Chapter 137: Occupying

Star's pupils narrowed sharply, and every hair on her body bristled in that instant!

The attack came too fast and too fierce, completely exceeding her Cognition!

That icy murderous intent was so real that she had no doubt that once this club struck, she would definitely dream‑wake!

An unknown instinct made her almost subconsciously act—she thrust her body backward sharply, simultaneously raising the bat she held upright, perilously Blocking it in front of her!

Clang—!!!

A deafening clash of metal rang out, exploding through the training ground!

Star only felt an indescribable massive force surge from the bat, her palm instantly shattered, her entire arm went numb, and her body involuntarily 'thump thump thump' backward seven or eight steps before she barely steadied herself, her chest blood surging.

(What a joke! What kind of strange force is this?! Is this really a dream?! And how did I just block it?)

Star looked at the opposite side, where the white‑haired man still wore a blank expression, as if he had merely waved the bat casually, and a storm of turmoil rose within her.

And Kevin, watching the 'training target' who had only been knocked back yet successfully Blocked his strike, saw a flash of surprise flash through his ice‑blue eyes.

(Reaction speed... acceptable.)

He twisted his wrist, adjusted his grip on the bat, and again assumed an attacking stance.

The surrounding air seemed to grow even more bone‑chillingly cold, as if hardened by his gathered battle intent.

Star flicked her numb arm, licked her slightly dry lips, and her gaze shifted from initial bewilderment to focused attention.

(Dream or not, hit first and then talk!)

She gripped the bat tightly, stared intently at Kevin, ready to meet the next onslaught like a raging storm.

Rest Carriage

Heimu lazily leaned on the sofa, Xi Lian still sat quietly on her lap, narrating fragments of stories about another world 'fighting for beauty' before them.

In a corner of Heimu's view, a semi‑transparent Light Screen that only she could see hovered, clearly displaying the scene of Star and Kevin clashing in the training ground.

Heimu's mouth involuntarily curved into a pleasantly teasing arc.

Thanks for my gift, Star!

Perspective shift.

At this moment, the atmosphere inside the Party Carriage was downright eerie.

San Yue Qi sat upright on a high stool, hands clasped on her knees, trying to maintain an adult's composure, yet her youthful face bore a seriousness and a hint of anxiety incongruous with her age.

She glanced at the pair she was now wearing, clearly one size too small.

Her hand, still painted with glittering nail polish, furrowed her brows.

Jizi was on the verge of tears, tugging at the mature, elegant white dress she wore, her voice cracking: 'Why is this happening?! This dress is so tight! Walking feels completely different! I want to change back!'

She tried to bounce as usual, but almost fell due to the unfamiliar balance of high heels, luckily catching herself on the bar.

And perhaps the most speechless was Walther, standing behind the bar, his head crowned by the Bi Zui (Cocktail Technique) robot's metal shell.

His cold, metallic face now seemed to reflect the gloom within.

He tried to control the mechanical arm, but only a stiff 'Clack' sound emerged.

Dan Heng crossed his arms, leaning against the carriage wall, watching the chaotic scene, his face full of helplessness.

He was the only one who escaped unharmed, and now could only serve as the calm Observer.

San Yue Qi inhaled deeply, striving to use her crisp voice to say something fitting her role: 'It's getting late, everyone... let's head back to our rooms and rest early. Maybe... a nap will do?'

Even she thought the words had no Persuasion.

Jizi, hearing that, was even more on the brink of tears: 'Rest? Sister Jizi... no, it's my current body! And this hair is so hard to manage!'

The strangest thing was Walther.

Or rather, it was the Bi Zui (Cocktail Technique) that had taken over Walther's body.

This usually meticulous Qian Ni Zhang Meng Zhu, at this moment sat there in an extremely textbook posture, with no expression on his face and hollow eyes.

It seemed he detected the atmosphere's value was too low, so, following his emotional soothing protocol, he used Walther's deep voice, speaking with precise diction:

"Why don't seagulls like fries? — (pause one second) Because they're afraid of being 'dip' (battle) eagle‑caught."

