Invited, I'm in Honkai, Grinding Stats to Level Up

Theresa's internal conflict made it even easier for Otto to persuade her...

While Otto was busy deceiving... or rather, persuading Theresa, in another virtual laboratory, the teaching of Tai Xu Sword Qi was proceeding in an orderly fashion.

"Tai Xu Sword Qi was created by the legendary Immortal Crimson Kite of Shenzhou. It comprises five essences: Heart, Form, Intent, Soul, and Spirit. It is a highly refined martial art specializing in True Qi.

What I just demonstrated for you was the Form Essence. A renowned martial artist once marveled that it 'encompassed all martial arts in one.'

The so-called Soul Essence is the core of swordsmanship. Once understood, one can wield any weapon in the world as if it were a sword, without being restricted by the sword's form. Only at this level can one be considered a master of swordsmanship.

However, this is something I cannot teach you. You can only comprehend it yourself."

After entering the virtual training room and personally testing Gwen's strength, gaining a more detailed understanding of him, Fu Hua didn't immediately bombard him with complex theories. Instead, she began by teaching the techniques within the Form Essence.

Based on Fu Hua's understanding of the Caslana family over the years, learning these moves would be far easier for him than grasping obscure theories.

Chapter 81: Perception and Choice

Listening to Fu Hua's explanation, Gwen, who was supposed to know nothing of Shenzhou martial arts in his current identity and whose actual knowledge was limited to a few wuxia novels he had read, pondered for a moment before asking, "So, the Soul Essence needs to be learned, or rather... comprehended, from the Form Essence?"

"To some extent, that's not incorrect..."

Hearing this, Fu Hua nodded gently, a look of approval on her face. However, she immediately continued, "But theoretically, the Form Essence is merely a prerequisite for achieving the Soul Essence. Don't fixate on it; forcing it will only detract from its beauty.

Go with the flow, and perhaps you'll comprehend it inadvertently—

Perhaps in the morning's first light, Or a gentle breeze on a journey...

Everything in the world can become your aid."

"...I understand..."

A hint of surprise flickered across Gwen's face as he slowly nodded, accepting Fu Hua's explanation.

Although hearing such profound and mystical concepts from the world of Honkai Impact 3rd made Gwen feel like the art style had shifted slightly, it wasn't entirely unacceptable coming from Fu Hua.

Seeing that Gwen's expression remained calm and his spirit stable, Fu Hua inwardly nodded. While ambition was good, a serene disposition, akin to the highest good being like water, was more suitable for someone practicing Tai Xu Sword Qi.

However, what Fu Hua perceived as serenity was actually Gwen's lack of overly strong expectations.

In Gwen's memory, both Cheng Lixue from over a decade ago and the Seven Swordmasters of Tai Xu from five hundred years ago were exceptionally rare geniuses who had cultivated Tai Xu Sword Qi through diligent practice since childhood.

While Gwen had reached the current A-rank level in a relatively short period through the system and his own efforts, he didn't consider himself a rare genius.

Even though he had been the "child of other people" that parents often spoke of in his childhood, as an adult, Gwen had only just managed to get into a key provincial university. He considered himself to have average talent, still a considerable distance from being a truly unique genius.

Even after transmigration, despite experiencing common novel tropes like soul fusion or soul evolution during world-crossing, Gwen estimated he was still quite far from being a rare genius.

Based on this clear self-awareness, Gwen didn't hold overly high expectations for easily mastering Tai Xu Sword Qi, and thus, he wouldn't get hung up on it.

Of course, beyond this, the existence of the system was the most crucial reason for Gwen's composure.

If Gwen had transmigrated without any system, then Tai Xu Sword Qi, a martial art that could improve the body's ability to withstand Honkai energy, would have been one of his few lifelines.

But for Gwen, who possessed a system, Tai Xu Sword Qi didn't hold such irreplaceable importance.

Moreover, many things truly couldn't be achieved through effort alone—

For example, mathematics and physics. If you don't understand them, you don't understand them; staring at them for a day won't make you solve them.

