I, on the Starry Sky Railway, change everything

Estella was also thinking about the detailed rules.

The only male protagonist in the novel is Hua Yi, which needs no further explanation.

Then, the facts cannot be altered, and the hero cannot be portrayed as an evil villain or an ambitious schemer. Instead, the character can be a naive teenager, a friendly older brother, or a domineering CEO. The story does not necessarily have to take place on a space station.

As for the rewards, will 200 million credits be enough to motivate everyone...?

Wait a minute, won't this make everyone in the group guess my real identity right away? There probably aren't many people on the entire space station who would suddenly offer 200 million credits as a prize for an internal essay contest.

How about a smaller amount, 100 million credits?

I'll check the prize money offered for similar essay contests in other parts of the universe—two hundred thousand?

Isn't this a bit too little? Let's add another zero to make it a bonus that can be obtained in a short period of time, otherwise it would be unfair to the group members for their efforts.

"For the first writing contest, I plan to rank the participants based on download volume and reader feedback. The top three will share one million credits, and every other participant who meets the contest rules and whose novel meets certain quality and word count standards will also share a total prize pool of no less than one million. What do you all think of this?"

"So the group admin suddenly gave away at least two million credits as a reward?! Really?!"

"What a generous reward! I don't even get this much bonus for completing a single project, not even close!"

"While the slow-witted group members are still marveling at the group leader's generosity, the clever me has already started brainstorming and will start writing as soon as I get off work."

The fan group was buzzing with excitement, and even a certain anonymous "Galaxy Baseball Man" [face-catching a big attack] was tempted. He thought that he had even tried to "wall slam" (a romantic gesture involving a woman slamming against a wall), and with that real experience to back him up, even if he couldn't compare to the literary girls in the group, as long as he met the minimum standard set by the group leader, he could get a participation prize.

Although Huayi's millions of credits are enough to achieve financial freedom, it's always a bit awkward to spend money earned without effort. But it's different if you earn it yourself.

She excitedly ran back to her lodgings and began writing furiously.

Not long ago, Hua Yi handed over a Key of Enlightenment to an engineer from Interstellar Peace Corporation who was stationed at the space station to assist in the post-disaster reconstruction work.

As Director Toppa said, the company staff had received clear orders to respectfully and carefully accept the box containing the product of destiny, ensuring that the item would be delivered smoothly to their superiors. They also volunteered to fully cooperate if Hua Yi gave any other instructions.

He essentially gained the privilege of mobilizing a portion of the company's employees.

However, Hua Yi's attention is temporarily not on Interstellar Peace Company.

Essentially, the Key of Enlightenment, as a product of destiny, is of a rather limited level, pale in comparison to the ability to anchor across galaxies.

However, the former can also be used for research, which can benefit both those who are "intelligent" and those who have not yet embarked on their destiny. The latter is more for the exclusive use of anonymous users, and each use consumes a large amount of energy, with expected benefits being inferior to those of the routes controlled by the company.

Hua Yi is an individual, not a business entity like Interstellar Peace Company. He has never been concerned with monetary contributions and returns.

The Star Train explores the universe, and the routes it travels along become usable star tracks. With further independent development by various major powers, these become stable interstellar routes.

Boundary anchoring is a representative product of pioneering a new path. Wherever the train passes, it will inevitably leave behind such a thing. The difference is nothing more than whether it is damaged, whether it is activated, and whether the energy and environmental conditions required to complete the transmission are sufficient.

Rather than using his current understanding of the [Exploration] destiny to find his own domain and anchor himself in the space station, Hua Yi chose to contact the train crew.

He quickly found a red-haired figure in the staff rest area, leaning on the railing and looking at the scenery. He stared at him briefly for a moment, then walked over with light and steady steps.

"Is Miss Himeko finding her accommodations comfortable?"

Before Hua Yi could speak, Ji Zi heard his footsteps and turned around at the sound, smiling gently.

"Don't let my position as the navigator of the Starry Sky Train fool you. Black Tower often comes up with all sorts of ingenious ideas and makes demands. I've come to the space station to bring her things several times before. If you really think about it, I've spent more time on the space station than you have."

She displayed a maturity and intellect befitting her appearance, like an older sister to whom one could freely confide their troubles, showing concern for this young hero who, despite his immense talent and strength, remained humble and courteous.

"This space station is located in the starry sky. Even though the main body of the interstellar ship and the later expansions are extremely large, it is still small and limited compared to a planet. I heard that you are actually a newcomer to the space station. You haven't been here long. Are you adapting well, Fang?"

"I have gained a lot of knowledge and made many friends here. I would say I like it more than just adapt to it."

Do you like the Black Tower space station...?

Hua Yi's answer at this moment would have excited any staff member or scholar. However, Ji Zi had actually wanted to invite this outstanding young man to join the Star Train long before the battle against the Doomsday Beast.

Her smile remained unchanged, radiating intelligence and friendliness, without any intention of deliberately belittling the space station or forcibly diminishing its sense of belonging.

Now, the two are simply chatting like friends would.

