I, on the Starry Sky Railway, change everything

Forcibly stopping the situation at this point would only cause the thoughtful female captain to misunderstand.

The tea from Xianzhou has been served, filled to just seven-tenths full, its aroma filling the air, refreshing and soothing.

Take a small sip from the exquisitely carved jade teacup. The tea is smooth and silky, with a slight bitterness that quickly turns into sweetness.

"Good tea."

"Some guests from afar find the Immortal Boat Tea bitter and are not used to it. If you would like to try a sweeter taste, Tingyun can take you to try the Immortal Happy Tea later."

"As the name suggests, a tea drink to make Xianzhou people happy? I guess drinking it on March 7th will also make people happy."

"Huh? Why are you suddenly asking me whether I like it or not in this kind of setting..."

"Since you made the Sky Pilot suffer, I have to say a few words to prove that the Nameless Guest is simple-minded and has no other intentions."

Listening to Hua Yi and March 7's conversation, Yu Kong smiled, not minding at all, but slightly impressed by the friendly and harmonious atmosphere of the train crew.

The Rainbow Chariot of [Pioneer] is indeed different from that of ordinary forces.

The expression on the captain's face only froze when his gaze inadvertently fell on Himeko, who was making coffee.

Lots of coffee beans.

Is this meant to be a cup for everyone?

While the Tianbo Company is busy with official duties, it's not that they can't spare a moment to continue introducing Luofu to the pioneers.

Wait, how come all the grinding was poured into one cup?!

"Please use."

"…Thanks."

The Immortal Boat is a land of etiquette with a long history, and the moral cultivation of the Sky-Riding One does not allow her to refuse Himeko's kindness!

On a smaller scale, this is about etiquette in dealing with people; on a larger scale, it involves the diplomatic relations between [hunting] and [expansion].

As she received the pitch-black, deep solid-liquid mixture, the abyss seemed to be gazing back at her as she stared into the depths.

drink!

bitter.

The bitterness surpasses that of all other teas in Liyue. Upon entering the mouth, a cloud of turbid energy rises upwards, rushing straight to the top of the head; another cloud of turbid energy enters the throat, bitter and astringent, piercing straight to the heart.

Even with her exceptional ability to control her expressions, Yu Kong couldn't help but furrow her brows, and her long fox ears twitched twice.

After a long pause, she put down her teacup and spoke politely.

"The anonymous customer is indeed unconventional, and his pursuit of coffee flavor is also quite unique."

"Special? -- Oh, it seems Lord Sky Soarer is quite healthy."

"What is Miss March 7th doing here?"

"Ah, nothing!"

"We encountered some situations during our previous trip, and coffee became a subtle way to test someone's health, which March remembered. Because I was worried that the captain might be busy with official duties and unwell, March acted a bit rashly. Please forgive me, Master Yukong."

"I see."

I've encountered this situation before while traveling: using coffee to test one's health...

Is it related to the star's core?

Yu Kong, who was he, did not dwell on the bitterness of the espresso itself, but instead sifted through information from Hua Yi's few words and pondered to himself.

"There are many physicians on the immortal ship with superb medical skills. If you, my friends, feel unwell after your journey, you can also seek medical treatment and recuperate in Luofu."

"We took note of it."

Having drunk his coffee and tried the Star Core Detection Method that had suddenly appeared on March 7th, Hua Yi decided not to linger any longer in Si Chen Palace.

"Then I will not disturb Lord Yukong in handling important matters of the Sky Ship Bureau. I will take my leave now."

"Afterwards, Tingyun will take care of the reception. If there are any other needs, you can also contact Tianbo Company."

Watching the train depart, Yu Kong was finally able to raise his hand to rub his temples, relieving the lingering bitterness of the coffee.

At least in terms of refreshing the mind, Himeko's coffee is far superior to the tea collected by Tenboshi.

The fatigue from long hours of desk work temporarily subsided, and my mind became clearer as well.