Compared to Tai Xu Sword Qi, which had extremely high talent requirements and an uncertain learning outcome, Gwen found it more suitable to focus on figuring out the source of points and then working to acquire points to strengthen himself.

With this "If I get it, I'm lucky; if I don't, it's fate" mindset, Gwen's emotions remained naturally stable.

Of course, while he wasn't fixated on it, Gwen hadn't completely given up either.

Even if his talent was insufficient and he couldn't learn things like the Heart, Soul, or Spirit Essences that required comprehension, he would still diligently practice the Form Essence, which theoretically yielded results through hard work.

After all, it was Fu Hua... Immortal Crimson Kite's summation of Shenzhou martial arts, dubbed a martial art that "encompassed all martial arts in one," practically the ultimate compendium of martial arts in the Honkai world.

As for the Intent Essence...

"Next is the Intent Essence, which requires the Xuanyuan Sword, also known as the Key of Domination, to be mastered.

As long as the user and the Xuanyuan Sword achieve mental synchronization, the sword intent will naturally form.

According to the analysis of my ancestors, the Intent Essence is fundamentally unrelated to the other four essences, nor is it a martial art. It's more like an ability of the Xuanyuan Sword itself—

Once it resonates with the wielder, the Xuanyuan Sword will concentrate energy and transform into a form that best matches the user."

Fu Hua adjusted her speech according to her archived identity, explaining the essence of the Intent Essence to Gwen.

"Then, what exactly is this so-called resonance?"

Hearing Fu Hua's explanation of the Intent Essence, Gwen took out the Xuanyuan Sword, which he had brought to the virtual training room that morning. He gently caressed the blade of the golden sword and asked in confusion.

Previously, Gwen had briefly equated "resonance" with the transformation of ordinary people unable to use Honkai energy into warriors who could wield it. However, simply injecting Honkai energy had proven ineffective.

"This point..."

Fu Hua pondered for a moment, seemingly wanting to say something, but after a moment of hesitation, she abandoned the explanation and instead said, "Close your eyes first. Next, I will project the most powerful enemy you have ever faced here. You will fight it with all your might using the Xuanyuan Sword."

"Ganesha?

Alright, I understand."

Hearing Fu Hua's words, Gwen was slightly surprised, then nodded in agreement and closed his eyes as Fu Hua had instructed.

A moment later, Gwen felt the earth shake and heard a deafening roar.

Gwen instinctively opened his eyes and saw a colossal figure descend before him amidst a cloud of dust, as if another mountain had been added to this one. It was Ganesha, whom Gwen had met only half a month ago.

"Hmph..."

With a soft hum, Gwen, not daring to slacken in the slightest, instantly entered combat mode, holding the Xuanyuan Sword before him, Honkai energy swirling around it.

As the Honkai energy surged, the Xuanyuan Sword in Gwen's hand, originally two feet and one inch long with double edges, rapidly transformed and elongated, becoming the greatsword form Gwen was most familiar with.

"?"

Gwen, who was still considering how to adapt his tactics to the Xuanyuan Sword in his hand, was stunned by this sight.

However, before Gwen could examine the changes in the Xuanyuan Sword more closely, the Ganesha projected by the virtual training room moved. Its massive body, like a mountain, suddenly leaped, curling into a ball in mid-air, and slammed down towards Gwen.

With no time to observe the changes in the Xuanyuan Sword in his hand, Gwen directly raised his sword to meet the enemy. The Tai Xu Mountain, which had been filled with birdsong and fragrant flowers moments before, instantly transformed into a battlefield for the two of them.

Meanwhile, at the control console, Fu Hua nodded slightly as she watched Gwen's performance:

"This is the first time he's fought with the Xuanyuan Sword, and he's already completed the basic transformation. It seems that fully mastering the Xuanyuan Sword won't be difficult for him.

Moreover, after just seeing me demonstrate the transformation once, he's already trying to apply these moves in combat...

Although it was a bit reckless, it shows that his fundamentals are solid and his talent is high."

Chapter 82: Otto: A Truly Unique Genius!

