Inside the villa.
Lin Yu opened the [Heliobus Perfect Utilization Device].
"As expected of Phantylia, her energy index is off the charts!"
"It's equivalent to capturing a hundred ordinary Heliobus."
The Perfect Utilization Device contained its own space for sealing Heliobus-like creatures.
Without his permission, there was no way they could escape.
Moreover, Lin Yu could enter it to inspect.
With a thought.
Lin Yu stepped inside.
It was pitch black, like a cold and desolate universe.
Only a golden flame hovered in the center.
"You... who are you...?"
Phantylia's voice was hoarse.
Gone was the regal, queenly authority she once had.
Now she seemed weak, as if drained of all her strength.
"Who I am doesn't matter, but my current identity is... your master."
"Outrageous!"
The golden flames surged violently, as if eager to confront Lin Yu head-on.
"I am a Lord Ravager! How dare you treat me like this? One day, you will face the vengeance of [Destruction]!"
"The Lord Ravager will burn everything you hold dear to ashes..."
"Then why don't you call them to come after me?"
Lin Yu flashed a smug smile, feeling a bit too arrogant even to himself. But seeing the once invincible Phantylia reduced to his plaything—this feeling was truly... exhilarating!
"It's said that Heliobus originally had no consciousness of their own. It was only after devouring the emotions and desires of countless beings that they developed distinct personalities."
"Don't worry, Phantylia."
"I know you're powerful, and this Energy of yours will be mine to wield until... the day you acknowledge me as your master."
Exiting the space of the Perfect Utilization Device, Lin Yu decided to experiment with this newfound Energy.
Not long ago, a delivery from Skill Bird arrived—a box of SoulGlad he had ordered online.
Lin Yu opened the package and took out one bottle. He infused it with some Energy converted from Heliobus, imbuing the SoulGlad with an [exhilarating] emotion.
He took a sip, and the corner of his mouth curled up slightly.
"So that's how it is..."
"Not bad! This feeling..."
Sparkle approached, thinking it was something delicious. Seeing the SoulGlad, she was immediately disappointed. "Ugh, this stuff is everywhere in Penacony..."
"This bottle is different. Try it."
Sparkle took a hesitant sip, and her eyes instantly lit up.
"Ahhh..."
"This feeling... Elation! I see Elation!"
"No!"
"I... am Elation!!"
Half a minute later, Sparkle gradually calmed down, the flush of excitement fading from her face.
"What flavor of SoulGlad is this...? Why do I feel so exhilarated after drinking it?"
"That's strange, it's just the original flavor..."
While Sparkle was still pondering, Lin Yu had already reached a conclusion.
"It seems drinking a whole bottle maintains the exhilarating effect for about half a minute."
"If I were to sell it, I'd better dilute the concentration to one-thousandth."
"Of course, for personal consumption, the full-strength version is the way to go."
Sparkle took another sip of the SoulGlad and leaned closer to Lin Yu. "You said earlier that if I helped you bring something back, you'd let me break the news."
"So, what's the scoop?"
Lin Yu took out his phone.
"Ding."
He sent two character illustrations to Sparkle.
Sparkle picked up her phone and looked. The first thing that caught her eye was a series of divination cards, followed by books on divination, a crystal ball, and other related items.
Sparkle's expression turned to one of realization.
"Oh~"
"So the new character is a fortune teller?"
Then, the screen zoomed in on a close-up of the new character's face.
The woman wore a purple veil.
With a head of light purple hair.
Her eyes exude a strong sense of amusement.
The corners of her mouth curve with delight.
Her entire body is in a reclining position on the ground.
Her posture is light and languid.
In the lower left corner is her name.
――[Black Swan]
[Wind Attribute, Path of Nihility, 5-star character]
"Black Swan..."
"As far as I know, she seems to be a Memokeeper from the Garden of Recollection?"
"If this character gets added to the gacha pool, that would be really interesting..."
"Hehe, let me see who's next."
Sparkle swipes gently on the screen.
