"Wow, it's so lively!" Kiana stared at Su Chen's figure on the screen. "It's unbelievable. No matter how many times I see him, he looks so much like Patriarch Kevin!"
"True, huh? I heard Su Chen even met the patriarch you're talking about." March 7th raised her camera and snapped a photo of Dan Heng. Click. "Dan Heng, can you pose with something other than a peace sign?"
Dan Heng didn't respond, just shook his head slightly. Posing for March 7th's photos was already his greatest act of mercy.
Kiana suddenly remembered something and asked, "Sister March, any news on Sister Acheron?"
"Acheron? Don't worry, I already told Su Chen. He'll figure out a way to find her. Maybe we can get her some kind of tracker later."
"I tried that, but it mysteriously fails every time."
"Uh… okay then!"
Just then, a whistle sounded from the screen. Everyone in the interactive city couldn't help but pause and look.
The next moment, Su Chen, dressed in a Trailblazer outfit with a hat, stepped to the center of the stage, joined by Aventurine, equally dapper in a flashy outfit and hat. The two began singing and dancing on stage.
At the same time, Burnice and Boothill paused their dance duel, watching the duo on the screen. "This is the dance they've been rehearsing day and night. Looks like they've got something going!"
"With a dance this good, I don't even wanna leave!" Burnice started swaying to the beat.
"Then join miHoYo. You'll find what you're looking for."
"I want you to show me,
Your fantasy.
No past and no future,
That's what I need.
The groove takes it over,
We'll wait and see.
Even I might blank out
You and me."
As the song played, more backup dancers joined on stage. The audience couldn't help but move to the rhythm.
"What's going on? What are they doing? Just breaking into dance out of nowhere? Are we in Bollywood or something?"
"Uh, I don't know, but the beat's kinda catchy."
"I feel like those two are dancing but not really dancing, like they're in the dance."
"Is Honkai: Star Rail collabing with House of the Hearth or something?"
"Is this an MMD?"
"Good grief, am I the only one feeling this? It's too hypnotic!"
"Who's the guy in the fancy outfit? Aventurine?"
"I thought that dream could light our way.
(You take me higher, take me away)
Oh, be my savior and take me away.
(Take me away)
~
Tick, and, tock, once more. You're hosting
A magic show I cannot escape.
There's nothing else left for me to do.
Going to the other side. (Other side)
~
I don't wanna be alone tonight.
Oh, Lead me with your altered sign.
There's no one else left for me to lose.
Heading to the other side. (Other side)"
After about two minutes, Su Chen and Aventurine ended with a shoulder-to-shoulder flourish, stunning the crowd with their hypnotic performance. The audience erupted into cheers so loud it nearly blew the roof off.
"The music's got that vibe!"
"It's got that flavor!"
"Persevere! Strive! Struggle!"
"But isn't today a comic con? Why the random dance?"
…
"Phew~" On stage, Su Chen let out a long breath, calming his heaving chest. "What you just heard was the opening theme for Season 4, White Night. The Trailblazers will arrive at a brand-new destination, the Star of Festivities—Penacony! Here, you'll witness the most unforgettable scenes. I guarantee Season 4 will be spectacular!"
But the audience below seemed less than satisfied.
"So just serve it up already!"
"Yeah, what's the point of just dropping a new OP? Are you airing it early or what?"
"Exactly, exactly! Enough talk, I'm going to board the train."
"All passengers, please board in an orderly manner, pa," Pam announced through a megaphone. "Please board in an orderly manner, pa. No pushing—the Astral Express is plenty spacious."
Suddenly, a dozen March 7th cosplayers approached Pam. "Haha, such a cute conductor! Are you a rabbit spirit or some AI robot? But didn't they say animals can't become spirits after the founding?"
Faced with so many March 7ths, Pam couldn't lie—it was a bit scary. He was terrified of having his fur plucked bald. "March 7th passengers, please don't say such weird things. Hurry and find a spot to stand, pa."
"Stand?"
"Yes, the Astral Express only has standing tickets, no seats."
Soon after, Seele approached Pam. "Conductor Pam, all the cars are full. We can depart."
"Thank you, Passenger Seele. To the control room, pa."
…
"Attention all passengers, pa. The Astral Express is about to depart. We'll pass through Herta Space Station, Belobog on Jarilo-VI, the Xianzhou Luofu, and finally reach our destination—Daydream Grand Hotel."
The passengers in the cars began murmuring.
"Daydream Grand Hotel? Isn't that the Dream Grand Hotel? That's a real hotel, right? Why's it the final stop?"
"Didn't you see the news? miHoYo struck a deal with Belobog Heavy Industriesto co-develop a plot of land. They arrived on-site the first day."
"And then?"
"No idea what magic miHoYo used, but by the second day, Belobog Heavy Industries pulled out completely."
"What?!"
"No way, the Dream Grand Hotel is working with miHoYo too?"
"Working together? Bro, miHoYo already owns 51% of the Dream Grand Hotel's shares. It's official, and they changed the name to 'Daydream Grand Hotel.'"
"Holy crap, that's wild! As expected of miHoYo. So the hotel's part of Interastral City now?"
"Just watch and see."
As the Astral Express started moving, it linked all of Interastral City's zones together, passing through the Space Station, Belobog, the Xianzhou Luofu in the sky, and then entering a tunnel.
After a brief darkness, a dazzling scene unfolded before everyone's eyes. This was the Star of Festivities, Penacony.
However, the system's condition for building Penacony was to construct it underground, creating a true city that never sleeps. Without sunlight, Penacony's architecture shimmered brilliantly, the scenery outside the windows sparkling like shooting stars.
"My goodness, what is this?"
"Is this an underground palace? I thought the floating Luofu was miHoYo's limit, but they dug a massive hole in the ground for this?"
"This place is gorgeous! I can't wait to see what surprises Season 4 has in store!"
Interastral City Counseling Room.
Knock, knock, knock…
Black Swan looked up. Before she could say "Come in," the door was sliced open.
"Excuse me, where is this place?"
Black Swan blinked, looking at the lady with blue-purple hair outside the door, her eyes radiating a disinterest in everything.
"May I ask who you're looking for?"
"I think I'm lost. I was looking for… wait, why am I here again?"