Is Unlocking the Stellaris Tech Tree in Star Rail Really Okay? [142]

Shortly after leaving the Divine Dignitary Hall, Chen Lin originally planned to follow Tingyun on a tour of the unsealed areas of the Luofu. He thought it might be a good opportunity to enjoy the scenery, broaden his horizons, and see what the Luofu had to offer that could benefit Jarilo-VI in terms of learning and inspiration.

However, a sudden message disrupted his plans.

Dan Shu from the Alchemy Commission had invited him to the Commission. Left with no choice, Chen Lin asked Tingyun to return to the Sky-Faring Commission, postponing their excursion for another day.

The vast path of the Star Sea was a long journey, and many forces, still unknown to him, had set their sights on the Star Sea Empire. Comprehensive technological advancements, especially in military capabilities, had to be prioritized to avoid falling behind.

History constantly warned him that lagging behind was a guaranteed path to ruin in times of conflict.

Forget about expanding territory—without sufficient defenses, even maintaining neutrality would be nothing more than a pipe dream.

If you can learn it, take it back. Whether it’s immediately useful or not doesn’t matter; having it is what’s important.

Take the star skiffs, for example. Chen Lin didn’t find them particularly impressive, but he still wanted to bring one back for Jarilo-VI’s museum. It would serve as a reminder to the people of Jarilo-VI that there were countless wonders beyond the Star Sea, urging them not to grow complacent in their comfort.

He figured Jing Yuan wouldn’t mind gifting him a few things later anyway. First, however, he needed to deal with the matter at hand.

The Stellarons, the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus—these were internal affairs of the Xianzhou. He was content to provide the occasional suggestion, but unless Jing Yuan personally requested it, Chen Lin wouldn’t lift a finger even if the house collapsed around him.

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Unlike the Divination Commission or the Divine Dignitary Hall, the Alchemy Commission wasn’t far from the main streets. It only took a few minutes aboard a star skiff to reach its grounds.

This area, surrounded by rivers and overlooking the sea, was shrouded in a gentle mist, exuding a sense of serenity. The faint scent of herbs lingered in the air. If property values were a thing on the Xianzhou, this environment would undoubtedly be classified as high-end.

The cloudless sky stretched clear and vast. As Chen Lin stepped off the skiff, an Alchemy Commission staff member approached him respectfully.

“Governor Chen, the Chief Alchemist is waiting for you in the pavilion. Please, follow me.”

“Thank you for leading the way.”

“You’re too kind.”

Following the staff member, Chen Lin walked into the Commission’s grounds. It wasn’t long before they arrived at a pavilion where Dan Shu, hands clasped behind her back, stood waiting.

It seemed prior arrangements had been made, as no one else lingered near the pavilion. Even the staff member who had guided Chen Lin quickly left after completing their task, leaving only him and Dan Shu.

Chen Lin stepped into the pavilion with a composed smile, calmly gazing in the same direction as Dan Shu.

Patience? Now that’s my specialty.

If you call me here to discuss something, I won’t speak first.

However, Chen Lin’s gaze was drawn to a withered tree at the center of the cloud sea. He had seen it several times from a distance on the way to the Divination Commission. Qingque had explained that it was the ancient tree described in the Dream Chronicles of the Celestial Empire as “reaching the heavens and holding the stars.”

She had wanted to elaborate further on the tree’s history, but even as the Divination Commission’s archivist, Qingque couldn’t find any detailed records about it.

Either the tree wasn’t significant enough, or access to the relevant texts was restricted.

Now, Chen Lin realized how close the withered tree was to the Alchemy Commission. Its massive branches were as wide as a city, leaving him in awe.

“Governor Chen seems interested in the Jianmu Tree,” Dan Shu remarked softly, noticing his unwavering gaze.

“How could anyone not be curious about such a marvel?” Chen Lin replied with a slight nod. “You called it the Jianmu Tree?”

Dan Shu smiled. “Indeed. Over the years, many on the Xianzhou have forgotten its origins and its connection to our ship. Only those with a passion for history can recount what Jianmu truly is.”

The story unfolded.

Before setting off into the stars, the Xianzhou had embarked on a mission to seek immortality. Their homeland had poured all its resources into constructing nine ships for this purpose, initiating the expedition to fulfill the First Emperor’s wish for eternal life.

After countless hardships, only six of the original nine ships remained operational. These formed the Xianzhou Alliance as it exists today.

In a sense, the Xianzhou’s quest for immortality had succeeded. They encountered the Aeon of Abundance, Yaoshi, and received their blessing. Jianmu was that blessing, a gift bestowed upon the faithful.

