"Fiancée, bride, hehehe..."
With most of her face buried in the water, Kiana's expression grew increasingly dreamy. The bubbles she blew floated to the surface, popping one by one.
"Ah! Wait!"
She suddenly realized something and asked in confusion, "If I really do that unspeakable thing with Ah-Li in the future... Me, you, and him—would the three of us count as having an orgy?"
[...]
At this moment, Sirin reached a subtle resonance with Mei. She desperately wanted to summon a Subspace Lance to pry open this girl's brain and see what kind of filth was packed inside.
"Did you know, other me? When whales reproduce, they need three whales together."
Kiana continued to mutter, "They say the male whale is big and the female is small, so they need a 'wingman whale' underneath to prop the female up."
"How about... we help each other out like that in the future?"
She asked tentatively, "There's strength in numbers. It wouldn't be good if we tired Ah-Li out. When the time comes, you can just push from behind—"
[Get lost, you silver maggot! Who do you think you're including in your fetish play?!!]
The only answer she received was the Queen's exasperated roar.
While the bathroom was in chaos, time was moving synchronously on the Mt. Taixu side.
[ The Host has obtained quite a few good treasures. ]
After Kiana left, Prometheus—the cat—popped her head out.
Little AI wasn't just referring to the items swiped from Yan Shiluo, but also the ones just redeemed from the System Store.
Two days ago, during the trip to the Foggy City, when Fuli let Pardo (the cat) leave, the System Store refreshed five extremely powerful items and skills as if responding to his act of kindness.
At the time, suffering from a lack of currency, these items had to be left pending.
Now back on the Hyperion, by submitting the highly valuable Fuli Well Water to the system, Fuli finally redeemed them all.
First was the Extra Ability: [Command]. He had already crafted this into a Light Cone and planned to give it to Bronya during dinner later.
He wondered how his little sister would react. Would she float up expressionless and give her big bro a sloppy kiss on the cheek?
Probably something like that. Fuli wouldn't agree to anything more excessive anyway.
Flat chests are dangerous. If he developed a fetish for that charm, he wouldn't be far from falling for men.
The second item, [Imaginary Branch], was used to fuse into the Superstring Space, increasing the stability of the spatial barriers.
When Bianka speed-ran the Abyss last time, she provided feedback: among the currently set five layers—Forbidden, Sinful, and Agony were fine. However, the Redlotus and Nirvana layers, which were 'closer' to the outside of the world, had unstable foundations and struggled to withstand energy conflicts above the Critical Class.
Fusing another branch would ensure that at least the Redlotus layer wouldn't have major issues anymore.
As for the remaining [Mineral Conversion Box], [Star-Casting Furnace], and [Planetary Cracking Device], Fuli planned to send them to Mei along with the shattered [Miaocheng Dharma Bell].
Massive Electric was the only place that could maximize their value; keeping them in his hands would be a waste.
"What about me? What about me? Where is Big Sister's gift?"
A pure white figure shifted from virtual to reality, raising both hands and puffing out her cheeks to express her dissatisfaction.
With the development of her latent abilities, Kallen had become increasingly elusive and unpredictable lately.
Fuli was prepared for the Saintess's demands.
He handed over the [Sword of Lord Hong] that originally belonged to Yan Shiluo. "This one belongs to Big Sis!"
This divine equipment possessed the ability to control a ship's internal components and movement speed. While activating a ship required a large amount of Honkai energy, subsequent control consumed very little.
Yes, an aerospace battleship counts as a ship, falling well within the effect range of the Sword of Lord Hong.
"A bit perfunctory, isn't it?"
Kallen poked his cheek, making no attempt to hide the intimacy in her gestures. "I'm the Hyperion's onboard AI. This thing isn't much use to me."
"That's not necessarily true."
Fuli spread his hands. "In the Honkai world, sci-fi and magic coexist. As the helmsman of the battleship, you shouldn't be satisfied with just controlling the Hyperion through technology; you need to cover the metaphysical side too."
Kallen tilted her head and thought about it. With her abilities, let alone basic interference like EMPs, even if the Herrscher of Thunder personally arrived to manipulate electronic signals, she wouldn't easily give up control of the ship.
However, once the Herrscher of Corruption activated its authority, the Hyperion would turn into a toy in the opponent's palm in the blink of an eye.
Why?
Lack of corresponding resistance.
The Sword of Lord Hong was meant to compensate for this. It didn't mean a mere B-Rank divine item could fight the Authority of Corruption head-on, but it could buy two or three seconds to send a warning.
