Honkai, Survive

"Wait, what do we need to do? Are we saving someone? Or looking for something? It's really dangerous there right now!"

She strode over and blocked Fang Jie with her arms spread wide.

"I can help you too, just like you've been helping everyone along the way!"

There was no way she could just watch him charge in alone.

"Leave now, and no one will get hurt, Kiana."

Fang Jie looked at the serious girl before him and smiled. It was worth the effort he put into escorting her.

"I appreciate your kindness, Kiana, but don't worry about me. I'm not going back to die; I'm confident I can handle this."

"Liar."

Kiana wasn't truly foolish. Although Fang Jie had dealt with Temple-class Honkai beasts before and was indeed powerful enough to be rated as an A-Rank Valkyrie.

But people had limits; they got tired, they got hurt, they… died.

In the environment of Chang Kong City, what was an A-Rank Valkyrie?

It was difficult for Fang Jie to explain to her what it meant to have teleportation. Should he use the term "World Bubble"? Forget it. He didn't mind lying, but Kiana…

Only by speaking the truth, or by staying silent altogether, could he deal with someone with such intuition.

"Kiana, time will prove everything, but not now, and not here. Let's meet again next time."

Just as Fang Jie uttered his cool, enigmatic line and intended to speed past her, shaking off the mere B-rank Kiana—

"Kid, I also think returning to Chang Kong City right now isn't a good idea."

Houkai had, at some point, annihilated the nearby Honkai beasts, clearing the way for the Hyperion's temporary docking and the establishment of a base.

The follow-up Valkyrie forces had already landed and were beginning to clear the vicinity and prepare for the evacuation of rescued civilians.

This was another bait, designed to lure the Herrscher of Thunder out. The most terrifying Herrscher was the one hidden.

They had to find the Herrscher of Thunder as soon as possible. If necessary, Himeko had no doubt that Schicksal would, as proposed by the Global Council from the start, directly launch a Honkai fission bomb at Chang Kong City.

"Look closely, you're quite handsome. So I advise you not to go to your death. Life is very precious."

Himeko confirmed that Fang Jie's face held no sadness or intent to die. His return to Chang Kong City wasn't a desperate outburst but something he was certain about.

But no matter how confident he was, this city, besides perishing in the Great Honkai, would also become the site of a fierce battle to eliminate the Herrscher, which would include, but not be limited to, carpet-bombing with Honkai fission bombs…

Facing her smile, which was three parts charming, three parts playful, and four parts determined not to let him leave, Himeko, whose pressure to find a partner was less than half of what it would be in two years, gave Fang Jie ten, no, a hundred times the pressure Kiana did!

Kiana had potential for the future, but could be bullied now.

Murata Himeko could bully him now, and in the future, he might not even be able to retaliate.

Invincible man!

Why aren't you quickly containing Raiden Mei and taking Kiana away? Why are you blocking me? Where's Theresa? Come and acknowledge the problem!

"Life is precious, but for those words to come from you…"

Shaking his head, Fang Jie didn't want to delve into the topic of her life, which was like a candle in the wind. Instead, he pushed Kiana aside and faced Murata Himeko directly.

"Let's make a bet. I bet you can't stop me."

"Oh~, so confident. You look like a reliable man."

Murata Himeko chuckled. Did you think an A-Rank Valkyrie was just for show? How do you expect me to agree? She was close to death, not unable to lift her greatsword.

"How do you want to bet? Hmm, little man?"

"Little" was unnecessary. I'm an adult, after all. I just became younger due to Path energy.

With no time to waste, Fang Jie remained silent and reached out towards Himeko, patting her dangerous armor.

Like a magician engaging the audience before a trick, he placed both hands where she could see and touch them.

"Watch closely."

Not only Himeko, but Kiana, who was behind him, triggering her feline instincts to prepare a surprise attack to either take him away or hold him back, also had her pupils dilate in shock.

"Where, where did he go?"

Could it be that the one who protected her all the way was a ghost?