What comes into view are several red goldfish.
"This person has good taste."
The next second.
Her smile freezes on her face.
Because she sees a red and white fox mask that looks exactly like her own!
If it were just someone else liking red goldfish, that would be one thing...
But this Masked Fool's mask couldn't possibly be a coincidence, right?
Sure enough!
The next close-up shot.
Is of her own smiling face!
"Wait..."
"Am I seeing this right?"
She looks at the name in the lower left corner.
――[Sparkle]
[Quantum Attribute, Path of Elation, 5-star character]
Confirmed.
It really is her!
Sparkle's face instantly lights up like fireworks, her expression a mix of emotions.
However.
She suddenly turns her gaze to Lin Yu.
"Wait, wait, wait!"
"How can this be such a coincidence? The new character in the next update is going to be me?"
"You're not messing with me, are you?"
Sparkle stares at Lin Yu with suspicion.
Afraid that the next second, Lin Yu would smirk and say, "Yes, I'm messing with you!"
Fortunately.
Lin Yu's expression is natural.
He says, "Do you think I'm like you? I'm a man of my word."
Confirming that Lin Yu isn't joking with her.
Sparkle exhales.
Then rubs her hands together.
The excitement on her face reignites.
"Could it be..."
"That I, really, am going to become a character in Honkai: Star Rail?"
"Aiya, I knew it! How could someone as interesting as the Masked Fools not catch Yu Ling's attention?"
Sparkle paces back and forth...
Admiring her own character art.
The curve of her mouth gradually widens.
"Ha... hahaha..."
"This is fun! This is way too fun!"
"Let me organize my thoughts and prepare to post these two character arts on the forum, giving Yu Ling a good stab in the back!"
Lin Yu nods: "Exposing the new characters early, Yu Ling is definitely going to be furious..."
"Exactly, this is pure Elation～"
Watching Sparkle excitedly editing her post.
Lin Yu takes a sip of SoulGlad.
Opens the system store.
Refresh!
[Honkai: Star Rail OP: Sleepless Night]
[Price: 10 billion points]
Lin Yu's eyes light up slightly.
Finally, it's refreshed!
And below it.
There's another item of the same type.
[Honkai: Star Rail Thousand-Star Chronicles PV: Fables of the Starry Sky Part 1]
[Price: 10 billion points]
"Two big ones in one refresh?"
Lin Yu doesn't hesitate and buys them both!
These short films aren't included in the version update content, and whether you can get them is entirely up to luck.
Clearly.
Today's luck is good.
After observing the players' progress data.
He sets the release time.
And uploads Fables of the Starry Sky Part 1 first.
First, let's give all players a little taste of the Aeon's awe!
...
Penacony.
Hotel Lobby.
A flash of blue light.
Black Swan's figure materializes.
She is one of the invited guests attending the Charmony Festival in Penacony.
But that's not all.
She also knows that the next chapter of the Honkai: Star Rail storyline will take place here.
For now, everything seems normal.
However, undercurrents are already stirring among the factions like the Family, the Corporation, and others.
Black Swan, however, is in no rush.
She chooses a quiet spot.
Simulates a table with a wave of her hand.
Places her divination cards face down on the table.
Then, the crystal ball, candles, astrolabe…
One by one, she arranges them on the table.
Even without any sign, anyone passing by would immediately understand what she's doing.
―Divination.
Black Swan rests her chin on one hand, her expression relaxed and content.
Though few people pass by here.
She has plenty of time.
As long as she's willing to wait.
Sooner or later, she'll encounter something or someone interesting.
With her other hand, she pulls out her phone.
Casually scrolling through the news online.
Although in Star Rail, the Astral Express Crew mentioned that their next destination would be Penacony, so far, no related content has been implemented in the game.
She has no idea what will happen in this land of dreams.
But one thing is certain…
This journey will definitely not be boring.
Suddenly.
A notification pops up on her phone.
[Yu Ling has released new content ― The First Collection of Starry Sky Parables, let's take a look~].