1. Converging on Nagazora City

"And, Dr. Tesla, you know this name?"

"Don't get so agitated, Xia Ling."

"We met this lady once when we were in Abyssal City. She saved Bronya and Seele's lives at that time."

Tesla reassured her, "However, the delivery person for this package was not Ms. Kal'tsit, but rather someone named Theresia."

"Furthermore, she shouldn't have stayed on the Hyperion. I checked the entire ship's defense system, and it showed no intruders were detected."

"It can't be that the ship's entire defense system isn't activated, can it?"

"..."

"Well, that's good... If it's Teacher Little Ther, it should be fine..."

Xia Ling breathed a sigh of relief.

It seems that Xia Ling's departure may not have been so forced... Theresa and Tesla exchanged a glance, and some guesses formed in their minds.

After all, Xia Ling's current expression is like that of someone who has run away from home for a long time and has been found by their parents; it's a complex mix of guilt and excitement.

"Ahem, anyway, let's put this aside for now. Xia Ling, why don't you check whether this thing really came from Lady Kal'tsit?"

As he spoke, Tesla pushed over a large box.

"So big?"

Theresa seemed to have several question marks popping up above her head.

"This thing... was indeed made by them."

Xia Ling pretended to confirm for a while and gave an affirmative answer.

"Then... let's open it and take a look?"

"Xia Ling, should we leave?" Tesla looked at Xia Ling. "After all, this was sent to you. Although I'm quite curious myself, if you need it..."

"No need, we can just open it here. There's no need to avoid it."

Xia Ling shook her head, then looked at Theresa: "Can you help me?"

Theresa nodded, gathered some Honkai Energy in her hand, and easily slashed open the outer box.

Inside the box, a strange black box and a letter appeared before the two of them.

"This is..."

Xia Ling picked up the letter, and Theresa and Truss also curiously came over.

Long time no see, Xia Ling.

As mentioned before, I was going to conduct a test on you, but considering your current health condition, you don't need to worry about it for now.

I observed the entire incident in Changkong City from the sidelines. Your actions were generally fine. As for your self-destructive strategic habits, even if I pointed them out, you probably wouldn't change.

Fortunately, you now have some good friends, and I believe they will help me correct your bad habits.

[Also, you left a small loophole in Changkong City. Your opponent is no ordinary person; he has already exploited this minor weakness. Next time, you need to be more careful about this.]

[The Valkyrie Rita, who came to handle this matter, has been properly taken care of by me. Bishop Otto, who sits behind the scenes, now knows of my existence and should be more cautious about your actions.]

In conclusion, although I didn't put you to a test, your actions in Changkong City have proven that you haven't wasted your time. Therefore, I'm sending you a small gift.

[You should know how to use this. It will be much more convenient to use as a wheelchair. I have already entered your biometric information beforehand, so you can use it directly.]

The letter ended abruptly there, and a perfectly nuanced complex expression appeared on Xia Ling's face.

After a while, she put the letter away and didn't Kal'tsit again. Instead, she began to play with the black, cube-shaped object with great interest.

Seeing that Xia Ling seemed to have mixed feelings, Theresa and Tesla didn't press her further, since the letter itself only revealed a mother's concern.

"Let me tell you, this is a good thing."

Xia Ling tapped the black cube a few times, and with a soft sound, the black cube began to slowly rise and float in the air.

At the same time, some long, black, tentacle-like objects began to emerge from beneath the block, swaying slightly.

That's right, it's the same mode of transportation as Mobius.

"Theresa, carry me up."

Xia Ling took off her shoes and, in Theresa's princess carry, sat steadily on the black cube.

"Is this thing... safe to sit on?"

Theresa looked worried.

"Don't worry, even if I speed, it will still hold me firmly."

Xia Ling sat on the small cube, excitedly floating around inside the cabin.

"Moreover, this thing has quite a few functions, and I don't need to use my hands to control it, which is why I took off my shoes just now."

As she spoke, Xia Ling's toes, encased in black silk, lightly touched the lower part of the black cube. Instantly, a tentacle rose up from below and scanned Theresa in front of her.

"Theresa, female, height 145cm, weight 38kg, measurements 70, 58, 73..."

"Wait, wait, wait, how come there's such a function?!"

Seeing that this mode of transportation was almost reporting the various hormone levels in her body, Theresa quickly asked Xia Ling to stop broadcasting.

"Heh heh, anyway, with this thing, I can go out and play by myself... Eh eh eh?"

Before Xia Ling could finish celebrating, a golden chain appeared on her collar, with the other end connected to Theresa's hand.

"Hmph, trying to escape?"

"How... how come you have something like this?!"

Xia Ling clutched the chain around her neck, looking pitifully at Theresa.

