As the final scene of Nero bathed in sunlight, pulling someone up, faded away, the new PV finally came to an end.
Right after that, Siberian Duck just sat there without saying a word, and even the barrage in the livestream slowed down a bit.
The video wasn't long, and the storytelling was fairly simple. Anyone watching could easily tell that this was probably Nero's past.
Nero himself had always been a somewhat mysterious person, so having some unknown past wasn't strange at all.
"It's not really that heartbreaking…", After a long while, Siberian Duck finally spoke her first sentence, her voice muffled, muttering under her breath.
No one knew whether she really thought it wasn't painful or not, but from the sound of her voice, she had clearly been affected by the PV.
She raised a hand and rubbed her nose, feeling a slight sting, though not enough to make her cry.
Because this PV really wasn't that cruel. The greatest suffering in it had been brushed over lightly with just one sentence, "After a hundred thousand times, we stopped recording."
But she was a player after all. Comparing that to Nero in the game's story, and to the carefree boy in the previous PV, she still couldn't help but feel a faint ache in her chest.
Maybe it was because she was a girl, and also a streamer, so she was a bit more sensitive, thinking a little more than others.
After all, judging from the PV, that kind of torture, being pierced and burned, Nero had endured at least a hundred thousand times.
Yet the Nero in the story was still so lively and cheerful, willing to give his kindness to anyone, like warm sunlight in winter, melting ice while warming people's hearts.
Siberian Duck asked herself that question, then shook her head.
At least she couldn't do that, after suffering so much, still showing a smile to others; after enduring so much humiliation, still holding goodwill toward the world, accepting hardships and obstacles as if they were nothing, like a light in the darkness, like someone completely different from the crowd, clear in mind and true in nature, forever pure at heart.
Maybe it was precisely because of Nero's personality that the suffering in this PV had been portrayed so lightly, like a dead leaf drifting on water.
Was the PV painful?
Siberian Duck didn't think so.
It just left a faint sense of sadness, like a thin mist lingering around, and behind it were that child's bright eyes and cheerful smile.
After going through suffering and countless hardships, he returned still as a boy, with that same pure innocence.
[I Use Pantene: This should be Nero's past, right? Those black-robed people might be the Mirror Holders?]
[Madam Herta Fan Club: This isn't painful? @Wind Boy Solo Fan The contrast between what Nero went through in the PV and how he acts is huge!]
[Aha Isn't Here: Now I get why Nero wrote "beauty" into his setting. He's like the sun!]
[Knight of Pure Beauty: Praise be to my lord!]
[Aha's Emanator: I don't care, in this PV, Nero is Idrila. Nothing else matters, no one can argue with me, I said it!]
[My Pee Is Yellow: Thanks to mother-in-law Mengming for saving my Nero!]
[So Handsome I Get Beaten On The Street: "Those who leave me, yesterday cannot stay; those who disturb my heart, today bring endless sorrow. I see Nero grieving the spring moon, Nero sees me gifting the sky's blue."]
The PV looked great, and Nero was beautiful, but the tone still dragged down the mood.
After that, Siberian Duck watched the PV again before logging into the game and continuing the quest.
With Jing Yuan's orders, the next step was to head to the Artisan Commission.
But since Jing Yuan had other tasks for Yanqing and Nero, he arranged for Miss "Tingyun" from the Sky-Faring Commission to act as a guide for the three members of the Astral Express.
Next came the part where they fought the Abundance Ebon Dear.
However, after that, this segment of the story was basically over. If she wanted to see what came next, Siberian Duck could only wait miserably for the next version.
After all, Dan Shu had already been captured by Nero, so at most she could just check what was happening on Dan Heng's side.
Of course, what happened in the Star Rail universe wasn't as easy as players clearing content in a game.
The crew still had to spend more effort dealing with the Ebon Dear, and the Xianzhou's pre-war mobilization also needed time to prepare.
So the events between the two versions won't be described in detail. Let's take a look at what Nero and Yanqing were doing during this time.
———
After assigning the tasks, Jing Yuan took Yanqing and Nero away.
Now, Jing Yuan had given Yanqing a new mission.
Yanqing had always respected Jing Yuan. After receiving the order, he didn't say much and went off to carry it out.
So now, only Nero and Jing Yuan remained in the Divine Foresight Palace, sitting across from each other.
Jing Yuan looked at the boy in front of him. Nero didn't seem nervous at all. He just let Black Cutter stay by his side, casually picked up Jing Yuan's teapot and teacup, and poured himself a cup.
Jing Yuan didn't speak, and he didn't ask either. He simply sipped his tea, as if he already had a plan, or perhaps he was just carefree like Qingque.
"The strange signs you're investigating should also be part of those who infiltrated the Xianzhou. They might have some connection with 'Tingyun'," Jing Yuan said.
