"I just heard you, Great Blade Saint Cheng, flaunting your power outside, so, Great Blade Saint Cheng, why don't you tear me to pieces?"
Tian Shi spoke sarcastically to Cheng Ling Shuang, who was kneeling.
To reiterate, Tian Shi had no intention of getting involved today.
After all, this incident amounted to being caught cheating, and, no matter what happened, he seemed to have no voice or vote and was completely in the wrong.
But Tian Shi could not stand by and watch how those people acted.
"Master... Great Master."
It was the first time Li Sushang saw such a pitiful expression on the face of her stepmother, who was normally fearless.
"I… you… this… this… I, your eldest disciple, will accept the punishment."
Cheng Ling Shuang turned around with resignation, sticking out her backside.
Tian Shi did not hold back and grabbed the family punishment rod, hitting her twice.
Whack! Whack!
There was a reason why Cheng Ling Shuang was chosen in the first place.
When it came to being the most troublesome person present, Cheng Ling Shuang truly believed she was the best.
Others might not dare to give their all in a fight, but Cheng Ling Shuang certainly would.
Therefore, even if Tian Shi is looking for trouble, at least he has to demonstrate Cheng Ling Shuang's arrogance.
"Su Mei, hand over Ling Shuang's sword."
"Yes."
Su Mei bowed to Tian Shi and then smiled at Cheng Ling Shuang.
"I told you a long time ago, Fifth Brother, to change your temperament. Well, did you hear what the Great Master said?"
"I heard."
Cheng Ling Shuang obediently unfastened the sword from her waist and handed it to Su Mei.
"Alright, get up."
Tian Shi saw that Cheng Ling Shuang's attitude in admitting her mistake was quite good.
Mmm... I don't know how long she will keep that attitude.
Cheng Ling Shuang sighed in relief upon hearing this.
The matter could end.
What did a couple of lashes matter?
The family rules were nothing more than hollow wooden rules; they made a lot of noise but did not hurt.
They were used for elders to vent their anger.
For someone like her, an expert in martial arts, receiving a couple of hits was like a mosquito bite.
The important thing was to teach her a lesson.
She didn't care about the sword being confiscated, since she used it as a high-attribute basic sword anyway.
But basic swords couldn't keep up with her, so, in her hands, there was no difference between a common iron sword and a basic Xuanyuan sword, right?
Well, among the members of the Taixu Blade Sect, only Li Sushang and Cheng Ling Shuang possess Xuanyuan Blades without special effects.
In short, it is good that this matter can be resolved as it is.
"Sushang, come and lie down too."
Tian Shi called Li Sushang, who was secretly laughing at her stepmother's disheveled appearance.
"Eh? Great Master? Shang... Shang'er hasn't done anything wrong, right?"
Li Sushang, whose name was mentioned, looked dejected.
"With that shout, you deserve a couple of lashes."
"That... that is entirely the Great Master and Rita's fault, isn't it? Who... who could have imagined that you, Great Master, were with Rita...?"
As Li Sushang spoke, her face turned as red as an apple.
"Well, then ask the people here. If half of them think I shouldn't have hit them, then just let it go. Come on, everyone, raise your hand."
Whack, whack, whack!
Upon hearing Tian Shi's words, almost everyone present raised their hands in unison, including Su Mei and Qin Suyi.
If it hadn't been for that unfortunate girl's shout, would things have ended like this?
Everyone has an illusory mentality.
Even without any reason, everyone feels that if Li Sushang hadn't shouted that, they would have been on the second level, or at least there would have been fewer people competing for food.
Yes, they call that inexplicable self-confidence.
Therefore, most of those present did not like Li Sushang.
"Now you understand why your Great Master hit you, right?"
"Shang'er understands..."
Li Sushang obediently lay on the bed with her buttocks sticking out.
Well, she didn't really understand, but judging by the looks from her aunt and stepmother, she knew she would probably get a beating when she returned.
Li Sushang was quite perceptive, so she immediately understood that Tian Shi was giving her a choice: either she received two lashes right there or she went back to be beaten.
Why choose? Of course, you're going to get a beating here.
Anyway, family discipline doesn't do much damage, and the Great Master is not very strong.
If it were her own aunt, she would certainly pull out a solid iron ruler.
Su Mei never tolerates Li Sushang.
Tian Shi gave Li Sushang a couple of symbolic taps and then gestured for the girl to leave.
"Sushang, from now on, you must remain calm and composed in all situations, and not be easily alarmed... Sushang? Did you hear me?"
"Ah? Ah! Sushang understands!" Li Sushang, who was half asleep, suddenly woke up and nodded repeatedly.
To be honest, the strength with which my great-grandfather hit someone was, in a way, satisfying...
After responding, Li Sushang remained lost in her thoughts.
Meanwhile, Tian Shi continued calling out names.
"MEI, you... never mind, this is the last time, don't do this kind of thing again."
The few ordinary people present were not very physically strong, so he was a bit reluctant to hit them.
"Yes."
MEI adjusted her glasses and nodded with sincere admiration.
She supports the peaceful resolution of conflicts; after all, if a fight breaks out, she will undoubtedly be the first to be expelled.
And now she also reflects on whether she was too impulsive.
How could she let herself get so carried away by that idea?
Then MEI glared at Rita.
It's all that bitch's fault.
Rita continued to wear a fawning smile.
"Hua, you... you should have a good conversation with Senti."
Tian Shi looked back at Hua and, secretly, made a suggestion.
In short, let's put this fight on hold.
If you ever want to fight again, stop when you've expressed your point of view and don't go around intimidating people.
Tian Shi was not the kind of person who liked to repress others.
After all, repressing certain emotions for too long was harmful, and Tian Shi could not repress every member of this group.
Stop when you've expressed your point of view and don't deliberately intimidate the weak.
That is what Tian Shi asks of this group.
However, on the other hand, if a few individuals do something reckless and provoke public anger, then there is nothing that can be done...
Well, I mean Rita, although Tian Shi also shares part of the blame.
"As for what comes next, I guess you are more concerned about my health, right?"
When Tian Shi finally brought up the subject, everyone present nodded in agreement.
"I can exist physically for five hours a day. If my physical body dies, I will become a ghost again. The physical existence time resets at midnight every day. However, keep in mind that the physical body does not exist... "
Wait a moment, Tian Shi suddenly felt that something was not right.
He took another quick look at his skill panel.
[True Being - Human Form lv10 (max.): Allows the host to move in physical form for 300 minutes per day. The physical form ignores the host's distance restrictions, ghost-type skills are disabled, only a small portion of ghostly characteristics are inherited, and, in physical form, the physical body is equivalent to that of a perfect ordinary human... ]
Wait a second, are some words missing here?
Tian Shi suddenly fell silent.
He was too excited at that moment and was only paying attention to the time, not to what would happen next...
"Is there nothing?"
Everyone present looked at Tian Shi with bewildered expressions.
You shouldn't brush aside such an important matter as your body!
"Ehh... Rita?"
Tian Shi looked at Rita, who was still wrapped in the blanket.
"Yes, Mr. Tian, is there a problem?"
"Is it a safe period?"
"The safe period... guess?"
Rita winked seductively and playfully, but the murderous aura that erupted in the room the next instant chilled her blood.
"Well, of course it's a safe period, I'm very responsible for myself."
The intense murderous intent made Rita realize it was not the time for flirting.
Rita's statements reassured most of those present, but then their eyes lit up.
Isn't it obvious what this problem represents?
"In any case, if you are not mentally prepared, you must take safety precautions. Acting impulsively is not advisable."
Reanna said with a half-smile.
"After all, we are living in a moment of tension."
"Ahem, I understand." Tian Shi felt a bit embarrassed.
Rita also tilted her head slightly.
Safety precautions... How could she keep something like that at home?
"Doctor, this time you were truly reckless. No matter what, Rita is still... barely a high-level combatant."
MEI also adjusted her glasses, but Rita was quite displeased with MEI's statement.
I'm very sorry that a dignified S-rank Valkyrie has been pulled from the market!
Don't you know who you are?
"Since Dr. MEI puts it that way, I might as well retire."
"It's a joke."
At this point, only a fool would let Rita retire.
After all, Rita is now considered a second-rate player and has a lot of room for improvement.
"But of course, Miss Rita is an S-class Valkyrie... Doctor, did you really 'fight' with Miss Rita for three hours?"
MEI's tone betrayed a hint of surprise as she spoke.
"The physical body will inherit some of the characteristics of a ghost... such as, for example, not having a stamina bar."
Tian Shi felt even more guilty.
Yes, he has no stamina bar, his stamina is infinite...
This is the Ghost trait he inherited, and Tian Shi didn't know what else to say.
Is it reasonable? It's actually quite reasonable, after all, if one looks closer, this is, indeed, one of the essential characteristics of a ghost, although not very obvious.
But inheriting this at this time creates a rather subtle feeling in people.
