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Within Little Gui Zi's live stream:
"Huh? Our perspective switched back so quickly?"
"I wanted to see more of your performance within the storyline, Shangshang." Little Gui Zi sighed wistfully.
"That's enough already!"
"I must hurry and record this segment with my appearance; can't wait to rewatch it when I get back!" Sushang exclaimed excitedly.
Watching Sushang's thrilled expression, Guinaifen couldn't help but feel slightly envious. "If only I could make an appearance in the storyline too..." she muttered. "I don't even need a significant role, just being a minor NPC on the streets would be fine."
"Sigh, we're not major characters or government officials, so chances seem slim," she added.
"Don't lose heart, Little Gui Zi. You still have plenty of side quests uncompleted in this game. With your knack for creating content, I bet Feathered Spirit will assign you at least one!"
"Quickly send a private message to Feathered Spirit, Little Gui Zi! Considering how much popularity you've gained by streaming 'Star Rail,' I'm sure they'll agree."
"The perspective switch is intriguing; hope to see more of these later!"
"Hurry up and capture Kafka! I can't wait to reunite with Mom!"
Little Gui Zi nodded.
Yes!
Capturing Kafka is the top priority now!
If only they could really get their hands on that wicked woman! The Grand Diviner's Office would undoubtedly extract astonishing intelligence from her.
Back to the unfolding plot...
Tingyun announced, "I've brought along an assistant who will surely aid you all, Crew. Capturing Kafka is of utmost importance; the Sky-Faring Commission cannot afford to let her escape. So, I used some influence and borrowed this valuable tool for pursuit from the Artisanship Commission."
A small copper creature blinked, observing its surroundings curiously.
"Oh... how adorable!" March 7th exclaimed excitedly.
"Ahem, what exactly is this treasure? Can it pounce and hold onto Kafka tightly?" asked March 7th.
"Yes, but not quite," Tingyun replied. "This Ditti was developed by the Artisanship Commission, mimicking the five senses of my fox clan, with even greater acuity. Whether it's footprints or scents, once locked onto a distinctive feature, it can track the target's trail relentlessly until the end."
"As long as we find even the slightest trace of Kafka, no matter how well she hides, she won't evade the Ditti's pursuit."
To help the Astral Express Crew become proficient with the Ditti, Tingyun served as bait, asking them to test if they could locate her using the device.
Seeing the Ditti's endearingly clueless expression, Guinaifen felt her heart melt!
She secretly resolved that for her next outdoor live stream, she must get a few Dittis like these. The entertainment value could potentially double with their presence!
Within the Palace of Astrum, Yukong observed Tingyun's seasoned demeanor in the unfolding plot—resourceful and adept at utilizing external aids. Before departure, she even remembered to calibrate and test crucial equipment.
Yukong was immensely pleased, feeling her tail couldn't help but perk up behind her, and the corners of her lips curved uncontrollably upward.
"Look at her! Truly deserving to be my most trusted subordinate. Even the Astral Express Crew follows Tingyun's instructions!"
"...Speaking of which, it has been quite some time since I last saw Tingyun."
"If the crew is heading towards The Shackling Prison next, let her lead the way."
In Yukong's eyes, Tingyun's performance within the plot was highly satisfactory. Initially hesitant about grooming Tingyun as her successor, she now felt completely reassured.
It wasn't just Yukong; even the game developer, Yuzhi Ling, must have been equally satisfied with Tingyun!
Otherwise,
why would Tingyun have such a significant role in the storyline?
Luofu, The Shackling Prison.
"Bang!"
Seven or eight Cloud Knights were simultaneously sent flying, their weapons shattered in half.
Blade wreaked havoc amidst the crowd, cutting down foes left and right.
However...
Just as he breached a gap, more Cloud Knights immediately rushed to fill it, relentless and unyielding!
Outnumbered, Blade stood alone against wave after wave of attackers. Yet these Cloud Knights seemed like wildfire, impossible to extinguish completely—always regenerating with each spring breeze!
Unstoppable though Blade was, his fury boiled under such overwhelming odds, leaving him powerless.
Suddenly:
A woman's voice echoed from within the rear ranks of the military formation.
"Listen to me: Everyone, drop your weapons."
The Cloud Knights were taken aback.
Slowly, they began lowering their arms.
Suddenly,
a sword's cry pierced the sky!
The youth, riding his flying sword like surfing a wave, swiftly headed towards the source of the sound.
"Clang!"
His jade-like blade clashed with Kafka's purple katana, the crisp impact startling some of the controlled Cloud Knights back to awareness.
After exchanging this first blow,
Yanqing hovered mid-air and coldly said, "Stellaron Hunter—Kafka, correct?"
"The General anticipated your rescue attempt and specifically ordered me to wait here. This trap was meticulously set just for you!"
Kafka smiled faintly. The purple katana disappeared, replaced by two gleaming submachine guns.
"Don't be too confident, little brother," Kafka replied, suddenly recalling her ultimate ability in the game. She considered that replicating it now might have quite an impressive effect.
"I'll capture you first and let the General decide your fate!" Yanqing pointed his sword forward, and behind him, a fan-like array of shimmering blades materialized, reminiscent of a peacock spreading its tail feathers.
"Swish—"
"Swish—"
"Swish—"
Each sword attacked Kafka from different angles.
However, in an instant...
As if falling into invisible black holes, the swords disintegrated into countless shimmering fragments and vanished.
Yanqing's expression shifted abruptly.
Another figure emerged from beside Kafka.
Silver Wolf, casually blowing bubbles, remarked with a nonchalant tone, "Let's make this quick, Kafka. I still have to log back into the Simulated Universe later."
"Agreed."
Yanqing's gaze grew solemn as he raised his sole remaining sword.
"Excellent. It seems I might apprehend three Stellaron Hunters at once!"
":." Silver Wolf glanced disdainfully at Yanqing, "Where did they find this brat? So ordinary yet so overconfident. Well, Kafka, you deal with him; I don't want bullying kids on my record."
"Brat?!?" Yanqing instantly flared up in anger.
"I am the Cloud Knight Lieutenant—Yanqing!" He challenged, "Outlaw, take this strike!"
While Yanqing was focused solely on Silver Wolf, Kafka silently moved behind him.
"[Hear Me]: Stand down," commanded Kafka.
Yanqing froze, all his fierce momentum dissipating. He dropped to one knee, his sword clattering to the ground beside him.
The surrounding Cloud Knights attempted to assist but were suddenly repelled by an intense burst of sword energy, leaving an empty space around them.
Silver Wolf looked at the fallen Yanqing and scoffed, "And you didn't believe me when I called you a kid? How easily deceived you are."
Blade approached Kafka and Silver Wolf, preparing for their swift departure.
Suddenly, a voice echoed through the area:
"Oh?"
"It seems your age isn't much greater either."
A subtle smirk formed at the corner of Kafka's lips as he remarked, "Today just keeps getting more interesting."
Silver Wolf's expression turned grave.
As for Blade, his eyes instantly glowed with a blood-red hue, like a ferocious wolf sensing the scent of blood. He roared towards the sky, "It's you! You've returned too!"
White snowflakes drifted gently from above while layers of icy blades burst forth from the ground below. In an instant, they formed sharp walls of ice, isolating the pursuing Cloud Knights behind them.
Emerging from the darkness were a white-haired woman and a golden-haired man, walking side by side. The woman wore a black veil over her eyes, while the man carried a coffin.
"I am merely a humble merchant, truly honored to have this fortuitous encounter with all of you."