I opened a shop on the Astral Train-Chapter 57

Topaz heard it all.

"Yes, why, Yuri, do you want to buy it or something?"

Yuri smiled and shook his head, pointing to Zhongli beside him.

"Not me, but Zhongli. What's the lowest price?"

Topaz heard it.

"Wait a minute, I'll check it on the intranet."

A minute later, Topaz came over with a laptop.

"The lowest price is for a life-bearing planet named Amos III.

Amos III has a land area of 80 million square kilometers and an ocean area of 170,000 square kilometers. It has perfect topography, a pleasant climate, and fertile soil. The only drawback is that it has few mineral resources.

Mr. Zhongli, if you want to buy it, I'll give you an internal price of 50 billion credit points. This is the lowest price. If you don't believe me, you can see that the price on the company's intranet is 60 billion, and the price on the external network is 70 billion."

Zhongli looked at the long string of zeros and immediately gave up the idea.

"I don't have enough funds."

Topaz smiled when she heard this.

"It's okay, I have another settlement method. You only need 300,000 star coins to buy this planet, Amos III. How about it? Tempting, right?"

Zhongli was indeed tempted, but he didn't dare to touch his wallet.

"I'll think about it."

Hearing this, Topaz nodded. "Alright, take your time. If you decide later, you can always find me. I'll be right here."

Yuri looked at Zhongli and grinned. "So? Which plan do you choose?

Buying directly from Topaz is way more convenient. You can move in with your luggage, and while you're at it, you can ask her to set up housing and infrastructure. She'd definitely agree."

Zhongli pondered for a moment. "I'll go back and talk to Asmodeus first."

Yuri raised an eyebrow. "Alright, in the meantime, how about a game?" Yuri took out the chessboard from under the coffee table.

Zhongli smirked slightly. Another rookie about to be crushed.

"Let's play."

Zhongli wasn't in a hurry to leave—Asmodeus was probably still surfing the web at an internet café.

The three of them began a game.

Inside Shen Ce Mansion.

Not long after Jing Yuan and Fu Xuan returned, a Cloud Knight rushed in to report.

"Report! General! Someone has broken into the prison!"

Upon hearing this, Jing Yuan immediately set off for the prison, where many dangerous criminals were held.

"Fu Qing, you stay in Shen Ce Mansion and oversee things. I'll go to the prison."

Fu Xuan agreed. This was their usual arrangement—one handled command, while the other led the troops into battle.

Given the importance of the prison, it was best for Jing Yuan to go himself.

Half an hour later, in the prison.

Jing Yuan stood with his hands behind his back.

"Anyone who steps into this place is either a jailer or a prisoner. Which one are you?"

In front of him, a blond man slowly approached.

"Neither. I'm just a lost traveler."

The blond man was Luocha.

Jing Yuan narrowed his eyes at him.

"Quite the spectacle—star cores, Jianmu, the secret teachings of the King of Medicine, and the Lord of Extinction nearly succeeded in diverting everyone's attention.

I almost forgot the most crucial detail—the one who brought the star core into Xianzhou.

Right? The so-called healer."

Luocha smiled slightly. "It's true that my power comes from abundance, but I am the enemy of the healer, just like you."

As he spoke, Luocha turned his back to Jing Yuan, arms outstretched. The dim prison lighting cast eerie shadows over his figure, highlighting his presence.

Just then, a few snowflakes drifted down, and a female voice echoed through the chamber.

"Yes, Jing Yuan, don't get in our way. This time, we will put abundance to death."

Jing Yuan's pupils contracted as he turned to see the speaker.

"How... how is it you?!"

He quickly ordered the Cloud Knights to fall back.

"What exactly are you planning this time?"

Jingliu stepped forward, her expression cold.

"I told you—we're here to eliminate the high and mighty healer once and for all."

Jing Yuan's voice was steady. "What's your plan?"

Jingliu and Luocha laid out their intentions. As he listened, Jing Yuan felt a chill run down his spine. This was a game played at the level of gods.

"Let me think this over."

Luocha nodded. "This is an important matter, General. Take your time. We still have enough of it."

Jing Yuan gave a slight nod, then turned to Jingliu.

"Your demonic body..."

