Is Unlocking the Stellaris Tech Tree in Star Rail Really Okay? [119]

After handing over Psionic Theories: Beginner Volume 1 to Herta and demonstrating his psionic abilities to prove the textbook’s validity, Chen Lin ignored her enthusiastic praises and headed back to Jarilo-VI through the zone anchor.

Watching the rising sun upon his return, Chen Lin realized he had spent quite some time chatting with Asta. Jarilo-VI had already entered a new day.

When he left, it was morning in Belobog. Now it was early dawn.

Thankfully, Belobog’s expansion had resolved its housing crisis, and the newly added streetlights illuminated the many bustling streets. The city was still alive with revelry, even at this hour.

Thanks to the Stellaron he absorbed, which greatly expanded his mental sea, Chen Lin now possessed a boundless source of psionic energy. He wasn’t the least bit tired, despite pulling an all-nighter.

If this level of mental resilience could be granted to the workforce, productivity would skyrocket, and development would proceed at an unprecedented pace. Belobog’s rise would be imminent.

Chen Lin’s psionic abilities had reached the point where they could manifest physically, like a malleable substance, capable of being shaped into complex forms by his will.

Not wanting to cause a commotion in the streets, he used psionics to reshape his face, transforming it into an entirely different appearance.

Psionics really are convenient.

When he arrived at Qlipoth Fort, Chen Lin dispelled his disguise, greeted the guards warmly, and headed straight to the guest quarters where the Trailblazer team was staying.

Upon reaching the courtyard, he found Dan Heng already awake, practicing his morning exercises. It seemed to be his preferred method of burning off excess energy.

“You’re back?”

“Yeah. How’s everything coming along? How long until the remaining anchors are activated?” Chen Lin asked, popping a candy he’d conjured from his psionic Stellaron into his mouth.

Despite the Stellaron constantly generating psionic energy, his mental sea was still only about a third full. Without the Stellaron’s help, it would likely take years to replenish his reserves.

Dan Heng wiped the sweat from his brow and explained, “We’ll finish setting up the city’s anchors today. The remaining ones will gradually come online over time—no manual intervention needed.”

He paused, looking at Chen Lin, clearly waiting for him to speak first.

“Prepare to return to the train. Let’s set our departure for tomorrow,” Chen Lin said, noticing Dan Heng’s unspoken question. He added teasingly, “What, you thought I wouldn’t go back?”

Dan Heng nodded slightly, his gaze wandering. “You could stay here, you know. This is the nation you worked so hard to build. The train’s journey is filled with uncertainties, but staying here could be a good choice.”

“You’re not wrong,” Chen Lin replied, pausing to chuckle softly. “But this isn’t my homeland.”

Dan Heng blinked, startled. “You’ve remembered something else?”

“Yeah,” Chen Lin said with a faint sigh. “I’m a wanderer, and so is the nation I come from. We fled our homeworld during a crisis, searching for a new place to settle. Countless years passed before we found a habitable planet, but we never rediscovered the footprints our ancestors left behind. I don’t even know where our true home is anymore.”

His voice carried a quiet sorrow, tinged with longing.

“When the Empire sought to return home, its foundations suffered devastating blows. The descendants of the wandering ancestors became wanderers once more, and I am one of the few who survived. Before they perished, they poured their remaining strength into me, hoping I could carry their spirits and continue searching for our homeland. Being away for so long... it’s hard not to yearn for it. It’s a regret and an obsession passed down to me by my people.

“I only remember fragments—enough to give me splitting headaches whenever I try to piece more together.”

“I’m sorry,” Dan Heng said after a long pause, struggling to find the right words.

He had always suspected Chen Lin wasn’t an ordinary person. Summoning warships, terraforming giant planets, absorbing a Stellaron—each feat was far beyond what a normal individual could achieve. But he hadn’t expected his companion to bear the weight of so many lost lives and their unfulfilled wishes.

