Honkai Star Rail: I Can Hear Their Secrets

Xianzhou Luofu, Exalting Sanctum, Secret Base of the Medicine King's Disciples.

A chilling wind swept through the dim and narrow alleyway. The black-robed figure stood with hands clasped behind his back, gazing intently at the crowd before him.

"Five years ago, in Luofu and Exalting Sanctum," he began, "my brothers and I, filled with ambition, sought to spread the blessings of the Medicine King among the ignorant Xianzhou people."

"Little did we know that within just half a month of preaching, we faced daily onslaughts from the Demon Bow believers, averaging three attacks per day."

"In one year alone, six of our brethren perished."

The cultivators present remained silent, attentively listening to the black-robed figure's discourse.

He turned around, bowed reverently towards the statue of the Thousand-Handed Compassionate Medicine King, and whispered, "May the Medicine King protect us."

All the cultivators followed suit, bowing collectively to the revered image.

Slowly turning back, the black-robed figure wore a contemplative smile on his face.

"The fortune-teller once told me, 'a great general's success is built upon ten thousand withered bones,' but I disagree."

"I believe when venturing into life's challenges, it's each individual's choice whether they live or die."

"You all are the elite among cultivators, having served under me for the shortest time, your records untainted. The path you choose lies entirely in your own hands."

With a gentle lift of his wine cup, the black-robed figure concluded, "Alright, here's wishing you smooth sailing in the Cloud Knights. Cheers, esteemed officers."

Su Jinyan lifted his mask and drained the cup in one gulp.

The black-robed figure spoke mildly, "Do not disappoint our leader's expectations."

"A-Chuan, stay behind; I have an important mission to entrust to you..."

Envious glances were cast at Su Jinyan, still masked, as the other cultivators gradually departed.

Under the alias Sun Xiaochuan, Su Jinyan had successfully infiltrated the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus for several months now. Due to his exceptional abilities, he had repeatedly led members of the organization to evade capture by the Cloud Knights, resolving numerous predicaments for the Disciples. Consequently, he gained considerable favor among the group's higher-ups.

The black-robed figure's demeanor towards Su Jinyan made it clear that, in his eyes, Su Jinyan stood apart from the rest of the organization members.

"A-Chuan," the black-robed figure began slowly, "do you know why I asked you to remain?"

Su Jinyan looked puzzled. "This subordinate does not understand."

In a deep voice, the black-robed figure replied, "Following the leader's instructions, I selected five elite cultivators to be sent undercover within the Cloud Knights."

"While they will all join the Cloud Knights, your case is different. A-Chuan, your destination is the [Divination Commission]."

Su Jinyan frowned and asked, "Boss, have I done anything to betray the organization?"

"Send me to the Divination Commission? Are you trying to boost their performance on my account?"

The Divination Commission was one of the six commissions within Xianzhou Luofu, primarily responsible for divining future events, managing information, and preserving records.

Using crystal technology known as 'jade omens,' diviners could predict navigation routes, strategize state affairs, foretell fortune or misfortune, and discern the future.

No way! This old codger actually wants me to infiltrate the Divination Commission. Why not just ask Sun Xiaochuan to swim in a bowl of congee while he's at it?

The black-robed figure smiled faintly, seemingly anticipating Su Jinyan's reaction.

"A-Chuan, everything is part of the leader's plan; I am not privy to question it," he said calmly. "But undoubtedly, there must be a deeper meaning behind placing you in the Divination Commission."

"I know what concerns you—the diviners of the Divination Commission are renowned for their expertise in divination."

"As rumors go, Fu Xuan, the head of the commission, can even deduce the future, peering into the river of destiny."

Su Jinyan nodded. "Additionally, joining the Divination Commission requires strict vetting procedures."

"With the slightest slip-up during the interview, I could expose our operation, putting the entire organization at risk."

The black-robed figure's eyes chilled with a mocking sneer. "Ah, no need to worry," he said dismissively. "Fu Xuan's reputation is undeserved; her achievements have merely been exaggerated."

"If she truly possessed the ability to glimpse the future, would Fang Hu have suffered such devastating losses during the Third Abundance War?"

Su Jinyan fell silent, well aware of the history the black-robed figure referenced.

During the Third Abundance War, vast armies of the abundant folk besieged Fang Hu. Despite numerous reinforcements from the Luofu Skyride joining the battle, they were unable to withstand the onslaught. As the conflict reached its most desperate point, with the Xianzhou Alliance on the brink of defeat, the Arrow of Fate unleashed a beam of radiant light, completely turning the tide.

However, the cost was immense: In this single battle, Xianzhou Luofu lost over sixty-three thousand warships and more than one hundred twenty thousand aerialists. Nearly one-fifth of Fang Hu's paradises were destroyed by the Arrow's blast, and countless Cloud Knights who had rushed to aid also perished under that lethal beam of light.