Himeko, with her vast experience, wouldn't think that. She pondered.

'This isn't spacetime distortion. At least, the spacetime distortion system loaded into the third-generation Schicksal Valkyrie armor, developed based on the Second Herrscher, doesn't work like this. Could it be the fourth generation? I haven't heard any news of it, and Theresa wouldn't keep it from me. Or did those crazy researchers directly deploy an unstable result for battlefield testing?'

Lost in thought, she signaled the Valkyries following behind to transfer Kiana and the other two. There was no time to delay; it would be very dangerous here soon. Kiana's objections were useless.

It wasn't until three minutes later, when the Honkai corrosion on his right hand had dissipated, that Fang Jie reappeared.

He heard Murata Himeko, who had been observing the vicinity, charge forward immediately:

"You win."

Then don't chase after me!

Chapter 8: I Carry Judah, To Suppress All Enemies Under Heaven

"Dear audience, please enjoy this marvelous magic that even Ver [Ver] would applaud – the astonishing story behind the great disappearing act."

Fang Jie, who had been getting handsomer every day and was already one of the Nameless, was sliding on the snow. After scrambling and adapting to the environment, he zipped towards the Realm Anchor.

"Amazing! A true master is one who can teleport."

Fang Jie, who appeared cool and handsome in front of others, was now providing his own voiceover for his actions. He shouted:

"Akivili, lend me your energy! — Hya!!"

He gathered his energy at his dantian, slightly bowed his head, and closed his eyes, his mind as calm as a meditating monk. It was as if he could see myriad galaxies slowly unfolding like a scroll…

How could mere Honkai energy erosion possibly resist this?

In an instant, he was submerged by the torrent of the Path of the Trailblazer. The erosion marks on his right hand, which he had deliberately paralyzed, receded once more. A large amount of Honkai energy was dissolved and absorbed, expanding the limit of Fang Jie's internal Path energy.

Finally, as the erosion on his right hand completely vanished, he clenched it with his left hand, raised it high, and shouted:

"Revive, my little right!"

The blood vessels in his deliberately paralyzed right hand reconnected. With the surge of his heart, the surging blood flowed through him, circulating throughout his body and instantly bringing about more of Honkai energy's violent strengthening effects.

This event is also recorded in "Feng Yun."

His heartbeat suddenly accelerated, continuously accelerating. From a subtle state to one almost resembling death, it quickly broke through to 200 beats per minute. His body temperature also rose, returning to a normal 36°, then 37°, 38°, 39°. For a moment, his entire body felt warm.

No, it felt scorching hot, like it was burning!

Even while in Belobog's Eternal Freeze, Fang Jie felt as if he were in Honkai's spring.

He decided to call the former state 'Winter' and the latter 'Spring.'

"Hahahaha, quack quack quack quack..."

Thus, after using one minute to adapt to the combined power of his increased Path energy and Honkai energy, and another two minutes to calm his emotions and maintain his composure, Fang Jie leaped back into the world of Honkai…

Only to be caught by Himeko.

Unless absolutely necessary, he would not reveal his ability to teleport anytime and anywhere. This required intervals, limits… and it was best not to repeatedly teleport to the same spot. It was best to make people think it was merely a technology for transferring between real space and alternate space.

Being caught by Himeko, Fang Jie accepted his fate.

Otherwise, his two minutes of calm would have been a complete waste of time.

"Running away, why did you stop? Are you out of strength?"

Himeko, smiling sweetly, her mature voice paired with the action of her placing one hand on Fang Jie's shoulder, was full of mischievous intent.

"I've already won."

Fang Jie strained his neck, resisting her immense strength, though it was difficult.

After undergoing Valkyrie surgery, this big sister was a member of Schicksal's assault team, wielding a heavy greatsword. Fully armed now, she was an undeniable A-Rank Valkyrie.

Without activating his Honkai killer, Fang Jie had no recourse.

Just standing beside him… forget his 39° body temperature, her mere presence seemed to ignite the air, spreading warmth into people's hearts.

