Xuanye Avenue—
the most bustling commercial street on the Luofu.
Shops stood shoulder to shoulder,
and the lights never went out, day or night.
"Nom—!"
March 7th bit down hard, taking three skewers of Qiongshi bird meat in one go,
cheeks puffed up as she chewed with satisfaction.
As for Stelle—
She had just taken one sip of soda douzhi,
then immediately spat it out right there on Xuanye Avenue.
Evan, meanwhile, was holding a steaming bowl of red-oil chopped beef offal.
He picked out a slice of radish and popped it into his mouth.
After being soaked thoroughly in the broth,
the Xianzhou radish was fully infused with flavor,
Its texture is surprisingly delicate.
"Hey, March," Evan nudged the girl whose cheeks were still bulging,
"Aren't you planning to save some for Uncle Yang?"
"You didn't save any either!"
"And Stelle clearly can't handle food anymore—"
"That soda douzhi is way too aggressive."
"Why don't we bring it back for Uncle Yang instead?"
Soda douzhi—
A legendary ancient Xianzhou specialty.
Young people would rather drink Pupu Milk Tea
then even consider trying that flavor.
Uncle Yang, being the oldest on the train—
Surely he'd be interested in something like this, right?
"What do you mean Uncle Yang would like it?"
"Do you seriously think he would?"
"Stelle, give your cup to March."
"Let her properly experience the charm of Xianzhou cuisine."
"Here you go."
Stelle didn't hesitate at all,
handing the bag of douzhi right over.
Before March could even open her mouth—
A strong fermented stench rushed straight up her nose.
"You think I'm stupid?!"
"Is this stuff drinkable?!"
"Why don't you try it?"
In a flash—
Evan moved faster than lightning
and fed a mouthful of douzhi straight into March 7th's mouth.
The first second—no reaction.
The second second—
A piercing, brain-assaulting flavor detonated in her mouth.
Her brain promptly shut down.
"EVAN! YOU BASTARD!!"
[Beep—beep—beep!]
[Multiple Luofu Hollow Domains unlocked. Treasure locations marked.]
[Locked Areas: Scalegorge Waterscape, Shackling Prison, Divine Foresight Palace.]
[Locked areas require the host to personally visit to unlock.]
[Unlocked areas are now available for treasure hunting.]
March 7th, furious, hurled the skewer in her hand straight at Evan's back.
Fast—but not faster than Evan's feet.
Little March stood no chance.
All that was left was March,
standing there with indecision written all over her face—
unsure whether to swallow or spit out the douzhi,
as it dribbled down from the corner of her mouth.
At the same time—
Xianzhou Luofu, Shackling Prison.
Heavy footsteps echoed through the empty halls.
From the shadows emerged a man with dark blue hair.
Anyone who looked closely would immediately recognize him—
A criminal wanted by the IPC.
One of the Stellaron Hunters.
Blade.
Not far away, Jing Yuan stood quietly,
a sword-bearing youth at his side, both watching the man before them.
"Yanqing," Jing Yuan called.
"Yes, General!"
The boy jumped down from his seat at once,
hand gripping his sword, eyes locked on Blade.
"Look carefully at this man."
"Yes, General!"
Jing Yuan's expression had subtly changed
from the moment Blade appeared—
but he kept his emotions firmly in check.
Calm.
Measured.
"You," Jing Yuan said, looking at Blade,
"Do you remember me?"
"I do."
Blade raised his head,
a cold smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.
"Jing Yuan…"
"There are five people," Blade said slowly.
"Three must pay the price."
"And you—"
"are not one of them."
Jing Yuan looked at the man before him—
someone who had once been his closest companion.
The past had faded like smoke.
"Yanqing," Jing Yuan said evenly,
"There are several Nameless from the Astral Express near Changle Heaven."
"As a Cloud Knight Skyrider, go and ensure their safety."
"Understood, General."
Jing Yuan watched Yanqing leave,
then turned his gaze back to Blade.
"So… Xianzhou is finally about to descend into chaos?"
Elsewhere in the universe—
A starship cut freely through space.
A woman aboard had left Xianzhou not long ago.
At the same time, one of her teammates had been captured there.
All of this had happened twenty-four hours before Evan and the others arrived.
Now—
Kafka calmly looked at the script in her hands.
She let the cat perched on her shoulder leap away.
That cat wasn't ordinary—
It was merely a vessel used by Elio to transfer his consciousness,
usually kept aboard the ship.
As for Elio's true body?
Even Kafka herself had no idea where it was.
A slave to destiny—
one who interpreted the Final King's prophecies
and searched endlessly for the optimal path.
"Silver Wolf," Kafka asked casually,
"have you breached the train's security hub yet?"
"Already done!"
"Who do you think I am?"
"I've hacked the Herta Space Station before, you know!"
"Good."
Kafka was ready.
Ready to guide the Astral Express toward the Xianzhou Luofu.
One second.
Two seconds.
Aboard the Astral Express—
Himeko stepped out of the kitchen,
a cup of coffee in hand.
She took a light sip.
And then—
A holographic projection abruptly appeared before her.
It was that woman.
Kafka.
A Stellaron Hunter.
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