A Thousand-Person Herrscher's Personal Opinion

It's a shame time was a bit tight, otherwise all the Anqis could have been replaced with Joyce clones, turning them into fighters like Ninti.

But Anqi understood that even then, their chances of winning against a Herrscher would still be extremely low.

After all, the Thousand-Person Ruler wasn't meant for direct confrontation!

Sirin surveyed the intimidating formation with a cold expression. After a long silence, she covered her face with one hand, threw her head back, and burst into laughter.

"Hahahaha!"

"Yes, I am this weak, not even a tenth of what I once was."

"But me being weaker doesn't mean you can surpass me! Die, you ants!"

Sirin's words were filled with violent killing intent. With a wave of her hand, thousands of spears rained down like a storm.

The Anqis remained silent, knowing further conversation would be futile.

"Big sister, forgive me, if you want war, then war it is!" ×n

The Anqis made their decision and charged forward.

"Anqi?"

"Anqi!"

"Anqi!!"

The next morning, Anqi gradually woke up as Himeko gently patted her face.

"Ugh... What is this?"

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

She had fought Sirin all night, and she didn't even know how she had left that mental battlefield. All she knew was that there was no victor, but she had been pushed to her absolute limit.

"It's okay, you just have a fever. Don't be scared, rest well, and you'll be better soon... Oh, right, I'll go get you some porridge, just wait a moment!"

Himeko forced a smile, but her voice trembled uncontrollably.

As soon as she walked out the door and gently closed it, Himeko leaned against it, covering her mouth with her hand. Tears streamed down her face.

'Why? How could this happen? I had the medical department take good care of her after last time! Anqi is still so young, why would they do this to her? Please, transfer all this pain to me! Please, don't take her from me again, God...'

Himeko gritted her teeth. After a while, she composed herself, 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? How is she, Himeko?"

"She's awake now, it's okay, don't worry."

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

"Sigh, the doctor already checked her. It's overactive Honkai Energy... symptoms of Honkai Energy Corrosion Syndrome, but thankfully her body isn't severely damaged. She'll be fine after a few days of rest."

Himeko hugged Kiana, offering a smile, but no matter how hard she tried, it lacked the usual carefree and cheerful spirit.

Then, Himeko turned her gaze to Fu Hua and asked, "Fu Hua, why are you here?"

"Uh... I... I had plans with classmate Anqi to train together today, but she didn't show up. I'll put that aside for now, Teacher Himeko, has classmate Anqi's Corrosion Syndrome been acting up frequently?"

"It happened once when we went on vacation. This is the second time. The medical department determined it was due to the excessive Honkai Energy within her body, and her awakening was too intense, possibly leaving some after-effects."

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

However, while her words might have reassured Kiana, Raiden Mei, and Bronya, who had limited knowledge of Honkai Energy Corrosion Syndrome, they caused Fu Hua to frown.

'Honkai Energy Corrosion Syndrome is a sign of a Valkyrie's impending demise. Is classmate Anqi's condition really this bad?'

Fu Hua felt a pang of sadness, and then, a thought began to form in her mind.

'Although the chances are slim, the Taixu Sword Qi is the ultimate method for controlling Honkai Energy. If classmate Anqi has the talent, perhaps it could extend her young life.'

As Fu Hua pondered this, her thoughts wavered between carrying out Otto's mission in secret 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 looked motionlessly at Himeko.

Ah, after fighting all night, only Sister Himeko's beautiful face could bring her warmth now.

Anqi felt a pang of bitterness in her heart, but maintained her usual stoic expression—she truly didn't want to worry Himeko, though it seemed she had made her sad again.

Himeko smiled slightly, gazing at Anqi with affection, and softly asked, "Does your body hurt?"

"No."

"Don't lie to me. I have to report to the doctor and decide on your recovery plan. Be honest, does it hurt or not?"

"It really doesn't hurt, I'm just... so tired."

Anqi pouted, saying it with a wronged expression.

In reality, it hurt terribly. Last night, she didn't know how many times she had died, only to be revived by the residual Anqi constantly reshaping her physical body and maintaining the legion's formation, allowing her to keep Sirin occupied.

The pain had accumulated on a mental level and was now feeding back into her physical body. Anqi's hands trembled uncontrollably even when she tried to lift them.

However, she knew very well that she wouldn't contract the Honkai corruption. Anqi wasn't a half-baked Herrscher like Kiana, the Herrscher of the Void; she was a complete Herrscher. She didn't need any treatment for the corruption, only mental rest.

Therefore, she decided to downplay her condition as much as possible. Seeing Himeko's distressed expression would truly break Anqi's heart.

Upon hearing this, Himeko felt a wave of relief wash over her, and a more genuine smile appeared on her face. "It's good that it doesn't hurt. It means these are minor issues, and you'll be fine with some rest."

"Mhm, I'll definitely get better soon, Himeko. Don't worry."

"Don't be careless! You need proper rest for the corruption. Don't think you can be tough again. You'll stay in your room for the next few days!"

"Oh..."

Anqi nodded meekly, appearing very obedient.

She rested for a whole week. During this time, Anqi slept in Himeko's room, afraid to sleep with Kiana again, fearing her powers might act up and drag her to Sirin's side once more.

The Queen of Void was truly terrifying. Even in her current weakened state, it was difficult to defeat her.

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

A week later, Anqi emerged from the room with renewed vigor, swinging her arms and eagerly heading towards the training grounds where she had arranged to meet Fu Hua.

