I opened a shop on the Astral Train-Chapter 33

The crew had just finished breakfast and were busy packing up for their trip to the ice field.

Hu Tao arrived and, noticing everyone bustling around with bags and supplies, tilted her head in curiosity.

"What's everyone doing?"

Paimon hovered over. "We're going to play in the snow! Hu Tao, wanna come with us?"

Hu Tao's face lit up instantly. "Of course! I love playing in the snow!"

Himeko, who had been watching nearby, noticed Hu Tao's light clothing and handed her a thick coat.

"Hu Tao, wear this. It'll be freezing out there."

Hu Tao took the coat, grinning gratefully. "Thanks Himeko!"

Himeko chuckled. "You're welcome. Give us a moment—we're almost ready to leave."

Hu Tao happily nodded.

At that moment, Yelan, Ningguang, and Keqing walked in.

The entire crew paused to look at the newcomers.

Yuri greeted them with a smirk. "Well, well—three beauties gracing my shop. Welcome!"

Zhongli turned to them. "This is Yuri, the shop's owner. The rest are all his friends."

Hearing this, Ningguang and her companions introduced themselves.

"Hello, Mr. Yuri. I am Ningguang. This is our first meeting—I look forward to doing business with you."

"Keqing."

"Yelan."

Unlike Ningguang, Keqing and Yelan kept their introductions brief and to the point.

Yuri, unfazed, simply chuckled. "Welcome. Has Hu Tao told you how trading works here?"

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Ningguang shook her head.

Seeing this, Yuri called out, "Noelle, take care of the customers!"

Noelle, who had been washing dishes, quickly wiped her hands and ran over.

"Please follow me—I'll guide you through everything."

Yuri added, "I have some errands to run, so I'll leave you in Noelle's capable hands. She's an excellent clerk. If you need anything, just ask her."

Hearing herself praised, Noelle's cheeks flushed red with embarrassment.

Ningguang smiled. "Alright, we'll handle things here. You go on."

Noelle then led the three women toward the bar area.

Zhongli, who had originally planned to leave with Walter, decided to stay behind.

He had a feeling Ningguang and the others would soon need a loan.

Meanwhile, Yuri and the others stepped into the portal, heading off to explore the mechanical settlement.

Not long after Yuri's departure, Ningguang, Keqing, and Yelan had figured out the basics.

This wasn't Teyvat. It was an entirely different world, far more advanced than their own.

They could use Star Coins to purchase anything from Yuri's shop.

The three of them spent a long time browsing the display screen.

But Ningguang was troubled. She had no Stellar Jade on her and thus couldn't get Star Coins.

Yet, there were so many things she wanted to buy.

Keqing thought aloud. "Should I go back and bring some?"

Yelan shook her head. "Pointless. The portal is in Jueyun Karst. It'd take you too long to travel back and forth."

Keqing sighed. "Then what should we do?"

At that moment, Ningguang smirked. "I have an idea."

Keqing and Yelan turned toward her.

"What's your plan?"

Ningguang's gaze drifted toward Zhongli, who was sipping tea at a nearby table.

"I'll be right back."

Keqing and Yelan immediately understood.

She was going to ask Zhongli for a loan.

After all, Zhongli had clearly been here multiple times. There was no way he didn't have Stellar Jade or Star Coins.

Ningguang approached him. "Mr. Zhongli—"

Before she could even finish her sentence, Zhongli calmly took out 10,000 Star Coins.

"No need to explain—I know what you're going to ask. Take this. Just repay me in Stellar Jade when you return."

Ningguang accepted the Star Coins without hesitation. "Much appreciated. I'll have someone gather the Stellar Jade and return it to you promptly."

Zhongli gave a small nod before resuming his tea.

With her newfound funds, Ningguang returned to the display screen, ready to shop.

Keqing's anxious voice rang out the moment she saw Ningguang return. "How about it?"

Ningguang offered a slight smile and pulled out a stack of Stellar Jade. "I borrowed it. Let's decide what to buy."

The three of them took a sip of water and started browsing. Noelle, noticing their cups were empty, quietly refilled them from the kettle. Unbeknownst to them, Zhongli was observing their every move, mobilizing his divine power to discreetly monitor their choices.

As they debated their options, a disagreement arose between Ningguang and Keqing.

