Head to the Artisanship Commission and find Qingque

📍 The Xianzhou Luofu Artisanship Commission

🏃‍♂️

Move

Qingque

You're here!

Options

Heard you've got some problems you'd like a hand with?

Qingque

It's not so much a problem for me, as it is for this guy... Since Master Chengjie is here now, maybe he can talk about it himself?

Chengjie

I'm just a young apprentice who cannot graduate, so I'm not qualified yet to lead any team. Please don't call me "Master."

Qingque

I'm just saying it for convenience's sake. Don't worry about it, Chengjie.

Chengjie

Ah, I remember you. You are the great hero Master Gongshu mentioned. He said you helped him fight off all the monnn~stersss~ in the commission.

Chengjie

I really envy you. I can't do anything. I'm just a piece of trash wasting my days away at the Artisanship Commission... Every time I come across something dangerous, I flee in fear. I'm such a chicken, and I've got no sense of ar~ti~san~ship~...

Options

Why are you so self-pitying all of a sudden?

Is that what Master Gongshu told you?

Fear of death is pretty normal.

Chengjie

It's not sudden at all. I've been depressed ever since I found out that I lost my master's manuscript.

Chengjie

Master Gongshu didn't say anything to me, but I know he's thinking it deep down.

Chengjie

If I were a true~ ar~ti~san~, then there's no way I could've lost my master's manuscript.

Qingque

Yep. Like, seriously, what's more normal than being afraid to die?

Chengjie

...But I was doing just that, and still lost my master's manuscript. It is absolutely unforgivable.

Chengjie

The manuscript is my master's legacy work of his lifetime, and it's the only copy in the whole cosmos.

Options

During his lifetime? Do you mean Master Gongshu is dead?

Legacy work? What happened to Master Gongshu?

Chengjie

{F#Miss}{M#Sir}, please get hold of yourself. The one who passed away is Master Ryan, a craftsman who used to be my mentor when I first joined the Artisanship Commission. It's not my current teacher, Master Gongshu.

Chengjie

*sigh* My master's manuscript should have gone down in Xianzhou's history... but I was too busy saving my own skin and didn't take it out with me. I really am utt~er~ly~ use~less~

Options

Why didn't you make a copy of something so important?

Is this manuscript really that important?

Just find that manuscript, and you'll be fine, right?

Chengjie

I feel even worse now!

Qingque

Well, if I were in his shoes and didn't save or back up any of the Divination Commission's files, I wouldn't even dare to sleep.

Chengjie

What you said is true, but it's too late for regrets. It's impossible to make a copy of it now.

Chengjie

I am not very learned, and I've always felt intimidated and under-qualified to face this manuscript.

Chengjie

That manuscript is Master Ryan's magnum opus. I thought that one day I'd be able to actualize its visions myself... But now I won't even get the chance to try.

Chengjie

But the Artisanship Commission is filled with uncontrolled ingenia, and abominations awakened by the Ambrosial Arbor... I dare not...

Options

So you'd like me to take over from here?

...Is this why you've invited me over, Qingque?

I see. If it's lost, it's lost.

Chengjie

That's great, {NICKNAME}. Are you really willing to help me find the lost manuscript?

Qingque

Hmmm... I didn't expect things to turn out like this.

Qingque

Argh, don't mind me right now. Just help Chengjie find that manuscript.

Qingque

You're right. What's lost is lost.

Chengjie

...Miss Qingque?

Qingque

But! {NICKNAME} has fought off the Abominations of Abundance before, recovered the Creation Furnace, and became a hero at the Artisanship Commission. Helping Chengjie find that manuscript should be a piece of cake that you'd never refuse, right?

Qingque

Right? Right? Riiight?

Chengjie

...Miss Qingque, are we pushing it too far?

Qingque

Just let the right people handle the right things. Besides, it's too dangerous for you to go back alone.

Options

I agree, but only on one condition.

I'm out. Ask someone else to help.

Qingque

What condition?

Options

You must come with me.

Don't even think about slacking off this time.

Qingque

Hey, let's talk this out instead of throwing in the towel, okay?

Options

Not unless Qingque comes with me.

Not fair if you are the only one who gets to slack off.

Chengjie

Miss Qingque, I'm begging you!

Qingque

Well, so much for my lazy day plans. Anyways, got any leads on the manuscript? Those manuscript thingies all seem identical to me.

