Honkai Star Rail: Developing Mobile Games on Xianzhou Chapter 264 - 263: The Strategic Investment Department Wins

"Such beautiful eyes. Tell , do they glow in the dark?"

In the screening room.

A familiar voice rang out.

Whispers from the employees could be heard.

In the front row.

Topaz imdiately sat up straight in her seat!

She recognized it instantly!

That was... Jade's voice!

She said excitedly, "Great, Ms. Jade. Your scene is finally here~!"

Jade chuckled softly, "Why do you seem more excited than I am?"

Jade took a sip of her drink.

Her gaze fixed on the screen.

A look of realization crossed her face.

"Ah, this scene..."

"It's the first ti I t Aventurine. How nostalgic."

Aventurine, dressed in prison garb.

His neck shackled with chains.

On the opposite platform.

Stood the elegantly dressed Jade.

A glass of red wine in her hand.

Looking down at Aventurine from above.

The disparity in their status could only be described as night and day.

Behind them.

The company employees erupted in cheers!

"Ms. Jade!"

"Of course, our boss must have a scene too!"

"Elegant, so elegant!"

"Is this the first eting between Director Aventurine and Ms. Jade?"

"An epic encounter!"

"My God! This scene should be etched into the company's textbooks!"

The employees were thrilled!

Many had already put themselves in Aventurine's shoes!

From a slave with thirty copper coins to one of the Ten Stonehearts today...

What kind of incredible journey must that have been?

Though Aventurine was a prisoner at the ti.

He remained calm and composed, saying, "Madam, I have achieved what I wanted—to be brought before you, to start the next big gamble."

Jade: "Then let's talk about this second gamble. Tell , what are you willing to bet this ti?"

"Bet my life. I wager you won't send to the execution ground."

"It's that simple. Thirty Taanba copper coins—the price of half my life, no more, no less."

"With this money, I can climb higher than you, hold more wealth than you… I bet you don't dare give it to . So, call him over."

The employees were stunned!

Was Aventurine really this bold?

Lady Jade was already an existence countless employees could hardly aspire to reach.

And yet Aventurine, who was once a slave, dared to utter such "bold words"?

But Jade didn't feel provoked.

Instead, she chuckled lightly. "Interesting."

"Unfortunately, Diamond won't see you. No one can see him. So, at this mont, I am Diamond's proxy, making decisions on his behalf."

"You're wrong. Thirty Taanba coins—I'll give them to you, and far more than that. Wealth, status, power… the company will give you everything you want and don't want."

"Kakavasha… it's a good na, but it's destined to be buried in the dirt. Yet, you deserve to live, to create more wealth for us."

"Go, pick out clothes you like, choose an identity you fancy… and then make good use of them, child."

"May your sches never be exposed."

...

"Lady Jade truly has a discerning eye for talent. Other high-status individuals might not even spare Aventurine a glance!"

"Lady Jade really knows how to recognize and utilize talent!"

"She's so gentle, I'm moved to tears!"

"I'm honored to be part of the Strategic Investnt Departnt!"

"Note: [May your sches never be exposed] last appeared as a blessing from Aventurine's mother to him…"

"Lady Jade is truly Aventurine's benefactor!"

"Next up is Aventurine's teoric rise to the position of director."

...

Hearing the voices from behind,

Topaz's lips curled into a slight smile.

She remarked, "This plotline is too favorable for our Strategic Investnt Departnt~"

"Not only has it strengthened internal cohesion, but it has also made the Strategic Investnt Departnt completely famous… This is equivalent to Yu Ling securing a vast market for us in the universe!"

"After this plotline, the Strategic Investnt Departnt's weight within the company is bound to rise to a whole new level."

"One could say it's of great significance!"

Jade nodded in agreent.

"Now, it's up to Aventurine to see how he'll break through in the end."

"If he can do it, then this plotline will carry even more weight..."

...

"If I successfully overco this hurdle, what cos next? After a grand gamble, what awaits … is it another, even grander gamble?"

"Is it returning with countless chips after one success after another, or is it…"

"…never returning after a single failure?"

Aventurine's inner monologue echoed in the theater.

The confusion and emptiness in his voice were unmistakable.

A frivolous voice chid in.

"Don't you have any idea…"

"Lowly gambler?"

Before Aventurine,

another illusory version of himself appeared.

Facing a shocked Aventurine,

he said flippantly, "Have you forgotten already? Who was it that gave you the idea when you were tied to the electric chair by the warlords of Iimanika?"

"I am you, even more so than you understand yourself, and I know exactly what you truly desire. You're on the verge of death, and even at this final mont, you still want to drag a few unfortunate souls down with you... That's why you ca here, isn't it?"

"The grand opening performance—do you really think you can pull it off?"

This phantom claid to be Kakavasha's future.

But Aventurine clearly didn't believe it.

He thought it was just an illusion conjured by Harmony.

Until—

He saw an Avgin child.

The mont the child turned around.

Aventurine was instantly struck with shock!

"Your... eyes?"

"This can't be. Who are you?"

The young child: "They're beautiful, aren't they? My sister said they're a gift from Mother Earth, Fingo. Colored eyes bring good luck."

"Ah, sir... you have beautiful eyes too. So pretty!"

The child praised sincerely.

His clothes were tattered, and his face was smudged with dirt.

But those eyes were clear and bright.

"Those eyes, and Mother Fingo... no, this can't be..."

"There are no more Avgin people in the universe..."

Aventurine's voice was filled with disbelief.

He chose to chase after the child.

To ask the child where he ca from.

And as he pursued, the shadow of the future began to press down on Aventurine once more!

"...This is who you are—cautious yet self-deprecating. You've won so much, yet you're more afraid of losing than anyone else."

"People only see you throwing fortunes on the gambling table, but they don't see the other hand beneath the table, gripping the chips, trembling..."

"Impressive, no wonder the tavern sent you an invitation. You're a natural-born actor... not just good at deceiving others, but even better at deceiving yourself."

"How strange, why did you reject that invitation? You had the chance to embrace Elation, wasn't that what you wanted most? Yet you still chose the company's gambling table..."

"For Preservation? Hmph, I don't think so. What does Preservation have to do with you?"

The live chat flooded with comnts—

...

"So Aventurine gets nervous too. Suddenly, I feel more connected to him!"

"That shadow is definitely Harmony's influence! Every word cuts deep!"

"Not just Aventurine, even I'm about to break listening to this!"

"An invitation from the tavern? So, Aventurine almost beca a Masked Fool!"

"No wonder Sparkle was willing to share so intel with Aventurine..."

"Is Aventurine really about to die? His past self, his future self—they're all showing up..."

"Is this how Aventurine's story ends!"

"Don't worry, everyone, there's still Aventurine's boss form coming up!"

"Hurry up and transform, Aventurine, I can't stand watching this!"

"Transformation requires a Cornerstone, where are we supposed to find one now..."