Please support me on Patreon, where you can read a bunch of extra chapters, not just for this novel, but for all the novels I'm working on. I upload at least 2 times daily for each novel.
Patreon.com/ThatGreatStuff
******
In the train corridor.
Bochang and Stelle walked together, encountering March 7th and Dan Heng just as before, with similar attitudes emerging.
The pink-haired girl remained unconvinced about Kafka, displaying considerable hostility.
March 7th confidently assured everyone that they should vote against his proposal.
Stelle, curious, asked, "Isn't it ultimately up to Himeko?"
"Trust me, she'll definitely go for a democratic vote. When that happens, where we end up will be decided by us."
The Astral Express had a total of seven crew members. If March 7th, Dan Heng, Bochang, and Stelle aligned their votes,
Himeko, Welt Yang, and Serval wouldn't stand much chance of swaying the decision.
Dan Heng shook his head, "Going to any other Xianzhou would be fine... But not Luofu. I cannot go there."
Xianzhou—
These colossal ships, roughly planet-sized, were dispatched by an ancient civilization seeking the elixir for eternal life. They were known as the "Elixir Seekers."
Their quest bore fruit when they encountered the Epoch of Abundance - Yaoshi, who bestowed upon them blessings, granting them infinite lifespans.
However...
The pursuit of immortality led to the creation of numerous undead abominations.
Ultimately, it was during the Epoch of the Hunt that these beings were saved.
Subsequently, the inhabitants of Xianzhou joined the Hunt faction and formed the Xianzhou Alliance. They embarked on a mission across the galaxy, purging the immortal abominations.
This series of calamities reduced the original nine Xianzhou ships to just six remaining:
Luofu, Yaoqing, Fanghu, Zhuming, Xuling, and Yuque, each governed by different Generals.
Above the Generals stood the Cloud Knight Marshal, named Hua.
It's worth noting that...
both the Generals and the Marshal are Emanators of deities.
Their combined strength was formidable, roughly equivalent to that of Lord Ravager.
"Do you have any unresolved issues with Luofu?" Bochang asked, turning to Dan Heng.
Having listened to Himeko's introduction earlier, he now had a decent understanding of the Xianzhou Alliance.
In response to the question, the stoic little azure dragon showed no intention of revealing everything. "I am banned from entering Luofu; they declared 'forbidden to tread upon lands under my governance' regarding me. If you plan to go there, I cannot accompany you."
Just as Dan Heng finished speaking, March 7th interjected, "Don't worry, as long as we four stick together, it won't be a problem."
"Right, Bochang?" March 7th smiled at the black-haired youth expectantly.
Bochang rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Well...actually, I'm quite interested in visiting Xianzhou myself. Moreover, Luofu is connected to Dan Heng's background, March, aren't you curious too?"
"Hmm... You make a compelling point." Bochang's words brought clarity to March 7th's thoughts.
Dan Heng, speechless, said, "Next time you discuss such matters, could you please do it away from me?"
"It's not that significant anyway." Bochang shrugged slightly.
After pondering for a moment, March 7th sensed something was off and remarked, "Hey... Bochang, don't tell me you're deciding to go to Xianzhou just because of Kafka? We know about your connection with the Stellaron Hunters."
"I'm not, I haven't, don't be ridiculous." Bochang swiftly denied it thrice.
For some reason, March 7th generously chose not to press further.
"Well then, let's find Himeko so they won't worry too much."
The group of four turned and entered the train hall.
Upon seeing Dan Heng arrive,
Himeko greeted them first.
"Are you alright, Dan Heng? Little March must have informed you about everything."
Since Dan Heng was always punctual, his tardiness led Himeko to believe he had valid reasons for it. She didn't press further with questions.
"I'm fine, and I've been briefed on the situation," Dan Heng nodded slightly.
Then...
As March 7th had suggested, Himeko initiated a democratic vote to decide their course of action.
Raising a hand indicated voting for going to Xianzhou. Not raising a hand meant abstaining from the trip.
In the end, everyone except Dan Heng raised their hands.
"Six votes to one... Therefore, the Train Group has decided by majority to proceed towards Xianzhou." Himeko announced with a smile.
Although the Stellaron Hunters might be merely using everyone,
However... neither Himeko nor Welt Yang could completely ignore the situation at Xianzhou Luofu.
Bochang and Stelle turned their gaze towards March 7th.
If they remembered correctly, March 7th had confidently declared her intention to vote against going.
But since both Bochang and Stelle themselves voted in favor, they said nothing.
Next, Dan Heng clearly expressed his desire to remain on the Astral Express.
"In that case, I'll entrust this Trailblaze mission to you... Welt, it seems you've been itching for action." Himeko spread her hands. "Take care of Little March, Stelle, Bochang, and Serval, especially Serval - this is her first Trailblaze mission," she emphasized.
"Don't worry." Welt Yang nodded.
March 7th placed her hands on her hips and cheerfully declared, "Destination: Xianzhou—let's go!"
With the decision made,
the Astral Express prepared for its warp jump.
Bochang, Stelle, and Serval sat together on the soft red sofa, chatting casually before the official start of the warp.
"By the way... What is March doing?"
Despite everyone else being seated and ready for the warp,
March 7th stood alone in the middle of the train, muttering to herself, "I won't fall, I won't fall, I won't fall..."
As she repeated it, her voice began to crack slightly.
"She's challenging herself," Bochang said with a slight shake of his head. "Unfortunately, she rarely succeeds."
Stelle said, "Don't worry about March; we just need to close our eyes and sit comfortably."
"Alright then..." Serval responded.
Just as she finished speaking, Pom-Pom's voice chimed in:
"The warp is about to begin - 5, 4..."
As the countdown echoed,
Serval didn't immediately close her eyes but instead gazed at her home—Jarilo VI.
After sealing away Stellaron,
the once icy planet visibly shed layers of white, revealing its natural earth tones again.
"Farewell..." Serval thought to herself, then closed her clear, sapphire-like eyes.
The Astral Express was enveloped by a surge of blue light.
Following the coordinates provided by the Stellaron Hunters, they embarked on a warp journey towards an unknown destination.
According to Kafka,
With just two more warps, the Astral Express would reach Xianzhou Luofu.
And indeed, after two consecutive jumps—accompanied by the sound of March 7th stumbling twice—the Astral Express arrived at Xianzhou Luofu.
It was an incredibly massive ship.
Rubbing her sore bottom, March 7th shrugged it off and joined everyone else near the window. Gazing at the colossal vessel, she exclaimed, "Wow! Is that Xianzhou? It looks even bigger than Jarilo VI!"
As they beheld the familiar giant ship, Dan Heng felt a wave of nostalgia and began murmuring to himself.
Meanwhile, Himeko initiated communication with Xianzhou Luofu, requesting landing clearance.
"Welcome... to Luofu Spaceport... Star Ferry Sea... Please wait patiently for docking instructions... Please wait patiently for docking instructions..."
The intermittent signal repeated the same message continuously, showing no signs of providing guidance for berthing.
This caused a slight commotion aboard the Astral Express.
March 7th's imagination ran wild, already envisioning this as the beginning of a horror movie scenario.