This is the Astral Express, the place where all dreams begin and where every pioneering epic commences.
And today, in this special place, some unknown existence has stirred up a wave that doesn't belong to this world for this story.
Thus, amidst the sharp blast of a certain fate's slave, the world begins to roll madly toward an unknown path.
"This adventure was really dangerous! That villain Phantylia actually wanted to convert General Jing Yuan into a Mara-struck soldier at the end. If Dan Heng didn't truly have hidden power, we would have been in real trouble this time!"
(╯°□°）╯
In the train car, several people who had just finished their adventure on the Xianzhou and received the Alliance Jade Abacus were casually chatting.
"Hehe, indeed. Although Phantylia ultimately caused considerable damage, fortunately it was still manageable overall."
Welt, the reliable elder of the train crew, pushed up his glasses and spoke with a sigh.
"To describe this Xianzhou journey as 'full of ups and downs' would be an understatement."
"First the Stellaron Hunters, then the Ambrosial Arbor disaster, and finally even an Emanator of Destruction got involved. I have to say, I really am getting old."
Feeling the pain from his waist, Welt was ready to rest properly for a while.
"Well, that's what you say, but Uncle Yang, Stelle—since Dan Heng truly has hidden power, might I have some too?"
Taking the drink Pom-Pom handed her, March 7th recalled Dan Heng's sea-splitting display and began her own chuunibyou fantasies in her mind.
But as soon as she finished speaking, everyone felt a flash of white light before their eyes, and for a moment it seemed as if the entire world had been frozen.
"What's happening? What's happening? Do I really have some hidden power?" March 7th said with a bewildered expression, looking at the strange situation around them.
She immediately grabbed Pom-Pom from nearby and hugged the conductor tightly, nervously nuzzling.
"March 7th, passenger! The conductor is not a plush toy, pom!"
"Stay alert. This might be an enemy attack."
Dan Heng quickly summoned Cloud-Piercer and stood up, vigilantly looking around, while the other train crew members except little March also drew their weapons.
But before anyone could figure out what was happening, an ethereal voice seemingly from the horizon rang in everyone's ears.
[Welcome everyone to the Gap of Destiny. I will gradually reveal your fates. If you can make the correct choices, you will receive corresponding rewards, while failure will result in punishment. Please answer carefully.]
"What's this situation? March, I think I'm having hallucinations."
Stella looked around and found that the world was still the same, except that everything besides the train crew seemed frozen at the moment before the white light appeared.
"Stay calm. This shouldn't be a hallucination." The Star of Eden had already appeared in Welt's hand as he carefully analyzed the surrounding situation, preparing for the worst in his mind.
"An Emanator... no, an Aeon?"
To instantly bring them into this miraculous domain was beyond what an ordinary Emanator could accomplish.
But... would an Aeon really be so bored as to do something like this?
Welt and Himeko exchanged glances, both seeing gravity in each other's eyes.
Now they could only hope that the other party had no malicious intent toward the train crew.
Silver Wolf: "Yo, what is this thing? Why does it seem like some kind of Q&A game?"
Just then, an extremely abrupt comment appeared along with a transparent panel suddenly materializing before everyone.
"Si-Silver Wolf? So this is actually a Stellaron Hunter conspiracy after all?" Seeing this familiar name, March 7th instantly became unafraid.
She explored the panel's functions and began denouncing the culprit with righteous indignation.
"March 7th here! You galactic fugitives, what kind of scheme are you plotting now? No matter what, the Astral Express will thwart your conspiracy!"
March 7th stood with hands on her hips, full of righteous spirit.
Silver Wolf: "...Is she always like this?"
The scene became quite awkward for a moment...
"Hey, what does this guy mean?" March 7th pointed at Silver Wolf's helpless emoji, her expression slightly unable to hold.
"Alright, little March, let's sort out the situation first." Seeing March 7th's predicament, Himeko chuckled and changed the topic.
But while the group was discussing, that ethereal voice suddenly echoed in everyone's ears again, accompanied by a question on the panel.
At the same time, more and more faces began appearing on the dialogue panel.
Kiana: "Mei, Bronya! Look, look! I can speak now!"
Project Bunny 19C: "Idiot Kiana, generally in situations like this, one should observe more and speak less."
Kiana: "Stinky Bronya! Who are you calling an idiot? Didn't you speak up too?"
Project Bunny 19C: "That's because a certain idiot already spoke, so Bronya had to speak up."
Kiana: "You—"
Raiden Mei: "Alright, alright~ You two stop fighting. There are other people here."
Seeing these familiar names, a certain elder on the train was already breaking out in cold sweat.
Kiana, Bronya, Mei... How is this possible? Am I on Earth? But this ability doesn't seem like the Herrscher of Finality's power either.
At this moment, ten thousand possibilities flashed through Welt's mind.
Until he suddenly glimpsed the question on the panel, an ominous premonition began surging in his heart.
[First Question: What is the one thing Welt Yang did NOT do before making his transcendence declaration to Bronya?]
[A. Kill Schicksal's Valkyries]
[B. Destroy the Herrscher of the Void and seize her core]
[C. Consider Welt Joyce a failure]
[D. Entrust the Herrscher core to Bronya]
"It's over... completely over." Looking at the question before him, Welt's eye was twitching frantically as long-forgotten memories surged up, and a certain embarrassing trial slowly surfaced in his mind.
"That... that, Uncle Yang... Schicksal's Valkyries and that other person also named Welt should both be villains, right...?" March 7th asked tentatively, looking at those options that seemed very bad.
But then, as if realizing something, she quickly waved her arms and hurriedly explained: "It's okay, Uncle Yang! Even if you used to be a villain, you're still our good Uncle Yang!"
"Yeah, Uncle Yang! Villains are so cool, there's nothing wrong with that!" Stelle also quickly added, making Welt extremely embarrassed.
"March, Stelle, it's really a pity you two aren't Fictional Historians." Dan Heng covered his face with one hand. Regarding these two companions' eccentric personalities, he expressed that getting used to it was the only way.