Following this war, many individuals like the black-robed figure, having tragically lost loved ones, renounced their faith in the Imperial Bow and turned towards the Compassionate Medicine King for solace.

"Furthermore," the black-robed figure continued, "our leader has already taken measures. The diviner responsible for your assessment is also part of our organization."

Su Jinyan was taken aback, realizing that not only had the Cloud Knights been infiltrated but also the Divination Commission by the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus.

The black-robed figure patted Su Jinyan's shoulder, his gaze filled with profound meaning. "With so many capable brothers within our ranks, for the leader to single you out, A-Chuan, signifies her recognition of your abilities. This is a life-altering opportunity—one you must seize firmly. Eventually, my position will be yours."

"To join the Divination Commission, you'll need a complete transformation, completely discarding your original identity. Here are the new credentials arranged by the organization; take a look."

Su Jinyan accepted the documents and skimmed through them briefly, furrowing his brow. "Boss, 'Zhao Ergou' sounds far too common. Can I choose a different name?"

The black-robed figure waved dismissively, unconcerned. "No problem, it's just an alias. Feel free to change it however you like."

After a moment's thought, Su Jinyan replaced the tacky name on the document with his real one and returned it to the black-robed figure.

The black-robed figure smiled slightly. "Su Jinyan? Not a bad name. Is it a reminder to yourself, as an undercover agent, to always exercise caution in speech and action?"

Su Jinyan's lips twitched slightly. "Boss, when can I finally meet the leader?"

The black-robed figure turned away. "Once you've achieved sufficient merit, the leader will seek you out themselves."

Su Jinyan nodded quietly, preparing to leave without another word.

Just then, a relaxed and cheerful voice echoed in his mind:

[Ding...]

Su Jinyan froze, halting on the spot.

Not long after his transmigration, he had activated this "Narration System." At regular intervals, it would reveal to him undisclosed secrets.

These ranged from trivial details like girls' preferences to significant matters such as economic upheavals across the universe. Each secret held immense potential benefits for him.

Every secret had its value, and maximizing these benefits depended solely on his strategic thinking.

Sometimes the narrated secrets pertained to individuals he had encountered, while other times they foretold future events.

For instance, not too long ago, the Narration System provided him with coordinates and informed him:

"The star ferry carrying Tingyun, the Shuttle Envoy of the Sky-Faring Commission, experienced severe malfunctions near Yaoqing outskirts."

The instruments aboard the star ferry malfunctioned, with weak signals unable to transmit rescue calls beyond its confines.

Using the coordinates provided by the system, Su Jinyan arrived just in time at Yaoqing's outskirts. Pretending to have coincidentally passed by, he rescued Tingyun and her companions, earning their gratitude from both the Minghuo Merchant Group and the Sky-Faring Commission.

Shortly after that incident, the narrator system informed him:

"The Interastral Peace Corporation requires support for the Holder of Protection, necessitating vast quantities of heavenly jade ore—the more, the better."

As a result, the acquisition price for heavenly jade ore would at least double in the near future.

To capitalize on this, Su Jinyan spent all his savings and borrowed additional funds from Tingyun, stockpiling a massive amount of heavenly jade ore ahead of time.

When the prices indeed doubled, with Tingyun's assistance, Su Jinyan decisively sold his reserves, making a substantial fortune overnight.

Not long afterward, the narrator system revealed yet another piece of information:

"Over the next six months, there is a high likelihood of a major catastrophe occurring in Luofu.

If no mitigating factors intervene, at least half of the residents will perish as a result.

You have three choices:

Join the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus and become a core member. This will allow you to uncover the cause of the impending disaster and find opportunities to prevent it. Although extremely risky, the potential benefits for you are immeasurable." Do not reveal this to anyone. Pack your essentials and flee Luofu, going as far away as possible.

You will survive, but Tingyun, along with other friends you know, may perish in this impending disaster.

Inform Fu Taibu, the Grand Diviner, about this matter. However, given your current status, the likelihood of meeting Fu Taibu is extremely low.

Even if you manage to see Fu Xuan and convey this information to her, she would be unable to verify its authenticity through the Matrix of Prescience Ultima.

Considering all options, he had no choice but to make the most pragmatic decision: join the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus and await the opportune moment.

What secret will the system reveal to me this time? Su Jinyan's expression turned solemn.

Do you know about the Simulated Universe? Rumor has it that four geniuses from the Genius Society collaborated to create this program, aiming to unravel the mysteries of Aeon.

These four geniuses are: Herta, Ruan Mei, Screwllum, and Stephen Lloyd.

[The Simulated Universe holds both opportunities and risks; it's worth giving it a try. Who knows, you might gain unexpected rewards?]

[This system has exploited a vulnerability to crack the Simulated Universe. At midnight tonight, the Simulated Universe will officially be accessible to you. Remember to keep this confidential from others.]