Yae Sakura Awakens

What did that mean? Ling Mo was a little bewildered by Finality's words. Why had she suddenly brought up the past? Wasn't that too much of a leap in topic?

Seeing Ling Mo sink into thought, Finality turned and continued, "Without me, the Will of Honkai can only carry out meaningless Honkai. That would go against Its purpose. My repeated interventions have proven this, and It understands that clearly. That is why our goals align."

Humanity had far too many possibilities. Even as Honkai occurred again and again, even after countless eras, this race that seemed as weak as ants in Its eyes had still survived and continued on. Without an exceptional executor like the Herrscher of the End, and without personally intervening, Honkai could only amount to meaningless destruction. Not only would it fail to achieve Its original goal, it might even strengthen the other side instead.

After hearing that, Ling Mo questioned, "But how do I know you won't lay a hand on this world?"

Finality did not answer. Instead, she asked, "Lay a hand on it? Do you mean destroying human civilization? What do you think I would gain from destroying a civilization?"

"Gain... what?"

Finality said, "Hatred. Nothing but hatred. I would not grow stronger because of it, nor would I gain liberation. I would have nothing. Perhaps you are right. Herrschers may not be good beings after all, but..."

Before she could finish, Finality walked toward Ling Mo. Seeing this, Ling Mo instinctively began backing away. One advanced while the other retreated, and before long, the wall behind him cut off Ling Mo's escape.

With nowhere left to retreat, Ling Mo tried to stop Finality from coming closer. But before he could speak, she grabbed him by the collar and viciously slammed him against the wall behind him.

Looking into Ling Mo's eyes, Finality said cryptically, "There may still be a little to gain. Though it is somewhat prickly."

Letting Ling Mo go, Finality continued, "It will not be difficult to integrate this world's rules, but I need some catalysts. For example, your martial soul."

Released by Finality, Ling Mo could not help coughing twice. That blow had not seriously hurt him, but having his chest slammed into the wall still left him uncomfortable.

Seeing Ling Mo in that state, Finality crossed her arms and lightly supported her chin with one hand. "That body of yours..."

Hey, hey, hey! What was with that look? What did my body have to do with you?!

"No need for you to worry about it, old lady," Ling Mo said with a false smile.

However, his answer was another impact. He, once the strongest man in the Honkai World, was pinned against the wall by Finality once more.

"It is fine. This old lady of yours likes caring for the younger generation." Finality's tone remained as emotionless as ever, but the deliberate emphasis on each word sent chills down Ling Mo's spine.

There is killing intent!

A minute later, Finality released Ling Mo again. Once freed, Ling Mo collapsed onto the ground and gasped for breath. This woman had been a little too ruthless this time. He had nearly failed to catch his breath.

Finality glanced at Ling Mo sitting on the floor and said, "Back to the matter at hand. I can sense that something in this plane contains part of the world's rules. Find it, and leave the rest to me." With that, she raised a hand and ignored Ling Mo.

"Tch, what a terrible personality." Ling Mo rubbed his chest, asked Finality a few questions, then left Stigmata Space and headed for the place he had arranged to meet Long Haochen a few days ago.

"Little Ling Mo, over here, over here!"

The moment he arrived, he heard Li Xin calling loudly to him.

After meeting up with the two of them, Ling Mo said helplessly, "How many times have I told you? My name is Ling Mo, not Little Ling Mo. Sigh, why can't you remember?"

"Oh, come on. You are so good-looking, calling you Ling Mo is such a waste. I think Little Ling Mo suits you much better."

Li Xin covered her mouth and teased Ling Mo. Over the past two years, she had teased him plenty about his looks, giving him endless headaches. After a while, Ling Mo became too lazy to care. She could call him whatever she wanted. As always, he silently continued wearing his cloak.

Ling Mo was currently draped in a pure black cloak. Since he was not at Shrek Academy anyway, there was no need to care about the color. Long Haochen and Li Xin, on the other hand, were different. They wore lavish noble attire, with so many accessories that Ling Mo's eyes nearly blurred from looking at them.

The three chatted as they walked, and before long, they ran into someone else.

Li Xin stepped forward to greet the newcomer. "Lin Jialu, everyone's here. Let's go."

Lin Jialu had been one of Long Haochen and Li Xin's teammates when they obtained their qualifications for the Demon Hunter Squad Selection Trial a month ago. This time, she and Li Xin had called Long Haochen out to attend an auction and sell the corpse of an Emerald Twin-Blade Demon their team had obtained. Ling Mo had happened to be there when they went to invite Long Haochen, so Li Xin had called him along as well.

Personally, Ling Mo found nothing worthwhile at this auction. There was nothing appealing to him, unlike the Starlight Auction he had attended in Star Dou City last time, where there were Soul Tools of the seventh or eighth tier and Ten Thousand Year Soul Bones at every turn. But just because it held no appeal for Ling Mo did not mean the same was true for the other three. They only wished they could buy everything, since most of the auction items would be of great benefit to them at their current stage.

Not long after the auction began, Ling Mo made an excuse and left. In the past, he would not have minded wasting some time accompanying them. After all, without soul rings, no matter how he cultivated, his Soul Power would not increase. But this period was rather special for Ling Mo, because he had sensed unusual activity from Ksitigarbha Soul. After two years of being nourished by Ling Mo's Honkai Energy, Ksitigarbha Soul's power had gradually recovered, and it had finally reacted recently.

After returning to his residence, Ling Mo took out Ksitigarbha Soul. Fei Yu Maru immediately flew out and threw herself into his arms. Ling Mo stroked Fei Yu Maru's head and comforted her. "All right, all right. I will let you out for some air more often from now on. Come down first, be good."

"Hmph, Big Brother is definitely lying to me. Over the past two years, I can count the number of times I have come out on my fingers." Fei Yu Maru's tone was filled with the dissatisfaction she had built up toward Ling Mo over those two years, but in the end, she still could not bear to leave his arms.

"Big Brother, hurry, hurry! I can feel Big Sister waking up. If we work hard tonight, Big Sister should be able to come out." Fei Yu Maru floated in the air while hugging Ksitigarbha Soul's hilt, urging Ling Mo excitedly. In her heart, Big Brother and Big Sister shared first place in importance, while another beautiful white-haired big sister ranked second.

Ling Mo did not waste any time. After taking Ksitigarbha Soul, he connected to Imaginary Space and used the stigmata to inject Honkai Energy, calling out to the other soul within Ksitigarbha Soul—Yae Sakura.

The next day, at Ling Mo's residence.

"Let me introduce everyone. Her name is Yae Sakura. She is my, uh... girlfriend."

Long Haochen and the other two listened blankly as Ling Mo introduced her. Only when he introduced them did they awkwardly greet Yae Sakura.

Lin Jialu: That weirdo who wears a cloak every day and does not even dare show his face actually found a girlfriend?!

Li Xin: Someone beat me to the pretty little brother!

Long Haochen: Meow meow meow???