Chengjie

After Master Ryan passed, his manuscripts were packed away by the Artisanship Commission. It should be placed in the Sapientia Academe.

Chengjie

My master's dream was to create a starskiff that nobody's ever seen before. There should be words like "Starskiff designs," "keel structure," "Starskiff engine" on his manuscript.

Qingque

That's enough for us. If you keep using more of these fancy words, we ain't gonna understand anything. Let's just head out, {NICKNAME}.

Qingque

I knew it was gonna be trouble when the master diviner assigned me to the Artisanship Commission.

Qingque

...Seriously, I'm just a lowly custodian who looks after the repository.

Look for Master Ryan's manuscript in the Sapientia Academe

Investigate

Qingque

This is the Sapientia Academe. Stay sharp and expect the unexpected.

Options

You go in and find the manuscript. I'll keep watch at the door.

I'll go in and find the manuscript. You keep watch at the door.

Let's both go in.

Qingque

Alright. I'll go in there.

Qingque

You're so sweet. But I'm simply not qualified to help you watch the door.

Qingque

...How about I go in and look for it. You keep watch out here.

Qingque

Great. You take care of ninety percent of the area, and I'll take the rest. Go!

System

After a long period of rummaging around, the alarm was not triggered, and countless dusty old documents were unearthed.

System

They're like toys that have been kicked under the sofa by some uninterested cat, with no chance of seeing the light of day.

System

In addition to all the manuscripts lying about, there's an envelope titled IPC Designer Invite. Judging by the date, it's already over 120 years old.

Chengjie

Chengjie

Please, bring Mr. Ryan's manuscript back in one piece. I leave it in your capable hands.

Find the correct manuscript from the variety of manuscripts

Investigate

System

This is a design manuscript that explains the working principles behind a Luminflux Pyxis, which seems to be related to a kind of demon called Heliobi. And this design is attributed to Master Gongshu.

Options

That's the one!

Next.

Qingque

But Chengjie said that Mr. Ryan's wish is to create a new starskiff, right, {NICKNAME}?

System

This is a blueprint for the aurumatons' exterior design, meticulously documented by an anonymous craftsman who seemed to have an unwavering commitment to aesthetics. This craftsman scrawled in frustration upon this manuscript: "Those fools know nothing of beauty! All they do is besmirch my gorgeous aurumatons".

Options

That's the one!

Next.

Qingque

This design talks about aurumatons, not starskiffs. Easy enough to tell apart, no? Keep going.

System

This is a manuscript about the design of a type of starskiff, showcasing its structural finesse. The blueprint boasts a cultivation method for a lightweight keel that promises tighter turns, faster speeds, and much longer voyages, far outstripping any other vessel on the market.

Options

Previous one.

That's the one!

Next.

Qingque

This looks like the one. Give it to me.

Qingque

I'll keep this manuscript for the time being. After all, I'll be outshined by you if I go back empty-handed.

Qingque

However, this "IPC Designer Invite" seems pretty important too. I suppose it's kept in the same place as this starskiff manuscript. We should probably take it with us?

Options

Let Chengjie decide for himself.

That doesn't seem necessary.

Qingque

You're right. Let's get him to see it for himself.

Qingque

It was placed alongside this starskiff manuscript. They seem to have a connection, so let's take it with us.

Qingque

Anyways, lemme tell you a pro tip for the workplace: If it exists, just bring it, even if your boss didn't explicitly ask for it. If the master diviner wants something and I don't have it on me, then I'll just say it doesn't exist, and everything that does exist is already with me. This way, I'll never have to run back for things.

Qingque

What would you do if Chengjie said, "Oh, I suddenly remembered. That invite is also important"? I wouldn't want to keep running back and forth. It's gonna be so tiring.

Qingque

...But if he doesn't ask about this, it's really not appropriate to just hand it over to him, so I'll leave it with you for now.

Options

Ugh, how troublesome.

Suddenly, I don't wanna work on the job anymore.

Qingque

Come on, you gotta learn to work smarter.

Qingque

That's how I feel every day actually... But work has to get done. That's why I downgraded my mantra from "How to avoid work" to "How to slack off at work." You should learn from my work philosophy.

Monster's Voice

Oh boohoo...

Qingque

What noise is that...?

Qingque

Uh-oh, there're monsters nearby. Be careful, {NICKNAME}!

