253. The Feeling of Happiness
"It's unbelievable! This thing that looks no different from a normal person is actually a puppet?"
Kiana reached out to touch Ruoshui, but Ruoshui gently dodged her hand.
Ruoshui hid behind Yun Ling, carefully watching Kiana, her small hand gently ruffling Yun Ling's hair.
"This is the Xuanyuan Sword I've been using—Ruoshui. The ELF is essentially transferring her consciousness into a controllable body, only this body is a bit too detailed," Yun Ling explained.
"No wonder she's sitting on your sword... This is the sword spirit you mentioned before, right? Materializing a sword spirit... that feels so cool!" Kiana's eyes gleamed with intense interest.
Too bad she doesn't have Xuanyuan Sword...
Kiana's current fighting style combines gun-fu with swordsmanship and physical combat, somewhat resembling her Herrscher of the Finality's fighting style combination implemented in the game.
"In that case, Yun Ling, wouldn't you be without a weapon for combat?"
Mei seemed somewhat unable to understand the point of turning Ruoshui into an ELF.
"You should remember my battle with Teacher Fu Hua, right? Back then, I didn't use Ruoshui much as an attack tool."
"Although Ruoshui is a Divine Key, its main function is to allow me to better control Honkai energy; its combat power enhancement is secondary."
"After I cultivated the Taixu Sword Qi to a higher level, controlling Honkai energy became much easier, and Ruoshui could help me much less."
"So I thought of using Ruoshui as an independent entity, or rather, as a partner, to create favorable attack environments and opportunities for me, such as the sword formation I used to confuse Teacher Fu Hua."
"Back then, Ruoshui was knocked down. As the core of the sword formation, its destruction meant the formation's collapse. Now, Ruoshui can move freely, making it much safer and freeing me from distraction, allowing me to focus more on the battle."
Yun Ling explained the benefits of the ELF to the group, their expressions growing increasingly incredulous. They never imagined such a small ELF could be so useful.
"Ugh! I want one too!!!" Kiana whined, her eyes filled with envy as she looked at Ruoshui behind Yun Ling.
Mei was also tempted. Having such a helper on the battlefield would be a significant asset.
Yuna, however, didn't feel anything special. Her attack style was based on overwhelming a wide area from all sides, so such a puppet wouldn't be of much help to her in battle.
"I actually have some ideas about you guys, too," Yun Ling suddenly said.
A sudden silence fell over the room, several pairs of eyes fixed on Yun Ling, and even Bronya moved closer.
Unexpectedly, Yun Ling also happened to be looking at her.
"Because developing a mature artificial intelligence is a very large process, requiring months or even years of learning, it's best to start with what already exists."
Following Yun Ling's gaze, the group looked at Bronya, seemingly understanding something.
Feeling the predatory gazes of the group, Bronya instinctively shivered.
Isn't Heavy Bunny just a fully-fledged AI?
"I'll think about it, but I'd like to see what you'd design for a Heavy Bunny ELF form," Bronya said, not refusing but instead asking Yun Ling.
"The ELF form..." Yun Ling pondered for a moment, then began drawing on a piece of white paper.
Soon, a slightly dejected lop-eared rabbit appeared before everyone.
"So cute! Bronya, come and see!" Kiana and Mei couldn't help but exclaim, calling out to Bronya beside them.
Bronya's heart began to race uncontrollably, her gaze slowly shifting towards the ELF form depicting Heavy Bunny.
At that moment, she could even hear her own heart pounding as if it were about to burst out of her chest. Her breathing became heavy, and sweat seeped from her back, soaking her clothes. She so desperately wanted it, yet so desperately didn't want to see it.
However...
As the fully formed Heavy Bunny ELF form was revealed before her, a buzzing sound filled her mind, and she collapsed backward.
"Bronya!"
Before losing consciousness, the last thing she saw was Yun Ling's slightly panicked expression.
His face and that youthful face gradually merged together.
Is it really...you?
...
"Bronya is fine, just a little exhausted."
Yun Ling checked her over briefly and took her to the infirmary to rest.
The doctor's diagnosis was exactly as Yun Ling had said: just exhaustion, a little rest would do.
"Didn't we just have two days off? Why is Bronya so exhausted?" Himeko also rushed over upon hearing the news.
"Uh...actually, I asked Bronya to do some blacksmithing for me for two days." Yun Ling said somewhat embarrassedly.
He never expected Bronya to faint from this.
"Forging?" Himeko asked, somewhat confused.
"Yes, I asked Bronya to manufacture a batch of high-precision parts for me..."
Yun Ling explained the whole story.
Himeko glanced curiously at Ruoshui. It was the first time she'd ever seen something like this. According to Yun Ling, this little gadget could even assist in combat?
But she didn't seem to care, perhaps thinking it was just a little robot Yun Ling had concocted on a whim.
"Never mind, you two handle your own affairs. As long as everyone's alright."
"By the way, there's a mission in a couple of days. You'll come with me," Himeko said to Yun Ling.
"Just the two of us?" Yun Ling's face suddenly lit up with excitement.
That's practically a date!
"Of course not. This mission is being conducted with the Oceania branch; one of your senior classmates is there."
Himeko, of course, knew what Yun Ling was thinking, and ruthlessly shattered his illusions.
"Okay," Yun Ling said, feigning dejection.
"...Come grab a drink with me after the mission."
Himeko seemed a little reluctant to see the young man so discouraged, so she offered.
"No problem!" Yun Ling immediately perked up.
Himeko nodded, preparing to leave, when Yun Ling suddenly called her back.
"Sister Himeko, I've made some progress on my research into the Stigmata. Please give me some more time," Yun Ling said to Himeko.
"How are you doing your research?" Himeko raised an eyebrow. Could it be that he's getting other instructors to assist him with his experiments?
"I possess a Stigmata myself, and I'm using myself as a test subject for my research. Once I've completed my research, the next step will be researching Artificial Stigmatas. I might need your cooperation then, Himeko," Yun Ling replied.
"You have a Stigmata?" A flicker of surprise crossed Himeko's beautiful eyes, but it quickly vanished.
That's understandable; given Yun Ling's immense strength, it's not surprising that he possesses a Stigmata.
"Alright, I understand. Just let me know when the time comes." Himeko waved her hand, her mood inexplicably improving.
Even though she still held no hope for Yun Ling, she still felt joy and even a heartfelt…happiness for his efforts!
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