165. Phantylia, Go to Hell!
The complete hero and the complete god remained locked in battle until the moon rose and set, unable to determine a victor.
In the end, the god, who had to go to work in the morning, decisively abandoned the hero and plunged headlong into her work.
...
Inside the Seat of Divine Foresight, Xiling slumped to one side, uttering a strange sigh: "General Jing Yuan, why do you think people must find their other half?"
Jing Yuan, taking a moment from his busy schedule, glanced at her, a helpless smile finally appearing on his face: "I'm all alone; I'm afraid it's difficult for me to answer your question."
You're asking me, a single dog? How would I know?
"I knew you couldn't answer." Xiling shook his head.
"By the way, how's the preparation going? Tomorrow's the deadline."
Speaking of serious business, Jing Yuan temporarily put down his work, his expression relaxing slightly:
"It's faster than I expected, thanks to everyone in the Astral Express crew, and your two friends."
Xiling raised an eyebrow.
"How so?"
He never doubted Kyuushou and her team's ability to complete the mission. However, he genuinely didn't know the details of the mission's progress and couldn't rely on daily reports.
Jing Yuan's face showed genuine approval:
"Your friends are truly remarkable."
"The Medicine King's Secret Teachings, which had been causing the Xianzhou Luofu so much trouble, were almost completely wiped out by them in just two days. Starting from Aurum Alley, they swept through the area like a whirlwind, destroying the Medicine King's Secret Teachings' strongholds and forcing the remaining members to the Alchemy Commission."
A glint of light flashed in Jing Yuan's eyes:
"Those people were forced to use a pill called 'Cloud and Mist Purple Mansion.'"
"And we, taking advantage of this golden opportunity, successfully evacuated a large number of personnel from the Alchemy Commission. The entire plan went even more smoothly than we anticipated."
"That's good!" Xiling nodded, leaping up from his chair.
"Then I'll go and invite the third person with the combat power of an Emanator." Leaving these words behind, Xiling turned and left decisively.
Xiling arrived at an open space. He opened the chat group and locked onto his target—[Kevin]—in the Contract Summoning System.
"He shouldn't refuse me, right?" With this thought, Xiling clicked the summon button.
At the location of the Cocoon of the Finality. On the throne, the figure slowly opened his eyes, gazing at the window that had suddenly appeared in his consciousness.
(I need your help with something: Xiling.)
"To be able to directly bypass the power of the Finality and reach my consciousness... Is this their artifact for traversing worlds?" Kevin pondered. He returned the power of the Finality to the Cocoon of the Finality below.
He left an avatar here to guard it.
The power of the Finality cannot be taken out of the solar system, otherwise the seal maintaining the solar system will instantly collapse, exposing it to the universe.
Prepared, [Kevin] lightly tapped the "Agree" button.
A flash of white light appeared.
When [Kevin] opened his eyes again, he was already in an unfamiliar environment.
Xiling greeted him with a smile, "Yo, long time no see, have you eaten?"
"Not long," [Kevin] replied, his tone as calm as ever.
"It seems so..." Xiling scratched his head, getting to the point, "I've asked you to come here today because I need your help."
"What kind of help? Tell me," [Kevin] said, his gaze unwavering.
"I need your power," Xiling said seriously.
"Tomorrow, we'll encounter an enemy. A terrifying enemy that has destroyed countless civilizations. I want to ensure everything goes smoothly, so I need your help."
Kevin's answer was concise and direct, without any beating around the bush:
"When you need me, just call me as you did before." Before he even finished speaking, [Kevin]'s figure began to fade, quickly disappearing and returning to his own world.
Xiling, left standing, blinked, looking at the empty space ahead, somewhat amused and exasperated:
"That's it? Aren't you going to say anything more? At least let me treat you to a meal!"
....
The third day.
"Hmph, as expected, a bunch of useless trash!"
Tingyun walked along a quiet street, her steps seemingly leisurely, but her heart filled with disdain.
At this moment, the intelligence she had gathered over the past two days echoed in her mind—the power of the Medicine King's Secret Sect was crumbling at an alarming rate. Undoubtedly, this was an official purge by the Xianzhou Luofu, intended to force her, the true mastermind, to reveal herself.
