Is Unlocking the Stellaris Tech Tree in Star Rail Really Okay? [147]

Exalting Sanctum, a secluded courtyard.

Following Green Hibiscus into the courtyard, Chen Lin noticed two more individuals—one man and one woman—emerging from the shadows.

The man was clad in a pale purple robe, while the young woman wore a short, blue-and-white gradient outfit that left her long, fair legs completely exposed.

It was obvious: they were members of the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus.

The setup was clear—their presence was to prevent him from escaping, a precaution often referred to as a “watch.”

Chen Lin couldn’t help but admit the woman was quite attractive. But remembering the terrifying monstrosity likely lurking beneath her human appearance, he felt a wave of revulsion.

“Brother, we’ve arrived,” Green Hibiscus said, his tone no longer cautious. On their home turf, there was no need to worry about any sudden mishaps or exposure.

The entire perimeter was guarded by their comrades. Even if the Cloud Knights came rushing in, they’d never catch a single one of them.

Understanding this, Chen Lin pretended to act wary, taking a couple of steps closer to the wall as if sobering up from fear.

“Green Hibiscus, what’s the meaning of this?!”

“Brother, rest assured, we mean no harm,” Green Hibiscus reassured him with a smile. “These are my companions; they’ll keep watch to ensure no outsiders interrupt us. Didn’t you say you were interested in the power of immortality? If you pass the organization’s tests, you’ll gain eternal life.”

The mention of immortality seemed to catch Chen Lin’s attention, and his expression gradually softened.

“You’d better not be lying to me. On my previous planet, I carried dozens of lives on my back. If you dare deceive me, don’t blame me for what happens next!”

“Why would we lie?” Green Hibiscus chuckled. “I knew from the moment we met that you were destined to join us. You have a natural affinity for the immortal path, and we wouldn’t harm someone like you.”

“Hmph, that better be the case,” Chen Lin grunted, his tone icy. “I have no mercy for strangers, but for comrades, I’ll give my all. So, what’s the test?”

Green Hibiscus was momentarily taken aback. In that instant, he felt as though the man before him was a ruthless devil—his every gesture and demeanor radiating a thuggish aura. No one in their right mind would mistake him for a law-abiding citizen. He looked every bit the part of a bandit.

Before Green Hibiscus could respond, the young woman in the short outfit retrieved a scroll from her belongings. Green Hibiscus gestured proudly, beginning his explanation.

“Gaining the secret to immortality is simple. All you have to do is become one of us—a Cultivator.”

“To do that, however, you must complete three trials. The first trial requires copying the Thousand-Handed Merciful Medicus’s Salvation Scripture 500 times. This demonstrates your devotion to the Merciful Medicus and proves your sincerity to your future comrades.”

Chen Lin accepted the scroll from the woman, feigning confusion as he looked at it.

“Just copying it is enough?”

“Of course! The Merciful Medicus has a generous heart and would never turn away anyone’s prayers lightly. That’s why the entrance tests for our Disciples of Sanctus Medicus aren’t overly difficult—especially for someone like you, who is clearly destined for the immortal path. I sincerely hope you’ll join us,” Green Hibiscus said.

During their journey here, Green Hibiscus had learned plenty about this "Charlotte Whatever-His-Name-Is." The young man had been open about his past: murder, arson, theft, and robbery—crimes that would be felonies in any nation. Drunk as he was, Chen Lin even bragged about the “idiots” he’d killed and the number of times he’d taken the fall for his former gang members.

In one word: wicked.

But this was exactly the type of person the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus sought—someone unrepentantly vile yet fiercely loyal.

These traits made betrayal unlikely, and such individuals could serve the organization well.

Green Hibiscus even managed to uncover another of this new recruit’s inclinations: he was a lecher.

Chen Lin’s drunken ramblings included phrases like “Xianzhou women are the best—long lives, great strength, and they never age!”

Lechery was the easiest weakness to exploit. The Disciples of Sanctus Medicus had no shortage of beautiful women. And if they lacked volunteers, they could always abduct a few.

Green Hibiscus was certain Chen Lin would pass the trials and join their ranks.

“All desires can be fulfilled!” Green Hibiscus declared, spreading his arms with a hearty laugh. “That is the core teaching of the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus. Brother, with your extraordinary willpower, all you need to do is faithfully copy the scripture—memorizing it would be even better. Immortality is just a few trials away. Surely you won’t pass up such a great opportunity?”

