Honkai Impact 3rd——
"This one's even tied to the Abundance's monstrosities… I never would've thought the Vidyadhara would have ties to the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus."
In a classroom at St. Freya Academy, Kiana lazily slumped over her desk, idly spinning a pen in her hand. "Do they really think the Sanctus Medicus will bless them or something?"
"Maybe it's a case of 'desperate times, desperate measures'?" Mei gently closed her notebook. "In truth, all these people are just trying to find ways to ensure the Vidyadhara's continuation, just with different methods."
"If we're talking about the Abundance… if the Medicine truly blessed them, they might actually gain the ability to reproduce…"
"Hey, Mei, that's a dangerous thought!" Kiana bolted upright, leaning in close. "If the Cloud Knights heard you, they'd label you a Disciple of Sanctus Medicus and lock you up!"
"Alright, Kiana…" Mei gently patted the girl's hand, chuckling softly at her serious expression. "I wasn't done talking yet."
"While the Xianzhou doesn't face the same reproductive crisis as the Vidyadhara, they still face threats to their civilization's survival from the Abundance's followers. But the answer is completely different from what the Abundance's monstrosities offer."
"What answer?" Kiana tilted her head curiously.
"The continuation of a civilization or race shouldn't rely on twisted blessings, but on the countless moments when mortals choose to 'fight for each other,'" Mei said with a faint smile. "That's the answer written by Yukong, Caiyi… and all the Cloud Knights who fell on the battlefield."
——
[Behind them, the group encountered two more mirages: one was a Vidyadhara warrior who once fought alongside Danfeng, and the other was a former maid of Bailu.]
[The former was furious at Danfeng's betrayal, roaring for Danfeng to surrender the Dragon Sovereign's power. Though Bailu knew these were mere fragments of the past, she was still startled by the venomous hatred in her fellow Vidyadhara's words.]
[The other, the maid, had been placed by Bailu's side by the Dragon Masters from a young age to oversee her daily life and record her dreams… but because she couldn't bear to continue, she had already been forcibly reborn by the Dragon Masters.]
[Having experienced these two mirages, Stelle noticed Bailu's mood was deeply downcast.]
[Further ahead was the exit of Scalegorge Waterscape, where Huanxi had been waiting for a long time.]
[As the group reflected on the dangers of their journey, Huanxi suddenly said, "I never imagined those assassins would be so brazen, intruding into the holy land and relentlessly pursuing you all… Rest assured, milady, I'll report this to the elders and have them all rounded up."]
[Her words immediately raised suspicions. Even Bailu sensed something was off and stole a glance at Dan Heng, who instantly understood and questioned, "Assassins? We never mentioned that the dangers were assassins. How did you know, Miss Huanxi?"]
[Huanxi panicked, stammering as she tried to explain. She mentioned they had already faced an attack at the docks, and she feared they'd be targeted again.]
[Bailu quickly spotted the flaw in her story, easily dismantling her excuse. With her cover blown, Huanxi realized there was no point in continuing the act.]
["So, the elders sent you to eliminate the 'unworthy' Dragon Sovereign?"]
["Hmph, this was my decision alone. How could it be the Dragon Masters' orders?" Huanxi's expression shifted abruptly, and countless assassins emerged from around them, surrounding the group.]
[In her view, the Vidyadhara needed only one Dragon Sovereign, and the weak, useless Bailu, who illegitimately held the title… was the one who needed to be removed!]
[With that, she waved her hand, signaling the assassins to act.]
["Everyone, I'm not late, am I?"]
[Just as the assassins brandished their weapons, Jing Yuan's lazy voice rang out from behind.]
[Bailu turned around in surprise. "General! Did you bring reinforcements?"]
[Jing Yuan chuckled. "Reinforcements? I am the reinforcements."]
——
Demon Slayer——
"Uh, has anyone noticed… Huanxi's facing a lineup that's practically fought Phantylia head-on."
Mitsuri Kanroji suddenly felt a pang of sympathy for Miss Huanxi. If these assassins could take on the General, the Dragon Sovereign, and Stelle, they might as well lead their group to challenge Phantylia herself.
With two members of the High-Cloud Quintet here, she couldn't imagine any scenario where Huanxi could win.
"Even without the General or Dan Heng, Stelle alone could handle these guys."
Sanemi Shinazugawa sneered. "In the face of absolute strength, this girl's little schemes are useless… These three could take a star-exploding blast from Phantylia and walk away unscathed. If these assassins can even scratch Stelle's skin, that'd be a major 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—doesn't she realize the gap between these assassins and the Dragon Sovereign?"
"Wanting to eliminate Bailu, yet choosing a time when Dan Heng is with her… Her timing couldn't be worse. Now that her identity's exposed, she'll probably be forcibly 'reborn' by the Dragon Masters, won't she?"
"But that means both of Lady Bailu's maids…"
Mitsuri Kanroji couldn't help but feel heartbroken for little Bailu. As the Dragon Sovereign, the people she trusted were either forcibly reborn or plotting to have her reborn… The title may seem glorious, but it's unbearably lonely…
——
[With Jing Yuan and Dan Heng working together, the assassins stood no chance and were swept away effortlessly.]
[Huanxi fell, injured, staring at Bailu behind Stelle and shaking her head regretfully. "What a pity… Heh, just a little more."]
[Jing Yuan looked down at her coldly. "Did the Dragon Masters really think their little schemes went unnoticed? Wake up… Targeting the Dragon Lady only destroys what little prestige they have left."]
["This was all my plan. Please, General, don't falsely accuse others…" Even now, Huanxi was still defending the Dragon Masters.]
[Facing the prospect of being interrogated by the Ten-Lords Commission, Huanxi declared she'd rather die than go there. After her final breath, she went still.]
[The matter finally settled, but Bailu's young face showed no trace of joy. Though she knew the Dragon Masters disapproved of her, learning they'd go to such lengths to remove her left her deeply disheartened.]
[Though Jing Yuan offered to take her to the Seat of Divine Foresight, Bailu gently shook her head and declined. In the end, she only wanted to talk with Dan Heng.]