The entrance to The Shackling Prison.
To be precise, this was just the most conspicuous entrance to The Shackling Prison.
Since The Shackling Prison exists across multiple pocket dimensions, the locations of its entrances are naturally scattered.
Previously, the three generals had ventured deep into The Shackling Prison from here.
Many players followed closely, expecting to witness the explosive showdown between the Seven Generals of the Emperor's Bow and the War Chief Hoolay...
However.
Ever since the three generals entered,
the place had become as quiet as stagnant water!
During the waiting period, some players had already left.
For example, Little Gui.
She had long returned to continue streaming the storyline.
But there were still many players who thought, since they were already here, they might as well wait a bit longer!
Perhaps...
there would still be some surprises!
However.
What no one expected was that,
the surprise did come!
And it was an earth-shattering surprise!
"Yu Ling... is actually in The Shackling Prison!?"
"Such news broke out online right after the three generals entered? There must be some twists and turns in this..."
"Has the original poster been identified yet?"
"The authorities have already taken action. That account was virtual, and the poster probably feared getting burned."
"If it's true, I can't even imagine. Yu Ling has the ability to grant wishes!"
"Why don't we just rush in and see for ourselves!"
"Didn't you notice two groups of Cloud Knights have already arrived at the prison entrance? Clearly, they're guarding against us."
"Just someone needs to lead the charge, and I'll definitely follow!"
"Charge! What's there to say! For Yu Ling!"
Just as the crowd's agitation reached its peak,
a Cloud Knight squad descended like divine soldiers, appearing on the scene.
The woman leading them was no stranger.
It was the Sky-Faring Commission's helmsman—Yukong.
Seeing so many restless players,
Yukong's expression was stern.
She was even prepared to forcefully suppress them with force.
"Everyone, my apologies."
"Under the orders of the General, I must ask you to move. The area near the prison entrance has been cordoned off."
Everyone was stunned.
Then...
"Ahhh..."
"It's Lady Yukong!!"
"Sister Yukong!!!"
"Is it really you? Lady Yukong, I'll believe anything you say!"
"Can I get your autograph?"
"You were my only Harmony support back in the day!"
Yukong sighed.
"Everyone, please move this way."
...
Scalegorge Waterscape.
By the ancient sea.
Acheron removed her bamboo hat.
She glanced at the scene ahead.
The ancient sea was split in two, with the waters surging endlessly, and a faint, massive dragon shadow flickering within.
In the distance,
the Ambrosial Arbor's roots emitted an unusual glow.
It had a captivating power.
However,
today.
Acheron had not come for it.
She reached out into the air before her.
As if sensing something.
"Almost... it should be here."
With a light tap of her fingertip in the air.
A vortex was opened.
"The entrance to The Shackling Prison..."
"Whether the information is true or false, I must verify it myself."
Then.
She stepped into it, her entire figure disappearing within this pocket dimension.
Only five minutes had passed.
Two more figures appeared in the same place.
To be precise.
Three.
Because.
Beside Kafka and Firefly, there was also a holographic projection of Silver Wolf.
"It's here, Kafka. With your skills, opening that entrance shouldn't be a problem."
Silver Wolf finished speaking.
And paused.
Because ahead.
The vortex-shaped entrance had already been opened.
Clearly.
Someone had beaten them to it!
"It seems The Shackling Prison will be quite lively today."
Kafka smiled faintly.
"In that case, let's just take the convenient route," Firefly spoke up.
In truth.
Firefly believed the rumor that "Yu Ling is in The Shackling Prison" was most likely false.
However.
Since they had come to Luofu.
And since information related to Yu Ling had surfaced.
Whether true or false.
It was worth investigating!
Even if they couldn't find the real person, if there were any clues or if it could attract Yu Ling's attention, it would be worth it!
Thinking this.
Firefly directly took out her transformation device.
Sam, activate!
A storm of flames surrounded her.
When it dissipated.
Sam, radiating a metallic sheen, was already in position.
"Let's go."
...
Somewhere within The Shackling Prison.
Yanqing was stationed here under the orders of General Jing Yuan.
There were already people from the Ten-Lords Commission guarding this place, but due to the suddenness of the situation, Yanqing, as an immediate combatant, had come to assist.
Of course.
It was mainly because Yanqing was one of the controllable characters in Honkai: Star Rail.
If players tried to forcefully enter The Shackling Prison from here, Yanqing could at least reason with them.
However.