"I see. Doctor, you can come for a check-up when you have time. I think the physical manifestation of ghosts would be a good research topic."
"I suggest at least ten people be present to observe any future physical examination of Professor Tian," Hua intervened, without giving MEI any opportunity to take advantage of the situation.
But MEI doesn't care.
Indeed, she had a very rigorous scientific attitude about it, and with a touch of malice, she thought that, among the scientists she knew, the only one willing to play romantic games with Tian Shi in the laboratory was probably Mobius.
Tsk, from a certain perspective, that woman is a "snake-like seductress."
Good thing she's not here...
"In that case, let's end the matter for today, but I sincerely do not want what happened today to happen again."
MEI adjusted her glasses.
Unless it happens to me...
"Keep in mind that we are at a critical moment. The Herrscher of Domination has already appeared, and the Herrscher of Ice is about to emerge. It is likely that we are entering the most crucial phase of the battle against the Honkai."
MEI's words left everyone present paralyzed with shock.
"Miss Otto, could you provide us with the latest information?"
"Hehe Hehe~"
"..."
MEI observed Otto's irrational expression with a hint of amazement.
"Kallen, didn't I tell you to slap Otto twice?" Tian Shi covered his face, feeling deeply embarrassed.
"I already gave them to her."
Kallen turned away in disgust, pointing to the two handprints on Otto's face.
"It won't work; I think you should put a collar on her and keep her as a pet. It would be nice to take her for a walk through Schicksal every day."
My best friend is ruined.
"Ahem, what are you saying?"
Seeing Tian Shi covering his face, Otto regained her composure immediately.
"The information is correct: apart from the last Herrscher, there are still 5 Herrschers who have not been defeated or neutralized: the Herrscher of Ice, the Herrscher of Rock, the Herrscher of Domination, the Herrscher of Binding, and the Herrscher of Erosion."
"Among them, the Herrschers of Ice and Domination have been located, leaving 3 Herrschers who have not yet appeared."
"The remaining three Herrschers—Rock, Binding, and Erosion—are all high-risk Herrschers."
MEI resumed the conversation.
Hua's expression darkened immediately upon hearing this.
The fall of the Previous Civilization began with the Herrscher of Rock, then the Herrscher of Binding dealt a heavy blow, and the Herrscher of Corruption finished the job.
One could say it is a pain that will last forever.
When such a serious subject was brought up, everyone in the room stopped joking immediately.
"Get serious... Although I am not happy with you, I don't want you to die in this final stage of the battle out of carelessness. I don't want to experience the same failure and the same tragedy for a second time."
"Sure."
Everyone present responded solemnly.
Everyone present could distinguish between public and private matters, and naturally realized that MEI was not joking.
"Let's set aside the doctor issue for now... Even if we have to take a step back, we must remember to take safety precautions."
MEI did not impose any serious prohibition.
She knew that the pressure on everyone would likely increase as the deadline approached, and having several ways to relieve that pressure was a good idea.
Regarding the corruption of the Herrschers back then, Aponia's commandments were, at most, responsible for 30% of the blame; the tragedy was mainly caused by the ever-increasing pressure.
Of all these Herrschers, MEI is the least concerned about the Herrscher of Binding.
This creature possesses a strange mechanism: it can be strong or weak. Back then, its appearance perfectly countered all the technologies of the previous civilization—fusion warriors, divine keys—and, in the process, also ended the lives of ordinary people.
It was precisely because of its existence that MEI conceived the idea of "Honkai Will."
However, it doesn't matter if Honkai's actions back then were instinctive or driven by some invisible force.
Mobius's actions should have been successful, and all Herrschers of the current civilization have been identified.
As long as the location is calculated in advance, it is not difficult for someone like her, who is personally involved, to plan how to kill it.
On the contrary, Rock and Corruption... if they cannot be completely eliminated, the consequences will be endless.
"So, does Dr. MEI's statement mean that as long as we defeat the Honkai, everyone can do whatever they want with the Alliance Leader?"
Ragna stretched and asked with a deeper layer of meaning.
"Certainly."
After receiving a positive response from MEI, everyone present became enthusiastic.
"Shouldn't you ask for my opinion again?" Tian Shi looked at the group of people full of fighting spirit and didn't know what to say.
"Who does the doctor want to exclude?"
"..."
Exclude? Exclude my foot!
Seeing Tian Shi's silent expression, MEI shrugged her shoulders.
See, I ask you: is it useful?
Of all the people present, you are destined not to escape.
"Alright, I'll take responsibility for my mistakes!"