"Well, we're outsiders, so it's no wonder they don't trust us."
Stelle crosses her arms, looking indifferent.
"Then next time, you take the lead. I can't always be the one tanking the reputation hits…"
"Really? This is the only time. Don't talk about Jarilo-VI—Leon did most of the work there."
March 7th: "Uh… I don't quite remember, hehe…"
Welt: "Don't take it to heart, March. I think that Fu Xuan girl is quite reasonable. She's not mad at you."
"But she feels so cold…"
"Is she on par with Dan Heng?"
Stelle raises her index finger, making March 7th giggle.
"Dan Heng isn't cold! He's just… dazed~~ If we're talking cold, that's gotta be Leon. I'll let you in on a secret—once when he got mad…"
"Alright, save the bickering and reminiscing for later."
Welt interrupts March 7th and suggests:
"The Divination Commission will probably need some time to prepare. Let's walk around nearby, grab something to eat, or rest for a bit."
"Awesome!"
At the mention of food and rest, March 7th instantly forgets what she was about to say.
"That starskiff we rode was actually pretty fun. I bet Exalting Sanctum has plenty of cool stuff too~~"
As the conversation ends, the group splits up, and Ah Xian pulls a face.
"So annoying! They should've let Old Yang go chat with Luocha!"
"I finally had a chance to learn more about Leon's past, and he forcibly cuts it off."
Stelle doesn't go wandering but instead seeks out Tingyun.
"Oh, what a coincidence, benefactor."
"Not a coincidence. I came looking for you. Can you tell me what the Divination Commission actually does?"
"Sigh, benefactor, you've never asked this humble girl what the Sky-Faring Commission does, hmph~~"
Tingyun lets out a playful, resentful hum, exuding the charming yet refined allure of a foxian woman.
Stelle doesn't fall for it, answering bluntly:
"Isn't the Sky-Faring Commission just the air traffic control and navigation authority for the Xianzhou? I didn't think I needed to ask."
Tingyun shoots Stelle a mock glare.
"Comparing people is infuriating, and comparing commissions is boring…"
"Commission sounds like 'si,' as in 'thinking,' right? Can't help but chuckle?"
"Benefactor, you're such a tease~~ Alright, since you asked, this humble girl will answer: the Divination Commission oversees the Xianzhou's intelligence, strategic planning, and divination."
Stelle raises an eyebrow, full of curiosity.
"Can divination really read people's hearts? Forgive me, I'm just a newborn babe, my experience is shallow."
Tingyun's eye twitches, and she instinctively asks, "Dare I ask, how old are you, benefactor?"
Stelle puffs out her chest, hands on hips, flashing a smug grin.
① "Not even a month old, impressive, right?"
② "I'm eight years old this year."
Seeing these options, players can't help but crack up.
Stelle: "To be honest, not even a month old. Pretty impressive, huh, miss?"
Tingyun's eyes narrow into crescent moons, her folding fan lightly swaying to half-cover her pretty face, hiding the slight twitch at the corner of her mouth.
Is the Astral Express sending a jokester to mess with her?
"Benefactor, you're such a kidder~ This humble girl sees your graceful and delicate figure—you don't look like someone less than a month old."
"Unless, benefactor, you're one of those legendary mayfly-like beings, with a fleeting life that shines brilliantly only at the end~"
Stelle: "Miss Tingyun, I'm not lying."
----
"Good grief, where did this come from? Is this still Honkai: Star Rail?"
Ah Xian nearly bursts out laughing.
The closed beta plot only went as far as capturing Kafka. Every step forward now is a fresh dose of fun.
"Good thing Welt isn't around."
"But seriously, it'd be hilarious if this baited out Fu Hua's counterpart."
Tingyun: "Back to the point, Xianzhou divination isn't some trick like tossing coins or drawing lots to fool people."
"It's a technology called the jade omen."
"From the Xianzhou's navigation routes and state policies to military maneuvers and civilian issues, the Divination Commission deduces and divines to seek fortune and avoid calamity."
Stelle: "I don't get it, but it sounds impressive."
"If you're feeling restless, benefactor, you can explore around. Or perhaps, would you like to invite me to tour Exalting Sanctum together, hehe~~"
Tingyun covers her face, giggling coyly.
No way, of course. Stelle crosses her arms.
Tour with this slick fox?
Why not hang out with the adorable little March instead?
At least March doesn't scheme, and her beauty is pure.
"Oi! Come grab food with this girl! I found a big eater challenge—if you finish, it's free~~"
Speak of the devil—March 7th grabs Stelle's hand and starts walking.
"Miss Tingyun, wanna try it?"
"No thanks, benefactor. Eat well and have fun~~"
Tingyun watches the two girls walk off with a bright smile, the curve of her lips subtly deepening.
She turns back, gazing at the distant Scalegorge Waterscape.
A fleeting, inexplicable glint flashes in her gem-like, captivating green eyes.
Stelle: "Big eater challenge for a free meal, hmph. March, oh March, you've found the right person—I'm a pro at eating."
March 7th: "You said it! Don't fall short of the goal."
Stelle: "Dear, don't underestimate the joy of freeloading~~"
Ten minutes later—
March 7th holds a cup of Xianzhou Happy Tea, her little face beaming with delight.
"Hey, aren't you forgetting something, March?"
"What?"
"You're so smart, you'll figure it out."
Stelle raises an eyebrow at March 7th, smirking and striking a pose, her face practically screaming "praise me" in big letters.
March 7th can tell, rolling her eyes before saying sweetly:
"You're so amazing, Stelle, I totally admire you~~"
The sentence structure sounds like sarcasm, but coming from March 7th's mouth, it melts countless players' hearts.
Soft, sweet, and utterly charming.
[So cute, so cute, so cute!!]
[Who can resist this?]
[I'm calling her my brain-wife!]
Stelle chuckles: "Tch, not sincere enough. Sounds a bit half-hearted."
March 7th: "Oh, come on, I'll elbow you~"
Stelle: "Let's not, then."
March 7th: "Sigh~~ Food really does lift your mood. A lot of the gloom from being on the Xianzhou has melted away~"
"It's alright, I guess."
"Just alright? From the Sky-Faring Commission to the Divination Commission, everyone keeps saying 'it's a secret, can't disclose' like it's their catchphrase."
March 7th pouts cutely, taking a big sip of her milk tea.
"Only General Jing Yuan is warm and approachable. Sure, he might be playing the good cop, but at least his attitude feels like a spring breeze."
"Ugh, I hate to admit it, but I'm starting to miss Sampo a little… Wait!"
"Where did that thought come from? Am I crazy?"
"No, no, no, Xianzhou people are way better than Sampo!"
Stelle strokes her chin, pondering. She doesn't think Sampo's anything special—Leon's got him handled.
But some Xianzhou folks do give off a strong sense of exclusion.
Especially Tingyun. She seems all smiles and approachable, but for some reason, she makes Stelle uncomfortable.
Sometimes Leon's smiles seem even more calculating than Tingyun's.
But Leon has never made her feel uneasy.
March 7th is still ranting.
"Running around in Belobog, we were swamped. Here in the Xianzhou, we've got heaps of time, but it's all spent waiting."
"Chasing, escaping, waiting—maybe that's just life…"
Stelle teases: "AUV, you're writing poetry now?"
March 7th says confidently: "What's so surprising? I'm a beautiful girl. Even a sigh from me is poetry."
…
…
=====
New Story posted:
Transmigrated as Furina, in the Naruto world