This entrance seemed quite remote, as only two groups of players had found it so far. Yanqing had managed to persuade them to turn back with both reason and emotion.
Closing his Jade Abacus, Yanqing wore a helpless expression.
He sighed to the guards beside him, "We're really too idle here. From the messages in the group chat, it seems that Yunli and Moze are dealing with some aggressive players. There's even been physical altercations between the two sides."
One of the guards laughed, "With Brother Yanqing here, there's no way anything will go wrong!"
Another guard chimed in, "Brother Yanqing, even though you're considered the weakest in Honkai: Star Rail, you're still the first main DPS for many players!"
"Honestly, every player in Honkai: Star Rail has some affection for you."
"Out of respect for you, they definitely won't force their way in."
Yanqing: "..."
Mentioning this made Yanqing sigh inwardly.
Yes.
Back when Honkai: Star Rail first exploded in popularity across the galaxy, he was a permanent 5-star character in the warp pool.
Seeing his dazzling skills, fluid movements, and being the rarest 5-star main DPS at the time, he was so excited he couldn't sleep for nights on end…
But as time passed and versions updated, now in the 2.0 version, he really felt like he was becoming less and less relevant…
He had become the warehouse manager for many players!
And not just him.
Even the General…
"By the way… where's the story at now?" The guard's question interrupted Yanqing's thoughts.
"Let's just take a look."
At this entrance, there was a floating Jade Abacus.
Normally used for divination or displaying schedules, it was temporarily out of use due to the lockdown in The Shackling Prison.
The guard quickly switched it to the live broadcast channel.
"Brother Yanqing, this isn't slacking off—it's keeping up with the latest developments!"
Yanqing nodded in agreement.
The live broadcast began.
The story had reached the Alchemy Commission.
On the large screen, Yunli and Yanqing appeared.
And right from the start, the tension was palpable!
In the story, Yanqing calmly said, "You'd better return my sword, apologize respectfully, and then go crying to your grandfather."
"Meeting me is your luck. I'm not interested in your big, heavy, rusty iron sword. I don't have the habit of stealing others' weapons."
Yanqing was stunned!
Huh?
What's going on?
Why was he suddenly so aggressive in the story?
The guard was also confused and rewound the broadcast slightly.
Everyone then realized what had happened!
In the previous part of the story, Yanqing and Yunli had agreed to a competition.
They would see who could eliminate more evil creatures within a set time limit, and the winner would prevail!
And the result was…
Yanqing won!
Yanqing let out a long breath.
He had finally won.
In earlier parts of the story, he was either getting beaten up or on the verge of being beaten up…
During the Heliobus escape arc, he was even nearly tempted by the Heliobus, his resolve almost shattered.
But now!
Finally!
He had won!
No wonder she could utter such confident and aggressive words!
It makes sense now.
The military officers beside Yanqing were also on his side.
They immediately chimed in excitedly, sending real-time comments.
"Our brother Yanqing has been specially trained by Master Jingliu. Dealing with these abominations is as easy as pie for him!"
"That little girl Yunli is indeed a bit too arrogant. Brother Yanqing, you've got some serious skills!"
"This is the true strength of the Xianzhou Cloud Knights!"
Listening to the praises around him, Yanqing scratched the back of his head, feeling a bit embarrassed.
This plotline really gave him a chance to shine.
Yu Ling finally treated him well for once!
However, it's still important to stay humble at times like this!
Learn from General Jing Yuan!
No matter how excited or thrilled you are, you must remain composed and dignified!
Yanqing calmed himself down.
He spoke up, "You all are too kind. Ever since I was taught a lesson by the plot of Honkai: Star Rail, I've been training rigorously and never slacked off."
"If it weren't for that, I probably wouldn't have been able to defeat Yunli so easily."
The officers immediately responded, "Brother Yanqing, you're being too modest," and "Yu Ling should definitely release a new limited five-star form for you now!"
At that moment.
The plot suddenly took a turn!
Yunli, who had lost, was not convinced.
It seemed like the indirect competition was about to turn into a direct confrontation!
Yunli retorted, "You're just getting carried away after killing a few monsters."
"Hmph, why don't you try and take this sword from me?"
As Yunli's words fell.
Both of them leaped into the air.
Each landing on a rooftop!
And they drew their respective weapons!
The calmness Yanqing had just regained was once again shattered!
His hand clenched slightly.
"This is really a fight between peers now…"
"Yanqing in the plot, do your best!"
"You absolutely can't lose this time!"