Luocha smirked. "Just one of my tricks."

Jing Yuan shot him a wary glance. This man was suspicious. Best not to trust him too easily.

Then a thought struck him. He had just received the Green Spirit Pill—why not let Jingliu test it?

Jing Yuan retrieved a pill and held it out to her.

"Master Jingliu, this is a new pill developed by Xianzhou to suppress the demonic body. Would you like to try it?"

Jingliu took the pill, turning it in her fingers before swallowing it.

Jing Yuan watched anxiously. Would it work?

If Zhongli were here, he would have told him to relax. After all, Zhongli had already taken one before—though he had bought the finished product directly.

The pill took effect instantly.

Jingliu felt a newfound clarity in her mind. "This pill is highly effective."

Jing Yuan sighed in relief. "That's good. But you can only take one—the second dose won't have any effect.

This was refined just recently by Lady Dragon Girl."

At the mention of Lady Dragon Girl, an image formed in Jingliu's mind.

"Jing Yuan, where is she? Can I see her?"

Jing Yuan agreed. Whatever happened, Jingliu wouldn't harm Bai Lu. Best not to dwell on why he thought that.

"Lady Dragon Girl is on the Astral Train. Her name is Bai Lu. You can find her there. The Astral Train is currently docked at Gathering Star Port."

Jingliu bid farewell and set off for the train.

Jing Yuan briefly looked at Luocha before also asking him a question.

"Hypothetically, if a grand tournament were to occur, would you participate?"

Luocha, not only received a pair of silver bracelets—along with an exclusive prison gift package...But it seemed like he would be a future participant in something truly incredible...

Jingliu took a Starship to Gathering Star Port and quickly spotted the Astral Train.

It stood out among the surrounding warships and transports, easily recognizable.

She approached the train and was about to knock when the door suddenly slid open.

Four small figures bolted out, laughing.

"Da-da-da! La-la-la! Klee's going to test the new bouncing bomb!" Klee gleefully dashed off, clutching her latest invention.

Behind her, Hook, Diona, and Bai Lu followed, eager to watch the fun.

Rios trailed after them, keeping a protective eye on the group.

Jingliu immediately spotted Bai Lu and, to her own surprise, found herself smiling slightly.

Rios noticed her presence and studied her carefully.

There was no hostility from this woman—rather, she exuded a kind of nostalgia when looking at Bai Lu.

Elves were highly attuned to emotions, and Rios could sense it instantly.

"Who are you to Bai Lu?"

Jingliu looked at Rios.

"Who are you?"

Rios replied, "I'm Rios. Did you know Bai Lu before? I noticed the way you looked at her—it was different."

Jingliu smiled and nodded. "Yes, I know her."

At that moment, Rios glanced at the four little ones running off.

"Let's follow them. We need to make sure they don't get hurt. I'm usually responsible for protecting them."

Hearing this, Jingliu and Rios followed the children.

They soon arrived at a reservoir—the official water reserve of Luofu, filled with fish. The four little ones had long since claimed it as their designated spot for 'frying fish.'

Jingliu and Rios stood on a nearby container, watching over them.

Jingliu turned to Rios. "You're their guardian?"

Rios nodded. "Yes, they're adorable, and they bring joy to everyone. I like them a lot."

Jingliu smiled. "Thank you."

Rios shook his head. "No need to thank me. By the way, we didn't finish our conversation earlier. You know Bai Lu?"

Jingliu nodded. "Yes."

Rios asked, "Would you like me to call her over?"

Jingliu thought for a moment. "No rush. Let them finish playing first."

The two continued chatting while keeping an eye on the children.

Meanwhile, Klee held up her newly developed bouncing bomb. "Here we go!" She tossed it into the reservoir.

A second later—

Boom!!!!

A massive mushroom cloud of water shot into the air, along with countless fish of various sizes.

The four little ones cheered beside the reservoir.

"Success! Klee did it!"

Liyue Harbor, Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.

Hu Tao, Asmodeus, and Xiangling sat down for a meal.

Xiangling had brought extra food she had prepared earlier at Wanmin Restaurant, sharing it with Hu Tao.

Asmodeus took a bite of the smashed cucumber dish. "Mmm~ This is delicious, so refreshing!"