While Gwen battled the projected Ganesha in the virtual training room, Otto's persuasion... or rather, his talk with Theresa on the other side was also nearing its end—

"Hoo..."

Sighing a breath that felt like the longest of his life, Theresa curled up on the sofa, her small face still showing a hint of daze—

Just now, Theresa had questioned Otto about everything he had done over the years.

And after bringing up the survival of humanity, Otto had answered with great ease, attributing almost everything he had done to the noble cause of human survival.

Although years of animosity made Theresa still harbor some suspicion, deeper emotions within her heart made Theresa want to believe Otto. This internal conflict made her feel even more weary.

"Here, my good granddaughter, drink some bitter melon juice to quench your thirst..."

Otto, who had just left, returned with a glass of freshly squeezed bitter melon juice, placing the cup, still slightly cool, before Theresa.

Theresa instinctively wrinkled her little nose, catching the familiar refreshing scent of bitter melon. Her eyes lit up, and she took the glass of freshly squeezed bitter melon juice made by the Grand Bishop of Destiny himself. Her eyes instantly filled with a happy smile as she sweetly said:

"Thank you, Grandpa..."

As she spoke, Theresa, holding the bitter melon juice, brought the straw to her lips and took a strong sip. The familiar refreshing taste of bitter melon flooded her mouth, instantly invigorating Theresa, who was feeling a bit mentally fatigued.

Watching Theresa's adorable reaction, Otto let out a soft chuckle and gently ruffled her small head before sitting down beside her again.

This time, Theresa didn't show the same wariness as before. Instead, she naturally leaned against Otto, just like she used to.

"Little Theresa, do you have any more questions? Why not ask them all at once?"

"Mmm..."

Hearing Otto bring up serious matters, Theresa, who had almost been lost in the bitter melon juice, quickly regained her focus. She licked the bitter melon juice from the corner of her mouth with her small tongue and tried to put on a serious expression.

"Grandpa, is that child Gwen really just a survivor of the Honkai?"

Although this question was no longer that important to Theresa after learning the truth of the world, since they were already discussing it, she still asked.

"Of course..."

Hearing this, Otto, who instantly understood Theresa's worries, smiled and nodded.

"Gwen is indeed a survivor brought back by Bianca and Rita during a mission. You can ask them to verify this."

"If that's the case, then why did you allow the news of him having the Caslana bloodline to spread so widely?"

Hearing the names Otto mentioned, Theresa believed him by more than half. After all, Bianca wasn't someone who would lie. However, she continued to ask, "Even if one's background is no longer highly valued, this could still easily cause that child some trouble, right?

Or... do you actually plan to use that child for something else?"

Although she really wanted to ignore Siegfried's affairs now, for Cecilia's sake, and because this also involved Gwen's future, Theresa still asked the latter question.

"Ha..."

Under Theresa's sharp gaze, Otto let out a relaxed laugh.

Under Theresa's somewhat displeased gaze, Otto restrained his laughter and slowly asked:

"Theresa, do you remember the Second Honkai Incident over a decade ago?"

"Of course, I will never forget."

Theresa's small face showed a hint of sadness as she nodded gently.

"In that battle, Destiny mobilized almost all its strength. Both the well-trained Valkyries and the armies of secular nations played their respective roles in that disaster.

However, what cannot be ignored is the immense sacrifice they made during the Second Honkai.

If Cecilia hadn't led her people to seize the opportunity to kill the Second Herrscher in the core battlefield, this hard-won victory would have directly become the prelude to humanity's extinction.

I have to rethink future plans. Perhaps for the war against Honkai, what we need is not just an army, but also a genius."

Otto emphasized one word—

"Jemand."

"Jemand?"

"Der Eine!

A peerless genius, a leader on the battlefield, a hero capable of defeating a Herrscher!

One is enough, just like Cecilia..."

Otto lowered his voice, saying:

"Gwen is the best candidate right now. He possesses unparalleled talent, a sufficiently steady personality, and is more flexible and adaptable than Bianca.

The only issue is that he dislikes being in the spotlight and prefers to hide his brilliance, only doing what must be done when necessary."