Chapter 104: Return To Honkai: Star Rail World, Dragon Lord Returns!
This return to the Honkai: Star Rail World didn’t cause as much commotion as the first time; the Stellar Path just shook lightly.
But any slight disturbance is enough to attract the attention of those with ulterior motives.
“Miss Himeko, have you pioneered a new world again?” Not long after, Topaz’s call came in.
“Indeed, but sorry, due to special circumstances, the new world will not be open to the Company or other forces for the time being.” Himeko replied.
No matter how powerful a planet’s strength is or how advanced its technology, as long as it has a complete civilization, under the Stellar Train’s constraints, the Company can probably coexist peacefully with it in most cases, after all, the Company is openly a positive force, harmony brings wealth, and the extremists are only a small part.
But the current Scavenger World has only a few tens of thousands of survivors on the entire planet, scattered and without a unified government.
If the Company went there, it’s hard to say if the planet would still belong to them, the population is simply too small.
The Company might not do anything to the survivors, but if they casually occupy a place to mine resources, would the survivors know? Even if they did, what could they do?
The survival pressure on the survivors in the Scavenger World right now isn’t actually that great; with such a small population, just clearing some Devouring Beasts to secure enough safe space is sufficient for people to live, there’s no need to eliminate all Devouring Beasts on the planet at once, that few people couldn’t use such a large living space anyway.
So, after deep consideration, Himeko decided to temporarily hide this segment of the Stellar Path and not open it to the outside.
As for the Company going there to help deter the behind-the-scenes mastermind, don’t joke; if real danger arises, the Company would be the first to run, what does the grudge between two native forces have to do with the Company?
Unless that planet has some extremely precious resources.
Otherwise, the price to get the Company to help might be the entire planet.
“No problem, we haven’t fully developed the market of the previous world yet, and unexpectedly the Stellar Train has pioneered a new world again, truly shocking.” Topaz said with some disappointment.
“By the way, we received a report from the Sea Patrol Rangers that the person in charge of your Company’s Market Development Department in the new world attempted to use the Destruction Core of virtual soldiers to create a crisis disaster, then gain more rights and discounts in transactions under the guise of saving the world; luckily stopped by the Sea Patrol Rangers, otherwise the consequences would be unimaginable. We hope your Company can give us an explanation.” Himeko said.
“Rest assured, we will definitely give the Train Crew an explanation: fully withdraw personnel from the Market Development Department from the new world, and continue to be restricted in new markets pioneered by the Train Crew in the future. Is the Train Crew satisfied with this handling?” Although held accountable, Topaz’s voice sounded somewhat pleased.
“Then we don’t mind deepening cooperation with the Company.” Himeko said satisfied.
Topaz hung up the call, in a very pleasant mood; this way, not only gained the Stellar Train’s favor, but also struck the competitor, a win-win!
Thanks to the Market Development Department’s efforts!
Not long after, a spaceship flew out from the wormhole leading to the Douluo Continent.
“Scott! You useless trash, you’ve disappointed me so much! You’ve been demoted!” An angry voice echoed in the spaceship.
“Leader, it’s not my fault; who knew that world had things like divine positions? After my meticulous investigation and calculations, even if that Killing King was enhanced by the Destruction Core, our mecha could easily handle it, but who knew his strength increase far exceeded our calculations!” Scott protested.
“It’s all the fault of that Aventurine from the Strategic Investment Department and those idiot native gods insisting on closing the passage and actively attacking us, then that useless Asura God King got killed, and the enhanced Killing King automatically inherited the Asura divine position; otherwise, my plan would have been perfectly achieved!” Scott tried to shift blame.
“Shut up! No matter what, your mission failed, and it even implicated the entire department; get back to the Luofu Branch and prepare to accept other punishments besides demotion!”
“Ah, yes.” Scott said dejectedly.
“Remember what you promised before, roll back.”
Scott took a deep breath, curled up his body, rolled from one side of the spaceship to the other, then to the other side.
“What are you laughing at?! Hurry up and fly the spaceship faster!” Scott angrily shouted at the employee while rolling.
……
Himeko kept handling messages from various forces, too busy to stop.
At Herta’s urgent request, Xing went to the Herta Space Station, handing over Devouring Beast corpses, withered Mana Flowers, and other specialties to Herta for research.
