Cured at Last, the Orphanage

Based on the instant healing provided by the Black Abyss White Flower, the [Stigmata] was able to recklessly absorb the Honkai Energy within her body.

This process was too fast. In the instant that organs and flesh were forcibly drained of all Honkai Energy and necrotic, [Creation] directly repaired them completely. As a result, Mei, who should have felt intense pain, could only feel as if her limbs and bones were immersed in a warm stream, and the Honkai Energy being moved away incredibly quickly.

The holy white light dissipated like mist blown away by a strong wind. The girl's chest rose and fell, and she felt an unprecedented sense of ease in her body as she breathed. She said:

"Prometheus, analyze the body data."

The watch face on my wrist emitted a subtle, strange wavelength that permeated the entire room.

Prometheus then stated:

"Dr. Mei, we are currently unable to detect the Honkai Energy within your body. Assuming the erosion phenomenon is either so low as to be undetectable by instruments, it has either completely disappeared."

In short, Su Qing'an has cured the Honkai Sickness that had plagued him for so long.

Mei whispered in a daze:

"Although the initial data calculations did show that your soul ability combined with the Herrscher of Death's authority did indeed have the potential to directly heal Honkai Energy, the fact that it could directly achieve this result and with such efficiency was beyond my expectations."

Su Qing'an remained silent for a while. He could clearly sense that the other party had never considered whether he could be saved inside the Black Abyss White Flower before or after creating it. This selfless focus was really worrying to others.

He said:

"You hardly ever think about your own affairs, which isn't good."

Mei calculated the specific data after the Black Abyss White Flower output power, and said softly:

"Perhaps? But until the day of true victory arrives, I don't have the extra time and energy to think about anything beyond that."

She changed the subject and asked:

Will using the Black Abyss White Flower affect your soul?

Su Qing'an complied with the other party's wishes and did not pursue the matter further. After all, it would be somewhat futile for him to offer advice. He glanced at the Abyss Flower domain, which was now just a phantom within the Soul Hall, and replied:

"From the moment I grasped the Divine Key and established the link, the power within my soul temporarily returned to the Herrscher Core."

"Unless the link breaks down, the Herrscher of Death's powers should remain intact within the Divine Key. Therefore, normal use is entirely handled by the core within the Black Abyss White Flower, and it won't affect me personally."

"But after actually using the Divine Key, I discovered that the precision limit of Herrscher's use of their powers is roughly related to the soul. Perhaps the user of the Divine Key might be able to surpass the Herrscher of the original owner of the power in this respect."

Mei felt a bit overwhelmed. The so-called soul remained in an unobservable state, but neither the adaptability of the Divine Key, nor even the elements that could be pushed to their limits, could be dragged out of this concept. She said:

"I don't know the exact limits of Herrscher's soul, but I suspect that the link to Honkai Consciousness itself can enhance abilities in this area, making it even more difficult to define the normal metrics possessed by an independent Herrscher."

"Since you can observe souls, theoretically you should understand these data best."

"I want to know how your soul compares in strength to the Herrscher linked to the Honkai Consciousness? Can it reach the limits that even they cannot?"

Su Qing'an explained:

"I don't know. My observations are biased towards the other person's emotions and their unique soul aura. As for the intensity... I can't even define my own soul, let alone that of others."

He had always relied on those seemingly useless panel data to know the precise changes in the Soul Essence.

If one relies solely on their own perception, they can only understand the reality of becoming stronger, but it is difficult to clarify the specific extent of that improvement.

The boy paused, then continued:

Do you remember what I mentioned to you a while ago?

Mei countered with a question:

"You mean the phenomenon where Kevin's soul and flesh became more closely connected after he became Fusion Warrior?"

Su Qing'an nodded and said:

"Yes, I think the occurrence of this phenomenon not only prevents the Honkai Consciousness from selecting Fusion Warrior as Herrscher bodies, but also affects the nature of the soul itself."

Mei asked:

"What's the reason?"

Su Qing'an explained:

"Because of a very basic comparison."

"Initially, I was able to directly modify Kevin's subconscious using soul pressure. After training for a while, although he could resist the modification of his subconscious, he still couldn't change the fact that I could forcibly kill him with pure soul pressure."

"This is because training can at most strengthen his core will, but it has no effect on the fundamental strength of his soul, so naturally it cannot change this constrained upper limit."

"But things are different now. After he became Fusion Warrior, my soul pressure no longer has much effect on him."

"This is a world of difference compared to before. I can only explain it by either his soul becoming stronger, or the close connection between his soul and flesh making it more difficult to intervene in soul oppression. I personally tend to think it's a combination of both."

Mei was silent for a moment, then asked:

"Are you trying to say that if Fusion Warrior possesses an affinity for the Divine Key, then their ability to utilize its powers will be far greater than that of a normal person?"

