In Xiao Guizi's livestream room:
"Huh? The perspective switched back so fast?"
"I wanted to see more of Shang's performance in the storyline, squeak," Xiao Guizi sighed.
"I need to record this part where I appear and watch it over and over later!"
Watching Sushang's excited expression, Guinaifen remarked with a hint of envy, "If only I could just show up in the storyline too... I don't even need a major role or official position—"
"Sigh, I'm not an important character, let alone a public official. Guess it's hopeless."
"Don't lose heart, Xiao Guizi! There are still plenty of side quests you haven't done in this game. With your talent for stirring things up, I'm sure Yu Ling will give you a side quest at some point!"
"Xiao Guizi, hurry and DM Yu Ling! Given how much popularity you've brought to *Star Rail* through your streams, they'll probably agree!"
"Go catch Kafka already! I can't wait to see Mom again!"
Capturing Kafka is the top priority now!
If only we could really catch that wicked woman!
The Divination Commission would surely extract all kinds of shocking intel from her.
Meanwhile, in the storyline:
Tingyun said, "I've brought an assistant who will surely aid you all. Capturing Kafka is no small matter—the Sky-Faring Commission can't afford to let her escape. So, I pulled some strings and borrowed a pursuit treasure from the Artisanship Commission."
A small, silver-headed, bronze-bodied creature blinked its eyes, looking around.
"This... it's so cute!!" March 7th exclaimed.
"Ahem, what's this thing? What can it do? Pounce on Kafka and hold her down?"
Tingyun replied, "Yes, and no. This is the [Listening Construct], developed by the Artisanship Commission to mimic my fox clan's senses—its sensitivity is even greater."
"Whether footprints or scent, once it locks onto a target's traits, it can track their traces relentlessly."
"Just a single trace of Kafka is enough—she won't escape the [Listening Construct]."
To familiarize the Express Crew with the device, Tingyun used herself as bait for a practice round.
Seeing the construct's dopey appearance, Guinaifen felt her heart melt!
She secretly resolved:
Next time she did an outdoor livestream stunt, she *had* to get a few of these Listening Constructs. The entertainment value would skyrocket!
In the Astral Express cabin:
Watching Tingyun's composed performance in the story—adapting to circumstances, leveraging tools, and even testing key items beforehand—Yukong felt a swell of pride!
Her tail nearly wagged uncontrollably!
Her smirk was utterly unstoppable!
"See?! This is why she's my most trusted subordinate. Even the Express Crew follows *my* Tingyun's lead!"
"Come to think of it, it's been a while since I last saw her..."
"If the Express Crew heads to the Shackling Prison next, precautions must be—"
In Yukong's eyes, Tingyun's story performance was flawless.
She'd been hesitating about grooming Tingyun as her successor, but now, all doubts were gone.
Not just her—even the game's developer, Yu Ling, must be pleased with Tingyun!
Otherwise, why would Tingyun have so much screentime?
Seven or eight Cloud Knights were sent flying as a gap opened in their formation—only for more to immediately fill it.
Endless reinforcements!
Blade was cutting through the crowd, but no matter how many he killed, the Cloud Knights kept coming like wildfire—unstoppable, regenerating.
Blade couldn't die, but trapped , he could only rage helplessly.
A woman's voice rang out from the rear:
"[Listen to me]: Everyone, lower your weapons."
Every Cloud Knight...
...began slowly obeying.
A sword's hum split the air!
A young man rode a flying blade like a surfboard, charging straight toward the voice's source.
A jade-like sword clashed with a violet saber, the crisp impact snapping some controlled knights back to awareness.
The youth hovered mid-air, coldly declaring:
"Stellaron Hunter—Kafka, correct?"
"The General anticipated you'd come to rescue your comrade. He sent me to wait here."
"This net was woven just for you."
Her violet saber vanished, replaced by twin gleaming submachine guns.
"Don't be so sure, little brother."
She suddenly recalled her in-game ultimate—replicating it here might work wonders.
"Surrender, and Xianzhou's judgment may yet be lenient!"
The youth pointed his sword forward, and behind him, blades fanned out like a peacock's tail—
Each sword attacked from a different angle—
They disintegrated into pixelated fragments, vanishing as if swallowed by an invisible void.
The youth's face paled.
Another figure emerged beside Kafka.
Silver Wolf blew a bubble, lazily remarking:
"Make it quick, Kafka. I've got a universe to debug later."
The youth's gaze hardened.
Raising his sole remaining sword:
Silver Wolf gave him an unimpressed glance.
"Who dug up this kid? So mediocre, yet so cocky? Whatever—Kafka, you handle him. I refuse to brag about bullying a child."
The youth, Yanqing, erupted in fury!
"I am the Cloud Knight Lieutenant—Yanqing!"
"Face my blade, criminals!"
As Yanqing focused on Silver Wolf, Kafka silently appeared beside him.
"[Listen to me]: Stop."
His sharp aura dissipated.
After a moment, his sword clattered to the ground.
Nearby Cloud Knights moved to assist—
But a surge of sword energy erupted from the corridor, blasting them back and clearing the area.
"Told you you're a kid."
Blade stepped beside Kafka and Silver Wolf. The trio prepared to leave—
When a voice suddenly called:
Kafka's lips curled into a subtle smile.
"Today just gets more interesting."
Silver Wolf's expression turned serious.
His eyes burned crimson!
Like a wolf scenting blood, he roared skyward:
Snowflakes drifted down.
Glacial blades erupted from the ground, forming jagged ice walls that sealed off the Cloud Knights.
From the darkness emerged a silver-haired woman (eyes veiled in black) and a golden-haired man (carrying a coffin).
"A mere merchant, honored to meet you all."
Advance 100 Chapters are up on my !
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