Is Unlocking the Stellaris Tech Tree in Star Rail Really Okay? [150]

Purple Moonlight, the current head of the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus Exalting Sanctum branch, was an extraordinary individual. His background was so sensitive that it was unparalleled among his peers.

Having spent centuries mastering spear techniques, Purple Moonlight had once been a rising star within the Cloud Knights. He frequently ranked in the top five during sparring matches and martial arts competitions. His best result was a third-place finish, a feat celebrated by his superiors and peers.

Yet despite his grueling efforts, his growth plateaued while others soared.

No matter how much he practiced, the “prodigies” of the Cloud Knights seemed to surpass him effortlessly. What took Purple Moonlight a decade to master, these geniuses seemed to achieve in a matter of years.

I push through one breakthrough, and my opponents achieve three.

How could he ever catch up?

His pride refused to bow to others, so he threw himself into endless experiments and methods to strengthen himself. Days turned into years, but his progress stagnated. Instead of improving, he fell behind.

Once a top-five contender, he slipped out of the top ten. The gap between him and the true prodigies grew into an insurmountable chasm.

The crushing reality plunged him into despair. His superiors abandoned plans to promote him to an instructor, deeming him unfit for the position.

As he watched the prodigies bask in glory, showered with applause and accolades, Purple Moonlight’s frustration grew.

Why? he thought. Why do they surpass me when I’ve trained harder and longer?

A friend once explained, “It’s talent.”

But Purple Moonlight couldn’t accept this. Why should something as arbitrary as talent outweigh the sweat and tears he poured into his craft? Why should those who practiced casually outperform his relentless dedication?

Disheartened, he drifted aimlessly within the Cloud Knights for years.

One day, a mission arrived. He was ordered to interrogate a prisoner accused of researching forbidden immortality techniques.

For the first time, Purple Moonlight heard the words Disciples of Sanctus Medicus. After the interrogation, his superiors ordered the prisoner to be transferred to the Ten-Lords Commission.

Initially, Purple Moonlight viewed it as just another mission. But during the transfer, the seemingly frail prisoner broke free, slaughtering the escorting Cloud Knights with ease, including one of the prodigies Purple Moonlight had once idolized.

That moment shattered his worldview.

Are these so-called immortality researchers truly this powerful?

After recovering from his injuries, Purple Moonlight became obsessed with uncovering the source of this strength. He dedicated himself to investigating the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus.

Months passed without progress. Just as he was about to abandon his search, he received a confidential assignment: infiltrate the organization as an undercover operative.

Accompanied by two other Cloud Knights, Purple Moonlight successfully embedded himself within the Sanctus Medicus ranks.

What he found astounded him. Everyone within the organization, regardless of age or background, seemed capable of effortlessly overpowering even the prodigies of the Cloud Knights. The key to their strength lay in a mysterious recipe—an alchemical formula that granted extraordinary abilities.

Desperate for power, Purple Moonlight betrayed his comrades, exposing their identities to earn the organization’s trust. His betrayal secured him a place within the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus, granting him access to the very power he had long coveted.

The two Cloud Knights he betrayed died without ever understanding how they had been exposed.

Leveraging his knowledge of Cloud Knight tactics, Purple Moonlight exposed numerous other infiltrators, earning himself greater resources and rapid advancement. Eventually, the mysterious leader of the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus appointed him as head of the Exalting Sanctum branch.

From a disregarded soldier managing a handful of subordinates, Purple Moonlight now commanded nearly a thousand loyal followers.

To him, the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus represented salvation. He vowed to restore the Xianzhou to its “true” faith, proving that the Merciful Medicus was the only path worth following.

In a secluded courtyard, Purple Moonlight sat at a stone table, sipping tea. Reflecting on his journey from weakness to power, he felt a deep sense of triumph.

In the hall behind him, hundreds of Disciples gathered to witness the initiation of a new recruit. This was customary for the organization.