"Then who are they?", Nero asked.
"Mirror Holders.", Jing Yuan slowly spoke the two words, looking at Nero.
"So, do you know what I want you to do?"
Faced with Jing Yuan's question, Nero answered immediately without thinking, "You want me to interfere with their plans through this aspect, right? Since I'm a fragment."
His tone was relaxed. He neither treated it as something to be proud of, nor as a burden.
Clearly, to Nero, whether it was the body of a Aeon or the blessings of a Path, they were just talents.
Since they existed on him, he would simply use them well, like a person's hands and feet, or a beast's fangs and claws.
If he had them, fine. If he lost them, also fine.
Jing Yuan was a bit surprised. "You already know?"
Nero nodded, then explained in detail what had happened in the universe when Jetok had trapped him with his spell.
When they returned to the Xianzhou, Tingyun had naturally reported what happened during the mission.
But due to the impact, she couldn't explain it clearly, unlike Nero, who remembered everything.
Only then did Jing Yuan understand. He had been wondering what organization those black-robed people belonged to. Now, hearing Nero's explanation, they were the Mirror Holders.
Then he thought, no wonder that Jetok hadn't tried contacting him again. Turns out he had secretly taken action on his own, and died.
Jing Yuan nodded lightly. "I see."
But he quickly set those thoughts aside and continued, "You're right. I hope you can use that ability to help expose those Mirror Holders or clones hiding in the shadows."
"Although you've already found and driven away the source that created the clones, from the time they arrived on the Xianzhou to when they were forced away, the Cloud Knights couldn't fully account for all the strange phenomena."
"I believe there are still clones hidden among the people. Since they created these clones, they must have a purpose. Letting them remain hidden is not a good thing."
"No matter what the Mirror Holders' plan is, if we remove these hidden clones, we can create flaws in their plan, or even cause it to collapse entirely because of these small gaps."
Listening to Jing Yuan, Nero blinked. "That makes sense, but I don't know how to do it. I can only try my best."
Jing Yuan didn't force him. He simply nodded gently and said in a calm voice, "Just do your best. If it doesn't work, we'll find another way. We'll just consider this shortcut unworkable."
Nero nodded, but didn't move.
What should he do?
After thinking for a while, he still had no idea. But since it was about finding people, he might as well start by spreading out his perception.
Nero closed his eyes, his breathing steady. A faint breeze spread across the Xianzhou. That wind could become his eyes, and also his ears.
However, after this search, he found nothing.
Normal detection really doesn't work, Nero muttered to himself. But clones are copies after all, like reflections in a mirror, looking exactly the same as the original…
As he thought this, a sudden idea flashed through his mind.
'Reflection!'
'Mirror Holders!'
To find people, you need to search, but searching for Mirror Holders and clones can't be done in a normal way…
Nero changed his line of thinking. He stopped analyzing and instead started recalling, recalling what Jetok had been like, hoping to find some clues.
He didn't like Jetok. He instinctively felt that guy jumping around like an annoying bug. But he could move like light, freely reflecting and traveling through the medium he created and those mirror-like substances that perfectly reflected images.
Before, to block the merchant group, that guy had even created a dome like an "eggshell"…
'Then I'll just look for people with similar properties to Jetok!'
'If I can also create an "eggshell" to cover the Xianzhou, that would be even better. It should make it easier to detect them.'
'Compared to the normal Xianzhou residents who don't have this ability, they'd stand out immediately!'
'I absorbed Jetok's fragment. If he could do it, I should be able to as well!'
Nero quickly came up with a method and immediately started trying.
That was just how he was, once he decided, he acted.
Soon, subtle changes began to appear across the Xianzhou.
And Nero's perception became clearer along with these unnoticed changes.
Some presences grew more distinct in his senses, like points of light appearing one after another on a map of the Xianzhou in his mind.
Try, think, then try again…
Just like that, Nero succeeded, without even needing trial and error, as if every step he took was correct.
That was the difference between a genius and a cheat.
A genius has high talent and strong comprehension. Through effort, they can accomplish most things.
A cheat… might understand nothing, have no talent, and not even try, yet can still succeed just by wanting to.
Take multiple-choice questions as an example. A genius studies hard, accumulates knowledge, reads carefully, analyzes rigorously, and judges cautiously, eventually achieving near-perfect or perfect scores.
A cheat just picks up the pen, scribbles a few answers randomly, and still gets full marks. For single-choice questions, they fill in two or three options, turning it into a multiple-choice question.
Here, after getting a feel for it, Nero pointed out locations to Jing Yuan.
Jing Yuan then had others record them and sent people to verify, capturing those clones.
———
[On Yanqing's Side]
After receiving Jing Yuan's orders, he immediately took action. After some investigation, he arrived at Cloudford.
