Is Unlocking the Stellaris Tech Tree in Star Rail Really Okay? [184]

The more ambitious a general, the more they favor commanding soldiers they’ve personally nurtured from nothing to elites.

Such soldiers owe their existence and countless opportunities to their general and thus are fiercely loyal, far surpassing the effectiveness of hastily assembled armies. Their endurance and discipline are exemplary, making them invaluable assets in any situation.

Phantylia kneaded the fabricated core consciousness Chen Lin had conjured for her, but she refrained from forcibly altering his thoughts.

After all, a puppet on strings could never compare to a living, breathing follower willing to serve wholeheartedly.

“Oh, my dear benefactor, you misunderstand me,” Phantylia said, her voice as smooth as silk. “I’m not ordering you to obey me. Rather, I’m presenting the benefits of cooperation. You are far too wise to overlook the advantages, aren’t you?”

Her eyes roved over the glowing sphere before her, a faint smile tugging at her lips.

Moments later, she heard Chen Lin sigh.

"The Empire has studied psionics for millennia. I am fully aware of what you’re doing to me. At this moment, you hold the blade, and I am the fish on the chopping board. Knowing the stakes changes nothing. My life and death are yours to decide—just get to the point."

His words dripped with resignation, the weariness of someone who had accepted their powerlessness. Phantylia’s heart leaped. She was no novice when it came to reading people, and Chen Lin’s tone told her everything: his mental defenses had collapsed, and he was teetering on the edge of despair.

This was her specialty—playing with people’s minds. Once they reached this fragile state, she was confident in her ability to reel them in completely.

She lightly caressed the glowing core, her voice soft yet persuasive. “Perhaps you don’t realize, but I am a formless being. Even as one of the Lord Ravager, I lack a truly indestructible body. I’ve heard tales from the Empire, of those who achieved immortality—bodies immune to the ravages of time and destruction. Such things interest me greatly.”

"You don’t want to die?"

“Why, of course not. Who says a Lord Ravager must look forward to their own end? Certainly not me.”

Chen Lin couldn’t help but scoff inwardly. She has no problem destroying civilizations without so much as blinking, but when it comes to fulfilling the final phase of her own path of destruction, she falters.

Still, her words revealed a critical piece of information—Lord Ravager weren’t all fully committed to the stages of their assigned path.

Back on the Astral Express, he had often discussed the Aeons and their agents with Welt and Himeko. The pair had far more experience, having spent longer aboard the train during its earlier years, when it carried more nameless passengers. From those travelers, Welt had learned that the power of an Aeon’s path didn’t always fully bind its recipients. Even Aeons themselves were constrained in singular, linear ways by their paths.

Yet, for the mighty Ravagers of an Aeon, to reject their path outright? That was unusual indeed.

This anomaly reminded Chen Lin of an infamous Aeon—the Aeon of Elation, often dubbed the “Mischief Maker.” Stories spoke of how they once discovered a species that despised them, and instead of retaliating, the Aeon found the animosity amusing and granted them power instead.

If Aeons could achieve divinity by adhering unwaveringly to their chosen path, then perhaps their followers, bound to that same framework, were also prone to… irregularities.

"So you want me to be your subordinate? Even if I agreed, how could you possibly trust me?"

Phantylia chuckled, her tone light and teasing. “Oh, benefactor, this isn’t subordination. It’s cooperation. You help me achieve my goals, and I will do everything in my power to grant you whatever it is you desire. No one is without desires, not even you. During this time, I promise not to interfere in most of your affairs, so long as you work with me when necessary.

“Together, we’re equals. Who knows? Perhaps one day, you might even rise to become a Ravager yourself.”

Her words carried the unmistakable cadence of a sales pitch, calculated to entice. She emphasized hierarchy while sprinkling in just enough hope to make the prospect enticing, leveraging both coercion and incentive.

Phantylia didn’t press Chen Lin for an immediate answer. With control firmly in her grasp, there was no need to rush. Even Jing Yuan would hesitate to act against her now, fearing the immense diplomatic fallout it might provoke.

With ample time at her disposal, Phantylia adopted a veneer of equality, biding her time to ensnare Chen Lin further.

