Chapter 239: Baiheng Boards the Express
"I really thought you all would stick around a bit longer..." Qingque sighed, resting her chin heavily on her palm. A genuine hint of regret laced her usually carefree tone as her slender fingers absentmindedly traced slow circles against the polished wooden surface of the table.
"I wonder if Mr. Yang has finally mastered the art of Celestial Jade?" She shifted her gaze toward Welt, her amber eyes crinkling into cheerful crescent moons. "If not, you can always come find me. I guarantee I'll have you playing like a seasoned pro in no time!"
Welt pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose, offering a calm, measured nod. "I have already grasped the fundamentals. The rules are certainly complex, but they follow a strict, underlying logic."
"Oh, by the way, I haven't even asked you yet!" Qingque leaned forward eagerly, her attention snapping toward Stelle. The gray-haired Trailblazer was currently staring blankly at a plate of delicate pastries, completely lost in her own world. "Do you want to learn how to play?"
"Yes. Teach me right now." Stelle's head snapped up instantly. Her golden eyes practically sparkled with intense competitive fire, as if she were already visualizing herself ruthlessly dominating the Celestial Jade tables and sweeping everyone's credits.
"Perfect! That is exactly what I was waiting to hear!" Qingque laughed, her mood brightening as she slapped the table in approval. "Whenever you visit the Luofu again, I will teach you. We have a deal. You come back, and the lessons start immediately!"
Her lively demeanor made it seem as though she had already claimed Stelle as a fellow slacker and permanent fixture at her gaming table.
"Actually, we still have a fair bit of time before the Express is scheduled for its next warp jump. There is no need for anyone to rush their goodbyes." Himeko's elegant voice drifted across the room like a soothing breeze, effortlessly washing away the faint, lingering melancholy of their impending departure.
In truth, there was not much genuine sorrow to be found. For the long-lived species of the Xianzhou Luofu, mere decades or even centuries passed in the blink of an eye. Yet, the warmth of this brief gathering remained a comforting, tangible presence to everyone involved.
The Astral Express had already locked in its next destination: Penacony, the Planet of Festivities. Had it not been for Kafka's sudden, dramatic interception, the crew would never have departed Jarilo-VI so abruptly to intervene in the Luofu's crisis.
"Wait, really? That is amazing!" March 7th's eyes lit up like supernovas. Her voice pitched upward in pure excitement, completely abandoning any previous trace of sadness. "So we can actually stay a few more days? Thank goodness, because I definitely haven't eaten nearly enough of those Berrypheasant Skewers and Mo Mo Rolls yet!"
Watching the pink-haired girl instantly bounce back to her usual bubbly self drew amused smiles from the rest of the table. The heavy atmosphere lifted, replaced by a comfortable, easygoing camaraderie.
"Speaking of the Express..." a clear, melodious voice suddenly chimed in.
Baiheng leaned forward slightly, her hands resting neatly on her knees. Her vibrant eyes sparkled with a deep, quiet anticipation, looking as though a galaxy of stars had been captured within her gaze.
"Does the Astral Express... still welcome new passengers?" She paused, her voice softening but remaining perfectly steady. "I would very much like to join you on your Trailblaze journey. Would that be alright?"
When she had finally awakened from her long slumber, a thousand years had already swept over the Luofu. Everything she once held dear had shifted beyond recognition. The ancient streets remained paved in the same stone, and the grand pavilions still pierced the sky, but the friends she used to drink and laugh with had long since scattered like ash in the wind.
It was true that the inhabitants of the Xianzhou possessed incredibly long lifespans, but Baiheng was a Foxian. While native Xianzhou humans could easily live for eight hundred to a thousand years, and the Vidyadhara enjoyed an endless cycle of rebirth, a Foxian's natural life spanned a mere three to four centuries. A millennium was more than enough time for every old acquaintance to fade into obscurity.
Now, only a fractured remnant of the legendary High-Cloud Quintet remained. Jing Yuan was bound by his duty as the Arbiter-General of the Luofu. Dan Heng had shed the heavy mantle of Dan Feng. Blade would soon depart alongside the Stellaron Hunters, and Jingliu clearly harbored her own solitary ambitions.
Baiheng gazed out the nearby window, watching the endless stream of neon lights and sleek starskiffs weave through the sky. A quiet realization settled over her. She no longer needed to anchor herself beneath this familiar, yet deeply empty, sky.
If there was nothing left to bind her here, why not board the train that traversed the cosmos? Why not finally fulfill the childhood dream she had nurtured while staring up at the endless starry sea?
The entire crew sat right in front of her. Gathering her courage, Baiheng took a deep breath and laid her heart bare.
"...Welcome aboard the Astral Express, Baiheng." Himeko met the Foxian's gaze, her expression a perfect blend of gentle warmth and solemn respect.
During their earlier conversations, Himeko had listened closely to the stories of Baiheng's past. She saw the spirit of a fearless pilot who had once soared through the heavens in a starskiff, a woman whose eyes still held an unquenchable thirst for the unknown. For anyone who harbored a genuine desire to walk the path of Trailblaze, the doors of the Express were always wide open.
