Is Unlocking the Stellaris Tech Tree in Star Rail Really Okay? [215]

By now, Chen Lin had spent enough time in this world to understand it far better than when he first left the Herta Space Station and arrived on Jarilo-VI. Back then, he could barely grasp even the basics of how things worked, relying entirely on the Trailblazers’ explanations to get by.

But after staying on the Xianzhou for a while, both Jing Yuan and Fu Xuan had provided him with key insights into this universe. Many of their revelations were secrets far beyond what the average person would ever learn.

Take Welt Yang, for example. Chen Lin still didn’t fully grasp the extent of Welt’s abilities. However, Welt’s calm demeanor and refusal to bow—even while being temporarily detained by the Cloud Knights—had spoken volumes. His escape from their watchful eyes, even bringing the rest of the crew along unscathed, proved that, while he might not be able to single-handedly challenge the Xianzhou, he could still ensure his and his allies’ safety.

Phantylia, however, was in another league entirely. As a Destruction Envoy, her mere presence on the Xianzhou Luofu had caused enough chaos to shake all of Luofu. Even Jing Yuan, a general blessed by the Hunt, had admitted during one of their conversations how difficult it was to deal with her. He’d explained that the level of effort needed to combat a Stellaron disaster escalated dramatically when an Aeon’s agent intervened.

Simply put, a Stellaron disaster alone was manageable for the Xianzhou’s Six Commissions. Jing Yuan wouldn’t even need to act. However, throw someone like Phantylia into the mix, and the entire situation could spiral into an entirely different beast.

Chen Lin wasn’t just interested in the Stellaron Hunters or Phantylia’s schemes—he wanted her power. A Destruction Envoy capable of standing toe-to-toe with Jing Yuan was an asset he couldn’t afford to ignore. And a Phantylia with a physical form was leagues apart from her purely spiritual state.

The issue of the L-Gates only made things more urgent. Kafka’s cryptic warning had confirmed Chen Lin’s suspicions: within the L-Gates lay threats beyond his imagination. He couldn’t allow Jarilo-VI to face such dangers unprepared. While the planet’s military might stand a chance, the price of victory would undoubtedly be devastating.

For Jarilo-VI to hold its own on the interstellar stage, military strength was a necessity, and Phantylia’s power could be the key to securing its future. But Chen Lin knew he was walking a tightrope. Trusting a tiger like her was a dangerous game.

At first, he’d relied on her fragile physical form as leverage. Now, with the [Zroni Nexus] in his arsenal, he had another card to play.

While using the Zroni’s energy, [Zro Dust], was costly, it wasn’t irreplaceable. The corpses of Disciple Sanctus members, saturated with the Abundance’s power, could be processed into new [Zro Dust]. By keeping a few corpses for the Cloud Knights to turn over to the Ten Lords Commission, Chen Lin could siphon off the rest to fuel his psionic forge.

This dual strategy—controlling Phantylia while advancing his plans—gave him a distinct advantage.

She may be the tiger, but am I not one as well?

Phantylia’s greed had begun to surface as they neared the end of the Arbor plan. Her fixation on its divine flesh and power was evident in the cracks of her carefully crafted façade.

Chen Lin imagined her feigned docility, her calculated gaze betraying endless schemes. His lips curved into a knowing smile.

"Stelle," he began, "you need to understand something. The allure of immortality is irresistible to most beings. The longer one lives, the more they fear death, and the more desperate they become to escape it."

Stelle clutched at her coat, her gaze dropping to the ground.

Fear of death… Is that what drives them?

Her thoughts wandered back to her own brush with death, during the battle against Cocolia. The icebound spear had pierced her chest, pain and cold flooding her body as her strength drained away. She’d thought it was the end—until fate intervened.

That near-death experience had left a deep mark, not because she feared death itself, but because of the pain it would cause those left behind.

"Are you saying Tingyun’s reaction was normal, then?" Stelle asked, her voice tinged with doubt.

