Early morning, birds sang melodiously on the branches.
Sunlight filtered through the clouds, scattering in bands over this man-made island in the far east.
Kiana was awakened by the sound of conversation outside her door.
Rubbing her sleepy eyes, she sat up, her loose pajamas slipping down to reveal fair, smooth shoulders glimmering in the dawn light.
From unrestrained wildness to pure maiden, "Bug" seamlessly switched modes.
Kiana stepped out of bed, her snow-white, delicate feet touching the floor.
The mirror-like tiles reflected the girl's beautiful jade-like feet—flexible, icy skin clinging to delicate bones, yet not lacking in soft fullness. Under the sunlight, every curve exuded grace and an inner warmth as gentle as water.
In the living room, Mei, Bronya, Yae Sakura, the Academy Headmistress, and the Class Monitor were all present.
"So lively! What's everyone discussing?"
Mei smiled and waved. "Good morning, Kiana."
"Why did you just wake up? Were you receiving special training there?" Theresa asked eagerly.
"Ah... well, yeah, something like that..."
Kiana scratched the back of her head, then glanced around guiltily. She didn't see Ji Lin.
To be precise, she didn't see the Xuanyuan Sword.
Ji Lin's true body was suppressed, slumbering within Chiyou.
Now, Ji Lin's consciousness was attached to the Xuanyuan Sword, and Chiyou, under the control of Higokumaru, had also arrived in the waters near St. Freya.
Not far from the azure sea, it had transformed into a small black island, with several white seabirds circling under the blue sky.
Seeing her "aunt" about to press further, Kiana quickly patted her stomach. "I'm so hungry! Mei, is there anything good to eat?"
"Mm-hmm, I saved some for you."
Ham sandwiches, warm milk, and two eggs.
Kiana slipped away to the dining table, eating with delight.
Theresa, however, clearly had no intention of letting her off so easily. Like sticky candy, she clung to her.
"Kiana, just tell your auntie all about what happened inside. Don't worry, St. Freya Academy's confidentiality is top-notch. Not a single bit of information will leak."
...
St. Freya Academy was built on a massive artificial island.
Apart from air and sea routes, only a single white bridge spanned the sea, connecting it to the mainland.
At that moment, a silver train raced along the tracks.
Through the window, Welt, the leader of Anti-Entropy, gazed at the sparkling sea, where a black island was clearly visible.
In his memory, there should have been nothing there.
And besides...
"A Herrscher with humanity, capable of self-control."
Welt adjusted his glasses.
Though a sworn enemy of Schicksal, Welt had recently infiltrated St. Freya Academy as a history teacher.
Humanity must remember its history.
Herrschers had brought heavy calamities to human civilization.
But there were also Herrschers who carried the hopes of 300,000 souls, fighting to protect.
These things should not be forgotten.
"That pseudo-Herrscher Yae Sakura and Satono Yuno are one thing, but that one... is clearly a full-fledged Herrscher..."
As the Herrscher of Reason, Welt could sense Higokumaru's presence.
Concealing his aura, the Herrscher of Reason lurked within the academy, gathering information without difficulty.
"Moreover, they've repeatedly mentioned 'that world'... What is it?"
Schicksal Headquarters.
The Overseer's Hall.
This was a building brimming with futuristic aesthetics.
Light screens replaced walls, with endless streams of data converging from all over the world, flashing with the glow of information.
Otto Apocalypse stood at the center, observing the torrent of data with an eerily calm detachment, as if he existed outside the world itself.
His originally unshakable eyes flickered with a trace of human emotion upon seeing a certain report.
"Oh? It seems quite a few things have happened on Theresa's end. Chiyou, the Xuanyuan Sword, ah—and them too."
Otto stared at the two images on the screen.
"The Herrscher of Corruption from the previous era, and... Yae Sakura."
When he uttered Yae Sakura's name, his tone carried unmistakable emotion.
This was only natural.
Otto had personally overseen the production of the AAA game Kallen Fantasy, whose story revolved around a brave warrior and a nun embarking on a journey to defeat an evil Eastern fox spirit, ultimately living happily ever after.
Rather than Kallen Fantasy, it was more like Otto's Fantasy.
This alone proved that the Overseer still held a grudge.
At the very least, he couldn't face it with indifference.
Taking a deep breath, he suppressed his stray thoughts.
"And that 'other world' Kiana entered... Though the timing isn't ripe yet, she is a valuable specimen."
Otto rested his chin on his hand, pondering for a moment.
"Send Rita to investigate in detail."
...
...
No matter how the outside world changed, Ye Feng was having a great time in his own world.
The night was hazy, the mountain wind whispering. Nestled halfway up the mountain, surrounded by trees, stood an ancient inn, its faint candlelight seeping through.
"Honored guest, are you here for a meal or lodging?"
Ye Feng had transformed into a waiter, greeting the peerless female sword immortal who had descended like a breeze.
Jingliu was clad in elegant white robes, ethereal and transcendent.
Her cold, exquisite beauty carried no deliberate sharpness, yet it gave off an air of lofty unattainability, like an immortal fairy.
But her eyes were covered by a black cloth, as if a sharp sword had sheathed its edge, adding a touch of intrigue.
Jingliu frowned slightly.
"Again..."
The Mara-struck state was acting up.
Last time, she had been plunged into darkness, only able to sense a "dark hand" relentlessly attacking her heart.
This time, not only had the scene changed, but so had her attire.
And there was another person present.
Jingliu studied the figure before her. The voice was all too familiar.
"It's you?"
"Who, me? You must have mistaken me for someone else, honored guest. This lowly one is but a humble waiter in this inn—how could I possibly know a celestial being like you?"
Ye Feng draped a white cloth over his shoulder, smiling obsequiously.
Jingliu's frown deepened.
Ye Feng continued, "Night has fallen, and we still have a fine imperial suite available. If you wish to stay, please follow me."
Jingliu steadied her mind, curious to see what tricks this "Mara-struck" state would play.
She followed Ye Feng to a room on the second floor.
Pushing the door open...
The room was simply yet exquisitely decorated. On the dark jade desk, incense wafted gently. The only illumination came from five ancient bronze lamps shaped like maids holding cups, their flames flickering softly, filling the air with warmth and fragrance.
Bamboo blinds with simple patterns hung by the window, half-lit by the lamplight, casting mottled shadows that fell upon the bookshelf like scattered snowflakes, breathtakingly beautiful.
But the most eye-catching feature was the extravagant bed that occupied two-thirds of the room.
From the ceiling, a vast, translucent pink canopy cascaded down, enveloping the enormous bed. The sheer, rosy veil paired with the immaculately white, luxuriously soft bedding evoked an intoxicating sense of... springtime allure.
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