"Ah, the Stellaron—such a delicate ingredient. After a long day's work, Chef Anming opts for a simple preparation to preserve its natural flavors..."
"Is this Stellaron Gourmet or what?!" March 7th rolled her eyes. Sure, Anming kept the mood light, but they were here to seal a Stellaron, not film a cooking show.
Weren't Trailblazers supposed to be heroic saviors? If Anming and Stelle fell, who would break the Wind Weakness?
No matter. She'd just have to ascend to supremacy herself.
March struck a pose: "Young, yet wise to the Luofu's trials / An Ice warrior against the Gale's denial / Preservation's will burns in my chest / Through endless battles—I'll stand the test!"
"Hey! That's my monologue!" Stelle protested.
Welt sighed as the two bickered. "It's like herding cats."
Anming shook his head mournfully. "Taking them to Jarilo was like babysitting toddlers."
"Who's your kid?!"
"I thought we were bros, but you wanna be my dad?!"
March and Stelle stared in horror, their brains short-circuiting.
"Hands off my mom!" Stelle hissed.
March facepalmed. "You're obsessed."
"Love you too, March~"
Welt silently prayed for Dan Heng's swift return.
Meanwhile, Qingque's Crisis
"Master-in-Law," Qingque whined, "Lady Fu Xuan's ghosting me!"
Not a single reply since they'd arrived. So much for her Mountain-Piercer Sparrow espionage career.
Anming patted her head. "Don't worry. When I find her, I'll give her a stern talking-to."
Qingque gave him a deadpan look. Sure. And I'm the next Sword Champion.
Rumor had it Fu Xuan once got yeeted into a wall by Anming's swordplay—and she'd never let him live it down.
Now? The Master Diviner was a one-woman army.
Anming sighed. With a 6-star Fu Xuan, does Phantylia even stand a chance?
"Kinda takes the fun out of it," he muttered.
"Then go nap on the Express," March huffed. "Or are you off to meet another 'old flame'?"
"March! I'm a one-woman man!" Anming clasped his chest. "Fu Xuan and I are married!"
March: "???"
Stelle: "Bro just upgraded to husband mode."
Combat Encounter: Corrupted Cloud Knight
Welt adjusted his glasses. "Enemy ahead."
On a nearby platform, a knight armored in ginkgo-infested steel shambled toward them.
March nocked an arrow. "My turn!"
Twang!
The frost arrow bounced off. No Ice Weakness.
March retreated, defeated.
Stelle leaped forward. "Though young I knew—uh... screw it! BREAK THE RULES!"
Her bat struck true—but the knight didn't flinch. No Physical Weakness either.
"Who's this bullshit boss made for?!"
"Me, obviously."
Qingque's blade flashed—Quantum energy shredded the foe.
"Always confirm kills on Mara-struck," she advised.
Stelle was already charging with a lance. "BURNING SPEAR—!"
March wiped her brow. Why's it so hot already?
She missed the Express' AC.
Random Event: Foxian in Distress
"Look! A damsel-in-distress scenario!" Stelle gasped, spotting a fox-eared woman surrounded by enemies.
Event: [Assaulted Foxian]
A. "Justice demands action!" (Normal battle)
B. "Temptation clouds my path to supremacy!" (Leave)
C. "What if the foxian's the villain?" (Join enemies, -100 Luofu rep)
D. "Phantylia, SHOW YOURSELF!" (Skip to final boss + Stellaron detonation)
"Help us, please~" The foxian's voice dripped honey.
Stelle zoomed in. "HERO MODE ACTIVATED!"
March groaned. Of course she picks A.
A new fear struck her: What if Stelle replaces me as the team's Preservation?!