Chen Lin gave him a reassuring smile. “I can return to Jarilo-VI anytime through the anchors, but my journey won’t stop here. The train might be my only lead to finding my homeland. Sorry, my intentions haven’t been entirely pure.”

Dan Heng’s sharp gaze lingered on Chen Lin for a moment, as though assessing his sincerity. Chen Lin was prepared for this. He had no intention of deceiving someone he considered a friend.

His explanation wasn’t entirely a lie—Humanity’s Federation had always been searching for Earth. His warships were even named under the Federation’s banner, and as their leader, Chen Lin carried that mission forward.

Close enough.

“The conductor won’t care about your motives,” Dan Heng said at last. “We’re all passengers on the train. When it’s time to disembark, we will. I believe you’ll succeed.”

It was probably the longest sentence Dan Heng had ever spoken, likely inspired by Chen Lin’s tragic backstory.

“If you ever need help, I’ll be there,” Dan Heng added firmly.

“Thanks,” Chen Lin replied with a smile. “Let’s not get all sentimental—I’ve barely taken a step yet.”

After parting ways with Dan Heng, Chen Lin sought out Stelle and March 7th. The two girls, who shared a room on the train, naturally did the same here.

Informing them of the departure plans, Chen Lin was considerate enough to remind them to bid farewell to their friends in Belobog before leaving.

Still, he worried about their ability to handle this task properly—March could be quite slow at times, and Stelle’s thought process often defied logic unless it was something serious.

He patiently explained everything they needed to do, politely declining Stelle’s strange suggestion to turn him into a bench, though her playful antics under the table suggested she hadn’t entirely given up.

Chen Lin, however, leaned back slightly, as if worried that even brushing against Stelle would result in her devouring him, flesh and bone.

Stelle pouted, clearly displeased.

After March ran off like an overexcited husky, likely to say her goodbyes to the various friends she had made among the guards and townsfolk, the room was left with only Chen Lin and Stelle.

Chen Lin pulled out a stash of smartphones he had “acquired” from Herta Space Station, courtesy of Asta’s generous help. There were dozens of them.

Belobog’s development wasn’t just reliant on the immense resources he poured in via his galactic UI; it also needed the cooperation of its people. For this, Chen Lin planned to distribute the phones among his contacts in Belobog, ensuring they could stay in touch with him even when he wasn’t physically present.

Since March had bolted, Chen Lin handed Stelle a list of names and tasked her with delivering the phones and teaching their new owners how to use them.

To his dismay, Stelle demanded a price for her services: she wanted to move into his room on the train after they returned.

Faced with her earnest gaze—a mix of clarity and a hint of mischief—Chen Lin reluctantly agreed but managed to negotiate it down to her visiting his room only once every seven days.

With that settled, Chen Lin made his way to Qlipoth Fort’s grand study. He knew that amidst the city’s nonstop festivities, Bronya had foregone court meetings, spending most of her time there, sorting through the backlog of governmental work left by Belobog’s near-collapse.

Pela was also present but immediately tried to make a quick escape upon seeing Chen Lin. He caught her before she could slip away.

“I’m leaving tomorrow.”

The heavy announcement left both girls stunned. No one had mentioned this before, so they had assumed he would stay indefinitely. Now, hearing it from the man they viewed as Belobog’s savior, the reality hit them hard.

“Sir…” Pela started to speak, only for Chen Lin to pinch her soft, round cheeks, cutting her off.

“I’ll return periodically, unless something urgent keeps me away,” Chen Lin reassured her, marveling at how squishy her cheeks were before continuing. “Pela, while I’m gone, I’m counting on you to assist Bronya with administrative work. If anything’s unclear, you can message me.”

“Yes! This is my duty, and I will support Lady Bronya in governing Belobog!”

“Don’t rush things. Moving too fast can lead to mistakes,” Chen Lin advised. “And don’t hesitate to request resources or technology if needed. As for structural reforms, we’ve already discussed the necessary adjustments—remember to push those forward.”