“Lord Purple Moonlight, the new recruit has arrived!”

The announcement snapped Purple Moonlight from his reverie. He looked toward the courtyard gate.

Green Hibiscus entered first, followed by Purple Chrysanthemum and Blue Peach. Trailing behind them was a lanky youth with golden hair, piercing green eyes, and a menacing air. His every movement exuded ruthlessness and brutality.

“Good! Let the new brother sit.”

Purple Moonlight’s eyes lit up. This young man’s demeanor spoke volumes—he was not to be trifled with.

Purple Moonlight, having served over a century with the Cloud Knights, recognized the telltale signs of a hardened outlaw.

The young man’s malnourished frame didn’t concern him. Green Hibiscus had already explained that this recruit had been a fugitive for years, often going hungry during his escapes. Purple Moonlight saw no reason to doubt his potential.

“You must be our leader?”

“I’m merely the branch head. Hardly worthy of such a title,” Purple Moonlight replied with a polite smile.

The youth sat across from him, exuding a practiced charm that further convinced Purple Moonlight of his streetwise nature.

Without hesitation, the youth pulled something from his jacket and placed it on the table—a crystalline, golden-yellow gemstone the size of a palm.

“Sir, I obtained this from a wealthy couple during my travels through the stars. I don’t know its true value, but please accept it as a token of respect.”

The gem, a flawless piece of Terranite, shimmered with a mesmerizing glow. Chen Lin had carefully chosen this high-purity mineral to impress Purple Moonlight.

“This…”

Purple Moonlight took a closer look at the crystalline stone Chen Lin had presented. Its golden glow radiated an almost mystical allure, and hearing it was taken from a wealthy couple during interstellar travels only added to its mystique. He was impressed—this new recruit knew how to leave an impression.

Clearing his throat, Purple Moonlight said, “We’re all brothers and sisters here. There’s no need to be so formal.”

With that, he pocketed the gemstone, treating it like a priceless treasure.

“Yes, of course! You’re absolutely right—family shouldn’t stand on ceremony,” Chen Lin replied, flashing a broad smile that reeked of flattery.

Purple Moonlight initially intended to test the loyalty of this newcomer further. However, having received such a generous gift and recalling Green Hibiscus’ vivid recounting of Chen Lin’s gruesome exploits, Purple Moonlight was convinced.

There’s no way this murderous, cannibalistic maniac could be a Cloud Knight plant, he thought. No military unit would willingly accept such a depraved individual. Only the Merciful Medicus boundless compassion would allow someone like him to join.

In truth, Purple Moonlight had been particularly eager to recruit Chen Lin because of mounting pressure from the Cloud Knights. Their recent crackdowns had left many members paranoid, constantly fearing exposure.

The Disciples of Sanctus Medicus wasn’t known for producing careful operatives—many recruits lacked discipline, and their messy work often left trails leading back to the organization. Thus, when Green Hibiscus reported finding a seasoned criminal with an extensive history of violent and deranged behavior, Purple Moonlight saw a perfect addition to their ranks.

“Originally, I planned a more rigorous test of your loyalty,” Purple Moonlight admitted, stroking his chin. “But after everything I’ve seen and heard, there’s no need. I’ll just ask you a few questions instead.”

“Ask away, boss! I’ll answer truthfully—no secrets, no lies!” Chen Lin thumped his chest with exaggerated enthusiasm, his accent laced with an intentionally clumsy Xianzhou dialect.

“Why do you want to join the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus?”

“Power! Immortality!”

Chen Lin’s face lit up with a deranged fervor. “With those, riches will naturally follow. Everything I’ve never had, I’ll finally get. Especially…”

“Especially?”

“Well, boss, I’ve always had a dream,” Chen Lin said, licking his lips with a wicked grin. “Since I was a kid, I’ve wanted to have girlfriends from every species in the galaxy!”

Purple Moonlight’s eyebrow twitched.

