"Mmm..." Ming Yu opened his eyes to the empty interior of the Tenshukaku. The candlelight still cast a dim, dusky glow, dyeing the Tenshukaku in a wash of yellow.
Had he fallen asleep? Although it was due to the successive battles, his vigilance was still a bit lacking. If the Honkai Zombies from the previous floor weren't confined to their area, he probably would have been finished by now. The rule was a bit strange, but it suited his tastes, giving him the illusion of being in a game.
However, every sense in his body constantly reminded him that this incredibly real scene was his reality.
Looking at Higokumaru in his arms, her eyes slightly closed and her breathing even and serene, a smile appeared on Ming Yu's face. The little fox felt nice to hold, soft and plush. Her body was doll-sized, but with an added warmth that couldn't help but lift one's spirits.
Perhaps the movement of Ming Yu waking up disturbed the little fox. Higokumaru slowly opened her eyes, her azure pupils staring at Ming Yu's smiling face.
"Morning, Big Brother Yu," Higokumaru said, revealing a brilliant smile.
"Morning~" Although he didn't know the time, Ming Yu still responded earnestly.
Glancing at Theresa, who was leaning against him, Ming Yu couldn't help but feel a little helpless. She was an S-rank Valkyrie, for crying out loud. She hadn't even had to fight, so how could she have fallen asleep so easily? Where was the self-discipline of an S-rank Valkyrie?
Extending his index and middle fingers, he gently poked Theresa's forehead and called out, "Principal, wake up, it's time for breakfast!"
"Aah..." Theresa slowly opened her eyes, still mumbling things like "Don't touch the Principal's rice balls."
Seeing Ming Yu's teasing smile in front of her, Theresa realized they were still in the Tenshukaku. Her small face turned slightly red, and she quickly stood up to tidy her slightly disheveled clothes, pretending that nothing had happened as she said, "Are you well-rested? Then let's hurry to the next floor."
Ming Yu didn't press the issue. He stood up and stretched his body, feeling the replenished power within him. He nodded and said, "Yeah, let's get this over with sooner rather than later. If we take too long, Kiana and the others will start to worry."
Although the time inside and outside the Stigmata Space was not the same, if they stayed inside for too long, time in the outside world would eventually pass.
"Are you really okay?" Theresa asked with some concern. After all, his previous injury was by no means light.
"It's fine, I told you I recover quickly," Ming Yu said nonchalantly, sheathing the nearby Sakura Fubuki. Although he hadn't checked the wound, Ming Yu could feel that it had mostly healed and wouldn't affect the upcoming battles.
"Just be careful yourself." Seeing Ming Yu's insistence, Theresa didn't try to stop him any longer. She held the doll-like Higokumaru, her small hands naturally starting to knead the little fox's ears.
"Big Brother Yu, be careful!" the little fox also reminded him.
Without turning back, Ming Yu just gave an "OK" sign and started up the stairs to the third floor.
The higher they went, the narrower the space became. They couldn't be far from the top floor now. This time, he was determined to break through to the final floor in one go.
Although the guards grew stronger the higher they went, Ming Yu's use of his power was also becoming more skilled, and he believed he could overcome these obstacles.
With a belief in victory, Ming Yu placed his right hand on Sakura Fubuki, drew the Spirit Blade out by an inch, and stepped onto the third floor.
The ambush he expected didn't come. Standing before Ming Yu were only two enemies, one black and one white, both holding two longswords with black bodies and yellow blades.
This reminded Ming Yu of the Obedient Ninja Honkai Zombie and Loyal Ninja Honkai Zombie he had faced in Nagazora, but as the guardians of the third floor, these were definitely not such low-level Honkai Zombies.
Judging by their height of over two meters, Ming Yu could identify them as a Lightning Soul and a Gale Soul, both higher-level evolutions of the two types of Honkai Zombies, with all their abilities greatly enhanced.
"What a coincidence," Ming Yu remarked, but his actions were not slow at all. He gripped Sakura Fubuki tightly with his right hand, his body slightly bent, and aimed at the two rapidly approaching Honkai Zombies.
"Flash!" Ming Yu shouted, and in the next moment, he vanished from his spot. A quick and decisive battle was his opening move.
A flash of crimson sword light streaked by, and a blade of sword qi shot towards the Gale Soul. By taking out the faster Honkai Zombie first and eliminating the threat, Ming Yu could then focus on dealing with the Lightning Soul with peace of mind.
The Gale Soul sensed the approaching presence of death and couldn't even teleport in time, its body instantly shifting. But the blade of sword qi was locked onto its position, following closely behind without slowing down.
However, the Gale Soul was, after all, a high-level Honkai Zombie known for its speed. The sword qi grazed its waist, leaving a gash, before striking the floor and leaving a deep sword mark with a *boom*.
*Such speed and reflexes, what a pain.* Ming Yu glanced at the black liquid slowly seeping from the wound on the Gale Soul's side and complained in his heart.
Failing to take out one Honkai Zombie in the first instance meant that he would now have to face the pincer attack of this black and white duo. As the guardians of the third floor, and the higher-level evolutions of the old partners, the Obedient Ninja and Loyal Ninja Honkai Zombies, one plus one was definitely greater than two.
Facing either one of them alone, Ming Yu could dominate them. But facing both at the same time, even he in his current state had to be careful. A single careless mistake could lead to disaster.
Although he was wary of the enemies, Ming Yu would not hesitate when it was time to attack. Taking advantage of the Gale Soul's distance from the Lightning Soul, Ming Yu stomped his left foot and charged towards the closer Lightning Soul, the crimson Sakura Fubuki splitting the air with a whistling sound.
Even if he couldn't finish the Lightning Soul, he had to weaken it as much as possible. With this conviction, Ming Yu's Spirit Blade slashed towards the Lightning Soul with even greater speed.
*Clang!* The Lightning Soul crossed its twin blades in front of it. The black and yellow blades met the crimson Spirit Blade, producing a crisp sound of metal clashing.
Under Ming Yu's powerful strike, which carried the momentum of his charge, the hastily defending Lightning Soul was forced back a step, leaving a clear mark on the wooden floor.
As their blades clashed, Ming Yu was secretly surprised. As the guardian of the third floor, this Lightning Soul was clearly stronger than the one on the first floor. And there was a Gale Soul of the same level right next to it. And this was just the beginning of the third floor.
He glanced around the room and estimated its size. Ming Yu didn't think the third floor was just this small. If even the gatekeepers were Honkai Zombies of this level, how strong would the enemies in the deeper parts be?
Feeling a sense of urgency, the flow of Honkai Energy within Ming Yu couldn't help but quicken. He withdrew his Spirit Blade, paused for a moment, and in the next instant, a sky full of sword light enveloped the Lightning Soul before him.