Is Unlocking the Stellaris Tech Tree in Star Rail Really Okay? [224]

A jest was a jest, but Yanqing was certainly going to face punishment. Jing Yuan would need time to deliberate on the exact consequences, but it was clear that if not for running into familiar faces, Yanqing would likely have been dead by now.

Even after the ordeal, Yanqing stubbornly demanded to challenge Chen Lin. He wanted to test the mysterious strength of his “Uncle” and see just how vast the gap between them was.

While Jing Yuan and Dan Heng chatted, they allowed the two to “spar.” The result? Yanqing’s flying swords were repeatedly stolen, and he was decisively defeated dozens of times, crushed so thoroughly that he began to question the meaning of life itself.

Jing Yuan, who had always assumed Chen Lin’s swordsmanship was simply a side talent, couldn’t help but feel shaken. He had thought Chen Lin’s skill might be impressive given the short time he had spent practicing, but he hadn’t expected it to reach this near-legendary level.

Gasping for breath, Yanqing grit his teeth and yelled, “Again!”

“That’s enough, Yanqing,” Jing Yuan interjected, stopping Chen Lin from what was effectively bullying. “Your uncle hasn’t even used his best skills against you. The path of the sword is long, and you still have far to go.”

Chen Lin shrugged, looking amused as he tossed one of Yanqing’s flying swords back to him. He had also been listening in on Jing Yuan and Dan Heng’s conversation throughout the sparring.

Dan Heng was still unwilling to acknowledge his identity as the Vidyadhara High Elder Yinyue-jun, nor would he accept “Dan Feng” as his name. Although Jing Yuan’s expression remained calm and occasionally amused during their talk, Chen Lin noticed the flickers of loneliness and sadness in Jing Yuan’s eyes.

Chen Lin understood. If his own family or close friends appeared here but failed to remember him, he doubted he would handle it with the same composure.

As the only remaining member of the Five Legends of the Clouds on the Xianzhou, Jing Yuan had witnessed Baiheng’s sacrifice, the sentencing of Dan Feng by the Ten Lords Commission, the tragedy of Jingliu’s descent into Mara, and Yingxing’s exile for crimes deemed unforgivable by the Xianzhou.

He had endured countless emotional blows, yet life had to go on. As a General, the Xianzhou relied on him to maintain order, no matter how heavy the burden.

When Jing Yuan removed his armor and returned to his small courtyard, he could afford moments of quiet sorrow. But as General, he had no room for personal indulgence.

Especially not with a disciple to train and a scheming rival like Fu Xuan always watching for mistakes.

Truly a life of fire and water, Chen Lin mused.

Returning Yanqing’s confiscated swords, Chen Lin gave Jing Yuan a small nod, and Jing Yuan turned to Yanqing. “Yanqing, return to the Divine Strategy Manor for now. We’ll discuss your punishment later.”

“Yes, General,” Yanqing replied, his voice heavy as he took his swords and left, clearly downtrodden.

There was no need for further words—Yanqing’s shattered confidence was written all over his face. Jing Yuan would need to think carefully about how to help him recover.

Watching Yanqing’s retreating figure, Li Sushang muttered under her breath, “Good thing I know my limits. If you can’t win, you run—isn’t that just common sense? A so-called sword prodigy still needs to be taught this?”

Chen Lin lightly flicked her on the forehead. “You’re not much better. The ‘prodigy’ knows better than to stick around where they don’t belong. You, on the other hand, still need me to tell you to head back.”

“Ah…”

Jing Yuan nodded in agreement. “Your master is right. This isn’t the kind of battlefield where you should remain. Go back.”

“But, Uncle!” Li Sushang protested. “Plenty of Cloud Knights are here too! I’m no weaker than they are. If they can stay, why can’t I?”

Having spent enough time with Chen Lin, Li Sushang had developed a peculiar dynamic. She was more afraid of him than she was of Jing Yuan and dared to argue only with her Uncle, not her Master.

Chen Lin frowned, about to scold her, but Jing Yuan intervened.

“Let her stay,” Jing Yuan said with a faint smile. “Yanqing’s situation is different—he made a mistake and needed correction. If Sushang wishes to stay, let her guard the outer perimeter with the other Cloud Knights. Such opportunities are rare. If she gains something from the experience, it’ll be her own doing.”

“Uncle is wise! Yay!” Li Sushang cheered.

And so, Li Sushang received permission to remain. After all, the Cloud Knights stationed outside the Abyssal Depths weren’t expected to participate in the direct battle against Phantylia or the greater threats. In truth, the Xianzhou often relied on a few exceptionally strong individuals to tilt the balance of such conflicts.

The group boarded the Starskiff and traveled to another entrance where the Cloud Knights had already secured the area, clearing most of the threats.

