I opened a shop on the Astral Train-Chapter 55

Jing Yuan sat up from the bed, a restless look on his face.

He hadn't slept well last night. After thinking about it for hours, he had finally come to a decision.

Just take the treasure chest. After all, it was an ownerless object—whoever defeated the monster guarding it had the right to claim it.

Jing Yuan washed up and looked at himself in the mirror. Dark circles clung stubbornly under his eyes.

At that moment, the housekeeper arrived.

"General, Lord Yanqing is back."

Jing Yuan nodded slightly. "Let him in."

The housekeeper bowed and retreated.

Jing Yuan casually splashed cold water on his face before making his way to the pavilion in the back garden. He lay down, waiting.

Before long, Yanqing arrived, accompanied by a squad of Cloud Knights, each carrying a small box.

Yanqing stepped forward and bowed. "General, the mission is complete. All the treasure chests in Luofu have been collected. But... for some reason, there seem to be fewer than expected."

Jing Yuan nodded. "I already know about this. The number of treasure chests has indeed decreased—Kevin and the others opened many of them."

At the mention of Kevin, Yanqing immediately pictured the members of the Astral Express.

"So it was them..."

After a pause, he hesitated before speaking again. "General, there's something I don't understand."

Jing Yuan glanced at him. "What is it?"

Yanqing hesitated only for a moment before continuing. "Why did you ask me to collect these Stellar Jades? Aren't they just for decoration?"

Jing Yuan motioned for the Cloud Knights to leave before answering in a calm tone. "It has to do with Yuri's shop."

Yanqing's eyes widened. "Is this true?! Then... didn't we miss out on a lot of Stellar Jades?"

Jing Yuan smiled bitterly and shook his head. "Yes, but it's no one's fault. Treasure chests are ownerless.

Yanqing, when you have time, take a team and patrol Luofu thoroughly. There might still be some left in forgotten corners."

Yanqing nodded firmly. "Understood! By the way, there was a big battle in Star Harbor recently—there might be some Stellar Jades there. I'll go check it out right away."

Jing Yuan nodded, and Yanqing swiftly took his leave.

Once alone, Jing Yuan opened the boxes Yanqing had collected. After some thought, he summoned a few Cloud Knights and gathered several chests of Stellar Jades before making his way to Yuri's shop on the Astral Express.

He had his eye on a few products from yesterday, and today, he intended to buy them.

However, looking at the Stellar Jades in his possession, he realized he wouldn't be able to get everything he wanted.

Jing Yuan sighed. He could afford to buy everything, but now he had to be frugal. It was frustrating.

Aboard the Astral Express, the morning was already in full swing.

Kevin and March 7th had darted through a portal, eager to play in Belobog after breakfast. Yuri and the others had finished tidying up and had moved on to their own activities.

Yuri returned to his room to practice, leaving Rios to watch the door. Welt and Dan Heng had gone to the library. Himeko was in the laboratory with Clara and the younger ones, working on something for Klee.

Klee, full of excitement, was studying the blueprint she had discovered the previous day, with Yumi—a magical feline companion—floating around her. Unlike the version from League of Legends, this Yumi had an additional function: allowing Klee to directly learn magic. However, this ability could only be used once a month.

When Jing Yuan arrived at the shop, he found only Noelle inside.

Noelle brightened at the sight of him and immediately greeted him. "General Jing Yuan, good morning!" She gave a respectful knight's salute.

Jing Yuan smiled. "Good morning, Noelle. Where is Yuri?"

Noelle thoughtfully counted on her fingers. "Mr. Yuri is practicing, Himeko is in the lab with Klee and the others, and Mr. Welt and Dan Heng are in the library. Who are you looking for?"

Jing Yuan raised an eyebrow. "I came to see Yuri. I want to buy something." He patted the boxes he carried.

Noelle's eyes gleamed. This was it—her time to shine as a clerk!

"If you want to buy something, please come this way. I can guide you through our selection."

Jing Yuan chuckled. "Alright, thank you, Noelle."

She gestured toward the counter. "Let's exchange your Stellar Jades first."

After the transaction, Jing Yuan had 180,000 Star Coins at his disposal. He moved to the product display, where a touch screen listed the store's inventory.