Cold.

Bone‑chilling cold.

The air seemed instantly frozen.

Not only did it fail to ease the atmosphere, it also caused the carriage temperature to drop several more degrees.

Jizi couldn't help but shiver, muttering softly: 'Even more… colder…'

San Yue Qi helplessly pressed her hand to her forehead, feeling her head throb even more.

At that moment, from behind the bar, within the robot body originally belonging to Bi Zui (Cocktail Technique), Walther's suppressed angry voice emerged—still that of Bi Zui (Cocktail Technique)—and directly issued a command to the entity that had taken over his body:

"Bi Zui (Cocktail Technique)."

The Walther seated on the sofa immediately bowed respectfully at a perfect 45‑degree angle, responding smoothly in Walther's own voice:

"Yes, Mr. Walther."

(Why is this happening?)

This question swirled in everyone's mind.

Time needs a slight Rewind.

Inside the Party Carriage, the lights were soft, creating the usual relaxed ambience.

After listening once more to 'Sister' Chang Ye Yue's heroic epic about Weng Fa Luo Si, San Yue Qi's heart was filled with a complex yearning.

She gazed at Chang Ye Yue's side profile, which resembled her own yet added a few more mysterious touches, and finally mustered the courage.

"Sister..."

San Yue Qi whispered, fingers nervously twisting the hem of her clothes, "Um... there's something I want to tell you."

"Hmm?" Chang Ye Yue turned her head, her crimson eyes gently gazing at her, as if she already understood everything.

"It's… Yang Shu, and Sister Jizi… they, they want to see you."

San Yue Qi hurriedly explained, fearing Chang Ye Yue would misunderstand, "They're all very, very good people! They're family of the Train Group! They just… just worry about me, no ill intent! Really!"

She anxiously defended Walther and Jizi, her eyes full of sincere pleading, like a small animal afraid of being abandoned.

Chang Ye Yue looked at her, a flash of understanding passing through her crimson eyes, the corners of her mouth lifting slightly, forming a mildly teasing curve.

She reached out, gently stroking San Yue Qi's hair, the motion as delicate as handling a fragile treasure.

"Silly little sister…"

Chang Ye Yue's voice carried a comforting magic, "Why did you tell me about it? Didn't we agree before that this was a little secret between us?"

Her tone held no blame at all, only indulgent affection.

"S‑sorry! Sister!"

San Yue Qi immediately bowed her head, guilt nearly overwhelming her, "I didn't mean to! It's just… they really care about me, I… I didn't want to deceive them…"

Seeing her on the verge of tears, Chang Ye Yue's heart seemed struck by something soft.

She made the gesture even gentler, her voice even more soothing, "It's okay, San Yue. I've never truly blamed you, nor will I in the past, and in the future… the same."

(After all, you're the person I care about most…)

Those words only flowed silently in her heart, and deep within those crimson eyes flickered a trace of sincere feeling she herself hadn't fully clarified.

This protective urge and closeness didn't seem to stem solely from the Black Curtain Lady's Mission Command.

Feeling Chang Ye Yue's sincere soothing, the heavy stone in San Yue Qi's heart finally settled, her face brightening with a radiant smile: "Sister, you're so kind! Then I'll go call Yang Shu and Sister Jizi over right now!"

"Hmm, go ahead."

Chang Ye Yue smiled and nodded.

San Yue Qi cheerfully replied, as if shedding a thousand‑pound burden, her steps light as she walked toward the carriage door.

Before closing the door, she turned back and gave Chang Ye Yue a brilliant smile.

As the carriage door gently shut, it cut off the outside clamor.

Chang Ye Yue's gentle smile on her face receded like a tide, leaving only a faint trace.

She sat alone at the empty bar counter, crimson eyes reflecting shifting light, the drink in her glass resembling a blood‑colored setting sun, her thoughts unknown.

Outside, as San Yue Qi walked toward the Observation Carriage, her affection for this "lost‑and‑found" sister rose a few more points.

(Sister… she's really so gentle, so understanding!)