From that moment, consuming the fruits of Jianmu granted immortality to the Xianzhou people, but it also sowed the seeds of Mara-struck—the curse that haunts them to this day.

An immortal population, reproducing without restraint. Ten generations living under the same roof wasn’t uncommon. Some families even spanned dozens of generations, coexisting in a single household.

With no natural decline in numbers, the Xianzhou faced its first internal crisis: food shortages.

Subsequently, wars broke out among the Xianzhou over the consequences of immortality. The Mara-struck condition became the catalyst for the widespread rejection of eternal life.

The struggles over Yaoshi’s blessings, the fear of Mara-struck, and the sudden emergence of the Aeon of Trailblaze…

Everything revolved around Jianmu, the ancient tree that “reached the heavens and held the stars,” and it was through Jianmu that the Xianzhou people transformed from faithful followers of the Aeon of Abundance to devoted adherents of the Aeon of Trailblaze.

The Xianzhou now strictly forbade its people from pursuing or researching immortality, and this prohibition stemmed from their historical struggles.

“Immortality, huh… To be honest, I’m not interested,” Chen Lin said calmly. “The Empire has spiritual strength to safeguard its people, genetic engineering to address evolutionary flaws, and mechanical enhancements to replace failing limbs. If the citizens of the Empire so desire, everyone can achieve eternal life.”

Chen Lin wasn’t entirely sure why Dan Shu was explaining the history of the Xianzhou or the origins of Jianmu, a subject steeped in taboo, but his indifference was genuine. Immortality was something he could already achieve without the need to gamble with the risk of Mara-struck.

Dan Shu looked at him with mild surprise before replying softly, “That is most fortunate. On the Xianzhou, immortality is taboo, and I feared Governor Chen might unknowingly touch upon the hidden wounds of the Xianzhou.”

She quickly shifted the topic, asking, “Governor Chen, you mentioned genetic and mechanical replacements—are such practices common in your nation?”

“They are,” Chen Lin replied. “For example, when eminent scholars approach death, their memories and cognitive processes are often preserved in servers. With the right techniques, these individuals can be resurrected. It’s a standard practice—after all, the Empire cannot afford to lose its brightest minds.”

He paused briefly, then added, “In addition, psionics can grant a select few eternal life, though such opportunities are exceedingly rare and often left to fate.”

“I see,” Dan Shu nodded thoughtfully. “The reason I invited you here today, beyond discussing my thoughts on curing the Mara-struck, was to express my gratitude for your intervention earlier. Without your help, the situation with the Mara-struck Alchemist could have escalated beyond control.”

“You flatter me, Chief Alchemist,” Chen Lin replied casually. “As Jing Yuan’s sworn brother, and with the Luofu being an ally of the Empire, this was merely a trifling matter.”

Despite his polite response, Chen Lin couldn’t shake the feeling that Dan Shu was deliberately steering the conversation elsewhere, as if probing for something.

“As an Alchemist, I don’t have much to offer as thanks,” Dan Shu said after a moment. “But I’ll arrange for some common medicinal pills to be sent to you. They’re quite effective for treating everyday injuries—I hope you won’t mind.”

“Chief Alchemist, I—”

[Illumination: Persistence is favorable.]
[Interpretation: Direct questions invite calamity. Seek alternate paths to clarity.]
[Grave Warning: Asking Dan Shu about the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus—and revealing Jing Yuan’s involvement—will result in severe injury or death.]

Chen Lin stopped mid-sentence. He had intended to ask Dan Shu for information about the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus, hoping to glean some insights from the head of the Alchemy Commission. However, his Auspicious Insight trait triggered, warning him that such inquiries would lead to disaster.

Could Dan Shu herself be part of the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus?*

The thought crossed his mind, but he quickly dismissed it. There’s no way the Xianzhou would let the head of one of the Six Commissions be an insider for a criminal organization. That would be absurd.

Dan Shu, noticing his hesitation, looked puzzled. “Governor Chen, if you’re feeling unwell, I could examine you.”

I need to redirect the conversation. Chen Lin’s mind raced. The warning was clear—he needed to shift the topic, and it had to be convincing enough to avoid suspicion. His gaze fell on the guqin sitting in the pavilion.

Got it.

Taking a deep breath, he smiled and said, “Meeting you yesterday kept me awake all night. Seeing you again today has left me restless. I can’t help but feel I’d like to stay here with you for a few days. Do you know why that is, Chief Alchemist?”