"We should buy this soil transformation machine first!" Keqing insisted, her tone unwavering. "With it, we can restore Liyue's polluted soil and increase food production!"

Ningguang shook her head. "The soil issue is important, but Liyue has an abundance of food right now. There's no immediate urgency. I believe we should buy the book 'Vajra Body Tempering Technique' first. Mastering it can give someone the combat strength of a top-tier original god. And once that foundation is built, they can move on to even more formidable techniques, like 'The Divine Elephant Prison Power.'"

Ye Lan remained neutral, merely watching the argument unfold. Her duty was to accompany Ningguang and Keqing, ensuring their safety. Matters of governance weren't her concern, but deep down, she leaned toward Ningguang's perspective.

Teyvat was not a peaceful world. Conflicts between nations were inevitable. Military strength was the bedrock of Liyue's survival. Just as the Emperor had once subdued other gods through sheer power to establish the prosperous Liyue of today, force remained a crucial factor in shaping civilization's fate.

Destroy or survive.

Zhongli listened in silence, sipping his tea. He was pleased with both Ningguang and Keqing—two of the most capable individuals to have ever served as Liyue's Seven Stars.

After half an hour of heated debate, Ye Lan finally stepped in. "Alright, enough. Both of you, calm down."

Ningguang and Keqing fell silent, turning to look at her. Keqing frowned. "Ye Lan, whose idea do you think is better—mine or Ningguang's?"

Ye Lan exhaled and turned to Noelle. "Noelle, you're from Mond, correct?"

Noelle blinked, startled. "Ah? Are you talking to me?"

Ye Lan nodded. "Yes. Your captain, Jean, was here before, wasn't she? Do you know what she purchased?"

Noelle thought for a moment. "Emmm... I'm not sure. I haven't been here long."

Ye Lan sighed in disappointment. She had hoped to use Mond's choices as a reference.

Just then, Zhongli spoke. "If I recall correctly, Jean from Mond purchased a martial arts manual and a device capable of repairing a witch's body."

Zhongli had learned this from Venti, who had once mentioned it to him over drinks. The two had caught up on various topics, including the mysterious figure named Yuri.

Hearing this, Ye Lan made up her mind. "Let's buy the martial arts manual first."

Keqing opened her mouth to protest, but Ye Lan cut her off. "Keqing, your proposal is valid—food is the foundation of a nation. But as Ningguang pointed out, Liyue is neither starving nor struggling for resources. Strengthening our military should take priority. We're not limited to one trip here. We can purchase the soil equipment later."

Keqing was taken aback, but she couldn't refute Ye Lan's logic. She fell into thoughtful silence.

With that, they spent 8,000 Stellar Jade on the "Vajra Body Tempering Technique" and used the remaining 2,000 on blueprints and rare ores unavailable in Teyvat.

Once they finished shopping, the three of them approached Zhongli. "Please use teleportation to send us back to Liyue Harbor."

With Zhongli's assistance, they returned to Yujingtai and took the teleportation array directly to Qunyu Pavilion. Along the way, they discussed the implementation of the "Vajra Body Tempering Technique." In the end, they adopted the same approach as Jean—selecting a faction of the loyal Qianyan Army for initial training.

Ningguang sat at her desk, resting her chin on one hand as she tapped the manual thoughtfully with her index finger. "Now that the plan is set, the next step is to consult the Emperor."

Keqing nodded. "The Rite of Descension is approaching. Shall we ask the Emperor then?"

Ye Lan and Ningguang agreed. There was no rush—selecting the first trainees would take time.

At that moment, golden light flickered in the room as a hooded Zhongli materialized. "I am already aware. Proceed as planned."

And just as quickly, he vanished.

Ningguang smirked. "Well, that saves us a trip to the Rite."

Keqing exhaled. "Since we have the Emperor's approval, let's begin. I'll handle selecting the personnel. Ye Lan, you'll oversee the training. Sound good?"

Ye Lan toyed with the dice in her fingers, a small smile playing on her lips. "Fine by me. Leave the hard work to me."

Before departing, Ye Lan copied the "Vajra Body Tempering Technique" for herself. She needed to master it before she could teach it.

Keqing, meanwhile, headed straight for the Qianyan Army headquarters to secretly handpick soldiers loyal to Liyue.

—

[Enter Jalil VI.]

A spaceship bearing the insignia of the Interstellar Peace Corporation descended near Beloberg.