"You can browse the product details here, General," Noelle said as she moved to prepare tea. "Take your time—I'll bring you some tea."

Jing Yuan idly swiped through the catalog while Noelle busied herself with the teapot. Soon, she returned, pouring a small cup for him.

He accepted it with a nod and drank it in one go. The cup was small—just a single mouthful. Noelle quickly refilled it.

Jing Yuan sipped his tea, eyes scanning the products. Soon, something caught his attention.

[Product: Clear Spirit Pill Recipe/Formula]

[Recipe Description: This pill originates from an ancient celestial realm. It keeps the mind clear and suppresses inner demons.]

[Note: Each person can only take one. Subsequent doses will have no effect.]

[Price: 150,000 Star Coins]

Jing Yuan's mind sharpened. If this Clear Spirit Pill was effective, it could help suppress the demon body transformations caused by emotional collapse—something many people in Xianzhou struggled with.

Without hesitation, he purchased it.

A few seconds later, a scroll appeared in his hands. He unrolled it and scanned its contents.

[Clear Spirit Pill Recipe: Clear Spirit Flower (3 coins), Guling Grass (1 coin)]

More than thirty different medicinal ingredients were required for a single Clear Spirit Pill.

Jing Yuan decided to buy ten batches of medicinal ingredients and bring them to the Alchemy Division for research. If Luofu already had some of the ingredients, he could save a fortune by only purchasing what was unavailable locally.

After making his final selections, he turned to Noelle with a smile. "I'll take my leave. Thank you for your hospitality.

Oh, and when Yuri comes out, tell him to check his phone—I left him a message."

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Noelle nodded. "Of course! I'll let Mr. Yuri know. Goodbye, General Jing Yuan."

Jing Yuan turned, his expression thoughtful as he boarded his Star Raft back to the general's mansion. The blueprint and recipe were safely in his possession.

Back at the general's mansion, Jing Yuan instructed the housekeeper to summon the current head of the Dan Ding Division.

After a short wait, the housekeeper returned, accompanied by the person in charge. However, another figure followed—Fu Xuan. Upon hearing that Jing Yuan was meeting someone from the Dan Ding Division, she had decided to come as well. Officially, she claimed she was visiting to check on Jing Yuan's health. In truth, she simply wanted a break. Ever since assuming the position of temporary general, she had been swamped with endless governmental duties.

Her sharp eyes scanned Jing Yuan as he sipped his tea, his expression calm and untroubled.

"You don't look sick to me," she remarked dryly. "Why did you summon someone from the Dan Ding Division?"

Jing Yuan didn't immediately answer. Instead, he retrieved a parchment—the Clear Spirit Pill Formula—and handed it, along with ten medicinal ingredients, to the head of the Dan Ding Division.

Fu Xuan frowned as she glanced at the document. "What is this? Some kind of pill recipe?"

Before she could demand an explanation, Jing Yuan spoke. "This is the Clear Spirit Pill Formula. It has the power to suppress the demonic body. Can your division refine it?"

At his words, Fu Xuan stiffened, her heart skipping a beat. "What?! General, are you serious? This pill can actually suppress the demonic body?"

Jing Yuan gave a slow nod. "That's correct. So? Can your division refine it?"

The head of the Dan Ding Division examined the formula carefully before shutting the parchment. "Yes, but..."

Jing Yuan narrowed his eyes. "But what?"

"There is only one person in the Dan Ding Division capable of refining this pill—Lady Dragon Girl. However, she has been missing for days."

Jing Yuan leaned back slightly, contemplating. So that's how it was. If that was the case, he had no choice but to return to the train. Bai Lu should still be playing around in the laboratory.

Taking back the formula and ingredients, he stated, "I know where the Dragon Girl is. You may return for now—I'll go find her."

With that, the Dan Ding Division's representative bowed and departed.

Fu Xuan crossed her arms, suspicion evident on her face. "General, how exactly do you know where she is?"

According to the latest intelligence, the Dragon Girl had been taken by a mysterious figure. No one had heard from her since.

Jing Yuan merely smiled. "Come with me. The Dragon Girl is far away in the sky, yet close at hand—she's on the Star Dome Train."

