Chapter Fifty-Eight: Yes, Master!

It was a pity time had been a bit too tight; otherwise, every Anqi could have been swapped for a Joyce Clone, turning them into combat strengths like Ninti.

Yet, Anqi understood very well that even so, the win rate against a Herrscher remained extraordinarily low.

When it came down to it, the Thousand-Person Ruler was simply not a character built for frontal warfare!

Sirin cast her gaze around this overwhelmingly imposing formation, her expression cold. After a long silence, she covered her face with one hand, tilted her head back, and laughed wildly.

"Hahahaha!"

"That's right. I've grown so weak that I'm far from even a ten-thousandth of my former self."

"However, me becoming weaker doesn't mean you can surpass me! Go to hell, you ants!"

Sirin's words were filled with tyrannical, murderous intent. With a wave of her hand, tens of thousands of spears shot forward like a torrential downpour.

The Anqis remained silent, knowing that conversation was no longer of any use.

"Big Sister, pardon us! If you want war, then war it is!" × n

The Anqis made their judgment, and then, the entire army charged.

"Anqi?"

"Anqi!"

"Anqi!!"

Early the next morning, Anqi was gradually woken up by Himeko gently patting her cheeks.

"Mwah... Where am I?"

Anqi clutched the blanket, her face pale and her lips drained of color.

She had fought Sirin all night yesterday, and how she had finally left that conscious battlefield was something even Anqi herself did not know. She only knew that in the end, there was no victor; she had simply been beaten to the point of near exhaustion.

"It's fine, you just caught a fever. Don't be afraid, get some good rest, and you'll be better soon... Oh right, I'll go get you a bowl of porridge, just wait a second!"

Himeko forced a smile, her voice trembling uncontrollably.

It wasn't until she walked out the door and gently pulled it shut that Himeko leaned against the wall, firmly covering her mouth as tears burst forth.

Why? How could this happen? Clearly, the Medical Department had taken good care of her to recuperate after that last incident! Anqi is still so young; why treat her like this? Please, transfer all of this pain to me instead! Please, do not take her away from me again, God...

Himeko gritted her teeth. After a moment, she reined in her emotions, wiped away her tears, and headed downstairs.

In the living room, Kiana, Raiden Mei, Bronya, and Fu Hua were all waiting.

Seeing Himeko come down, Kiana immediately rushed over.

"How is Anqi? Is she okay, Himeko?"

"She's woken up, she's fine, don't worry."

"Really? Don't lie to me! Her face was so white, I'm so scared, Himeko!"

"Sigh, the doctor has already checked her over. Honkai energy hyperactivity... it's a symptom of Honkai infection, but fortunately, there isn't too much damage to her body. She just needs to rest well for a few days."

Himeko hugged Kiana and smiled, though no matter how hard she forced that smile, it lacked the carefree and breezy vibe it usually had.

Then, Himeko turned her gaze toward Fu Hua and said:

"Fu Hua, why are you here?"

"Uh... I... made an appointment with Anqi to practice martial arts today, but I didn't see her. Putting that aside for now, Teacher Himeko, does Anqi's infection flare up very often?"

"It happened once before when we went on vacation, and today is the second time. The Medical Department judges that the Honkai energy within her body is too strong, and her awakening was too intense, which might have left behind some lingering issues."

Himeko carefully weighed her words, explaining as conservatively as possible.

Yet, while these words managed to appease Kiana, Raiden Mei, and Bronya—who lacked a deep understanding of Honkai infection—they caused Fu Hua to inwardly furrow her brow.

Honkai infection is the sign of a Valkyrie's impending wither. Was classmate Anqi's condition actually this severe?

Fu Hua felt a touch of sadness, and gradually, a notion began to take root in her heart.

Though the hope is slim, Taixu Sword Qi is precisely the synthesis of methods to control Honkai energy. If classmate Anqi truly possesses the talent, perhaps it can prolong her youthful life.

Thinking thus, Fu Hua's mind began to waver between executing Otto's mission while hiding her identity, and Anqi's life.

Chapter Fifty-Eight: Yes, Master!

"Open your mouth."