Standing at the dock, Yanqing glanced inside. He saw a few Cloud Knights, and the rest were passing star-skiffs and transported cargo.
Thinking to himself, "The investigation records about Blade stopped at the Star-Skiff Haven. Let me ask the Cloud Knights here."
Jing Yuan had assigned him to capture Blade, and also to report back once he found him. That said, Jing Yuan hadn't informed Blade in advance, nor told Yanqing about Blade's mission.
On one hand, he wanted to use this opportunity to train Yanqing. On the other hand, if they wanted to surround the Mirror Holders without damaging the Scalegorge Waterscape, they would need the High Elder's help.
Hopefully his old friend still remembered being Dan Feng. Otherwise, they'd have no choice but to forcibly part the sea.
Jing Yuan wasn't in a hurry. With his current arrangements, the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus were already doomed, and "Tingyun" was under the Astral Express's watch.
Everything had to be done step by step. Plans had to unfold step by step. Using this spare time to train his disciple wasn't a bad idea.
Yanqing didn't think that deeply. He simply treated it as a mission to capture a criminal.
The boy wasn't stupid, just a bit straightforward, a bit rigid, unlike Nero's clever and lively nature.
Now, Yanqing stepped forward and approached a Cloud Knight to ask.
"Excuse me, Captain."
The captain turned around upon hearing him. He recognized Yanqing, the young talent who often stayed by the general's side.
In terms of martial skill, Yanqing was still very young, but he seemed much more mature than Nero.
Even so, in the eyes of this captain who had lived for hundreds of years, Yanqing was still just a child.
Since they all served the Xianzhou, even if Yanqing's skill surpassed his own, there was no jealousy. After all, Yanqing being strong was good for the Xianzhou.
At this moment, the captain simply spoke in a gentle tone, "Little brother, why aren't you at the Divine Foresight Palace? What brings you to the front lines?"
"The general has many concerns. Now that the Xianzhou is in trouble, as his guard, I should help ease his burden."
"As a Cloud Knight, I should also contribute to overcoming difficulties. Today, I came here under the general's orders to investigate…", Yanqing replied politely, calm and steady.
He was quite serious. Only when Nero was around did his youthful nature show more.
After that, Yanqing chatted with the captain.
Unfortunately, there were no useful clues. The captain asked if Yanqing wanted help, but he politely declined.
Yanqing was still the same Yanqing. The captain meant well, but Yanqing couldn't help thinking it was because the man saw him as young.
Only in front of someone like Nero, who could suppress him among peers, would that sharp youthful edge be restrained.
Since there was nothing to gain here, Yanqing continued forward. He checked a mechanical bird stand, but it was malfunctioning and couldn't show records. He then looked through documents, but found nothing.
However, with the tight security and no errors in star-skiff records, combined with Jing Yuan specifically sending him here, Yanqing was certain that the Stellaron Hunters captured by Nero were still on the Xianzhou.
Speaking of which, aside from this matter concerning the Xianzhou and Jing Yuan's orders, another reason he cared so much about this mission was because Nero had captured them.
Yanqing had never won a single spar against Nero. He thought that if he could defeat a Stellaron Hunter, he might get closer to Nero.
Without stopping, Yanqing continued deeper, occasionally cutting down monsters corrupted by the Stellaron and criminals afflicted with mara.
Sometimes he encountered ones pretending to be dead. Yanqing connected his consciousness to his flying swords and gave them a strike, ending their lives.
After turning several corners, Yanqing suddenly stopped.
His pupils shrank slightly as he saw a field of monster corpses ahead.
He quickly stepped forward to examine them. The wounds didn't look like they were caused by the Cloud Knights.
A hint of excitement flashed in his eyes. He summoned Diting, hoping the mechanical creature could track something from the scent left on the corpses.
Following Diting, Yanqing walked some distance, climbed stairs, and entered through a central gate, only to see a white-haired woman surrounded by monsters.
"How is there still a civilian trapped here? The Cloud Knights here aren't doing their job well," Yanqing frowned.
Muttering to himself, he didn't stop. He rushed forward, controlling his sword as he shouted, "Don't panic! I'll save you right away!"
His flying sword gleamed with cold light, the blade flashing as it shot forward, like a bird soaring through the sky, three feet of frost cutting through desolation.
But as the cold light flashed, Yanqing froze. His flying sword stopped midair.
He slowed his steps and stopped behind the woman, looking at the monsters lying on the ground, confused. "Strange, when did these fall?"
Before he could ask anything, the woman spoke first, "Thank you for saving me, little brother."
Her voice was gentle, yet carried a hint of coldness. Not unapproachable, but like a snow lotus on a distant mountain, visible, yet untouchable.
Yanqing narrowed his eyes slightly, examining her.
Though all had white hair, hers was different.
