The Gamer who traveled to Honkai: Star Rail

Pei Guang was momentarily stunned. "More? Sure, no problem! While I can't say I've got infinite supplies, there's plenty of low-tier stuff. I've even got some premium items. Interested? Though I'll warn you, those are a bit pricey."

Asta pondered for a moment. "Expensive, huh? Well… I'm a bit low on cash right now. How about I offer you a few planets in exchange?"

Pei Guang froze, caught completely off guard by her casual suggestion. Even Stelle and March 7th, who were used to the absurdity of their adventures, were stunned.

Asta, meanwhile, didn't think her offer was particularly extravagant. A few planets weren't that significant—they were mostly reserves her parents had set aside for resting or vacationing, and she rarely used them. Trading them for unique items seemed like a fair deal to her.

Still, she felt that he hadn't offered quite enough yet. The items were fascinating but wouldn't fill a display room. Low-tier items were small, and if there weren't enough, dedicating a room for an exhibit might feel underwhelming.

Yes, she had already decided: these items would be part of a grand exhibit. 

While Pei Guang dismissed them as junk, she saw their unique value as collectibles. For her, it didn't matter how much they restored, what mattered was their rarity and distinctiveness.

In truth, what he had presented wasn't exactly one-of-a-kind, but few in the Interastral Peace Corporation could procure such items. If auctioned, these materials could fetch prices high enough to purchase not just a few planets, but potentially a dozen or more if managed well.

But Asta had her pride. The planets she offered weren't just any planets—they were habitable, with environments protected by Preservation's influence. These were far more valuable than average planets, akin to comparing a simple house to a luxury villa.

While she could theoretically offer something even more extravagant, like a 'historical mansion,' she felt that wouldn't be proportional to the items Pei Guang was offering, even if they were close. Business, after all, needed to maintain a semblance of fairness, even between friends.

Asta believed in fairness and balance when dealing with friends. While she could accept premium exchanges, maintaining a clear and equal footing in transactions was essential for fostering strong and lasting friendships.

Pei Guang, still processing Asta's grand gesture, was visibly astonished. "This is truly next-level. An interstellar game where trades are done with entire planets? Incredible! Alright, planets it is. Thank you, Asta! You're officially the most generous NPC I've ever met. You're a good person."

Asta chuckled and playfully winked at him. "Oh? I'm a good person, am I? Your favorability towards me seems pretty high already. Shouldn't I get a token of appreciation for it?"

As soon as she finished her teasing remark, March 7th's eyes widened in disbelief, and even Stelle shot Asta a look of sheer amazement.

Up to now, many had managed to adapt to Pei Guang's quirky pace, some even daring to match his humor. However, Asta's ability to nimbly turn the tables and catch Pei Guang off guard with such natural ease was almost unmatched—second only to March 7th herself.

Pei Guang, not one to shy away from such an exchange, smiled and pulled out a vibrant, glowing fruit. "Sure thing! Here, let me give you this as your favorability gift."

The moment he presented the fruit, Asta froze in shock. "Wait, this is... what exactly?"

She couldn't quite name it, but her gut told her that whatever this was, it probably cost more than an entire block of high-end estates on the Luofu!

Pei Guang casually explained, "Oh, this? It's a specialty from the Luofu—the fruit of the Ambrosial Arbor. Take it, it's for you. I discussed it with Fu Xuan beforehand. As long as the fruit doesn't grant immortality, it's fair game for gifting. 

I've already processed it, so eating it won't make you ageless like the Luofu residents. It'll just put you into a deep, restorative sleep and extend your lifespan by a few decades. It's still an Ambrosial Arbor fruit, though, so enjoy!"

Asta stared at him, mouth slightly open. This wasn't just a gift—it was a literal miracle wrapped in fruit form.

Pei Guang shrugged casually, unfazed by the rarity of his offering. To him, the fruit was an ideal tool for strengthening relationships. Since he had effectively taken control of the Ambrosial Arbor, he'd been stockpiling its fruits, ensuring he always had a personal stash for emergencies. The rest? Perfect for spreading goodwill.

