Xia Ling: Uh-oh, I've taken things too far-I'm going to end up Theresa's captive (sobs) / Bronya: I really hate people who are constantly flaunting their relationship.

Although it may seem like only a moment to outsiders, for Theresa, her consciousness had already risen and fallen several times in the darkness.

Vishnu's "devouring" of himself took longer than she imagined; at least, that's how long it felt to her.

However, she didn't feel much pain during the process... perhaps because the Fusion Warrior's physique shielded her from the illusion of physical transformation?

Theresa thought to herself, trying to find a bit of humor in her predicament.

However, Theresa was unaware that, given the precedent of the Cosmo from the Previous Civilization, Otto had never given Theresa a full meal since she was "born".

This is why Theresa's artificial Honkai outbreak did not transform her into Honkai Beast or carry Honkai Beast characteristics—after all, Vishnu's genes didn't get anything from Theresa, so he couldn't help but become Theresa.

Of course, this is not to say that Theresa is unqualified as "ingredient". In fact, it can be said that Theresa's act of devouring herself amplifies the intensity of her artificial Honkai outbreak by several levels, and also makes her basically immune to the side effects of collapse.

However, Theresa was unaware of this at the time.

As consciousness gradually returned to her body, before Theresa could even open her eyes, a whooshing sound swept over her.

Almost instinctively, Theresa raised her "claws" to block the incoming blade.

Although Xia Ling didn't exert much effort, the fact that there was no stinging sensation in her hand made Theresa's assessment of her own strength rise to a new level.

Of course, the sound of metal clashing together that followed also chilled her heart instantly.

Sigh... So I really did turn into Honkai Beast? I hope Xia Ling will still recognize me...

With a wry smile, Theresa opened her eyes.

What came into view was a pair of young girl's hands, like all girls about to come of age, with smooth, jade-like skin and slender fingers.

"This is..."

With a hint of unexpected joy, Theresa lowered her head.

Then, I didn't see the familiar shoe tips.

With her suddenly elevated field of vision, Theresa understood the changes she had undergone.

She... has grown up.

Although she hasn't reached the level of an older sister like Himeko, her body, after artificial Honkai outbreak, is no longer frozen at the age of 12 as before, but has transformed into the appearance of a young girl.

Even more surprising things were yet to come. After confirming the changes in her body, the second thing Theresa felt was the surging power within her.

The power of artificial Honkai outbreak, a taboo that the Fusion Warrior of the Previous Civilization were unwilling to touch, was far beyond the reach of ordinary amplification.

Moreover, Theresa's Honkai Beast genes are derived from Vishnu.

As she gently grasped Judah's hand, Theresa even had the illusion that she could do anything.

However, she was well aware of the importance of entering the wrong password, and this arrogance only lasted for a moment before she forgot about it.

It remains to be seen how long she can withstand the artificial Honkai outbreak. The most important thing right now is to resolve the biggest problem at hand during this period of artificial Honkai outbreak.

Theresa looked up and met Xia Ling's somewhat surprised eyes.

Xia Ling immediately felt a sweat pouring down her back.

I... seem to have underestimated Theresa 'artificial Honkai outbreak?

Chapter Twenty-Seven Xia Ling: Ugh, I've gone too far. I'm going to become Theresa's prisoner. (Sad)

"This is... artificial Honkai outbreak?"

Although Xia Ling had anticipated that Theresa would use the Collapse technique, and even the main purpose of Xia Ling's intervention this time was to make Theresa overcome her inner demons and then unleash the Collapse technique.

However, when Theresa actually used Collapse, the girl's graceful appearance still gave Xia Ling quite a shock.

After all, Collapse Theresa hadn't even appeared by the time he time-traveled.

"Yes, I have to thank Xia Ling for allowing me to face myself like this... Ling Meng Lu Lin Er Er Shan Si Bao Ba s~#i.. But, should I call it a gift of fate? It seems that my artificial Honkai outbreak will not turn me into Vishnu."

