Another Twist in the Tale

Fu Hua arrived in front of Ji Lin and unleashed a palm strike.

In an instant, all the darkness in the world vanished, replaced by a boundless lake as calm as a mirror, reflecting the clear blue sky and white clouds, creating a beautiful and ethereal dreamlike scene.

Ji Lin's body went limp, and she collapsed weakly into Fu Hua's arms.

"Crimson Kite, where is this?"

"This is my mental world. I want you to experience my current state of mind. How are you feeling? Are you feeling any better?"

Fu Hua stroked Ji Lin's face, looking at her weak and tired expression, her heart tightened, and she urgently wanted to help and protect her.

Ji Lin cast his gaze upon the boundless, calm lake, and indeed felt a sense of peace and tranquility, a sense of calm that even if Mount Tai were to fall upon him, there would be no need to panic.

"You're so amazing, Crimson Kite."

"This is nothing, just a small gain from years of cultivation. But what exactly are you facing? Can you get rid of those evil thoughts?"

"I'm sorry, Crimson Kite, I'm too fragile. Since I awoke, the resentment I feel for Chiyou, the fear of a thousand years of loneliness and darkness, and the longing for you have been corroding me, turning me little by little into... someone who isn't me. Crimson Kite, I can't resist it, I really can't do it."

"Five thousand years have passed since the battle with Chiyou. You have persevered for five thousand years and regained yourself. This is a miracle that only you could create. So do not blame yourself, and do not be afraid. I believe you can overcome the mere temptation of Honkai!"

Fu Hua hugged Ji Lin tightly, trying her best to convey her trust and encouragement.

Ji Lin stared blankly at Fu Hua, tears welling up in her eyes.

"Crimson Kite, I'm so happy to see you, but I'm so tired. I can't hold on any longer."

"No, we can't give up! Ji Lin, you must hold on, you can't die like this!"

"That's so unfair! I've worked so hard for so long, and you still don't want me to rest?"

"Sorry..."

Fu Hua was an honest man, and in response to such complaints, he could only respond with a look of deep remorse.

"I'm sorry, I can't afford to lose my friend anymore. Please stay, okay?"

Fu Hua pleaded guiltily.

She could have endured it if she hadn't known. But seeing her old friend again and knowing that the other person still existed, Fu Hua wanted to keep them, no matter what. She couldn't bear to lose any more.

Ji Lin stared intently at Fu Hua for a long time, and then a beautiful smile bloomed on her weak little face.

"Crimson Kite, you're too cunning. You've already said that, how can I refuse? But you have to stay with me afterward. I've been lonely for too long, and I don't want to suffer the pain of being alone anymore."

"Okay, I'll go with you, and you'll go with me. We'll go back to Great Void Mountain together!"

Fu Hua held Ji Lin in her arms, lowered her head, touched her forehead, and made a promise.

As for Otto's mission, let's postpone it for now.

"Boom!!!"

In the real world, inside Chiyou's body, Durandal and Anqi were forced back by the burst of energy.

Because she didn't want to hurt anyone, she couldn't unleash her full fighting power, so even the Golden Saint Goose could only repeatedly avoid Ji Lin's attacks.

Just as Anqi and Durandal were about to step forward, Fu Hua stepped between them and stopped them.

"Ji Lin, I will accompany you from now on."

Perhaps we once clashed swords, sharing our friendship and urging each other to improve? I understand your pain, despair, and resentment, so come and vent to me. No matter what, you still have me; I'm here for you.

Fu Hua conveyed her thoughts to Ji Lin, and unsurprisingly, received no response under these circumstances.

She didn't need Ji Lin's response; she simply took the sword from Anqi's hand, its blade emitting a colorless yet sharp sword light.

"Crimson Kite!!"

The two figures collided like thunder and fire, their swords intertwining, their sword energy crisscrossing the surrounding area.

"Clang—"

Chapter Ninety-Seven: Another Turning Point

After nearly several hours of fierce fighting, the dark aura and surging energy around Ji Lin finally dissipated. Holding the Xuanyuan Sword, which was gradually turning back to its golden color, she fell forward and into Fu Hua's arms.

Fu Hua's legs went weak, and with one hand gripping her sword and the other holding Ji Lin, she slowly slumped to the ground.

"Huff~ Huff~~"

Her lungs felt like they were burning, and she couldn't help but exhale heavy breaths, large beads of sweat sliding down her forehead. Fu Hua felt an extreme fatigue she hadn't experienced in a very long time; a feeling of utter exhaustion washed over her already severely injured body.

But looking at Ji Lin's beautiful face as she slept soundly on her lap, Fu Hua couldn't help but smile.

"Look, we did it, Ji Lin."

Fu Hua gasped for breath, an unparalleled sense of satisfaction and joy filling her heart. It was as if the emptiness in her memory and the loneliness of these years were all for the sake of waiting for Ji Lin's return, waiting to be filled by Ji Lin.

"Tick-tock!"

Fu Hua, a tear fell onto Ji Lin's fair face.

Fu Hua paused for a moment, then chuckled softly. As she wiped her own eyes, she carefully brushed away the tears on Ji Lin's face.

At this moment, Fu Hua was very happy.

A little further away, in the main force that had already regrouped, Kiana tugged at Anqi's sleeve.

"Hey, Anqi, why do I feel like they're starting to flirt more and more as the fight goes on? Holy crap, has our class monitor been tamed by this ancient guy?"

"... Just say you want extra training, and I'll arrange it for you when we get back."