"In a sense," Chen Lin replied. "Foxians only live for around 300 years. If Xianzhou natives didn’t have to contend with the Mara, their ageless bodies would be the envy of every Foxian. Even with the risk of succumbing to Mara, countless people have joined the Disciple Sanctus, chasing after true immortality."

Pausing, he gave her a pointed look. "And think about it—if Tingyun really wanted to eat one of those divine fruits, why didn’t she just pluck one and eat it? She’s smart enough to know that doing so would doom her to a life of being hunted by the Xianzhou for the rest of her days."

Stelle mulled over his words. They made sense.

Chen Lin added, "Still, always remember: trust is earned, not given freely. Being cautious never hurts, even if everything seems perfectly reasonable."

He reached out to smooth her rumpled coat, ruffling her hair gently.

Stelle had been his first real companion in this strange universe—the first person he’d truly connected with. She had trusted him wholeheartedly, like a fledgling imprinting on its parent. Protecting that trust, that untainted sincerity, was something he felt obligated to do.

The messy truths of the adult world… She’s not ready for that yet. Someday, when she’s more experienced and harder to deceive, she’ll understand.

Stelle was quiet for a moment before leaning against him like a contented kitten, her eyes bright with determination. "I’ll protect you, Chen."

Her warmth and resolve filled him with a strange sense of peace. Yet, before he could fully appreciate the moment, he felt something wet brush against his neck, followed by a light nip.

Chen Lin froze.

"…"

Thunk!

"Ow!" Stelle yelped, clutching her head where he’d flicked her. Still, a giggle escaped her lips, making it clear she didn’t regret her mischievous act.

Moments later, March 7 and Welt returned, Tingyun in tow. As they approached, they found Stelle sitting on the ground, rubbing her head with a stubbornly defiant expression, while Chen Lin was clearly lecturing her.

Tingyun tilted her head in confusion, while March sighed, already guessing what had happened. The faint bite mark on Chen Lin’s neck was all the evidence she needed.

"Find a spot to sit and reflect," Chen Lin ordered Stelle firmly. "Don’t turn around until I call for you!"

"Okay…" Stelle mumbled, dragging herself off to the side.

After sending Stelle off to reflect, Chen Lin noticed Phantylia—still in her guise as Tingyun—approaching. She didn’t wait for him to speak, instead preemptively adopting a pitiful demeanor.

"The journey has been so treacherous, and I found myself overwhelmed by exhaustion," she said softly, her voice trembling with faux vulnerability. "I was so distracted while resting that I must have delayed something important. If I have displeased you, esteemed benefactor, then I am here to offer my sincerest apologies."

She looked every bit like a mistreated concubine in the midst of palace intrigue, submissive and helpless. Chen Lin’s lips twitched as he struggled to maintain his composure.

You’re a freaking Destruction Envoy. Where the hell did you learn to be this… melodramatic? And why are you better at it than I am?!

Clearing his throat, Chen Lin responded, "I’ve already heard from March and Mr. Yang about everything you’ve done on this trip, Miss Tingyun. Truly, your contributions have been invaluable."

Phantylia rolled her eyes inwardly. Contributions? You’re monitoring everything through that psionic construct of yours, old man. Who are you fooling?

Despite her thoughts, she remained outwardly gracious, her lips curving into a demure smile. "I only did what was required of me. It hardly deserves such praise."

Chen Lin smiled knowingly. "Still, the battlefield is unpredictable. My concern was that you might wander into danger. It’s not that I doubt your capabilities, but accidents do happen."

"Then I shall follow your guidance, esteemed benefactor," she said, bowing her head slightly, her tone as sweet as honey.

Chen Lin studied her carefully. From the moment she arrived, her gaze had lingered on his face—subtle, but noticeable. It was as though she were trying to decipher some hidden truth about him.

Welt had pulled March 7 aside to discuss tactical concerns with Fu Xuan, leaving Phantylia and Chen Lin alone for a moment. She tilted her head and asked innocently, "Esteemed benefactor, is there anything else you wish to instruct me on?"

