If an economic entity as massive as the Interastral Peace Corporation were to collapse overnight, the disaster would rival the devastation of the Cosmic Swarm.
No existing power in the universe could fill the vacuum left behind.
"Argenti… I want to change something."
"At the very least, slavery should not exist."
"The existence of slaves gives those vile criminals a legal excuse for their atrocities. If slavery were abolished, those beasts wouldn't dare commit such crimes openly."
Lin Yi looked at Argenti sincerely.
"Help me."
Two simple words carried countless thoughts.
Lin Yi alone could easily rescue a single slave.
Perhaps he could even liberate all slaves that currently existed.
But he could never shake a deep-rooted system.
Free this group today, and another would appear tomorrow.
For this matter, his power alone was not enough.
The web of interests behind slavery was enormous—so enormous that even Lin Yi did not dare confront it directly.
Not because he feared the consequences.
But because he feared getting dragged into endless trouble that would delay his research.
At that moment, Lin Yi was already considering how to pull several other geniuses into this cause.
Argenti rose solemnly.
"With the name of the Knights of Beauty, I swear to Idrila."
"I shall become a sharp spear and an unbreakable shield."
"I will defend the path of Beauty with my life."
"My dear friend…"
"I cannot describe the excitement I feel right now."
"I believe you have already walked very far upon the path of Beauty."
"Though it may be unlikely… I must still say this."
"The gates of the Knights of Beauty will always remain open for you."
"For such a beautiful cause, I will call upon my fellow knights."
"I believe they will gladly answer."
"Good."
Lin Yi nodded.
"The Knights of Beauty possess an excellent reputation across the stars. With your help, this plan will proceed much more smoothly."
"I hope you can persuade enough governments across the galaxy."
"When the time is right, they should jointly declare their opposition to slavery."
"For now, we begin like this…"
Lin Yi began outlining the plan he had just conceived.
It was still incomplete.
But the details could be refined later.
"This is the foundation of everything."
"Are there enough Knights of Beauty?"
"If not, it doesn't matter."
"As long as someone starts it, righteous people will surely follow."
Time slipped by unnoticed as they talked.
Argenti's ship had already finished its repairs and modifications.
After all, this was the IPC headquarters.
Efficiency was extremely high.
Especially since this maintenance facility served only internal corporate vessels.
Lin Yi finally glanced at the work site.
And realized something.
This place was no longer really under the control of the company.
What had started as a normal repair job escalated continuously once it became associated with a Genius Society member.
By the time Lin Yi casually produced a few experimental gadgets and compiled a temporary collision-avoidance program…
The project had become far too advanced for ordinary corporate engineers to understand.
The most experienced technician from the department had even lost the chance to assist.
Instead—
Scholars from the Intelligentsia Guild had taken over the entire operation.
Professors with deep knowledge brought their students to study the genius's creations, even though they were merely casual inventions.
Lin Yi didn't care who was working on the ship.
Or why they were there.
As long as they didn't delay the repairs.
If they wanted to study his gadgets, they were free to do so.
"Sir Knight, please allow me to introduce the upgrades installed on your vessel."
Idrila's Rare Vessel — Modification List (Partial)
Hull Maintenance
Multiple damaged sections replaced with Blackgold T-462 reinforced armor plates.
"Honestly… I can't explain why a hull this damaged was still so strong. I suspect the repaired sections might actually be weaker now."
— Anonymous engineer
Engine Replacement
The main engine was completely destroyed and beyond repair.
The auxiliary engine was extremely outdated.
Both were replaced with the Lierta Engine, a joint product of the Intelligentsia Guild and the IPC.
"I haven't seen an engine this old in years. The last one I saw was in a scrap yard."
— Elder scholar
Energy System Upgrade
Optimized circuits to reduce transmission losses and greatly improve efficiency.
"Who designed this beautiful piece of garbage? It looks like a student's graduation project—form over function."
— Irritated professor who redesigned the circuits personally
Operating System Update
"Starship Autopilot for Absolute Idiots v3.72""Anti-Collision System – Lin Yi Special Edition"
Defense System & Weapon Installation
Linked to Starforge Hammer whitelist systemRhythmic RamRose-Pink Arc Cannon 4.3 (Real Men Use Pink)Heavenly Rainbow Pulse Beam – Lin Yi ModifiedEnergy Concentration CoreDecay Warp Engine IIISecond Miracle – Hunt Beacon (Zhuxing's Vacation Homework)
"Feels like the firepower is missing something… but space is limited."
— Foxian engineer from Yaoqing
"We had limited time, so this is the best we could do."
The monocle-wearing scholar spoke briskly.
"Sir Knight, is there anything you're dissatisfied with? If so, please tell us now so we can improve it."
Judging from his hopeful gaze, however, he was clearly hoping Argenti would make more requests—so they could spend more time studying Lin Yi's devices.
Argenti glanced at the harsh comments written beside the energy circuit diagrams.
He hesitated slightly.
"This is already perfect."
"I cannot see a single flaw."
"My deepest thanks to everyone for your hard work."
"Idrila's Rare Vessel has been reborn."
"And thank you as well, my friend."
"But the trials of the goddess Idrila await me."
"I have delayed long enough."
"I must depart to continue spreading the name of Beauty."
"Please wait!"
The scholar hurriedly stopped him.
"Allow us to clean the ship first!"
"It's covered in construction debris—departing like this would hardly be beautiful!"
He was clearly anxious.
