Is Unlocking the Stellaris Tech Tree in Star Rail Really Okay? [174]

Chen Lin’s gaze shifted as he admired the ancient Jianmu tree through the window.

“Are there not plenty of records about Jianmu? How is it possible that the younger generation knows so little?”

From what he knew, the Xianzhou educational system included history as a subject, documenting the Xianzhou’s interstellar journeys, major events, groundbreaking inventions, political reforms, and even wars.

Jianmu’s origins, for instance, were tied to the blessings of the Abundance Aeon, whom the Xianzhou now derided as the “Plague Ancestor of Longevity.” Jing Yuan had told him that when Jianmu thrived with vitality, the people of the Xianzhou consumed its fruit, granting them the longevity so envied by many.

The current Xianzhou population was composed entirely of the descendants of those who had eaten Jianmu’s fruit, inheriting the power of immortality from their ancestors.

Welt furrowed his brow as well. Since arriving on the Xianzhou, they hadn’t had many chances to learn about its history. However, Jianmu was an exception—such an enormous, sky-piercing tree was impossible to overlook. Surely even a child would ask about it, either from their elders or through books that must mention such a relic.

“Look,” Qingque said, gesturing to the crowded street below. “If you don’t believe me, just grab someone at random and ask. The most you’ll get are responses like, ‘I’m sick of seeing it on my commute,’ ‘Isn’t it just always been there?’ or, ‘I don’t know, it’s just a big dead tree.’”

Her tone carried a tinge of regret. “Otherwise, the historical texts wouldn’t be left to rot in the archives. The Divination Commission’s library is stuffed with this kind of material, so forgotten that I can take a few books home without anyone even noticing or caring. No record required.”

Having spent years relegated to managing the archives, Qingque knew every rule, loophole, and quirk of the system.

In simple terms, important books required authorization to even touch, let alone read. Restricted works needed detailed borrowing records and were generally off-limits to anyone not ranked as a Xianzhou official.

Common books were freely available in shops or public libraries. The Divination Commission purchased these in bulk, regardless of whether they sold well or not. Any losses or damages were replaced at year-end without much fuss, except for some mild scolding during expense reports.

But records about Jianmu were among the least popular. The dry, factual accounts bored even Qingque, who often found herself fighting off yawns while reading them. More engaging works, written centuries ago as fictional stories, were outdated in style and unappealing to modern Xianzhou tastes. When the Divination Commission stocked up on such books years ago, they had filled entire storage rooms, now left gathering dust.

More detailed records about Jianmu were considered classified, with access tightly restricted to prevent anyone from reigniting a longing for the immortality it represented—a direct violation of Xianzhou’s laws and taboos. Only a select few officials or administrators could view such records under specific conditions.

“On the Xianzhou, seeking immortality is a grave crime,” Qingque explained, shrugging her slender shoulders. “If the Xianzhou hadn’t needed so much labor and external trade in recent years, most foreigners coming here for immortality would’ve been deported or punished long ago.”

Her voice carried no sympathy as she continued, “The Xianzhou deliberately hides its history, so how could outsiders even begin to understand it? That’s why so many foreigners get conned by scam artists promising immortality, only to end up broke and humiliated. Pathetic.”

There was no pity in her gaze. Like most Xianzhou natives, Qingque had been raised with an ingrained disdain for those who sought Abundance’s gifts. Fu Xuan might criticize Qingque’s lax attitude, but she had never questioned her moral compass or loyalty to the Xianzhou. The fact that Fu Xuan took an active interest in mentoring Qingque proved her values were sound.

“To most Xianzhou citizens,” Qingque continued, “anyone chasing immortality is no better than a traitor colluding with external enemies. Many outsiders share the same intent. If they fail, fine. But if they succeed in gaining Abundance’s blessings, the Xianzhou will hunt them to the ends of the galaxy.

“The ‘Plague Ancestor of Longevity’ brought the Xianzhou to the brink of collapse during three wars. The last one ended less than thirty years ago. That’s why anyone siding with the Plague Ancestor is seen as an enemy of the Xianzhou.”