Just like the immortal herbs, Martial Spirit Awakening Stones, and other specialties brought from the Douluo World to Herta, Herta had Asta give the Train Crew a hefty reward.
After dividing the spoils, with funding from the other Train Crew members, Meng Huaifeng had enough credits in hand to forge a good weapon.
Meng Huaifeng was thinking that after saving the Xianzhou Luofu, he would ask Jing Yuan to help make connections and have a grand craftsman from Zhuming Xianzhou forge a good gun.
Pamu sent a visit application to the Xianzhou Luofu, awaiting their reply.
……
“Pa!”
A crisp slap sounded, Meng Huaifeng tilted his head, his expression somewhat gloomy.
“Meng Huaifeng, remember your status; you’re just the Stellar Train’s freeloading son-in-law, what right do you have to point fingers at the Stellar Train’s course?” Himeko crossed her arms, full of arrogance.
“Meng Huaifeng, I’ve tolerated you for a long time; if you just honestly did logistics, it would be fine, but you even want to meddle in my relationship with A Xing; you can’t compare to A Xing at all, A Xing can defeat a hundred of you with a casual lift of her hand; people should know their place.” March 7th hugged A Xing’s arm tightly, looking at Meng Huaifeng with disdain.
“How about March divorces this waste; from now on, with me protecting the train, even a Destruction Envoy doesn’t need to be taken seriously.” A Xing held March 7th’s waist, speaking to Welt and Himeko, not even bothering to glance at Meng Huaifeng.
“Young A Xing is right; Meng Huaifeng, don’t blame us for being heartless; who told you to foolishly offend Young A Xing? You go, leave the Stellar Train.” Welt first flattered A Xing, then said expressionlessly to Meng Huaifeng.
Meng Huaifeng clenched his fists tightly, nails digging into his flesh.
He never expected that his diligent contributions to the Stellar Train over the past two-plus years would end like this.
Since that’s the case, no need to hide anymore.
“The three-year period has arrived; welcome the Dragon Lord’s return!”
Zhu Zhuqing, Hong Kou, and Po Xiao appeared behind Meng Huaifeng, kneeling on one knee, shouting with somewhat distorted expressions.
Dan Heng Imbibitor Lunae instantly possessed him, two dragon horns emerging from Meng Huaifeng’s forehead, Cloud Chant Technique activated.
“Boom!”
The Dragon Lord returns, winds and clouds change color, all forces tremble. Past humiliations now to be washed away with the enemy’s blood. Meng Huaifeng’s gaze was cold, no one dared meet his sharpness.
Welt and Himeko were stunned by Meng Huaifeng’s terrifying aura, unable to utter a word.
“No… impossible! You useless trash, how could you have such astonishing presence?” March 7th looked at Meng Huaifeng in disbelief.
Meng Huaifeng strode forward firmly, each step carrying the force of thunder. Behind him were his loyal followers, all heroic and valiant, their eyes filled with reverence for the Dragon Lord and anticipation for the future.
A Xing was also forced back a step, then said with a ferocious expression, “I don’t believe it; this must be fake! Let me expose your true face!”
A Xing attacked toward Meng Huaifeng; with a casual wave of his hand, the A Xing who claimed not to take even a Destruction Envoy seriously was sent flying, a trickle of tomato sauce flowing from the corner of A Xing’s mouth.
Those who once belittled and suppressed him were now silent as cicadas in winter before him, fear spreading in their hearts.
Meng Huaifeng slightly raised his head, a disdainful cold smile curling at his lips; his voice rang out like a great bell: “I originally wanted to get along with you all as an ordinary person, not wanting our feelings tainted by other things, but unexpectedly, what I got was your contempt and alienation. Fine, no more pretending, cards on the table: I am the Dragon Lord, Dan Heng Imbibitor Lunae!”
“What! You’re the renowned Dan Heng Imbibitor Lunae of Xianzhou Luofu? Meng Huaifeng was just your alias?” Welt said in disbelief.
“It’s said Dan Heng Imbibitor Lunae can suppress an Envoy of Abundance with a flip of his palm, vanished without a trace for countless years; who would’ve thought he was hiding on our Stellar Train.” Himeko’s eyes widened.
“Huai Feng, sorry, I was wrong; I’ll immediately cut ties with A Xing, can we go back to how we were?” March 7th knelt on the ground, hugging Meng Huaifeng’s leg, looking pitiful.