“Copy it 500 times? I only need to read it five times to memorize it!” Chen Lin declared.

“Hahaha! I knew you were extraordinary. That confidence suits you!” Green Hibiscus beamed. “But brother, your clothes are a bit dusty. How about changing into something clean first? Blue Peach, take our guest to the rear hall to freshen up. Sincerely copying the scripture shouldn’t be done sloppily. There are fresh clothes and a bath inside. Feel free to use them.”

“Please, come this way.”

The woman named Blue Peach, who had handed him the scripture, retrieved a key and opened the door to the rear hall, gesturing for Chen Lin to enter.

Green Hibiscus clapped a hand on Chen Lin’s shoulder, leaning close to whisper in his ear, “Brother Alexander, I trust you’ll complete the trials. Once you join us, you’ll have no shortage of wealth—or women…”

At this, Green Hibiscus gave a sly wink.

“I can tell you’re interested in Blue Peach. Here’s the deal: she’s new to the organization and hasn’t fully gathered the materials needed for the immortal path. No one’s touched her yet, and she’s struggling to figure out her next steps. Brother, I can tell you’re no ordinary man. If you join us, I’ll personally recommend to the leadership that she be yours to enjoy until you’re tired of her. All you need to do is help her collect the ingredients for alchemy along the way.”

Alchemy materials?

So, the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus really does have a method to transform people into Mara-strucks.

Chen Lin pretended to consider the offer, his expression turning thoughtful.

“What kind of materials?” he asked.

“Ingredients for the divine pill of immortality. You’ll find out once you pass the trials…”

“Are they difficult to gather?”

Hearing Chen Lin's question, Green Hibiscus waved his hand dismissively.

"Maybe difficult for others, but for someone like you, with such a clear affinity for the immortal path, it’ll be as easy as lifting a finger!"

Chen Lin understood perfectly well what Green Hibiscus meant by “affinity for the immortal path.” It was simply a euphemism for the brutal and ruthless persona he had crafted.

Could alchemy require killing?

Curiosity sparked in Chen Lin. Initially, his plan was simple: investigate the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus, map out their hideouts, and hand over the information to Jing Yuan, leaving the Cloud Knights to clean things up.

But if this so-called divine pill, which turned people into Mara-strucks, involved human lives, the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus wasn’t just an ordinary cult—it was something far darker.

Adjusting his internal strategy slightly, Chen Lin allowed a sly, lecherous grin to creep onto his face.

“Brother Green Hibiscus, you truly understand me!”

“Keep it up.”

Before entering the room to change his clothes, Chen Lin deliberately brushed his hand against Blue Peach’s thigh, then laughed boisterously.

Green Hibiscus, watching this unfold, was thoroughly pleased with his judgment. This man was going to be very easy to manipulate.

Inside the room, Chen Lin leaned against a hidden corner of the wall and pulled out his phone to send a few messages.

In truth, he wasn’t dirty at all. His psionic abilities, combined with subtle psychological suggestions, made others perceive him as filthy and disheveled.

Nonetheless, to maintain appearances, Chen Lin went to the bathroom Green Hibiscus had mentioned and took a quick shower.

Outside, Blue Peach stood flushed with embarrassment and anger. Green Hibiscus, unimpressed, scoffed.

“It’s been a month already. If you can’t gather the necessary materials to become a true Cultivator, don’t blame me if Lord Purple Moonlight decides to hold you accountable.”

Without achieving the Mara-struck, one wasn’t considered a true member of the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus. Such individuals couldn’t access the organization’s resources and were often looked down upon by other members.

If necessary, these "half-members" could be discarded or killed without much concern. Until one became a Cultivator, they weren’t truly one of the “family.”

“Surely you haven’t forgotten what happened to Red Peony just a few days ago, have you? Two years without gathering all the required materials for the divine pill, she was suspected of being an undercover agent. She was tortured for days before being discarded like trash.”

Blue Peach’s body trembled violently, her pupils shrinking with fear.

“I-I’m sorry! I’m sorry… I just need one more ingredient. Give me a little more time, and I’ll definitely gather it!”

“Vitae Marrow, right? Lord Purple Moonlight knows it’s hard to obtain. But…” Green Hibiscus chuckled darkly. “I’ve thought of a way to help you. If the newcomer I brought in today passes the trial, he’ll help you gather it—but there’s a price to pay…”

“A price…?” Blue Peach stammered, lifting her head timidly.

“For immortality, sacrificing something trivial is hardly a loss.”