After a long pause, Chen Lin’s voice echoed faintly.

"There is something I’m looking for. A specific location, or perhaps an unknown planet."

Phantylia’s eyes lit up. Where there is desire, there is leverage. Cooperation hinged on mutual benefit, though she knew this was far from an equal exchange. Her promises were mere rhetoric, a web of half-truths.

Still, his admission confirmed her suspicions—Chen Lin’s resistance was waning, replaced by a glimmer of hope she could exploit.

Grasping this thread, Phantylia was confident she could mold him into the perfect asset.

"If I’m to help you, I need to know your plans," Chen Lin said cautiously. "Otherwise, misaligned goals will only breed discord."

Phantylia saw no harm in being forthright. After all, Chen Lin’s life hung by her whim. A little honesty could go a long way in earning his cooperation.

“I came here to see the Xianzhou destroy itself. Beyond that, my goal is to revive the Ambrosial Arbor.”

"The Arbor? That withered branch?"

“Precisely! The Stellaron has already been implanted within it. It won’t be long before its energy resurrects the Arbor. With its power—and yours—I can craft a body immune to destruction. Imagine the power I will wield! To crush those who once towered above me… it will be glorious!”

Chen Lin frowned at her words. The Xianzhou’s records on the Ambrosial Arbor were extensive, particularly in the Divination Commission. He recalled reading about how the Tree was felled by the Hunt’s Aeon, Lan, with a single arrow. Its destruction marked the Xianzhou’s transition to their current path of interstellar hunting.

To most aboard the Xianzhou, the Arbor was an abhorrent relic, synonymous with disaster. Its revival would undoubtedly provoke widespread outrage.

“Ah,” Phantylia sighed wistfully, “I originally wanted only a portion of the Arbor’s power, but then I found you, benefactor. Starfire essence is as valuable as the Arbor itself. Of course, I couldn’t resist such a treasure. That’s why I sought this opportunity to approach you directly.”

"One thing puzzles me," Chen Lin interrupted. "The Xianzhou’s inspections are infamously stringent. How did you smuggle in a Stellaron?"

Phantylia laughed, shaking her head. “I didn’t. There are others who wish to revive the Arbor, particularly those blessed by the Aeon of Abundance. They yearn to see the Xianzhou return to the embrace of Abundance. Why should I exhaust my resources when others are so eager to do the work for me? Sometimes, letting others toil while I reap the rewards is the wisest course.”

Chen Lin’s heart sank. So there really are other players involved…

The political turmoil on the Xianzhou was far more intricate than Chen Lin had anticipated. As an outsider, he could only grasp so much; unlike on Jarilo-VI, he lacked the knowledge and influence to fully navigate and control the situation.

Ultimately, the burden fell on Jing Yuan’s shoulders. Chen Lin’s role was no more than that of a helpful ally, doing what he could to assist this promising collaborator in resolving the current crisis.

Maintaining the sealed state of his consciousness space while putting on a convincing act for Phantylia was exhausting. Especially after discovering that she wasn’t just any adversary but a Lord Ravager—an entity of near-mythical status. Chen Lin couldn’t afford to let his guard down, leaving him no energy to monitor what was happening in the outside world.

“I imagine you’re curious why I, a Lord Ravager, would take on the form of an ordinary Xianzhou resident,” Phantylia said conversationally, her tone calm yet dripping with disdain. “My approach to destruction favors guiding others toward self-destruction. That’s why it’s me here instead of Zephyro or Celenova. The Xianzhou should count itself lucky—it won’t face apocalyptic obliteration or be overrun by endless legions, reduced to ash and ruin.”

"Are these other Ravagers that formidable?" Chen Lin asked.

Phantylia chuckled. “Formidable is one way to put it. Each Ravager has their unique preferences. You’ll learn more about them in time.

“Take Zephyro, for example—a walking apocalypse. Setting stars ablaze or shattering planetary crusts is child’s play for him. His joy lies in painting the skies of doomed civilizations with scenes of impending doom.

“Celenova, on the other hand, has a much broader reputation. Most acts of destruction across the galaxy bear her name. Her legions weave intricate patterns of annihilation, their routes through the stars forming an unparalleled path of devastation.”