System

This is an event proposal that mentioned a spatial fusion device called "Hexanexus." The organizers realized that these Rubik's Cube-like contraptions were not getting any attention, so they decided to take matters into their own hands and awkwardly place them in every nook and cranny of the venue.

System

"There's bound to be someone who is curious enough to try to solve these. All our efforts will not be in vain!"

Options

Previous one.

That's the one!

Qingque

Whoa, look closer! This manuscript looks like something straight out of a secret society. It's definitely not this...

Options

Previous one.

⚔️

Combat

Hand the damaged manuscript to Chengjie

🏃‍♂️

Move

Chengjie

You're back. Did you find my master's manuscript for the starskiff?

Qingque

About that, I'd like to explain a bit more in detail.

Chengjie

Something happened to the manuscript? No way!

Qingque

How to put this...

System

Qingque tries to be as dramatic as possible while describing how the manuscript was retrieved. Chengjie seems to have a good idea of the situation after listening to everything.

Chengjie

Thank you. At least you managed to bring back the remaining parts of the manuscript. But I should be blamed for this. If I had been more brave and taken the manuscript with me as I fled...

Chengjie

Boo hoo wahh —

Qingque

Chengjie, are you okay?

Chengjie

Oh, I'm such a wimp. How can I be such a good-for-nothing? I keep saying I'm all about my master's manuscript and his dream, but all I did was sit here, waiting for you guys to do it for me.

Chengjie

I can't even protect a manuscript. What kind of Artisanship Commission craftsman am I?

Options

No need to beat yourself up.

This has nothing to do with you being a craftsman.

I'm sorry about this accident.

Chengjie

Master Ryan's mighty name reverberates down through the ages. All he left in his career as a craftsman was this manuscript, and yet I...

Chengjie

But every time I pick up my tools, I can only think of my master teaching me these artisan skills. And as soon as I think of these skills, I'll remember that I lost his final manuscript. I—I can't go on like this.

Chengjie

This isn't your fault. Mr. Ryan's damaged manuscript is absolutely positively my fault, so I'll take the blame.

Qingque

({NICKNAME}, we can't let him be depressed like this. Say something, or I'll start feeling guilty.)

Options

You should complete the missing parts of the manuscript.

Forget about the manuscript for now. Let's take a break!

Chengjie

No! Asking me to fill my master's shoes would be like asking a toddler to duplicate the most famous art piece in the world.

Qingque

*sigh* If I'm in low spirits at work, I'll simply pick out a wide open space to take a wee stroll.

Qingque

How about this? Let's put the manuscript aside and pick up the mood at Starskiff Haven, huh?

Chengjie

I can't stay at the Artisanship Commission anymore. I'm homeless, and it doesn't matter where I go.

Qingque

Yes, yes. Let's go to Starskiff Haven. There's good food, fun stuff, and lots of people there.

Chengjie

I don't think there's any need for that. But I can't stay at the Artisanship Commission anymore. I'm homeless, so it doesn't matter where I go.

Qingque

Then let's head out! Destination: Starskiff Haven.

Bring a dejected Chengjie to Starskiff Haven to clear his mind

📍 The Xianzhou Luofu Central Starskiff Haven

🏃‍♂️

Move

Qingque

Chengjie, don't be so crestfallen. Look, there's food and drink, there's the Sleepless Earl for tea, and there's Starwatcher Avenue for shopping. So, where do you wanna go?

Chengjie

We can go wherever. Miss Qingque, you call the shots.

Qingque

{NICKNAME}, what do you want to do?

Options

Let's go eat some snacks!

Let's go to the Sleepless Earl and order a pot of tea!

Oh, oh, I know a comedy duo who does crosstalk!

We can go anywhere you want.

Qingque

Alright, we'll go to a snacks stall and see if there's anything good to eat.

Chengjie

...

Qingque

Come on, let's go!

Food Stall Owner

Berrypheasant skewers, tuskpir wraps, steamed puffergoat milk... plus the famous mystery steamed stuffed buns that everyone's been eating lately!

Qingque

Chengjie, what do you want? It's my treat.

Chengjie

Thanks, Miss Qingque. That's very generous. I... I don't want to eat anything.

Food Stall Owner

It's okay if you don't wanna eat. You two, what do you want?

Options

Give me one of everything, thanks.

I don't want to eat anything, either.

Qingque

How about you wait a bit and eat later... We'll lead Chengjie elsewhere and take a stroll.

