Is Unlocking the Stellaris Tech Tree in Star Rail Really Okay? [197]

Despite the heightened military presence, Central Starskiff Haven remained bustling. The lively streets brimmed with lanterns and crowds, while vendors called out their wares with enthusiasm. The only visible change was the increased patrols of Cloud Knights, their presence adding a layer of vigilance to the vibrant atmosphere.

The haven itself, however, had transformed into a strategic stronghold. As Chen Lin and the group approached, they saw rows of fully armed Cloud Knights. Soldiers arriving from other regions moved in synchronized formations, their collective breaths forming visible clouds in the crisp air. The clatter of armor echoed intermittently, a sound imbued with disciplined strength and determination.

Chen Lin grinned at the sight. “Impressive. When it comes to discipline and obedience, the Cloud Knights have truly reached an apex.”

Fu Xuan, standing slightly behind him, surveyed the scene. Her expression softened for a moment before she murmured, “The military is the cornerstone of a nation’s strength. Without strict discipline, corruption and decay will follow. The Cloud Knights still have a long road ahead and cannot afford to grow complacent.”

Chen Lin nodded thoughtfully. He had initially underestimated the importance of the Cloud Knights. Compared to seasoned veterans from other armies, Luofu’s knights often lacked battlefield experience. Only the older soldiers carried the aura of having survived brutal conflicts.

He recalled how, during the operation to flush out the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus, he had used a combination of speeches and subtle psionic suggestions to rouse the knights’ fighting spirit and foster resistance against the sect. It had been a precautionary measure to prevent anyone from faltering at a critical moment. Looking back now, it seemed unnecessary.

Yet, he couldn’t ignore the unease emanating from Fu Xuan. Though she now held command of the military talisman, signaling that her aspirations for the general’s position were within reach, her distracted gaze suggested heavy burdens.

His older sister had always been proud and self-reliant, rarely sharing her thoughts with others.

The Cloud Knights were prepared, but Chen Lin, glancing at the thriving Ambrosial Arbor in the distance, knew the time to act had not yet arrived. He summoned the unit leaders and instructed them to have their soldiers rest on the spot, preserving their energy for the battles ahead.

Fu Xuan offered no objections. Having pieced together much of his and Jing Yuan’s plan, she understood the necessity of conserving strength for the critical moments.

“Big Sis, let’s rest for a bit,” Chen Lin said, leading Fu Xuan to a nearby tree-lined bench. “We still have time.”

“Little Brother, do you know about the future Kafka spoke of?”

Chen Lin froze, caught off guard by her sudden question. He nodded slowly. “I do.”

“I don’t trust her,” Fu Xuan admitted, her voice tinged with doubt. “But the Matrix of Prescience’s readings forced me to believe her claims… You’ve been by my side since you arrived on the Xianzhou. I’ve seen your sense of duty firsthand. It’s hard to imagine you would do something like that.”

So, it’s about that.

Chen Lin let out a breath of relief. He had briefly worried that Fu Xuan might still be blaming herself for past doubts he’d alleviated with a few smooth words.

As for the supposed future, he didn’t care much. Futures were shaped by endless variables. Whether he chose porridge or a pancake for breakfast tomorrow could, in theory, lead to wildly divergent outcomes.

The future was nothing but a nebulous projection of probabilities. Why fret over a hypothetical disaster constructed from logic?

After a moment’s contemplation, he smiled. “The future is unclear and unknowable. What Kafka described may indeed be within my capabilities. But even if her claims hold truth, the future is inherently unpredictable. Just as yesterday’s joys can’t be relived today, the future remains an endless cycle of change. Dwelling on it is pointless. Big Sis, our focus should be on cherishing the present and striving to avert disaster. That’s what we should truly be doing.”

His words, though philosophical, carried a simple truth: the past should be a lesson, and the future an aspiration. Yet, the only time anyone could truly grasp was the present.

In his previous life, Chen Lin had been an ordinary man, working a regular job, spending weekends gaming with friends, and living an unremarkable existence. Then, an unexpected trip to the bathroom had thrown him into this world.

He had long since abandoned any hope of returning through some magical restroom door. Instead, he adapted to his new reality, holding onto his past life only as cherished memories.

Survival in this universe required adaptability. Weakness had no place here.

What he had learned was simple: focus on the present. Only by acting decisively in the now could one hope to influence the future.

Fu Xuan stared at him, her thoughts swirling.

Perhaps I truly have been ensnared by Kafka’s words, she thought. Even if the empire did one day ignite the fires of vengeance across the universe, that was but one of countless possibilities.

In that envisioned future, she had no brother named Chen Lin, and the Xianzhou had suffered catastrophic losses.

But now, she had a brother. If he faltered, wasn’t it her duty to guide and correct him?

Chen Lin chuckled. “Kafka certainly knows how to play with people’s minds.”

Fu Xuan couldn’t help but laugh. “And you’re any better? You’re far more skilled at using your charms to paint me grand illusions. If you were the general, I’d probably spend my entire life stuck in the Master Diviner’s position.”

She turned to look at him, the heaviness in her eyes replaced by amusement.

Once hailed as the Xianzhou’s prodigious Diviner, Fu Xuan had been a solitary genius since childhood, revolutionizing the Diviner Arts and formation techniques. Yet here she was, humbled by her brother’s straightforward perspective.

Through this, Fu Xuan recognized her flaw: it wasn’t a lack of foresight or strategic depth, but an inability to act decisively when faced with immediate challenges.

Tactics and schemes were merely tools to transform future plans into present actions.

For the first time in years, Fu Xuan felt a lightness she hadn’t experienced in the general’s presence. Chen Lin’s arrival had lifted many burdens from Jing Yuan’s shoulders, and she no longer had to endure the uncertainty of navigating plans alone.

