30. We Have a Huge Advantage-Prepare to Storm Them

"Besides, you and Raven have already wasted enough time on the road. It's been three hours since I set off, Kiana has probably already started her operation."

"Optimistically speaking, Kiana might come to my rescue before the Jackal even start."

"Then I can only hope that things really will turn out that way." Flame Willow was speechless as she looked at Xia Ling, who had already set a flag for her.

"One last reminder: watch out for the Jackal. Since she dared to prevent me and Raven from keeping watch for her, she must have something to back her up."

After giving this instruction, Flame Willow skillfully secured Xia Ling to the experimental table, then raised the protective layer and turned to leave.

"Now I'm a little curious how you become so familiar with bondage beds..."

Xia Ling complained in the channel.

An hour and a half after Xia Ling disappeared, Kiana was at the base, couldn't sit still any longer.

"Why isn't Sister Xia Ling back yet...?"

"After such a long time, Miss Xia Ling may have encountered some problems."

Rita, you're awake?

"I'm so sorry you had to see me in such a disheveled state..."

Rita slowly sat up from the bed.

"From what I know of Miss Xia Ling, she is not the kind of person who has no sense of time."

"So much time has passed, even if there are pursuers, Miss Xia Ling should be able to shake them off by now. So, Miss Kiana, you should prepare for the worst."

"If we want to rescue Miss Xia Ling or save Changkong City, we should take action."

"... What do you plan to do?"

"Before I reveal my plan, there are some things I need to confirm with Miss Kiana."

Rita smiled slightly, "First of all, is Miss Xia Ling heading to the industrial zone or to the headquarters of Kamisato Pharmaceuticals located near the city's jurisdiction?"

"Headquarters."

Kiana answered affirmatively, "There's not much left in the industrial zone. They wouldn't leave those test subjects exposed in ruins."

"Did any members of the World Serpent discover or try to find this place after I fell into a coma?"

"No, I can guarantee that."

After all, this was the Class President's reconnaissance result. Kiana added in her mind.

"Then the situation is getting worse..."

Rita's expression was somewhat grave. "If the other side hasn't caused us any trouble, then they've probably withdrawn all their main forces back to headquarters."

"The fact that they haven't given up on this place despite assuming that Schicksal already knows about it shows that they are very close to the success of their so-called Stigmata Project."

"And at this moment, there is probably some very important intelligence inside the headquarters."

"Miss Xia Ling probably ran headlong into their main force, which is why she was captured."

"The main force? The Jackal who did so many experiments on Pinglin-Menglinger (3) Private Shrimp Pulling IV People is also here?"

Kiana's expression changed. "Then wouldn't Sister Xia Ling be..."

"Miss Kiana, don't be impulsive," Rita hurriedly said. "We are not strong enough right now. Even if you rush to Kamisato Pharmaceuticals, you will only be captured together."

"I do have a way to counter Kamisato Pharmaceuticals, but it will take some time..."

"Headmaster, just a few hours ago, a massive explosion occurred in the industrial zone of Kamisato Pharmaceuticals."

Mei took out her phone and showed it to Theresa: "Here are some photos from the scene. Of course, Kamisato Pharmaceuticals' official statement is that there was a gas pipeline leak."

"How is that possible? A pharmaceutical company, where a gas pipeline exploded?"

Theresa didn't believe it at all. Holding a glass of bitter melon juice, she said, "This explosion is probably related to..."

Before she could finish speaking, Theresa's communicator rang.

"Huh, it's a communication from Hyperion."

Theresa glanced at it, picked up the phone and answered, "Hello? Yes, it's me, Ain."

Mei didn't hear exactly what Theresa said on the phone.

But she saw the cup in Theresa's hand shatter into pieces as Theresa's expression suddenly darkened.

"Mei, change into your gear, we're ready to go."

Theresa put down the communicator, opened Judah directly, and took out the augmented armor that Anti-Entropy had adjusted— Twilight Knight: Moonbeam.

"Headmaster, what happened?"

Mei hurriedly took down the long sword hanging on the wall, preparing to put on her assault armor.

"Rita sent a message to the Hyperion using the humanoid machine's permissions."

"She told Ain Changkong City would be destroyed by the World Serpent within ten hours, and that Kiana had now joined forces with her. Furthermore, she provided a lot of evidence, making it highly credible."

"As for Xia Ling, she has already been captured by the World Serpent. She said that if we don't go to support her soon, we might have to consider collecting Xia Ling's body."

"World Serpent... heh."

Theresa clutched the Judas' Vow tightly in her hands, a faint red light gleaming in her eyes.

Chapter Thirty has a significant advantage; a full-scale attack is planned.

Two hours after Xia Ling went missing.

"As expected, Ayame Yi Liu Yi Wu Jiu (4) Jiu Ba, people's potential is greatest when they are under pressure."

"You brought me to the industrial area in such a short time. It seems that Miss Xia Ling's disappearance has been a big blow to you."

"Shut up..."

Kiana was slightly out of breath, and the gold in her eyes was much stronger than before.

"Kiana, pay attention to the flow of Honkai Energy, and regulate your aura to try your best to follow and guide the power of the Herrscher Core."