Damn it! We're not pushing ourselves hard enough!

Where's Cocolia? Help! Hurry up and get the East Sea Base running, then search for the location of Jiuyou!

The Xuanyuan Sword, Chi You's physical body – that's a massive boost that absolutely cannot be missed at this stage!

Right, after I've recovered, I need to quickly find the Immortal and drain her martial arts knowledge!

I'm on it! Stop rushing me!

Anqi stretched her body while rolling her eyes.

We're all ambitious individuals; do they really think I'd slack off?

Here I come, Immortal!

Anqi soon met Fu Hua and, at her invitation, joined her for their scheduled twenty-kilometer warm-up run.

After a thoroughly invigorating sprint, Anqi and Fu Hua stretched and worked their joints in a corner of the training grounds, feeling refreshed.

"Anqi, it seems your body has indeed recovered. Congratulations."

"Call me Anqi."

"Uh, I don't think we're that..."

"Call me Anqi!"

Anqi turned her head, puffed out her cheeks, and widened her eyes.

Fu Hua thought of the pet hamsters she had seen before, chuckled, and shook her head. "Alright, Anqi. Then you can call me Fu Hua."

"Okay, Class Monitor. No problem, Class Monitor!"

"Anqi, you... No, Anqi, you're more lively than I remember."

Fu Hua smiled gently, finding this kind of girlish playfulness particularly endearing.

Then, her smile faded, and she adopted a serious expression as if she had made a significant decision. "Anqi, we've known each other for some time now. In my observations these past few days, I've recognized your effort and talent, as well as your cherish for your friends and elders. Therefore, I want to tell you something truthfully."

"Oh, go ahead, Class Monitor."

"Martial arts, in Shenzhou, are usually not passed down. This is mainly because the requirements for talent are too strict. Those who are not suited will only fall into a state of demonic deviation, or as we say now, be controlled by Honkai Energy, ultimately harming themselves and others. So, when you asked me to teach you martial arts, I was very hesitant. I considered whether I should just teach you some superficial boxing routines and be done with it."

"...Class Monitor, you're so devious!"

Anqi narrowed her eyes and said blankly.

This is a core interest of our Anqi faction. If you try to fob us off with that, we're not done with you!

Fu Hua was momentarily speechless, then looked at Anqi's displeased and unfriendly expression, finding it both amusing and exasperating. "Anqi, I was just being cautious, not devious!"

"Fine, then Class Monitor is very cautious!"

Anqi nodded, agreeing reluctantly. She had to go along with it since she still needed to get some skills from them.

Fu Hua smiled and shook her head, no longer paying attention to Anqi's unhappy reaction. She sighed instead.

"In any case, I think I can let you try now. But Anqi, you have to promise me that if you ultimately lack the talent, you must be mentally prepared to gain nothing."

"Okay, let's do it, Class Monitor!"

Anqi's eyes lit up.

With this tone, these words... could it be that something big is about to happen?

"Anqi, the martial arts I've inherited come from the ancient Taixu Sword Sect. Legend has it that the Taixu Sword Sect was founded by Immortal Crimson Heron and once led the martial arts world. Its ultimate skill, Taixu Sword Qi, is said to be the strongest martial art of the past five thousand years. However, those are all vague legends now. By now, I'm probably the only unworthy successor left, possessing the martial arts secrets but unable to cultivate any real skill, bringing shame to the sect."

Fu Hua recounted the story she had conceived over the past few days, half-true and half-false, ensuring that even if it spread, it wouldn't arouse unnecessary suspicion and wouldn't interfere with her surveillance mission.

Yes, Fu Hua had finally decided to try and save Anqi with Taixu Sword Qi.

In Fu Hua's opinion, Anqi was a child with great potential and deserved a longer future, deserving to contribute more to fighting the Honkai. It would be too much of a shame for her to die young from Honkai Energy erosion.

The more Anqi listened, the brighter her eyes became, and she even clenched her small fists excitedly.

'Could this be the blessing after surviving a great disaster? Is my luck finally changing, Anqi?'

Hearing Fu Hua's intention to pass on Taixu Sword Qi to her made it difficult for her to contain her excitement.

"Taixu Sword Qi has five essences: Mind, Form, Intent, Soul, and Spirit. The Mind essence is the entry point, but it's also the most difficult essence besides the Sword Spirit. It's divided into four stages: Still Water, Dustless, Mirror Light, and Taixu. It requires holding the 'Sword Heart Incantation' to forge the sword heart day after day. Once the sword heart is perfected, one can treat heaven and earth as their dantian, transform their physical body into meridians, and wield limitless Honkai Energy without damaging their spirit or body."

"Oh, oh!"

"We'll start by trying to cultivate the Mind essence, which will also determine if you can cultivate this martial art. So, I'll teach you the 'Sword Heart Incantation' first. Its essence is a profound and complex series of syllables, totaling four hundred and sixty-two sounds. It cannot be recorded in writing and can only be passed down orally from generation to generation. Next, I'll recite it, and you'll learn it. After memorizing it, you must meditate and recite it daily. When practicing, you also need to eliminate all distracting thoughts and reach a state of no thought and no intention, except for observing the flow of power within your body."

"Yes, Master!"

Anqi straightened her back and said loudly.

Fu Hua was about to start reciting the syllables when she suddenly paused and quickly waved her hand: