Honkai Star Rail: I am Godzilla, domineering and rampant.

Jing Yuan nodded slightly, thoughtful. "No wonder Yanqing looked dizzy. He must not be used to this method of travel."

Yukong hesitated. She really wanted to say:

You misunderstood, General, Yanqing's dizziness had nothing to do with the travel method...

-----------------------------------------

Adults chatting, kids out playing.... Stargazer Navalia.

Yanqing rested his chin in his hands, blankly counting the speeding starships.

Whoosh~!

That one looked like it was in a rush, probably someone or most likely a higher up.

Whoosh~!

A green cargo starship, it seemed like a delivery deadline was approaching.

Whoosh~! Bang!

That one rear-ended someone.

The whole ship looked shady, clear signs of illegal modifications, blatantly disregarding the Sky-Faring Commission's rules.

Watching the illegally modified foxian's star skiff being taken away by Sky-Faring Commission officers, Yanqing felt nothing.

"Sigh, " the young Cloud Knight officer sighed again.

"Hey, you over there, stop looking, yeah you! Ughhh~~ the one nodding like a rattle drum!"

The annoyed voice seemed to be right in front of him.

Yanqing lowered his head slightly, only to suddenly realize that someone had appeared before him without him noticing.

Vidyadhara horns and a rather… healthy-looking Vidyadhara tail?

"Bailu?" Yanqing stared in surprise at the healer lady in front of him.

He wasn't unfamiliar with Bailu.

When in Luofu, he often heard about her sneaking out, and the Cloud Knights helped search for her many times.

"Do you need something? Just to be clear, if you want help dealing with any Cloud Knight chasing after you, I probably can't help," Yanqing asked curiously.

He figured Bailu must've snuck out again, happened to spot him, and ran over.

"Hmph? I don't need your help. Those old fogies can't control me anymore," Bailu said haughtily, tail raised, pointing at Yanqing.

"I was having tea here, and ever since you showed up you've been sighing non-stop. My tea doesn't even taste good anymore!"

Fuming, Bailu pointed at Yanqing and complained.

Hearing her words, Yanqing subconsciously looked up and saw that the shop's clock pointed squarely at three.

He had arrived at one, so that meant…

"Uh, sorry about that. I got caught up in thought and disturbed you. My apologies. I'll leave now."

Yanqing awkwardly rubbed his ear and stood up to go.

"Hey hey, I didn't come here to chase you away. I'm not that domineering. It's not even my shop,"

Bailu shook her head and gave him a suspicious once-over, mumbling to herself.

"Strange, no signs of dark magic, and no other obvious symptoms… But something just feels off…"

"Uh, Miss Bailu, I was merely lost in thought. I'm in excellent health, and after recent training I feel even stronger than before."

"That's clear."

"Huh?"

Yanqing blinked, baffled by Bailu's completely unmoved expression.

Was this sort of thing common now in Luofu?

"You reek of overtraining. I'd bet 99% of Luofu citizens don't train a tenth as hard as you."

"Training? Intensity?" Yanqing was stunned.

You could tell someone's workout intensity just by looking? He was pretty sure he hadn't even grown a millimeter taller. And besides, was combat strength even visible like that?

But Yanqing quickly realized there wasn't much point in debating it.

Just as he was about to leave, a surprised voice came from nearby.

"Bailu, can't believe I ran into you here!"

Bailu instinctively turned to see Sushang running over with an energetic girl in tow.

"Where are you two headed?"

Bailu remembered Sushang was supposed to be on patrol now.

Judging from their excited expressions, were they sneaking off?

"I'm off today! Cloud Knights need rest too, you know," Sushang declared righteously, then turned to examine Yanqing.

"Haven't we met somewhere before?" Before Yanqing could reply, clap!, Sushang clapped her hands in realization. "You're the guy from the Alchemy Division yesterday!"

Yanqing nodded slightly, just as Sushang introduced the girl next to her.

"This is Guinaifen, my friend. She wants to livestream ghost-hunting adventures, and we thought of you."

"Ghosts?!"

Bailu stared in disbelief, fixing her eyes on Sushang's head. Her tail swayed faster and faster,

Whap!

"I'll show you a livestream, you blockhead!"

...

Crouching and hugging her head, Guinaifen endured the blow.

No one had warned her that healer lady had such a terrifying tail!

And weren't there barely any Vidyadhara with tails anyway?!

"Fyxestroll Garden," Yanqing said thoughtfully, hands on his hips.

"That environment does suit this kind of livestream."

"Eh! You think so too, brother?"

Hearing Yanqing's agreement, Guinaifen looked at him with teary-eyed gratitude, as if she had found a soulmate.

"Uh, buddy…" Yanqing's mouth twitched slightly. He had met plenty of people who tried to get friendly fast, but this was the first who called him family right off the bat.

"Oh, that's just internet slang! We online folks need to help audiences feel connected through the screen. Starting with language is the easiest way, like calling someone 'family.' You've got that heroic aura going, how about joining us? It'll be fun!"

Bailu nodded in agreement.