There is no malicious intent involved, no need for excessive formalities, you can make some jokes and talk about random topics.

"When I was in college, I studied interstellar travel dynamics. Later, I became a scientist. To be honest, I can understand some of the projects on the space station and even help with some research. So, can you see my researcher qualities?"

"I can see that rationality, composure, and calmness. But I think even if Miss Himeko replaced her coffee with beer, or even fought with my Godfall Sword, she would still be quite suitable."

"Really? Is that a compliment or a joke? — Oh, by the way, let me pour you a cup of coffee too."

Chapter 93 She and the Train

Hua Yi certainly hadn't forgotten that on March 7th, he had given her a meaningful look, indicating that she absolutely could not drink the coffee that Ji Zi had brewed.

"Thank you."

However, he did not refuse and accepted the navigator's kindness.

Few coffees can be described as thick and rich, but this cup certainly deserves that description.

The liquid, which should have flowed freely, was slightly sluggish, almost as if it were about to solidify.

The intensely strong aroma of coffee doesn't just drift into your nostrils in the ordinary sense; it launches a fierce attack, aiming to permeate the person about to taste it, as well as the air around them, turning it into a coffee kingdom.

Everything suggested that this cup of coffee was no ordinary thing, but Hua Yi was someone who could face the legion's attack head-on, so he naturally wouldn't back down. He picked up the black, semi-solid drink and took a sip.

The intense bitterness explodes on the tip of the tongue, while the subtle sourness and sweetness within act as supporting elements, perfectly highlighting the bitterness of the high-concentration coffee. The moment it enters the mouth, it transforms into a torrent that rushes straight to the top of the head. With a movement of the throat, it is swallowed into the stomach, as if a deep, dark aura is eroding the internal organs, permeating the bitterness from the inside out.

"How's it going? 727?"

"...If you're asking about my impression of the coffee, I can only say it's refreshing and invigorating. But if you're asking about my impression of you personally, who always brews and drinks your coffee, I would say you're incredibly hardworking."

Hearing Hua Yi's evaluation, Ji Zi couldn't help but laugh.

"You're quite good at crafting your words. You told the truth while also giving me a compliment. This time it should be considered a compliment, right?"

"This time, like last time, it was all praise."

"Compared to instant bagged coffee, I choose and grind my own coffee beans and try different blends. It's all about having a personal touch, and leaving a unique impression is what I'm looking for."

Himeko knew that her coffee didn't suit the general public's taste, and every time she held up the steaming coffee pot, March Seven would stay far away.

Without waiting for Hua Yi to finish his coffee, the navigator forced him to drink it all in one go.

"You've read countless documents on the space station, so you should know that the Star Train disappeared for quite some time."

"I heard it was damaged."

"Yes. I got lost back then, wandering around in the dark, unable to recognize my surroundings, and confused about the direction of my life. I lay on the muddy ground, looking up at the starry sky."

Hua Yi was a good listener, attentive, patient, and attentive as he listened to Ji Zi share her story.

"At that time, I saw shooting stars, one, two, three... then many small, dazzling, flickering lights, and finally, a magnificent burst of light tore through the night."

"I can imagine that scene; it must be beautiful."

"Yes, it's beautiful. I chased the shooting star to the edge of the land, the beginning of the ocean, a coastline, where the tide pushed against a stranded train, all alone, as if it were lost, just like me. I stepped onto the train, and the scenery outside the porthole began to change, showing me countless magnificent and fantastical worlds, worlds that were far away, beyond my hometown, yet so close, just a train ride away."

"So, Miss Himeko fixed the Starry Sky Train in one go?"

"It wasn't done all at once; it took a long time to repair. After the first phase of repairs, the train briefly started moving, carrying me over my hometown. I could see the road home at a glance. From the air, the return journey seemed so close; even the sea in my hometown looked insignificant."

Later, Himeko chose to embark on a journey.

The Star Train took her home after she got lost, and she also wanted to take the train home to find the legendary starting point of [pioneering].

"The journey of exploration means leaving familiar places and going to unfamiliar worlds. You may meet many people along the way, but they will come and go in a hurry. Even the [train conductor] may not accompany the train from beginning to end. This journey is lonely. No one can follow the exact same path as others."

As the navigator, with his red hair reaching his waist, finished speaking, Hua Yi, who had been listening attentively, suddenly started looking around.

"Let me see if March 7th is nearby. If she finds out that Ms. Himeko said the journey was lonely, she will inevitably start to doubt herself, wondering how much negligence she has made and what unforgivable sin she has committed to make her trusted companion act as if she were all alone."

"What are you thinking? I'm not confiding my negative emotions to you. I'm just sharing my overall feelings about the [exploration] process. Going back more than nine hundred Amber Ages, throughout the long history of the Star Train, people have become passengers and people have left. There were many navigators before me, and there will be people continuing the story of the train after me."

"At least, the navigator I know is Ms. Himeko."

Is this considered comforting someone?

Himeko hadn't expected that she would unknowingly share so much of her past experiences and feelings.

The atmosphere of chatting with Hua Yi was quite different from that of March 7th. Facing the energetic latter, she was usually the one listening, occasionally reminding March 7th of her rashness or lack of consideration, acting like a big sister.

However, when it came to the former, Himeko herself became more talkative, and without much notice, she started talking about things she wouldn't normally share.

After all, Hua Yi is reliable and composed enough. The praise he gave to the researchers earlier was also very appropriate for him. Not to mention, he can control the pace of communication, making jokes or offering words of comfort at just the right time to prevent the other party's emotions from going negative.

In a daze, Himeko was surprised to find that she seemed to be the one being taken care of.

“You… I’ve shared so many stories, how about you tell me the story of your Godfall Sword in exchange? It looks quite special.”

"First and foremost, it must be emphasized that the name [Surtr the Godslayer Sword] is by no means a provocation to the Star Gods. It originates from a fantasy mythology independent of the Star God system. Legend has it that Surtr was the name of a fire giant who wielded a sword of light and stood guard over the borders of Muspelheim until Ragnarok."

As Hua Yi recounted the myth, he once again conjured the Crimson Greatsword and handed it to Himeko.

Such a generous act caught the navigator's eye, and she took the weapon, which had previously been wreathed in flames but was now completely cool, with both hands.

She listened to the epic tales of the fire giants, from Muspelheim to Asgard, the nine worlds taking shape through Hua Yi's words, the legend of the Valkyries echoing in her ears.

Chapter 94 A Cup of Coffee

Often, "exploration" refers to following the path left unfinished by predecessors and going further afield.

Before arriving at the Black Tower Space Station, Himeko never imagined that what should have been an ordinary exchange of artifacts would be fraught with complications and involve the Antimatter Legion.

Familiar places give new meaning to the journey. She witnessed heroes fighting against [destruction], miracles without sacrifice, and now hears fantastic and magnificent myths, gaining a lot.

The navigator's beautiful eyes were fixed on Hua Yi, her hand gently stroking the blade of the Divine Fall Sword.

“I’ve heard similar, even identical, myths. There are many such examples in the universe; different planets, even those separated by many galaxies, may tell the same epic stories.”

"But Ms. Himeko was still listening intently, which made me keep going on and on, and all my efforts were in vain."

"Because I feel that your story has been given an even more vibrant and beautiful touch, I can't help but want to hear more!"

If you saw Himeko-neechan at this moment, showing a rare girlish charm, you would definitely widen your eyes and take out your camera to capture the moment.

The contrast between the mature and elegant redhead speaking in this tone is undeniably endearing!

Realizing that she was unconsciously falling into Hua Yi's rhythm, whether acting as the narrator or the listener, Himeko coughed lightly.

"I said, the great hero who's all the rage on the space station suddenly found me and took the time out of his rare free time to chat, so you must have some questions for me, right? I tried to tell you about the past and present of [Exploration] before, did you get the answers you wanted?"

"I am far from being able to claim that I have fully understood the principles of [expansion]."

"That--"

Realizing something, Himeko's eyes lit up.

"Are you planning to board the Star Train?"

“Before that, I want to understand boundary anchoring.”

"I see... To put it simply, the normally functioning boundary anchor is the teleportation tool used by the nameless guest. As long as enough energy is consumed, it can even cross star systems instantly, but under the influence of the Cancer of Myriad Worlds, many problems have arisen."

"The cancerous core of the myriad worlds, on the path of interstellar exploration and creation, the obscure and incomprehensible matter has disrupted the flow of imaginary energy, just like encountering a cliff while climbing a mountain, or encountering a tsunami vortex while sailing far away. The originally smooth interstellar journey has become uncertain, and the world itself affected by the erosion of the core is also full of crises."

Without needing the navigator to explain in detail, Hua Yi understood what she meant.

"Even if all other conditions are met, a world covered by a star core cannot use a boundary anchor, right?"

"Yes. So one of the train's important missions is to find a way to clear the route and solve the problem of the star core that is blocking its progress on the star track."

"Since a star can contain a star core, I wonder if it's possible to increase it to a second or third, like a multi-core central processing unit, constantly evolving. At that time, with four or even eight cores running in parallel, the Galaxy Ball Hero would be truly hard to beat."

Upon hearing Hua Yi's bold conjecture, Ji Zi looked utterly helpless.

"Sometimes I feel you are unfathomable, and sometimes I feel you are even more imaginative than Xiao Sanyue. Although it may be a bit arbitrary to directly deny this way of becoming stronger, it is better not to add uncertainties before we have fully controlled the star core in our bodies."

"pity."

"Don't reveal such a dangerous idea to Xing, otherwise, given her personality, she'll inevitably try it out whenever she gets the chance."

"Miss Himeko knows her very well."

Is this a trick to get information out of me?

The navigator tilted his head.

"I've been chatting with Xing the whole time during the last dozen or so system sessions, and I was just talking to her until now. But she wants to participate in a competition and went back to prepare. She said she wants to earn credits with her own hands."