Stellaris Tech Tree HSR

Wandering through the vastness of space is an experience unlike any other—a dreamlike journey that feels both surreal and breathtaking.

It had been over half a month since the train departed from Herta Space Station. During this time, the Astral Express had even performed a long-range warp, an event so disorienting it felt like being torn apart in the fabric of space. The sensation still lingered vividly in Chen Lin's mind.

Standing by his room's window, Chen Lin extended his hand toward a distant blue planet, locking his gaze firmly on it.

[Construct Mining Station (80 Minerals)]

When the option finally popped up, he withdrew his hand and nodded in satisfaction.

"Construct."

Seeing his mineral reserves decrease by 80 on the upper-left display, Chen Lin felt a sense of accomplishment.

During these days of drifting with the train, scouting planets for resources had become his primary objective. Unlike in the game, where players started with a home planet as their capital, Chen Lin had to scavenge for resources on mineral-rich planets and asteroid fields, or resort to purchasing minerals with the credits he earned from Herta.

Fortunately, the system didn't require science ships for planetary scans. As long as a celestial body fell within his scouting range, its resource deposits became instantly visible.

Over time, his efforts began to pay off. He had constructed four mining stations in total, with a net daily income of 24 minerals. His energy credits had reached 33 per day, and even alloys were producing a steady surplus of 1 per day.

Glancing at his energy reserves, which were nearing the 800 mark and soon to surpass 1,000, Chen Lin finally breathed a sigh of relief. The positive resource flow meant he could now steadily accumulate wealth and develop further. This was, without a doubt, a major management success!

The secret to maintaining growth while building so many mining stations lay in a critical decision he had made half a month ago. Using his stockpile of unity points, he unlocked his first tradition: Dominion.

Dominion

Adoption Effect: -20% to all construction costs; +40% to construction speed.

At first glance, the adoption effect might seem tailored for the late game. But its individual projects provided Chen Lin with powerful immediate benefits—so much so that it felt like something even the boldest modder wouldn't dare include!

First Branch: Aggression-Focused

First Come, First Served: Mining and research station upkeep -100%; stations cannot be destroyed or captured.

Necessary Armament: +20% weapon fire rate; +25% weapon damage.

Prosper with Me: Gain 5 energy and 5 minerals for every enemy unit destroyed. For each exterminated hostile species, all resource production increases by 5%.

Defy Me, Perish: Each enemy unit killed permanently increases damage dealt to that species by 1%.

Second Branch: Diplomacy-Focused

Nation of Civility: Trust cap removed; diplomatic weight +500%; trust growth +200%.

Etiquette and Respect: Significant chance to gain 1 diplomatic favor daily when improving relations; harming relations doubles the target's event risk.

Guide and Enlighten: Unlocks trade agreement "Embodiment of Will" and casus belli "Change of National Will." All weapon slot types gain +3.

Dominion (Completion Bonus): +30% relation improvement speed; -100% claim costs; +1 ascension perk.

The Dominion tradition contained seven projects, one or two more than the classics from Stellaris. While its benefits were far-reaching, the increased cost of completing it posed a significant challenge.

Chen Lin had initially chosen the aggressive "First Come, First Served" branch, granting critical advantages like zero upkeep for mining and research stations. The remaining unity points could unlock two more projects, but Chen Lin decided against rushing. None of the subsequent projects offered immediate benefits for his current needs, so he opted to hold off for now.

Hoarding is always the safest strategy. After all, space is full of unknowns, and saved resources could prove invaluable in a pinch. Should danger arise, Chen Lin could pivot and invest in a more offensive tradition line. Even if it meant losing a chunk of unity, it would be worth it to stay alive.

"Why can't I build anything on this one?" Chen Lin muttered, staring at a massive terrestrial planet below the train.

The planet boasted 70 mineral deposits and 85 energy credits—a treasure trove of resources. Yet no matter how hard he focused, the construction prompt refused to appear.

At first, Chen Lin thought he lacked sufficient minerals. But now, with nearly 1,000 minerals in reserve, the option still wouldn't activate. Frustration simmered as the train remained in orbit.

Mining stations in Stellaris were almost magical. Once built, they produced resources at their listed rate indefinitely, barring specific event disruptions. Chen Lin couldn't help but feel envious.

Knock, knock.

"Passenger Chen Lin, are you in there?" a soft, familiar voice called.

Recognizing Pom-Pom, Chen Lin responded, "The door's unlocked. Come in."

The fluffy little conductor hopped into the room with a polite heave-ho. Noticing Chen Lin standing alone by the window, Pom-Pom said:

"I'm here to inform you that the train's broadcasting system is down. Space readings are abnormal, and the stability of the star lane has dropped to 12%. Our scheduled seven-day stop in this sector has been extended indefinitely!"

"Indefinitely?" Chen Lin echoed.

"Yes. Until the anomalies are resolved, the train cannot proceed," Pom-Pom confirmed with a firm nod. "For further details, you should speak with Himeko. She asked me to fetch you. Everyone is currently gathered in the main hall. Please note that as conductor, I am not responsible for explaining or resolving the situation."

With that, Pom-Pom turned on its heels and left, closing the door behind it with impeccable manners.

The Astral Express typically stopped at space nodes for a week. While Chen Lin didn't know the technical reasons, the seven-day layovers had always given him ample time to scan surrounding celestial bodies and gather resources.

But now, with an indefinite delay, his plans to scout new planets were completely derailed.

This won't do! I need answers!

After tidying his appearance, Chen Lin hurried to the main hall.

As Pom-Pom had mentioned, everyone was already gathered. Spotting him, Himeko waved him over for a discussion. Before Chen Lin could reach her, March skipped over with Stelle and Dan Heng in tow, her cheerful demeanor banishing the gloom that had settled over him.

"Chen Lin, you heard the announcement, right? I asked around—turns out the star lane blockage is caused by a Stellaron! It's located on that planet over there!" March exclaimed, pointing toward the massive terrestrial world below.

Chen Lin froze. That's the planet where I couldn't build a mining station…

Suddenly, a realization dawned on him.

The Stellaron? Could that be the reason I can't establish a mining station?

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