"Ah~~"

"Is it hot?"

"Not hot."

Anqi swallowed the thin porridge, her purple eyes blinking as she stared unblinkingly at Himeko.

Ah, she had fought a battle all night, and now only Big Sister Himeko's beautiful face could bring her warmth.

Anqi felt bitter inside, but outwardly she still maintained her usual expressionless look—she really didn't want to make Himeko worry, though right now, it seemed she had made Himeko sad once again.

Himeko smiled faintly, gazing at Anqi with affectionate pity as she softly asked:

"Then, does your body hurt?"

"No."

"Don't lie to me. I still have to report to the doctor and decide on your subsequent recuperation plan. Answer honestly, does it hurt?"

"It really doesn't hurt, it's just... so tiring."

Anqi pouted, speaking in a wronged tone.

In truth, it hurt terribly. Last night she didn't even know how many times she had died, relying on the remaining Anqis to constantly reshape their physical bodies and resurrect in order to maintain the legion's formation and keep entangling with Sirin.

The pain had accumulated at the conscious level, and now it had fed back into her physical body; Anqi couldn't even raise her hand without trembling uncontrollably.

However, she was well aware that she wouldn't contract the infection. Anqi wasn't a half-baked Herrscher like the Caelum Ranger Kiana; she was a fully-fledged Herrscher and had no need whatsoever for infection treatment measures—she merely needed to rest her spirit.

Therefore, she would downplay the situation as much as possible; otherwise, seeing Himeko look so sorrowful would genuinely make Anqi's heart ache.

Hearing this, Himeko instantly felt a weight lift from her heart, and the smile on her face regained a bit of genuine warmth as she said:

"As long as it doesn't hurt, it means they're all minor issues. You'll be fine with plenty of rest."

"Mn, I'll definitely get better soon, so Himeko, don't worry."

"Don't be careless! You must rest properly for an infection. Don't you dare try to act tough again. Just honestly stay in your room these next few days!"

"Oh..."

Anqi nodded weakly, looking exceptionally well-behaved.

This rest lasted for a full week. During that time, Anqi slept in Himeko's room, not daring to sleep in the same bed as Kiana for fear that her Authority would act up again and pull her back to Sirin's side once more.

The Queen of Void was truly terrifying; even in her absolute weakest state right now, she was exceedingly difficult to fight.

Or rather, the Thousand-Person Ruler was simply too weak, unable to suppress even a Queen like that!

A week later, Anqi stepped out of her room in high spirits, swinging her arms and impatiently running toward the direction of the training ground she had agreed upon with Fu Hua.

Damn it! We aren't grinding hard enough!

Where is Cocolia? Save me! Hurry up and get the East Sea Base running, then naturally search for the location of Chiyou!

Xuanyuan Sword, Chiyou's physical body—those are absolute must-grab great tonics at this stage!

Right, St. Freya's me, once I've recovered, hurry up and find the Immortal to hollow out her martial arts inventory!

I'm doing it, I'm doing it! Stop urging me!

Anqi rolled her eyes while warming up her body.

Everyone was a grinding maniac; surely they didn't think she would delay things, did they?

Immortal, I'm coming!

Anqi quickly met up with Fu Hua, and at Fu Hua's invitation, joined her in today's twenty-kilometer warm-up run.

After a thorough and invigorating sprint, Anqi and Fu Hua stretched their bodies and worked their joints together in the corner of the training ground, feeling immensely refreshed.

"Classmate Anqi, it looks like your body has truly recovered. Congratulations."

"Call me Anqi."

"Uh, it doesn't seem like we're quite that..."

"Call me Anqi!"

Anqi turned her head, puffed out her cheeks, and stared with wide eyes.

Fu Hua thought of a pet hamster she had once seen, couldn't help but laugh and shake her head, and said:

"Alright, Anqi. Then you can just call me Fu Hua as well."

"Got it, monitor! No problem, monitor!"

"Classmate Anqi... No, Anqi is more lively than I imagined."

Fu Hua smiled warmly, finding this little-girl-style playfulness exceptionally cute.