The Previous Era failed because of those two or three seconds. If they had received an alarm and physically severed the network, the nukes launched in full force wouldn't have razed humanity's last three cities to the ground.
"Hmm, that's true."
Playing with the short sword, Kallen smiled radiantly. "Then I'll forgive my Little Brother this time!"
Her body curves were vividly displayed in the tailored nun outfit. The "Absolute Territory" between the hem and her white silk stockings was dizzying to behold. Her every gesture radiated charm, and even her rustic braided hair bloomed with enchanting allure.
Fuli stared blankly at this scene. For some reason, even though the Saintess properly constructed her clothes—and often changed into outfits other than the nun habit (all very beautiful)—he always involuntarily hallucinated her as if she were wearing nothing at all.
Simple imagination would be one thing; adolescent boys are always like that when facing beauties.
The problem was that the image before him was too specific. Whether it was the smooth, tender white shoulders, the full bosom that looked like a ridge from the front and a peak from the side, the sexy Apollo's belt, or those long, lotus-like legs that were unrivaled on the Hyperion.
It was as if... not only had he seen it with his own eyes, but, uh, experienced it personally?
[ Host? Host? ]
[ ...Hmm? ]
[ Creep. ]
Prometheus's disgusted tone woke Fuli from his strange thoughts.
"I—I'll get going first!"
Flustered by her little brother's 'burning' gaze, Kallen left a hurried sentence and dissolved her form.
She quite enjoyed the current relationship between the two. It was better if Fuli didn't remember what happened in the dreamscape.
What if their sworn sibling relationship turned sour?!
[ A pervert who goes into heat over an AI. ]
As soon as the white-haired Saintess left, Prometheus's sharp tongue followed.
Having stabilized his emotions, the boy retorted, not showing weakness, "Yeah, yeah, I like my baby Prometheus the best. When are you going to condense a physical body and snuggle with your Host, baby?"
[ I suggest targeting MEI instead, dear. Compared to me, she is obviously more suitable to satisfy the Host's bottomless, dark, bestial desires. ]
"To be honest, true."
Fuli nodded solemnly.
Compared to the flat-chested Bronya-face, the voluptuous and elegant Dr. Mei undoubtedly fit his XP (fetishes) better.
Compared to the athletic girls around him, Dr. Mei, who didn't exercise much, was the type with a bit of soft plumpness.
But this was clearly the perfect amount. It didn't give the impression of being 'fat,' but rather added a unique charm.
The Tang Dynasty's concept of 'plump beauty' must have been exactly this. As for those 'fairies' on the internet weighing three hundred pounds claiming the Tang Dynasty preferred fat people—please, the Emperor liked playing Azur Lane, not World of Tanks.
[ True? ]
Prometheus was furious.
I was just saying it, and you actually nodded!
[ I feel very honored to be popular with the Host. ]
Speak of the devil. Dr. Mei appeared with a faint smile: [ Though it would be even better if you didn't see me as a substitute for Raiden Mei. ]
"You said before that your model was based on Mei."
[ Women always have their own petty thoughts. For example, right now, I am very curious about the 'Divine Equipment' the Host mentioned. Why can it resist the Authority of the Herrscher of Corruption? ]
With the Cocoon of Finality present, the end of the Previous Era was destiny.
But that didn't stop the boundless despair that rose in Dr. MEI's heart the moment the Herrscher of Corruption extinguished civilization's last hope.
Dr. Mei was modeled after MEI; she perfectly inherited the original's spirit of exploration and obsession.
The term "Divine Equipment" (God-tier Gear) had appeared more than once. The Herrscher of Thunder's magnificent raiment was called Divine Equipment by Fuli, and the Key of Janus of Tribios was also called Divine Equipment.
Previously, Dr. Mei thought it was just a narrative description. Now it seemed it was a distinct classification of equipment.
Noticing the puffed-up Prometheus also stealing glances at him, Fuli immediately seized the chance to soothe the little girl's mood.
Compared to Mei, a "bad woman" whose true thoughts were obscure, the boy treated the little AI, who always woke him up at critical moments, as family.
He organized his words: "Simply put, when a Godhood Authority uses its own power to modify an object, creating equipment that possesses immense power and aligns with its own characteristics, it can be called Divine Equipment."
"For example, the Sword of Lord Hong given to Kallen just now was created by the Authority of the Great King Hong Sheng of Guangli, South Sea."
Lord Hong Sheng (Hong Sheng Ye), the sea god worshipped by fishermen in the South China coastal regions.