Fu Xuan blinked, momentarily stunned. "Wait, what?! Are you telling me the train crew kidnapped her?"

She paused, studying Jing Yuan's composed demeanor. No, if that were the case, he wouldn't be this calm.

Together, they boarded a Star Raft bound for Gathering Star Port.

Meanwhile, in Gathering Star Port...

"Ten Thousand Swords Come!"

Yanqing controlled his flying swords, slicing through several demonic Yin-body soldiers with fluid precision. As the last enemy fell, he retracted his blades and turned to the woman standing behind him—an imposing, cold figure with an eyepatch.

"All clear, Let's move on."

Yanqing had originally come to Gathering Star Port to collect Stellar Jade. Instead, he had stumbled upon traces of the Blade's presence and decided to investigate, which led him to this woman.

Jingliu.

She was returning to Luofu and responded with a soft, almost absent-minded, "Alright."

As they advanced, Yanqing continued to cut down any lingering demonic Yin-body soldiers from the previous war. To his surprise, they also came across several untouched treasure chests, collecting dozens of Stellar Jade along the way.

Yanqing had suspected it—Kevin and the others hadn't looted all the treasure chests in the port. The area's complex terrain had made it too much of a hassle, and they had prioritized other locations like Changletian and Xingchahai Central.

When they reached the dock, Yanqing suddenly stopped, his expression turning serious. He pivoted, facing Jingliu with sharp eyes.

"Tell me—why are you in Luofu?"

Jingliu raised an eyebrow, intrigued by his shift in tone.

"Your movements are too steady, your breathing even. You didn't even flinch when danger came. You're no ordinary traveler. So, speak. If you don't, don't blame me for showing no mercy with my sword."

Jingliu chuckled, a glint of approval in her gaze. "When did I ever claim to be ordinary?"

She took a step closer, her tone light yet firm. "Little brother, I told you—I came to Luofu to visit old friends."

Her eyes flickered toward the sword in his grip. Then, she shook her head. "You are not my match. And if you aren't my match, you certainly aren't the Blade's."

She turned away. "Come along. If you stay with me, you'll be safe."

Yanqing scoffed. "Hmph! We won't know who's stronger unless we test it."

Jingliu smiled. "Then let's test it."

Yanqing gestured toward the high platform in the distance. "Yanqing reported that there is a small unit of the remaining secret teachings of the King of Medicine from the last war. We'll each take a path and see who gets there first."

Jingliu nodded. "Fine. You go ahead first, or else I'm afraid you'll lose too quickly."

Yanqing bristled at her confidence. "We'll see about that!"

With that, he summoned his flying swords and launched himself forward.

A moment after Yanqing disappeared from sight, Jingliu's right hand moved, summoning her Epiphyllum Sword.

In the blink of an eye, she vanished from where she stood.

System notification: Jingliu activates "Phantom Step"—speed drastically increases!

By the time Yanqing arrived at the designated spot, the ground was littered with demonic Yin-body corpses, and Jingliu stood at the center, sword in hand, looking bored.

Yanqing stared, wide-eyed. "Impossible! How did she get here first?"

Jingliu turned to him with an amused expression. "Little brother, you need to pick up the pace."

Before Yanqing could react, she disappeared again.

System notification: Jingliu uses "Lunar Veil Slash"—cutting through all enemies in her path!

Frustrated, Yanqing gritted his teeth and pressed forward, but all along the way, he found nothing but the corpses she had left behind.

At last, he reached the platform, only to see Jingliu waiting with that same, unreadable smirk.

"Well?" she asked. "Do you admit defeat?"

Yanqing clenched his jaw. "Take my sword!"

He lunged, putting all his strength into a strike. Jingliu barely moved—she simply lifted her sword and shattered his attack in an instant.

Jingliu's voice was calm. "Not bad. You have potential. Jing Yuan has a keen eye."

She raised her blade, her aura surging.

System notification: Jingliu activates "Judgment of Shamash"—an overwhelming pressure fills the air!

Yanqing gritted his teeth against the crushing force.

"Come at me!"

Jingliu smiled, leaping high into the air.

"Then take this!"

And with that...

she had struck.