Then, her smile subsided, and as if having made some major decision, she said with a serious expression:

"Anqi, we've known each other for a while now. Through my observations these past few days, I recognize your efforts and talent, as well as how much you cherish your friends and elders. Therefore, I want to tell you some honest truths."

"Oh, go ahead, monitor."

"In Shenzhou, martial arts are generally not taught to outsiders. This is mainly because the requirements for talent are far too harsh; those unsuited for it will simply suffer a deviation in their cultivation—in modern terms, being controlled by Honkai energy—ultimately harming themselves and others. So when you asked me to teach you martial arts, I was actually very hesitant, and considered whether I should just casually teach you some superficial routines and call it a day."

"Your methods are so devious, monitor!"

Anqi narrowed her eyes and said with a deadpan look.

This was the core interest of our Anqi Faction! If you try to brush us off with that, we won't let you hear the end of it!

Fu Hua was momentarily choked up. Then, looking at Anqi's accusing and unfriendly little expression, she laughed in spite of herself and said:

"Anqi, I was merely being cautious, not devious!"

"Fine, then the monitor is very cautious!"

Anqi nodded, reluctantly going along with it. Since she still needed to extract martial arts techniques from the other person, she had to go with the flow.

Fu Hua smiled and shook her head, no longer paying attention to Anqi's displeasure, and instead sighed:

"Anyway, I now feel that I can let you give it a try. But Anqi, you must also promise me that if you ultimately lack the talent, you must mentally prepare yourself to gain nothing."

"Alright, bring it on, monitor!"

Anqi's eyes lit up.

This tone, this phrasing—could it be that the big event was finally coming?

"Anqi, the martial arts I inherit come from the ancient Great Void Sword School. Legend has it that the Great Void Sword School was a sect founded by the Immortal Crimson Heron, which once led the martial arts world, and its ultimate technique, Taixu Sword Qi, can be called the strongest martial arts in five thousand years. However, those are all illusory legends by now. At present, I suppose only an unworthy successor like myself remains, holding the essentials of the martial arts yet unable to practice any real skill, bringing shame to the sect."

Fu Hua smoothly spun the backstory she had concocted over the past few days. It was half-true and half-false, ensuring that even if word leaked out, it would not arouse unnecessary suspicion or affect her surveillance mission.

Yes, Fu Hua had ultimately decided to try using Taixu Sword Qi to save Anqi.

In Fu Hua's view, Anqi was a child with great potential and deserved a much longer future; she deserved to make a greater contribution to the fight against Honkai. It would be far too much of a pity for her to die young due to Honkai infection.

The more Anqi listened, the brighter her eyes grew, to the point where she excitedly clenched her small fists.

Could it be that this is what they mean by "surviving a catastrophe brings subsequent blessings"? Am I, Anqi, finally turning my luck around?

Listening to Fu Hua's implication, she was going to pass down Taixu Sword Qi to Anqi. It was hard not to let her become uncontrollably excited.

"Taixu Sword Qi consists of five states: Heart, Form, Intent, Soul, and Divine. The Heart state is the entry point, yet it is also the most difficult state aside from the Sword Divine. It is divided into four realms: Mirror-Like Water, Stainless, Crystal Mirror, and Great Void. One must uphold the Sword Heart Incantation day after day to forge the sword heart. Once the sword heart reaches great accomplishment, one treats heaven and earth as their elixir field and transforms the flesh into meridians, capable of commanding limitless Honkai energy without damaging spirit or physical body."

"Oh oh!"

"Let's first try cultivating the Heart state, which will also determine whether you are capable of practicing this set of martial arts. Now, I will first teach you the Sword Heart Incantation. Its essence is a profound and complex set of syllables totaling four hundred and sixty-two sounds. It cannot be recorded in writing and must be passed down orally through generations. Next, I shall recite and you shall learn. Once you memorize it, you must meditate and recite it silently day by day. While practicing, you must also banish all distracting thoughts, reaching a state of no-thought and non-attachment, save for observing the flow of energy within your body."

"Yes, Master!"

Anqi straightened her back and said in a loud voice.

Fu Hua had intended to begin chanting the syllables, but suddenly froze for a moment, and hurriedly waved her hands to say: