By midday, the Divination Division sent word that the repair of the Matrix of Prescience was nearing completion. It was time for Qingque to escort the crew of the Astral Express to the Divination Division.
Joining them downstairs at the inn were Qingzhu, summoned by the Master Diviner, and Tingyun, under Chen Lin’s directive.
Having just finished lunch, the group was in high spirits. Thanks to the protective formations and jade tokens left by Fu Xuan, everyone had enjoyed a peaceful, uninterrupted night’s rest.
March 7, in particular, was beaming with energy, her complexion rosy and her enthusiasm infectious.
On the way to the Divination Division, Chen Lin sent a message to Jing Yuan, informing him of their departure. Jing Yuan replied, mentioning that his investigation had uncovered traces of the Pharmacist Sect. He was currently mobilizing the Cloud Knights for action.
Jing Yuan had visited the inn the night before, mainly to check on Chen Lin’s condition. Despite Chen Lin’s reassurances, Jing Yuan’s protective instincts compelled him to personally ensure his younger brother’s wellbeing.
Chen Lin, having released Phantylia, didn’t hide the details. He allowed Jing Yuan to perform a thorough examination, which confirmed that there were no lingering issues.
Riding the star chariot toward the Divination Division, March 7 struck up a conversation with Qingque.
“Miss Qingque, you seem well-versed in all things Xianzhou. I saw something earlier at the dock—a ‘Eight Treasures Jade.’ Is it really as amazing as people claim?”
“Ah, you must mean Geng Jade,” Qingque replied, swaying slightly in her seat. “According to the Xianzhou Almanac, this jade originates from a trading colony established by the Xianzhou. It’s known for its calming and restorative properties, capable of dispelling heat, soothing agitation, and even aiding in meditation.
“Many of these jades are turned into divination talismans, but the pure, uncarved stones are often sold as keepsakes for visitors. The lower-grade ones are ground into powder for alchemical purposes.”
Walter nodded in agreement. “I’ve heard from nameless passengers aboard the Express that Xianzhou elixirs are said to cure all ills and invigorate the body. A small pill can embody centuries of Xianzhou medicinal wisdom—essential for any traveler.”
March 7’s eyes sparkled with curiosity. “Wow, Mr. Walter, you’re so knowledgeable about the Xianzhou! Do you happen to know the famous adventurer Lei Qian?”
“I’ve read about them in Company records. An adventurer who discovered numerous medicinal plants and rare minerals for the Xianzhou, even compiling a comprehensive bestiary of extraterrestrial creatures. Their work remains popular to this day.”
“Indeed. Sadly, they perished during an expedition on a primitive world, ambushed by the Legion,” Qingque lamented.
She continued, “Actually, the Geng Jade has sparked numerous debates among scholars and alchemists. Some claim its name comes from its resemblance to thick soup, hence ‘Geng.’
“Others argue it’s derived from the regional dialect of the colonists who first mined it. The term was later transliterated into Xianzhou official script.”
Qingque shared various theories, all sourced from her study materials while preparing for civil service exams.
“Ultimately, there’s no consensus. I can’t say which explanation is correct,” Qingque concluded with a shrug.
March 7 scratched her head. “Well, it’s definitely not the first one. Who’d call yellow jade something white like soup?”
“Exactly! That’s why the second theory seems more plausible. Then again, only Lei Qian would know for sure since they named it,” Qingque added with a sigh. “Their family, living off the royalties of their discoveries and patents, is now incredibly wealthy. But Lei Qian didn’t live to see it.”
“Ugh, the Legion is the worst!” March 7 huffed, her frustration evident.
“They are, but the greed of the Abundance followers is arguably worse,” Qingque countered. “Their endless wars for resources once forced even the Legion to temporarily ally with other factions to suppress them.”
“Seriously?!”
“Yes. The atrocities committed by the Abundance followers rival those of the Legion. I’ve read…”
Before Qingque could finish, Tingyun—sitting quietly in the corner—spoke up.
“I might know something about the Geng Jade.”
