Just Make Sure to Protect Sirin! / Cecilia's Request!

"I had Mobius set the awakening time after the main storyline begins, because only after that, with her help, will fate become blurred, and that will be our chance to change things."

Listening to Aponia's explanation, Ling Xi fell into deep thought again. According to Aponia, the main storyline of the Honkai world was set by the tree, using a series of events to test civilizations, although...

Different parallel worlds have different storylines, but many parallel worlds share similar plots, such as Kevin becoming Kaiwen, Otto becoming a priest, or Old Yang becoming a teacher, but...

The only constant is the conflict between Honkai and civilization, perhaps...

The conflict between civilization and Honkai is the so-called inescapable trend. Once it deviates, the tree will begin to forcibly correct itself. Kevin and Kaiwen are minor trends that can be changed. After all... for parallel worlds, any variable can lead to a different ending!

And the tree...

It involves using parallel worlds to exhaustively search for civilizations and select those that meet the criteria!

Perhaps those parallel worlds that forcibly altered the course of history perished because they couldn't resist the correction brought by the tree, leading to the destruction of their civilizations...

If you want to survive, it seems that you can only follow the path that the tree has set for you. If you obediently follow it, you can survive for a while. But if you choose to resist, there is only one way out: death!

Indeed, Heaven and Earth are ruthless, treating all things as straw dogs. No matter how much civilization struggles, the tree will not favor anyone, nor will it give anyone a second glance. The tree... only follows its own rules!

"So, are we just left to drift with the wind and perish with civilization?"

At this moment, Ling Xi realized that he had underestimated the tree. Facing the tree was like playing football against it, with all the referees, witnesses, and organizers on the field being the tree's people. Under such rules, how could he possibly fight against it?

"It used to be, but... it's not now!"

Aponia stared intently at Ling Xi, and said seriously yet calmly, "The Honkai has gods, and we also have gods, but... the time is not yet right!"

Chapter 639 All I need to do is protect Sirin!

We... also have gods!

Ling Xi also realized something.

Indeed, ever since the war against the gods, when he seized half of the divine power and gave it to Seele, human civilization has also had gods. From then on, civilization was no longer just a pawn, but also had the right to wield the pieces.

The Previous Era relied on itself, but the current civilization... relies on Seele?

"Ling Xi, it's time for me to leave. I look forward to our... true reunion!"

After she finished speaking, Aponia's figure disappeared from Ling Xi's sight, after all, she was a commandment left behind by Aponia.

"Whoosh..."

With Aponia's departure, Ling Xi also had some new ideas: minor trends can be changed, but major trends cannot be reversed!

If Sirin's demise is inevitable, then...

My only option is to let Dark Sirin perish!

As for persuasion...

Well, neither of the two Sirin is the real Sirin. It's more like they're separated by the Tiger Talisman; one side is Sirin's benevolent side, and the other is the malevolent side that Sirin abandoned. So...

Ling Xi thinks that even the most cunning and ruthless Gui might not be able to win over the wicked Sirin, let alone her mother-in-law. Besides...

According to the rules, one of Sirin must disappear...

On the battlefield at this moment, with the cooperation of Sirin and Fu Hua, Dark Sirin was already showing signs of being suppressed, especially Fu Hua's Tai Xu Sword Qi, which was pure damage to her!

Meanwhile, Cecilia, Theresa, and Shigure Kira, who had already reached near- S-rank Valkyrie strength, recovered quickly with the help of Black Abyss White Flower and rejoined the battlefield. Ultimately...

Despite being at a disadvantage and still possessing a significant amount of Honkai Energy, Dark Sirin didn't become arrogant and recklessly charge forward. Instead, she decided to consolidate her position first and then used spatial powers to escape. Faced with this seemingly superhuman ability, everyone was helpless. As for Sirin...

Sorry, she is now the Herrscher of Flame...

In short, although humanity won this battle, it was only a Pyrrhic victory. Moreover, even though the Second Herrscher was defeated, it was only temporary, and it was only a matter of time before the opponent reappeared.

"I never imagined the enemy would be so powerful..."