Control your pride and impatience, control your pride and impatience.

"Yes, yes, yes, you won, even though I never agreed to bet with you," Himeko pouted.

"Alright, little man, I'm in a bit of a hurry too. Since you've made your decision—take this."

Even while wearing her combat armor, Himeko always wore a smile. After briefly assessing Fang Jie's physical condition, Murata Himeko, who now served more as a teacher than for combat, waved her hand. A Valkyrie who had just landed from the Hyperion, ready for battle, quickly approached carrying a weapon case.

"Major Himeko!"

Her tone was respectful as she awaited orders.

And she was wearing Valkyrie armor.

In Chang Kong City, even logistical work had to be handled by B-rank Valkyries.

Himeko took the case and opened the spare weapon case, taking out a long saber.

She had assessed him; Fang Jie lacked the strength, and it was impossible to equip him with Valkyrie armor now. Using a greatsword would be unsuitable, especially since he needed to return to Chang Kong City. Reducing his burden and increasing his breakthrough capability would be more appropriate.

"'Composite Blade: Willow Leaf'—crafted by combining ancient Shenzhou sword-making techniques with the most advanced Honkai technology, it's specialized for cutting power. Take this."

Huh?

What did she mean?

Fang Jie was…

Himeko, you truly are a good woman!

Of course, who do you think I am?

Himeko's lips curved upwards, very pleased with his gaze and expression.

However, there was nothing else suitable she could equip him with. Armor was unsuitable, and the anti-Honkai combat suit would only provide psychological comfort in Chang Kong City, given the concentration of Honkai energy there. Seeing that Fang Jie showed no signs of Honkai erosion, it was even less necessary.

Himeko handed him the saber: "Here, remember to protect yourself."

Fang Jie's attention had been captured by the saber the moment Himeko handed it to him. It was a three-star weapon with both excellent durability and appearance.

The power of a three-star weapon, using the Nuclear Fusion Greatsword as an example, could unleash power comparable to a small nuclear explosion.

This was the might of a three-star.

In contrast, the standard-issue training equipment for Schicksal Valkyries was two-star, surpassing the military-grade weaponry of various nations and representing cutting-edge technology allocated to 'superhumans.'

Fang Jie solemnly accepted the Composite Blade: Willow Leaf with both hands.

From its sheath, it exuded a modern industrial aesthetic, perfectly embodying geometric and biomechanical principles. Seamless and integrated, it felt exceptionally comfortable to hold.

Drawing it out, the first thing that caught his eye was the blade, a blend of black and green. Its edge was pure and transparent, not reflecting cold light, but emitting its own radiance.

The material had been greatly enhanced by Honkai energy, so it wouldn't snap like mere steel upon impact with a Honkai beast's body.

Furthermore, had its cutting power been significantly amplified?

He could feel that the blade could absorb Honkai energy and then unleash it.

He imagined it could cleave a Honkai beast ten meters or taller in half with a single strike.

More importantly, using a cool weapon was more fitting for a heroic character's image than tearing Honkai beasts apart with his bare hands.

"Himeko... sister, I deeply respect you."

Fang Jie decided to express his reverence, affection, and gratitude towards her.

"Don't try to get cozy with me. There's nothing more for you, and it wouldn't be suitable. Since you've decided to head toward your death, then go. You have to survive, little man."

Himeko, not yet sensitive about her age, didn't pay attention to the pause in Fang Jie's tone. She turned away with a flourish and waved her hand, signaling Fang Jie to leave quickly if he intended to.

There was still much work to be done, especially leaving this decoy base to scout and infiltrate Chang Kong City, serving as another decoy.

Otherwise, "Right, remember, if you don't sense any signs of a major battle within 24 hours, or if you do, either stay far away from Chang Kong City or hurry into a bomb shelter, underground fortifications, preferably with three defenses, and then pray."

Huh?

What did she mean?

Fang Jie didn't quite understand for a moment, but perhaps Himeko worried he wouldn't grasp it, so she stated it plainly: