Chapter 445

"I know, I was just a little concerned about that area, so I thought I'd go check it out... Sakura, what's with that look in your eyes? I remember you've always been a good girl, don't make me pull your ear."

Shen Gonglin was still trying her best to maintain her image, but the pity in Sakura's eyes made her a little angry. What did she mean by looking at her like that? She had already said that she was not lost!

"I see. Please don't. We're going to find Vill-V now. Let's put everything else aside for now. Just follow me... Um, since I'm not very familiar with this place, could I hold your hand? Otherwise, I'm worried I'll get lost."

Shen Gonglin's threat was so confident that even Sakura couldn't do anything about it. For the sake of her own ears, the swordsman learned to be flexible. It wasn't that she was worried he would get lost, but that Sakura was worried she would get lost. If she put it that way, there would be no problem at all.

"Yes, you make a good point. Getting lost is indeed a big problem. Let me hold your hand."

Very satisfied with Sakura's explanation, Shen Gonglin mercifully reached out and took Sakura's small hand. Only after holding Shen Gonglin's slightly cold hand in her own did Sakura secretly breathe a sigh of relief, so she wouldn't have to worry about losing Shen Gonglin.

The two walked side by side toward the tower, holding hands and looking just like a couple. Shen Gonglin didn't care about such things, and Sakura initially didn't think there was anything wrong with it either. But as they walked, she felt a warmth emanating from Shen Gonglin. Even though his body temperature was low, why did she suddenly feel a little hot? Looking down at their clasped hands, Sakura was very puzzled and couldn't understand it at all.

Logically, it should be my body temperature that's transferring heat, but now... I don't understand.

"What? Is there a problem?"

They had already deviated from the route several times, and it was thanks to Sakura's corrections that Shen Gonglin would never have reached his destination. Shen Gonglin was happy, as if he were on a picnic, but the fact that the girl next to him remained silent aroused his curiosity. Shen Gonglin was not the quiet type; he preferred a more lively atmosphere.

"No... it's just that Shen Gonglin, don't you feel hot?"

Sakura couldn't help but ask this question. For an excellent swordsman, every aspect of himself should be under control, but his current state was clearly abnormal. If Shen Gonglin had the same reaction, then it wasn't him who was abnormal.

"Hot? Not at all, Sakura, do you feel hot?"

As she spoke, Shen Gonglin moved closer to Sakura, one hand still holding the fox-eared girl's, while the other hand reached behind Sakura's head and pressed her head down a little. Cheek to cheek, she could feel the heat on Sakura's face, which did seem a bit hot.

Chapter 156 Sakura's Divine Key

"I don't feel hot at all! Shen Gonglin... pay a little attention, we've arrived. It certainly looks like Vill-V's style."

Sakura quickly pushed Shen Gonglin away, feeling her face burning even hotter. The swordswoman took a deep breath and quickly changed the subject. Shen Gonglin seemed to have absolutely no... no boundaries between men and women, which was Sakura's worst enemy. After entering the tower, she discovered that everything inside had been renovated, which also caught Sakura's attention. As expected of Vill-V, she had built another workshop in such a short time.

But at this scale... Sakura glanced at the fact that it was already large enough to be a contract manufacturer and felt that it seemed somewhat unnecessary.

"Hi, you guys are here... It's quite rare that you didn't come with Mei. How did Sakura manage to get you by her side? You seem quite surprised. You're still a long way from being as good as Osaka."

Vill-V appeared, showing off her workshop to Shen Gonglin and Sakura with great pride. Sakura, on the other hand, subtly glanced at the unnecessary facilities around her. After thinking for a moment, Sakura ultimately said nothing. As long as she was happy, that was fine. Advice was always a sign of arrogance to Flame-Chasers.

"Indeed, when you were building those bases, the progress was far more astonishing than this workshop. And... it was also far more secure. Without sufficient authorization, it's unlikely anyone could have taken anything from them on their own."

