Is Unlocking the Stellaris Tech Tree in Star Rail Really Okay? [186]

Inside the inn, Fu Xuan stood with her hand hovering less than an inch above Chen Lin’s forehead. A radiant glow emanated from her palm but abruptly dimmed and flickered out.

Welt crossed his arms, his brow furrowed deeply.

“Master Diviner, how is he?”

“I can’t tell,” Fu Xuan admitted, shaking her head. “My little brother has completely sealed himself off. The barrier he’s constructed is beyond my ability to breach right now. But according to the divinations, his situation shouldn’t be dire.”

What was supposed to be a simple outing to enjoy the Xianzhou’s famous teahouses—and perhaps pick up some premium tea leaves to replace their dependency on instant coffee—had instead turned into a mess.

“Is Lin going to be okay?”

March 7 was still visibly worried. “If he’s fine, why hasn’t he woken up yet?”

Beside her, Stelle kept her head low, her expression tense. “This is my fault. If I hadn’t insisted on tea, none of this would’ve happened.”

“Enough,” Fu Xuan interrupted firmly, silencing the self-blame. “This has nothing to do with your actions. My brother has become a thorn in the side of many who have their eyes on the Xianzhou. It was only a matter of time before someone targeted him. Lin himself was aware of this.”

Chen Lin had long since taken on far more than he needed to. Many of the responsibilities he assumed weren’t part of his collaboration with the Xianzhou, but he had done them out of respect for Jing Yuan and Fu Xuan. And as his elder sister, seeing him in such a state made her heart ache with guilt.

“As a psionic adept, Lin’s mental defenses are incredibly strong,” Fu Xuan explained softly. “Even in his current unconscious state, Jing Yuan and I could only watch helplessly. The Lord Ravager, Phantylia, excels in mental intrusion, but even she would struggle to break through such fortified barriers.”

“Oh?!” Qingque perked up, her sharp ears catching a hint of implication in Fu Xuan’s words. “Master Diviner, are you saying Old Chen let the Herald in on purpose?”

“Very likely,” Fu Xuan replied with a sidelong glance. “I’m surprised you managed to grasp that, Qingque. Why can’t you be this perceptive when it comes to your work?”

Qingque stiffened, hastily waving her hands. “Ah, no, no! It was just a lucky guess, that’s all! Haha…”

“Hmph,” Fu Xuan snorted. “We’ll settle this after the matter at hand.”

The walls of the room shimmered with intricate formations—Fu Xuan’s handiwork. These arrays were designed to suppress spiritual entities, ensuring that if the worst came to pass and Chen Lin’s mind was overtaken, Phantylia wouldn’t be able to escape.

The arrays would hold long enough for Jing Yuan to arrive from the teahouse where he was still investigating.

Fu Xuan moved to the window, gazing out at the bustling streets below. The distant clamor of hurried footsteps and the shouts of the Cloud Knights echoed faintly, gradually fading as they passed.

The Xianzhou’s forces had prudently cordoned off the area. A figure like a Lord Ravager couldn’t be dealt with by sheer numbers; only someone of equal standing, like another Aeon’s Emissary, could confront such an entity directly.

“Does that mean Chen is safe now?” Welt asked cautiously, seeking further confirmation.

Fu Xuan gathered herself, her voice resolute. “I trust the divinations. They suggest Lin is unharmed and even blessed with great fortune. You all need only wait and see.”

“Exactly!” Qingque chimed in, bowing and flashing an ingratiating smile. “The Master Diviner is the foremost authority of the Divination Commission. If the Master Diviner says Lin will be fine, then he’ll be fine. We can even thank her properly once he wakes up!”

The statement wasn’t baseless flattery; Qingque had been just as anxious moments earlier, pacing the room. But she trusted Fu Xuan’s impeccable track record—her predictions had never failed since she took her position.

Fu Xuan allowed herself a faint smile, her confidence unshaken. “The Divination Commission and I have laid a meticulous trap. Even a Lord Ravager won’t escape unscathed. Lin is my beloved little brother; I wouldn’t deceive you about his condition. Rest assured.”

Welt nodded, reassured by her certainty.

Only then did the tension in the room finally ease. Welt, having resolved to look after his juniors during this unexpected expedition, felt a pang of relief. Chen Lin had not only proven instrumental in resolving their troubles but had also borne the brunt of the danger. If anything happened to him, Welt would never forgive himself.