"Too bad," a faint, mocking smile played on her lips, "this tactic won't work on me."
Those fanatical followers of Abundance were nothing more than pawns she could discard at any time. As for that so-called leader who fawned over her, desperately seeking protection?
She was nothing more than trash, not even worthy of a second glance.
"The Alchemy Commission…" Tingyun's slender white fingers gently tapped her chin, a girlish innocence and helplessness on her face, yet her eyes held a cold indifference.
"The people there are probably under close surveillance now; it's unlikely we can leverage them anymore." Once a pawn is exposed, it loses its value.
"Sigh," she sighed lightly, her voice devoid of any regret, instead carrying a hint of cruel anticipation.
"Perhaps I should try my luck with the Vidyadhara Clan? See if I can find… a new, handy toy." Thinking of the possible outcome, a captivating yet chilling smile appeared on her face.
Just then, the jade tablet she wore close to her body suddenly vibrated, emitting a soft ringing.
"Oh?" Phantylia—the Lord Ravagers currently controlling Tingyun's body—raised an eyebrow.
"At a time like this… who could it be?"
She casually picked up the jade tablet, a playful glint in her eyes when she saw the words "Yukong" flashing on the screen.
"It's her? What does she want...? Ha, probably just some errands and messengers again. What a hassle."
In the blink of an eye, all unusual emotions vanished from her face, replaced by the flawless, obedient respect that belonged to Tingyun. Her fingertips traced the answer button, her voice soft and beautiful, exactly as always:
"Hello? Is this Lady Yukong? You wanted to see me?"
From the other end of the line came Yukong's clear, slightly hurried voice: "Tingyun, where are you now? I need your help with an important matter."
"I'm at Central Starskiff Haven, Lady Yukong. What is it that you need me to do?" Tingyun's tone carried just the right amount of doubt.
"I need you to accompany a distinguished guest to the Alchemy Commission. This should be my duty, but the situation at the Xianzhou Luofu is tense right now, and I'm swamped with affairs at the Exalting Sanctum. I simply can't spare the time. So I'd like to ask you to guide the guest to the Alchemy Commission to handle an important matter." Yukong's words were clear and concise, conveying a sense of urgency.
"The Alchemy Commission..." Phantylia's mind raced, a barely perceptible cold smile appearing on her face.
"...Very well, just what I wanted. I can use this opportunity to see just how pathetic that exposed 'pawn' is now."
Having made up her mind, she gave Yukong a gentle, submissive smile and replied in a clear voice, "Yes, Lady Yu Kong, I understand. I will arrive at Exalting Sanctum shortly. Please wait a moment."
----------
Cellphone
[Xiling]: "I'm ready at any time."
[Jingyuan]: "The Alchemy Commission personnel have basically completed their evacuation."
[Jingyuan]: "When the time comes, we must go all out and leave no survivors. This Lord Ravager must remain on the Xianzhou Luofu."
[Xiling]: "Don't worry. She has no chance of survival today."
Putting his phone back in his pocket, Xiling looked at Yukong.
Yukong also silently put away her jade tablet.
"I've already notified her to come, but..." Her words trailed off, a barely concealed sadness flashing across her eyes. Even though Xiling had told her that the real Tingyun was still alive, the worry about the missing person and the hatred for the imposter before her tightened around her heart like vines. Knowing what the other was feeling at that moment, Xiling patted her shoulder.
"Don't worry, everything will be alright."
About ten minutes later, a Starskiff pierced through the clouds and landed at its berth in the Central Starskiff Haven. A slender fox-woman stepped forward hastily, arriving before Yukong and Xiling in a few strides. She was slightly out of breath, her face displaying just the right amount of apology and a hint of urgency dictated by her mission.
"Lady Yukong, Lord Xiling, thank you for waiting so long," Tingyun said, bowing, her voice as clear and melodious as ever.
"Waiting long? You've arrived remarkably quickly," Xiling raised an eyebrow, his tone deliberately teasing.
"Did you speed all the way? Safety first at this crucial moment."
"Lord Xiling is too kind," Tingyun chuckled, a mischievous glint in her eyes.
"Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures. I'm sure Lady Yukong will understand my little tricks and won't hold it against me."