Welt nodded gravely. “I had heard some of the Xianzhou’s history before, but I didn’t realize how devastating the Abundance Aeon’s blessings had been. This explains much about the Xianzhou Alliance’s ceaseless vigilance across the stars.”

“In the Second War of Abundance a millennium ago, it was said that ‘millions of Xianzhou corpses were left to rot in the wilderness.’ The Abundance emissary nearly destroyed the Jade Pavilion, and if not for the company’s support, the Xianzhou Alliance might have lost yet another ship.”

Qingque spoke with ease, recounting the grim history of the Xianzhou from memory. Her explanations gave the Astral Express crew a clearer picture of the fraught relationship between the Xianzhou and Abundance, as well as the cultural and historical shifts that had shaped the Xianzhou into what it was today.

The Xianzhou’s initial devotion to peace had been shattered by the relentless aggression of Abundance’s followers, giving rise to the martial might of the Cloud Knights and their unyielding pursuit of vengeance.

The Xianzhou’s historiography, once comprehensive, had been pared down to omit references to Jianmu’s origins and significance—an effort to prevent future tragedies born of forbidden desires.

“That’s what makes it so rare,” Qingque muttered. “Even my colleagues barely know this history. Only history buffs in the younger generation can recall these things. I should reach out to Tingyun sometime—having a like-minded friend in the Astral Commission would be nice. Maybe she can help me clear speeding fines, too!”

“Is that your real goal, Miss Qingque?” March 7th groaned, exasperated.

Scratching her head sheepishly, Qingque laughed. “Okay, okay, maybe a little. But I heard Tingyun often travels with merchant groups. That must get boring, right? I was thinking she could take a few sets of jade tiles with her. That way, she could teach people wherever she goes! Wouldn’t it be great if everyone in the universe could enjoy some downtime, just fishing and gaming?”

Chen Lin chuckled. “You’re really aiming high. If Tingyun helps, maybe you’ll even earn a little on the side. Who knows? You might achieve financial freedom.”

“Pfft, money’s easy to come by.” Qingque waved dismissively, clearly unconcerned. “I’m not interested in riches. As long as I’ve got enough to live on, I’m fine.”

Her nonchalance made Chen Lin wonder if Qingque was secretly a wealthy recluse. With a little effort and some shrewd marketing, her jade game could easily become a luxury collectible: limited editions, elegant packaging, maybe even a board game expansion with custom cards.

The potential was there. If Qingque had any interest, she could capitalize on it far better than Chen Lin ever could.

But it seemed she genuinely preferred her laid-back lifestyle to chasing profits.

“Alright, Qingque,” Chen Lin said.

“Hmm?” Qingque turned, curious. “What’s up, Old Chen?”

“That friend of yours—how good is their craftsmanship?”

When it came to games, Chen Lin had plenty of ideas, many requiring little more than simple materials. Something like the jade game could work even with just two players.

He grinned. “What do you think about adding more to your collection of games?”

Qingque’s eyes lit up with excitement. She thumped her chest in a gesture of confidence.

“Old Chen, just say the word! My friend might not be great at everything, but their craftsmanship is top-notch on the Xianzhou!”

“Well,” Chen Lin began, “picture this: we craft a game board with carved squares. Each square could represent positive or negative events or different organizations. Then we make wooden figures for players to use as tokens. Movement could be determined by rolling a cube with numbers on each face…”

Chen Lin leaned forward, sketching out a game design on the blank paper atop the tea table. As he worked, Qingque’s excitement grew, her quick mind already filling in gaps before Chen Lin could explain his ideas.

“Should we add some items that players can hold? Like positive tools or negative traps to create competition?”

“Exactly! That would work perfectly,” Chen Lin replied, a bit surprised by Qingque’s natural talent for designing games.

“With this setup, a turn-based system would be better,” Qingque suggested, gesturing at the paper. “We could also add mechanics to let eliminated players stay involved, so they don’t just sit around. Maybe… maybe like this…”

The two continued brainstorming, taking turns adding notes and drawings until the design was complete. Looking at the finalized game board, Chen Lin couldn’t help but fall silent.

What had started as a simple idea to recreate a “Monopoly”-style game for Qingque’s leisure had morphed into a full-fledged tabletop game about the Xianzhou’s battles against the Abundance’s forces.