“What… an ambitious dream,” he muttered.

“Right? Right? No matter the species—humanoid or not—I want to try them all. Who knows, maybe the less human-looking ones taste even better, hehehe...”

Purple Moonlight couldn’t tell whether Chen Lin meant tasting figuratively or literally. Either way, it confirmed his initial assessment: this man was utterly depraved.

“And with power, I can kill freely,” Chen Lin added, his tone dripping with malice. “Ah… there’s nothing like the thrill of killing. It’s pure ecstasy!”

Purple Moonlight originally intended to ask if Chen Lin had the stomach to collect live Ming Marrow or kill Cloud Knights as part of his initiation. But now? He didn’t need to. It was obvious this man would not only do it but enjoy every moment.

Nodding approvingly, Purple Moonlight said, “I’ve heard enough. Do you have any questions for me? Since you’re now one of us, I’m happy to share what I can.”

“Really? I can ask anything?” Chen Lin feigned hesitation, his eyes darting nervously toward Purple Moonlight.

“Of course. We’re all family now,” Purple Moonlight reassured him, his smile warm. Beneath that warmth, he made a mental note: This guy’s terrifyingly easy to talk to. If only he weren’t so unhinged, I’d promote him on the spot.

“Okay, boss. How many people are in our organization?”

Purple Moonlight paused, then said, “The exact number is known only to the Sovereign, but it’s rumored to be in the tens of thousands. Each branch operates independently to ensure secrecy. That way, even if the Cloud Knights capture one cell, it won’t jeopardize the others.”

So, it’s basically a pyramid scheme, Chen Lin thought. No wonder these guys are like cockroaches—impossible to wipe out completely.

---

Not far from the courtyard, on the top floor of a nearby inn, undercover Cloud Knights had secured the building. Dressed as civilians, they moved with precision, allowing no one to enter or leave without authorization.

The district commander, along with several officers, observed the courtyard from the rooftop. They had strict orders to hold their positions until given the signal to act.

That signal would come from a small girl standing on a stool in the corner.

Bailu, cloaked in enhanced psychic camouflage provided by Chen Lin, stood confidently among the seasoned officers. Even the most experienced of them, the district commander himself, couldn’t see through her disguise.

Though skeptical at first, they trusted Chen Lin’s orders. If he designated this girl as the sole messenger, they would follow without question.

“Hey! You guys—spread the word. Holmes says to be ready to move at a moment’s notice,” Bailu barked, standing on tiptoes to assert her authority.

The district commander nodded. “Liu He, Zhi Mei, relay her message immediately.”

“Yes, sir!”

The two officers saluted and rushed to inform the rest of the team.

Within minutes, all 200 undercover operatives were in position, awaiting further instructions.

Standing atop her stool, Bailu felt a surge of pride. Though initially intimidated by the number of Cloud Knights, their unwavering respect for her role filled her with a newfound confidence.

Holmes really is amazing, she thought. I’ll definitely stick by him after this is over!

---

Back in the courtyard, Purple Moonlight handed a scroll to Chen Lin, his tone laced with satisfaction.

“Your new code name is Tulip. This recipe is tailored for you by the sect’s alchemists. Gathering the ingredients shouldn’t be difficult. I trust you’ll succeed.”

“Thank you, boss! I won’t let you down!”

The moment their hands touched, a surge of psychic energy flowed from Chen Lin into Purple Moonlight’s mind. The sudden intrusion rendered Purple Moonlight momentarily stunned, unable to react as Chen Lin subtly manipulated his actions.

Gripping his teacup, Purple Moonlight suddenly hurled it to the ground, shattering it with a loud crash.

The surrounding members of the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus turned toward him, startled by the sound.

“Attack!” Purple Moonlight bellowed, his voice echoing across the courtyard.

The assembled cultists froze in confusion.

“Attack… what? Who are we attacking?”

---

T/N: im dyingggg this arc is tough to translate

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!