255. Compatibility
The core of the 'Herrscher of Wind,' also known as the Desire Gem, possesses the power to manipulate ideal fluids, most directly manifested in the ability to cut through anything visible.
Simply put, all damage inflicted using this power is true damage...
Although Wendy performed poorly in Honkai Impact 3rd, and once considered the weakest Herrscher.
Of course, some jokingly say she's the strongest, given that she single-handedly fought against the three Herrschers of Truth, Origin, and Finality without being at a disadvantage.
Wendy's prestige is still rising!
However, on the other hand, although Wendy, as Herrscher of Wind, was almost single-handedly defeated by three B-rank Valkyries, Yun Ling still has high hopes for her.
According to Theresa's description, she is her most outstanding student, reaching the level of an A-rank Valkyrie before graduation, and subsequently joining the Oceania branch.
She quickly distinguished herself in the Oceania branch, becoming capable of leading a small team.
Otto, of course, also noticed this exceptionally talented newcomer, even believing she might become the next S-rank Valkyrie.
These points alone were enough to conclude that her talent could rival Durandal's, especially considering Wendy was only under 14 years old and had grown up in the relatively relaxed environment of St. Freya Academy.
The training intensity there was worlds apart from that at Schicksal Headquarters.
If possible, Yun Ling would love to recruit her.
Therefore, Yun Ling's first task was to destroy her trust in Schicksal and then rebuild a new faith in him.
At this point, Wendy was still a good child with dreams for the future; it was only after two years of disability that her heart began to twist, leading to her hatred of Schicksal. Yun Ling needed to accelerate this process.
After all, without two years of disability and disregard, how could she suddenly become the Heavenly Emperor Wendy?
After roughly understanding the situation, the group quickly headed to the location where the Desire Gem had been stolen.
The Herrscher Core constantly emits Honkai energy, and even Schicksal has yet to develop a device capable of suppressing this emission.
They've attempted to replicate numerous Divine Keys, but all attempts have failed. While the Pseudo-Divine Keys they created possessed formidable power, they paled in comparison to the true ones.
A Divine Key isn't something that can be haphazardly pieced together from Soulium and a Herrscher Core; its internal complexity is comparable to the Blank Keys in Schicksal's arsenal.
Although Otto replicated many God-Slaying Armor sets, none could embed a Herrscher Core within them like the Blank Keys.
With current technology, a Herrscher Core can only become stable within a suitable user.
Therefore, the intense Honkai energy emitted by the Desire Gem is as conspicuous as a beacon in the darkness; they have no fear of losing track of it.
"It seems Anti-Entropy is helping them from behind, otherwise they wouldn't be so bold," Wendy shared the information with Himeko and Yun Ling.
"Anti-Entropy…" Yun Ling's eyes flickered slightly.
Besides Cocolia, there couldn't be anyone else capable of doing something like this.
"I heard Anti-Entropy has recently developed many new combat mechs. You need to be careful," Wendy warned.
"Okay," Yun Ling nodded.
Soon, Yun Ling and the others arrived at the thieves' lair, a small island surrounded by the sea.
But before they could even land, they were met with a fierce attack from the ground.
"Yun Ling, clear the ground and create an opening," Himeko instructed Yun Ling.
Yun Ling nodded, opened the hatch, and jumped straight down.
"Huh?"
Wendy was still a little confused. Yun Ling had no parachute, no armor, and they were hundreds of meters in the air. Jumping down like that would mean certain death or serious injury!
"Wow~!"
The other Valkyries suddenly let out adoring screams, for Yun Ling was currently flying through the air on his sword, his clothes fluttering in the wind.
"Taixu Sword Qi!"
Yun Ling made a sword incantation, and several sword energies appeared around him, destroying all the anti-aircraft weapons on the ground.
"Prepare for battle!"
Wendy ordered, and the airship quickly descended. The Valkyries immediately abandoned their playful expressions.
Those on the ground tried to reposition their weapons, but it was too late.
With Himeko leading the charge, the Valkyries swarmed forward, subduing the panicked enemies.
Mainly because no one had expected that there was someone on the other side who suddenly unleashed numerous sword energies invisible to the naked eye, disrupting their rhythm.
Seeing the Valkyries below fighting so hard, Yun Ling decided to seize the Desire Gem directly.
One of the things I hated most about watching anime was when the main characters would get an advantage and become arrogant, only to have the BOSS suddenly unleash some kind of crisis.
It could have been resolved directly, but instead, they deliberately gave him the opportunity—isn't that just being despicable?
A special shout-out to that overhyped 2.5 Satoru.
"Will you win?"
"Nah, I'd will!"
"You're the challenger."
"I'm sorry I didn't let Sukuna use his full strength."
Yun Ling, holding air superiority, instantly locked onto the location of the Desire Gem.
Boom!
As the ceiling shattered, the researchers looked up in horror.