Looking back at Hua Yi's words and actions, many of them perfectly conformed to the etiquette of Xianzhou. Most foreign business travelers would not use words like "I'm unwell" or "I'm taking my leave."

Did he come from a planetary civilization influenced by the Xianzhou culture, or did he study this kind of knowledge?

The busy captain briefly lost in thought before quickly returning to work, contacting the Divine Strategy Bureau and the Grand Diviner regarding the news brought by the Star Train.

Chapter 310 Tingyun always felt that if she took one wrong step, she would regret it for the rest of her life.

"Little March, do you really like my coffee that much?"

Stepping out of the Sichen Palace, a place where technology and classical beauty blend seamlessly, complete with carved railings and jade steps, holographic projections, and various cutting-edge electronic devices, Ji Zi gently tapped the third day of the seventh month.

"How about I make you a cup every day from now on?"

"Gulp, no!"

"Then why are you still acting recklessly?"

"Is it really that reckless?"

"If you don't believe me, ask Hua Yi."

When Hua Yi saw March 7th looking at him, Himeko also gave him a look that said, "Don't spoil girls too much, tell the truth." Hua Yi chose to be honest.

"If Yu Kong's sense of taste were even slightly weaker, and he fainted from the bitterness, the Si Chen Palace would be filled with the sounds of the assassination attempt on the helmsman and the sealing off of the entire area. At that time, it might even trigger a great battle between the Luo Fu Immortal Ship and the Starry Sky Train. In addition, the people of the Immortal Ship are long-lived beings, and in the eyes of ordinary civilizations, they are immortals. All the elements are there."

"so serious?!"

"Of course it's an exaggeration, but I've certainly learned something new about your ingenious ideas and Himeko's unwavering principles when it comes to making coffee."

Even if the nameless guest has a good reputation in the universe, it's already a bit strange that he suddenly visits the Luofu Immortal Ship and immediately shares dangerous information about the star core. Then, his rash invitation to Yu Kong to drink super bitter coffee has reached a suspicious level.

If there isn't a reasonable explanation, Yu Kong might suspect that the Joyful Believers are impersonating Pioneers and causing trouble on the Luofu Immortal Ship.

Fortunately, Hua Yi cleverly explained that it was simply a naive young girl's concern for the helmsman's health.

If anyone suspects that the spaceship has been corrupted by the star core and uses coffee to test whether its sense of taste has malfunctioned, the other party has already stated beforehand that "the immortal ship can seal the star core on its own." If the train continues to conduct such tests, it is likely to cause disputes.

This family is entirely supported by Hua Yi.

"Um... I was wrong."

"It's alright. Xiao Sanyue meant well. The safety of the Immortal Ship is none of the business of outsiders, but you put your mind to it. How wonderful."

"I'm happy you complimented me, but could you please stop calling me by the prefix 'Xiao' before my name? We're clearly the same age!"

"I have flexible ways of addressing people, and I don't necessarily use age as the standard. Here, 'Xiao' is used to mean cute."

Hua Yi provided examples to support his argument.

"The inhabitants of the Immortal Ship are all long-lived beings. For example, that Sky-Riding One just now has lived for more than two hundred years. What are we supposed to call him by age?"

"hiss!"

Don't gasp.

Little March, you woke up from the ice. Considering the years you've been asleep, Himeko might not even be considered a senior in your eyes.

With great willpower, Hua Yi resisted the urge to tease the pink-haired girl. He winked at Ji Zi, signaling with his eyes, "Don't worry about March 7th," lest the mature and beautiful navigator think he was getting old and had become an old auntie.

Then--

Why has Xing been so quiet all this time, without showing off his amazing wisdom?

I thought she would reveal herself in the Sichen Palace and say on the spot, "Hey, isn't it a coincidence that I have a star core in my body? Is it possible that I am showing off my power in the Immortal Ship?"

Then let's make spicy balls.