Sakura looked around and made this assessment of Vill-V's newly built workshop. Now it was Vill-V's turn to have a subtle look in her eyes. What was this? To actually think from this perspective, Sakura was truly terrifying. Was this the habit of an assassin? Upon seeing her companion's successful work, her first thought was how to deal with it?

"You seem to have misunderstood something... But this is a lesson learned from you... no, from her... Hiss, Shen Gonglin, what's wrong?"

Sakura was still talking to Vill-V when Shen Gonglin suddenly slapped her leg. The swordswoman's fox ears twitched. She looked at Shen Gonglin but only saw the unfriendly look in his eyes. Had she said something to upset Shen Gonglin?

"Don't say things I don't understand, Sakura. I remember you were a good girl. Don't pick up this bad habit."

She was seriously correcting Sakura. In the Elysian Realm, besides the Class President, Yae Sakura was the only well-behaved girl left, but now she had gone astray. So Shen Gonglin felt it was her responsibility to properly advise Sakura. After that, if she talked nonsense again, she would slap her thigh. That was her decision.

"... That's right, I was just talking about Vill-V's so-called expert personality. I learned a lot of lessons from Vill-V back then."

Sakura whispered an explanation to Shen Gonglin, admitting that she hadn't considered things carefully and had completely forgotten that Shen Gonglin didn't quite understand such matters.

"Oh, the expert, is there any weaponry that needs her to prepare, as usual? You've got the timing wrong, she just fell asleep."

Vill-V squinted at Sakura and Shen Gonglin over there. How come she didn't know before that Sakura and Shen Gonglin had such a good relationship? It seems that Pardofelis and Shen Gonglin also have a pretty good relationship. Needless to say, Elysia is another one. It seems that only Aponia has narrowed her path.

"You know why I'm here... Don't move, I'll explain it to you."

Sakura said softly, then she quickly looked at Shen Gonglin. As expected, he had secretly raised his hand again. Sakura quickly stopped Shen Gonglin, explaining that she wasn't deliberately trying to provoke him and that she had no interest in that area whatsoever.

"Oh... alright, alright, is there nothing else that can keep you in suspense? Come on, it's time to return it to its rightful owner. Although I never have to think about anything related to weapons... perhaps that's why I was somewhat surprised when I saw it restored."

Having understood Sakura's purpose, Vill-V turned around and took out what the expert wanted to give Sakura from behind. She took a long sword with a reddish-purple body. After feeling the power fluctuations on it, even Shen Gonglin couldn't help but take a look. This feeling was that of the Divine Key.

"The Third Divine Key, after all, is an early work of the expert, and its design is somewhat conservative. Although that random mood system is indeed whimsical... unfortunately, it can no longer change form in the Elysian Realm."

The Seven Thunder of Absolution, that is its name.

"That's why it deserves to be repaired."

Sakura took the long sword; as expected of an expert, it looked completely repaired.

"Oh, really? I think the way you effortlessly switch between seven forms during battle is more in line with the definition of a surprise. But, even though it's redundant... Sakura, what exactly do you intend to do with it?"

Having raised this question, Sakura is now preparing to take the knife out for what purpose, which has piqued Vill-V's curiosity.

"It was originally my weapon, and I don't think it needs any additional purpose."

Looking at the Divine Key before her, Sakura's current appearance reminded Shen Gonglin of the Three-Sword Style, the swordswoman girl said coolly. However, Vill-V didn't accept her reason so easily. She felt that Sakura holding a sword now must have a deeper meaning.

"Oh, but I also seem to have heard that you only use this knife when carrying out special missions, such as cleaning up your own ranks, killing traitors, or even..."

As Vill-V shared her insights, Shen Gonglin waited with great interest for her to continue. "So Sakura's weapon has this purpose? What is she planning to do now?" Shen Gonglin wondered, intrigued.

"... That was a necessary task."