Qingque

Let's go. I wanna see if Chengjie has ideas about any other places.

Qingque

I'm thinking a cup of Immortal's Delight tea would be good. Let's go.

Chengjie

...

Qingque

Come on, let's go!

Mengming

Is there any tea you'd like to drink? I'm your server today.

Qingque

Hey, Chengjie, you sit here and enjoy the tea, and I'll slip out to get some snacks...

Chengjie

Thanks, Miss Qingque. That's very generous. But I don't want any tea or snacks.

Mengming

I can see you have a lot on your mind, and I don't want to pressure you. Please take your seat and call me whenever you need.

Options

Anyway, let's get a cup of Immortal's Delight!

Perhaps now is not the time to savor a pot of tea?

Qingque

I want to drink some too, but if we only let Chengjie watch us two drinking... Well, it'd be putting the cart before the horse, wouldn't it?

Qingque

How about we go elsewhere for a walk?

Qingque

You're right. How about we go elsewhere for a walk?

Chengjie

...Starskiff Haven... Starskiffs... I just want to see starskiffs soaring through space.

Options

Are you still thinking about the manuscript?

Let's go. We'll go look at some starskiffs!

Chengjie

I'm simply incapable of thinking about anything else. Take me to see the starskiffs close up, and maybe I'll have some closure.

Qingque

Let's go then. We can go to the bridge and watch from there.

Qingque

Cool! Actually, I often binge watch immersias about comedy crosstalks at home, and they're so fun.

Chengjie

...

Qingque

Come on, let's go!

Forth

...Honestly, a lot of folks don't know that you and I go way back. We actually studied together.

Back'n

Yep, that's right. We've studied under the same master.

Forth

But even though we studied under the same master, we aren't exactly on the same level.

Back'n

Huh? What are you trying to say?

Forth

Take me for example, I'm an "apprentice." Those a bit higher will be called "disciples." Those a bit higher again will be called "prized pupils".

Back'n

What about me?

Chengjie

...Boohoo, I'm just a lowly degenerate in comparison.

Forth

Hey, audience. Please don't steal my line.

Options

Chengjie, don't interrupt the performance.

Well said.

Chengjie, let's go elsewhere.

Qingque

...Well, this hits too close to home and might trigger some emotions. Let's just skip this show for now.

Qingque

How about we go elsewhere for a walk?

Qingque

Hey, quit joking around. How about we go elsewhere for a walk?

Chengjie

...Starskiff Haven... Starskiffs... I just want to see starskiffs soaring through space.

Options

Are you still thinking about the manuscript?

Let's go. We'll go look at some starskiffs!

Chengjie

I'm simply incapable of thinking about anything else. Take me to see the starskiffs close up, and maybe I'll have some closure.

Qingque

Let's go then. We can go to the bridge and watch from there.

Qingque

Why are you being so passive as well? Ah, fine, I'll call the shots then. Let's go and eat those snacks first.

Chengjie

...

Qingque

Come on, let's go!

Food Stall Owner

Berrypheasant skewers, tuskpir wraps, steamed puffergoat milk... plus the famous mystery steamed stuffed buns that everyone's been eating lately!

Qingque

Chengjie, what do you want? It's my treat.

Chengjie

Thanks, Miss Qingque. That's very generous. I... I don't want to eat anything.

Food Stall Owner

It's okay if you don't wanna eat. You two, what do you want?

Options

Give me one of everything, thanks.

I don't want to eat anything, either.

Qingque

How about you wait a bit and eat later... We'll lead Chengjie elsewhere and take a stroll.

Qingque

Let's go. I wanna see if Chengjie has ideas about any other places.

Chengjie

...Starskiff Haven... Starskiffs... I just want to see starskiffs soaring through space.

Options

Are you still thinking about the manuscript?

Let's go. We'll go look at some starskiffs!

Chengjie

I'm simply incapable of thinking about anything else. Take me to see the starskiffs, and maybe I'll get some closure.

Qingque

Let's go then. We can go to the bridge and watch from there.

Head to the bridge above Starskiff Haven and look at the passing starskiffs

🏃‍♂️

Move

Chengjie

Starskiffs should be a familiar sight for all Xianzhou citizens.

Chengjie

I crisscrossed the skies on skiffs every day, watching the buildings on either side rush by, just like they have for a hundred years.

