This time it was just a casual trip, so there was no oppressive atmosphere.
The three quickly passed inspection and entered the Xianzhou as guests.
------------------------------------
After coming down from the Starskiff.
March 7th looked at the familiar scenery and the streets full of people walking by, and couldn't help but feel emotional.
"Returning to an old place truly gives this lady quite a lot of feelings…"
Stelle teased from the side: "And now, Miss March will perform a poetry recital."
"Hey!" March 7th scratched her head awkwardly: "It's not to that extent, I just remembered the last time we came to Luofu."
She began talking endlessly about their past experiences.
Compared with now, now they weren't being half-coerced and half-tricked by others, nor were they chasing some wanted criminal.
And they weren't entering from a cargo dock, slipping in through shady places… It was simply unbelievable.
"Please, stop jinxing it." Stelle held her head, feeling like March was summoning misfortune again.
"This is a good wish, what do you know!" March pouted.
Amid their playful banter, the person who had come to greet the honored guests also sent a message.
It was Yanqing.
They agreed to meet at the Cloudford.
So that Yanqing could find them more easily, the three of them went to a more conspicuous spot at the docks.
The camera followed their movements, beginning to showcase the changes in Luofu.
Patrolling Cloud Knights, and bustling crowds. Compared to when they had left, there was now a strong air of life and humanity.
It looked prosperous and thriving. Even more surprising was that on the streets, there were not only locals, but also people in different clothing, clearly tourists from other places.
The presence of tourists proved Luofu had almost recovered from the Ambrosial Arbor incident. Otherwise, the Xianzhou would never allow tourists inside.
During this time, the three also encountered many tourists asking about fun places and good food in Luofu.
And every time, Stelle would give ridiculously absurd suggestions.
Like climbing to the top of the Ambrosial Arbor. Playing mahjong in the Shackling Prison. Or having an intense duel with the Heliobi in the Fyxestroll Garden.
If it weren't for March and Dan Heng being there, Luofu's image might have been single-handedly ruined by Stelle's nonsense.
The next day's Interastral Peace Corporation headlines would probably read like this:
"Shocking! The instigator personally arrested by the Xianzhou General turns out to be the Famous Nameless!"
Accompanied, of course, by Stelle's awkward photo.
Fortunately, none of that actually happened.
...
: Damn, why does it feel like Stelle is becoming more and more chaotic neutral?
: Too funny, where did the pretty, reliable Stelle go!
: Every time Stelle opens her mouth, I can't hold it in. How does she say such ridiculous things with a straight face?
: And yet, we just love her for it!
: A silent Stelle is the universe's greatest beauty, but once she opens her mouth, the whole vibe collapses!
...
As the audience kept joking around, something even more ridiculous happened.
The Penacony tourists who got the "Ambrosial Arbor climbing" suggestion actually took it seriously.
"Fortune favors the bold!"
"Let's go!"
"Let's climb the tree!"
The little male Pepeshi, brimming with excitement, charged ahead. The nearby Intellitron hurried to follow.
The audience was dumbfounded. Bro… You're actually going?!
And just as the two left, a Cloud Knight who had been silently watching from behind the trio pressed his hand to his ear to activate his comms.
"Brothers, we've got a job."
Pffft! The audience spit out their drinks.
Damn it! It was a sting operation!
If you were there, why didn't you stop them earlier!
Amid this joking chaos, Yanqing finally arrived.
Old friends meeting again, both groups were happy.
"They say if you're not careful, kids grow up so fast you can't even recognize them."
"Yanqing, you really do look a bit more grown." March 7th muttered while looking at him.
"Huh?" Yanqing blinked.
At that moment, Stelle walked up, ignoring Yanqing's wide eyes, and reached out to pinch his cheek.
"N-no, wait, Teacher, what are you doing?" Yanqing panicked and backed away.
But Stelle said seriously: "Sorry, after so many adventures, I've developed a habit of being cautious. The first person to greet us in each place has to be checked carefully."
"You know, last time on the Xianzhou, the first one to 'welcome' us was-"
After hearing this, Yanqing immediately understood.
March 7th and Dan Heng helplessly covered their heads.
...
: They're dragging this out to whip the corpse again! Is there no justice?!
: Damn, poor Tingyun, the only one truly dead, yet still stabbed at by the story.
: It's just too hard to accept! Mihoyo, you're doing this on purpose!
: Tingyun, when will you be finally revived?!
: So many people still miss her.
: Shut up, don't slander my Tingyun.
...
Tingyun really was the audience's eternal regret. Mainly because the character was just too beautiful.
...
In other shows, hers would've been a cheap disposable role.
But in Honkai Star Rail, even after the corpse went cold…
The cheerful atmosphere, once Tingyun was brought up again, became heavy.
Yanqing didn't say more.
He simply led the three toward the Palace of Astrum where Jing Yuan was.
As they walked, he also explained the purpose of the Luminary Wardance.
It was just as the audience had guessed. To display stability, calm the citizens, boost morale, and also invite allies to foster trade and peace.
The Alliance placed great importance on it. Both the Xianzhou Zhuming and the Xianzhou Yaoqing had sent people to offer congratulations.
As he spoke, the audience also felt that Yanqing's bearing had grown.
Compared to before, he was much more steady. He looked like a little adult now.
The camera followed the trio onward, following the three from the Astral Express.
Just as everyone was immersed in this atmosphere.
Suddenly! Sounds of fighting came from a street up ahead.
The trio and Yanqing immediately became alert.
The camera then shifted from the four to the corner ahead.
A foxian stumbled out in a panic. Right after, an ugly wolf-bodied monster leapt high out of the alley!
"March! Your jinx came true!" Stelle summoned her bat, muttering while complaining.