Theresa clenched her fist, feeling the surge of power within her body.

"So... Xia Ling, are you ready?"

"I'm different now than I used to be, you know?"

Almost instantly, a core danger warning flooded Xia Ling's mind, and her long combat experience made her subconsciously change her position.

Just as she teleported, the ground where she was standing was smashed into a deep crater by Judah.

Xia Ling silently swallowed.

The original work did not describe Theresa's strength after her collapse in much detail, which led Xia Ling to assume that Theresa's collapse was just a normal occurrence.

That is, the estimate was made based on the increase in strength of the Herrschers collapse.

Her initial assessment was that she could probably hold her own, so she would go easy on Theresa and let her defeat her, then she could legitimately slack off.

But now it seems... Otto added a lot of technology and ruthless techniques to Theresa's Fusion Warrior modification.

Or perhaps the completely controllable Vishnu Gene far exceeded his expectations.

In short... I think I went a bit too far.

"So... Xia Ling's teleportation isn't as fast as I thought..."

Theresa muttered to herself, then rushed toward Xia Ling again.

This time, she successfully arrived in front of Xia Ling before Xia Ling even finished opening the door and entering.

Then, a pair of soft, boneless hands gently embraced Xia Ling's waist.

Such gentle caresses did not bring Xia Ling any joy, but instead made her break out in a cold sweat instantly.

Because, before she even stepped inside, Theresa abruptly pulled her back from the point where she had one foot in the doorway.

Since this is Theresa's first encounter with Collapse, she hasn't had time to study the various special abilities it has granted her.

However, Vishnu Gene was enough to allow her to crush Xia Ling's flawed mechanism with sheer power.

"Got you~"

"Wow!"

Xia Ling quickly used her second and most common method of self-preservation: the puppet created by the Domination Core had replaced her, freeing Xia Ling from Theresa's gentle embrace.

"This trick again... This puppet is really annoying."

Theresa pouted, crumpled the doll into a ball like a piece of paper, and threw it towards Xia Ling.

"..."

For the first time, Xia Ling felt that Theresa could make a coquettish tone sound so authoritative.

She needed to re-evaluate her plans, otherwise, given Theresa's current state, if she were captured...

It evokes a sense of helplessness, like that of a female hero captured by a demon king.

Fortunately, she had prepared some backup plans.

It started with ten thousand times the force of gravity...

Xia Ling used the power of the Rock Herrscher Core within her body to easily unleash one of Old Yang's commonly used skills.

Although it's unclear how effective this thing will be for Theresa in her current state, it's better than nothing.

Unfortunately, she only had the core for a few hours. Otherwise, if she could have studied how to place the Simulated Black Hole, she would surely have been able to escape safely.

After quickly setting up the field magic sponsored by the Rock Herrscher Core, Xia Ling swiftly swung her blade, slashing out several electric nets composed of lightning, trying to buy Theresa some more time.

Then, she opened the "door" again, but this time her destination was the Hyperion.

After all, Theresa couldn't pursue her for too long. If she ran away, Theresa would definitely prioritize helping Kiana, and she could take the opportunity to confess to the Doctor and get a chance to explain herself later.

"Xia Ling, who's always trying to run away, isn't a good girl~"

Theresa did not stop Xia Ling's actions, but quietly watched her performance.

Then...

"The Judas' Vow, Zero Rated Power — Divine Prayer Barrier!"

As Xia Ling prepared to flee, Theresa once again unleashed her trump card: Divine Grace Spirit Dream, First-Strike Barrier.

This time, however, as the user's condition changed, the strength of the Divine Prayer Barrier remained the same, but the usage time was extended several times.

After all, the original decision on how long the Divine Prayer Barrier could be used was how long Theresa could withstand the Power of Restraint. Theresa's later actions of forcibly breaking free from the Power of Restraint to gain some resistance only made the price she had to pay less.

But now... Theresa's physical resilience is on a completely different level than before, to the point that she can even move around to some extent within the Divine Prayer Barrier.