Chengjie

Lots of Xianzhou people are just like me, who never really thought about "the cleverness and technological advancements behind the starskiff". We just took it for granted and thoughtlessly enjoyed its convenience.

Chengjie

"Good design is practical, and the more practical it is, the harder it is to be appreciated," is what my master always said. He's loved starskiffs dearly his whole life, and hoped to build an even better model.

Chengjie

I should have been a starskiff designer myself. But my grades were too low, and before I could even finish studying, my master passed away. And now, I can't even protect the manuscript that he's left behind...

Options

That manuscript is all that's left of your bond.

You and your master seem really close.

Chengjie

You think too highly of me. I don't dare see myself as that important... If anything, the manuscript is what's left of my master's bond with the Xianzhou.

Chengjie

My master used to say, "A craftsman doesn't need a gravestone," because everything they craft is left behind in the works they make.

Chengjie

It's a shame that Master Ryan's brilliant but short life didn't allow him to see his final ideas come to fruition. I feel really sad about it. I want to make his last dream a reality and leave a mark for him in the history of Xianzhou.

Chengjie

No... Master Ryan was always so nice to me, but my level was technically never good enough to be his apprentice — I lacked the talent and was too lazy, but he still never cast me aside.

Chengjie

All I felt was powerlessness and regret when confronted by the genius of his work after his passing. I hated that I wasted my apprenticeship, not knowing how to carry out my master's final designs.

Chengjie

*sigh* We've only had twenty years of apprenticeship between us, and it's all gone so fast.

Options

Twenty years! You've been learning from him for that long?

So your master wasn't actually from Xianzhou?

Chengjie

Twenty odd years —Almost a quarter of a short-life species' existence, but on Xianzhou it's far too short. Master Gongshu took care of disciples for several hundred years, and his disciples have now taken on disciples of their own.

Chengjie

Just like that, before I knew it, my master had passed away... It's been almost a hundred years now. I still don't have the courage to face his manuscript. And now...

Qingque

Over a hundred years? Hang on, that sounds familiar...

Qingque

Ah, yes! That invite!

Chengjie

Yes. But since I got to know him, he's never left the Luofu. He was more local than the locals. He used to joke with me that if it weren't for me, he would've gone and joined the IPC.

Qingque

Hang on... He may not have been joking around with you. We've found an IPC Designer Invite!

Qingque

{NICKNAME}, do you have the invite? Quickly, let's show Chengjie.

Hand the IPC Designer Invite to Chengjie

Chengjie

A Designer Invite? For my master?

Options

(Hand over the invite)

Options

Deliver item

Chengjie

Ryan Masteronzo... Th—This indeed was my master's name. And this date, was the very same day 120 years ago when he took me on as his disciple!

Chengjie

He chose me and stayed at the Artisanship Commission. He gave up the Interastral Peace Corporation...

Qingque

We're both confused here. Could you please tell us the story between you and Master Ryan?

Chengjie

Mmm... But I'm not a natural storyteller. This might take a while.

Options

That's cool. Tell me all the details.

Please cut to the chase.

Chengjie

The Artisanship Commission has never turned away any students from outside of the Xianzhou. They are full of energy and ideas, and are always looking to learn knowledge and skills from the Xianzhou... And Master Ryan was one of those Outworlders.

Chengjie

I think he was originally a materials researcher. After coming aboard the Luofu to study, he was granted the status of craftsman, which is proof of accreditation for foreign students.

Chengjie

Usually, these short-life species leave after graduation, returning to their homeworld or finding other work.

Chengjie

Because they soon realize that their enthusiasm and talent pale in comparison to what long-life species have seen. This is a gulf of time that very few short-life species can bridge. Most people can only sigh at this barrier.

Chengjie

Plus, the long-life craftsmen often look down on the short-life outworlders with an arrogant attitude that cuts deeper than the "gulf of time." It's no wonder my master wanted to leave at first.

Chengjie

At the time, I was also struggling with my dwindling career. I studied starskiff manufacturing but didn't have any knack for it. Lots of masters told me to stop and that there was no point in staying at the Artisanship Commission.

Chengjie

I'm not sure why, but Master Ryan decided to take me on as an apprentice. Just as I was falling to the rock bottom, he reached out and gave me the strength to keep going.

Qingque

So, two people who planned on leaving ended up staying. That's what you could call "fate," right?

