After geeking out for a bit, Ah Xian wasn't done.
She opened the game's built-in camera function, messing around with Leon's idle poses and different expressions.
"Look at this shy expression—oh my gosh!!"
"Those shy eyes are so gentle, like they could pull me in and make me fall completely…"
"Can't take it anymore! I have to draw shy Leon as my wallpaper!"
"Don't worry, don't worry—I'm not hogging this."
"What pose? Ehehehe…"
"Bedroom pin-down, obviously! Sure, hubby's super dominant, but under my pen, whether he's on top or bottom is up to me~~"
"And after that? Easy."
"Leon's Qian, I'm Bei… together, we're just perfect…"
[???]
[I'm a scientist—this is sweet veggie simping!]
[Never seen this level of fangirl text. I'm shook.]
Satisfied, Ah Xian closed the camera and glanced at the task prompt.
☆ Silent Galaxy
Talk to Pom-Pom to prepare for the next journey
Seeing the conversation with Pom-Pom wasn't much different from the beta, Ah Xian skipped through it quickly without listening to the end.
Once the dialogue wrapped up, the next part would transition to a cutscene.
"New story's coming up, and I won't spoil it, okay?"
"But it won't be long before even I'm clueless about the plot."
The third beta ended after catching Kafka on the Xianzhou.
Ah Xian wondered if the launch story would differ right from the start.
After all, Leon was added.
But if…
A thought hit her, and Ah Xian nearly jumped out of her chair.
Leon's currently injured—and pretty seriously.
Doesn't that mean he might opt to rest and not join the Express crew?
Recalling Welt's beta storyline where he joined the mission, she grew more convinced it was possible.
Damn it…
Was a hint about Leon not going to the Xianzhou planted that early? HAKIMI, you sneaky…
Such a pity.
But there's no helping it—Leon got hurt for everyone's sake, so there's no reason to demand he come to the Xianzhou.
No… wait!
Dan Heng didn't join at first either, but he ended up going, didn't he?
Plus, with Leon's personality, if he learned about the Stellaron erupting on the Luofu—
It's hard to say whether he'd hide his injuries and claim he's mostly recovered.
Or maybe, like Jarilo-VI, there'd be two story paths to choose from?
Here's the thing: In Jarilo-VI's two story paths, anyone who didn't show up early would appear later.
The early and mid-story differed, but after fighting Cocolia, the paths mostly converged.
Thinking this over, Ah Xian was torn.
On one hand, she wanted Leon in the story, but she feared he'd get knifed because of it.
On the other, if he wasn't in it, she couldn't help feeling disappointed.
Ugh, better take it one step at a time and see how the writers handle it.
Pom-Pom: "Sorry for the wait, passengers!"
"Thanks to the Trailblazers' great help, Rift activity has dropped to its lowest, and the star rail readings are back to normal."
"The Express is about to set off again, leaving the Jarilo-VI star system."
"Please hold on tight, and say one last goodbye to this planet!"
The screen shifted.
[Xianzhou Luofu, Shackling Prison]
In a dim corridor shrouded in faint white mist,
an elite Cloud Knight escort team moved with bated breath, their long blades' tips locked onto a black-clad man in heavy shackles.
The rhythmic sound of their synchronized steps echoed distinctly in the enclosed space.
At the end of the corridor, atop a staircase, stood a man in battle armor, exuding a hint of laziness, hands clasped behind his back.
His eyes remained closed, undisturbed by the commotion below.
"Yanqing."
Beside him, a boy of about ten bowed respectfully.
"General, your orders."
"Later, take a good look at this man."
Yanqing froze, his gaze burning as he stared at the black-clad man.
"…Do you remember me?" Jing Yuan's calm, almost serene voice carried a trace of depth.
"I do…"
The black-clad man curled his lips into a chilling smirk.
"Of five people, three must pay a price…"
As the hoarse, almost otherworldly tail of his voice faded, Jing Yuan's eyes snapped open, his gaze piercing the black-clad man below.
Yanqing's right hand rested on his sword hilt, his face brimming with caution.
The black-clad man raised his head, revealing pupils like flickering candles in the wind beneath his dark bangs.
"Jing Yuan, you are not one of them."
Before players could process, the screen flickered and shifted again, focusing on the black-clad man.
But the next second, it cut to Dan Heng, seemingly asleep.
"Of five people, three must pay a price…"
The black-clad man's voice echoed again, but this time, the final line changed.
"You are one of them!"
A dark red blade pointed at him, and Dan Heng jolted awake, sitting up and gasping heavily.
His wide eyes betrayed visible fear in his pupils.
Before he could calm his racing heart, a knock came at the door.
"Hold on, I-I'll tidy up and be right there…"
Dan Heng grabbed a water bottle, chugging it messily to soothe his restless chest with the cool liquid.
Outside, March 7th spread her hands.
"See? Told you. Dan Heng's not up at this hour—he's definitely oversleeping."
Stelle stared at the Archive door, lost in thought.
Something felt off.
In her memory, March 7th was the one most likely to be the sleepyhead.
Right now, everyone else was up early, but Dan Heng was nowhere to be seen.
Was she stereotyping March too much?
March 7th, unaware of Stelle's thoughts, shrugged helplessly.
"Our Express crew can go days without sleep no problem, but when we crash, we crash hard."
"You'll pick up that skill eventually."
"Emm… days without sleep, really no problem?"
Stelle gave March 7th a once-over, her expression complicated.
It was like she wanted to say something but was afraid it'd hurt her, so she stayed quiet.
March 7th didn't catch the meaning behind Stelle's odd question at first, but meeting her gaze, her face fell.
"Don't underestimate me! In emergencies, I can go days without rest too!"
"March, you know me. I never doubt what you say. I like honesty."
Stelle looked at her earnestly.
Stared at by that familiar gaze, March 7th's lips twitched.
This girl says one thing but thinks another, hmph!
She'd let it slide for now.
"Dan Heng, the conductor says it's time to let you know—the navigation meeting's about to start. Come to the parlor car, and don't be late~"
① "Feeling unwell? Should we call Leon to check on you?"
② "It's about time."
③ "Big trouble! The Antimatter Legion's attacking!"
Hearing Stelle's exaggerated shout, March 7th quickly elbowed her.
"What Antimatter Legion? Don't talk nonsense!"
Stelle caught March's elbow with precision: "Just trying to wake Dan Heng up a bit."
"Message delivered. Let's head back to the parlor car." March 7th turned and strode off cheerfully.