"Wait, I'm not kidding you! I just think the class monitor is amazing! Her swordsmanship seems a little better than my Kaslana Gun Fu! The class monitor is usually so low-key, I never knew she was so good!"

"Hmph! Master is a direct disciple of the Great Void Sword School Sect. Does he not understand the value of Shenzhou martial arts? It's just that there is no need to use them normally."

Anqi proudly tilted her head up.

Then, staring at the two people cuddling in the distance, he puffed out his cheeks as if he were jealous.

"What? I've never even had a lap pillow with my master!"

"Oh, is our little Anqi jealous?"

"No, Himeko, don't talk nonsense!"

"Alright, alright, then pretend you weren't jealous. Come here and let Himeko give you a hug. I'll pamper you!"

So Anqi was pulled into Himeko's broad embrace, and soon surrounded by her three other roommates, enjoying the pampered treatment she deserved as the group's darling.

The beautiful scene of intimacy and friendship brought a smile to Welt's face, but it made Durandal slowly frown.

"We haven't even left the battlefield yet, how can you be so lax? Especially Himeko- senpai and Lady Theresa, you two are experienced seniors, this is very inappropriate!"

Durandal offered a serious critique.

So Himeko, who was holding Anqi, and Theresa, who was standing on tiptoe and pinching Anqi's cheek, both stood up awkwardly.

"Ahem! It's just that it's not my turn to play as a lowly A-rank player, so it's getting a bit boring! I'll reflect on that."

"Ahem! This headmaster is taking care of the students' physical and mental well-being! You know, today has been chaotic and dangerous enough; shouldn't we consider the psychological issues of the new recruits?"

Both responded simultaneously. Himeko stuck out her tongue cutely, but honestly admitted her mistake. Theresa, however, stubbornly resisted, resolutely refusing to admit that she had been distracted.

Then most people glanced sideways at Theresa.

No wonder he's the branch secretary; his skin is thicker than a city wall!

But Durandal stroked her chin, thought for a moment, and then nodded:

"It's reasonable to consider the feelings of newcomers. I don't know much about the headmaster's responsibilities, and perhaps I was rash and said something inappropriate. But I still suggest that you wait until everything is over before doing anything relaxing."

"Your suggestion makes a lot of sense, and I will consider it carefully in the future. Thank you, Durandal."

"It is my duty. I just hope I haven't been too talkative and caused any trouble, Lady Theresa."

"Not at all, our experiences and identities are quite different, so it's natural that we have different perspectives. We can just guide each other to improve."

The two shook hands, their eyes serious, resembling a formal official exchange.

Welt shook his head helplessly, having quite grasped Durandal's straightforward and earnest nature. He then looked at Ninti beside him, and the Chiyou avatar crouching at Ninti's feet.

Ninti seemed to understand Welt's meaning, and took Chiyou's hand, walking to sit down on the nearby rock.

"Chiyou, that sister has stopped. We'll take her out of your body after that."

"Okay, okay, let's go, I'm happy!"

"Then, can your outer body stop moving for now? You're too big; if you move around randomly, you'll bring disaster to the world."

After so much turmoil, the team comprised of the two organizations has split and reunited several times. Now, Ninti has finally put forward the most anticipated request.

However, Chiyou kept his head down and did not reply for a long time.

"But eating and destroying are our mission..."

Chiyou said, feeling wronged and unwilling.

At that moment, Durandal slowly raised the lance stuck in the ground, and the other Valkyrie also changed their expressions, each preparing for battle.

Ninti tilted her head and said innocently:

Why?

"Yes, we have to do it."

"But if that happens, we can't go see the rainbow together, and we can't introduce you to more friends. Because I have to stop you."

"Ninti, no..."

Chiyou grabbed Ninti's hand and shook his head violently.

Ninti nodded her snow-white chin, looked at Chiyou, and said:

"Will you get hurt if you don't fulfill your mission?"

"It seems... no..."

"Will there be other consequences, like illness or pain?"

"No, it won't..."

"Then why can't you not do it? Or will you be unhappy if you stop?"

"Yes, I'm not happy!"

Chiyou nodded vigorously.

Ninti was also a little troubled. She blinked and asked again:

"How about I take you to do something else that's fun?"

"I..."

"We're friends. If there's really no other way, I'll have to stop you myself. But if you can, please don't hurt this world. I love Mother Cocolia, Tesla's sister, Einstein's sister, Xing, Rosaliya, and Liliya, and I also love Joachim ... They all love this world, so I love it too. Is that alright, Chiyou?"

Ninti gazed at Chiyou with clear and earnest eyes.

The children's voices were innocent and their words naive, yet everyone listened with a sense of formidable dread. They knew that this conversation between children would determine whether a cataclysmic battle would erupt, one that would shake the very seas.

"But she hates me, and they hate me too."

After a long silence, Chiyou You spoke to Ninti with a pitiful expression.

The first "she" refers to Ji Lin, who drew his sword and slashed, while the second "they" refers to everyone present except Ninti.

Ninti then looked up at the crowd.

Well, if Chiyou were a fierce and evil figure, it wouldn't be so bad, but his behavior with Ninti suggests that he seems to be just an ignorant and naive infant.

It's hard for truly good people not to feel awkward when Chiyou says something like that.

Coincidentally, none of the elite humans were bad people.

So some people silently lowered their heads, some looked away, and some awkwardly turned their heads to look elsewhere.

"Then, let them go out first, and we can talk later, okay?"

"Uh-huh!"

Chiyou responded happily, pointing in a direction. The layers of rock walls shifted, revealing a straight and long passage.