“March!” A Xing’s expression changed, then reacted, pleading to Meng Huaifeng: “It was I who failed to recognize the Dragon Lord; please, Dragon Lord, be magnanimous and spare my life; from now on, I’ll cut ties with them!”
“Hmph, begging for mercy now, isn’t it too late? The pain you inflicted on me, today I’ll return double!” Meng Huaifeng smirked: “It’s getting chilly, time for the wind to rise.”
“What… are you all doing?”
A somewhat low voice sounded.
Everyone turned to look; the door between train cars had opened at some point, Dan Heng standing there with a dark expression, watching them.
Oh no, the true Dragon Lord has been alerted!
“Cough cough, nothing, nothing.”
Everyone awkwardly dispersed; Meng Huaifeng retracted the possessed Dan Heng Imbibitor Lunae, the dragon horns on his forehead disappearing, pretending as if nothing happened.
“March, A Xing, Huai Feng pulling this stunt isn’t surprising, but why are Mister Welt and Himeko cooperating too?” Dan Heng asked somewhat speechlessly.
“No choice, Little March kept coquettishly begging us, couldn’t refuse.” Welt adjusted his glasses.
Dan Heng looked at March 7th.
“That was Huai Feng who tricked me into it!” March 7th immediately pointed at Meng Huaifeng.
“I just told a Dragon King return story; it was A Xing who strongly suggested acting it out!” Meng Huaifeng also shifted blame.
“The protagonist wouldn’t let me play, and now wants me to take the blame? The script was written by Huai Feng, and he played the protagonist; do you believe him or me?” A Xing glared at Meng Huaifeng, said to Dan Heng.
She really wanted to play the Dragon Lord too!
“No choice, who else can transform into the Dragon Lord.” Meng Huaifeng shrugged.
“Huai Feng, it’s been a while since I guided your Yunqi Spear Technique; wonder how much progress you’ve made?” A glint of chill flashed in Dan Heng’s eyes.
“No need for that, right?” Meng Huaifeng laughed awkwardly.
“Xianzhou Luofu has approved our visit application; everyone sit down, prepare for warp jump.” Pamu’s voice suddenly sounded from the train broadcast.
“Warp jumping soon, sit down quickly, sit down.” Meng Huaifeng hurriedly ran to the sofa and sat.
Dan Heng walked over and sat beside Meng Huaifeng, saying nothing, just quietly watching him; Meng Huaifeng immediately became restless.
After sailing for a while, the Stellar Train began warp jumping; after two consecutive jumps, it arrived at Xianzhou Luofu, one of the Xianzhou Alliance.
……
Stellar Core Hunters family chat.
『Good Want Die: The Xianzhou Luofu script, really all canceled?』
『Silver Finger: Shocking! Blade actually initiated a topic!』
『Slave of Fate: All canceled; no need for us to intervene anymore, things will develop automatically in the direction we hope, and even better than originally.』
『Good Want Die: I want to kill that damn brat, dares to toy with me!』
『Silver Finger: That’s my disciple, no way!』
『Kafka: A Blade, you know you can’t do that.』
『Slave of Fate: I’ll give you that chance in Penacony; you can kill him as many times as you want.』
『Good Want Die: Can’t Xianzhou work? I can’t wait.』
『Slave of Fate: If you really want to go, you can, but some unfortunate things might happen.』
『Silver Finger: Words that sound familiar.』
『Good Want Die: ……』
『Silver Finger: How about Blade you go.』
『Silver Finger: Blade, where are you?』
『Silver Finger: Don’t play dead.』
……
“Wow! This is Xianzhou? Looks even bigger than Jarilo-VI!” March 7th exclaimed, looking at the giant ship in the sea of stars.
The others were also shocked; they’d seen ships before, but one this huge was simply unimaginable.
“To the Xianzhou people, this ship is their planet. The ground is an indispensable cradle for civilization’s survival and development, but there are also civilizations that outgrow childhood, piloting starships to roam the void… The Xianzhou Alliance is like that. I’ve only seen it a few times, but it’s still so magnificent.” Dan Heng looked at Xianzhou with a complex expression.
Nostalgic? Not quite; aside from the Prison of Torment, he only had some impression of the dock, other knowledge from inherited memories in his mind.