Chengjie

I just needed one person to tell me, "I'll take you on as an apprentice". But my master, he... He could have left and been a top designer at the IPC, but he stayed behind instead. Why?

Options

Because he wanted to stay at the Artisanship Commission.

Because he could see himself in you.

Because he wanted to study starskiffs.

Qingque

Before you showed up, staying at the Artisanship Commission was a lonely and unsustainable path. But with you, he could keep on with his work. You were his apprentice and his friend along that long road.

Qingque

He went through hard times, and seeing you isolated and alone reminded him of being a short-life species at the Artisanship Commission.

Qingque

This feeling is not the same as sympathy. Deep in his heart, helping you is like helping his past version of himself. You were his apprentice, and his best friend.

Qingque

You even said it yourself. Master Ryan originally researched material science. But you've been talking about him and his passion for starskiff design. Presumably, he stayed because of his love for starskiffs.

Qingque

Short-life craftsmen need partners and friends if they're to survive in the Artisanship Commission. As an apprentice of starskiff manufacturing, you must be able to understand his dream...

Chengjie

I never put this much thought into it. I just remember that my master was willing to teach, and I was willing to learn. Looking back, all those years were filled with happy memories, but time passes so fast.

Chengjie

Before I realized what was happening, his hair was already gray. One ordinary afternoon, he said he was a little tired and wanted to rest — but he fell down at his worktable, and never woke up again.

Chengjie

Time is unfair to everyone. His time has ended, yet here I am, wasting away my mediocre days...

Qingque

That's how things usually end when a long-life species makes friends with a short-life species.

Chengjie

I owe my master so much. I'm lazy by nature and always put things off. If I could've graduated earlier, I wouldn't be left here with my regrets like I am now.

Options

It's never too late to graduate.

Then you definitely shouldn't be giving up!

...Regret also has its own beauty.

Qingque

Don't regret just yet. It's never too late for you to graduate now.

Chengjie

Master Ryan was a short-life species who came here as an outworlder student.

Chengjie

Most students leave after finishing their studies. It's because short-life species simply cannot rack up the centuries of experience that long-life species can. The artisans at the Artisanship Commission also seem to have a bit of a bias against the short-life species.

Chengjie

The old masters had high requirements for selecting apprentices. I was but a person of mediocre talent, and kept hitting setbacks when looking for tutelage. Just when I was thinking about quitting, I never expected Master Ryan to take me on.

Chengjie

Later on, we studied and learned together, passing the days happily... But as a short-life species, my master soon reached the limit of his life.

Chengjie

When did it all begin? In the blink of an eye, his hair went white. And with another blink of the eye, he'd suddenly fallen over at his desk.

Qingque

That's how things usually end when a long-life species makes friends with a short-life species.

Chengjie

I owe my master so much. I'm lazy by nature and always put things off. If I could've graduated earlier, I wouldn't be left here with my regrets like I am now.

Options

It's never too late to graduate.

Then you definitely shouldn't be giving up!

...Regret also has its own beauty.

Qingque

Don't regret just yet. It's never too late for you to graduate now.

Qingque

Take this damaged manuscript as the final exam paper left behind by your master. If you can complete your master's starskiff design, then that means you can graduate.

Chengjie

Complete the damaged manuscript? Can I really do it?

Chengjie

No, this is the last possible thing I can do for my master. I have to do it! I'm definitely gonna do this!

Qingque

That's right! If there's anything we can do to help, just say the word, but if everything's all good now, then...

Chengjie

Okay! I want to see the whole manufacturing chain for starskiffs. Can you take me to see it?

Qingque

Hmm... {NICKNAME}, how about it?

Options

I'm curious too about how starskiffs are built.

If you're gonna help someone, you gotta see it through, right?

You're a craftsman, but you haven't seen how it's manufactured?

Chengjie

I get the basic principles of starskiff manufacturing, but I've never personally been there to see the production line or the process with my own eyes.

Chengjie

To complete his legacy, I have to be down-to-earth and experience production just like a real craftsman does.

Qingque

I guess... I can't escape the work of being a guide, huh, {NICKNAME}?

Qingque

Seems like you two get along well, and I'm not familiar with Stargazer Navalia, so how about I head back first?

Options

No, you have to come with us.

It's so rare to have Chengjie in good spirits...

Qingque

That seems to be above my pay grade.

Qingque

*sigh* Fine, I'll come along.

Qingque

If I can cheer up Chengjie, then I'd better go...