"Since just now, I've seen you with a worried face. In your situation, what you need most is a change of scenery, a change of mood. Of course, if you don't want to go, just refuse directly. That place, Fyxestroll Garden, is pretty isolated anyway."

As one of the few sparsely populated areas on the Xianzhou, Fyxestroll Garden had long been a major source of supernatural events on the ship.

Of course, it was mostly some bored people going there to pretend to be mysterious, trying to gain attention and reach the pinnacle of life.

Most of them never reached that pinnacle, but instead got a firsthand taste of the Cloud Knights' door-to-door service.

Everyone who's experienced it says it's great, so great they don't want to come again.

Yanqing remained silent, his gaze shifting back and forth between the three people.

An outlander, a newly joined Cloud Knight, and a medic, this line-up was less like a task force and more like a joke.

"I'll go too."

"Yay! I knew you couldn't resist the allure of uncovering the truth. Let's head out together!"

With their group growing to four, Guinaifen raised both hands in cheerful celebration.

On the way to Fyxestroll Garden, Sushang asked curiously:

"By the way, we still don't know what you do, or what your name is."

"...Yanqing, Cloud Knights', former lead guard of the Armory."

Bang! Clang! Thud!

Sushang instinctively lost her footing and fell against a nearby large vase.

"Sushang! Are you okay?!"

"Hehe, couldn't help it, couldn't help it."

...

Fyxestroll Garden was once crafted by foxian artisans as a place for rest and leisure, wine-drinking, and poetry.

Over time, it gradually became known as a haunted place on the Xianzhou.

But anyone with critical thinking knew this was just a tale bored people made up to scare kids.

At least that's what Sushang used to believe. Though a bit nervous, she still came along, thinking she couldn't leave Little Guinaifen alone.

Until she saw...

"So... they're really here?!"

Her throat tightened as she forced down a gulp, her face turning pale and eyes widening as she stared at the group guarding the entrance to Fyxestroll Garden.

They were dressed exactly like netherworld envoys from storybooks, and with Fyxestroll Garden's eerie environment, it was hard not to be suspicious.

The Ten-Lords Commission.

The most mysterious organization on the Xianzhou.

They only appeared when someone on the Xianzhou was about to fall into Mara.

The moment she saw them, Sushang forgot even that her superior was standing right beside her.

Her mind went completely blank.

"Strange, even if there's someone about to fall to Mara in Fyxestroll Garden, it shouldn't require such a big show."

Bailu furrowed her brow, unable to guess why the Ten-Lords Commission was here.

"This place feels strange. Let me go ask." Yanqing frowned slightly and stepped forward without hesitation.

"Eh?! Wait for us!"

Seeing her last shred of courage walking off like that, Sushang gritted her teeth and stomped her foot, then obediently followed.

"The Ten-Lords Commission is handling a case. No one is to approach!"

"I am Yanqing, guard to the General. What has happened here? May I ask?"

A gold-masked soul envoy gave Yanqing a glance, and after a moment, a mechanical voice sounded.

"Identity confirmed. Cloud Knights Leader Yanqing. Former post, Armory Division, First Grade Sword Specialist."

Hearing the confirmation, the previously guarded Ten-Lords envoys withdrew their weapons.

Though the Ten-Lords Commission was special in nature, Yanqing belonged to the Xianzhou's elite.

Their ranks being equivalent, the envoys, being mere ground-level staff, weren't eager to test their luck against this gifted swordsman.

Guinaifen's eyes lit up at the impressive scene.

She and Sushang rarely got this kind of treatment. They were both Cloud Knights, so why was the gap so big?

"He's a Cloud Knight Cavalier, a genius swordsman of Luofu, and the General's guard. What do you think?"

Meeting her bestie's unabashed look, Sushang leaned in and muttered into her ear with a bit of irritation.

"What's causing all the commotion?"

Naturally, the noise had alerted those inside discussing matters.

Xueyi stepped out through the stone door, looked at the scene, and asked one of the envoys in a calm tone.

"Lord Xueyi, this is Lord Yanqing. He... came without knowing."

Hearing this, Xueyi nodded slightly and swept her gaze over the group.

"This area is now under the control of the Ten-Lords Commission. The Cloud Knights' help is not needed. Please leave."

"Did something happen in Fyxestroll Garden? Could you at least tell us something?"

"..."

After a brief stare-down with Yanqing, Xueyi finally spoke:

"During the Ambrosial Arbor Awakening, it broke through the Alchemy Furnace in the Artisanship Commission. The sealed Heliobi escaped to Fyxestroll Garden, some even made it to Scalegorge Waterscape. We've reported this to the General. If you wish to help, go to the Scalegorge Waterscape."

"Scalegorge Waterscape..."

Hearing that the Heliobi fled in that direction, Yanqing's mouth twitched slightly.

"Um, um."

Just as the conversation paused, Guinaifen raised her hand obediently, asking curiously:

"This 'Heliobi' you mentioned, is that what the Xianzhou calls ghosts?"

"Guinaifen, outlander, unemployed... this isn't a place you should be. Bailu, healer lady of the Healing Branch, have the duties of the Vidyadhara medics been so light lately that you've come to Fyxestroll Garden for fun?"

