At this moment, inside the system space.
"Perfect. I knew it—the more experienced someone is, the more they trust their own knowledge and judgment."
Xia Ling excitedly waved a hand and smugly said to the system, "See? Just like I said, Theresa would fill in an entire backstory for me based on her understanding of the Sea of Quantum and World Bubbles. Look at that guilty look in her eyes."
Xia Ling was so easy to mess with.
But next, you weren't planning to make yourself half-dead and throw yourself in front of her, making her regret it for the rest of her life, were you?
Xia Ling gave the system an indescribable look. "And you say I'm easy to mess with. You know a thing or two yourself, don't you?"
"But there's no need. That would be too deliberate. With things as they are, I just need to go out, explain things clearly to Theresa, then say I've got nowhere to go. Getting a position at St. Freya Academy would be easy."
"The only problem is avoiding Otto's attention as much as possible... Unlike Theresa and Anti-Entropy, Otto's research into the Sea of Trees system isn't something I can bluff my way through."
But once you come into contact with the Big Three, entering Otto's field of vision will be unavoidable, won't it? Besides, at this point in time, Fu Hua is still Otto's informant.
"Well... I only have some preliminary ideas. As for what exactly to do, that depends on which Operator my first character card will be after I enter the academy."
As the Honkai Energy forcibly added by Yunna gradually dispersed, the rampaging vines began to weaken.
During that time, Theresa came out of Judas' Vow several times to check the situation, while Xia Ling remained in the system space, observing the condition of the field.
Finally, after more than an hour, the vines on the field stopped spreading and attacking wildly. As if they had lost all support, they collapsed limply across the ground.
"Looks like the residual Honkai Energy in these vines has finally dispersed almost completely."
So, are you going out now, Host?
"Yeah. Time to wake Theresa up."
As the scenery before her eyes shifted, Xia Ling was transported by the system to Chiyu Academy's field.
"Wow, this place went from an elite academy to a nature reserve in no time."
Xia Ling poked one of the fallen vines on the ground. It did not react at all, and even the deadly poison attached to it had vanished.
"Just as expected. Poison strong enough to take down Theresa couldn't possibly have been something the vines naturally possessed. In the end, it was Yunna's own Honkai Energy trait, merely transmitted through the vines she clung it to."
"Now that Yunna was dead, it naturally all disappeared."
Looking around, Xia Ling easily found Judas' Vow standing upright on the field.
The gleaming golden cross had not been affected by the vine rampage at all. It was as new, polished, and upright as ever.
Xia Ling raised a hand and knocked on the cross's outer shell. "Theresa, stop sleeping. Time to get up."
Mechanical sounds immediately came from inside the cross. Then it opened, and Theresa crawled out.
"You're alright? That's wonderful." Seeing Xia Ling safe and sound, and even in the mood to come wake her up, Theresa finally breathed a sigh of relief.
As the principal of St. Freya Academy, she could tell at a glance that Xia Ling was the type with somewhat self-destructive tendencies. Combined with her guesses about the girl's circumstances, she had been worried that something might have happened to her.
If Xia Ling knew what Theresa was thinking right now, she would surely feel wronged. What self-destructive tendencies? What indifference toward life and death? It was only a side effect of dying too many times in the system.
"Have these vines all lost their vitality?"
Only then did Theresa notice that the field had become something like a primeval forest.
"Yeah, that's right. I tested them just now. Even the poison attached to them has disappeared, so there won't be any problem if we leave them alone."
"You tested them yourself?!" Theresa immediately broke out in a cold sweat and snapped, "What were you thinking? I wouldn't even dare touch that kind of poison carelessly!"
"Don't worry. This kind of thing doesn't matter to me." Facing Theresa's scolding, Xia Ling merely shook her head expressionlessly. "You should have plenty of questions too, right? Let's find somewhere to talk."
With that, Xia Ling simply started walking on her own.
"You..." Theresa opened her mouth as if she wanted to say something, but in the end, nothing came out. She silently followed.
More than ten minutes later, under Xia Ling's lead, the two arrived at a familiar rooftop.
That was right—it was Origin Highlands. Unfortunately, there was no wormhole or Finality crater yet. Cough.
"Does this count as a pilgrimage?" Xia Ling asked inwardly.
I think you'll have to wait until this place reaches its complete form before coming back.
"It's fine. It doesn't affect anything. System, remember to take a few pictures."
Huh? What are you planning to do, Host?
"After Mei beats Kiana up, I can use these pictures to tease her."
Alright, alright. Let's hope you don't repeat Black Swan's mistake—teasing Mei with full confidence, then becoming Jail Goose.
Getting better and better, wasn't it? .jpg
"Here should be fine..."
Xia Ling walked to the rooftop railing and looked back at Theresa.
"Do you want to ask first, or should I?"
"One question each, how about that? I'll ask first." Theresa pressed her throbbing brow. "After all, I'm technically responsible for this area. Investigating suspicious individuals should count as part of my job."
"Either is fine. It's not like I have much to ask." Xia Ling shrugged.
"Then first, who are you, and why did you appear while Yunna and I were fighting?"
"My name is Xia Ling." Xia Ling answered without hesitation. "As for my identity... a transmigrator, a wanderer, a fugitive—interpret it however you like."
"As for why I appeared there... I'm not too sure myself. When I came to this world, I didn't deliberately choose a landing point. I think it was probably because the Honkai Energy concentration was relatively high where you were fighting."
"Then it's my turn. Are you Theresa? I know similar people often exist in different worlds, but I still wanted confirmation from the person herself."
"I am. My name is Theresa Apocalypse. Do you know me?"
"The Theresa I knew may not have been you... I only wanted to make sure I hadn't helped the wrong person. Since you're Theresa, then it doesn't matter."
It seemed she had been very close to the Theresa from her original world... Theresa pursed her lips. She wanted to comfort Xia Ling, but she did not know how to begin.
In the end, Theresa let out a soft sigh and continued, "How did you come to our world? Your arrival caused such a huge disturbance earlier, so why does your strength seem so... weak?"
"Because I'm bound to something very powerful. Um... It might be somewhat similar in nature to your cross. It's something rare even across an entire civilization."
"It can take me through the barriers between worlds, but the effect is very unstable. After this use, it may take a long time to recover."
"As for my strength... that isn't a big problem. It should recover quite a bit after some time."
The system really was something rare across an entire civilization, and it really did bring me through worlds... As for my strength, once I make myself Elite 2, I'll just say that was my original strength.
From another world or World Bubble, possibly one in bad circumstances; seriously injured but capable of recovery; possessing some ability to travel through the Sea of Quantum... In Theresa's mind, Xia Ling's image gradually took shape.
"Alright, your turn to ask."
"I don't have anything else to ask. If possible, just tell me about the basics of your world." Xia Ling spoke calmly.
"If there's anything else you want to ask, feel free."
"Um... Where are you planning to go next?"
"I don't have anywhere in particular to go. Anywhere I won't starve to death is fine."
"Huh? You aren't planning to go home? Coming to our world seems to have been an accident, right?"
Theresa looked at Xia Ling, feeling somewhat tense. This question might step on another landmine, but as the person in charge of the Far East Branch, she had to be responsible for the entire Far East region.
Figuring out the next destination of this visitor from another world was a necessary task for her.
"Home..." Xia Ling showed a somewhat lonely expression. "I might already... not have one."
Theresa fell silent.
She felt that she probably would not be able to sleep tonight.
"Um, do you mean that you have nowhere to go right now?"
"...No."
"I could also hide in the space where I avoided the vines before. There, I can see scenery like home, except... there's no one there."
Theresa felt even more guilty. If she left this girl here alone, she might wake up in the middle of the night and slap herself even after falling asleep.
"If... if you don't mind." Theresa looked at Xia Ling. "You could take a position at my academy."
Xia Ling seemed somewhat tempted, but she still pressed her lips together and shook her head. "I don't even know the basic knowledge of your world. I can't trouble you any further."
"That's not a problem! You can learn that common knowledge quickly!" Theresa worked hard to promote her academy. "Our facilities are good, and the students are friendly. You can live in the big villa with me, and your salary... your salary will be paid normally too."
Hearing Theresa's last sentence, Xia Ling nearly failed to hold back a laugh.
"But... would I really not be causing trouble for you? If you're worried about my ability to survive, then there's no need. I'm very skilled at wilderness survival."
Especially in snowy environments, Xia Ling silently added in her heart.
"..."
How could anyone possibly feel reassured after hearing that?! Theresa roared inwardly. However, what she said aloud was completely different from what she thought.
"It's fine, it's fine. My niece happens to be staying with me lately. Every day, all she does is skip class and sleep. Even if you just help me keep an eye on her, that would already be a huge help!"
Hm? Getting close to Kiana at close range? And being able to thoroughly discipline Kiana! This condition struck Xia Ling, a twisted Kiana fan, right in the heart.
"Alright... If there's anything you need help with, just say so." Xia Ling pondered for a moment. "And... never mind. We can talk about that later."
Host, why are you talking in riddles too?
"No, I was planning to give her a Collapse Paradigm or a Cipher Plate, so she could use it to save her life when the time came. But I can't explain it clearly right now, so I might as well leave it as a mystery."
Xia Ling replied inwardly, "After all, there are situations where I might not have a reasonable excuse to step in, but Theresa is different."
"You agreed? That's great." Theresa's eyes lit up. "Then come back to the academy with me on the transport plane later. I can introduce you to Himeko too."
"Himeko?"
"Yeah, a single older lady. She's my right-hand woman here in the Far East."
Older... single... You really dared to say that...
"System, did you record that?"
Don't worry, Host. Do you think I don't know you? I had it ready already.
Xia Ling began struggling to suppress her laughter again.
Fortunately, her current persona was that of an emotionally detached girl, so it would not be strange even if she did not speak much.
"Oh, right. Since we have time, let me explain the basic information about this world to you."
After calling for the transport plane, Theresa began chatting with Xia Ling with great interest. "You can also tell me how your world differs. Maybe there's plenty of knowledge you won't need to relearn."
Wow, Host. Didn't you say Theresa wasn't very smart? She's testing you.
"I only said she wasn't especially smart. But she's almost at the age of knowing destiny, alright? Her life experience is right there." Xia Ling grumbled inwardly.
"Besides, this kind of probing is necessary. People tend to believe conclusions they reach themselves, and these things she's testing are effortless for me, because I really did come from another world."
"The children over there only sleep six hours a day? That's terrifying... St. Freya only has six hours of classes a day."
"Can't be helped... The environment is different. After all, we don't have physical education classes like St. Freya's over there."
"But you seem pretty good at math. Maybe you could tutor Kiana?"
"I'd be happy to help. I might even need to sit in on your history classes, since the differences in history are quite large."
"That's right, that's right. It's no problem. I never expected the Tesla and Einstein in your world to both be men. That really is... It's a shame there are no pictures, or I'd really like to see them."
Just as the two were chatting happily, a humming sound came from the sky. In the distance, a small black transport plane slowly descended onto Chiyu Academy's field. Immediately afterward, a red figure jumped down from the aircraft.
"Well, damn. Theresa, did you bring Black Abyss White Flower here? Or are you planning to change careers and become a gardener?"
Looking at the vines covering the entire field, Himeko's mouth twitched.
"This has nothing to do with me. It was all that Pseudo-Herrscher's doing. If that Herrscher were willing to devote herself to environmental protection, she might become famous worldwide very soon."
Theresa led Xia Ling over from the distance.
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