Chengjie

All I know are the basic principles of starskiff manufacturing, but I've never personally been there to see the production line or the process with my own eyes.

Chengjie

Why else would I say I'm a failure as a student...

Qingque

Alas, I have a profound understanding of how hard it is for untalented students such as ourselves to study. {NICKNAME} and I will come up with a way to support you.

Chengjie

That's great. This cannot wait, so let's get going to Stargazer Navalia!

- IPC Designer Invite x 1

Head toward Stargazer Navalia

📍 The Xianzhou Luofu Stargazer Navalia

🏃‍♂️

Move

Chengjie

Getting your own designs onto the assembly lines in Stargazer Navalia is the dream of all craftsmen in Xianzhou.

Chengjie

Master Ryan mentioned countless times how he helped optimize an engine here that's been mass-produced here and sold all over the place. However, that engine became obsolete over the past century and has fallen to the annals of history.

Chengjie

But he always used to say "good design should be timeless"...

Qingque

...Chengjie, just tell me straight. How can we help you?

Chengjie

First up, there're monsters causing trouble around Stargazer Navalia, so I need your protection. Next, I need some visual data in Stargazer Navalia to complement this manuscript.

Qingque

In other words, some visiographs, right?

Chengjie

There are many steps in the starskiff manufacturing process, and each one is important.

Options

Has Chengjie started to get motivated yet?

We're not just in charge of taking photos, are we?

Chengjie

I want to go through the process of starskiff manufacturing again. I have a hunch that I can recreate the motivation to "create" once more.

Chengjie

I'll explain the manufacturing principles to you laypeople, so at least the whole trip won't be in vain.

Qingque

Then let's get going.

Locate a Growing Starskiff: Germination Phase

🏃‍♂️

Move

Qingque

This giant water tank holds... seeds?

Chengjie

It's not a water tank, but a starskiff incubator. It's filled with a culture medium that supports the starskiff seed during the germination phase, and it can ensure the biological material grows in a nutritious and controllable environment.

Qingque

This is the first time I've ever heard about this. {NICKNAME}, you got any questions there?

Options

Starskiff seeds?

Culture medium?

Germination phase?

...Starskiffs grow out of seeds?

Chengjie

Yup, as the name suggests, it's a seed that can grow into a starskiff. But it's not a seed that grows into a plant-like structure. It incorporates moldable metals, biological materials, jade abaci, and more.

Chengjie

All of the growth data for a starskiff is stored inside its seed. In other words, these seeds come with their own "design manuscripts," and each seed grows step-by-step based on the design plan.

Chengjie

In the absence of any external stimulus and with sufficient nutrition, a starskiff seed will grow into a keel in one go.

Chengjie

Generally speaking, the ratio of catalyzers in the culture medium is fixed. However, it can be adjusted based on the design of the ship. Depending on the composition ratio, the strength and growth speed of the hull will vary.

Chengjie

So there are craftsmen from the Artisanship Commission who specialize in researching the ratio needed for the culture medium during the germination phase, so as to make the ship lighter, more durable, and safer.

Chengjie

There are many cylindrical "culture medium injectors" at various phases along the starskiff assembly line to make fine-tuned adjustments to it as it grows.

Chengjie

There are four main stages in the growth of a starskiff: The germination phase, the embryonic phase, the nutritive phase, and the forming phase. What you're seeing right now is the germination phase.

Chengjie

During this phase, materials such as fallow earth and Ligneous Freeroamers inside the starskiff seed will form the earliest signs of seed germ and embryo.

Chengjie

If anything goes wrong during the growth process, we need to clear out the failed starskiff seed and destroy the biological matter in the metal frame.

Qingque

That's what made me most curious, too. Every day I'll be catching one of these starskiffs, without knowing that it's actually been grown from a seed.

Chengjie

You must have heard of the legends of the Ambrosial Arbor, right? That's what brought about a technological revolution on Xianzhou. Especially the Alchemy Commission, they had an utterly miraculous technology...

Chengjie

But after Reignbow severed the Ambrosial Arbor, most of the tech was lost. However, this starskiff growing technology was retained.

Chengjie

Help me take a photo of this incubator. Then we can go check out the embryonic phase.

Take a photo of a starskiff in its germination phase

{NICKNAME}

Photos have been taken of the starskiff in germination phase.