Though her brother had a penchant for mischief and teasing, he always took the lead when it mattered.

Since that fateful battle, Fu Xuan had been trapped in guilt over her past mistakes. Yet, she shared her brother’s conviction: the future was never set in stone.

Even the direst of fates could contain a turning point, much like how today’s efforts could pave the way for tomorrow’s salvation.

With a hint of mischief, Chen Lin grinned. “When have I ever misled you, Big Sis?”

Fu Xuan reached out and grabbed his wrist. Her sudden movement startled Chen Lin, and his heart sank. Wait… Did she figure out my plan to recruit Xianzhou’s unemployed as a cheap workforce for Jarilo-VI?

It’s a win-win situation! Why wouldn’t she thank me for solving their unemployment crisis?

But instead of interrogating him, Fu Xuan laid her head against his thigh.

“As your older sister, I’m ordering you not to move. I just want to rest somewhere peaceful for a moment.”

“Uh… Oh. Alright, Big Sis. You can rest, and I’ll wake you when it’s time.”

“Mm…”

There’s nothing unusual about a sister leaning on her brother. Completely normal. No big deal…

Still, a sense of calm washed over her. For the first time in years, Fu Xuan’s restless mind allowed her to close her eyes in peace.

—

In the heart of the Artisanship Commission, two men and a woman fought back waves of shadowy wolves and beasts. Their weapons—a spear, a blade, and a heavy sword—struck with precision, cutting down the enemies with practiced ease.

As the last of the creatures fell, the young Cloud Knight sheathed her sword and wiped sweat from her brow.

“Why are there suddenly so many strange beasts in Luofu?”

“I suspect it’s connected to the Ambrosial Arbor,” said a golden-haired man wielding a rapier. He glanced at the tree’s resplendent glow in the distance. “I’ve heard it was long dead—so how is it suddenly flourishing again?”

Behind him, a short-haired woman stepped forward, her teeth clenched. “It’s the work of the Stellaron. There’s no other explanation. We must report this to the Ten-Lords Commission immediately. Follow me.”

Dan Heng sighed. “…Alright.”

“Sorry for dragging you into this,” the Cloud Knight said, bowing apologetically. “If I hadn’t insisted, you might have been done with your business already.”

“No need to apologize, Miss Sushang,” said Luocha, shaking his head. “On the contrary, your company has likely saved us time amidst these dangers.”

Dan Heng remained silent, his attention briefly drawn to his phone. The messages were from hours ago—his fleeting connection with the Astral Express had been lost almost as soon as it was established.

The group resumed their journey, and Sushang couldn’t help but ask, “Silent Guy, earlier you said that overwhelming feeling came from your friend?”

“Yes,” Dan Heng replied curtly, then added, “He’s exceptional in every way.”

“Of course he is! Someone capable of something so awe-inspiring couldn’t be ordinary,” Sushang said, sighing wistfully. “It just makes me realize how far I have to go. My mother keeps pushing me to practice swordsmanship, and it feels like I’ve been swinging this sword for a hundred years. Will it ever end?”

“Your mother is right,” Luocha said gently. “True mastery requires patience and dedication.”

Dan Heng turned away. “He’s not much of a fighter, but with the Xianzhou in danger, I need to help him and everyone else.”

“Wow, that’s some loyalty, Silent Guy! What’s his name? Maybe I can help you find him after I report back to my squad.”

“That won’t be necessary.”

“Oh, come on! We’re comrades now—we’ve fought side by side. If your friend’s in trouble, I’d like to help.”

Dan Heng remained silent, unwilling to reveal more. The less information he shared, the safer his mission would be.

Sensing his discomfort, Luocha deftly changed the subject.

“Sushang, you’ve spent some time in Luofu. Have you come across anything interesting?”

“Interesting? Not much, honestly. Everything’s under lockdown…” Her eyes lit up suddenly. “Oh! Do you know about the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus? They’re this shady group that experiments with forbidden techniques. The Cloud Knights chased them all over recently, and they even abandoned their headquarters. I actually joined one of those missions, and—”

She lowered her voice conspiratorially. “I met someone incredible.”

“Oh? Was it General Jing Yuan?” Luocha asked.

“No way!” Sushang exclaimed, her eyes sparkling. “I don’t know his exact title, but when he spoke to us on the training grounds, I could feel my hatred for the Disciples burning like never before. He’s so charismatic!”

Luocha raised an eyebrow. “Luofu has such figures among its ranks? Remarkable.”

“Not just remarkable—he’s gorgeous! My colleagues can’t stop talking about him. They say he infiltrated the Disciples on his own, which takes real guts. And he’s so polite! All the Cloud Knight ladies are in love with him.”

Dan Heng frowned. Why does this description sound disturbingly familiar?

The Ten-Lords Commission official leading the group suddenly spoke up. “That would be Chen Lin, the sworn brother of General Jing Yuan and the Master Diviner’s younger brother. He’s rendered great service to Luofu, and we must remember his deeds with gratitude.”

“Chen Lin…” Luocha mused, his brow furrowing. “The name sounds familiar.”

The official continued, “Governor of the Interstellar Rift Empire. If he succeeds in eliminating the shadowy beasts, his achievements might rival even those of the marshal.”

Dan Heng blinked, his expression in disbelief.

Chen Lin, what the hell have you been up to now!?

—

This is a fan translation of 在星穹铁道点群星科技树真的没问题吗? by 杏雨诗韵 All rights to the original work belong to the creator. Please support them by exploring their original work or sharing it with others if you can. Thank you for reading and supporting my efforts to bring this story to a wider audience!