On the spaceship, everyone sat together to rest, but the atmosphere was somewhat somber due to the pressure from the Second Herrscher!

"We underestimated the strength of the Herrscher."

Ein said thoughtfully, "According to the information obtained during the previous battle, the opponent does indeed have at least four Herrscher Authority. So we are not just facing a Herrscher, but a Herrscher has mastered at least four powers."

"Dr. Einstein, do you have any ideas?"

Siegfried asked, somewhat curiously.

"Not at the moment."

Ein simply shook her head slightly and said, "The battle just now... was probably the strongest fighting force that humanity could currently muster. Although we did successfully suppress the Second Herrscher, if she were to escape, we would have no way to stop her. But on the other hand..."

Ein said seriously, "If the Second Herrscher defeats us one by one, we will be in a very passive situation."

Cecilia remained silent, after all, she was the first to fight the Second Herrscher, so...

She was very clear about the Second Herrscher's strength, after all, she, Theresa, and Siegfried had all been defeated when they ganged up on the Second Herrscher before.

"..."

Watching the group chat, Ling Xi felt no interest, because she knew very well that the Second Herrscher had become so powerful precisely because she had interfered with the balance, so...

At this point, Ling Xi was already somewhat unwilling to participate in the subsequent battles!

After all, Aponia had already made it very clear that one of the two Sirin had to disappear, so...

If he takes Sirin with him into battle, then Sirin herself might disappear; but if he takes Sirin and ignores the Second Honkai War, then...

According to Aponia, humanity may pay a heavy price, but will still win, and it is guaranteed that it will be another Sirin that disappears!

Therefore, Ling Xi decided to take Sirin home directly, and leave the matter of the Second Herrscher to Otto and Anti-Entropy to worry about.

Even if we were to participate in the war, it could only be myself and the Immortal. Sirin, absolutely not!

Moreover, if neither he nor Sirin participate in the battle, then it seems to be no different from the original plot. The only difference might be that the Second Herrscher is stronger than before!

However, relatively speaking...

The Immortal and Shigure Kira are also stronger than before.

"Ling Xi, what are our plans next?"

Suddenly, Fu Hua also spoke up and asked Ling Xi about future plans. She thought that the Second Herrscher had been dealt with and that humanity had successfully survived the Second Honkai War, but who would have thought that a second Sirin would appear!

"Go home."

Ling Xi said directly, "Sirin, let's go back to Shenzhou!"

Ling Xi didn't want to return to Schicksal, because if she and Sirin continued to stay at Schicksal Headquarters, it would be difficult to refuse subsequent operations. It wasn't that she couldn't refuse, but...

Interpersonal relationships and social dynamics are complicated!

Because Ling Xi knew very well that many humans would die when facing the Second Herrscher at this moment, especially the Wolfpack Squad. Of the six members of the Wolfpack Squad in the original work, apart from Shigure Kira who escaped by falling into the Quantum Sea, the rest... were all wiped out!

This is Schicksal's strongest fighting force!

Therefore, Ling Xi was somewhat hesitant to stay at the Schicksal Headquarters.

"OK."

Sirin certainly wouldn't refuse. Although living in the villa in Schicksal was nice, it just didn't feel as relaxing as staying at home. So when Ling Xi suggested going home, she readily agreed.

"Go home?"

Ein said with some curiosity, "Ling Xi, the matter of the Second Herrscher is not over yet. I think we should not split up our forces. Moreover... it would be more convenient to discuss the next steps if we were all at Schicksal Headquarters."

"You can discuss the solutions yourselves."

Ling Xi shook her head slightly and said, "Moreover, if nothing unexpected happens, we will not participate in the next battle, because Sirin is always using the power of the Herrscher Core. If she uses it too much, she is very likely to be corrupted by the Honkai again. At that time, we will be facing more than just one Herrscher."

"Huh? I didn't... um, that's right!"

Sirin was about to deny it—how could she possibly be corrupted?—but...

Seeing Ling Xi's gaze, she wisely chose to keep quiet. Anyway... she'd support Ling Xi.

"Is that so..."