“How long does it take for a civilization to develop to this degree?” Hong Kou said.
“Hard to say; might never achieve it, or produce a genius like Lady Herta and do it in decades.” Dan Heng said.
“Compared to that genius Herta that Boss Bai told you about, how does she stack up?” Hong Kou asked curiously.
“Relative to ordinary people, Boss Bai is a genius, but compared to Herta, no comparison.” It wasn’t Meng Huaifeng looking down on Bai Yuekui; it was just the fact.
Bai Yuekui could be said to have hope of stepping onto the Destiny of Knowledge, far from being glanced at by The Erudition, probably about on par with scholars in the Erudition Society.
Hong Kou blushed a bit, stopped asking.
“This is the Stellar Train, repeat, this is the Stellar Train. We have arrived in Xianzhou airspace, requesting landing permission from the ground… or perhaps the deck.” Himeko sent the application to Xianzhou Luofu.
“Welcome to Luofu Starport, Star-Skiff Sea; please wait patiently for docking… Permission granted; please dock at the designated position as instructed.”
The Stellar Train followed Xianzhou Luofu’s guidance into the Star-Skiff Sea dock.
At the same time, Bureau Chief Yukong of the Astral Bureau also received the news that the Stellar Train had arrived.
The Astral Bureau is one of the Xianzhou’s Six Chancelleries, responsible for trade, shipping, and diplomatic affairs; it signed mutual market agreements with the Interstellar Peace Corporation and manages Star-Skiff traffic.
Ordinary visitors don’t require one of the Xianzhou’s Six Lords, the Astral Bureau Bureau Chief, to personally receive them, but the Stellar Train is renowned, recently even famous across the universe; only her personal reception can show Xianzhou’s importance.
“Tingyun, the Stellar Train’s distinguished guests have arrived; prepare for the welcome.” Yukong arranged.
“Sigh, Sister Yukong really knows how to order people around; I haven’t even returned to Xianzhou yet, and you’re already assigning me new tasks non-stop. Made me rush back half a system cycle early to prepare.” Tingyun complained slightly.
“Who told you to return at just this time? Conveniently picked up the Stellar Train’s distinguished guests, saving the need to arrange someone else; the capable should do more. I’ll give you a good vacation afterward.” Yukong smiled consolingly.
“That’s a deal then.” Tingyun regained some energy, seemingly attracted by Yukong’s promise.
After hanging up the comms, Yukong was about to continue work when an emergency alert suddenly sounded.
Countless messages flooded to Yukong: massive Demonic Yin Bodies suddenly appeared at docks throughout the Star-Skiff Sea!
“Evacuate the masses immediately, temporarily close the Jade Realm Gate!” Yukong arranged with a grave expression.
……
“The Xianzhou Alliance is a top major force in the universe; aside from the war with the Followers of Abundance, it’s generally very safe. Anyone who wants to see Luofu can get off. I’ll stay on the train with Pamu.” Welt volunteered.
“So, anyone not wanting to go?” Himeko asked.
No one answered; seems everyone was interested in Xianzhou Luofu.
“Xianzhou Luofu, here we come!” March 7th cheered.
The train doors opened; everyone except Welt and Dan Heng filed out.
“Eh? Dan Heng, didn’t you come to Xianzhou for something? Why not get off?” March 7th asked puzzled.
“I’m banned from entering Luofu; better not appear before the Luofu people sent to receive us. If you find the current Dragon Lord, bring her to the train, or get permission from the Luofu General, then I’ll get off.” Dan Heng said.
“I forgot.” March 7th stuck out her tongue: “Suddenly not that interested in Luofu anymore.”
“How about you stay then, March?” Meng Huaifeng teased.
“No way! I still need to help Dan Heng find the current Dragon Lord.” March 7th immediately refused.
“You can leave it to us.” Meng Huaifeng said.
March 7th said nothing, puffing her cheeks at Meng Huaifeng.
“Greetings, distinguished guests of the Stellar Train. This humble girl is Tingyun, Merchant Ferry Envoy of Luofu Astral Bureau Merchant Group, here on orders from Lord Yukong to receive you all. May I have the honor of knowing your names?” Tingyun, having waited long at the docking position assigned by the system to the Stellar Train, came forward with an enthusiastic smile.