Yukong's gaze fell on Tingyun's all-too-familiar face, that familiar smile. It was the same face, yet within it lurked a destructive force. She suppressed her anger, striving to maintain her usual tone, even adding a hint of concern:
"The mission is important, but the speed must be controlled appropriately. If something goes wrong, the losses will outweigh the gains."
"An accident? Ha..." A cold sneer escaped from the depths of Phantylia's soul.
"An accident that could threaten a Lord Ravagers is unlikely to be found on this Xianzhou Luofu."
However, these thoughts remained completely hidden beneath her perfect exterior. Her face showed gratitude and humility:
"Yes, Lady Yukong's teachings are etched in my mind. I will be more cautious next time."
"Alright, it's getting late. Please take this person to the Alchemy Commission." Yukong's tone turned serious.
"Yes, Lady Yukong, Lord Xiling." Ting Yun immediately responded, then subtly revealed a hint of inquiry.
"But… what is the specific purpose of your trip to the Alchemy Commission? I hope I will be aware of it."
Xiling and Yukong's gazes briefly met in the air before Yukong said in a deep voice, "This matter involves residual clues to the Medicine King's Secret Teachings."
"I see. It is of great importance. I understand!" Tingyun immediately showed an expression of understanding and solemnity, even bowing slightly and placing one hand lightly on her chest, as if making a solemn promise.
"Please rest assured, Lady Yukong, I will do my utmost!"
"Then let's set off as soon as possible. Time waits for no one. If that fellow gets away, all our efforts will be in vain." Xiling urged from the side, even taking Tingyun's hand and running towards the Starskiff where Tingyun had been.
"Oh dear, Lord Xiling! Slow down, slow down!" Tingyun exclaimed, a hint of coquettishness in her voice, as she was pulled along at a trot.
"This humble woman's mere physical body is no match for your abilities!"
Watching the two quickly board the Starskiff, its engines roaring as it accelerated instantly, transforming into a streak of light heading straight towards the Alchemy Commission, Yukong stood motionless for a long time. Only after the Starskiff completely disappeared from sight did she slowly close her eyes, her clenched fists turning white from the force, a single, cold, and resolute wish remaining in her heart: "Please, let her perish on the other side..."
The Starskiff sailed smoothly, but Tingyun, sitting at the control panel, felt an inexplicable unease emanating from it. Her gaze lingered on the figure ahead, and after a moment, as if unable to contain her curiosity, she spoke softly, "Lord Xiling, why are you alone on this trip? Didn't the other benefactors from the Astral Express crew... come along?"
Xiling turned around at the sound of her voice, "I'm enough for the Alchemy Commission problem. The rest of my companions split into two groups."
"Oh?" Tingyun tilted her head slightly, her tone gentle, "Where did they go?"
"It's alright to tell you." Xiling nodded readily, "One group went to the Artisanship Commission. We heard that the Creation Furnace there is acting strangely, as if it's been forcibly taken over by something. They went to deal with it."
"The other group," Xiling paused, "is cooperating with the Cloud Knights to hunt down the remnants of the Medicine King's Secret Teachings."
"And as for me, we received intelligence that the leader of the Medicine King's Secret Teachings is likely hiding with someone in the Alchemy Commission."
Upon hearing Xiling's words, a look of "sudden understanding" appeared on Tingyun's face, and she nodded slightly. Yet, a cold mockery flickered deep within her lowered eyes.
"Truly a bunch of useless good-for-nothings..."
"Perfect... I'll go see my pawn's panicked and pathetic state myself." A cruel sense of pleasure welled up within her at this thought.
Not long after, the Starskiff arrived at its destination: the Alchemy Commission.
Passing through the entrance to the grotto-heaven, a vast and completely different world instantly replaced the outside scenery. Each grotto-heaven was an independent microcosm, with its own unique environment and landscape. Stepping into the Alchemy Commission's grotto-heaven was like leaping, placing oneself in another strange world.
The Starskiff landed steadily on the ground of the Alchemy Commission's grotto-heaven.
"Lord Xiling, we've arrived." Tingyun's voice was as gentle as ever.
"Yes, we've finally arrived," Xiling replied, a hint of barely perceptible emotion in his voice.
"It wasn't easy."