"What needs to be said has already been said," Chen Lin replied calmly. "This place is dangerous, Miss Tingyun. Stick with the group. I would hate for something unfortunate to happen."

She glanced at him slyly, a faint smile playing on her lips. "As you wish."

Her gaze lingered on his retreating figure as he returned to scolding Stelle. When she was certain she was out of sight, Phantylia leaned against a nearby wall, her perfect mask of compliance slipping away to reveal a sly smirk.

Just as I thought, she mused. The little benefactor isn’t as omnipotent as he wants everyone to think. There’s no way he’s watching me constantly.

Half an hour earlier, the Astral Express crew had arrived at the Alchemy Commission and been directed to Fu Xuan. She had been preparing to head to the front lines, so Welt, March 7, and the others joined her to assess the situation.

Phantylia, on the other hand, couldn’t care less about the Disciple Sanctus or their petty ambitions. To her, they were nothing more than pawns who fancied themselves kings. The real prize was the Arbor’s flesh, which would provide her with a body worthy of an Envoy.

Feigning fatigue, she separated from the group, claiming she needed a moment to rest. It was a simple excuse, and no one questioned it.

The camp was teeming with Cloud Knights, so she couldn’t risk acting recklessly. But slipping out unnoticed? That was child’s play for someone like her.

Navigating through the less-patrolled areas, she reached a location just beyond the Cloud Knights’ controlled zone. There, she began sketching plans for her new body, conjuring potential designs in her mind and using her powers to shape prototypes from the roots she’d secretly collected from the Ministry of Engineering.

When she was nearly finished preparing, she suddenly noticed a holoprojection device lighting up in the middle of the path. Standing beside it was Kafka, her serene smile cutting through the tension like a knife.

Phantylia froze for a moment, her instincts screaming at her to kill. But before she could act, Kafka’s voice rang out, casual yet commanding.

"It’s been a while, Phantylia. Who would’ve guessed that the Destruction Envoy hiding right under the Xianzhou’s nose would be none other than the Receptionist Tingyun?"

"!"

Phantylia’s expression turned cold, her aura radiating malice. Her disguise had been flawless—how had Kafka uncovered her true identity?

It didn’t matter. Her first thought was to eliminate the threat. If Kafka had come to expose her, she wouldn’t have bothered with pleasantries.

"What do you want?" Phantylia demanded, her voice as icy as her glare. "And choose your words carefully."

Kafka chuckled, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "The Arbor isn’t just capable of giving you a body. It can also sever the ties binding your mind."

Phantylia’s anger faltered. "What are you talking about?"

"Your real problem isn’t getting a body. It’s the leash someone else has wrapped around your consciousness." Kafka’s finger traced a circle around her temple as she smiled knowingly. "Elio has foreseen it. If you want to regain your freedom, this is your opportunity."

Phantylia scoffed, forcing a sneer onto her face. "Freedom? You think I’ll fall for that? If you expect me to betray my master, you’d better come prepared to pay a much higher price."

Kafka cut her off with a wave of her hand. "We’re not here to bargain. You’ve already made your decision. Whether you admit it or not, you’re going to act on it. Goodbye, Phantylia. We’ll see each other again soon."

With that, the holoprojection flickered off, leaving behind a scorched device that quickly short-circuited and melted into useless scrap.

Phantylia stared at the ashes, her expression unreadable. She raised her fan, flicking it gently to ignite the remnants in a burst of flames, reducing them to nothing.

Turning to the empty air, she bowed slightly, her voice dripping with false reverence. "Master, I’ve just discovered that the Stellaron Hunters mean to harm you. If you have the time to visit the Alchemy Commission, I will explain everything in detail…"

She straightened and dusted herself off, a sly grin creeping back onto her face as she began her trek back to the camp.

Whether Chen Lin had seen everything through his psionic construct was anyone’s guess. But one thing was certain: Phantylia was playing a dangerous game. And in her mind, no matter the outcome, she would remain untouchable.

---

T/N: DID STELLE JUST... OMG

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!