Chapter 70: Activating Moon-Sipping Stance Early! Meet Me at The Shackling Prison!
"What on earth is that?!"
"Oh no! It's the Antimatter Legion!"
"I just defeated the Doomsday Beast boss—how did all these Voidrangers appear out of nowhere?! Is this game breaking into reality now?!"
"My attack button disappeared!"
"Silver Bat, Champion of the Galaxy! Nemesis of the Doomsday Beast! Grey Peony! Help us—please!"
On the star ferry routes...
As swarms of the Antimatter Legion filled the sky, everyone was left stunned. Once they recovered from their shock, travelers quickly steered their star ferries away in panic. They understood well enough to separate fiction from reality!
Besides, such an overwhelming horde of elite enemies had materialized all at once—even within the game, retreat would be the only option.
However, one daring pilot aboard a star ferry decided not to flee immediately. Instead, they parked nearby and leaned out the window, capturing footage with their phone up close.
Predictably, disaster struck when a blast from a Voidranger: Trampler hit them directly, sending the person tumbling through the shattered window.
"Aiee!" cried the young girl, clutching her phone tightly as she fell.
Dan Heng, who happened to be closest, swiftly flew into action, catching the twin-tailed maiden mid-air and gently placing her back on solid ground. With a stern tone, he warned, "Stay safe."
"Hehe, sure thing," the girl replied cheerfully, adjusting the fox mask perched lightly on her forehead.
She muttered under her breath, "I knew it! There's always something thrilling happening here on Xianzhou Luofu!"
With that, she skipped off, her golden-red tails flickering in and out of sight.
The skies were thick with attackers, resembling a swarm of locusts to any unknowing observer.
March 7th continued firing arrows while grumbling, "Why are there so many enemies?!"
"Did that fake Tingyun leave us to deal with the entire Antimatter Legion?!" March seemed overwhelmed, instinctively moving back-to-back with Stelle as they defended each other against waves of attacks.
Old Yang's voice rang out, "Hold on a little longer—the reinforcements from Luofu will arrive soon!"
But Old Yang didn't realize that part of the city's forces had been dispatched elsewhere—to eliminate the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus or track down Dan Shu. Though Fu Xuan had sent aid after assessing the situation, it would still take time. Even Yukong, known for their speed, was estimated to arrive in at least five minutes.
Caught between internal conflict and external threats, Luofu's predicament mirrored the escalating tensions of Honkai: Star Rail's unfolding story—a spark igniting a chain reaction of chaos!
After speaking those words, Old Yang turned his attention away from Stelle. As if responding to some unseen command, most of the Voidrangers began converging on him!
Stelle wielded her riding spear in one hand and a baseball bat in the other, shouting loudly, "Dan Heng! Where have you been hiding, you scoundrel?!"
"Hurry up and unleash your hidden power already!"
Her voice echoed just as…
A colossal water dragon surged forward, instantly scattering dozens of Voidrangers around them! The dragon roared fiercely, twisting and soaring through the air, annihilating every enemy in its path.
March 7th and Stelle stared in awe. Nearby in the sky, a figure emerged—familiar yet strange. Standing atop a lotus pedestal, one hand formed a sword gesture while the other held the black-and-white Abyssal Orb, commanding the water dragon's relentless assault.
"That… That's Dan Heng?! He really did have hidden powers all along!"
His once-short hair had grown into long locks reaching his waist, and a pair of azure dragon horns adorned his forehead. Instantly, the tide of battle shifted!
Stelle caught a glimpse of what appeared to be a fleeting dragon tail.
"He's about to transform into a dragon?" he marveled aloud.
Regaining composure, March 7th suddenly realized the opportunity before her. Pulling out her camera, she began snapping photos of Dan Heng in mid-air, exclaiming excitedly, "Perfect… I'll post these exclusive shots of Dan Heng's transformation on the Star Rail forums!"
To Stelle's surprise, March 7th's boldness inspired her too. Without hesitation, she pulled out her own phone to join the photography spree.
"Yes, yes, exactly!" Stelle chimed in enthusiastically. "Since Honkai Star Rail will likely include this transformation eventually, let's beat them to it and be insiders for once!"
In no time, the remaining enemies were wiped out.
Dan Heng descended slowly, pondering how to explain his new form to his friends. However, he was met instead by March 7th and Stelle critiquing their photos of him.
Even Dan Heng couldn't help but twitch at the corner of his mouth. "While I risked my life saving you two, all you did was act like war correspondents taking pictures?!"
His eyes flashed with an intense azure glow.
March 7th grabbed Stelle, and together they bolted.
"Uncle Yang, save us!" March 7th cried.
"D-Dan Heng looks terrifying like this!" Stelle stammered.
As everyone regrouped, even Old Yang was slightly taken aback by Dan Heng's transformed demeanor, though not entirely shocked.
"That flame earlier called herself Phantylia," Old Yang explained. "I've heard that name before from members of The Nameless. She's one of Nanook's seven great Monarchs, fascinated by mortal self-destruction. Many have fallen prey to her schemes…"
"Our mission grows more urgent," Dan Heng said firmly. "We must hurry to The Shackling Prison, inform Jing Yuan about Phantylia, and confront her together."
"The Shackling Prison isn't far from here," Dan Heng added. "We can reach it quickly without using a star ferry. Let's move immediately."
Inside The Shackling Prison, Jing Yuan stood observing Luocha's figure intently. Yanqing stood nearby, hand resting on his sword hilt, ready to protect the General at a moment's notice.
"It's time to clarify your purpose for coming here,"
Luocha said calmly. "General, our smooth arrival is largely due to that game. Therefore, there's no rush—we have ample time."
"Yes, Jing Yuan," Jingliu interjected. "Both the omens in reality and the narrative within the game point to one undeniable truth—the Xianzhou stands at a critical juncture in fate's decision.
"The Imperial Bow, Plague Author of Abundance, Scourge of Embers… This is a divine chess match. If you don't side with the victor, you become the loser. And this time…"
Before Jingliu could finish, wild laughter erupted!
"Hahahaha… He's arrived! Kafka!"
"He… has come…"