Su Qing'an said softly:

"Moreover, assuming this is a fixed phenomenon that inevitably occurs in Fusion Warrior, then Fusion Warrior should be more likely to meet the conditions for controlling the Divine Key than ordinary people with excellent Honkai Energy."

Mei understood the meaning behind the other person's words, which is not difficult to understand.

To put it simply, the so-called Divine Key Adaptability is a precious talent that can match the power wavelength filtered by the Divine Key and link with it.

Aside from basic wavelength compatibility, the most crucial element is nothing more than the ability to connect with it, which is its essence.

Given this, Fusion Warrior, who naturally possess half of the necessary requirements, would naturally have a higher probability of mastering the Divine Key than normal humans.

He continued:

"I even suspect that Fusion Warrior who don't have a high compatibility level can use the changes caused by this phenomenon to ignore the compatibility issue and briefly manipulate the Divine Key."

"Even if this method cannot unleash the true power of the Divine Key, it is enough to create more combat power."

Based on his own inability to extract the Jizo Mitama at that time, Su Qing'an could deduce that the soul strength of the Fusion Warrior who underwent the unknown changes resulting from the fusion of the Emperor-class genes was at least much higher than his own at that time. This meant that humans who crossed this threshold achieved a true and comprehensive sublimation.

This seems like a good thing, but doesn't it also indirectly prove that Fusion Warrior are no longer human in every sense?

If the goal of the Honkai Consciousness is defined as the selection of all civilizations, is the path pioneered by Mei and practiced by Kevin one of the methods to successfully pass this selection?

Fusion Warrior have incredibly long lifespans, near-immunity to Honkai Energy, and soul strength far exceeding that of ordinary people. In every detail, even at the genetic level, they have created a huge gap and distance between themselves and their original race.

If humanity survives the process of Honkai in this way, it seems worth considering whether it can still be considered human.

Mei asked softly:

"So your suggestion is to fully roll out the Divine Key Project and the Fusion Warrior Project?"

Su Qing'an responded:

"Based on current considerations, this is the best and only option, but the views of the Moth to Fire, both internally and externally, on the Fusion Warrior... are something that needs to be taken into account beforehand."

The girl shook her head. These questions had been within her consideration from the very beginning. As the one who proposed and perfected the Most Fusion Warrior Project, she was well aware of the internal conflicts and future situations that would arise from this.

However, humanity's current situation leaves no room for such considerations. Expecting everything to be perfect in the truest sense will inevitably lead to failure. In the harsh reality where there is no room for trial and error, no matter how many adverse negative impacts we may encounter, expelling the Honkai remains the top priority.

She said:

"I see."

Mei glanced at the Black Abyss White Flower in his hand, her gaze lingering on it with a complex expression, and said:

"The wavelength data shows that the connection between this Divine Key and you was established almost instantly. Perhaps in the future, some Fusion Warrior will be able to forcibly use Divine Key that are not compatible with them, but this one is the only exception."

"The Black Abyss White Flower will belong to you from now on. No one in this world but you can wield its power."

Su Qing'an stroked the surface of the sword blade; its cool texture felt less like metal and more like porcelain.

Seele Fulei left no remains in the end. Apart from the two butterflies and the Abyss Flower domain in the Soul Hall, the only thing that could prove her existence was the Divine Key before her.

To abandon the meaning of the Black Abyss White Flower's existence would be to betray that person's last wish.

Therefore... even if the Seventh Herrscher's true appearance cannot resolve the accumulated problems within him, he will still choose to force himself to face the cruel future.

The boy whispered:

"I will make good use of this power."

Mei said:

"I have some thoughts on this. Countless people within the Moth to Fire have been infected by Honkai Energy. Whether your ability, combined with the Black Abyss White Flower, should be exposed will depend on the scope, precision, and limits of your ability's use."

"I'll contact a group of people later to conduct experiments using this data."

Su Qing'an did not refute. He was no longer able to fight, so the logistical support that could bring many soldiers back from the brink of death had become the only positive event that could demonstrate its value and the significance of the Black Abyss White Flower.

Even without considering self-satisfaction and inner comfort, being able to save others within one's capabilities is not a bad thing.

Mei considered her words carefully and said:

"In addition, during this encounter with the Seventh Herrscher, I need to collect specific data on the Fusion Warrior' true abilities. This kind of data is only truly valuable when facing a life-or-death opponent."

"Therefore, you don't need to take action until the situation becomes critical. However, just in case, Mr. Su can use his soul abilities in conjunction with the Black Abyss White Flower to provide assistance."

Su Qing'an was stunned for a moment, then he asked:

"What does 'assist' mean?"

Mei responded:

"You can use those feathers as an extension of your abilities to absorb Honkai Energy, and you can also use the feathers themselves to release power. Theoretically, with the Black Abyss White Flower, you should be able to provide Kevin with a safety net that won't put his life in danger."

"With you on the battlefield, given Kevin's current strength, I'm not worried about any unexpected issues arising from the data collection process."

Su Qing'an had never considered the idea of using his abilities to support others, but after Mei explained it seriously, he realized that it did have the basic feasibility. Using the Udu-dust that descends to the world in myriad illusions as a link and extension between [Stigmata] and power, it was theoretically sufficient to become a perfect shield.

The phenomenon of absorbing Honkai Energy and releasing Honkai Energy.

[Creation], [Obliteration].

The Herrscher Core within the Black Abyss White Flower serves as an inexhaustible reserve of energy, providing an ever-flowing source of power.

Theoretically speaking, such a closed loop is already a self-contained cycle.

If Kevin were to reach the mature stage of mastering beast-transformation as Fusion Warrior, and with this closed loop, even though the Seventh Herrscher is much stronger than the Sixth Herrscher, with a qualitative difference, there would still be hope of defeating her.

Ultimately, such a closed loop can only be achieved by Su Qing'an, possessing a flawless and truly invincible power.

Udu-dust itself is a medium, and using the medium to provide protection to others is a medium that is passed on twice.

Not to mention that Su Qing'an's mental state is not normal at present, even if he currently possesses a complete fighting will, he is destined to be unable to be perfect in the ever-changing high-level battlefield by simply assisting others.

However, if Kevin's defensive gaps are exploited and he fails to dodge in time because he subconsciously believes in the existence of the shield, he may end up at a disadvantage.

However, possessing the power of [creation], it still has a certain margin for error, even in real Herrscher- level battles.

To put it bluntly, this is a fighting style that requires extreme teamwork, but it is currently the most effective solution.

Su Qing'an understood why Mei had made such a request and suggestion.

Given the other party's personality, the priority of the so-called Fusion Warrior's actual combat data is entirely after the calamity is truly nipped in the bud. If it's purely from the perspective of victory, they could simply have Kevin fight the Seventh Herrscher alongside them.

But now, instead of making such a suggestion, she has suggested that I assist in the battle, and the meaning behind this is quite clear.

Don't you want me to fight?

If the Seventh Herrscher could truly be resolved in this way, then Su Qing'an naturally had no intention of deliberately driving himself to a breakdown. He needed to abide by the punishment, so choosing to maliciously and passively face defeat was not advisable.

Specific measures will depend on the situation at that time, but the boy had no reason to refuse the proposal now, so he nodded in agreement:

"Good."

One week later, in the Chibbinorton Lake District of Sydney.

As dusk fell, Fu Hua stepped out of the SUV. She opened the trunk and gazed at the dazzling array of supplies and exquisitely packaged gifts inside. She then glanced at the enormous building next to her, somewhat lost in thought.

Although she knew what Himeko's request was for, she couldn't help but feel deeply moved when she actually arrived at this orphanage that had been temporarily built after the Great Honkai.

As the captain of the Fifth Squad, Himeko is now stationed in Australia on standby. With some free time, she has begun to take care of things she was unable to do personally in the past.

For example, the huge orphanage in front of us, which resembles a church, is indeed such a building. The original structure was a church built more than a decade ago, but it was transformed into its current form with the consent of the local owners.

In the past, clergy members chose to stay behind and take on the task of caring for these children, thus indirectly reducing the burden on the authorities.

Fu Hua gazed at the old yet wildly stylish SUV, he recalled the underground space where he had hidden Su Qing'an, and gained a clearer understanding of Himeko's personal hobbies and tastes.

Because it was done in a private capacity, Himeko, who was very law-abiding in every sense, used her own resources throughout. Therefore, the Nanobots were very useful to the official team could not be used as tools at this moment, but she did not mind doing it herself.

Not wanting to trouble the staff inside, the girl pulled out a cart, neatly stacked the supplies, and prepared to obediently push it over. In her daily life, she disliked using Honkai Energy except in necessary situations, and Su Qing'an was the same way.

Of course, cooking is an exception.

Fu Hua looked around and muttered to herself:

"The captain should already be inside. Let's move these things in first, then we'll greet her."

After observing for a while, the girl found that the place was actually very quiet. She glanced at the lake next to her and was somewhat stunned.

The faint light of the lake reflected the surrounding scenery and the sun, gently rippling with the breeze.

Upon closer inspection, one seems to gain a deeper understanding of its beauty.

She thought, "It would be great if I could bring Master Su along too."

"Do you need help?"

A voice suddenly interrupted Fu Hua's thoughts. She looked in the direction of the voice and saw a nun with strange eyes.

Pitch black? Or perhaps "chaos" would be a more fitting description.

She is actually quite beautiful, but her eyes and the delicate purple lines spreading around the corners of her eyes greatly spoil that impression.

It was probably a distressing phenomenon caused by Honkai Energy erosion, but aside from being somewhat frightening at first glance, the other person's smile seemed to possess a strange quality that completely banished these senses.

This approachable nature may be one of the reasons why she was able to stay at the orphanage.