Hai Mo: Unfortunately, the plan hit a tiny little snag / Theresa, could you... eat me too?

"At first, this deviation was very small, but when it was half an hour ago—"

Himeko pointed to the far right of the chart. "This deviation is starting to become extremely systematic, and the magnitude is also much larger."

"How can it be so big..."

Although she wasn't a specialist in fleet command, Theresa had decades of combat experience and was very familiar with the Hyperion, so she immediately noticed how absurd the data was.

"That's right. So far, Ai-chan can still reverse this deviation, but if it continues..." Himeko's face showed some worry. "We can't rule out the worst-case scenario."

"What's the reason? What did Ain say?"

"Ain thinks it might be a problem with the Soul Steel. As you know, the core of the Hyperion has been completely replaced with Soul Steel."

"But if there is an interference signal that happens to be identified as a command signal by Soul Steel... then such a situation may occur."

Himeko sighed, "If we continue to conduct exercises amidst this interference, such errors may accumulate and eventually lead to a complete loss of control of the command and navigation systems."

"Damn it, what is that thing...?"

Faced with such a tricky situation, Theresa was also somewhat at a loss.

The Hyperion is unable to perform self-checks in deep space because currently Himeko Hyperion board, as the Hyperion has already completed its unmanned transformation.

Unfortunately, neither she nor Himeko had the ability to detect such a potential problem.

"There's no other way... Although we're very unwilling, for the sake of safety, we have no choice but to return to base for the time being."

Theresa sighed and looked at Ain on the projection.

"In that case, Doctor, let's change course and head to the nearest..."

Before she could finish speaking, an unusual feeling of exhaustion washed over Theresa.

Before she could react, with a heavy thud, Himeko had already fallen to the ground.

"Wait... what's going on...?"

Theresa was not immune to the strange dizziness, and soon her world was plunged into darkness.

Meanwhile, on the other side of Earth...

"Have they arrived...?"

Holding the scroll she had just received from Xi in one hand, Xia Ling reached out and touched the portal that had suddenly appeared before her. She could clearly sense that the other side of the portal led to the Sea of Quantum.

At this moment, the door was exerting a powerful suction force on her, though it was of little use.

After all, Xia Ling was an expert in using "doors," and the dizziness that was similar to a mental attack had little effect on her, who was protected by both discipline and divine wisdom.

However, she still chose to "walk into the trap" on her own.

"Stigmata Project..."

Xia Ling sighed softly.

"Is it finally coming, the Finality moment...?"

Chapter Four: Highmore: Unfortunately, the plan deviated slightly.

Emptiness—this was Xia Ling's first feeling upon entering the Sea of Quantum.

"Is it because of Stigmata Project? The Sea of Quantum near Earth has never been so calm."

After the dizziness from the teleportation subsided, Xia Ling began to observe her surroundings.

To be precise, it means starting to determine your own coordinates.

"The speed at which different Herrscher are expelled into the Sea of Quantum varies. Since I entered voluntarily, it seems I've become the first Herrscher to enter the Sea of Quantum...?"

After carefully sensing her surroundings, Xia Ling's expression became somewhat strange.

Although she usually had the closest connection with World Serpent and was an old acquaintance with Gray Serpent, when the Stigmata Project truly began, the other party showed no mercy whatsoever.

The power used to repel oneself is probably the strongest among all the Herrscher, but conversely, the ability to block Herrscher Authority is very weak... It seems that Gray Serpent knows both sides well, and it is clear that this method is unlikely to be effective against those who possess Origin Authority.

However... during the month that Theresa and the others were undergoing trials, Xia Ling wasn't just busy being intimate with Elysia and Little E.

Regarding the Stigmata Project, she made far more arrangements than the World Serpent.

For example...

"Highmore, how is it?"

"It's basically the same as the original work. The Herrscher were mostly 'exiled' to the Sea of Quantum, while the Stigmata Awakeners had different situations."

"Li Sushang, Durandal and Seele should have been sent to the lunar base New Atra, while the rest remained on Earth. As for us..."

Highmore paused for a moment. "The situation is a bit complicated, and it's not quite what we predicted."

"To be more specific?"

"Hiding in the Sea of Quantum while the Stigmata Project was launched did indeed allow us to avoid that strange pull, and Wendy wasn't sealed away like the other Herrscher, nor was she pulled toward the lunar surface. But... the bad news is, we can't go back now."

"Based on my speculation, it may be because the quantum adaptive evolution of the Sea Creatures cells is too high, causing the Intrinsic World to repel us to a certain extent, especially at this point in time."

"If we want to send people back, we need someone on Earth to meet them."

"Everything is normal with Flame Willow's group. After all, she and Raven are both normal Stigmata Awakeners and are making steady progress according to the terms of our deal with Gray Serpent."

"The problem actually stemmed from Anna, and as for the reason..."

Highmore's voice was a little strained. "It seems that she was pulled into the Kaslana's Stigmata Space because of her high Kaslana content."

Xia Ling: oO

"Isn't her surname Saniyat, and the Stigmata she awakened also from the Schariac family?"

"That's correct in theory, but her Saniyat Stigmata haven't fully awakened like Durandal's."

"After she was fully Herrscher transformation, World Serpent attempted to achieve a certain balance with the unstable Herrscher Core by activating the Kaslana bloodline within her."

"As it turns out, that girl is probably still wandering around in the Stigmata Space..."

"Tsk... Never mind, she's not a big deal. I'll take her with me to the Planet Catalog, so we'll have another fighting force when we fight that golden Gray Serpent."

Xia Ling sighed helplessly, "Is everything alright on Earth?"