Hearing Ling Xi's answer, Ein was somewhat skeptical, but she didn't refute it. After all, what Sirin possessed at this moment was not her own Void Archives Core, but the Flame Herrscher Core, so...

Perhaps when Sirin uses her core power, she will indeed be corrupted.

Therefore, not only Ein, but the others also remained silent for a moment. After all, one Herrscher was already so troublesome; if another one came, humanity would be practically finished.

Chapter 640 Cecilia's Entrustment!

"Lady Cecilia..."

Before leaving, Ling Xi went to Cecilia's room again.

"Hmm, Ling Xi?"

Upon seeing Ling Xi, Cecilia seemed somewhat surprised and smiled, "Weren't you about to go home? What brings you here?"

"I'd like to... give you something."

Ling Xi didn't beat around the bush and directly took out the [Cecilia] Stigmata Gene, saying, "This is Stigmata Gene adapted to the Saniat Family bloodline, which has the function of recovering souls, in other words..."

Ling Xi sighed and said, "If you unfortunately sacrifice yourself, this Stigmata Gene will preserve your soul, so that you will have a chance to be resurrected in the future."

"Do you... know something?"

Cecilia didn't immediately take the Stigmata Gene from Ling Xi. Instead, she looked at Ling Xi with a half-smile. To be honest, from the first moment she saw Ling Xi, she had a very peculiar feeling about Ling Xi. She always felt that Ling Xi not only knew her, but also understood her very well, and...

His respect for himself was entirely from the bottom of his heart!

Most importantly, during their first meeting at the Schicksal Headquarters, Ling Xi addressed her as "Mother-in-law." At the time, Cecilia did think Ling Xi might have made a mistake, but...

Upon closer reflection, it's clear that no one would normally make such a mistake. Moreover, when Ling Xi called her "Mother-in-law," it was so natural, as if she really was his mother-in-law!

Then, Cecilia did some research on Ling Xi and analyzed Ling Xi behavior, ultimately concluding that Ling Xi...

It's highly likely he really is my son-in-law, but... he isn't right now!

Because Ling Xi's recent behavior truly seemed like she knew the future, and now that Ling Xi had given her this life-saving Stigmata Gene, Cecilia was even more certain of her thoughts, and at the same time...

Cecilia had a rough idea of what was going on; this time... she might have to sacrifice herself!

"Eh... why would you say that?"

Faced with Cecilia's sudden, illogical question, Ling Xi was taken aback, but she resolutely refused to admit it.

"Hehe, it's nothing."

Cecilia smiled, then took the Stigmata Gene from Ling Xi's hand and said with a smile, "Are you really going to give me something so precious?"

"Um."

Ling Xi nodded slightly and smiled, "After all, without you, Sirin wouldn't be able to come back to me now, so... I also want to thank you."

"Oh..."

Cecilia stroked her chin and laughed, "What a pity. I thought this was an early betrothal gift. I was even thinking that if it was a betrothal gift, I would have agreed."

"Puff..."

Ling Xi nearly coughed up blood. His mother-in-law was not to be trifled with. Even if he were Cao Cao, he would never dare to court death now. Didn't you see Siegfried still shouting outside?

Believe it or not, I can take down Cao Cao with one awesome move!

"Heh, what, you think you're losing out by exchanging this for my daughter?"

Cecilia continued to look at Ling Xi with a smile.

"Your daughter? Oh..."

Ling Xi then realized that Cecilia was talking about Kiana. Thank goodness... wait a minute...

Kiana...

He's only one year old! What a load of rubbish! This is too much torture!

"Hehe, okay, okay, just kidding."

Cecilia simply smiled and said, "However, if you are really willing, I can agree to this, but... you also need to promise me one thing."

"Huh?"

Although Ling Xi wasn't interested in Kiana at the moment, she was somewhat intrigued by Cecilia's words, so she asked, "Excuse me, what is it?"

"It's very simple."

Cecilia smiled slightly and said, "If Siegfried and I... well, if something happens to us this time and we don't come back, then... could you help take care of Kiana? After all... it's more reassuring to have someone you've raised since childhood as your wife, isn't it?"