The general's white hair had a faint gray tint, like a snow lion's mane. This woman's white hair carried a faint bluish hue, like moonlight. Nero's white hair was pure, like ice and snow, without any impurity.
"It was my duty," Yanqing replied, recalling his sword. "The port of Luofu is sealed. Why are you here alone?"
The woman slightly raised her head, as if looking at something, and said slowly, "I came here on a merchant ship."
"Lately, shadows of some old friends have been circling in my mind. I wanted to meet them again, relive old times."
She sighed, sounding a bit regretful. "Who would have thought Luofu would be this dangerous now?"
Hearing this, Yanqing didn't comfort her, only said, "Then your timing is unfortunate. Something happened on the Xianzhou."
"But it won't take long. The general will resolve it soon. Let's go. You can't stay here. We need to get to the nearest Cloud Knight outpost."
"By the way, have you seen a man in black with long hair..."
As Yanqing was about to ask, the woman turned her head.
Her eyes were covered with black cloth. Standing there alone, she was like a distant cold moon.
Seeing this, Yanqing couldn't finish his question, assuming she was blind.
"You… you can't see? Sorry, I thought…" The boy felt he had touched on something sensitive and felt a bit guilty.
"Um, my name is Yanqing. I'm officially registered as a Cloud Knight. May I ask your name, big sister?"
"My name is Jingliu," the woman replied calmly.
Yanqing blinked. "Uh… Sister Jingliu, I'll lead you for a while. We might have to take a longer route, but I promise to get you to the Cloud Knights safely."
Then Yanqing led Jingliu forward toward the dock.
As he walked, he thought that if it had been Nero instead, he could have summoned Black Cutter and flown her out directly.
That made him long even more for true sword flight and a sword like Black Cutter.
As they walked and chatted, Yanqing spoke occasionally so Jingliu could track his position.
From their conversation, Yanqing learned that Jingliu came from Cangcheng.
Unfortunately, Yanqing was young and focused on sword practice, so his knowledge of history wasn't great. He didn't know about the Cangcheng Xianzhou.
As they continued, they encountered remnants of the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus. Yanqing told Jingliu to stay put while he went to fight them alone.
Jingliu took this chance to observe him.
Afterward, she spoke, "Little brother, your swordsmanship is quite good."
Yanqing was surprised and asked if she could see.
Jingliu only said she could hear.
Her voice was still calm, but less cold than before, carrying a hint of appreciation.
Yanqing felt a bit embarrassed by the praise, but the next moment, Jingliu's tone shifted, pointing out that his sword style focused too much on offense and lacked restraint.
Yanqing paused, then said, "The general has said something similar. He said my sword carries bold spirit but too many sharp edges. If I want to become the Sword Champion, I still lack some maturity."
"Sword Champion?" Jingliu repeated, her tone carrying a trace of reminiscence.
"I remember, that's the title for the one with the highest swordsmanship among the Cloud Knights. It's been too long…"
"Yes. Ever since the Imbibitor Lunae incident, the position has been vacant. But when the Cloud Knights return from their hunt and the martial ceremony resumes, I'm determined to claim that title.", After saying that, Yanging sighed.
"When the general criticized me, I was already trying to adjust. But recently, a new opponent appeared. He's about my age. When sparring with him, I have to give it my all at every moment."
"An opponent?", Jingliu became a bit interested. Despite his flaws, Yanging was already quite good in her eyes. She didn't expect someone his age to push him this far.
"Yes, his name is Nero."
Jingliu thought for a moment, then asked, "Swordsmanship in the Cloud Knights has its own lineages. Kid, who taught you and your opponent?"
Yanqing replied, "Since you appreciate swordsmanship, I won't hide it. It was General Jing Yuan of Luofu."
"The general..." Jingliu murmured softly, a trace of surprise in her voice.
She had thought he was just a talented boy, but it turned out he was her disciple's disciple....
Then she heard Yanging continue, "As for Nero, I'm not sure. When we spar, his style keeps changing, like he's learned techniques from many schools."
When we captured Blade, he learned Blade's swordsmanship. Later, after watching General Jing Yuan, he also learned the general's techniques. Then he sparred with me, and after just one look, he understood my moves too."
"As for his own swordsmanship, I've only seen it twice. The first time, it was just a simple jumping slash, but it felt as heavy as a mountain pressing down, leaving me no chance to fight back."
"As for the second time... it might sound exaggerated, but at that moment, I thought he had cut the sky in half..."
Listening to Yanqing's description, Jingliu's expression didn't change, but her fingers trembled slightly.
'Does such a person really exist?'
'And at the same age as you?'
'What kind of person is that? What kind of sword technique is that? What kind of scene appears when that strike is unleashed?'
Curiosity rose in Jingliu's heart, and her palm itched slightly.
Beneath the black cloth, her red eyes became more vivid, revealing a gaze as sharp as a blade.
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