"Are you stupid? Guess why I recently lost one of the chains of Judah's Light Spear?"

Theresa's face was full of smugness.

Chapter One: Converging Towards Changkong City

Let's go back a few days.

Far from the Schicksal Base, in the desert, the girl trudged forward with difficulty, her feet sinking into the scorching sand.

"Huff... huff..."

Her body grew heavy with each step, and the Honkai Energy reserves within her body kept urging her to stop.

The brain was constantly sending her dizziness as the core was being eroded.

However, she cannot stop now.

The Class President had already stayed behind alone to hold off the Honored Master of the World Serpent, a man named Kevin, for her sake, while he himself... escaped once again.

That's right, she has once again dragged down those around her.

The first time was Himeko, the second time was Xia Ling, the third time was Fu Hua, so who will it be next time?

Perhaps she really is a person plagued by misfortune.

The girl walked silently with her head down, unable to distinguish whether the blurring of her vision was due to sweat or tears.

She didn't know where to run to, or where else could she run to? Back to St. Freya, back to the Hyperion?

No, no, she has already killed so many people, she doesn't want... Mei and Theresa to suffer the same fate.

Not to mention...

Back in Changkong City, Fu Hua's Feather Dust was tasked with suppressing Sirin, regulating her mind, and inhibiting core erosion.

Now that Fu Hua's feathers have disappeared, the familiar feeling of being corroded is once again emanating from all parts of her body.

And then there's Sirin... no, ever since she met Sister Xia Ling, Sirin's activity has gradually subsided. Kiana could sense that Sirin wasn't being suppressed; she was just hiding in her core, silently observing the outside world through herself.

Should we talk to her?

Kiana had this thought.

No, how could that be? She killed Teacher Himeko and caused Sister Xia Ling to die once... Even if she hasn't done anything else now, I shouldn't be the one to forgive her without her consent.

And...

Kiana gave a self-deprecating laugh. In her current state, did she still have the right to communicate with others?

Sensing that her Honkai Energy had recovered somewhat, Kiana attempted to utilize the power within her core.

Now that Fu Hua and Xia Ling are no longer there to protect her, she must be extremely careful with every use of her powers.

But where to go...?

Since becoming the Herrscher of the Void, she has left coordinate information in many locations.

In Changkong City, he still had the key to the safe house, and the chaos there had just ended, so no one would be paying attention to that place.

So, shall we go to Changkong City for a rest?

Looking at the key in her hand, Kiana suddenly felt her eyes well up with tears.

Forget it... She didn't have the courage to face that familiar three-person team's stronghold again.

Feeling the corrosive sensation emanating from her body, she remembered the serious look in Sister Xia Ling's eyes the last time this happened.

My own health has deteriorated, and this time, I'm afraid my days are truly numbered...

So...

Kiana remembered that very beginning.

She wanted to return to the place where her destiny had begun, to the place where she started this journey.

Changkong City.

"Hey, Gray Serpent, are we really going to let her go like this?"

Raven's eyes rested on the scope of the Seven Thunders of Retribution, though at this point, the Seven Thunders of Retribution could only serve as an aiming tool.

Since the last fight with Xia Ling, the Seven Thunders of Retribution have been on strike and it will probably take several more days to recover.

Raven, however, was quite happy with this. She had long wanted to get rid of this hot potato. If the Seven Thunders of Retribution hadn't broken down, she probably would have been assigned tasks like, "You, go and kill Otto for me."

She was even considering discussing with Seven Thunders of Retribution, suggesting that he take a few more days off.

"Ignore her. Letting Kiana go was part of the deal between Otto and the Honored Master. Otherwise, do you think she could have gotten this far?"

The Gray Serpent said calmly, "The Honored Master's previous attack on her was only to remove the shackles binding her. The Honored Master is looking forward to the day when she can completely master the core power."

"Okay, okay, I'll do as you say."

Raven sighed, "By the way, when can I take a vacation? I haven't been back to see the children for over a month since I started in Changkong City."

"Didn't the Reed go back for you?"

"I suggest you speak like a human being."

"Okay, just kidding."

Gray Serpent shrugged. "I've been quite busy lately... If you really miss the kids, how about bringing one along?"

"Anyway, your next mission will be in Changkong City, and your kids are familiar with the area."

"Your words are getting more and more inhuman, Gray Serpent." The Raven's expression seemed to ask, "Are you serious?"

"Don't worry, I have my reasons for saying this. Let me put it this way: the Honored Master will accompany you on your next mission."

"With the Honored Master here, even if your children are in danger on the other side of the city, the Honored Master can easily save them."

So, remember to think about it.

"Ah... I'm sorry to have disturbed your stroll again, Xia Ling, Theresa."