Him and their stars.

Chapter 2038 What kind of multiverse instance is this?
Yu Lian gently placed his hand on the porthole glass, feeling its texture. Whether as a seventh-ring, near-demigod psychic or as an engineer, he was certain it was glass. Set within a frame adorned with elegant floral patterns, it blended seamlessly with the overall design of the carriage, creating a truly refined appearance.

It has a bit of a Rococo feel to it. However, although it is overly ornate, it was actually quite fitting for the era of steam trains.

However, what was seen through the glass was not the idyllic pastoral scene that complemented the Industrial Revolution, but rather a grand, magnificent, and profound cosmic backdrop. Countless stars, like diamond fragments woven by the gods, shimmered with a dazzling light that seemed within reach.

In the more distant view, the massive nebula resembles a colorful ink painting spreading across a black backdrop. Occasionally, a comet with a long, luminous tail, like a messenger of the universe, silently traverses this eternally silent stage.

Looking out the glass window at the pulsating starlight, the deep and boundless sky, and even the enormous vortexes and magnificent halos on other purple giant planets that could be observed with the naked eye, Yu Lian couldn't help but reaffirm his judgment.

The train it was on was definitely not traveling through the fields under the night sky, but rather traversing the vast universe.

Moreover, judging from the speed at which the space scenery changed, the train they were on was clearly traveling at near-light speed.

To be fair, this is exactly the effect the Crimson Ghost fighters achieved when they donned their light wings and began their charge.

Therefore, it couldn't possibly be a steam train; it must be a spaceship disguised as a train.

But what's the point? Why does the spaceship have to be shaped like a train? Wouldn't the more conventional shapes like spindles, eggs, rockets, triangles, or cubes be better?
Just as Yu Lian was thinking this, he heard another long, whistling sound. The sound was loud and clear, a chant that no orchestral instrument could ever replicate.

So, what's the point? It's just ordinary sound, only capable of echoing inside the ship—no, the train. Could it possibly disturb one or two ethereal beings?
So, isn't this the romance of the steam age? I love it...

Who could resist a giant train traveling through space?

Yu Lian pressed his face close to the glass again, trying to see clearly where he was in the starry sky. His cosmic intuition had almost pinpointed the locations of the nearest hundred or so stars.

Of course, through the reflection in the porthole, he could clearly see the scenery inside the carriage... no, the ship's cabin.

A light source designed in the shape of a retro gas lamp emitted a warm yellow light behind it, blurring the view inside the cabin and reflecting it onto the glass of the porthole.

It was a salon that could be described as luxurious.

The walls, edged with gold and adorned with oil paintings and crystal panels, are complemented by a bar displaying a dazzling array of high-end barware and a variety of fine wines. Dark red velvet booths are scattered between the portholes and the central stage, where elegantly dressed patrons clink glasses and chat merrily to the accompaniment of refined music.

This is certainly a luxurious place that fits the stereotype of high society.

If it really is a dungeon, shouldn't I try to find clues to break through from these people?

As he pondered this, a comet with a shimmering tail streaked past his porthole.

"Homage to the comet!" the well-dressed passengers cheered. The carriage was instantly filled with a joyful atmosphere.

Well, that's not the point.

The key point is that this salon could comfortably seat at least several hundred people. The large stage in the middle is even big enough to stage a performance of Turandot; what train carriage could fit such space?

Okay, actually, that's not the point. The train has already gone into space; what's the point of worrying about these practical problems?

Yu Lian stared at the blank space on the window, lost in thought.

He was certain this was an unfamiliar starry sky. In any case, it was a universe he had never been to before. As a result, he couldn't even be sure if he was still in his original galaxy.

Perhaps it's in some unexplored star system in a new continent?
If the Enlightened Ones have visited a place, they will inevitably pass on this information to future generations in wondrous ways. This is true of various ruins and sacred artifacts, and it is no different for the ascension rites of psychics.

At this moment, Yu Lian thought of the divine sister who had taught him "Spiritual Storm" and "Imaginary Dragon". To be honest, after not seeing her for a while, he suddenly really wanted to see her again.

The thought had barely crossed his mind when he heard a familiar voice from the other end: "Honey, I've thought it over. I'll stay at the school from now on. You can continue being your wandering knight, fighting for justice all over the universe, but you always need a place to come back to."

