In the vastness of space, Tingyun glanced out the window.
The colossal Xianzhou Luofu was now within reach, almost tangible.
As the ferry envoy of the Minghu Commerce Guild, she often traveled between the interior and exterior of Luofu, so such grand sights had long lost their novelty.
But this time was different.
An indescribable emotion welled up in her heart, almost bringing her to tears.
She took a deep breath, suppressing this inexplicable urge.
This time, she had returned to her homeland without notifying anyone, not even Yukong.
She knew that the universe had changed too much because of Honkai: Star Rail.
So, she wanted to return quietly, to see and feel everything about Luofu with her own eyes.
Just like Mr. Sunday in the story, who, before embarking on a new journey, also tried to bid farewell to his hometown.
In matters like this, even the most carefree people would choose to be a little sentimental.
The scale of the universe defies ordinary logic.
Although the full view of Luofu was already visible, she deliberately reduced the speed of the Starskiff.
Glancing at the screen beside her.
"There's no rush, right?"
"Let's finish watching this part of the story before docking~"
The current plot was the moment she had just awakened, still struggling between life and death.
When people look back at the most perilous and dangerous times of their lives, they always feel a mix of thrill and relief.
Tingyun was no exception.
It's good to be alive now!
Only by living is there hope!
Only by living can one journey to the stars and roam the universe!
And!
Witness events like Honkai: Star Rail, where more legendary tales will unfold in the future, shaking the entire cosmos!
...
In the cold laboratory.
After listening to Ruan Mei's guidance, Tingyun was still somewhat unable to comprehend.
"Returning to the world? What are you talking about…"
She followed Ruan Mei's gaze.
Inside the cultivation chamber was… herself!
Tingyun's expression instantly darkened.
"Ah… no wonder those two ignored me."
"Have I… become a wandering ghost?"
"Close, but not quite."
Ruan Mei approached her.
Her calm and indifferent gaze fixed on Tingyun.
"Then am I lingering on the edge of life and death, like a being in the intermediate state?"
"You could say that."
Tingyun's eyes shifted.
After a moment of thought.
She asked again, "…According to you, even if I can wake up, these fatal wounds will remain on my body, never healing?"
"I don't understand. It seems like this benefactor wants to save me, but why tell me all this?"
"It's just my habit. I believe everyone has the right to choose whether to come into this world."
...
"I'm crying, no one gets to choose this!"
"Feels like Ruan Mei isn't as cold as she was at the beginning…"
"Golden words, remember to memorize the whole thing!"
"Ruan Mei has changed! She really has. She wouldn't have considered whether the life she created wanted to be born before!"
"After the cat cake incident…"
"Wuwu, we've changed Miss Ruan Mei!"
"Before, it was extreme coldness and rationality, now it feels more divine, Ruan!"
"I feel like she's taken a big step closer to becoming an Aeon!"
...
"Even if you say that, I can't remember anything. There doesn't seem to be anything to support my decision."
Tingyun's expression became very downcast.
Ruan Mei's expression remained unchanged.
She simply said, "It's fine. I believe the desire for life is born from nothingness."
"You can also prove yourself to be an exception. That would be a result I'd be happy to see as well."
Tingyun lowered her head.
At this moment, she was making the final decision about her own fate.
To live on with endless pain, or to let herself die peacefully.
Comparatively, the latter was the easier and more comfortable option.
This made her sigh, "…Troublesome, living is always like this."
Despite this lament.
She had already made her decision.
With a helpless smile.
She walked towards herself in the cultivation chamber.
"Survival and destruction are no longer choices for you; they grow on the same path."
"And through this path—"
"You can pierce through the darkness and come to my side."
...
"Traversing time and space, giving it your all, you will come to me!"
"That line feels so impactful..."
"I'm starting to ship it!"
"? Shipping everything will only harm you."
"It feels like the position Tingyun has reached now took her immense effort, wuwu my precious~~"
"This 14-version-long resurrection battle has finally been won!"
...
Tingyun awoke inside the cultivation pod.
Before her were various data charts.
And... Ruan Mei, who was gazing at her intently.
No longer a distant, ethereal voice, but a face-to-face conversation.
"Are you awake now?"
"Congratulations. You've achieved the initial victory in a tug-of-war, which is a good start."
"I... what is this..." Tingyun's voice was still weak.
"Let me put it simply."
"You were attacked by the Lord Ravager. Under normal circumstances, it would have been impossible for you to survive."
"But someone didn't think so, and I happened to be able to fulfill his request."
Tingyun paused to think for a moment.
Then she asked, "What about the others in the caravan..."
"I don't know."
Hearing this, Tingyun's breathing suddenly became rapid.
"Why me..."
Ruan Mei calmly explained, "Because you were the most unfortunate, falling into the hands of that Lord Ravager (Phantylia). Both your body and mind were subjected to destruction."
"But you were also lucky. She wanted to claim everything about you as her own, which takes time. That's why you were spared from being annihilated in an instant."
"Resurrection and narrow escape from death are separated by a thin line, yet they are worlds apart. If you had died completely, I would have been powerless."
As the conversation continued.
The details sparked intense discussions among players in related fields!
...
"Ruan Mei's explanation here is quite interesting..."
"It must be that Tingyun's body and mind were thoroughly corrupted by the power of Destruction, but the power of Destruction, while corrupting Tingyun, was also sustaining her life. This would align with Ruan Mei's statement that Tingyun's body and mind were destroyed, yet she still didn't die."
"The reason might lie with Phantylia. Phantylia's theft of Tingyun's identity might not have been just a superficial disguise. She might have used something like the blessings of Tingyun's Path to disguise herself, which is why she needed Tingyun herself to remain alive."
"In the main storyline of Xianzhou, when Phantylia abandoned Tingyun's body, it might have meant she withdrew the power that was sustaining Tingyun's life."
"This could also explain why Phantylia personally set a balance point between life and destruction within Tingyun."
"After all, Phantylia is of the Heliobus race, and this is her specialty!"
"If that's the case, bearing the mark of an Emanator of Destruction... Tingyun now has the qualifications to become a piece on the divine chessboard."
"Not just a piece, Tingyun might very well be the key figure in the Xianzhou Alliance's victory over Destruction in the future!"
...Five...