His real name was Hong Xi, said to be an official during the Sui and Tang dynasties, reaching the rank of Governor of Panyu. He was revered for establishing a meteorological observatory to help fishermen avoid disasters.
Legend has it that his heroic spirit remained after death, repeatedly saving people from calamities. To commemorate him and pray for protection, coastal fishermen built temples to worship him as a Sea God. Emperors of successive dynasties bestowed titles upon Hong Sheng, such as Zhao Shun. In the Song Dynasty, he was titled the Great King Hong Sheng of Guangli, South Sea.
Prometheus looked thoughtful: [ A Godhood that protects fishermen at sea... so the Divine Equipment forged relates to controlling ships. ]
[ Faith? ]
Dr. Mei hit the nail on the head instantly.
"Yes."
Fuli nodded. "Godhood is the product of pan-human faith combining with Honkai energy in the atmosphere. The Divine Equipment they create is the same."
The common folk of the past didn't understand molecular motion or wave-particle duality. In their eyes, thunder was divine punishment, floods were the wrath of heaven—knowing the 'what' but not the 'why.'
These simple concepts reflected directly onto the Godhood. And since Honkai energy is an energy with partial idealistic properties, the result is that Divine Equipment created by Godhoods can, to a certain extent, defy the laws of physics.
The Authority of a Sequence Herrscher is the ultimate manifestation of certain physical laws of the universe, but in the end, they are still physical laws. Divine Equipment can naturally resist them slightly—sort of like a scholar meeting a soldier; logic doesn't always apply.
'A power that resists Herrscher Authority, giving the current era's Herrschers the right to choose...'
Like a flash of inspiration, a pink silhouette with hands behind her back suddenly surfaced in Dr. Mei's mind.
Perhaps, the Previous Era wasn't without a god of its own, she thought.
Prometheus didn't think that deeply: [ Looking at it this way, Godhoods are very similar in existence to that Miss Sadako from before. Most are formed after death. ]
"Not similar."
Fuli denied it. "Miss Sadako exists in her current form because she possessed some kind of psychic talent while alive. After death, her soul, before dissipating, was contaminated by a special type of Honkai energy by chance. The combination caused a reaction, granting her a spiritual body distinct from carbon or silicon-based life."
"Whether alive or dead, Miss Sadako remains Miss Sadako. Her 'True Self' hasn't changed."
He said calmly, "But Godhoods, as I said from the start, are born 'out of thin air' from faith combined with Honkai energy."
The little AI was startled, immediately understanding the implication.
[ The turtledove occupies the magpie's nest. ]
"Yes, a usurper."
The Great King Hong Sheng, worshipped with incense by countless people, was never the real Hong Xi who existed in the Sui and Tang dynasties, but a fake entity born in his image, condensed by human faith.
"To give another simple example: The Celestial, Phoenix of Shenzhou."
Fuli held up a finger. "Even though she hasn't appeared for many years—my own family included—there are still many people in East and Southeast Asia who worship her, firmly believing the Immortal hasn't perished. Why?"
"Because the Godhood Authority has not yet been born. This proves that the incense offered by people to her still has a destination."
"Once the Immortal truly dies, the massive faith accumulated over five thousand years will likely turn the guest into the host, rapidly condensing a new consciousness inside her corpse to take over that immensely powerful force."
Speaking of this, the boy smiled. "If the surrounding environmental energy is sufficient, it wouldn't be impossible to directly birth a top-tier Sequence Herrscher."
[ That sounds hellish. ]
Prometheus quipped: [ No peace in life, and still having to be a scapegoat for others after death. ]
"Who knows, maybe the Immortal is actually quite happy about it. Five thousand years of lonely life, witnessing friends and family pass away one by one... living those days—tsk, it makes my heart ache just thinking about it."
"Woof!"
The little hellhound in his arms stuck out its tongue in agreement.
"Moyomo~"
A Cat Cake bounded to his feet, looking up at Fuli with those big eyes that were fatally cute.
"Is it almost dinner time?"
"Hoo! Yah!"
"Alright, alright, I'm going now."
Submitting the Fuli Well Water to redeem the last three items from the System Store, the boy stood up and walked toward the dining hall.
The path from Mt. Taixu to the dining hall passed through a long corridor. Looking out through the windows, moonlight covered the sea, and phosphorescence flickered on the wave tips like breathing diamond dust poured from the Milky Way onto the mortal world.
The scenery was magnificent, but looking at it too long could get boring.
The small, white-haired ball sitting at the end of the deck, enjoying the breeze, was undoubtedly more attractive to Fuli.