"The whole universe... is full of chivalrous acts?" Yu Lian felt that just those few words were enough to overwhelm him.

He never felt any sense of accomplishment from becoming this so-called commander-in-chief, nor did he feel proud that he could single-handedly stir up cosmic events. He was simply resentful and wanted to change some tragedies that he couldn't let go of.

But to be honest, the happiest time of my life was actually when the resistance against the Volunteer Army failed, when I made several big news stories and was wanted by the entire universe, and when I could not live in peace for even a moment.

During that period, he even worried about supplies and spare parts for his small boat, and didn't know where to dock next. Even while eating hot pot and singing, he had to worry about bounty hunters coming to ambush him without any sense of decency, but he was truly happy.

"To uphold justice and act on behalf of Heaven, to drink wine from large bowls and eat meat in large chunks—isn't this the true meaning of life?" Yu Lian couldn't help but speak his mind.

If this dungeon has this kind of setting, it should be very much to my liking.

Interestingly, even now, I am still very clear that I am in a dungeon.

So, what about her?
Yu Lian turned his head and gazed at the girl he knew all too well. Fei Fei sat opposite him, her chin resting on her hand. The seemingly ordinary yet stylish knitted dress was a gift from him.

Yes, it was Fei Fei's 20th birthday present.

Does she know she's in a dungeon? Or is she not the real Fifi, but just a part of the dungeon?

Yu Lian was surprised to find that he couldn't tell them apart at all. The woman opposite him, Fei Fei, was of course his lover, but now she possessed a serene and tolerant air of maturity, as if the beauty of time had been etched into her eyes and brows.

"We are in..."

Feifei said, "After we finish this mission, we can prepare for our graduation exams and then get married. I've already found a small manor next to the academy. It'll be convenient for commuting to work."

"Our wedding room, you know." Yu Lian sighed.

Well, this so-called peaceful and idyllic life is probably just the feeling of being a wife. But Fei Fei is just so incredibly charming. Yu Lian is deeply moved and full of anticipation for their married life.

Although he could still recognize that he was in a dungeon, he had already decided to get completely absorbed in it.

"The place isn't big, it's just a spherical space station with a diameter of 600 kilometers. The down payment used up our savings of 200 years. The mortgage will also need to be paid for 100 years. However, they've calculated that we can still afford this expense. As long as you don't spend too much when you're saving the world, the monthly payments shouldn't be a problem."

Seriously, does this make sense?

A diameter of 1? Iserlohn was only 2, and Death Star I and II were only 120 and 160 respectively! What kind of wedding room is this?
No. More importantly, do these things also require monthly payments?
Is this really reasonable? "Remember, my dear, you are just a knight-errant, trying to save the underlying logic of a collapsing world, but to truly save the people, they must rely on themselves."

Yu Lian nodded. That's the first line of "The Internationale," so of course he couldn't object.

Even a powerful psionicist, who possesses the power to reshape stars, cannot reshape the human heart in place of any individual.

No, that's not the point. Isn't the point our wedding room?

Feifei then said, "Our training ground, our garden and zoo, your dragon's nest, my photography studio, my workshop, and the children's future playground all need space. So we can only reduce the living space, and we can only order a 100-square-meter bed."

Yu Lian was too tired to complain anymore. He was now filled with gratitude and appreciation for his simple life.

No normal person could withstand this!
"Let's get going! What exactly is our mission again?" Yu Lian asked excitedly. For some reason, he wasn't afraid of giving himself away at all.

He even glanced at the luxurious salon behind him.

To be fair, this luxurious yet enclosed space is a natural stage for dramatic events. If a "Galactic Railroad Murder Case" or something similar happened in a spaceship disguised as a luxury train, and you had to solve it yourself, that kind of setting would be quite exciting.

Perhaps because Yu Lian's gaze was unfriendly, Fei Fei said, "They are indeed wealthy businessmen and politicians from the multiverse, and have always been the source of evil in every civilized society, but they don't pose a threat to the underlying structure of the universe. They are passengers on the train, not enemies. You really need to control yourself."

Yu Lian gave an "Oh." He was finding the academy's setup increasingly strange, but he still kept a straight face and said, "What a pity. However, I will control myself."