She paused, a faint smirk playing on her lips. “And me? I loathe the idea of getting my own hands dirty. Otherwise, do you think I’d have time for this leisurely chat?”

"Interesting. They certainly sound distinctive," Chen Lin replied, his tone even.

He had long suspected other powerful forces were at play on the Xianzhou, even advising Jing Yuan to investigate potential Abundance-affiliated infiltrators. But he hadn’t expected the truth to be far worse—not Abundance but Destruction, embodied in one of its Ravagers.

Phantylia’s mission to coax the Xianzhou into self-destruction was clear. Her personal motives—escaping her path’s ultimate fate and coveting the Ambrosial Arbor’s power—only deepened the threat she posed. And her interest in Chen Lin’s psionic abilities had driven her to take this bold risk, despite the danger of exposing herself.

But within his consciousness space, the hunter and prey had switched roles.

In the real world, I’m timid and compliant. Here? I strike with full force.

Thank the stars he had chosen psionic ascension for convenience back then. Otherwise, he would’ve already been crushed under Phantylia’s thumb.

As Phantylia reveled in her perceived victory, the ornate palace surroundings began to fade, replaced by a blank void. A foreboding sense of unease surged through her.

The psionic energy that had seemingly dissipated reappeared, coursing through the space in vibrant waves. The once-faint consciousness space regained its luster, radiating a sense of vitality and control.

Phantylia frowned, her voice sharp with suspicion. “I’ll say it once more, benefactor. For the sake of those candied hawthorn skewers I cherished, I’ll give you one last chance. Are you refusing to cooperate?”

A low chuckle echoed in the air. “Before you start making threats, you should check what it is you’re holding.”

The laughter grew louder, and in the blink of an eye, a figure materialized before her. It was Chen Lin himself, his form shimmering as if carved from light. He gazed at her with a mischievous smile.

“Take a closer look,” he said, “and ask yourself if you can even leave this place anymore.”

Phantylia’s eyes widened as she looked at the sphere in her hands. The glowing “core consciousness” disintegrated into shimmering psionic threads, revealing itself to be nothing more than a cluster of high-concentration energy. It had no connection to Chen Lin at all.

And yet… it had shown her vivid memories of the Empire—of Chen Lin’s lineage, his upbringing, and his experiences as a member of the imperial family. Every detail had been laid bare.

How could this be fake?!

Her expression darkened. Dropping her elegant guise, she transformed into a flickering soul flame and darted toward the Stellaron’s edge, desperate to escape the trap.

CLANG!

She collided with an invisible barrier and was flung back.

Unwilling to accept defeat, she tried again.

CLANG!

The sound echoed, clear and mocking. Phantylia froze, her composure slipping.

She had thought herself the predator, but now it was clear she was the prey—caught in a snare laid by the very quarry she had underestimated.

“What… what have you done?” Her voice quivered, a rare note of fear coloring her words.

For the first time in centuries, Phantylia, the proud Lord Ravager, found herself powerless. The psionic energy that had once flowed freely around her now seemed to weigh her down, sapping her strength. Every move required exponentially more effort, her abilities dulled by an oppressive force.

“Oh, nothing much.” Chen Lin’s voice was casual as he strolled toward her, his hands clasped behind his back. “Just making sure that once the guest arrives, all doors and windows are securely locked. This isn’t some public restroom, after all. You don’t get to come and go as you please.”

For the first time, Chen Lin revealed his true self.

Within his consciousness space, he was a god. As long as he had enough psionic energy, anything was possible. He had often wondered what might happen if he dragged another mind into his consciousness—what he could achieve in such a scenario.

But such a feat had always been theoretical… until now.

Phantylia’s unique nature as a spiritual entity had made her the perfect test subject. By infiltrating his mind, she had unwittingly walked into his domain, and now she would learn just how dangerous it was to underestimate him.

In this space, Chen Lin’s imagination was the only limit. And Phantylia? She was nothing more than his unwitting guinea pig.

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T/N: yeah its switching from psionic to spiritual/starfire because the name psionic came from Chen Lin so this old hag should be using something else

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!