"Don't hold it against me, okay, Lucy?"
"Forget it..."
After composing herself, Lucy walked over to Fu Hua and spoke.
"Fu Hua, I have something to discuss with you. May we talk?"
"Miss Lucy, please, go ahead."
"It's just... Taixu Mountain seems to have abundant resources. You've seen our Outer Ring too; the conditions there are quite harsh.
So, we'd like to develop Taixu Mountain a little. Of course, we'll trade other things in exchange."
Hearing this, Fu Hua shook her head.
"Miss Lucy, please forgive me for refusing. Taixu Mountain holds extraordinary meaning for me."
"Ah, is that so? Sorry..."
Lucy had expected Fu Hua's refusal.
"However, the land at the foot of the mountain is fertile, with lush vegetation. It is suitable for farming and livestock breeding.
If you can spare some people, I can plan out the land for you to develop."
"Really!? That would be more than enough. Miss Fu Hua, thank you."
Waving her hand, Fu Hua said indifferently,
"It's nothing. Wildfire Town isn't far from Taixu Mountain, so it is only right to lend each other a hand."
"I'll gather people with farming experience tomorrow. Sorry to trouble you, Miss Fu Hua."
"Mm. If it lets the people of the Outer Ring live prosperous lives, that would be a good thing too."
Fu Hua and Lucy discussed matters for quite some time. Seeing that it was getting late, she took Cui Ji and returned.
"With this, Wildfire Town may be able to keep developing. Kasa, did you hear that?"
Lucy looked at the dark-skinned woman beside her.
"Mm. 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 and Cui Ji landed steadily within the courtyard.
"Master, why did you agree to them?"
"...Perhaps Taixu Mountain needs a little more life.
It's late. You still have training tomorrow morning, Cui Ji. Go to bed early."
"Yes..."
In the middle of the night.
At the foot of Taixu Mountain.
Hoshimi Miyabi's clothes were slightly dirty and disheveled. With one hand gripping the sword at her waist, she looked at the wooden archway before her.
"I've finally reached Taixu Mountain..."
"Miss Belle, Miss Belle..."
She called into the communicator twice, but Belle had apparently already fallen asleep beside her computer desk.
Seeing this, Hoshimi Miyabi stopped bothering her and began walking up the mountain.
"In the barren Outer Ring, there is such a treasure land of green mountains and clear waters. As expected of Miss Fu Hua."
She moved swiftly, leaving only a blue afterimage on the mountain path.
Three in the morning.
The Taixu Sect was silent in the dead of night.
Hoshimi Miyabi looked at the tightly shut gates and slowly raised her hand to knock.
Knock, knock, knock...
The dull sound echoed through the empty mountain gate.
The occasional cries of birds and insects made the already quiet atmosphere seem especially eerie.
"Who, who is it?"
It was Cui Ji who spoke.
Since she lived in a side room closer to the front courtyard, she could still hear the knocking.
However, Fu Hua had already awakened at the first knock. She sat cross-legged on her bed.
Silently observing the front courtyard.
"Hello. I came to spar with Miss Fu Hua. I am Hoshimi Miyabi."
"Ah!? Miss Hoshimi Miyabi, isn't it a little inappropriate for you to come in the middle of the night?"
"Is that so? It's already the middle of the night."
Hoshimi Miyabi looked up at the moon hanging in the sky.
"Yes. How about you come back tomorrow?"
"No need. I can sit quietly at the entrance until dawn."
With that, Hoshimi Miyabi sat down on a stone nearby.
"This..."
Cui Ji could not make up her mind for the moment. Then Fu Hua's voice slowly sounded by her ear.
"Open the gate and welcome our guest, Cui Ji."
"Yes, Master."
Since Fu Hua had said so, Cui Ji slowly opened the gates.
Looking at Hoshimi Miyabi's back, she said,
"Miss Hoshimi Miyabi, Master has asked me to welcome you inside."
"Is that so? All right."
Though it was nighttime, the antique buildings around them could still be vaguely seen.
As Hoshimi Miyabi looked around, she could not help but marvel inwardly.
Until her gaze fell ahead.
Her pupils suddenly contracted when she saw the white-haired figure sitting properly on a stone bench.
"You, you are Miss Fu Hua?"
"Indeed. My appearance may have changed somewhat. Please forgive me."
"It's fine. Miss Fu Hua, you look very beautiful like this."
"You flatter me. Let us discuss serious matters first. Why did Miss Miyabi come to my Taixu Mountain in the dead of night?"
"My deepest apologies. This visit was far too abrupt, and I hope Miss Fu Hua can forgive me.
I only came to compete with you. But because I did not know the way, I was delayed somewhat."
Fu Hua slowly opened her eyes, stood up, and placed her hands behind her back.
"I see. Your breathing is unsettled, and your clothes are dirty and disordered. I imagine you have gone through several battles.
We can discuss the sparring tomorrow. Cui Ji, take Miss Miyabi to the guest room and let her rest for now."
After speaking, Fu Hua turned and headed toward the rear courtyard.
"Yes, Master. Miss Miyabi, this way, please."
"Thank you."
The next morning.
Hoshimi Miyabi slowly opened her eyes.
A faint scent of agarwood lingered at the tip of her nose.
Looking at the wooden ceiling and beams, Hoshimi Miyabi was stunned for a moment.
She soon came to her senses and realized that she had stayed at the Taixu Sect last night.
Sitting up and changing clothes, she could not help but sigh.
"What an elegant and simple place. It truly is a fine place for cultivation."
She pushed open the door, and the brightness of the sun brought the morning air inside.
Several small birds chirped atop the roof.
Without realizing it, Hoshimi Miyabi completely relaxed. She slowly walked into the front courtyard.
In the center of the courtyard, Cui Ji was practicing sword techniques while Fu Hua stood beside her.
From time to time, Fu Hua would step in to offer guidance.
For a moment, Miyabi felt a slight yearning in her heart.
"You're here, Miss Miyabi."
Fu Hua's voice brought her back to her senses.
Looking at the white-clad girl before her, she hurriedly bowed.
"Good morning, Miss Fu Hua."
"Mm. Did you sleep well in my humble home?"
"Quite well. I rested more thoroughly than usual, and my state of mind is very calm."
"That is good."
Fu Hua stood with her chest out. Her somewhat fuller figure made her more confident than usual.
After all, Honkai 3rd Fu Hua's measurements had been the same as Kiana's when she enrolled at St. Freya.
They had both been B+.
Yet after Kiana became Finality, her visual effect had gone straight to D.
While my Hua had shrunk directly to A-.
Clenching her fist, Fu Hua sighed inwardly.
After persistently drinking papaya milk for so long, I finally reached a C.
However, when her gaze drifted toward Hoshimi Miyabi's chest, Fu Hua turned her head away.
Tch...
"Miss Fu Hua, are you also skilled with blades and swords?"
"Mm... It may sound somewhat exaggerated, but I have some understanding of every weapon."
"I see. Then, Miss Fu Hua, would you be willing to be my teacher and guide me in martial arts?"
"Guidance? I do not mind."
"However, Miss Miyabi, everyone has their own martial path. You have already traveled very far along yours.
I can only offer a few pointers. I fear I will not be able to teach you much."
"That's all right, Miss Fu Hua. For me, as long as I can improve, that is enough."
"All right."
Hearing this, Hoshimi Miyabi's ears twitched.
She immediately gripped the demon blade in her hand.
"Let us begin, Miss Fu Hua—"
Before you continue