Chapter 69: Idiot! Lunatic!

"Hmm, a planet affected by the Star Core, almost frozen. This is the place where people underground struggle to survive."

Heimu introduced in a flat tone, as if stating an objective fact.

"Those people… are they fighting?"

Xi Lian watched the two sides confronting each other below, especially the huge robot Shiwalo, and her small hand unconsciously clenched the edge of her cloak.

"For now they're still sparring with words. That big iron block is Shiwalo, guarding the white‑haired girl Kelala, as well as some… ancient agreements and knowledge. On the other side, the gray‑haired one is the star you saw, the clone A Xing; the pink‑haired, shouting loudly, is San Yue Qi; the black‑haired is Dan Heng— all members of the Stellar Train. The one in uniform is Bronya, one of the administrators of Beloberg's Shangcheng District. The blue‑haired one wielding a sickle is Xi Er, belonging to Earth Fire, essentially a… civilian defense organization of this LowerDistrict?"

Heimu, unusually patient, identified them one by one while briefly outlining the background.

Xi Lian listened, half‑understanding, but her eyes were full of curiosity: "The Stellar Train… is that the legend Baiheng Miss mentioned, sailing through the Star Sea? They seem… like they need help?"

She saw the negotiations below seemed to stall, Shiwalo's massive body exuding an intense sense of pressure.

Heimu let out a light laugh, with a hint of amusement: "Help? They have their own karmic laws and trials. We are merely spectators, Xi Lian. Observation is the quickest way to understand this world."

She noted that Xi Lian was still a bit nervous, but far better than the startled‑bird state she had in the System Space before.

At least now she would ask questions proactively, express curiosity, instead of merely fearing and staying silent.

"That white‑haired girl… she looks so small, isn't she cold?" Xi Lian's gaze fell on Kelala, with a hint of natural sympathy.

"She is used to it, and she is also a fate‑walker."

Heimu said lightly, "Moreover, with that big iron block around, no one can harm her."

She paused, looked at Xi Lian, "Compared to caring about them, how do you feel? It's your first time truly standing on the 'outside'."

Xi Lian inhaled a breath of icy air, feeling a reality starkly different from the System Space, and whispered, "A bit cold… but very real. To see so many… different things, to hear different sounds."

She hesitated a moment, adding, "It's better than staying down below alone…"

Heimu nodded slightly: "You'll get used to it. The universe is vast, with beautiful Star Seas and corners like this where survival is a struggle. In the future, you'll see more."

Xi Lian lifted her head, looking at Heimu's gray‑white hair lifted by the cold wind and his calm profile; for the first time she felt no fear, but a vague sense of reliance.

It was this person who brought her from the endless Lock imprisonment to here; though the method was odd and the purpose unclear, at least… she saw a different scenery.

"I… I want to see what they'll do next," Xi Lian said, gathering courage, her gaze returning to the snowfield below.

Heimu gave her a glance, a hint of satisfaction flashing in his violet‑black eyes.

"Then watch closely," she whispered, "This farce sparked by the Star Core has only just begun."

【Xianzhou·Luofu·Commercial District】

Bai Hang strolled through Luofu's bustling streets, the black Eye Mask adorned with dark patterns matching her Xianzhou attire of black base accented with dark‑gold flowing clouds, making her appear as a specter walking the edge of light and shadow, naturally diminishing her presence and avoiding undue attention.

Her Task this trip was to purchase some comfortable furniture for Black Curtain Lady, to arrange a more 'home‑like' corner for the partially 'free' Xi Lian in the System Space, and also to set up a suitable room on the train.

Shuttling among familiar shops, comparing the textures of various woods and the softness of fabrics, Bai Hang felt an odd sense of peace arise within her.

This feeling of busyness for a 'home' was, for her, an existence long regarded as a 'dead one', as luxurious as a dream.

As she paused before a shop selling delicate vessels, a cramped little stall not far away, packed to the brim, caught her attention.

The crowd bustled, chatter interspersed with excitement.

She approached with some curiosity, and thanks to her agile figure and the special vision granted by the Eye Mask, easily squeezed to the front.

The stall owner was a woman with a charming smile and fox‑tribe features, raving about the goods in her hands.

"Come, come, take a look! Shen Ce Fu General Jingyuan's latest limited‑edition image! Capturing the composure of the General holding the pearl of wisdom while reviewing documents, the effortless elegance when practicing cloud‑riding spear technique! Only here; miss today and it'll be hard to collect later!"

Bai Hang was slightly startled.

(Jingyuan… General?)

She looked at the beautifully printed 'photos' in the stall owner's hands; the smiling yet dignified young man was indeed the Jingyuan from her memory who always squinted his eyes and, following Jing Liu, called her 'Bai Hang sis', now stripped of his youthful greenness, bearing the poise and weathering of many years.

(Never thought that the lazy‑looking kid back then actually became the General overseeing Luofu… )

A trace of wistful, inexplicable satisfaction smiled quietly onto Bai Hang's lips.

She barely hesitated and, joining the bustle, bought an image of Jingyuan holding a battle sword, gazing into the distance.

Clutching that paper, light as a feather yet as heavy as a thousand pounds, Bai Hang walked to a relatively quiet street corner, leaning against the icy wall, her fingertips gently brushing Jingyuan's face in the image.

The smile gradually faded from her face.

Since being pulled back from the brink of death by Black Curtain Lady, existing in this in‑between state, she has indeed tried to learn how the companions she cherished after she 'left' have fared.

She inquired cautiously, as if seeking reflections in a shattered mirror.

The bits of information worn by time, pieced together, formed a picture that broke her heart.

Moon‑Drinking Chaos.

Just those four characters were enough to raise a tidal wave in her heart.

She learned of Dan Feng — the elder of the Chi Ming Tribe, her former comrade‑in‑arms, and Ying Xing — the talented, somewhat stubborn short‑lived craftsman; what were they after?

Apparently… they sought to use extraordinary means to reverse a fate already sealed, a fate… linked to her, Bai Hang.

(These two… idiots! lunatics!)