"It was a necessary task. It's alright, I was just asking casually. Although I borrowed it for an experiment and an accident happened, I'll consider it my fault for now... However, I will still return it to you. You know... for me, surprises are often more important than responsibilities."

She casually uttered some very irresponsible words, but that's just Vill-V she is. Life would be too boring without any ups and downs. Just as she said, for her, surprises in life are much more important than responsibilities. That's what makes life interesting.

"So, take it."

The Divine Key was handed to Sakura, Vill-V, the amusement-loving woman, was ready to make a scene, but Sakura didn't accept it; it wasn't the right time yet.

"No, Vill-V, it's not truly finished yet."

Chapter 157 Dynamics of All Parties

After speaking, Sakura slowly drew another sword from her waist. It was another weapon besides the Frozen Naraka... the one she usually used in battle. Countless successors had never seen it leave its sheath. Shen Gonglin was also very interested in Sakura's sword, but when he saw what the sword looked like, he was somewhat surprised.

Forget about it being a divine sword; when this sword is exposed to the air, it looks so inferior that it doesn't even have a sharp edge.

"Just a temporary substitute... Oh... So that's what you mean..."

It's unclear what Vill-V understood, but she smiled and slowly placed the Seven Thunder of Absolution, which contained the Authority of Conquest, into the scabbard that Sakura had just emptied.

"That's right. Only in this way can it be considered truly repaired, along with the expert's design and... that person's precepts, right? I really didn't expect you to take the initiative to find those precepts as well."

Having fully understood Sakura's meaning, Vill-V watched Sakura with great interest. She hadn't expected Sakura to have this kind of attitude towards the rules; she didn't refuse but actually took the initiative to accept them. Indeed, this world is full of strange and wonderful things.

"Vill-V, you know about this?"

Knowing what Vill-V was talking about, Shen Gonglin had given up thinking. She figured she'd get bullied by the Riddler again later... But it wasn't her fault. That's just how society is. Everyone's a Riddler. If she didn't say that, she'd always feel out of place. Oh well, whatever.

"I've sealed some memories of your past use of this weapon within it, releasing a portion of them each time it's drawn, thus amplifying the psychological pressure you feel when you swing it... Aponia has gone to great lengths to protect her comrades. So, I hope that you... and I... will both get what we want from now on."

As Vill-V spoke these ambiguous words, her gaze never left Sakura's hand and the handle of the Seven Thunder of Absolution. In her eyes, Sakura could clearly see an indiscernible expectation.

She seems to thrive on chaos.

"You know what, Vill-V, lately I've been thinking a lot about something. Who exactly is that girl who keeps crying in my dreams? And where does her hatred come from...?"

As she spoke, Sakura placed her hand on the hilt of the Seven Thunder of Absolution. Hearing the girl's words, Vill-V realized that she might have made a mistake. But it would definitely be a... interesting mistake.

Ah, it seems to have already started to spread, lurking in the corners, stirring with the scent of conspiracy. Looks like I won't be number one this time.

In another corner, Mobius observed her surroundings with interest, then her gaze fell upon the paper in her hand. It had been burned, most of it charred, leaving only some encrypted text for Mobius. Clearly, it belonged to someone's memory. And it was an unpleasant memory.

"Hehe... This is really like winning the lottery. Thanks to the guinea pig, I will definitely treat her well in the next experiment. Elysia's memory space... It would be such a waste not to make use of it."

The girl's laughter was crisp, but it was permeated with an indescribable malice. The Mobius girl was up to something again. She looked into the distance where the ashes were scattered. The air was hot and restless.

Now, people like me... should all be starting to take action, right? I hope I don't run into Shen Gonglin. If I did, it would probably disrupt my plans. But maybe I need to meet with the others?

Sitting in a specially designed flying machine, the Mobius girl lazily controlled it to move forward. At the same time, she admired the dreamlike mental space of Elysia around her. It was a beautiful world, but... ah, she had found her first target.

