I Am Reality / An Qi Wants Teddy-Bear Panties

"In other words, we can accept Great Void Mountain's request, or at least do something to a relatively satisfactory degree. The next question is... should we agree to their request?"

The Gray Serpent looked at the Skyfire hesitantly.

From an emotional standpoint, serving Flame-Chasers is only natural. The two Venerable Lords have a 50,000-year-old friendship; they would go to great lengths for each other, so helping with a small matter is nothing to them.

From a rational perspective, however, the Stigmata Project ultimately diverges from the Seed of Civilization Project. The former aims to forcibly devour an entire civilization, while the latter seeks to protect its free development. As the Stigmata Project progresses, whether the Seed of Civilization Project's implementers will abandon their mission and follow Kevin, or resolutely stand against Kevin, remains a significant question mark.

Gray Serpent was unable to make an accurate judgment and felt that he was not qualified to make such a decision, so he could only turn his attention to the only qualified person on the scene Skyfire.

"How to choose is Hua's freedom, and Kevin will also make his own choice. But in any case, some things will not change, so let's prepare for the hospitality and treatment."

Skyfire waved his hand without changing his expression, showing no confusion or hesitation.

The Gray Serpent hesitated for a moment, but finally nodded in complete agreement.

Yes, regardless of whether the Venerable Lord ultimately choose the same path, they are companions who have entrusted their lives to each other, and this bond will never change. As for whether there will be war or peace in the future, that is a problem that Venerable Lord Kevin needs to face and solve; the Gray Serpent has no right to worry about it.

There's no need for that. After all, Venerable Lord Kevin is invincible. Whether the Stigmata Project is implemented or not actually depends solely on this lord's will. Knowing that is enough.

Skyfire sees things clearly; he truly lives up to his Skyfire!

Chapter 174 I Am Reality

Situ Qinghong comfortably transported Anqi to a huge military base far removed from secular society.

Along the way, neatly arranged and spirited training troops passed by, shouting loud slogans. The heavy and massive vehicles and firepower equipment were also numerous and varied.

It appears to be a military fortress whose target is not merely humans.

Anqi stepped off the armored vehicle with a blank expression and said:

"I remember, Xiaoxuan Uncle Xuan was talking about exchanging ideas with the contemporary martial arts world?"

"Yes!"

"So what's going on with all of this?"

"Is there a problem? What era are we living in? If you can't hold a Gatling gun in one hand and fire an RPG in the other, how can you be considered a martial arts master?"

Situ Qinghong blinked and replied matter-of-factly.

Anqi pondered for a while and then nodded.

"Hmm, no problem."

"Right, right! I knew it! We're all from the Shenzhou country, you can understand the fear of insufficient firepower that flows in our blood!"

Situ Qinghong put his arm around Anqi's shoulder with a grin.

As for Anqi, the official Shenzhou authorities had already thoroughly investigated her situation long before she came to Shenzhou.

Both her parents are from Shenzhou, and she stayed in the Far East only for work purposes. Although she was absorbed by St. Freya for various reasons, she is still a compatriot. In addition, her experience in the Far East was quite terrible, so there is a good chance that she can win them over.

"Shenzhou has always had a unique advantage in terms of the threat of Honkai. In the early days, it was protected by great gods such as Nuwa, Fuxi, and Emperor Xuanyuan. Later, it was protected by the Immortal Crimson Heron for many years. Until five hundred years ago, when the immortal left, it received various care from Schicksal, both openly and secretly. Therefore, the people of Shenzhou rarely need to consider the threat of Honkai."

"But fortune and misfortune are intertwined. Being taken care of for so long has led to a lack of pressure. Although we are culturally prosperous, Shenzhou has been far too late in exerting its strength to resist Honkai."

"In terms of our understanding of Honkai and our resistance to Honkai, we are far behind the world in terms of systems, scale, and experience. If it weren't for the sudden departure of the immortal back then, and the fact that the entire Shenzhou had learned its lesson after the violent upheaval, we might still be completely unaware of the threat of Honkai."

"This base you see here is a gathering place for the most elite scientific research forces, military forces, and martial arts masters in the entire Shenzhou. We live, train, and conduct research together here, and all our efforts are for one goal—when the Honkai ravages and the Herrscher stand on the land of Shenzhou, we can use our own power to protect our people!"

Situ Qinghong led Anqi into a huge building with a strong military style, talking eloquently as they went.

Anqi blinked, looking confused. She didn't really know much about the official Shenzhou government, so she asked in bewilderment:

"But is this kind of preparation really useful? Why not just seek help from Schicksal or Anti-Entropy? Aren't they more professional?"

"What are the consequences of entrusting the responsibility and right to protect to others? Haven't you already experienced it in the Far East?"

