35. Elysia: Yep, I Did It. What Are You Gonna Do About It? / 36. Raven: The Traitor Was Right Beside Me?

As Fu Hua briefly described the situation, Theresa's heart was constantly gripped with unease.

"So, you're saying that Xia Ling, besides having a bunch of wounds on her body, has also seemingly lost her sight?"

Theresa gripped Xia Ling's slightly cold hand tightly, her voice trembling.

"If my intuition is correct, it should be like this..."

"Moreover... I suspect she lost more than just her sight. She could clearly still see the first two times she shook that bell..."

Fu Hua glanced discreetly at Kiana beside her, who was biting her lip tightly and tears streaming down her cheeks, and then said nothing more.

At that moment, a roar interrupted the three people's conversation.

Tonatiuh, whose quantum properties had just been sealed by Xia Ling, has broken free from the seal due to Xia Ling's loss of consciousness.

"..."

"Among the guys who hurt Xia Ling just now, this was one of them, right...?"

Theresa's voice was filled with a chilling coldness, Vishnu's nature was stirring with barely suppressed rage.

"Then, let's try it on you first..."

A crimson light suddenly welled up in Theresa's eyes.

"... So that's what the World Serpent was planning."

"True Art I (Iling亻尔溜似群) is a bunch of lunatics..."

In the data room of Kamisato Pharmaceuticals, Rita looked at the scrolling information and data on the screen with a gloomy expression.

"They shouldn't have used the Eos as bait... No, they did attack the Eos anyway. Was this engine part of their plan from the beginning?"

"We must find a way to stop them quickly. The detonation time is approaching, but there is still a huge mess to deal with at Kamisato Pharmaceuticals, and Lady Durandal won't be able to get there in time."

"Should we ask Miss Kiana? Although she can control some of her abilities right now, would she really agree to something like this...?"

"We have to give it a try, no matter what..."

Rita lowered the screen, turned around, and went upstairs.

Then, she saw the scene on the top floor as if a tornado had swept through.

"What's going on...?"

Rita subconsciously searched for Xia Ling's whereabouts, and then she saw the petite little girl being held in Kiana's arms.

"Xia Ling, she..."

"A lot of things happened on the top floor just now." Kiana's voice was a little hoarse. "Rita, did you come up here for something?"

Rita glanced at Theresa, who was torturing Tonatiuh, and said with a serious expression, "Just now underground, I discovered what the World Serpent's so-called Stigmata Project is all about."

"They want to expose the entire city to excessive Honkai Energy radiation, thereby inducing them to activate their Stigmata, and in this way, select the Stigmata-compatible individuals from the entire city!"

"And the thing they're planning to use to spread Honkai Energy is the engine of the Eos, which has now been transported to the central signal tower in Changkong City."

"We must find a way to stop this thing before it explodes, otherwise the entire city will turn into paradise of Honkai."

"..."

"I see."

Kiana's eyes were red, clearly showing signs of crying, but she simply nodded expressionlessly.

"I'll find a way to stop them."

Rita sensed that Kiana's emotions were a bit strange. She could guess it was because of Xia Ling, but looking at Xia Ling, she didn't seem to be dead. Why...?

Setting aside her increasingly absurd thoughts, Rita asked, "Miss Xia Ling, would you like me to look after her for a while? Don't worry, I'll hand her over to Miss Mei later."

"Need not."

The person who answered her was Theresa.

"Xia Ling can leave it to me. Rita, you can handle this."

Rita felt a little sweaty as Theresa tossed a strange creature that looked like it could be completely pixelated over.

How come these two seem to have turned evil after just a short absence?

Chapter Thirty-Five: Elysia: Yes, I did it. What can you do about it?

"This distance should be enough..."

In a safe house in Changkong City, Jackal opened the door and quickly slipped inside.

Without even tending to the wounds on his hands, Jackal hurriedly turned on his terminal, preparing to connect to the World Serpent's internal network.

There's something wrong with the Reed, but she can't pinpoint exactly what's wrong.

However, one thing is certain: although Reed gave Xia Ling the serum, she also gave her the antidote at the same time.

"These two must have made some kind of deal in private..."

Jackal mentally organized his thoughts, and while waiting for the identity verification to complete, he stood up to retrieve the medical kit.

"Where was it again...? I think it was..."

"Here it is?"

A pale, jade-like hand encased in a black fingerless glove handed the medical kit to the Jackal.

"..."

The Jackal froze instantly, too afraid to move, her body covered in cold sweat.

"Hmm, it seems you don't need this anymore?"

After removing the medical kit, Elysia sat down in front of the computer that Jackal had just turned on. Looking at Jackal, who had his back to her and dared not turn around, her voice was as sweet as ever.

"No matter who you are, let me go. Whatever reward Xia Ling gives you, World Serpent will pay you double."

Jackal was very calm and collected. She knew Xia Ling's interpersonal relationships perfectly. At this point in time, she would never have an extra helper like this. Therefore, this helper must be temporary.

