"Oh, you're awake?" Irene waved her hand at the Class Monitor who had just sat up. "How do you feel?"
"I'm fine." Fu Hua shook her head. Her face, usually as still as an ancient well, now bore a rare, gentle smile. Although the curvature was indeed minute, it definitely existed.
Whether it was because a former comrade had survived, or because the regret accumulated in her heart had finally found release, or perhaps because she had seen someone she thought she would never see again...
I'm afraid only Fu Hua, in the deepest depths of her heart, could understand a thing or two about it.
"Class Monitor, were you listening just now?" Bronya looked at Fu Hua. Although she was willing to tell Irene, that didn't mean she was willing to tell others.
Was Bronya still unwilling to share that part of her history with others? Sister Mei didn't even know the full story yet, let alone the Class Monitor, with whom she had little connection.
"Huh?" Having just woken up, Fu Hua obviously hadn't expected Bronya to ask such a question. She pushed up her glasses. "What is Classmate Bronya talking about?"
"..." Bronya used the same method she had used to read the emotions in Irene's eyes to read the trace of confusion that flashed through Fu Hua's eyes. She nodded secretly; it seemed Class Monitor Fu Hua hadn't heard what they were saying just now.
However, at such a close distance, and given a Valkyrie's hearing, why couldn't she hear it? Could it be that the Squad Leader was actually sleeping on Teacher Irene's bed?
"Then, Class Monitor, why were you in Teacher Irene's room?"
"Mn, this..." Fu Hua opened her mouth, wanting to explain. But Fu Hua, who wasn't good at lying to begin with, could only open her mouth for a long time without being able to say anything coherent when faced with such a situation.
"We were cultivating," Irene spoke up at this moment, seeing Fu Hua at a loss for words. "Bronya also knows that in my current state, my physical constitution is very weak."
"Originally, I did some exercise, but, well, I exercised myself into a terrible state. Or to put it worse, I exercised myself right into the infirmary."
Hearing Irene's words from the side, Bronya's attention was instantly attracted. "Why would exercise land you in the infirmary? Teacher Irene, do you not know how to rest?"
"Because the training method is rather special." Irene shrugged. The training methods of the Kaslana Family basically pushed people to their limits.
However, this was also because the Kaslana Family possessed Kevin's bloodline, inheriting quite a lot of physical prowess as descendants of a MANTIS.
At that time, Kevin had actually already started the Chimera Project, so his physical constitution was incredibly good. This included his descendants, making the entire Kaslana Family practically superhuman.
Their basic physical qualities far exceeded those of ordinary people, especially their recovery ability and stamina. This allowed them to withstand extremely high training intensities without causing physical issues; they just needed to rest for a while to recover.
But the problem was, she wasn't a Kaslana. Although her hair color was silver and her eyes were blue, that was just a coincidence.
Her physical constitution wasn't good, and her recovery ability was poor, which meant the Kaslana Family's training methods really didn't work for her. But back then, she didn't have any other options.
"The training method is special?" Bronya tilted her head. "Even if the training method is special, you must act according to your ability! If Teacher Irene hurts her body, the loss outweighs the gain."
"That's why I need to cultivate with Fu Hua," Irene said, spreading her hands. "Class Monitor Fu Hua taught me a special exercise method from Shenzhou. You know those 'Xianxia' cultivation novels?"
"No." Bronya shook her head. She only liked Homu comics; she really wasn't clear about Shenzhou's cultivation novels. "Wait a moment, Bronya will learn..."
As soon as Bronya finished speaking, she communicated with Project Bunny, using its connection capabilities to start searching the data network for general information regarding cultivation novels.
With Bronya's ability, she completed the learning process very quickly. "Cultivation novels involving 'guiding Qi into the body' and 'cultivation enhancement'? Or something else?"
"You really are serious." Irene looked at Bronya's earnest expression and shook her head with some helplessness. "Actually, it's pretty much a method of using Honkai energy to strengthen physical fitness."
"Mn, Irene's Honkai Adaptability is very strong. She can be counted as a genius rarely seen in a thousand years." Fu Hua also nodded, though she hadn't been aware of this at the start.
At that time, she had only wanted to teach Irene because of Pardo's appearance. But the more she taught, feeling Irene's Honkai Adaptability which was so strong it felt like cheating...
To be honest, Fu Hua also began to cherish such talent. And now, this was even more true; Irene carried too many of her comrades with her.
If Irene wasn't strong, it would be dangerous for everyone. This world had never been a safe place where one could stay safe just by being mediocre and staying away from the vortex of events.
Fu Hua understood this very well, so she would have to teach Irene with great care from now on.
"It's called the Taixuan Art~" Irene blinked at Fu Hua, saying the name Fu Hua had made up on the spot back then. Sensing Irene's meaning, Fu Hua turned her head away slightly, feeling a bit awkward.
After all, Lixue might have been in Irene's mind the whole time. As her disciple, Lixue used Taixuan Sword Qi, so Irene must have known from the very beginning that the so-called 'Taixuan Art' was fake and Taixuan Sword Qi was the truth.
"I see." Bronya nodded, seemingly understanding yet not fully grasping it. "So, Teacher Irene's innate increase in physical fitness is due to the Taixuan Art?"
"Mn-hm, not only that." After nodding, Irene once again mobilized the Taixuan Sword Qi to gather the surrounding Honkai energy and the Honkai energy reserves within her body.
Just as Lixue had made her fly earlier, the Honkai energy gathered beneath Irene's feet, lifting her up. However, having just risen, Irene was still a bit wobbly.
It seemed her footing was unstable, but there was no helping it. Lixue had used this move for so long, whereas she had only just started using it.
"Mn, I can now count as a 'Dou Zong powerhouse walking on air'." After adapting for a while, Irene used Pardo's body-balancing techniques to stabilize herself, flashing an OK sign at the two.
"Teacher Irene is talking strangely again." Bronya didn't quite understand the situation with the so-called Taixuan Art, but with the help of Project Bunny, she could discover the principle behind Irene floating. It was actually the layer of condensed Honkai energy beneath her feet.
Teacher Irene's Honkai Adaptability was indeed very strong, and this technique was also very interesting—being able to manipulate external Honkai energy.
However, Bronya was merely marveling at it. Irene's Honkai Adaptability was simply too strong; probably only Sister Mei, as a Herrscher, could be stronger than Teacher Irene.
But while the layman watches the show, the expert watches the technique. Fu Hua, standing to the side as the Grandmaster of Taixuan Sword Qi, felt somewhat helpless watching Irene's display.
Who told Irene she could do this at the 'Still Water' stage? The Still Water stage merely allowed one to be unaffected by Honkai energy intrusion and begin preliminary utilization of external Honkai energy.
It was the so-called beginner stage. It was only at this time that one started to touch upon sword forms, using weapons to communicate with external Honkai energy to unleash Sword Qi and the like.
To achieve a state where Honkai energy formed a near-substantive state condensed beneath the feet to enable flight... normally speaking, one had to be at least in the late stage of 'Stainless' or at the time of 'Condensing Ice'.
"Truly absurd talent." Fu Hua shook her head. Irene probably only needed to continue tempering her state of mind now. "Alright, hurry up. No need to fly anymore, come down first."
"OK." Irene manipulated the Honkai energy to disperse and dropped to the ground. "Anyway, that's how it is. Just now, Fu Hua and I were cultivating."
"I see, Bronya understands." Bronya nodded, then realized something. "Did Bronya disturb Teacher Irene's cultivation just now?"
"It doesn't matter." Irene shook her head. "It's getting late. Bronya, you should go rest first. Regarding that matter of yours..."
"Teacher Irene will think of a way. Give Teacher Irene a little time, is that okay?"
"Mn, Bronya believes in Teacher Irene." Bronya nodded, then stood up to leave. "Then, Bronya will go rest first. Teacher Irene should rest early too."
Fu Hua watched Bronya leave, then turned to look at Irene. "What did Bronya talk to you about?"
In the consciousness space, she couldn't borrow Irene's senses to perceive the outside situation like Lixue and the others could. Moreover, Lixue, Pardo, and the others could only borrow Irene's senses after obtaining her consent.
So Fu Hua wasn't clear on what exactly Pardo... no, Bronya and Irene had discussed just now.
"Mn, consider it a young girl's small wish." Irene blinked at Fu Hua, then made a cross sign in front of her chest. "But it's inconvenient for a young girl's little secrets to be known by others."
"Is that so? I understand." Fu Hua nodded. "Then, since that's the case, I should get going too. I will come to visit again when I have time later."
"Mn, Ah-Hua, goodbye." Irene waved her hand and saw Fu Hua out of the room. Subsequently, she fully drew the bed curtains and lay down. "Finally finished with this matter."
[As long as it was completed smoothly, it's fine.] Pardo's voice rang in Irene's ear. [And we even rescued the two Doctors. Although there are still some regrets, it's already considered a very lucky ending.]
[I know, I know.] Irene nodded. She didn't refute this point. Although it was still unclear why Cangxuan and Danzhu were able to survive, that could only be asked after they woke up.
[But the number of people is really increasing, Irene. Are you okay?] Kallen's voice followed, carrying a hint of worry. [Your body, including yourself, is already carrying seven people.]
[It's okay, it's okay. This is nothing.] Irene waved her hand. In this world, there was Teacher Vill-V who could carry eight personalities; she was still one short of that.
She figured there shouldn't be much difference between personalities and souls. Moreover, she didn't feel any burden, so there was absolutely no problem.
However, the problem now lay in the fact that the situation of those three didn't look like they would wake up easily. Counting on Fu Hua was unlikely; Fenghuang Down couldn't do this job.
The design of that thing was meant to be a weapon from the start. Its various miraculous uses were merely derivatives of the weapon. Counting on it to soothe emotions was fine.
But counting on it to repair souls or help treat souls... mn, it felt like letting them rest quietly would be more effective.
"Looks like I still have to find a way to seek out Mr. Su," Irene said, tapping her head. "Speaking of which, Pardo, if I remember correctly, you possessed the Cosmic Juggernaut for a period of time, right?"
[I did, what about it? Sister Irene.] Pardo tilted her head. After all, she had good luck and was good at running away. For a period of time, the Cosmic Juggernaut indeed belonged to her.
But later it was taken back by Sister Vill-V, saying she wanted to perform modifications or something. But Pardo was just a cat; she didn't know what the situation was.
[It's nothing. It's just that with it, perhaps things would be a bit more convenient for us.] Irene sat up from the edge of the bed. [Time is about right. It is time to do more things.]
[That... there's one more thing, Sister Irene.]
[Mn, what is it?]
[The mission, the mission.] Pardo had heard Irene talk about this trip to Chiyou before, mentioning that the System had arranged a mission. Now that they had finished it, there should be rewards.
[Oh, right. There's also that.] Irene only remembered this matter after Pardo's reminder. she immediately turned over and sat up.
A light screen appeared in front of Irene, displaying the mission.
[Optional Mission: Beneath the Nine Nether]
[Description: Stop Chiyou's activity.]
[Reward: Depends on the degree of mission completion and participation. Note: There are multiple branch missions within this mission that can be completed simultaneously. You can choose to complete them to enhance the final reward.]
[Remark: Beneath the Nine Nether, shadows are stirring, but there are still people keeping watch, awaiting the end of all this.]
[Status: Completed]
Irene submitted it directly. Inside the System, multiple evaluation criteria flashed out.
[Halted Chiyou's activity, but did not kill it. Mission complete, basic rating lowered.]
[Protected and allowed Ji Lin to witness the final ending. Rating raised.]
[Completed Hidden Mission: Rescued Danzhu and Cangxuan who were serving as the seal's core from within the seal. Rating drastically raised. Final Evaluation Rank: A+.]
[Rewards Issued: Honkai Resistance Enhancer, Honkai Adaptability Enhancer, Active Polarization.]
Two needles suddenly appeared in Irene's hand. One of them was no different from the Honkai Resistance Enhancer she had used in Nagazora City.
Looking at that Honkai Resistance Enhancer needle, Irene's gaze instantly became somewhat profound: "Is this someone sending a pillow just as I'm getting sleepy?"
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