"The anchoring method you got from Otto is very effective. The island plan is working simultaneously at the Schicksal Headquarters and the Salt Lake Base. Welt and the others protected the Doctor and the rest of the personnel. Currently, there is no threat except for some Imaginary Constructs and Honkai Beast."

"On the other hand, on Schicksal's side, because they don't have many fighting forces left, Rita alone is having a hard time holding the line. However, Kal'tsit has already hidden herself in Yu's painting. With her and Yu's assistance, Schicksal should be able to stabilize the situation quickly."

As Xia Ling's handpicked command center, Highmore was well aware of the situations of the others.

After all, the Sea of Quantum is considered a relatively safe place in the Finality the story, and Highmore's excellent adaptability to the Sea of Quantum is enough to ensure her safety.

"I understand... Let's proceed according to the original plan for now. You'll be in charge of the timing of the deployment for Little Ther. But it doesn't matter if it fails, since that's not a priority anyway."

As for me here...

Xia Ling now carries a dark mark on her hand, resembling an eye. It was the "interface" that Little E left for her, allowing her to invoke the power of erosion.

"According to the agreement with Gray Serpent 1904, we need to help him seize control of the Gray Serpent Network—but to do this, we first need to delve into the main network created by the Stigmata Project, and then we need plenty of time."

"So, I plan to hitch a ride with Theresa. According to the original work, escaping from Kaslana's Stigmata Space will automatically 'fall into' the main network of the Stigmata Space."

"However, how do you plan to enter Kaslana's Stigmata Space? That place isn't something you can just go to whenever you want..."

As she spoke, Highmore suddenly realized that she had asked a very stupid question.

Xia Ling was able to invoke the power of erosion at this time, which was even the sum of the power of erosion from two eras. Although it might not be that useful in combat, it could at least ensure that she could take things without hindrance.

"Since everything is going smoothly, I'll be leaving now. You should focus on building up your forces, as we'll need your Sea Creatures to reclaim the lost territories later."

After giving Highmore a few words of advice, Xia Ling proactively cut off the channel's communication.

"Next... let's find a way to get to Theresa first. In order not to attract attention, how about we get her to carry a core while Theresa's still in the dream? After she's fully entered the Stigmata Space, I'll look for an opportunity to infiltrate it?"

Meanwhile, Theresa, who was deeply immersed in the dream, had unintentionally broken through the First Floor of the dream and entered the second layer.

And there, she found an unexpected guy.

"Grandfather? How could this be...?"

As Theresa bent down to pick up the spinning top that never stopped, a familiar voice made Theresa freeze instantly.

She was absolutely certain that the source of the voice was not Apocalypse, nor the Void Archive, but rather...

"Don't be nervous. I am just one of the reflections of your subconscious, another reference point for you to understand yourself."

Otto, in his usual unhurried manner, explained the current situation to Theresa.

"Amidst the random fluctuations of the subconscious, congratulations! You've discovered the fact that you're dreaming."

Chapter Five Theresa, please... eat me too.

"Wait, let me sort this out..."

Theresa, who was facing Otto, rested her hand on her chin and began to think.

"In other words, my current body is still in Hublin, Lin Yi M Chess Master Wu Jiu Si Jiu VIII Lian, while my consciousness is trapped in a dream."

"What if I do that?"

Theresa wiped her neck with her hand.

"If this were an ordinary dream, you would most likely wake up or enter the next dream, but unfortunately, you now possess conscious self-awareness..."

Otto shrugged. "That means that if you die in a dream, there is a risk that your consciousness will completely dissipate."

"Such a variable has emerged... Has the Stigmata Project already begun?"

Connecting this to some recent anomalies on Earth, Theresa instantly understood her current predicament.

"I don't have as much information as you do, but your guess is probably correct."

Even though it was just a projection of the subconscious, Otto remained clear-headed. "Then you'd better find the flaws in this dream as soon as possible, after all... the outside world is in complete chaos right now."

"A flaw in the dream..."

"Oh, just one more reminder," Otto continued, "Since this is your own dream, its flaws must be closely related to your weaknesses."

"Watch out, they're coming."

Before she finished speaking, Theresa had already taken out the crucifix, and opposite her was a white-haired girl whose appearance was at least 80% similar to hers.

At the same time, a Pvanty —also known as the Ice Honkai Beast by players—also appeared in this space.

However, Theresa is no longer the person she used to be. Putting aside how much time she has spent improving her strength along the way, her single trump card, Collapse, is enough to suppress the vast majority of people in this world.

So, faced with these problems that had troubled her for so long, in less than a minute, Theresa clapped her hands and put the cross away.

"The A-series clone and Pvanty... I see, I think I know what kind of enemies will appear next."

"Like me?"

Otto, standing to the side, spoke up leisurely.

"..."

"Okay, maybe I shouldn't have made that joke, but rest assured, I am indeed your companion."

Seeing Theresa's somewhat unhappy expression, Otto quickly comforted her.

"Let's get back to the main point. The best way to dismantle this dream is undoubtedly to follow its real-world consequences, which means we can start from there."

"Central Dogma Area?"

Theresa blurted out, "This name is the academic name of the laboratory in the basement of the central church. It is also a turning point in history."

That place was once the arena where the three parties— Schicksal, Anti-Entropy, and the Herrscher of the Void— engaged in a power struggle, and it was also the place where the Schicksal War began.

"That's right, so we..."

"Don't rush, Theresa. Historically, when you went to the Dogma district, you had a little tail following you."

A familiar female voice made the two of them stop in their tracks.

"Xia Ling?"

Theresa's face lit up with a hint of joy, but it was quickly replaced by confusion. "No, there should only be my subconscious here, so you are also my subconscious?"

Xia Ling, who had just hacked into one of the clones using the Corruption Power, tilted her head in confusion before deciding to comply.