In the Chat Group:
[I Don't Want to Be a Hero Anymore]: Get ready, everyone's in position.
[Fire Moth Warrior]: Okay, we're both ready.
[I'm not Him]: I've already told General Jing Yuan.
In the Honkai Impact 3rd World—In the World Serpent, both Kevins are here…
At the Central Starskiff Haven, Dan Heng and Jingyuan stood together, gazing in the direction of the Alchemy Commission.
Xiling and Tingyun stepped off the Starskiff one after the other. The moment their feet touched the ground of the Alchemy Commission, a chilling unease gripped Phantylia's heart like a venomous snake! It was too quiet!
She followed Xiling silently, walking through this excessively tranquil cavern. With each step, that eerie sense of unease grew and swelled wildly within her. She couldn't wait any longer… A trace of restlessness swept over her.
This Xiling is of mediocre strength; a quick probe of the surroundings wouldn't hurt. In a flash, an invisible wave originating from the Path of Destruction instantly spread outwards from her, ripples covering a vast area!
The moment the probe was complete, Phantylia, disguised as Tingyun, stopped in her tracks! The entire grotto-heaven… the presence of living beings in it was so thin?! How could this be! A thought flashed through her mind: she had been exposed!
Almost as this thought arose, Xiling's steps halted before her.
Under Tingyun's watchful gaze, Xiling slowly, very slowly turned to the side. His head turned, the corners of his mouth slowly curving upwards:
"Only now have you realized… isn't it a little too late?"
As soon as she finished speaking—BOOM!! The entire Alchemy Commission grotto-heaven trembled violently and wildly! It wasn't the natural feeling of an earthquake; it was more like some colossal entity forcibly closing and locking down this space!
Amidst the terrifying tremors, Tingyun—no, at this moment she no longer needed to feign—Phantylia let out a clear laugh:
"Strange, very strange indeed, Lord Xiling. How did you find me? Can you tell me?"
"What's the use of knowing so much? You're going to die soon anyway," Xiling said calmly. He felt only pure killing intent towards this kind of person, nothing more.
Hearing Xiling's words, Phantylia laughed even more unrestrainedly, "Hahahaha! Fools from the Xianzhou Luofu! You think locking down a grotto-heaven can imprison an Emanator of Destruction?!"
Phantylia spread her hands: "Lord Xiling, I'm curious… when Jing Yuan sent you here, did he tell you," her voice was coldly mocking, each word deliberate, "that standing before you is an Emanator of Destruction!"
Phantylia stared intently at Xiling, greedily anticipating—anticipating seeing the despair and collapse she so loved on that face.
However, what met her eyes was a face… an even more arrogant, even more unrestrained in its maniacal laughter than hers at that moment! A hint of…pity even lingered in that smile?
"The Emanator of Destruction? Ha…" Xiling's low laughter echoed, "Have you ever heard of…"
Before he finished speaking! An invisible gate of light suddenly opened to his right! Almost simultaneously, the space to his left violently distorted, and a powerful figure stepped out!
"—That there are the three of us with Emanator lever power!"
The next second!
Boom—!
The void shattered like fragile glass! A figure descended from the sky with a power capable of tearing apart heaven and earth! [Deliverance Kevin] stomped heavily, the solid ground cracking inch by inch beneath his feet.
Another pillar of light was torn apart by the violent force, and [Savior Kevin] descended, wielding the blazing Judgment of Shamash in Might of An-Utu form!
Xiling stood in the center, his holy sword beginning to gather magic power!
Three pairs of cold gazes instantly locked onto the lone Emanator of Destruction below, the one who had been shouting just a moment ago: Phantylia!
"Now, do you understand the difference between us?"
"Destruction scum!"
Phantylia was completely stunned.
The immense power emanating from them constantly proclaimed a terrifying fact to her: 'Why... why does the Xianzhou Luofu have three more Emanator-level combatants?! This is impossible!'
Before she could recover from this devastating shock, a playful voice rang in her ears: "Oh, isn't this the Lord Ravagers, Phantylia?"
Phantylia turned sharply in the direction of the voice!
She saw a colossal golden figure, blotting out the sky and radiating divine might, standing high in the sky behind her.