Fu Hua kept reminding her in her mind of the trajectory of Honkai Energy, helping her to sort out the somewhat restless Honkai Energy.

Although Kiana's condition has stabilized over the past four months, this is the first time she has used her powers so intensively and continuously.

Kiana felt the rejection from the Herrscher Core for the first time in a long time... no, perhaps it was her body's rejection.

She struggled to suppress her discomfort and looked at Rita: "What are you looking for? You'd better hurry."

"Find the antidote for HSN-B46 serum." Rita skillfully accessed the industrial zone's database and quickly began searching.

"The gas made from this serum will not only break down and dissipate all of a person's Honkai Energy in a short time, but this weakened state will also last for almost a day. We obviously don't have time to wait a day now."

Rita explained as she worked quickly, and soon she led Kiana to the location of the antidote.

Rita smashed the glass of the experimental cabinet, took out several antidotes, and threw two to Kiana.

"If Miss Xia Ling is captured, they will definitely inject her with serum to prevent her from resisting. Take this and use it to detoxify Xia Ling."

"Thanks..."

"You're welcome. We're allies now, aren't we?"

Having obtained the antidote, Rita left the industrial area without stopping and headed to her next location.

Where to go next?

"We'll head straight to the vicinity of Kamisato Pharmaceuticals's headquarters; the Immortal Blade team is already waiting there."

Rita's words startled Kiana.

"Didn't you say you were going to call more people?"

"The help I found has already joined my Immortal Blade squad and is ready to storm in at any time."

"Now, all that's left is for us to be in position."

Rita gave a mysterious smile.

The location Rita indicated wasn't far from Kamisato Pharmaceuticals' headquarters, but it wasn't right at the entrance either; rather, it was at a rather ambiguous distance.

Rita stopped in front of an inconspicuous little house.

"I need to gather my team members. You can go in and rest for a while."

"By the way, I've prepared a surprise for you!"

"Surprise?"

Kiana pushed open the door with some annoyance. Xia Ling was still missing, and she couldn't think of anything that could be considered a surprise to her.

A few seconds later, Kiana instantly understood what Rita meant.

Seeing the unexpected help that appeared before her, Kiana's eyes showed a hint of panic, and she suddenly felt a little helpless.

Although she didn't wander alone for four months like in the original story, Xia Ling's companionship healed many of her wounds, but without a doubt, she wasn't ready for a reunion.

Then, she was hugged tightly by someone she knew.

"Mei..."

Kiana, you idiot!

Meanwhile, Rita outside the door was also talking to Theresa.

"Lord Theresa, I am very sorry about what happened to Miss Xia Ling."

"I don't blame you. I know where to vent my anger."

Theresa slowly shook her head. "Speaking of which, I should thank you, Rita."

"If you hadn't defeated me back then, I wouldn't have known that Xia Ling was in Changkong City."

"If I had really missed Xia Ling back then, I wouldn't have rushed to Changkong City with Mei beforehand..."

"So you can't respond to my request for help so quickly now, is that right?"

Rita smiled and said, "Lord Theresa is as understanding as ever, which makes me feel even more ashamed."

"In return, I will turn a blind eye to Kiana and Miss Xia Ling after this conflict ends."

Of course, whether Lady Durandal intervenes or not is none of my concern.

Rita added in her mind.

"Let's deal with the rest later. The main task now is to rescue Xia Ling."

"Rita, what are you planning to do?"

"When I was in contact with Kamisato Pharmaceuticals before, I confirmed the location of their laboratory, which is on the top floor of their headquarters building."

"And so many experimental subjects transferred from the industrial area are probably stored underground as usual."

"We'll launch a strong attack on the underground area to draw their attention, and then let Miss Kiana slip up to find Xia Ling."

"Storm?"

Theresa looked puzzled. "If I'm not mistaken, your body hasn't fully recovered yet, has it?"

"Moreover, your Immortal Blade is almost entirely injured. Even if I can take down one of their S-rank combatants, and you and Mei hold off another, your team shouldn't be able to stop the remaining Honkai Beast and Honkai zombie."

"Hehe, this is something Lord Theresa may not know." Rita took out a box.

"Our Immortal Blade isn't just comprised of two S-rank Valkyrie, Durandal and myself, you know?"

On the other side, Mei, with a hint of anger on her face, also pulled Kiana out of the room.

She and Kiana had a rather heated argument in the room. Although Kiana was in much better condition than she had imagined, Kiana's mentality had not changed at all; she was still that fool who liked to take all the responsibility upon herself.

If Kiana were to sacrifice her life to avert the crisis in Changkong City, Mei estimated that Kiana wouldn't hesitate for long.

Mei a little angry, but she didn't know how to change Kiana's mind. According to Kiana, it seemed that the two people who were now teaming up with Kiana were both idiots who would sacrifice themselves at the slightest disagreement.

Therefore, Kiana was completely unaware of the problem with her mindset.

However, given the current situation, there's definitely no time to provide psychological counseling for Kiana. Mei can only keep this matter to herself for now and wait for the day when she can have a proper heart-to-heart talk with Kiana.

"It seems you've finished your conversation. Now that everyone's here, we should get going."