3 AM, A Sudden Knock on the Door

"Can you not be so petty with me, okay? Lucy."

"Forget it..."

After calming her mood, Lucy walked up to Fu Hua and spoke.

"Fu Hua, I need to talk to you about something. Can we chat?"

"Miss Lucy, please, don't hesitate to speak."

"It's just... your Taixu Mountain seems to have abundant resources. You've seen our Outer Ring, its conditions are very harsh.

So, we wanted to develop some land on your Taixu Mountain. Of course, we'll trade other things for it."

Upon hearing this, Fu Hua shook her head and replied.

"Miss Lucy, please forgive me for refusing. Taixu Mountain holds extraordinary significance for me."

"Ah, is that so? I'm sorry..."

Lucy had expected Fu Hua's refusal.

"However, the land at the foot of the mountain is fertile, with lush vegetation. It's suitable for farming and some animal husbandry.

If you can spare some people, I can arrange the land for you to develop."

"Really!? That's more than enough, Miss Fu Hua, thank you so much."

Waving her hand, Fu Hua said dismissively.

"It's nothing. After all, Wildfire Town isn't too far from Taixu Mountain. It's only right to help each other."

"I'll gather people with farming experience tomorrow. Thank you, Miss Fu Hua."

"Mhm, being able to help the people of the Outer Ring live a prosperous life is a good thing."

Fu Hua and Lucy negotiated for a long time. Seeing that it was getting late, she took Cuiji and returned.

"With this, Wildfire Town might still be able to develop. Kasa, did you hear that?"

Lucy looked at the dark-skinned woman beside her.

"Mhm, thank you, Lucy. Thank you, Children of Calydonian. And thank you, Miss Fu Hua."

"I'll go tell the townspeople tomorrow."

Taixu Mountain. Fu Hua landed in the courtyard with Cuiji.

"Master, why did you agree to them?"

"...Perhaps Taixu Mountain needs some vitality.

It's getting late. Cuiji has training tomorrow morning, so get some sleep."

"Yes..."

Midnight.

At the foot of Taixu Mountain.

Hoshimi Miyabi's clothes were slightly soiled. She gripped the sword at her waist and looked at the wooden archway.

"Finally, Taixu Mountain..."

"Miss Belle, Miss Belle..."

She called out twice into the communicator, but Belle had clearly fallen asleep by her computer desk.

Seeing this, Hoshimi Miyabi ignored it and began to walk up the mountain.

"The desolate Outer Ring actually holds a treasure land of green waters and lush mountains. As expected of Miss Fu Hua."

She moved quickly; only a blue afterimage could be seen on the mountain path.

Three in the morning.

The quiet Taixu Sect.

Hoshimi Miyabi looked at the closed gate and slowly reached out to knock.

Knock, knock, knock...

The dull sound echoed in the empty mountain gate.

The occasional chirping of birds and insects made the already quiet atmosphere feel quite eerie.

"Who, who is it?"

Cuiji spoke.

Because she lived in the side room, which was closer to the front yard, she could still hear the knocking.

However, Fu Hua had already woken up to the knocking. She sat cross-legged on her bed.

Silently observing the front yard.

"Hello, I'm Hoshimi Miyabi, here to spar with Miss Fu Hua."

"Ah!? Miss Hoshimi Miyabi, isn't it a bit inappropriate to come in the middle of the night?"

"Is that so? It's already midnight."

Looking up, Hoshimi Miyabi gazed at the moon hanging in the sky.

"That's right. Why don't you come back tomorrow?"

"No need. I'll just sit by the entrance until dawn."

With that, Hoshimi Miyabi sat down on a nearby rock.

"This..."

Cuiji was unsure what to do for a moment. Just then, Fu Hua's voice slowly drifted into her ears.

"Open the gate and welcome our guest, Cuiji."

"Yes, Master."

Since Fu Hua had said so, Cuiji slowly opened the large gate.

She looked at Hoshimi Miyabi's retreating back and said, "Miss Hoshimi Miyabi, my Master asked me to welcome you inside."

"Oh? Alright."

Even though it was night, the surrounding ancient architecture was still faintly visible.

Hoshimi Miyabi looked around, marveling inwardly.

Until her gaze fell upon the figure ahead.

When she saw the white-haired figure sitting upright on a stone stool, her pupils suddenly widened.

"You... are you Miss Fu Hua?"

"Indeed. My appearance may have changed slightly, please forgive me."

"It's alright. Miss Fu Hua, you look very beautiful like this."

"You flatter me. Let's get to the point, Miss Miyabi. Why have you come to my Taixu Mountain in the middle of the night?"

"I apologize for the intrusion. Please forgive my abruptness, Miss Fu Hua.

I merely came to spar with you. I got delayed because I didn't know the way."

Fu Hua slowly opened her eyes, stood up, and clasped her hands behind her back.

"I see. I noticed your aura was unstable and your clothes were disheveled, so I assumed you had been through some battles.

We'll discuss the spar tomorrow. Cuiji, take Miss Miyabi to the guest room to rest for now."

With that, Fu Hua turned and walked towards the backyard.

"Yes, Master. This way, Miss Miyabi."

"Thank you."

The next morning.

Hoshimi Miyabi slowly opened her eyes.

A faint scent of sandalwood wafted into her nostrils.

Looking at the wooden ceiling and beams, Hoshimi Miyabi was momentarily stunned.

She quickly came to her senses, realizing she had stayed at the Taixu Sect yesterday.

After sitting up and changing her clothes, she couldn't help but sigh.

"What a simple and elegant place. It truly is a good place for cultivation."

She pushed open the door, and the morning air, illuminated by the sun, flowed in.

A few small birds on the roof chirped noisily.

Unconsciously, Hoshimi Miyabi completely relaxed and slowly walked to the front courtyard.

In the center of the courtyard, she saw Cuiji practicing her sword techniques, with Fu Hua standing nearby.

Occasionally, Fu Hua would step in to offer guidance.

For a moment, a sense of longing arose in Miyabi's heart.

"You're here, Miss Miyabi."

Fu Hua's voice startled her back to reality.

Looking at the white-clothed girl before her, she quickly bowed.

"Good morning, Miss Fu Hua."

"Mmm. I hope you slept well at my humble abode."

"Yes, I slept more soundly than usual. And my mind is very calm."

"That's good."

Fu Hua stood tall, her considerable strength making her more confident than usual.

You should know that Fu Hua's stats in Honkai Impact 3rd were the same as Kiana's when she first enrolled at St. Freya.

Both were B+.

Yet, after Kiana became Herrscher of the End, her visual effects dropped straight to D.

While my Hua's stats were directly reduced to A-.

Clenching her fists, Fu Hua sighed inwardly.

"After persistently drinking papaya milk for so long, I finally reached C."

However, her gaze flickered to Hoshimi Miyabi's chest, and Fu Hua turned her head away.

Tsk...

"Miss Fu Hua, are you also skilled with swords?"

"Hmm... While it might be an exaggeration, I have some understanding of all weapons."

"Is that so? Then, Miss Fu Hua, would you be willing to be my teacher and guide me in martial arts?"

"Guidance? I don't have a problem with that."

"It's just that, Miss Miyabi, everyone walks their own path in martial arts, and you've already come so far on yours.

I can only offer a little advice; I'm afraid I won't be able to guide you much."

"It's alright, Miss Fu Hua. For me, any progress is good."

"Very well."

Upon hearing this, Hoshimi Miyabi's ears twitched.

She immediately gripped the Demon Blade in her hand.

"Let's begin, Miss Fu Hua--"