Situ Qinghong smiled, but a hint of coldness lingered in her eyes.

Anqi held the sword, silently lowering her eyes.

While the disaster in Changkong City was undoubtedly Cocolia's doing, the Far East Branch, as the local protective force, also bears undeniable responsibility for its negligence.

Forget about the arguments that the early stages were internal power struggles within Anti-Entropy and that Schicksal shouldn't interfere. The fact is, the Far East Branch completely failed to play its due protective role in this disaster.

Situ Qinghong smiled coldly and said:

"Anqi, do you know what it means to give up the guardianship?"

I've heard a little about it.

"That makes things easier. Allowing Schicksal or Anti-Entropy to establish themselves means that economic and political sovereignty will be controlled by others. At that time, what industries to develop and what laws to enact will depend on the whims of others, rather than on the actual needs of Shenzhou. If one day all the girls of marriageable age in a certain town disappear, or even if the city itself disappears from the map, that is not something we can interfere with—in short, this is a necessary sacrifice to protect the world!"

"..."

Anqi was completely speechless.

The simplest example is right in front of us: Changkong City in the Far East disappeared. And then what?

The Far East government issued a symbolic protest, which also earned it considerable sympathy on the international stage.

Then what?

Then nothing happened.

Schicksal and Anti-Entropy, two responsible organizations, did not suffer any substantial punishment or loss, and were even virtually unpunished.

Everything remains the same. The Far East Branch is still the supreme ruler of the Far East, and Schicksal and Anti-Entropy are still the glorious and righteous organizations that each protect half of the world. As for everything in Changkong City... protection comes at a price, and nobody wants to see this happen, right? Since we don't want similar events to repeat themselves, what are we waiting for? Let's quickly give up more benefits to our protective forces and make more contributions!

Theresa and Welt aren't that sinister, and even Otto himself isn't an ambitious opportunist, but that's just how the world is overall. That's reality, and no one can change it.

Anqi understood the official Shenzhou) government's thinking, then shook her head and said:

"But the Honkai is not such a simple problem. If you persist like this, it may not lead to any good results."

"How will we know if we don't try? Perhaps this entire base will one day be reduced to ashes, and we will all fall in blood and fire, but as long as there is one person left in Shenzhou, we will continue to work hard and do everything we can to protect this land! Anqi, in popular terms, this is the romance of us Shenzhou people!"

Situ Qinghong gave Anqi a bright smile and a thumbs up.

Although there was no invitation at all, for the Shenzhou people who have cultural memories flowing through their veins, this kind of storytelling alone is incredibly appealing.

Anqi couldn't blame those nations that had given up their right to protect their power, because that was a choice based on reality. But if she weren't a Herrscher, if she hadn't been found by St. Freya first, perhaps she too would have been moved by this Shenzhou of China?

"We've arrived! There are many senior figures inside who have been eagerly awaiting this! The disciple of the Immortal Crimson Heron, that one from last time really left a deep impression on us!"

Situ Qinghong pushed open a heavy door. Inside, a group of martial artists and officers exuding a powerful aura cast curious or sharp glances at Anqi.

Anqi took a deep breath. She was no longer afraid of any big occasions, so she walked in calmly.

After a long while, a shout suddenly came from inside the door, piercing through the thick walls, along with a series of heavy impacts. Cracks appeared in the walls, as if something inside the room had been violently smashed against them.

Afterwards, through the broken gate, many people carrying various equipment walked in full of ambition, only to emerge unconscious shortly afterward.

When Anqi arrived, the entire base was in perfect order.

When Anqi left, the base's medical room was already full.

"Your ideals are admirable, and I sincerely wish you success. In fact, I would love to help you."

"However, the reality is harsh, please recognize that."

"And today, I am the reality you face."

Goodbye, and thank you for your hospitality.

Before leaving, Anqi held her sword, her gothic black dress billowing gracefully in the wind, like a little princess holding a toy sword, yet she left behind cold and frustrating words.

Amidst the strong winds whipped up by the car, Situ Qinghong scratched his head and gave a wry smile.

"Yes, that's reality. Otherwise, why would we bother pursuing the power of Great Void Mountain?"

Under such a heavy blow, even she, who was always smiling, suddenly couldn't smile anymore.

"It really is a long way, how far we are from the world..."

Chapter 175 Anqi Wants Teddy Bear Panties

"So, the result of your trip was that you beat them up?"

"They themselves said they wanted to see the skills of Taixu's disciples."

Anqi said weakly.

Cang Xiaoxuan's lips twitched, she covered her face, and sighed deeply.

"Oh no, now they'll definitely harass me even more aggressively!"

"I didn't mean to."

"No! That blockhead told me you're a clever little devil! You're definitely doing this on purpose, trying to get us to help you, aren't you?"

