I opened a shop on the Astral Train-Chapter 23

With the combined efforts of the team, the remaining Voidrippers were eliminated one by one.

Cocolia cursed under her breath, then activated the Creation Engine, redirecting its energy towards the battlefield.

A piercing laser fired from the colossal machine's head, sweeping across the frozen landscape towards the group.

Kevin reacted first. [System Alert: Extreme Heat Detected!]

With a mighty swing of the Judgment of Shamash, flames erupted from the blade, colliding with the laser. The clash ignited an explosive shockwave that sent tremors across the battlefield.

Kevin, seizing a brief moment while the Creation Engine recalibrated, dashed across the battlefield and leaped onto the machine's arm, sprinting straight for Cocolia.

New waves of Voidrippers emerged from the machine, but March 7th and Bronya had them in their sights.

[System Alert: Target Locked.]

March 7th raised her bow. "Alright, you ugly things, stay down!" [Icebound Shot!]

Bronya fired simultaneously. [Piercing Frost!]

The creatures didn't even have a chance to advance. One by one, they shattered into frozen dust.

Within minutes, Kevin reached Cocolia.

Cocolia snarled and raised her firearm. [System Alert: High-Energy Projectile Incoming!]

Kevin barely managed to block the first shot, but the sheer force sent him staggering. Before he could recover, Cocolia launched a second attack.

[Emergency Dodge Activated!]

Kevin rolled to the side, barely avoiding another direct hit.

Cocolia hovered above, making it near impossible for Kevin to counterattack effectively.

But even the strongest defenses have gaps.

Seizing her moment, Cocolia hurled a Flame Lance with devastating force.

Kevin's vision blurred. His body went numb. Darkness swallowed him whole.

When he opened his eyes, Kevin was surrounded by stars.

Floating before him was a Flame Spear, pulsating with immense energy.

As he stepped forward, visions flickered around him—memories of Belobog's Great Guardians, their triumphs, their failures... and Cocolia's fall to desperation.

Hopelessness. No way forward. Darkness at every turn.

Kevin reached the spear, only to find a young girl standing beside it.

She turned to him. "You're here."

Kevin frowned. "Who are you?"

The girl smiled. "Me? I am the consciousness of all Great Guardians."

She sighed, glancing at the fading embers around them.

"The city is crying... The power of Preservation weakens. In the end, we still failed to resist the will of the Star Core."

Kevin clenched his fists. "Then let someone else protect it."

The girl's eyes widened in surprise, but she quickly composed herself.

She gestured toward the Flame Spear. "Then take it. Touch the light of Amber."

Kevin reached out. [System Alert: High Energy Detected!]

Flames surged from the spear, forcing him back momentarily. But he steadied himself.

"HAAAH!"

Summoning every ounce of strength, he grasped the spear and wrenched it free.

[Returning to Reality.]

Kevin awoke, now holding the Flame Spear in one hand and Heavenly Fire in the other.

With a single spin, he landed gracefully onto the Creation Engine's palm.

March 7, Dan Heng, Seele, and Bronya gasped in relief.

"Kevin!" March 7 waved excitedly.

Kevin smirked, then raised the spear high. "Everyone! It's time to finish this!"

Cocolia's eyes widened in horror.

"No! No! Impossible! Why would Qlipoth choose you?!"

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Desperate, she merged fully with the Star Core, unleashing a monstrous ice formation.

Kevin reacted instantly, raising the Flame Spear. A protective shield enveloped his allies.

With his other hand, he gripped Heavenly Fire and swung. [System Alert: Impact Detected!]

The flames and ice collided mid-air, sending shockwaves across the battlefield.

As the light faded, smoke filled the air.

Suddenly—

Kevin burst from the smoke, Flame Spear aimed directly at Cocolia.

She attempted another attack, but Dan Heng and Seele struck first, forcing her back.

Before she could counter, it was too late. Kevin's spear pierced through her chest.

Cocolia crashed into the ground, a massive crater forming beneath her.

She struggled to rise, but Kevin loomed over her, Heavenly Fire poised for the final strike.

"No... Impossible...!" Cocolia's form flickered, light seeping from her body.

Bronya ran forward, her voice breaking. "Mother!"

Cocolia, in her final moment of clarity, smiled weakly. "You've grown strong, Bronya... You will protect Belobog now..."

The Star Core, sensing defeat, tried to flee—

But then, a voice interrupted. "Wow, so dramatic. I almost cried."

Everyone turned.

Yuri strolled onto the battlefield, Rios at his side.

Bronya turned, confused. "Who are you?"

Yuri smirked. "Yuri. Now, remember to pay me 100 Stellar Jade later."

Before anyone could react, he casually reached out, ripping the Star Core from Cocolia's body and suppressing its energy.

He tossed a glowing potion onto Cocolia. Instantly, her body—on the verge of death—fully recovered.

Kevin's jaw dropped. "What was that?!"

Yuri shrugged. "Elven Water of Life. 10,000 Star Coins per bottle. Wanna buy?"

Kevin's face paled. "TEN THOUSAND?! That's like... 10 Trash Can scratch tickets! No way!"

One day had passed since the battle at Everwinter Ridge.

Although Cocolia had regained consciousness, her memories of the time when she was bewitched by the Star Core had completely vanished. She only recalled events from several years ago—before she had chosen to cooperate with it.