At this moment, as the Honkai Energy of both sides was simultaneously neutralized by the Power of Restraint, Xia Ling watched as Theresa walked towards her step by step.

Unfortunately, the Power of Restraint is such that whoever is stronger will have an overwhelming advantage. Before the collapse, Theresa could break through Xia Ling's defenses with a brief burst of power, but after the collapse...

The Power of Restraint that Xia Ling borrowed was no match for Theresa's rate of consumption.

It's like the classic problem of one tap for water and another for water to drain. Xia Ling's current situation is that her drain tap remains the same, but the tap for water... has changed from a tap to a bucket for filling.

Theresa slowly walked up to Xia Ling and easily bent down to pinch her cheek.

"You lost, Xia Ling ~"

"Gu, just kill me..."

"So our lovely Xia Ling has this stubborn personality, huh? There's just no way to deal with her. But based on the method I read in a book..."

After saying that, in Xia Ling's wide-eyed gaze, Theresa embraced her body without giving her a chance to resist, and then... the slightly cool and fragrant touch of her lips.

So this is what the grown-up Theresa tastes like...?

Under the dual pressure of the Power of Restraint and Theresa's body, this was the last thought that flashed through Xia Ling's mind before she fainted from the sweet, almost suffocating contact.

Chapter Twenty-Eight Bronya: I Hate Guys Who Are Always Showing Off Their Love

"She actually fainted... It seems that although Xia Ling shouts loudly, her body is actually quite fragile."

Theresa picked up the unconscious Xia Ling in a princess carry and couldn't help but nuzzle Xia Ling's extremely peaceful "sleeping face." Then she looked in the direction of Fu Hua.

The Honkai Energy fluctuations coming from over there showed no sign of abating, indicating that Sirin and Li Chunyi were still Sushang in fierce combat.

As for why Theresa knew it was Sirin who was fighting... well, the black feathers over there already identified the fighter.

Perhaps due to her breakthrough in strength, coupled with the sense of relaxation that came from successfully defeating Xia Ling, Theresa felt that her mind was in an unimaginably clear state.

"Grandfather's actions... are very wrong."

"If he really wants to stall for time, there are undoubtedly more effective and safer ways... such as having Li Sushang stop me, Xia Ling confront Sirin, or bringing over that little girl named Xi. She is very good at stalling for time."

"Furthermore, he hardly used his power of control, and the personnel deployed in each group of defenses seemed to have been deliberately arranged."

"Rather than hindering us, it's more like they're using this opportunity to handle some difficult issues for us, helping Rita and Sushang smoothly integrate into the Schicksal after his departure..."

"Now that I think about it, if it was to make me lose my fighting ability, Xia Ling had several opportunities to do so, and she didn't even use her strange abilities."

"But if that's really the case..."

A complex emotion flashed through Theresa's mind.

"Grandfather wouldn't... really want to leave this world, would he?"

"Headmaster, can you hear me?"

The sound from the communicator interrupted Theresa's thoughts.

Bronya?

Theresa took out her beeping communicator, and Bronya's projection appeared beside her.

"Finally connected... Principal, your signal has been down for a while now, and so has the Class President monitor's. What happened?"

"We've also encountered some resistance... but the signal being cut off might be due to the Honkai Energy disorder in this area? After all, the battle is quite intense."

"Alright, Bronya encountered Rita and Xi blocking her way, but their fighting spirit was extremely low, and they only symbolically delayed us for a short while before letting us go."

"They gave Bronya the feeling of being on the same wavelength in a video game; it's hard not to suspect that Otto has some special arrangement... Wait, Headmistress, what's gotten into you...?"

Bronya seemed to be speeding on her little motorcycle, so much so that it took her so long to realize that Theresa seemed to have changed.

"Yes, a lot has happened here, and of course, it's all thanks to this guy."

Theresa proudly displayed the spoils in her arms.

"Uh... okay, whatever makes you happy, Headmaster."