The game now included not only the original concepts of managing “money,” but also “manpower” as a resource. Buying properties was replaced by conquering planets and recruiting soldiers. Even the Interastral Peace Corporation had been integrated, offering loans to players. Landing on enemy-controlled tiles would result in losing both funds and manpower.

Qingque, already fluent in the game’s mechanics, looked over the board with a critical yet eager eye. Years of card-playing and casual gaming had honed her instincts, and she was confident this game was not only fun but also easy to carry. The map could be printed on fabric or other portable materials, making it perfect for players on the go.

“Old Chen!” Qingque exclaimed, grinning as she clutched the design. “Let me handle writing the event cards!”

Chen Lin chuckled, nodding. This game is for you, anyway. As long as you’re happy.

“Alright, go ahead, but make sure to keep the gameplay balanced. Games that feel unfair get boring quickly.”

“Hey! Don’t worry—I’ve got experience!”

With simple rules, strong randomness, and a clear victory condition, Qingque was certain that with a bit more effort, this game—now titled Hunt Wars—could become the next big thing, even rivaling Jade Legend.

Previously, Qingque had thought of Chen Lin as just a kindred spirit—a fellow “slacker” who, despite being a big shot, never acted high and mighty. But now, as she looked at him, her gaze burned with the intensity of someone who had found a lifelong partner in crime.

Everyone likes to slack off, she mused. Everyone needs something to pass the time when they slack off. And everyone enjoys a good game during those moments.

In her mind, the equation was simple: Chen Lin = Me.

Chen Lin, meanwhile, avoided her fiery gaze, fully aware of what she was thinking. Sighing, he said, “Let’s finish this game first. Next time, I’ll teach you how to make a deck-building card game. I’ve already thought of a name: Xianzhou Duel. Players can reenact historical battles between the Xianzhou and the Abundance, complete with unique skills and hidden identities.”

“Yes, yes! Let me wrap this one up first—I’ll call my friend right away to get started.”

Qingque, clutching the design plans, added several more details, including a few different maps based on battlefields from the Abundance Wars. Her enthusiasm was unmatched, though Chen Lin couldn’t help with the historical accuracy of the maps—he’d never seen the battle reports or strategic layouts.

By the time Qingque had finished refining the plans, her spirits were soaring.

“Alright,” she announced cheerfully. “Dinner’s on me tonight! I’ll take you all to try some amazing food. These hidden gems are so well-hidden that even locals who’ve lived here for decades wouldn’t know where to find them unless they’re food enthusiasts like me.”

The promise of a delicious treat was enough to dispel any hesitation from the group.

While Qingque went off to finalize the game’s rules, the others spent their afternoon relaxing—some taking naps, others gazing at the sea.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting the city in a crimson glow, Qingque returned, ready to lead the group to her secret food spots.

March 7th bounced around like an excited tourist, snapping photos of anything new or unfamiliar. She dragged the others into her pictures, even roping Qingque into posing for a few shots.

“Hey, Linlin,” Stelle asked, tugging at Chen Lin’s sleeve. Standing just a head shorter than him, she pointed at a tall building nearby. “What’s that place? The one with the really tall floors—what do they sell there?”

Chen Lin glanced at the structure. “That’s a teahouse. A place to drink tea. There are plenty of these on the Xianzhou. I’ve been to a few myself. If you’re interested, we can check it out after dinner.”

“I want to try it! Let’s go! My treat for you!” Stelle nodded enthusiastically, her excitement palpable.

At that moment, a foxian hostess in an elegant, intricately designed qipao stepped out of the teahouse. Her graceful demeanor caught the group’s attention as she noticed them lingering near the entrance.

After overhearing Chen Lin and Stelle’s conversation, the hostess turned her gaze to Stelle. Something about the young girl struck her as familiar, though she couldn’t quite place where she’d seen her before.

Eager to draw in customers—especially since tips were part of her earnings—the hostess stepped forward and asked politely, “Would the two of you like to reserve a table? We can hold a spot for you to ensure you won’t miss out on the experience.”

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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!