“Miss Tingyun knows?” Qingque exclaimed, surprised.
After a moment’s thought, it made sense. Tingyun, always traveling with merchant caravans and knowledgeable about Xianzhou history, would likely know unique tidbits.
Tingyun—or rather, Phantylia, cloaked in her guise—smiled. “I once stayed on the planet where Lei Qian’s final expedition took place. There, I met a local who had accompanied the adventurer on their journeys.”
Phantylia began, “According to this individual, Lei Qian and their team discovered the jade while resting in a cave. When asked what to name it, Lei Qian glanced at their bowl of egg custard and casually suggested ‘Egg Custard Jade.’
“Later, Lei Qian carefully selected samples to bring back to the Xianzhou. The discovery’s value led to large-scale development of the planet. Over time, people found ‘Egg Custard Jade’ an odd name and began dropping the ‘Egg.’ Eventually, it became simply Geng Jade.”
Qingque, March 7, Walter, and Chen Lin: “…”
Stelle: “Heh heh heh. (Drooling)”
Chen Lin cast a peculiar look at Tingyun, who returned a nonchalant gaze, as if to say, Talking about the Legion in front of me, a Lord Ravager? How tactless.
“Doesn’t that sound a bit… too casual for a name?” Chen Lin asked, raising an eyebrow at the fox-eared woman.
“Would this humble merchant dare lie in your presence, kind patron?” Tingyun shrugged. “Besides, I know Lei Qian’s real name if you’re curious.”
Chen Lin frowned. “Isn’t it Lei Qian?”
“No. Their real name was Wang Li,” Tingyun explained with a sly grin. “But their handwriting was so atrocious, and they loved writing horizontally, claiming it made readers decipher the meaning themselves.
“When they applied for an identity update, the clerk misread their name as ‘Lei Qian.’ Somehow, they ended up with a completely fictional ID. By the time Lei Qian noticed, they were already off-world. They didn’t mind and used it as their adventuring alias for centuries.”
As Tingyun continued recounting amusing anecdotes, the star chariot docked smoothly at the Divination Division’s port.
Standing atop the stairs was Fu Xuan, awaiting their arrival. Spotting her, Tingyun closed her mouth and followed the others down the ramp, her disguise perfect as ever.
Qingzhu handed Fu Xuan a sealed document.
“This is from the General,” she said crisply, her professional demeanor unwavering.
Fu Xuan accepted the document and opened it. Chen Lin, always observant, caught the brief twitch at the corner of her eye.
“Lady Fu, I’ve delivered the guests as ordered. May I return to my post?” Qingque asked eagerly.
“Not yet.” Fu Xuan tucked the document away. “The interrogation will begin shortly, but since this is your guests’ first visit to the Divination Division, we mustn’t be poor hosts.
“Qingque, please escort them, Qingzhu, and Tingyun around. Show them to the lounge and ensure they’re comfortable. I’ll call for you when it’s time.”
“Ah…”
“Ah, what?”
“Are you trying to skip work early or shirk your duties?” Fu Xuan’s voice cut sharp, laced with mild amusement.
“Haha, Lady Fu, you must be joking. I’m simply eager to return to my post!” Qingque scratched her head awkwardly, clearly too intimidated to talk back to her superior.
Fu Xuan let out a knowing scoff. She understood Qingque’s motives all too well. The girl was itching to sneak off to the archive and slack off again.
Let her off the hook for now, Fu Xuan thought. Once she’s sent off for field training, I’ll see how this little escapist copes.
Her irritation subsiding, Fu Xuan turned to Chen Lin. “You, my dear brother, come with me for a moment.”
Meanwhile, Qingque led the group on a leisurely stroll through the outer grounds of the Divination Division, her voice carrying as she discussed the quality of the nearby food stalls.
“The cafeteria here? Let me tell you, even the dogs turn their noses up at it. But the street food around here? Pricey, but absolutely worth every coin!”
“Actually, I already had something from the cafeteria—” Fu Xuan started, but her words caught in her throat as Qingque’s loud critique reached her ears.