Even if he couldn't study Lin Yi's inventions further, he at least wanted time to record data.
Such opportunities were rare.
The gap between a genius and ordinary scholars was simply too large.
Even Lin Yi often joked that he was merely a "discount genius who boarded the train before buying the ticket."
But even a mediocre graduate student could easily surpass a primary school child.
A casual invention from a genius could become the subject of a scholar's lifelong research.
Ironically, most of the devices Lin Yi provided this time had little real value.
The only truly useful item was the collision-avoidance program, adapted from algorithms Lin Yi had learned from Screwllum.
Lin Yi had studied programming under Screwllum for a while.
Screwllum had taught him generously.
Though Lin Yi only learned a little, it was enough to be "somewhat proficient."
Most of the other devices were toys.
Powerful toys—but with severe side effects.
Among them, the truly valuable invention was Zhuxing's vacation homework.
The name Second Miracle sounded impressive.
But it was only a name.
The true "Second Miracle" in the Seven Wonders was Perpetual Motion.
To anyone with scientific knowledge, perpetual motion was a joke.
Both Einstein in Lin Yi's previous world and Lierta in this universe agreed:
Energy cannot be created or destroyed.
Lin Yi fully accepted this principle.
If something resembling perpetual motion existed, it would simply mean energy was being drawn from a higher layer of reality not yet observed.
And in this universe, information itself could possess mass and energy.
Years ago, Lin Yi took Zhuxing to observe the appearance of the Hunt Aeon's arrow.
They watched the divine arrow streak across the sky like a meteor.
Lin Yi gave Zhuxing an assignment.
Use everything you've learned.
Observe the phenomenon.
Create something inspired by it.
It could be anything.
Use any method.
Ignore cost.
Ignore practicality.
Ask for help if necessary.
The result exceeded Lin Yi's expectations.
Zhuxing created the Hunt Beacon.
Using the gravitational field inside the universe's protective wall—formed by the Great Gravity Core Disk and the Heavenly Star Wall built by Qlipoth—
The system formed a gravitational "bowstring."
The beacon itself acted as the arrow.
When launched, the vessel would be propelled like an arrow fired from a cosmic bow.
The bow was vast.
The arrow unstoppable.
The upper speed limit depended only on the ship's structural tolerance.
Because of the Hunt Stone and the gravitational core disk, activating the engine essentially borrowed energy from the Path of the Hunt.
After that, the propulsion continued naturally through gravitational forces.
Only minor course corrections were required.
If the destination contained Abundance creatures, the system became even more efficient.
The energy used to activate the engine would not decrease.
Instead, it continued increasing during pursuit.
As long as the engine shut down before reaching critical levels, the borrowed energy would return to the Path—resulting in lossless travel.
The flight path resembled a hunter chasing prey.
Of course—
If the engine wasn't stopped before the critical threshold…
Well.
The crew would simply attend their own funeral banquet.
In short, it was a creation perfectly suited to the Star Rail universe.
Its operation relied entirely on the existence of Aeons.
Outside this universe's boundaries—
It would be nothing but scrap metal.
Lin Yi had originally planned to sell it to the IPC.
But later…
He forgot.
Lin Yi turned around.
Zhuxing was staring at him silently.
"You don't need to make the sound 'stare.'"
"And that wasn't your original model."
"That was just a copy meant for the company."
"I didn't touch your toy."
Lin Yi smiled slightly.
Sometimes Zhuxing acted extremely mature.
Other times—
Like a child.
Meanwhile, the scholar had successfully detained Argenti by asking philosophical questions.
"Sir Argenti… I have a question."
"What exactly is Beauty?"
"Could you tell me about the goddess Idrila?"
"Of course."
Argenti replied.
"With pleasure."
The lights dimmed.
The environment felt like a dark theater.
A single beam of light illuminated Argenti.
"In this vast universe, you ask me what Beauty is?"
Rose petals began falling from nowhere.
"Beauty is not merely dazzling colors."
"Nor fleeting brilliance."
"It is a force born from the depths of the soul."
"Beauty is unwavering faith."
"A belief that cannot be shaken."
"Even when facing endless hardships…"
"Even when suffering doubt or slander…"
"It remains unbroken."
"Like the countless stars traveling their eternal paths."
"Steadfast."
"Persistent."
"That… is beautiful."
Argenti produced a blooming rose from nowhere and handed it to the scholar.
"Beauty is also kindness."
"Compassion toward all living things."
"A flower blooming quietly in a corner."
"A bird singing upon a branch."
"They deserve care."
The lights brightened again.
Music filled the air.
Argenti raised his spear dramatically.
"Beauty is also art."
"Emotion."
"The eternal pursuit of truth, goodness, and love."
The performance reached its climax.
"So my friend…"
"Beauty is not a distant dream."
"It exists in every moment of life."
"All you need…"
"Is a sincere heart."
Everything ended with a final prayer.
"All for Idrila."
The scholar stared at him silently.
Then finally spoke.
"…Sir Knight."
"You knew my real intention from the beginning, didn't you?"
"Yes."
Argenti smiled.
"But your sincere desire for knowledge was beautiful."
"And so…"
"I answered sincerely."
The scholar nodded slowly.
"I believe I understand Beauty… at least a little."
Watching everything unfold, one IPC employee whispered to a scholar:
"Are all Knights of Beauty like that?"
The scholar sighed.
"Path energy."
"It's quite fascinating, isn't it?"