“I’ll keep watch here,” Fu Xuan said, turning back to the window. “If there’s any sign of movement, I’ll summon you all immediately. For now, you should go and rest.”

“Thank you, Master Diviner,” Welt sighed, leaving the room.

Qingque, her mind finally at ease, decided to work on some new board game maps during the downtime.

March 7 tugged gently on Stelle’s arm. “Come on, let’s go. There’s nothing more we can do here. And it’s not your fault, okay? Lin will be fine.”

The two girls slowly exited, leaving Fu Xuan alone.

Time passed, the minutes ticking by in silence.

An hour later, Chen Lin’s fingers twitched faintly.

Fu Xuan, who had been resting with her eyes closed, immediately snapped to attention. She turned just in time to meet his awakening gaze—clear and crystalline like polished glass.

Even half-asleep, he radiated a serene charm that could captivate anyone who looked too long.

Fu Xuan focused her senses intently.

There was no trace of destructive energy. His mind was sharp and clear. There was no sign that Phantylia had taken over or damaged his consciousness.

“Big Sis…”

“How are you feeling, my dear brother?” Fu Xuan asked quickly. “Any discomfort?”

Chen Lin massaged his temple and shook his head. “No discomfort. But there’s some bad news I need to share.”

“Oh?”

“That enemy was formidable. Even a mere fragment of her power took a significant effort to suppress and assimilate. Big Sis, do you know who it was?” He sounded weary, as if still reeling from the mental battle.

Fu Xuan’s heart ached. Her brother must have endured great hardship. Feeling guilty for not being able to help, she gently massaged his temples, her voice softening as she explained.

“The enemy entangled with you was Phantylia, one of the seven Heralds of Destruction under Nanook. Our intelligence on her is limited, but we know she’s a spiritual entity without a physical form, one who delights in causing self-destruction. Fortunately, it was only a fragment; otherwise, things would’ve been much worse.”

“A Lord Ravager?!”

“Precisely.” Fu Xuan sighed. “To think someone of her level would involve herself with the Xianzhou—and not even one of Abundance’s Heralds, but Destruction’s. Lin, you’ve done the Xianzhou a great service.”

“Just a coincidence,” Chen Lin replied modestly. “I didn’t expect to face an enemy like that either.”

He then recounted the series of events to Fu Xuan, omitting only minor details about his deals with Phantylia and the… game-related interlude.

Fu Xuan’s brow furrowed in thought. “If we’re to locate the Stellaron, capturing Phantylia will be crucial. But she’s hidden her true form well. Finding her will be like fishing a needle from the sea.”

“What kind of loss does she suffer from losing a fragment like this?”

“Certainly a blow, though not a critical one,” Fu Xuan admitted. “If you managed to handle it with relative ease, it likely wasn’t a major portion of her power.”

“What a pity…” Chen Lin shook his head in mock regret.

Fu Xuan’s expression hardened. “No, Lin. Weakening a Lord Ravager, even slightly, is a major achievement. Your efforts today have undoubtedly earned you great merit.”

“Uh…” Chen Lin’s expression turned complicated as he glanced at the fair skin near Fu Xuan’s temple. “Big Sis, can I get up now?”

“Wait a moment! Let me complete a full inspection. The Lord Ravager’s methods are insidious; we can’t afford to overlook even the smallest possibility of lingering danger.”

And so, Fu Xuan sat cross-legged, cradling the back of Chen Lin’s head on her lap as she conducted a thorough check-up.

Only after confirming that everything was in order did she finally allow him to rise.

While Fu Xuan was busy examining him, she received a message from Jing Yuan, who was still investigating the teahouse incident involving Phantylia. According to his findings, Phantylia hadn’t possessed the teahouse’s tea master. Instead, the poor individual had been found by the Cloud Knights in a nearby trash bin, their memory stolen. The Alchemy Commission’s physicians assured everyone that the tea master’s memory could gradually recover with time.

“Wait a moment, Lin. I have something to ask you,” Fu Xuan said abruptly, her tone carrying an unusual weight. “How was the service at that teahouse?”

Despite her phrasing, Chen Lin felt an unmistakable sense of pressure radiating from his elder sister.

“The tea was excellent, and buying in bulk made it quite affordable. I thought it was pretty good,” Chen Lin replied with an awkward laugh.

“Oh, is that so?”