Above that divine lord's head, General Jing Yuan, on the hunt, stood with his hands behind his back, smiling down at her like a hunter eyeing prey that had fallen into a trap.
"I wonder if the exceptionally clever you can think of a way to leave safely? I... am truly extremely curious about it."
Four—Emanators!
Phantylia's heart felt as if it were being clenched by an invisible hand. Only one thought remained in her mind, and only one thought was possible—escape!
With this lineup, unless an Aeon themself intervened, anyone who came would face certain death!
The instant the thought arose, the destructive energy accumulated within her body erupted! The flames of destruction expanded wildly from her center! In just a few seconds, the entire Alchemy Commission grotto-heaven would be completely obliterated by this power, reduced to ashes!
At the epicenter of the explosion, Phantylia's figure had already blurred beyond sight...
She tore through space at her limit, attempting to escape the cave!
However, the terrifying flames of destruction had barely erupted when they were forcibly imprisoned and compressed by a will! It was as if an invisible giant hand had grasped the exploding flames in its palm!
At the same time, two figures tore through the turbulent energy currents, suddenly appearing in her escape route—!
[Deliverance] The Chimera King Sword slashed through the sky!
[Savior] The Judgment of Shamash burned fiercely!
Two slashes, one after the other, sealed off all her escape routes!
"Damn it! So fast!" Phantylia's pupils constricted sharply! She frantically drew upon the power of her Destruction Path, constructing layer upon layer of barriers before her!
A deafening roar accompanied by the lamentation of space! The Chimera King Sword's slash and the Judgment of Shamash's heavy strike slammed into the barriers! The barriers trembled violently, emitting a cracking sound as they shattered under the weight!
"These two monsters!" Clearly devoid of any aura of path, yet its power is so terrifying! Phantylia was utterly horrified.
Crack!
Cracks spread across the barrier!
"I can't hold on any longer!" The thought had barely formed when that voice she loathed, like the pronouncement of death, rang out behind her:
"Exposing your back to the enemy, Phantylia, you're so foolish."
A golden array blade, crackling with boundless lightning, slashed down from the hand of the towering Divine Lord! It struck Phantylia's back with tremendous force! The immense power slammed her to the ground like a meteor! Just as Phantylia's body was about to hit the ground...
"Here you go!" Xiling clenched his fist, and the sphere of destructive energy he had forcibly suppressed and shrunk to a deep black dot was instantly flung out, slamming precisely into the falling Phantylia!
The extremely compressed energy of the Destruction Path, like a punctured black hole, was suddenly released!
A gigantic, all-consuming dark sphere expanded wildly, annihilating space, light, and matter in its path! A terrifying energy storm swept in all directions!
"A spectacular farewell, but unfortunately, the Alchemy Commission is completely doomed." Xiling's voice remained clear amidst the energy storm. Had he not initially suppressed Phantylia's desperate outburst, that power would have been enough to tear apart the grotto-heaven, giving her a sliver of hope. But now, her chances were gone!
At the center of destruction. The energy storm slowly subsided, leaving behind a massive crater. Phantylia's true form became ethereal and transparent; her aura utterly withered.
Escape from the four Emanators? Unless she possessed overwhelming, absolute power! And her only chance—that reckless outburst—had failed! She was at her wits' end.
"Who...who are you?!" Phantylia's voice was hoarse and broken, filled with deep-seated resentment and unwillingness, like a curse from hell.
"Tell me! Let me die knowing why!"
Why?
Why did three Emanator-level combatants suddenly appear on the Xianzhou Luofu! Without them, her plan should have been flawless! Now everything was over!
Among the four, Xiling said calmly, "When did we discover you? Probably...from our first 'meeting.'"
"As for who we are?" Xiling's eyes suddenly turned icy:
"Go to hell and ask the souls of those civilizations you destroyed!"
"Everyone, there's no need to hold back!"
"Send her on her way!"
Four attacks, powerful enough to pierce stars, locked onto the weakened figure in the deep pit without hesitation—
An energy torrent, even more terrifying than Phantylia's self-destruction, erupted! Brilliant light pierced the barriers of the cave, tore through the sky above the Xianzhou Luofu, and pierced the depths of the universe!
Phantylia's figure, along with her resentful curse, was completely annihilated, leaving no trace.