Her expression darkened immediately, and Chen Lin, walking beside her, couldn’t help but sigh internally. Good luck, Qingque. Your boss might just be planning to give you a taste of your own medicine soon.
They continued deeper into the Divination Division, where fewer people roamed. Those who were present bore distinct uniforms, different from the outer division staff—indicative of higher-ranking personnel.
Fu Xuan broke the silence. “Brother, do you know why I’ve brought you here?”
“I don’t, but I trust it’s under your guidance to address the challenges brought by the Stellaron—a beacon for progress and a source of inspiration for all Xianzhou people!” Chen Lin replied with practiced ease.
Fu Xuan chuckled and swatted him lightly on the shoulder. “You’re always ready with a flattering answer, aren’t you? In truth, I need your help with something.”
Help?
For Fu Xuan, ever proud and self-reliant, to directly ask for assistance—it had to be a serious matter.
“Whatever you need, Sister, I’ll do my utmost to assist,” Chen Lin replied earnestly.
Fu Xuan sighed. “The Matrix of Prescience isn’t as easily repaired as rumors might suggest.”
She explained that the Matrix of Prescience had sustained significant damage from the Stellaron’s influence. While the public believed it to be a minor issue, the truth was that the array’s foundational core—the Array Base—had been severely disrupted.
“The Array Base operates like a system of celestial mechanisms, aligning with the flow of the heavens and the power of the sun and moon. It’s integral to the Divination Division’s functionality.
“In normal times, I could take my time restoring it, but the current urgency demands immediate action. We need answers from the Stellaron Hunter without delay.”
“Understood.”
“I believe your psionic abilities might expedite the array’s recovery. I’ll guide you step by step, or you can follow the annotations within the array’s programming.”
So, it’s basically scrambled base code, Chen Lin thought, a bead of sweat forming on his temple. While his technological aptitude, bolstered by his empire’s advancements, was undeniable, practical experience in system restoration was another matter entirely.
Noticing his hesitation, Fu Xuan added, “There’s no need to worry. The Matrix of Prescience was created with based on Nous, so it includes self-diagnostic and repair functionalities. Think of it as simply sorting numbers into order.
“Our specialists have been working tirelessly since the disruption, yet even with their efforts, full restoration wasn’t expected until midnight. Time is of the essence, so I hoped your psionic abilities could accelerate the process.”
“I’m just concerned I might cause more harm than good…”
“That won’t happen. I’ll be here to support you. Together, we’ll relieve the Xianzhou of this looming crisis,” Fu Xuan reassured him with calm confidence.
Following her lead, Chen Lin soon arrived at the heart of the Divination Division.
Here, countless elevated platforms surrounded a massive central dais. Above the dais, several concentric rings floated, each larger than the last as they spiraled upward in a precise rhythm.
At the apex, a massive machine brimming with a fusion of ancient artistry and cutting-edge technology hovered—so imposing that it reminded Chen Lin of the empire’s megastructures.
Is this a miniature megastructure? he wondered. If it is, I wonder what kind of bonuses it might provide…
Fu Xuan retrieved a crystal key from one of the officials nearby and handed it to Chen Lin.
“This is the data core key for the Matrix of Prescience. Use it alongside these divination talismans to access the array’s debugging center. Try your hand at it, dear brother.”
“Understood.”
Chen Lin followed her instructions meticulously, activating the crystal and connecting to the array’s core systems.
Before him, a chaotic web of disorganized data sprawled out endlessly. His head throbbed at the sight.
So this is what the array’s maintenance officers have been staring at. They’re basically overworked coders!
Setting aside his awe, Chen Lin channeled his psionic energy, following Fu Xuan’s guidance. With a spark of mental focus, he initiated the repair protocols.
To his astonishment, the jumbled codes began aligning themselves with unprecedented speed under his psionic influence.
“Remarkable…” Fu Xuan murmured, watching the repair progress accelerate by tens of times over.
—
T/N: finally found the right name heh
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!
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