Locate a Growing Starskiff: Embryonic Phase

🏃‍♂️

Move

Qingque

It's like I can already see the form of a starskiff taking shape... They really do grow out of seeds into a ship!

Chengjie

Even though I've read about it a thousand times, I still feel a sense of the incredible in the face of such wonder.

Chengjie

The embryonic phase is the most important stage in shaping the starskiff. If you don't regulate the temperature and culture medium properly, or if the design data has any errors, then the starskiff seed will fail to grow as designed.

Qingque

That is to say, during this phase, there's still a possibility of chucking out a failed seed?

Chengjie

That's right. Some fast-growing anomalies can even burst through the incubator, causing the culture medium to leak out. When that happens, the incubator basically just gets trashed.

Options

A trashed incubator?

Has any serious accident ever happened before?

...Looks like this seed is about to be wrapped up.

Chengjie

Despite the confidence in their own designs, even our craftsmen have their failures.

Chengjie

Check out that incubator over there. Its designer must've miscalculated the self-growth algorithm of Fallow Earth... If I want to complete these designs, I need to focus on these growth patterns of starskiffs.

Chengjie

I heard Master Gongshu talk about how Stargazer Navalia was attacked by some Elixir Seekers before.

Chengjie

Rumor has it, they got a sample of the Ambrosial Arbor and hoped to use some starskiff culture medium to grow a new Ambrosial Arbor of their own. However, they were actually getting the wool pulled over their eyes! It was actually just a bonsai tree from the Alchemy Commission.

Chengjie

When they dropped their bonsai cutting into the culture medium, it was like detonating a bomb — in a flash, their hideaway had a massive tree burst through the roof, causing the whole building to collapse.

Chengjie

That massive tree spent the next few seconds withering before dying off. And that small twig gained incredible vitality within seconds, and then exhausted all life within a few more seconds. It really was a terrifying phenomenon.

Chengjie

Mmm, you can't actually see the core part of a starskiff that has taken form. For one thing, the starskiff seeds develop a detailed and complex root system during subsequent phases, which also acts as the internal jade abacus network aboard each starskiff.

Chengjie

For another thing, the toughest biological materials on the exterior will gradually close up, so that the starskiff can continue its core internal operations even when it encounters severe impacts.

Qingque

...I'm already starting to lose track of everything being said.

Chengjie

Help me take a photo of this incubator. Then we can go check out the nutritive phase.

Take a photo of a starskiff in its embryonic phase

Chengjie

Many details aren't visible from this angle. Let's move to shoot from a different angle.

Locate a Growing Starskiff: Nutritive Phase

Chengjie

This is a great shot. Thank you so much.

🏃‍♂️

Move

Qingque

Oh oh, I think I can see the shape of a starskiff! Is this the nutritive phase?

Options

It looks like it's almost done incubating!

Qingque

Mmm, even though we haven't done a thing, there's still this spontaneous sense of pride.

Qingque

Oh no, if I take pride in any of the work, then I can't just slack off without feeling guilty...

Qingque

Don't you think so, Chengjie?

Qingque

...Chengjie?

Qingque

Darn it, Chengjie's missing!

Chengjie

Help—

Chengjie

I just came here to admire the starskiff's design, then— Help!

Qingque

Oh no, I told him not to run around. Let's go. We gotta save him!

⚔️

Combat

Take a photo of a starskiff in its nutritive phase

{NICKNAME}

Photos have been taken of the starskiff in nutritive phase.

Locate a Growing Starskiff: Forming Phase

🏃‍♂️

Move

Chengjie

Fully-grown starskiffs are extracted from their incubators and temporarily moored here following assembly.

Chengjie

Before long, they'll sail all over Xianzhou and become a part of the scenery around us.

Qingque

Starskiffs really are a miracle of nature.

Options

Starskiffs really are a miracle of nature.

One does not simply sail without a starskiff.

To boldly sail where no starskiff has sailed before.

Qingque

...Can't you please curate your own thoughts.

Qingque

Yep. And the way they are automatically produced is so awesome! Why does the Divination Commission still need us to work so hard for them?

Qingque

{NICKNAME}, I didn't know you were a poet.

Qingque

(Whispering)...Wait a minute, why does that line of poem {F#she}{M#he} just said sound so familiar, huh...

Qingque

Any more photos, Chengjie?

Chengjie

Help me snap a pic together with this starskiff. Thank you.

Take a photo of Chengjie with a starskiff