Chapter 179: Dan Heng + Jing Yuan + Stelle; What kind of Phantylia-slaying All-Star lineup is this?!
〜Honkai: Impact 3rd World〜
"This one is even more of an Abundance Sprite… I didn't expect the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus to exist within the Vidyadhara as well."
In a classroom at St. Freya High, Kiana was sprawled lazily across her desk, boredly twirling a pen in her hand.
"Do they really think the Yaoshi will favor them?"
"Perhaps it's a case of 'turning to any doctor in a crisis'?"
Mei gently closed the notebook in her hand.
"In truth, all these people are trying to find a way for the Vidyadhara race to continue; they just use different methods."
"If it's the 『 Abundance 』… if Yaoshi truly bestowed favor upon them, maybe it really would be possible to gain the ability to procreate…"
"Hey, Mei, that thought is very dangerous!"
Kiana suddenly sat bolt upright, leaning in close.
"If the Cloud Knights hear that, you'll be identified as a Disciple of Sanctus Medicus and hauled away!"
"Alright, Kiana…"
Mei gently patted the girl's hand. Looking at her serious little expression, she couldn't help but chuckle.
"I haven't finished what I was saying."
"Although the Xianzhou doesn't face a procreation crisis like the Vidyadhara, they face the same threat to the survival of their civilization when confronting the Denizens of Abundance. But their answer is completely different from that of the Abundance Sprites."
"What answer?"
Kiana tilted her head curiously.
"The continuation of a civilization and a race shouldn't rely on twisted blessings, but on the moments when mortals choose, time and again, to 'fight for one another.'"
Mei smiled faintly.
"This is the answer written together by Yukong, Caiyi… and those Cloud Knights who fell on the battlefield."
—
「 Later, the trio encountered two more mirage echoes. One was a Vidyadhara soldier who once fought side-by-side with Dan Feng, and the other was Bailu's former maid.
The former was furious at Dan Feng's betrayal, roaring for Dan Feng to hand over the power of the High Elder. Although Bailu knew these were all fragments of the past, she was still frightened by the gnashing hatred in her fellow Vidyadhara's words.
As for the other maid, she had been placed by her side by the Preceptors since childhood, responsible for monitoring her daily life and recording Bailu's dreams… But because she couldn't bear it in her heart, she had already been forced into molting rebirth by the Preceptors.
After experiencing these two mirage echoes, Stelle noticed that Bailu's mood was very dejected.
Further ahead was the exit of Scalegorge Waterscape, where Huanxi had been waiting for a long time.
As the group lamented the dangers of the journey, Huanxi suddenly said: "I didn't expect those assassins to be so audacious as to break into the sacred grounds and pursue everyone so relentlessly… Rest assured, Lady Bailu, I will certainly report this to the elders and wipe them all out."
As soon as these words were spoken, even Bailu sensed something was wrong. She stole a glance at Dan Heng, who immediately understood and questioned: "Assassins? The three of us never mentioned the danger involved assassins. How did Miss Huanxi know?"
Huanxi instantly lost her composure and began to stammer an explanation, saying that since they had already encountered an attack at the ferry earlier, she was afraid everyone would fall victim again.
Bailu quickly found another blind spot in this statement, easily exposing Huanxi's lies. Seeing that the matter was out in the open, Huanxi realized there was no longer any need to keep up the act.
"So, the elders sent you to eliminate an unqualified High Elder?"
"Hmph, this matter is merely my own decision; how could it be the will of the Preceptors?" The expression on Huanxi's face changed abruptly. Countless assassins emerged from around the group, surrounding them.
In her view, the Vidyadhara only needed one High Elder. The weak and useless Bailu, who had usurped the throne… was exactly the one who needed to be removed!
Having said that, she waved her hand, signaling the assassins to strike.
"Everyone, I hope I'm not late?"
Just as the assassins drew their weapons, Jing Yuan's lazy voice rang out from behind them at the perfect time.
Bailu turned her head in pleasant surprise: "General! Did you bring us reinforcements?"
Jing Yuan chuckled: "Reinforcements? I am the reinforcements." 」
「 .....」
〜Demon Slayer World〜
"Uh, has anyone noticed… the lineup Huanxi is facing is almost the same one that faced Phantylia head-on."
Mitsuri Kanroji suddenly felt a bit sorry for this Miss Huanxi. If these assassins could handle the General + the High Elder + Stelle, then she could probably lead this group of assassins to challenge Phantylia.
Two of the former High-Cloud Quintet were right here; she truly couldn't imagine any scenario where Huanxi could win.
"Even without the General and Dan Heng, Stelle alone could handle these guys."
Sanemi Shinazugawa sneered.
"In the face of absolute strength, it's useless for this girl to play these schemes… Those few could take Phantylia's star explosions head-on without falling. If these assassins can even scratch Stelle's skin, it would be a massive success."
"I think Miss Huanxi hid her identity quite well, but she was just too impatient,"
Shinobu Kocho said.
"She's seen Dan Heng's skills; does she not understand the gap between these assassins and a High Elder?"
"Wanting to eliminate Bailu but choosing a time when Dan Heng is accompanying her… the timing was simply too poor. Now that her identity is exposed, I'm afraid she'll be forced into 'rebirth' by the Preceptors as well."
"But if that's the case, wouldn't that mean both of Lady Bailu's maids have…"
Mitsuri Kanroji couldn't help but feel sad for little Bailu. As the High Elder, the people she trusted were either forced into rebirth or wanted to send her to her own rebirth… This position of High Elder looks glamorous, but in reality, it is incredibly lonely…
—
「 With Jing Yuan and Dan Heng joining forces, these assassins had no power to resist and were swept away effortlessly.
Huanxi also fell to the ground wounded, staring straight at Bailu, who stood behind Stelle, shaking her head with regret: "A pity… hehe, just a little bit more."
Jing Yuan looked down at her coldly: "Do the Preceptors really think no one knows of their little schemes? Wake up… attacking the Dragon Lady is merely destroying what little prestige they have left."
"This whole thing was planned by me alone. Please do not make baseless accusations, General…" Even now, Huanxi was still speaking up for the Preceptors.
Faced with the prospect of receiving an interrogation package from the Ten-Lords Commission, Huanxi expressed that she would rather die than go there. After exhaling her final breath, she stopped moving.
The matter finally settled, but there wasn't a hint of joy on Bailu's youthful face. Although she knew the Preceptors disliked her, after clearly seeing their attitude of stopping at nothing to remove her, she became very depressed.
Although Jing Yuan offered to take her to the Seat of Divine Foresight, Bailu gently shook her head and refused. Finally, she just wanted to have a word with Dan Heng. 」
「 .....」