"Shh—"
He stopped the Cat Cake that was about to run over and call Theresa for dinner. He put down the puppy, letting it follow the Cat Cake to the dining hall, while he climbed over the window and walked toward that tiny back.
"Something the matter?"
As expected, he was spotted before he even got close.
The girl leaned back on her hands against the ground. Her eyes reflected the sky full of stars, but she refused to turn her head to look.
Fuli arrived beside Theresa and mimicked her, sitting on the edge of the deck. His legs dangled over the side; a look down revealed a drop of hundreds of meters.
"I came to apologize for my behavior in the hot spring earlier."
He scratched his cheek.
"I'm not angry about that anymore."
This was the truth. After the initial indignation subsided, Theresa was surprised to find that she wasn't too upset about her first kiss being stolen by Fuli.
"Anything else?"
She asked.
"Uh..."
This nonchalant attitude actually made the love-struck Fuli a bit awkward. His gaze subconsciously shifted from her face to the pair of small legs also dangling in the air.
Two slender legs, fair as snow, were obediently held together, straight and beautiful. She wore pure white short socks and exquisite little leather shoes; a small pink bow was embroidered on the left side of the sock.
It wasn't just her legs; the girl was excessively exquisite from head to toe. Her ankles, in particular, were so slender that he estimated he could wrap one hand around them.
Gazing is mutual. While Fuli appraised Theresa, she was naturally looking back at him.
At home, a certain someone was usually too lazy to dress up, wearing a sloppy combination of a sleep t-shirt and shorts. This allowed Theresa to spot the faint bite mark on his shoulder at a glance.
Her slender brows furrowed slightly, and her tone hid her displeasure: "Who did that?"
"Huh? Oh, this."
Fuli, withdrawing his gaze from her calves and feet, explained honestly: "Asta bit me. She lost control of her emotions earlier."
"No wonder she wanted to sign a contract with you. Even I, the official fiancée and Academy Principal, have to get in line behind her. So there was this layer of relationship behind the scenes," Theresa said sarcastically, while shrinking the object in her hand behind her back. "How did the Eldest Miss of the IPC taste? Was she very moist?"
She obviously misunderstood.
Indeed, a slender bite mark like this appearing on the shoulder has the highest probability of occurring during a woman's 'First Blood'.
Fuli noticed her small movement: "What's that?"
"Nothing."
Theresa turned her head away forcefully, her drooping ponytail fiercely sweeping past Fuli's nose.
She had thought that since he'd helped the Hyperion so much recently, she dug this out specifically to give to a certain someone.
Now it seemed she might as well keep it for herself!
Fuli wasn't stupid; at times like this, he naturally had to 'A' (Attack) directly.
"Angry Crow Takes Flight!"
"You! Get off!"
Her resistance wasn't strong, and he quickly snatched the item from her hand.
It was a badge featuring a cute, big-headed silver-haired girl. The back read [Octavia].
[Name: Oath of Octavia]
[Grade: A]
[Category: Item]
[Effect: After injecting Critical-grade Honkai energy into this badge, the holder can activate the stored Reality Distortion Field [Grand Prophecy Spell].
Possessing the basic characteristics of a field, it also allows for a certain degree of "Word of Law" (Speak and it shall be), such as reversing day and night, reversing time for an enemy, or even erasing them into nothingness.
The stronger the opponent, the weaker the effect of the Word of Law, until it becomes ineffective. Theoretically, it can kill a standard Critical Class entity and heavily injure a powerhouse approaching the Peak of Critical Class.
When the Honkai energy stored in the badge is exhausted, the Grand Prophecy Spell will deactivate. It not only requires a recharge but also has a 72-hour cooldown before it can be used again.
Additionally, if the badge is destroyed during use, the field will dissolve and cause a certain amount of backlash to the user.]
[Remark: Vera was Otto's last bond in the mortal world, and this badge is his final keepsake; the man gifted this item to his beloved granddaughter, instructing her to hand it over to someone "worth entrusting the future to" one day.]
'Worth... entrusting... the future?'
Noticing the remark, Fuli suddenly looked up, meeting Theresa's gaze.
Under the boundless moonlight, the girl's tender and exquisite face seemed to be glowing.
The brilliance of the stars and moon outlined her long eyelashes, illuminated her ivory skin that blushed with a hint of red, and finally, it seemed all the starlight gathered within those magnificent azure eyes.
This scene soaked into Fuli's pupils, unexpectedly brewing a surging tide of drunkenness in his chest.
It was as if the one drunk wasn't him, but the girl borrowing his breath, sinking inch by inch into the ripples of the sea of stars.
...