Hua Yi, who had worried too much about this family, turned her head and looked at Galaxy Baseball Man.

After boarding the fairy boat, the girl always looked around, and now she looked thoughtful.

"What are you thinking?"

"The fairy boat is really big."

"really."

"Shouldn't the Star Train learn from this? It feels like there aren't enough carriages right now, and they're a bit too small. It should be made bigger and longer, so that it can eventually become a super-giant vehicle like the Celestial Ship, and then it can pick up Estella, Sylva, Bronya... and everyone else!"

Are you trying to turn this [Expansion] base into my personal harem?

Hua Yi's lips twitched. He didn't know whether to praise Xing for her lofty ambitions or to lecture her, "This train doesn't belong to me alone. Don't ignore the opinions of the train conductor and navigator."

As a result, Himeko actually started to think about it.

"It can be expanded, but the materials used in the Star Train are special and it will be difficult to collect them in a short period of time."

"What are you distinguished guests discussing?"

Tingyun waited outside Sichen Palace for a long time, found a good spot to watch the star rafts come and go. Seeing that the train crew was chatting enthusiastically, in order to avoid hearing private topics and being impolite, she took the initiative to speak and make her presence known.

"If you wish to buy something, the Immortal Ship is vast and rich in resources, with a dazzling array of goods. I happen to be affiliated with the Minghuo Merchant Guild, so I wonder if there would be an opportunity to showcase my talents?"

Just now, Tingyun was still admiring the scenery...

This is a high platform outside the Sichen Palace, surrounded by exquisitely crafted stone railings, and the Jade Gate can be seen directly in the distance.

Despite its name, it is actually towering higher than a mountain, an incredibly magnificent man-made wonder that showcases the technological core and unique aesthetics of Liyue architecture.

Mysterious blue circular patterns hang above it, adding a touch of human presence to this ethereal and otherworldly atmosphere, preventing viewers from feeling as insignificant as ants.

Further out, there are blue skies and white clouds created by the technology of the Immortal Boat Cave, always with clear skies.

Against this backdrop of scenery, Tingyun smiles sweetly, like a fairy fox descending to earth, and even offers to be a shopping guide—

The scenery is beautiful, the people are beautiful, and their hearts are beautiful too.

Gazing at the graceful fox-girl, Hua Yi had not forgotten the despair hidden on Huanlong's beautiful face when she tried to destroy the Minghuo Merchant Guild's fleet.

Compared to her current smile, which is free of any gloom, she seems even more beautiful and charming.

“Miss Tingyun is a representative of the Minghuo Merchant Guild and frequently sails the starry seas. She should have just returned not long ago, right? Instead of troubling you to introduce the various aspects of the immortal ship, we can explore it ourselves. Wouldn't it be better for you to take this opportunity to relax?”

"Huh?" Tingyun was taken aback. "I did just finish a period of interstellar trade not long ago, but..."

"Then get some rest. We won't report this to Yu Kong."

"…0.2…"

strangeness.

Why do I feel touched when I look at his face and listen to his words?

Complex, intense, and of unknown origin.

It doesn't seem like an emotion that would arise from a half-joking expression of concern.

Tingyun pursed her lips, trying to suppress the chaotic thoughts that made her feel confused, yet she inexplicably felt resistant, as if she were doing something that she would regret.

One thing is certain.

If you agree immediately, run home and sleep soundly, letting the person in front of you leave with their companions—you'll feel sad.

very sad.

Unfolding a six-ribbed fan, the fox-girl used its surface to conceal her bewildered and complex expression, trying her best to maintain a normal tone of voice.

"You flatter me, esteemed guest. I am a diligent and hardworking woman, and I would never try to slack off just because Lord Yu Kong isn't watching me."

Chapter 311 Strolling through the streets of Luofu

"It sounds like a domineering helmsman exploiting the fox-girl's labor."

Hua Yi said it casually, but Ting Yun wouldn't take it so lightly.