As he spoke, he took two small steps toward Dan Shu, his expression calm but with a slight smirk tugging at his lips.

Dan Shu froze for a moment, her heartbeat quickening as a faint blush crept up her ears. The confident young man before her seemed to exude an inexplicable charm, like a walking aphrodisiac. She couldn’t muster the will to find him annoying.

The flustered look on her face quickly vanished, though her tone remained slightly tense. “Governor Chen, you must be joking. I’m just a humble Alchemist who spends her days hunched over a furnace. I’m neither young nor attractive—how could I possibly catch your eye?”

Dan Shu’s modesty was unwarranted. Her mature elegance, combined with a figure that left nothing to be desired, gave her a sophisticated allure. In his previous world, she would’ve been the dream of many.

“I’m rather fond of such things, so you needn’t worry,” Chen Lin replied with a soft chuckle. “By the way, I noticed a guqin in the pavilion. Do you enjoy playing?”

“I occasionally play a tune during my leisure time, though I’m far from skilled,” Dan Shu admitted.

“Would you mind playing something?” Chen Lin asked, seizing the opportunity. “I’ve been on the Xianzhou for some time now, but I’ve yet to hear its music. I’m quite curious.”

Dan Shu hesitated briefly, then nodded. Sitting before the guqin, she said, “If you don’t mind my lack of skill, I’ll oblige.”

“Listening to a melody from such a refined person is an honor.”

Her heart skipped a beat at his words. For a fleeting moment, she felt an urge to send him away—the emotions he stirred in her were unsettling. Not entirely unpleasant, but distracting. There were more pressing matters for her to focus on.

She plucked the strings, producing a melody reminiscent of flowing water. As she had warned, her skill was average, but Chen Lin remained composed, his expression one of enjoyment. Even if she were sawing logs, he would’ve maintained that facade—this was the path he’d chosen to avoid calamity, after all.

The performance ended without any major mistakes. Seeing Chen Lin’s satisfied expression, Dan Shu felt an inexplicable warmth.

“Forgive my lackluster performance, Governor Chen.”

To her surprise, Chen Lin opened his eyes and recited:
“‘Guan guan cries the osprey, on the islet in the river. Graceful and fair is the maiden; the gentleman seeks her.’”

Dan Shu’s eyes widened as he continued:
“‘Slender grows the water grass; left and right one gathers it. Graceful and fair is the maiden; awake and asleep, he longs for her.’”

Every word struck a chord deep within her heart.

“‘Longing yet unattainable, awake and asleep he muses on her… tossing and turning.’”

Is he talking about how meeting me left him sleepless? Dan Shu thought, her legs instinctively pulling back. Her once-cold heart seemed to bloom with color.

For centuries, no one had spoken to her like this. The unembellished verses resonated deeply with her, making her feel both touched and melancholic.

“‘Slender grows the water grass; left and right one plucks it. Graceful and fair is the maiden; the lute and zither delight her.’”

Dan Shu’s lips trembled as she fought the urge to cry. The sincerity of his words filled her with a profound sense of sorrow, as if lamenting a love that could never be.

“I’m sorry,” she said at last. “I’m afflicted with a terminal illness. I can’t afford to burden others.”

Chen Lin sighed. “This poem is my gift to you, Dan Shu. I spoke out of turn today, and I hope you won’t take it to heart. May we remain friends—can we?”

Staring at him, Dan Shu felt a mixture of sadness and gratitude. She forced a smile. “May I call you Chen Lin?”

“Of course,” he replied. “Don’t worry, Dan Shu. No matter the illness, I believe there’s always a way to cure it.”

As Dan Shu saw him off to the docks, she turned and shot a cold glance at an unseen corner before resuming her cordial conversation with Chen Lin.

Back in the pavilion, a flickering flame appeared before Dan Shu, seemingly communicating with her.

Her gaze turned icy. “He is my dear friend. Though his presence could disrupt the Xianzhou and fulfill our ambitions, he must remain unharmed. Otherwise… the deal is off. Blue-eyed disaster? Don’t you dare call him that! This matter is finished. I’ll prepare a gift to send him… but you will find someone else. If you target him, don’t blame me for turning against you!”

The flame flickered in protest but shrank back under her glare.

Even after a single meeting, Chen Lin’s actions and words had left an indelible mark on her. Though she knew their paths would diverge, and conflict might one day be inevitable, she resolved to protect the man who had offered her solace in her solitude.

No one would harm him. Not while she still drew breath.

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T/N: oooh bro's smooth and he has blue eyes? I see I see also do u guys know what Change Le Sky docks would be...?

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!