In his eyes, the Ambrosial Arbor fruit was akin to a universal "favorability booster." He had already noticed its magical effect when he gave one to Pom-Pom earlier. The train's adorable mascot practically glowed with gratitude, and its affection for him visibly skyrocketed.

Now, with Asta asking outright for a favorability gift, Pei Guang saw no better opportunity. He figured giving her the fruit would be an excellent way to secure her goodwill—and perhaps even raise her affection to new heights.

Pei Guang's casual generosity with the Ambrosial Arbor Fruit had completely caught Asta off guard. 

Ambrosial Arbor fruit! An actual Ambrosial Arbor fruit!

She naturally understood what Xianzhou Luofu and its legendary Ambrosial Arbor represented. Even within the archives of the Interastral Peace Corporation, Ambrosial Arbor-related records were notable. The fact that Pei Guang could simply hand over such an item was beyond astonishing.

Asta stammered, "Wait—this is for me? I... I can't accept it! Anything else, yes, but this is far too valuable—"

Before she could finish protesting, Pei Guang casually placed the Ambrosial Arbor Fruit in her hands. "Yup, it's a good-will gift for you! And as for these other items, consider them sold. Hmm… if you really think the fruit is too valuable, how about you trade me a nice planet? Nothing barren, just something resource-rich and good for human settlement."

Hearing his suggestion, she blinked in shock. He wasn't joking. 

Meanwhile, Pei Guang's thoughts began to turn. She mentioned planets before right? That sounded like an incredible trade. Although he didn't have grand ambitions to play a full-scale management simulation in real life, the recent technological blueprints he had unlocked after the simulation seemed too good to pass up. A couple of resource-heavy planets could be just the head start he needed for future contingencies.

It was as though Asta's generosity had opened a new gaming mode for him. A true friend indeed! In his mind, she was the epitome of a benevolent NPC, someone whose trust and respect were worth nurturing.

To Asta, however, his casual suggestion of trading an Ambrosial Arbor Fruit for a planet sounded preposterous. She knew how rare and precious the fruit was—beyond the reach of most influential families in the galaxy. Yet here was Pei Guang, treating it like a simple trinket.

Her resolve to decline wavered as she felt the smooth, almost otherworldly surface of the fruit in her hands. It was overwhelming to accept, but rejecting it outright might offend the gesture of friendship.

Looking up, she finally sighed. "Fine, but this is far too valuable. Let me reciprocate properly." She then declared, with a mischievous smile, "You've earned a ton of favor with me, Ah Guang. I'll make sure you get a suitable gift in return. Come find me tomorrow—I'll have something ready for you!"

Pei Guang grinned and turned to Stelle and March 7th. "See that? If you max out someone's affection, you'll always get a nice reward. Tomorrow, let's come back!"

Asta nodded with a laugh. "You'd better! And trust me, it'll be worth the wait."

In truth, she had already decided on her gift: a fully developed star system, brimming with resources and livable planets. Of course, this required approval from her mother, but she was confident in her choice.

As Pei Guang and his companions left, the backpack significantly lighter and the bonds of friendship strengthened, he couldn't help but feel elated. March 7th and Stelle, for their part, had long grown used to Pei Guang's antics. After all, this was the same guy who had, in a simulated universe, casually dealt with entire pantheons of Aeons. What was a single Ambrosial Arbor Fruit in comparison?

Meanwhile, back in her office, Herta finally snapped out of her deep contemplation and reconnected with her puppet, only to discover that Pei Guang's group had already departed.

"They went out again? Hmm… Why do I have this strange sense of foreboding?"

Despite their departure from the simulation, a faint unease lingered in Herta's mind. It was as if the brief lapse in monitoring had allowed for the emergence of a monumental unknown.

Then again, she thought with a shrug, what was the point of worrying? If something catastrophic truly arose, she was likely already doomed. And if not, she could always count on Pei Guang's absurd capabilities to solve whatever problems arose. All she had to do was commission a few quests, and the player's efficiency would handle the rest.

"No big deal," she muttered, convincing herself as her puppet began tidying up the office.