A lifeless voice quietly rose from the side.

Seeing who it was, Guinaifen instinctively shivered twice and asked with a frightened tone: "Eyes wandering, face deathly pale... are you a human or a ghost?"

As soon as she finished speaking, she suddenly froze, then puffed out her chest, her face full of displeasure:

"What do you mean by unemployed? I'm a live streamer, do you even understand what a live streamer is? At least it's a legitimate profession."

"Who wants to go to Scalegorge Waterscape to play anyway! If they won't let us in, then so be it. I'm not that desperate!" Bailu crossed her arms angrily and turned her head away.

"You all talk too much. This is not a place you should be." Xueyi's expression didn't change, but her tone became increasingly serious.

For Yanqing's sake, she was willing to explain the current dangers of Scalegorge Waterscape to them.

But that didn't mean she had the patience to keep arguing with them here, there were many Heliobi to be dealt with inside Scalegorge Waterscape.

"Hey hey hey, dear official, please do us a favor, satisfy our curiosity, won't you?"

Seeing Xueyi getting serious, Guinaifen, ever flexible, immediately clasped her hands together and pleaded.

"Uh, Heliobi are actually a type of energy-based lifeform. They can sense human emotions, possess people, and interfere with their behavior. That's about it, I don't know much more about Luoyang," Xueyi tried to explain.

"Isn't that just a ghost!" Guinaifen's eyes widened. "Do you even hear yourself? What you just described is clearly a ghost!"

"Hey, you little brat over there, I've had enough of you! From the moment I showed up, all I've heard is ghost this, ghost that. Look closely, I am a Heliobi!"

A flash of green light passed by, and Guinaifen and Sushang felt something drift past their eyes, followed by a trembling, aggressive voice.

"Ghoooost!"

...

"Ghoooost!" Sushang's eyes rolled back, and she fainted.

...

Heliobi are energy-based lifeforms. They came from beyond the skies and became tainted with the six desires and seven emotions of humans, each developing its own personality.

"Ahahahaha."

A wanton, wild laugh echoed above the Alchemy Commission, as a faint green light floated through the building, suppressing all with its spiritual pressure.

"Those Ten-Lords envoys are truly hopeless. And that idiot Guyun, he actually believed what I told him. Now look, he's been targeted by the Ten-Lords Commission and there's no escape. Tsk, how pitiful. But hey, lucky me! He really did me a favor, hehehe."

This Heliobi looked quite different from the others. Instead of a face, it had a giant eyeball, with visible blood vessels that made one's skin crawl.

"I need to find a place to hide out for a while. Those envoys know Heliobi well. Better find somewhere deserted."

While speaking, Cirrus flew off in the direction of the Scalegorge Waterscape.

She had been watching for a while and knew the patrol routes inside out, there was no chance they'd spot her.

Cirrus was grateful to Guyun. It was because of him that she managed to escape.

Not to mention the tremor at the start, which allowed her to break free from the Cauldron of Creation. Something else seemed to have happened afterward too, she heard the others say something went wrong at the Alchemy Commission.

She took that chance to escape and even let that fool take the blame for her.

Ah, Guyun… probably won't be long before he's sealed again by the Ten-Lords Commission. Since that's the case, she might as well enjoy the good life out here for him. Humming a tune, Cirrus flew toward a place she sensed was sparsely populated.

Heliobi can sense emotions. That place had only one immense, overwhelming emotion, not even the faintest minor ones.

"Such a shame, I still don't know where the person who took Phantylia went. Such a good body going to waste… what a pity."

...

Just as Cirrus had predicted, it wasn't long before Guyun was captured by the Ten-Lords Commission.

Not every Heliobi had brains like her.

Plus, there was Yanqing, the future Sword Champion who often trained with Godzilla-level strength.

His suppression speed was so extreme it even made Xueyi doubt if it was possible to be resisted at all.

"You promised to protect me, and yet you were the first to collapse," Guinaifen complained speechlessly.

"I, I just wasn't prepared! If I'd been ready, I wouldn't have been scared at all!"

Sushang awkwardly put her hands behind her back and weakly argued.

But her protest lacked any conviction.

"That sword strike just now was nothing short of divine. Given time, I believe even Jin, uh, the General , would praise it," Xueyi commented.

Though it was a puppet body, it still had emotions, even if they didn't show on the surface.

At the very least, Xueyi held a high opinion of Yanqing's brilliant sword strike.

If she had been on the receiving end, she probably would've already returned to the Ten-Lords Commission for repairs.

Yanqing scratched the hilt of his sword in embarrassment and smiled.

That outburst had been cathartic.

Without fighting others, he hadn't realized how much he'd improved.

"We still need to chase down that fleeing Heliobi. For your assistance today, the Ten-Lords Commission will be informed and a reward given."

"No need for a reward. I just wanted to ask, can we come along to the Scalegorge Waterscape? No other reason… it's just that, recently, there've been some… unusual happenings there?"

Yanqing asked vaguely.

"Scalegorge Waterscape? We're going to the Scalegorge Waterscape?! I'm in!"

Upon hearing that, Bailu put her hands on her hips, looking determined and ready.