"That is exactly right, Pom! For anyone who truly yearns to Trailblaze, the Astral Express will always welcome them with open arms, Pom!" Pom-Pom nodded so vigorously that the conductor's long, fluffy ears flopped wildly through the air.
"So cute..." Baiheng murmured softly, utterly charmed by the small creature. A bright, genuine smile spread across her face, crinkling the corners of her eyes.
"The Conductor is not cute at all! Cuteness has absolutely nothing to do with my professional duties, Pom!" Pom-Pom's long ears immediately flushed a bright, embarrassed crimson. The little conductor hastily turned away, though it entirely failed to hide the pleased, smug little smile tugging at the corners of its mouth.
"Hahaha! Thank you so much, Conductor. And thank you, Sister Himeko." Baiheng was so overjoyed she practically bounced out of her seat. The fluffy fox tail resting behind her began to sway back and forth in rapid, unconscious arcs of pure delight.
"There is really no need to call her 'Sister,'" Leon chimed in, a teasing smirk playing on his lips. "If we are strictly talking about age, you are significantly older than Himeko."
"Hey! You can't calculate it like that!" Baiheng shot back, immediately planting her hands on her hips. She puffed out her cheeks in a display of mock outrage. "The time I spent asleep absolutely does not count! I wasn't even conscious!"
Watching the Foxian act just as lively and spirited as she had in the ancient past, a faint, incredibly rare smile flickered through Jingliu's icy crimson eyes. A part of the swordmaster desperately wanted to remain by Baiheng's side, but she refused to abandon her own grueling crusade. Allowing Baiheng to travel among the stars with the Nameless was undoubtedly the safest, most fulfilling path for her old friend.
"By the way, what exactly are those little cat-like creatures sitting on your shoulders? They are ridiculously cute." Baiheng leaned closer, her curiosity piqued as she inspected the squishy Cat Cakes resting comfortably on Leon and the rest of the crew.
The small, gelatinous creatures were almost unfairly adorable. What fascinated her most was how distinct each one was, perfectly mirroring the aesthetic of its respective owner. Just by glancing at the tiny, customized outfits and color palettes draped over the Cat Cakes, anyone could instantly guess exactly who they belonged to.
"These little guys are called Cat Cakes," Leon explained, reaching up to gently poke the squishy creature perched on his shoulder. "They are artificial lifeforms, originally created by Ruan Mei."
"Created by Miss Ruan Mei?" Baiheng blinked in genuine surprise. Ruan Mei was an esteemed member of the Genius Society, a figure known for her distant, god-like intellect. Did a peerless genius of her caliber actually spend her time crafting something so soft and cuddly?
"But if Miss Ruan Mei created them, how did all of you end up with your own personalized versions?" Baiheng pressed, tilting her head.
"The Cat Cakes were indeed a byproduct of my biological research, created entirely by chance." Ruan Mei chuckled softly, her slender fingers gently stroking the soft, ram-like Cat Cake resting in her lap. It wore a miniature, elegant outfit that perfectly matched her own teal and white color scheme. "However, their specific colors, styles, and personalities were heavily modified by Leon."
"Nyu... nyu..." the little creature purred, emitting a soft, delicate sound as it affectionately nuzzled its squishy head against Ruan Mei's palm.
"Guilty as charged. I made a custom one for every single member of the Astral Express," Leon admitted with a proud grin. "If you want, once we officially board the train, I can bake up a brand new one just for you."
"Yes, please! I absolutely want one!" Baiheng laughed, clapping her hands together. "Make sure it fits my style perfectly!"
Leon merely smiled and gave a casual flick of his wrist. In a brief flash of light, a brand new Cat Cake materialized directly into Baiheng's waiting hands. It possessed a vibrant purple and white color scheme, complete with tiny, pointed fox ears that perfectly mirrored her own.
"Wow, that was fast! It's amazing!" Baiheng cheered. She happily scooped up the squishy creature and, mimicking Stelle's earlier antics, promptly plopped the Cat Cake directly onto the top of her head.
"Nyu! Nyu!" the newly born Cat Cake chirped cheerfully, its tiny, gelatinous tail wagging back and forth with boundless energy.
While the crew dissolved into a chorus of laughter and lighthearted banter, Yukong quietly slipped out of her seat. She moved gracefully toward the front counter to settle the tab. Her steps were incredibly light, the hem of her elegant skirt brushing against the floorboards almost soundlessly.
Even though Leon had proudly declared earlier that he would be treating everyone, Yukong refused to allow it. She had organized this farewell banquet in Tingyun's honor. Allowing an esteemed guest of the Xianzhou to foot the bill was simply out of the question. It was a matter of personal pride and deeply ingrained hospitality.
"Sorry, Madam Yukong, but I must insist on handling this bill." Leon's voice suddenly materialized right behind her, his tone gentle yet carrying an obvious layer of finality.
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