"Holy shit! They actually dared to release it at 12 AM! This is going to be huge! Quick, let's organize a group chat so we can watch together."
"No need, Su Chen specifically announced that starting this season they've added a watch party mode. We can directly interact with bullet comments in the viewing room without needing a separate group chat."
"Wait, does Su Chen really have that much influence? We've been suggesting this feature to streaming platforms for years with no response. Now they're specifically updating their app for Star Rail? My god!"
"That's just how it is. Have you seen how explosively popular miHoYo has become? Anyway, I'm going to watch now - @ me in the group chat if anything important happens."
The young man immediately shut down his computer, prepared snacks and drinks, then settled into the most comfortable position on his sofa.
He opened the long-awaited second season.
But right from the start he faced a dilemma -
From season two onward, viewers had to choose between the male Trailblazer version (played by Su Chen) or the female Stelle version.
After much deliberation, he ultimately selected Su Chen's Trailblazer version.
"Let's be consistent - I watched the first season that was played by Su Chen, so Honkai: Star Rail - ACTIVATE!!!"
With a "click", he pressed play.
——
The second season began with a seamless transition from the first season's ending.
Within the first second, the screen was flooded with bullet comments:
[Damn, seamless transition? So they finished filming ages ago huh?]
[Su Chen really does all the worst things - always thinking about how to end on cliffhangers! Would adding a few more scenes kill you?]
[Can't really call it a cliffhanger though - the first season's story was complete. Plus they opened the "Herta Space Station" interactive theme park which explained so much additional lore.]
[Right right! And I was lucky enough to try the Simulated Universe - so fun, really amazing!]
[It's starting! It's starting!]
"Hey, you! I'm talking to you!"
Su Chen, playing as Caelus, turned toward the voice behind him.
There stood a lop-eared rabbit about the size of a small child.
Seeing no response, the rabbit continued:
"You look a bit slow - yep, definitely calling you!
I've already heard the full situation from Himeko. Listen up newcomer - important things I'll only say once.
Recently many people have probably told you: 'You're special.'
But this is the Astral Express. Every passenger here has their own unspeakable secrets.
Since you chose to board, you'll need to follow the rules here. Being 'special' isn't unique to you, but you better remember this clearly.
I am this train's conductor Pom-Pom. If you encounter any problems on board, you can come find me."
Caelus then wandered around the train, conversing with everyone:
Providing viewers background about the Astral Express's origins, the Trailblaze Aeon "Akivili", the mysterious and powerful conductor Pom-Pom, Welt Yang's alternate world background, Dan Heng's little secret, and finally March 7th's pink room.
The entire dialogue maintained a lighthearted and humorous tone, with key information highlighted in contrasting colors. After touring March 7th's room:
An announcement played over the train's speakers: "Testing, testing. Attention all passengers, attention all passengers. The train will soon perform a space jump. All personnel please immediately gather in the main cabin.
Repeat: The train will soon perform a space jump. All personnel please immediately gather in the main cabin."
Caelus returned to the train's lounge.
Pom-Pom walked over with "pitter-patter" footsteps: "You're too slow! But now we're all finally assembled, Pom!"
Caelus glanced at Dan Heng's makeshift bedding area: "What about Dan Heng?"
"He won't be coming, no need to worry about him.
Alright alright, quickly find a seat, don't run around the train like Passenger March 7th.
Final preparations before the jump are about to begin, Pom!"
Caelus nodded in response and took a random seat on the sofa.
He looked up at the train's ceiling -
But in the next moment,
Where his gaze fell seemed to transport him into space itself.
A golden whale swam freely through the cosmos, the special effects so realistic they were utterly stunning - it would be even more immersive on a big screen.
"The universe, the Astral Express, Aeons..." Caelus reached his right hand toward the sky. "Have I been pulled into some sci-fi movie? And this thing inside me called a Stellaron..."
"Trying to catch stars?" March 7th suddenly appeared, interrupting his reverie.
"I've done that too!"
Caelus scooted over to make space.
March 7th, seeing this, didn't feel awkward at all and directly sat beside him: "But - what I was catching wasn't stars - but a lamp.
When I first woke from the ice, the first thing I saw when I opened my eyes was a cluster of starlight - so I instinctively reached out, only to realize it was just the train's ceiling light." March 7th's eyes met the Caelus',
"At that time the entire crew was watching me. That situation was so embarrassing."
She then told the Trailblazer about being sealed in "Six-Phase Ice" and eventually being salvaged.
"Ah, why am I talking about this? Such a mood killer!"
Caelus awkwardly responded: "Sorry."
March 7th smiled slightly: "It's fine, I brought it up myself. Cheer up, riding the Astral Express is an incredibly rare experience.
Ah! The conductor's coming!"
Pom-Pom came over specifically to remind March 7th and Caelus to sit properly and hold on.
After all, March 7th loved challenging herself - every jump she would stand in the aisle, only to end up flat on her face.
After further conversations with the crew, Caelus learned their next destination was called - "Jarilo-VI", which according to records was a lush and beautiful planet.
"Testing, testing. All passengers please return to your seats, the jump will begin shortly."
Caelus listened to Pom-Pom's announcement over the speakers and returned to his seat.
He glanced at March 7th preparing to challenge herself again,
Currently muttering: "I won't fall, I won't fall, I won't fall..."
Pom-Pom: "All passengers please prepare!
5, 4, 3..."
With each countdown number, the perspective shifted to a different angle.
A blue light enveloped the entire train as it transformed into countless tiny light particles, disappearing from the galaxy.
"2!"
"1!"
In the next moment.
The train materialized in a new region of space.
Caelus slowly approached the window, eyes wide.
"After thousands of years, Jarilo-VI has become like this?" Himeko gazed at the snow-white planet.
March 7th heard this and looked at Himeko in shock: "Huh? That completely white planet is our destination this time?"
However, Pom-Pom brought even worse news.
Due to interference from the Stellaron, the train risked derailment. Forcing departure would be dangerous.
Welt Yang also came over and explained the dangers of "Stellarons" to everyone - the same substance that was inside Caelus.
After some discussion, Himeko decided to leave this opportunity to the younger generation -
Forming a team of three: March 7th, Dan Heng and Caelus to resolve this Stellaron crisis.
Before departing, Caelus and March 7th chatted a bit more, hoping to find clues about his past on this planet.
Right then, Dan Heng approached the two.
March 7th smiled brightly at Dan Heng.
"Hmm? What is it?" Dan Heng looked at March 7th suspiciously. "Is there something on my face?"
"No, I was just imagining what fun things might happen to the three of us this time, hehe!"
Dan Heng sighed helplessly: "This planet truly suffers many disasters - first encountering a Stellaron, and now catching your attention."
Caelus placed one hand on his hip and looked at March 7th, cutting short the casual chat: "Let's... go."
Then.
March 7th, Dan Heng and Caelus faced the camera.
"The Jarilo-VI 'Trailblazing' team - setting off now!"