Chapter 139: Tales from the Trail
[Honkai: Star Rail]: "Alright, everyone, gather 'round! Let me introduce you to the new companions we met in Amphoreus! First up, the super-cute—Tribbie! @Everyone, check out the pics!"
[A profile picture taken by March 7th, showing Tribbie standing on the edge of the Great Land Beast and gazing into the distance.jpg]
[Honkai: Star Rail]: "And this one is a cool guy with some serious skills, even if he was a bit reckless at first—this is Phainon of Aelimir!"
[Phainon leaning against a giant rock with a sword cradled in his arms, his eyes slightly weary but looking sharply at the camera.jpg]
[Zenless Zone Zero · Belle]: "Wow! Tribbie is so cute! And little brother Phainon looks so cool!"
[Honkai: Star Rail · March 7th]: "Hehe, that's not all! We also took a bunch of photos of the scenery in Amphoreus! You guys have to see the art style of this world!"
One photo after another instantly flooded the chat screen.
The first showed a colossal statue in the distance, its form so immense it seemed to touch the sky. It bore a pulsating golden sphere upon its shoulders, the image alone conveying a powerful sense of visual pressure.
Another captured the moment Tribbie performed her miracle: a beam of soft, pure blue light enveloping a broken bridge, knitting it back together.
The group chat immediately erupted with exclamations.
[Zenless Zone Zero · Belle]: "Oh my god! These buildings... they're just too huge! That giant statue carrying the light sphere... could humans really build something like that? Even the largest construction mechs in New Eridu couldn't pull that off! The civilization here must be super advanced, right?!"
Belle's words were steeped in the logic of modern technology, completely overlooking the potential for forces beyond the scientific.
[Genshin Impact · Lumine]: "It is indeed magnificent. In Teyvat, people with a Geo Vision can also create massive rock constructs, but..."
[Genshin Impact · Lumine]: "Usually, no one would expend that much power to build something so grand yet impractical. Most Vision holders use their abilities for combat or more practical purposes."
[Honkai: Star Rail]: "Actually, it might not be as advanced as you think. We've been in a few fights, and the enemies we ran into were all using cold weapons like fists, bows, and arrows. It feels like their technology tree is a little... skewed?"
[Honkai: Star Rail]: "As for the architecture... @Dan Heng. Teacher Dan Heng! Come on out and drop some knowledge on everyone!"
Although Dan Heng was in the middle of a conversation with Phainon, he was also keeping an eye on the group chat. Seeing Stelle's summons, he split his focus to reply on the light screen.
[Honkai: Star Rail · Dan Heng]: "According to the information we currently have, Amphoreus is home to ancient beings called 'Titans.' Their power far exceeds human comprehension, and they are suspected to possess the ability to control the earth, space, and perhaps even time."
[Honkai: Star Rail · Dan Heng]: "These colossal wonders are very likely not purely technological products. They were probably built using the divine power of the Titans, or at least under their influence."
March 7th watched the lively chat, a cunning little smile playing at the corners of her mouth. She quietly scrolled to a "treasured" photo in her album, tapped her finger, and sent it with a flourish.
[Honkai: Star Rail · March 7th]: "Look! This one is the most precious! A close-up of Amphoreus's signature 'Great Land Beast'! Isn't it majestic!"
The subject of the photo was indeed the magnificent Great Land Beast, but the picture's focus had been subtly shifted. Right beside the beast's thick, trunk-like front leg, a gray-haired figure was captured mid-flight, flung horizontally off the ground by an immense force in an utterly comical posture.
Stelle's expression was frozen in a mixture of bewilderment and astonishment, her mouth slightly agape, her eyes wide and blank. The comedic effect was perfect.
It was the exact moment Stelle had stepped on the white ridge and been unceremoniously launched by the Great Land Beast earlier.
[Genshin Impact · Paimon]: "Stelle! You... were you thrown off by that long-necked big guy? Hahahaha!"
[Genshin Impact · Paimon]: "Eh?! Wait a minute, it looks so much like Kachina's friend—Toto! They're both so big, and they both have long necks!"