“That’s right. We’ve been studying at the Academy of Spiritual Technology Engineering and Applications for eight hundred years, learning forbidden knowledge that defies the system every day, but it’s actually quite suitable for you.” Fei Fei’s face was already adorned with a doting smile.

What kind of technical college teaches taboo knowledge that opposes the system? Where is Lingzi? Where is Lingzi now?
“In the entire multiverse, there isn’t an educational institution that seems to thrive on chaos. But the more chaotic it is, the more you need to know how to balance things. Anyway, doing things and being a person are the same; you can’t go too far.” She was still earnestly advising Yu Lian, still maintaining the persona that suited her as a mother.

She is exactly the same as the Fei Fei I know.

For someone like Feifei, the best course of action is to simply obey her.

“I understand, darling. I’m a passenger now, and I’m perfectly at peace.” Yu Lian smiled peacefully.

At that moment, the train literally "whooshed" past through the asteroid belt. An inconspicuous dwarf asteroid was still drifting outside the porthole, its irregular pear-shaped outline clearly visible to everyone in the carriage.

In this vast universe, this tiny dwarf planet was, at least for a second, the protagonist in the universe outside the window.

"A dwarf planet that's not worth mentioning!" the passengers cheered again.

Okay, these passengers, while they seem more like NPCs or tools than bad guys, would feel too helpless if it were a Space Express murder mystery.

However, he had just wanted to ask, what the heck was this "eight hundred years" again?

So this college's academic system is based on the past century?

Just as Yu Lian was about to express his doubts, he heard the announcement over the loudspeaker.

"Starship CC1000 will be arriving at Platform 9¾ in the Hogwarts universe in 15 minutes. Passengers who wish to disembark, please prepare to proceed. Repeating..."

Although the cabin I was in had a retro feel, the announcements were perfectly audible, as if someone were whispering to me from close range – much more advanced than ordinary surround sound.

...Okay, but as I said before, it would be really silly to try to find a basis for reality in this spaceship that looks like a train.

Yu Lian looked out the window and saw the starry sky distorted, the starlight stretched into long lines, and white light blooming in the deep sky. He knew that the formation he was riding on was entering a hyperspace state of transition.

"Cheers to the jump!" The passengers raised their glasses and cheered once again.

Some people almost sang it out loud.

However, as a psionicist, Yu Lian could naturally sense much more. This was different from the jump mode he was familiar with when entering a gravity well.

In that instant, he "saw" countless soap bubble-like structures floating, colliding, briefly sticking together, and then separating in the void.

Within each bubble, a dazzling array of starlight shimmered, a magnificent and bizarre spectacle unfolding. It was as if countless nations, civilizations, peoples, and histories were pulsating within them at a speed a billion times faster.

Yu Lian suddenly realized that he was not traveling through galaxies, but through the multiverse.

When the light faded, he saw that the view outside the porthole had transformed into a Victorian-era train platform. Three children, around eleven or twelve years old, dressed in robes and scarves, were struggling to push a trolley piled high with luggage, preparing to board the train.

Two boys and one girl, one with glasses, one with freckles, and one with naturally big, wavy hair.

For a child of this age, a whole stroller full of luggage is a bit too much, and with an owl in a cage on the stroller, it makes things even more chaotic.

"A freshman?" Yu Lian turned and asked.

“First-year students, huh?” Fei Fei laughed. “They’re so cute. We were just as cute eight hundred years ago, weren’t we?”

Time flows a hundred times slower in our academy, right? This isn't quantum mechanics, it's relativity. Yet Yu Lian actually thinks this setting is incredibly cool. However, that's not the point, of course.

"No, I mean, this is really one of our freshmen? Not the one from next door?"

“Our academy is here to train saviors of the multiverse, and we always have to compete with the various academies across the way for students.” Fei Fei, who was preparing to stay at the academy, said seriously, “If you really feel a sense of déjà vu, it’s all the result of quantum entanglement.”

Yu Lian had nothing to say.

Then we saw metal mascots, over two meters tall and dressed in train attendant uniforms with gold trim, get off the train and help the children carry their luggage onto the train.

Futuristic robots walking through a Victorian-era train station don't feel out of place at all. Once you accept the premise, it's actually quite captivating.

So, what kind of dungeon is this?

Yu Lian slapped his head, realizing that his illness was getting worse and worse.