Looking at the irritable figure in his eyes, Mobius took the initiative to speak.

"Yo... that aura just now, was it you? What are you sneaking around looking for, Chakravartin?"

Mobius greeted Chakravartin with a smile, but Chakravartin's way of responding was quite unique. Upon hearing Mobius's voice, Chakravartin suddenly rushed over. Flame-Chasers, with his fists raised and his body wreathed in flames, thought that beating up Mobius would be a pretty good way to relieve stress.

"That's quite a unique way to greet you, Chakravartin."

Mobius had sparred with Chakravartin more than once or twice. Although he was no match for him in such combat, he was not so easily defeated in this kind of "sparring." It was a greeting that was typical of him. He seemed even angrier than usual. Was it because he had been beaten up by Shen Gonglin?

I really want to bring up the very thing I don't want to talk about.

"Following me furtively is suicide."

Chakravartin was as irritable as ever. He had sensed Mobius's presence earlier, and in his opinion, her following behind him was a provocation. The last person to provoke him like that... Chakravartin thought of Mei, who had told him to "get over here," and it seemed she was still alright. When did the cost of provoking him become so low?

"Oh, maybe I just wanted to catch up with you and talk about your hometown."

Knowing exactly how to provoke Chakravartin, Mobius continued to add fuel to the fire; no one understood courting death better than Mobius.

"Ha! Very good, this is called rushing to die!"

The onslaught of the Chakravartin Calamities grew ever fiercer. Come on, keep going, Mobius! Until I burn you to ashes, leaving not a single scale behind!

Mobius sighed. His interactions with Chakravartin always turned out this way. It wasn't his fault; it was because Qianjie had such a bad temper. That's why he disliked Chakravartin. He only knew how to use violence and was no different from a small animal.

"Hahaha... Mobius, I still remember how it felt to kill you last time. Would you like to experience it again, hmm?"

"Last time? That was just part of the experiment. You don't really think I'd be so idle as to have time to joke around with you, do you? Or... this Eternal Elysium that we've never even seen... has it stirred up other thoughts in you, Chakravartin?"

He knew exactly how to provoke Chakravartin, but when Mobius said that, Chakravartin stopped. Some people said he was irritable, but no one said he was stupid. What was Mobius trying to do?

Chapter 158

"Other thoughts? That's you, Mobius, always sneaking around... Tell me, what are you up to?"

Temporarily halting his attack, Chakravartin questioned Mobius, "This guy definitely doesn't have any good intentions. If you think he's only good at fighting, you're wrong. Some people say he's irritable, some say he's belligerent, but no one has ever said that Chakravartin is stupid."

"Oh dear, aren't you observing very carefully? It seems you are indeed more insightful than an idiot."

Mobius smiled sweetly, her girlish appearance making her seem innocent and carefree. But Chakravartin felt he could clearly see Mobius's venomous fangs. How could she possibly be well-behaved? If she were, she wouldn't be Mobius.

"Do you think I'm blind or deaf? Who doesn't know that you spent tens of thousands of years meticulously preparing your plan, only to have it completely destroyed by that Herrscher? Who doesn't know that you pitifully lay on the ground in the end, pleading in humiliation, welcoming that ugly defeat? It's just a pity that I didn't witness the latter part... what a regret... Mobius being beaten down by Raiden Mei?"

Knowing Mobius's personality well, Chakravartin rarely used this way to mock him. He remembered what Elysia shouted in the Elysian Realm with a megaphone, and how Mobius was beaten to the ground. Unfortunately, he didn't see it with his own eyes.

"I know you never learn, never. Lurking in the shadows, waiting for your chance to strike... that's the snake's usual trick, isn't it?"

Faced with Chakravartin's mockery and questioning, Mobius's face darkened. It was indeed his shame. And that pink fat woman, Mobius, if she hadn't spread it, how could this matter have become so widely known in the Elysian Realm? But the Mobius girl was indeed the Mobius girl. Even though she was very angry, she still didn't show it.

