“Where is the Astral Express’s next destination?” The restless Stelle, ultimately yielding to the pressure of Serena’s gaze, abandoned the idea of going to test it out, and instead became curious about the Astral Express’s itinerary.
“Jarilo-VI.
I only know that’s its name, but I don’t know the specifics.” Although Serena had read some of the Data Bank’s content, she hadn’t reached the point of knowing every planet like the back of her hand.
Jarilo-VI was just an ordinary, habitable planet with no particularly outstanding features that would make her remember it.
“Actually, we don’t know much about Jarilo-VI either.
According to the records on the Astral Express, the last time the Astral Express arrived at that planet was thousands of years ago.” “At that time, it was a lush, very beautiful planet.
However, long years have passed…
perhaps it has undergone earth-shaking changes there.” Hearing what Serena said, Himeko, as if recalling something, spoke up to provide the known intelligence.
Just then, the warp jump began!
At this moment, the Astral Express became transparent and magnificent, with flowing lights flickering and stars shining brightly, shortening the vast distance in an instant.
How could one describe that feeling?
Stars surrounded her, and the universe was silent.
It was as if in an instant, the Astral Express had passed through some kind of passage, breaking through a barrier to reach its destination directly.
This was her first time experiencing a warp jump on the Astral Express.
She hadn’t expected such a wondrous sensation.
Thinking this, she curiously gazed at the scenery outside the window.
A big, white, glutinous rice ball?
…
It was a huge planet covered in ice and snow.
From space, one could faintly see the ruins of some massive structures, revealing how glorious the civilization on this planet once was.
But now, all of this was buried under ice and snow.
It was no wonder Serena thought that; after all, it really looked like one!
But what made her even more curious was, The star behind the Astral Express was still selflessly emitting light and heat.
Other planets in the same star system, although showing no signs of civilization, were not as bone-chillingly cold as the one before her.
Although she hadn’t experienced many interstellar adventures since joining the Astral Express, she had seen many planets along the way while returning to the Herta Space Station, all of which had their own unique characteristics and were full of vitality.
Unlike here, where a glance revealed nothing but a vast expanse of white, and the brilliance of civilization had vanished.
Without a doubt, such a situation would absolutely not occur under normal circumstances.
In other words, there must be a major problem on this planet.
“Thousands of years have passed, and Jarilo-VI has turned into this…
I’m afraid this Trailblaze journey won’t be easy.” Himeko gazed at the starry sky, sighing at the changes brought by the passage of time, while also pondering the reason for this transformation.
“That shouldn’t be.
According to existing records, seven hundred years ago, Jarilo-VI was still a beautiful planet with flourishing life and lush vegetation.” “There is still life on this planet, but I feel something is a bit strange, like…
bad reception?” Serena shared her discovery with Himeko.
As an Emanator, her powers made her particularly sensitive to the presence of life.
Especially when so close to a planet, such “bad reception” shouldn’t occur; it could only be interference.
“Interfering with the detection of an Emanator-level being?” Himeko felt a sense of familiarity with this situation and said thoughtfully, At the same time, the Conductor’s voice came over the Astral Express’s broadcast again: “Spatial readings are abnormal; the star rail is blocked.
The original seven-day stop plan is canceled, and the layover period will be extended indefinitely.” For this result, the Astral Express Crew were not surprised; in fact, they even felt a sense of relief.
Except for the still-bewildered Serena and Stelle.
March 7th even began to complain, “Same old recipe, same old tune.
It wouldn’t be another arrest warrant, would it?” “???” Stelle looked at March 7th, then at the equally bewildered Serena, and suddenly hugged her.
“Family!” With a face full of black lines, Serena used her hand to push away Stelle’s face that was leaning in.
Serena’s mouth twitched as she looked at the abstract girl before her.
When quiet, she looked like a cold, aloof goddess, but the moment she opened her mouth, one just had to add “lunatic” after “goddess.” “Is the Astral Express okay?
Are you all very familiar with this situation?” Ultimately, it was the slightly more mature Serena who asked.
“Actually, I was just about to explain it to you, but…” Welt pushed up his glasses and pointed his cane at Stelle, who was hanging onto her with all four limbs.
Hmm…
you know how it is.
“This is a star rail blockage caused by a Stellaron.
It’s not quite right to say it’s ‘no big deal,’ but we’ve dealt with it so often that we’ve become proficient.” Welt thoughtfully explained to Serena and Stelle, “When the Astral Express travels through the universe, the rails are often affected by Stellarons, also known as the Cancer of All Worlds.
Unless they are sealed or transferred, the Astral Express cannot be launched.
But rest assured, the one inside Stelle is in a very stable state and won’t affect the Astral Express.” “According to the recent test results, it has been confirmed that it is a Stellaron causing the star rail blockage, and it is also what caused the extreme low temperatures on Jarilo-VI.” “A Stellaron…” Stelle also knew that there was a Stellaron inside her.
Except for the initial sign of an outbreak when facing the Doomsday Beast at the Herta Space Station, which was stopped by Serena, she had never had an intuitive understanding of what kind of disaster a Stellaron could cause, until she saw that frozen planet just now—cold, dead, silent, with its civilization faded, completely unrecognizable from its former prosperity and beauty.
“So, are we going to seal and contain the Stellaron on that planet next?” Serena quickly understood what the Astral Express Crew meant.
The abnormality of the planet before them was caused by an activated Stellaron.
Solving the problem of this Stellaron would clear the Astral Express’s rail, allowing it to depart again.
It would also resolve the source of the planet’s abnormality, allowing it to warm up and return to its former appearance.
“So, is it time for the planet exploration segment now?” Serena said with anticipation.
After all, this was a planet-hopping adventure, something she wouldn’t have even dared to imagine before.
Of course, the planet she came from didn’t count; that was just her backyard, after all, she was too familiar with it.
“That’s right.
Next, Serena, Stelle, March, and Dan Heng, you will all go on this [Trailblaze] journey together.
The goal is clear: find the Stellaron and bring it back to the Astral Express.
Although Serena is with you, I still must say—stay safe.”