"You wish to finish watching the story before deciding?"
"Of course."
Upon hearing the Express crew's request, Jing Yuan graciously granted his permission.
"Why don't we... watch it together here? We can project the Jade Abacus screen onto the sand table. That way, whether it's combat details or clues on the map, everything will be much clearer."
"If we encounter any points of doubt, we can discuss them and deliberate on a course of action together."
"Since the General has extended such a warm invitation, it would be rude to decline," Welt replied.
"Mr. Welt, is your hometown a planet similar to the Xianzhou? Why do you sound so natural using such flowery language?" March 7th asked in surprise.
Welt didn't explain. Under Yukong's arrangement, everyone took their seats around the sand table. Together with Jing Yuan and Fu Xuan, they began to watch the livestream.
The vast Palace of Astrum fell silent, as if it were a movie theater. All eyes were fixed on the unfolding story.
In the upper left corner, the current task was displayed: [Cross through Cloudford and catch up with the Trailblaze Team].
Dan Heng's inner monologue appeared.
"It's just as it was when I left, barely changed..."
"My memories of the Luofu, aside from darkness, consist only of this place."
March 7th couldn't help but glance at Dan Heng sitting beside her. She could only see his cold, sharp profile. She desperately wanted to ask what he had gone through on the Luofu. Why was his only memory of his home, other than darkness, this dock? Had he never left his house until the day he left the Luofu?
But with so many important figures around, March 7th knew it wasn't the right time to ask.
She kept watching.
Not far away, a girl and a blond man with long hair were being cornered by monsters.
The young girl stood with her hands on her hips, sounding full of herself. "You just stay back!"
"Leave the business of rescuing those in need to the professionals"
The man leaned against a large, exquisite box, remaining calm and composed.
Seeing this scene, the streamer Little Gui let out an unbelievable cry. "Sushang, Iam I seeing this right?!"
"Someone actually came to save Dan Heng..."
"And that person is actually you!!!"
Sushang froze. She rubbed her eyes and leaned closer to the screen.
"Ahhh! It really is me!"
"Mother! I've finally made something of myself!"
"I've appeared in the story of Star Rail!"
Watching the two energetic girls on the livestream, the others couldn't help but smile.
However, Welt was the only one whose face was filled with horror! It was as if he had seen a ghost! Especially when the blond man was given a close-up. That appearance and temperamenthe was a dead ringer for Otto!
His palms began to sweat. He felt like he was sitting on a bed of needles!
Dan Heng noticed Welt's strange behavior and asked, "Mr. Welt, what's wrong?"
"Those two... they are both... old acquaintances of mine..." Welt managed to squeeze out the words with great difficulty.
"Huh?"
Back in the game, Dan Heng stepped up to do a good deed. He joined Sushang to face off against a Shape Shifter from the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus. However, this Shape Shifter was significantly stronger than a standard Mara-struck; its spear thrusts could even heal it!
Sushang's health bar quickly turned red. Guinaifen panicked, her hands flying over the controls.
"Sushang, you're going to die!"
"What do I do? What do I do? This team has no shields and no healer!"
"Should we retreat for a bit? Maybe I should eat some Cosmic Fried Rice before fighting it again?"
Sushang couldn't help but poke Guinaifen. "Dan Heng is still alive! It's not like the real me is dying."
At that moment, there was a sudden twist in the plot! The blond man in the background moved!
A black-and-white rapier slammed into the ground with a resonant hum. A cyan, flower-shaped mark blossomed. Dan Heng and Sushang were surprised as healing energy washed over them.
"As you both are fighting to save me, how could Luocha simply stand by... and 'stay back'?"
The man's intervention was perfectly timed. He was handsome, cool, and incredibly elegant.
However, the moment he heard that man's voice, Welt completely lost his composure! He stood up abruptly from his seat, cold sweat drenching his forehead. Taking a deep breath, he wiped his brow with the back of his hand, adjusted his glasses, and sat back down.
His eyes remained glued to the blond man on the screen.
This must be some kind of survivorship bias...
Because only important figures appear in the game's story, it's only natural to see shadows of people from my past.
And this is just a game. People in reality don't necessarily act exactly like they do in a game...
Welt desperately tried to find excuses in his mind. He had to! This sight was simply too terrifying for him. In his home world, these two individuals corresponded to Otto and Li Sushang.
The girl, Sushang, looked young, simple, and lively. There were significant differences in style and temperament. But this blond man was different. That deep, brooding aura... he clearly had a story!
If the universe were a giant theater, then an actor with that appearance was born to play the role of an irredeemable villain! He had to be watched closely!
The battle resumed. This time, the man calling himself Luocha joined the team.
When Dan Heng was attacked by the Shape Shifter, Luocha revealed the ornament in his hand: "...Prayer of Abyss Flower!"
In an instant, Dan Heng's health was restored. With this "healer dad" on the team, the battle became simple. The Shape Shifter was defeated.
"Ha! We Cloud Knights are here to protect you. This entire area is under martial law, and I'm evacuating the citizens. Follow me, and I'll take you to a safe zone."
Sushang insisted that the two of them follow her to safety.
"Let's go! Keep close, both of you. Sushang of the Cloud Knights will ensure your safety!"
"Oh, right. In a bit, you'll have to help me sign some names... I don't know many characters, and I'm afraid I'll write them wrong..."
Dan Heng's perspective came to a temporary end.
March 7th sighed softly. "It looks like Dan Heng won't be in any danger for the time being."
"That Cloud Knight girl is a bit reckless, but she has a good heart."
"As for that man called Luocha, I can't quite put my finger on it... What do you think, Mr. Welt?"
"Eh? Mr. Welt, what happened to you?!"
Hearing this, Stelle looked over as well. She realized that the usually calm and steady Welt was sitting there, drenched in sweat!
"This man... he must not be underestimated!"
"Since I started playing Honkai: Star Rail, I've seen many people in this game with similar appearancessome even have the exact same name."
"These people live in different worlds, yet their fates seem to follow similar trajectories."
"And people who look like this Luocha... I have seen two of them. Neither... was a good person."
"They were both individuals who possessed the power to easily overturn an entire world."
Hearing Welt's words, everyone around, including Jing Yuan and Fu Xuan, showed expressions of shock.
After a moment, Jing Yuan spoke. "Since Mr. Welt places such importance on this outworlder... I shall trust your judgment."
"I will notify the Commission of Inter-Luminaries and the Sky-faring Commission to pay close attention to this person's background and movements."
March 7th immediately clapped her hands in flattery. "The General is truly wise!"
Stelle joined in, shouting, "Strictly investigate Luocha!"
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