"Hehe... This is truly unexpected. I thought your brain was just an ornament. So you also think using some organ in your neck? Then why did you forget everything when you crashed down with that rock?"

Mobius smiled mockingly, the two exchanging sarcastic remarks. She and Chakravartin had always been at odds, or rather, neither Mobius nor Flame-Chasers could stand against each other. But when she uttered those words, the air fell silent instantly, as if a switch had been flipped.

However, Mobius was not affected by such things. Looking at Chakravartin had suddenly fallen silent, the smile in her eyes deepened. It seemed that the effect was remarkable.

"... Oh, you're angry? Oh dear, you're getting impatient! What, you're not going to pretend to be civilized anymore? You want to silence me?"

Mobius spoke sarcastically, but Chakravartin unexpectedly didn't raise her fist and charge at him. Chakravartin laughed heartily at her current behavior.

He truly deserves to be called the person who loves to laugh the most in this Elysian Realm.

"Hahahaha... You're really confident, Mobius. Who's the one who's getting desperate... And who's the one who's stopped pretending? Such childish provocation... Who are you trying to use to kill someone? I'm neither blind nor deaf... and I'm not an idiot. This Elysian Realm has only been used by you as a stage for revenge... Now that things have come to this, you've finally stopped pretending to be sociable and can use those dirty tricks as you please. But Chakravartin won't be used by you. However, watching your ugly display after defeat is quite a pastime... Hahahahaha..."

After saying so much, Mobius's smile was a facade, and everything so far had been a pretense. But she wouldn't take advantage of him; he wanted to see Mobius's pathetic defeat.

Even when mocked by Chakravartin with such attitude and words, Mobius's expression did not change in the slightest. In this situation, whoever loses their composure first will lose. Moreover, does Chakravartin really think he has seen through him? How naive he is to have such thoughts.

"To conform? You're really misunderstanding something strange, my dear Chakravartin. We've never been on the same page. Who do you think needs to pretend to conform?... The Thirteen Flame-Chasers? Haha... Does such a thing even exist?"

Mobius nodded, "The so-called Thirteen Flame-Chasers have always been fragmented from the very beginning."

Elysian Realm Archives, Mei, who hadn't waited for Shen Gonglin to return, sighed. This girl was like a waiting-for-husband stone... No, rather than herself, it was more like the girl over there who was like a waiting-for-husband stone.

Looking towards Elysia, the girl stood on tiptoe and gazed into the distance. Why did she feel that Shen Gonglin? No, she had to stop having such unrealistic thoughts.

"Alright, let's go."

Unwilling to continue like this, Mei spoke up. She still needed to explore Elysia's remaining memories. Originally, she wanted to wait for Shen Gonglin to return and then go together, but he was seduced by some vixen and disappeared. It seemed that there was no problem with him being with Sakura, so Mei decided to get down to business first.

"Huh? Aren't we going to wait for Rin? Mei, why don't we wait a little longer? I want Rin to see my past properly too, so let's wait a bit longer."

Upon hearing this, Elysia immediately protested. She wanted Shen Gonglin to see her past as well. With such a good opportunity, Elysia wanted to show Shen Gonglin every aspect of herself. You can always trust Elysia; this girl has no darkness.

"No need, let's hurry up and go see your next memory. You said you wanted to go to a special place, where is it?"

This woman actually wants to get close to Shen Gonglin? Mei is already on guard. Even she has to admit that Elysia is a very charming girl. The more Shen Gonglin knows about her, the riskier it becomes. Knowing Shen Gonglin's attraction to girls, and also knowing Elysia's attraction to boys, perhaps being with Sakura is the best choice for him right now. Mei doesn't hesitate. She'll take this opportunity to learn more about her.

"Hmm... okay, Mei is such a possessive girl, it's making my heart pound. Let's go then, for the next memory, I want to take you to a special place."