In Jackal's understanding, such temporary relationships are usually employment relationships, so Jackal did not intend to threaten the other party with the World Serpent, but instead chose to entice them with benefits.

"Sure?"

The speed at which the other party relented gave the Jackal a jolt of confidence.

"But Xia Ling's reward to me is herself~ Can you help me find two Xia Ling?"

"It seems you not only couldn't find it, but you also broke mine..."

"Are you playing me? I sincerely want to talk to you." The Jackal's voice carried a hint of annoyance.

"Oh dear, you still don't recognize me? That's making me a little sad..."

"How about I give you a little hint?"

"Although you didn't see me in the Elysian Realm, didn't you gather a lot of information about me?"

"?!"

Jackal isn't stupid; she's not so foolish as to not have realized what's happening by now.

When the other party uses the word "Elysian Realm" in that tone, things are already beyond her control.

In an instant, a question that had been troubling her was answered: why Xia Ling had used Flame-Chasers to mock her when she was tied to the experimental table, and why she was so familiar with some of the World Serpent.

She didn't get to meet many Flame-Chasers, but only one fits this tone and feeling.

"You are... Elysia, the adult group of Nilin Bashi Liu Baqiqi?"

"Looks like you've remembered?"

"Back when you were in the Elysian Realm, although your intentions weren't entirely pure, I felt there was still room for you to change."

"So I specifically instructed Mobius to give you a chance."

"Now it seems... you've taken everyone's tolerance for you as approval."

"Well, I don't dislike confident girls, but knowing yourself is also an important quality, isn't it?"

"Lady Elysia, I... I'm still quite useful to the World Serpent. I've led and promoted many projects, I..."

After learning the other party's identity, Jackal completely lost the will to resist.

Whether relying on their own strength or seeking help, it's probably all in vain now.

Based on the information she gathered about the memory, even if the Honored Master were here now, he probably wouldn't save her.

But she'd heard that this mysterious second one was more lenient with some pretty girls, so for now, she could only beg for mercy and see if she could get what she wanted...

"It's too late."

A pink crystal slowly spread upwards along the Jackal's neck, sealing her mouth.

"The World Serpent don't lack a Chief Scientist, and besides, your thinking is a bit too extreme..."

"In my opinion, defeating the Honkai should not outweigh the survival of humanity itself. The Stigmata Project itself is only a last resort."

"Well then, goodbye, Miss Jackal."

The Jackal had been completely crystallized, shattered with a crash, leaving behind only a pink crystal flower, which remained intact.

"If we follow Little Xia Ling's plan... sigh, this child is always so cruel to herself."

"However, it seems that even Little Theresa can't stand Xia Ling continuing to abuse herself like this. Perhaps, she'll soon unleash her pent-up anxiety..."

"Hmph, Miss Fairy doesn't want to punish you doesn't mean others won't, okay?"

"Hopefully, this will teach Little Xia Ling a lesson."

Seemingly thinking of some interesting possibilities for the future, Elysia's tone became cheerful again. She transformed into a pink streak of light and disappeared from the room.

"..."

A moment later, the Gray Serpent, having connected to the communication, looked at the pink crystals scattered on the ground and the Jackal's connection request, and fell silent.

Although he wasn't in Changkong City, the World Serpent's plan was being transmitted to the Gray Serpent in real time, so he immediately understood that the scattered things were the so-called "Jackal fragments".

"So that's why the Honored Master asked me to take care of Xia Ling..."

"There's even this kind of connection, and Lady Elysia herself was involved. It seems we'll have to give way further to plans involving Xia Ling..."

On the other side, in the night of Changkong City, two figures were rapidly advancing on the rooftops.

Kiana did not use her teleportation ability. In order to prepare for whatever might happen next, she chose to conserve some Honkai Energy and walk there.

Theresa held Xia Ling in her arms and followed beside her.

Two of World Serpent's combatants disappeared without a trace. In order to prevent possible enemies from appearing, Theresa, who was worried about Kiana, chose to follow her.

As for Xia Ling... after what happened, Theresa can only feel at ease if she keeps her by her side.

If a battle ensues, at worst we can let Judah fight on his own, or at the very least we can put Xia Ling inside Judah for protection.

Anyway, I didn't just bring one cross...

However, it turned out that Theresa's conjecture was indeed correct.

As expected, the Raven chose to ambush them on their likely route.

Or rather, this is how it appears from Theresa's perspective.

However, in reality, the Raven, unsure of the Jackal's whereabouts, chose to go to the central signal tower to check the situation.

After finding everything was normal, Flame Willow prepared to leave with the key to the central signal tower, and then she happened to run into Kiana was on her way.

Flame Willow felt a bit drenched in sweat. She frantically tagged Xia Ling in the channel, urging her to wake up quickly.

"Where are our allies? Where are our allies? Help us!"

"Xia Ling, wake up! If you sleep a little longer, you'll see Theresa driving the Collapse and beating me and Raven!"

Chapter Thirty-Six: Raven: The Traitor Is Right Beside Me?