Jing Yuan gave instructions to the Cloud Knights stationed at the entrance before leading the group deeper into the Abyssal Depths.

The scenery was hauntingly beautiful, but it was marred by the bodies of soldiers—both Cloud Knights and Legion forces—scattered along the way. None of them walked with ease.

Dan Heng’s memories remained fragmented, giving him only a vague sense of familiarity. Jing Yuan sighed as he gazed at the corpses of the Legion, while Chen Lin’s expression darkened.

Unbeknownst to the others, Chen Lin had lost contact with Phantylia. The consciousness shard he had implanted in her had dissolved, replaced by something else entirely.

Before it disappeared, Phantylia had left him a mocking message:

“Oh, my dear benefactor, it seems I’ll be leaving you behind! You thought you could outwit a tiger, but who’s to say you’re not the second tiger? After all, how could a Lord Ravager like me be content to remain a pawn? I trust you’re not too disappointed with this little betrayal~?”

Phantylia’s betrayal left Chen Lin both furious and amused. A tiger, huh? Did she really think I wasn’t one too?

If there was one thing Chen Lin excelled at, it was contingency planning. From his exploits in Belobog—manipulating military clout, leveraging Bronya’s political legitimacy, and rallying the Underworld’s populace—he had always kept multiple plans in motion.

Even in the worst-case scenario, he had other measures at his disposal. And this time, he had gained access to the mysterious Zeroth Dimension.

“How amusing. Phantylia thinks she’s the clever one. Let’s see who gets the last laugh.”

Chen Lin’s dark expression prompted Jing Yuan to offer reassurance. “Don’t blame yourself too much, brother. None of us foresaw the arrival of the Legion. I was so focused on the Disciples, the Stellaron Hunters, and the Alchemy Commission that I failed to account for this. It’s my fault for being careless.”

Chen Lin chuckled, shaking off his frustration. “What’s done is done. What’s your plan now?”

Jing Yuan’s gaze swept over the battlefield. “After this battle, regardless of whether Luofu survives, the Xianzhou and the Legion are now mortal enemies. There’s no turning back.” He glanced at Chen Lin. “I’ve arranged with the Sky-Faring Comission to prepare the Yuque Gate. If the situation becomes untenable, you decide when to retreat. I owe you my life for this.”

“Brother, no need for such words between us,” Chen Lin replied with a faint grin. “But I’ll tell you this—every time I see the Legion, it makes me want to kill someone.”

The glint in Chen Lin’s eyes turned icy, and his voice dropped to a chilling tone. “The Empire and the Legion are already sworn enemies. The damage they caused to Jarilo-VI cost me dearly. My treasury bled to repair the planet’s ecosystem. For that alone, I owe them a grudge.”

Jing Yuan paused, sensing the weight behind Chen Lin’s words. “You speak as though this is a certainty. Is there something you’re not telling me?”

Chen Lin’s playful grin returned. “Let’s just say, Brother, that if I say it’s true, the Empire will say it’s true. Simple as that.”

Jing Yuan inhaled deeply, sensing the implications but choosing not to press further.

As they approached the inner depths, the sounds of battle grew louder. Jing Yuan smiled faintly. “It seems the fight has reached the Xianzhou’s Grand Dragon Rain Altar. They’re faster than I expected. Fu Xuan must be gaining confidence in her command abilities.”

Li Sushang’s eyes lit up. “Master, Uncle! Are we finally fighting the Legion? I’ve never faced them before!”

Jing Yuan chuckled. “Ask your master.”

Chen Lin smirked and patted her on the head. “Go ahead. Take care of the small fry. But remember: safety first.”

“Yes, Master!” she exclaimed, rushing off to join the fray.

Watching her go, Chen Lin noticed Jing Yuan unsheathing a long, blade-like polearm—a weapon Chen Lin had never seen him use before.

“You’re joining the fight too?” Chen Lin asked.

Jing Yuan chuckled softly. “Didn’t you use the word ‘too’? The Legion isn’t the Alchemy Commission’s fodder. If I can reduce casualties, it’s my duty to act.”

Chen Lin grinned. “How about a little contest, then? Let’s see who kills more.”

“Oh? I wouldn’t mind that. But let’s make it interesting,” Jing Yuan said. “The loser has to grant the winner a real reward—something meaningful, no exceptions.”

“Sounds fun. Deal,” Chen Lin replied with a mischievous glint.

He turned to Dan Heng and whispered, “Help me out. Go cripple a few for me—I’ll clean up after.”

Jing Yuan: “…”

Dan Heng: “…”

The two exchanged a silent look, each thinking the same thing:

Sometimes he’s mature and wise. Other times… he’s like a child.

But perhaps that wasn’t so bad.

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T/N: def gonna be little mistakes here and there specially since this story part is compeltely new to me comment the mistakes and ill edit them

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!