Fu Xuan crossed her arms and approached him, her expression devoid of warmth. “Since the Lord Ravager failed there once, she’s bound to need time to recuperate. Why don’t you take this opportunity to visit the third floor of Tianshui Pavilion again? I hear their premium service is unparalleled.”

It was clear to Chen Lin that his sister cared a little too much about this particular topic. He figured it was time to reassure her.

Taking a deep breath, Chen Lin crouched slightly and smoothed the stray bangs on Fu Xuan’s forehead. With a soft smile, he said, “Why bother with mediocre distractions when I already have a shining pearl before me? Compared to you, Big Sis, those so-called pleasures are like fireflies next to the moon. If you’re concerned, I’ll steer clear of that teahouse entirely and find another merchant for tea leaves.”

It had to be said—Fu Xuan’s hair was remarkably silky, each strand uniform in texture and a delight to touch.

“W-What makes you think I care?!” Fu Xuan swatted his hand away, quickly turning her head. “Where you go is entirely your choice. I’m merely reminding you not to fall victim to the vices of such places. The Xianzhou has no shortage of sordid tales—people addicted to harmful substances or ruined by gambling dens. You must avoid such bad habits at all costs! Otherwise, how would the public view me? How would they respect the empire? As someone in a position of power, constantly in the public eye, you cannot afford to act recklessly!”

Chen Lin was momentarily stunned by Fu Xuan’s rapid-fire lecture. He had never seen her speak so quickly and with such intensity.

“Big Sis, I was just—”

“I’m not like certain factions that are overly strict about matters of the heart, nor is the empire. You’re still young and exceptionally talented, Lin. Don’t waste your potential chasing fleeting pleasures!”

Fu Xuan cut him off before he could finish, launching into another round of admonitions. In truth, she was masking her flustered state with a barrage of words.

What a disgrace… what a disgrace!

This is my little brother. Of course, I have to guide him properly!

With no choice but to endure, Chen Lin resorted to a series of noncommittal replies: “Mm,” “Alright,” and “You’re absolutely right, Big Sis.”

To be fair, he didn’t harbor any inappropriate thoughts. Even if he did, the women at the teahouse were hardly comparable to the two charming ladies back home.

Go back to the teahouse’s upper floors for tea?

No thanks. There’s no need.

Still, Fu Xuan’s behavior was so uncharacteristically intense that Chen Lin briefly considered if this might be one of life’s great mysteries. Then he reasoned that she simply treated him like a real little brother and didn’t want him picking up bad habits.

She just wants me to succeed, he concluded.

Finally, Fu Xuan’s relentless pace slowed, giving Chen Lin a chance to speak up.

“Big Sis, after spending so much time with you, my standards have been raised. There’s no way I’d indulge in frivolities like that. You don’t need to worry!”

His words were firm, full of conviction. Chen Lin genuinely believed them. After all, he’d just pulled an all-nighter recently—he had no energy for such distractions.

Fu Xuan stiffened, her legs going rigid. Her mind momentarily short-circuited before she snapped, “What do you mean I’ve raised your standards? Have you lost all respect for me as your sister?”

“…”

At that moment, Chen Lin understood why people advised against arguing with women. Sometimes, when a woman was upset, logic wasn’t part of the conversation.

So, he chose the best course of action.

Praise her. Praise her endlessly.

“That’s not what I meant, Big Sis… You’re as beautiful as a gem, your wisdom unmatched. Your care for me is always thoughtful and reasonable. How could I not respect you?

“Big Sis, your elegance would make any man fall for you, and I admire you deeply. I wouldn’t dare compare you to those common distractions—I’m afraid it would only diminish your worth.

“Besides, every time I’ve been in danger, haven’t you been the first to rush to my aid? My admiration for you is like a river, flowing endlessly!”

As Chen Lin babbled on, Fu Xuan gradually calmed down. She realized she might have been reading too much into his words. He hadn’t said anything offensive, and continuing to dwell on it would only make her seem overly petty.

That said, she couldn’t deny feeling a little happy. After all, what girl wouldn’t enjoy being called beautiful?

Fu Xuan’s ears turned a deep shade of red beneath her hair as she nodded curtly.

“As long as you’ve learned your lesson. If… if you ever have any thoughts or concerns, you can always talk to me. I could even introduce you to a few respectable girls—much better than wasting time in places like that.”

“Yes, yes, of course, Big Sis. You’re absolutely right,” Chen Lin replied, nodding vigorously.

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T/N: tsk at least he isnt a scumbag like Luo Qing

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!