[Genshin Impact · Lumine]: "Hmm, it does look like Toto, but the color is a bit different. I remember that time we rode on Toto's head to get to the Holy Fire Arena. You were too scared to get on, Paimon."
"Mar—ch—Seventh—!!!"
Stelle's furious roar exploded across the back of the Great Land Beast. The excitement of sharing her adventure vanished in an instant, her face flushing crimson as she pounced on the pink-haired girl beside her, who was desperately trying to stifle her giggles behind her hand.
"How dare you! How dare you send my embarrassing photo to the group! I'll fight you!"
"Oh no! Help! Teacher Dan Heng!" March 7th shrieked with laughter as she dodged, the two girls tumbling into a chaotic chase across the creature's wide, stony back. Their antics drew the attention of the refugees traveling with them, and even the usually stoic Phainon seemed to fight back a twitch at the corner of his mouth.
Dan Heng sighed, a note of pure helplessness in the sound. He raised a hand to rub his brow and chose to temporarily ignore this particular "war."
Stelle chased March 7th for a while before suddenly skidding to a halt.
She rubbed her chin, her eyes darting around thoughtfully. Lumine's words—'riding on Toto's head'—echoed in her mind.
'That's right!'Stelle slapped her thigh, her gaze now fixed on the Great Land Beast's tower-like neck.'Riding on the Great Land Beast's head to enjoy the scenery... now that's the real VIP treatment!'
She instantly threw all thoughts of "settling scores" with March 7th to the back of her mind. Tossing a parting shot over her shoulder—"I'll deal with you later!"—she ran excitedly toward the junction where the beast's neck met its back.
She craned her head, scanning the long, sloping neck for handholds. Soon, she locked onto her targets: several of the white, stony ridges that protruded prominently at the joints, their surfaces relatively smooth. She rubbed her hands together, already preparing to climb.
"Stelle! Don't touch those stone ridges!"
March 7th and Dan Heng cried out in near-perfect unison.
Stelle's movements froze. Her outstretched hand hovered just a few centimeters from one of the white ridges.
She stared at the forbidden zones that seemed to be silently "warning" her. She recalled the thrilling, stomach-lurching sensation of weightlessness as she was flung into the air, and her own foolish expression immortalized in March 7th's photo... A bucket of cold water seemed to douse her adventurous enthusiasm.
"Tch..." Stelle retracted her hand dejectedly, muttering, "Stingy... Can't even touch it..."
She had no desire to become an aerial acrobat again, and she certainly wasn't going to give March 7th any new material for her "black history" collection. The temptation of a VIP view had ultimately lost to her pride.
The lively conversation continued in the group chat, with everyone enthusiastically discussing the photos and their adventures in Amphoreus. Lumine also took the opportunity to place several Liyue-style dishes, which she had just guided Wise and Belle to prepare, into the group's shared inventory.
[Genshin Impact · Lumine]: "@Everyone, I've made some new snacks and put them in the warehouse. You've all worked hard on the journey, feel free to try them."
[Honkai: Star Rail]: "Long live Lumine! Love you!"
Stelle immediately retrieved a freshly made Almond Tofu from the inventory. She sat down happily on the back of the Great Land Beast, savoring the delicious treat from Teyvat while enjoying the passing scenery of Amphoreus.
The Great Land Beast's steady pace was as soothing as a cradle. The food settled warmly in her stomach, and the constant chatter from the group dispelled any boredom.
A warm evening breeze brushed against her cheeks. As Stelle ate, her eyelids gradually grew heavy. Her head began to nod... and nod...
Finally, she leaned against a cargo rack bolted to the beast's back. Lulled by the rhythmic vibrations and the distant, pulsating golden glow of the giant statue, she fell into a deep sleep.
Seeing this, March 7th quietly draped a thin blanket over her. She then leaned against Stelle's side, closing her own eyes and letting the regular motion rock her to sleep as well.
At that moment, the long journey through Amphoreus felt exceptionally peaceful.
Dan Heng glanced at the two sleeping figures, then looked toward the city of Ohma, which was growing ever closer on the horizon. He silently withdrew his gaze and resumed his quiet conversation with Tribbie and Phainon.
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