, hesitated and spoke: "Do... do I need to stay and assist Ms. Himeko?"
His expression was a bit awkward.
"My identity on the Xianzhou is... well, quite sensitive. I'm afraid going in will cause unnecessary trouble."
He didn't want to be surrounded by a squad of Cloud Knights shouting "Capture the Furnace Master traitor Yingxing alive!" the moment he stepped into the Luofu.
His peaceful life of forging and drinking hadn't even begun yet!
Hearing this, Himeko smiled elegantly and gently swirled her coffee cup, the black liquid inside creating dangerous ripples.
"Don't worry, Mr. [Yingxing]."
Her smile was gentle, yet it inexplicably gave off a sense of powerful confidence.
"I'm not a defenseless ordinary passenger either. Besides."
She looked at the complex instruments on the control console and the buttons faintly glowing red.
"Taking care of the Express is my duty. Your mission this time is heavier; having more strength is always good."
Welt took one last look around at the team ready to go: Stelle, March 7th, Dan Heng, Stella, and behind her, the quietly emerging [Phainon], [Jing Yuan], and the hopping, curiously peering [Bailu].
"Then."
Welt said in a deep voice.
"Depart. Stay vigilant and keep in touch at all times."
The Astral Express adjusted its posture and turned into a streak of light, sailing toward the silently open Jade Gate of the Xianzhou Luofu, its internal situation unknown.
The unknown adventure, amidst a blend of grandeur and eeriness, officially began.
March 7th took one last look at the approaching giant gate and whispered to Stelle, "I kind of regret eating so many snacks just now, my heart is beating so fast..."
Stelle: "..."
She didn't speak, but silently patted March 7th on the shoulder.