Cang Xiaoxuan punched Anqi on the forehead with her small fist and said irritably.

She was well aware of the gap between Shenzhou and the world in Honkai Energy technology.

Their Schicksal is ancient, dating back thousands of years, and Otto, that prodigy, forcibly dragged them through five hundred years of development. Their profound foundation goes without saying.

Anti-Entropy, at first glance, does seem to be a relatively new organization, but they started with the North American Branch of Schicksal, making them a mature anti- Honkai organization from the very beginning. Coupled with the unparalleled support of the First Herrscher, and a group of geniuses who inexplicably appeared together working on cutting-edge technology, they built their current foundation.

Without the support of Great Void Mountain, providing the highest level of military strength and technological inheritance, it would have taken an unknown amount of time for Shenzhou to catch up with these two behemoths, even if they risked their lives to do so.

This has nothing to do with anything else. The only mistake Shenzhou was that it was taken care of too well by the Seed of Civilization Project and the responsible Fu Hua, so it started too late and it's already too late.

Cang Xiaoxuan knew that the Herrscher's appearance was accelerating, and she was also aware of Kevin's combat prowess and the Stigmata Project he was implementing. To be realistic, civilization in this era had entered its countdown; the moment that would determine humanity's ultimate fate was imminent.

At this point, intervening to help Shenzhou would serve no purpose other than disrupting the global balance and instigating unnecessary power struggles. As I said before, it's too late.

At this time, the only way that might be effective in the future is to quickly heal Fu Hua's injuries and urge Ji Lin and Anqi to practice their swordsmanship more.

Cang Xiaoxuan wanted to share these considerations with everyone.

But after glancing at the serene and composed Fu Hua, then at the two sisters who were staring intently at Fu Hua with their faces in their hands, and then at the younger Anqi, he finally sighed softly and kept everything to himself.

"In short, don't meddle in Shenzhou's affairs. I know it's cruel, but the real battlefield isn't on this land."

Cang Xiaoxuan spoke earnestly, then smiled at Anqi, secretly quite satisfied.

Although she had played a trick on her elders, her initial intention stemmed from her recognition and concern for her compatriots in her homeland. Cang Xiaoxuan appreciated this sentiment, and she especially liked this cunning and intelligence that differed from Fu Hua's.

There are too many dimwits around him, Cang Xiaoxuan was very happy. Fu Hua had chosen a filial but scheming disciple this time.

"Yes, I understand, Xiaoxuan."

Anqi scratched her head sheepishly, looking ashamed that her little scheme had been exposed.

In fact, she could understand the reasons that Cang Xiaoxuan hadn't said, and she understood even better than Cang Xiaoxuan that the battlefield was not in Shenzhou, nor even in anyone else, but in Kiana and Kevin, the two ultimate powerhouses who could bear the power of the Finality.

The path they chose truly determined the fate of humanity.

Anqi never considered joining the Shenzhou forces; it was pointless. Her true hope lay in gaining more Herrscher Authority and the divine authority stolen by Mr. Otto.

However, they are fellow villagers in every sense of the word. I should at least show them the real gap, give them a wake-up call, and incidentally enhance my own status as a disciple of Taixu. That would be enough.

"Little girl, there's a lively kite festival going down the mountain recently. Would you like to go for a stroll?"

Cang Xiaoxuan temporarily put aside those complicated and troublesome political issues, rolled her eyes, and suggested to Anqi with a smile.

Anqi blinked her eyes innocently.

"Kite... Festival?"

"Yes, all sorts of strange kites flying in the air are like stepping into another world, or like gods, ghosts and monsters descending to earth. It's really amazing! Have you ever seen one?"

"I've only heard about it. Rather, it's more like I haven't been back to Shenzhou for a long time. It seems quite interesting?"

Anqi tightened her grip on the ancient sword, her innocent voice tinged with confusion and nostalgia, her still-childish face evoking pity.

Cang Xiaoxuan gazed at Anqi with affection and tenderness, imagining all sorts of past experiences.

"How about we go together? Xiaoxuan Xuan, your master, Junior Uncle Ji Lin, and Junior Uncle A-Lin will take you to see the kites."

"... Yes! I want to go!"

Anqi smiled expectantly.

The kites flying in the sky were indeed incredibly diverse, including flowers, trees, cartoon characters, shorts, and all sorts of bizarre shapes and giant octopuses that made people lose sanity. These chaotic images made the originally vast sky feel crowded, and shouts of surprise and laughter echoed from the crowd.

Anqi was being led by Fu Hua in one hand and by Ji Lin in the other, with the composed Cang Xiaoxuan sitting on her head, looking just like the most adorable darling of the family.

In fact, apart from Ji Lin, Anqi is truly the most precious and beloved member of the group in the eyes of everyone else on Great Void Mountain.