Xiangling beamed at the compliment. "If you like it, eat more!"

Hu Tao took a bite of her rice with radish-braised beef brisket and turned to Asmodeus. "So, what kind of job are you looking for?"

Asmodeus thought about it for a moment. "Something that pays a lot, requires little work, and is close to home. Got anything like that?"

Hu Tao and Xiangling were speechless.

Who wouldn't want a job like that?

Hu Tao squinted at Asmodeus. "Do you know anything about funeral rites? You could work for me."

Asmodeus pondered the idea before shaking her head. "No clue. But I can help you dig graves!"

Hu Tao raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

Asmodeus gestured toward the open ground outside. With a simple wave of her hand, a pit—one meter wide, two meters long, and one and a half meters deep—appeared instantly.

"Like this. How's that?"

Hu Tao's eyes lit up.

A natural talent! Finally, someone who could save her from the exhausting task of digging graves!

She grabbed Asmodeus's hands excitedly. "From today on, you're an honored guest of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor!"

Asmodeus gave a thumbs-up. "Sounds good to me."

Hu Tao tapped her chin. "I'll figure out your compensation. Hmm... how about this: I'll pay you per job. If you dig a grave, I'll pay you in Mora.

Basic salary plus performance incentives—how about 100,000 Mora as your base pay? That's about the average wage in Liyue."

Asmodeus considered it. "Can I trade the base salary for internet time instead?" She grinned.

She had become completely addicted to the game Audition after her win earlier that morning.

The rush of victory had been exhilarating—she couldn't get enough of it.

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Hu Tao immediately agreed. "Deal."

After finishing their meal, Xiangling returned to Wanmin Restaurant, while Hu Tao and Asmodeus headed to an internet café.

The two were playing for a while when a familiar duo entered the café—Childe and Signora.

Hu Tao's eyes glinted.

How dare they show up here?

She slammed the table, summoning her Staff of Homa, and pointed it at Signora. "How dare you show your face here?! Get out! You're not welcome!"

Childe immediately tried to defuse the situation. "Hu Tao!, don't be angry. We're here to apologize."

Having made little progress in Liyue, the Tsaritsa had ordered them to visit Wangsheng Funeral Parlor and seek out a man named Zhongli.

So, here they were.

Childe clapped his hands, signaling for a few Fatui soldiers to carry in a chest full of Mora.

Hu Tao eyed it, then lowered her staff.

An apology was one thing—but one backed by Mora was even better.

Hu Tao peered at Childe and Signora. "I'll accept your apology, but I can't take this Mora. After all, You've both already been taught a lesson."

Signora clenched her fists in anger. She was about to say something when she suddenly felt a piercing gaze on her.

From across the room, Asmodeus was watching her, a red glint flickering in her eyes.

Hu Tao smirked at Childe. "How about this? I noticed you liked playing online games last time you were here. You were the loudest in the entire café while playing Meteor.

So, I'll use this Mora to pay for your internet fees instead."

Childe chuckled. "I'll leave it up to you, Master Hu."

Hu Tao nodded and turned to a nearby receptionist. "Little sister, charge the guest's account."

The receptionist nodded and processed the transaction.

With his account topped up, Childe immediately settled into a seat, turned on the computer, and prepared to play.

Signora frowned. "You're not planning to return?"

Childe shrugged. "Why should I? Might as well play for a while. I saw Zhongli here before, so I'll wait."

At the mention of Zhongli, Signora relented and paid for her own computer.

Sitting next to Childe, she asked, "How do you play this?"

With Childe's guidance, she soon logged into Audition and began playing.

Just like Asmodeus, she quickly got hooked.

After completing the tutorial, she randomly clicked on a game room.

By pure coincidence, she ended up in a one-on-one match against Asmodeus.

Asmodeus checked her profile.

Oh? A fresh newbie?

Heh. Another easy win.

She had discovered the best way to have fun—set up private rooms with only two players, pick songs she knew by heart, and crush unsuspecting newcomers.

She would take one look at the opponent's profile, confirm their inexperience, and then proceed to completely dominate them.

Asmodeus could only laugh at what was going to happen...

This was going to be fun.