After hearing everything from Bronya, Cocolia came to understand the gravity of her mistakes. The realization that she had nearly doomed Belobog weighed heavily on her.

Thus, she chose to step down as Grand Guardian, entrusting the role to Bronya.

She could no longer bear to hold the position—knowing she had almost destroyed Belobog's future with her own hands.

[Belobog's Administrative District – Public Square]

After a night's rest, Kevin and March 7th walked leisurely down the street, sipping on milk tea.

As they passed a flower shop, Kevin suddenly stopped, rubbing his eyes in disbelief.

"No way!"

March 7th nearly dropped her drink at Kevin's outburst. "What's with you?!"

Kevin grabbed her sleeve, pointing towards a bench. "March! Look at that!"

March 7th followed his gaze and gasped. Right under the bench, gleaming under the soft light, was a shiny wooden treasure chest.

"A treasure chest?! Why is there a treasure chest in the middle of the city?!"

Without hesitation, the two rushed forward and flipped it open.

Inside, five Stellar Jades glowed brightly. As for any additional loot, it seemed someone had already taken them.

Kevin picked up the Stellar Jade, grinning. "There are treasure chests in this city?!"

He looked up at the vast streets of Belobog, his mind racing.

Kevin turned to March 7th—only to find her staring at him with the same realization.

Confirmed by eye contact.

"Let's go! Time to loot!"

The two tore through the streets, hunting for more chests. While most in the Administrative District were simple wooden ones, each one contained five Stellar Jades.

With each find, their excitement only grew.

Eventually, they arrived at a blocked-off commercial street.

Through the iron gates, an exquisite treasure chest sat in plain view.

Kevin's eyes sparkled. Without a word, he drew the Judgment of Shamash, sliced through the gate, and sprinted forward.

The moment they got close, three Flaming Cataclysm Shadows emerged, standing guard.

"Get out of the way!"

Kevin immediately reacted and took these shadow's down with urgency.

March 7th grinned. "Not bad!"

With a single swing of his Judgment of Shamash, Kevin eliminated the final enemy.

Wasting no time, he cracked open the exquisite chest, revealing ten freshly-minted Stellar Jades.

He rubbed his hands together. "Stellar Jade~ Little Stellar Jade~ Come to me~"

Scooping them up, he handed five to March 7th.

March 7th, however, was busy texting on her phone.

Kevin frowned. "Who are you talking to?"

March 7th glanced up. "Dan Heng was asking where we are."

Without warning, Kevin snatched the phone from her hands, stuffed it into his pocket, and threw an arm over her shoulder.

"Forget him! Let's keep looting! We're getting rich today! Hahahaha!"

March 7th considered this for a second—then nodded. "Yeah, you're right. Let's go!"

[Administrative District – Mechanical House]

Inside a workshop, Seele, Svarog, and Dan Heng sat around discussing various topics.

Dan Heng casually put away his phone. "They're collecting Stellar Jade."

Seele, who had come to deliver a message from Bronya, immediately sensed something was wrong. Without another word, she bolted from the room.

Swarlow and Dan Heng exchanged confused looks.

After a brief moment of contemplation, they simply resumed their conversation about mechanical systems.

[Grand Guardian's Office]

This office—once Cocolia's domain—now belonged to Bronya.

As Seele barged in, Bronya was in the middle of discussing her succession ceremony with an official.

Seele burst out, panting. "We have a huge problem! Bronya!"

Seeing her panic, Bronya dismissed the official and turned to her. "Seele, what's wrong?"

Seele took a deep breath. "We need to start collecting Stellar Jade, now!"

Bronya raised an eyebrow. "Why? Isn't that thing basically worthless?"

Then, she remembered—Kevin and the others seemed obsessed with it.

"Wait... do you want to collect some for Kevin and March 7th?"

Seele shook her head. "No! It's Stellar Jade!"

Realizing Bronya didn't know about Yuri, Seele quickly explained everything.

As Bronya processed the flood of information, she froze.

Stellar Jade could be exchanged for Star Coins. Star Coins could be used to buy anything from Yuri.

She suddenly recalled the moment Yuri saved Cocolia—and charged her 100 Stellar Jade for it.

Understanding dawned on her.

Not good! Stellar Jade!

"Guards! Assemble the troops! We need to start collecting Stellar Jade immediately!"

[Inside Yuri's Shop]

Yuri and Zhongli sipped tea in quiet contemplation.

A few booths over, Welt stood at a chalkboard, explaining mechanical concepts to Clara, who scribbled notes diligently. She had been coming to the train every morning to study before returning home in the evening.

On the opposite side of the shop, Paimon, Amber, and Ying were devouring food with unmatched enthusiasm.

Ying looked utterly exhausted.

Today, she had helped Kaeya, Lisa, and others clear out the Temple of the Four Winds, finally resolving Mondstadt's crisis.

By the time they returned to the city, evening had fallen, and they were starving.

Ying, having earned 200 Stellar Jades, decided to treat everyone.

Spending 100 Star Coins, she purchased a luxurious seafood platter.

The trio immediately dug in.

Paimon, wielding a tiny hammer designed for cracking open shellfish, worked with relentless determination.

"Hmph! No strength to pry them open, so I'll use force!"