Belobog’s Supreme Guardian system had too many flaws. With a small population, these issues weren’t glaring, but as the city grew, they would inevitably cause chaos. For instance, the Supreme Guardian personally handling every minor matter was manageable with tens of thousands of people but would be impossible with the influx of new residents predicted by the event chain.

After finishing his instructions, Pela left the study. Bronya, who seemed to have anticipated this day, showed only a slight moment of surprise before regaining her composure.

However, there was a subtle tension in her demeanor.

“Does Seele know you’re leaving?” Bronya asked while signing documents.

She’s starting to sound like a real leader.

Chen Lin shook his head. “I was planning to tell her after this. Since your study was closer, I came here first.”

“Then you should go,” Bronya replied, though her tone carried a hint of reluctance. After a pause, she added, “Will you have time tonight, Mentor? I have some matters I’d like to consult you on—it might take a while.”

Chen Lin quickly checked his mental state. With the Stellaron’s psionic energy keeping him refreshed, he figured he could afford to stay up longer. Not wanting to pressure Bronya, who was likely busy with administrative work, he agreed and left.

Chen Lin spent a good part of the day searching for Seele, only to learn from Natasha that she had enrolled in a newly established school. Apparently, Seele had been staying up late every night studying, determined to bridge the gap she felt between herself and others.

The thought amused Chen Lin. Once he initiated the Great Awakening, everyone on Jarilo-VI would gain psionic abilities. Memory retention and cognitive comprehension would skyrocket, with individual differences determined only by innate talent and unique powers.

And Seele, with her quantum-based abilities likely tied to an Aeon or some other powerful entity, was destined to shine brightly in the future.

After dragging Seele out of school, Chen Lin informed her of his departure. Seele, ever earnest, vowed to fulfill her promises and not disappoint him.

Chen Lin spent the rest of the afternoon indulging Seele, taking her through the celebration’s many attractions—food stalls, games, and more. Hearing her cheerfully call him “Brother Lin” over and over brought a warm smile to his face.

Such a pure-hearted girl…

She was a refreshing contrast to the women he’d known before—those who shamelessly juggled multiple partners while openly bragging about it.

After walking Seele home, Chen Lin returned to Qlipoth Fort. The city was alive with festivities even late into the night.

That evening, Bronya sent him a message, inviting him to her room to discuss some matters.

“Mentor, you’re here?”

Bronya greeted him at the door, visibly nervous as she ushered him inside. The table was neatly set with snacks and drinks, her preparations meticulous.

Seated on the sofa, they chatted while nibbling on treats, discussing various policies and how to handle lingering issues in the city.

As the conversation stretched on, Chen Lin began to sense something was off. Bronya’s face was flushed, her lips pressed tightly together as if she were suppressing something.

Looking at the snacks and drinks, realization dawned on him.

She drugged me!

But she had clearly underestimated his resilience. His body was far beyond the reach of ordinary substances, leaving Bronya to face the consequences of her own scheme.

“You little troublemaker…” Chen Lin chuckled, shaking his head.

You could’ve just said something instead of resorting to this ridiculous tactic.

He wasn’t a saint, after all, and he did have a fondness for Bronya. Why go through all this trouble when mutual affection was already there?

As his vision began to blur, Bronya nervously asked, “M-Mentor, would you stay… the night?”

“Next time, don’t pull stunts like this. Understood?”

“Yes…”

Scooping up his mischievous yet endearing student, Chen Lin carried her further into the room, preparing to “exorcise the demon” that had clearly possessed her.

Get out of my precious student, you foul demon!

Meanwhile, in the neighboring room, Pela—who had moved in early to keep an eye on Bronya—smirked to herself, satisfied with how her idea had played out. The only downside was that she wouldn’t get a wink of sleep that night.

…

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T/N: wut

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!