Green Hibiscus whispered the details into her ear. Thinking of the filthy man from earlier, Blue Peach hesitated, caught in deep internal conflict, but eventually clenched her teeth.

“Fine… I’ll do it!”

“Now that’s the spirit.”

Green Hibiscus turned his attention to the opening door of the hall.

Out stepped a man who bore little resemblance to the disheveled, drunken figure from before.

The golden hair, now damp and shimmering faintly, framed a face that carried a rogue-like charm. Dressed in clean robes that highlighted his tall, lean figure, his sharp brows exuded a predatory confidence.

“Brother Charlotte?” Green Hibiscus blinked in surprise.

“Brother Green Hibiscus, should I begin copying the scripture?”

“You really are full of surprises, brother. I imagine you’ll be very popular within the organization,” Green Hibiscus said, gesturing toward the prepared table, which held ink, brushes, and paper. “Blue Peach, stay here and assist him. I’ll head outside to keep watch. I look forward to hearing of your success.”

The courtyard door closed with a heavy thud, leaving only Chen Lin and Blue Peach behind.

Chen Lin discreetly extended his psionic senses, observing Green Hibiscus and the other man as they walked toward a nearby convenience store. The two chatted for a while, bought some snacks, and sat down at a distance to watch the courtyard.

Blue Peach, having mentally prepared herself for what Green Hibiscus had told her, now felt a strange turn of emotions.

Maybe this isn’t so bad!

“You’re… Charlotte, right?” Blue Peach asked nervously as she ground the ink for him.

The foreigner’s distinct features were unusually captivating, especially now that his clean face revealed a handsome sharpness that made her heart race.

“Ah, my beautiful lady, indeed I am Charlotte Lin Holmes!” Chen Lin said, seizing her hand. “Might I have the honor of inviting you to dinner later?”

“Please, don’t do that…”

“Oh! My apologies. Such gestures are customary in my homeland, but I forgot that this is the Xianzhou. Please allow me to express my sincerest apologies to the lovely lady.”

Blue Peach, thinking she had overreacted, softened her tone. Just as she was about to respond, a massive fist crashed into the side of her neck.

Thud!

With a muffled groan, her vision went black, and she collapsed unconscious.

Chen Lin swiftly caught her, gently lowering her to the ground. Placing his hand on her head, he began delving into her memories.

If there was one flaw about the Xianzhou natives, it was that their long lives made their memories overly cluttered. Extracting useful information from them was always a chore.

Fortunately, Chen Lin had gained plenty of practice since arriving on the Xianzhou. His skill at memory retrieval had only grown sharper.

Before long, he found what he was looking for.

Three trials… divine pill recipe… live extraction of Vitae Marrow?!

“This Disciples of Sanctus Medicus is insane,” Chen Lin muttered, stunned.

According to records he had read in the Divination Commission, the Vitae were a race that joined the Xianzhou during its interstellar journeys. Originating from an oceanic planet called Tanghai, they had integrated into the Xianzhou as one of its three native peoples.

The Vitae’s supposed “immortality” was merely a unique form of rebirth. Upon death, they reverted to an egg-like state and eventually reincarnated, losing all previous memories in the process.

But extracting Vitae Marrow—especially while the subject was alive—was clearly lethal.

And they’re doing this for a pill?

Even Chen Lin, who had seen plenty of inhumane acts, found the idea repugnant.

Continuing his probe of Blue Peach’s memories, he discovered little else of use. Her short tenure in the organization left her knowledge limited.

However, he did uncover the operational structure of the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus. The organization had multiple independent divisions, each reporting directly to their enigmatic leader. No division had access to the others' intelligence.

This decentralized structure explained why the Cloud Knights had never been able to uproot the organization completely. Even under torture or memory extraction, captured members couldn’t provide information about their comrades.

“Good thing I didn’t confront Green Hibiscus directly. That would’ve tipped them off…”

Chen Lin pondered for a moment, processing the valuable information he had gleaned, before making a decision.

He pushed his psionic abilities deeper into Blue Peach’s mind, rewriting her memories.

If I’m going to play the bad guy, I might as well go all in.

Chen Lin recalled the name of this division’s leader: Purple Moonlight.

But he doubted it would be long before that title passed to someone else. Specifically, to him.

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T/N: bro cant even get his name right ALEXANDER?? ITS CHARLOTTE LIKE XIA LUO FROM RESTART SPIDERMAN GO CHECK IT OUT!!!

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!