Yun Ling didn't give them any chance to react; countless threads instantly bound them together.
Suddenly, the space within the research institute began to collapse, and several mechs appeared out of thin air around Yun Ling!
"Quantumized mechs?" Yun Ling recognized the mechs at a glance; they were indeed Cocolia's masterpiece.
The mechs attacked Yun Ling, but mysteriously stopped a second before they were about to hit him.
"As expected... the Domination Authority really is a natural counter to these tactical mechs."
Yun Ling's fingers flickered, and the mechs lined up neatly, as if welcoming a leader.
Yun Ling shot out another thread from his fingertip, shattering the container holding the Desire Gem, then grasped the gem in his hand.
With a flick of his wrist, a wind blade appeared, slicing one of the mechs in two.
This was the completeDomination Authority. Once he obtained the corresponding Herrscher Core, he could use the corresponding authority.
However, because it was Domination rather than Adaptation, it couldn't unleash the full power of this authority.
"The Authority of Wind? Too bad I don't have that much time to develop it."
Yun Ling decisively abandoned the idea of keeping it for himself; this was something he had left for Wendy.
"Is it all over?" Wendy and the others had just burst in when they found Yun Ling had already tied everyone up.
"Yes, I hacked their tactical mechs, so they weren't very combat-effective. It was easy to deal with," Yun Ling explained.
"Wow, amazing… Colonel Himeko, your student…"
An older Valkyrie poked Himeko's waist mischievously.
"Want contact information? Go ask her yourself!" Himeko rolled her eyes, then turned to examine the tactical mechs.
She discovered that their operating systems had indeed been modified, which made Himeko's opinion of Yun Ling rise even higher.
To be able to crack Anti-Entropy's encrypted operating system so quickly, Yun Ling's hacking skills were definitely impressive.
"Quantum-specialized tactical mechs?"
Himeko had never seen such mechs before. Just as she was about to ask, Yun Ling's voice came.
"These mechs will be our St. Freya Academy's spoils of war. Wendy, you shouldn't mind, right?" Yun Ling asked with a grin.
"Of course, since you're the one who collected them, Yun Ling. We'll arrange for logistics personnel from the Oceania branch to help you transport them." Wendy nodded without hesitation.
Satisfied with the answer, Yun Ling and Himeko exchanged a glance.
Himeko instantly understood Yun Ling's meaning and didn't speak further.
"By the way, where's the Desire Gem?!"
A Valkyrie noticed the glass container holding the Desire Gem was broken and immediately asked.
"It's with me." Yun Ling shook the emerald green gem in his hand.
The expressions of everyone present instantly changed.
"Yun Ling, put it down right now!" Wendy immediately stepped forward and snatched the Desire Gem, intending to throw it far away.
Unexpectedly, the Desire Gem suddenly emitted a shimmering light, creating a whirlwind around Wendy and blowing Yun Ling away.
Yun Ling nimbly performed a backflip and landed steadily on the ground.
"That's... compatibility? Captain Wendy and the Desire Gem are compatible?!"
The sudden turn of events caught everyone off guard.
Wendy, in the center of the whirlwind, was completely unaffected.
With a crisp ring, the Desire Gemfell to the ground, and the hurricane vanished.
Wendy immediately took a few steps back, looking shaken.
"Take your clothes off!" Himeko rushed to Yun Ling's side and impatiently ripped off his shirt.
His fair, muscular physique was instantly exposed to everyone.
Seeing this, Himeko finally breathed a sigh of relief.
"Himeko, I understand your eagerness, but… at least find a secluded place."
Yun Ling covered his breasts, somewhat embarrassed, and said.
Wendy's team members had already begun to comment on his muscles with great interest. Although he was thick-skinned, he couldn't resist the situation!
"Idiot! Don't you know that the Herrscher Core is a huge source of pollution? Ordinary people, let alone touching it, even standing a short distance away, could lead to their bodies being corroded!"
Himeko angrily pinched Yun Ling's face, venting her anger.
"I was wrong."
Yun Ling sincerely admitted his mistake. He didn't try to be clever anymore, because he could genuinely feel the anger and fear in Himeko's words.
"Himeko-sensei, Yun Ling probably just forgot for a moment. It's good that he's alright," Wendy stepped in to smooth things over.
Himeko's chest heaved, and finally she let out a cold snort, released her grip on Yun Ling, and walked aside.
"Yun Ling, don't blame Teacher Himeko. She was just too worried about you," Wendy comforted him.
"Yeah, I know. Wendy, are you alright? You just came into contact with the Desire Gem," Yun Ling asked back.
"Hmm... should I say it's a blessing from heaven? I'm actually compatible with the Desire Gem! That means I might be able to gain the power to wield it!"
Wendy said optimistically, a look of anticipation on her face.
"Wield the Desire Gem? So, Wendy, you might become someone like the leader of the Anti-Entropy Alliance?" Yun Ling feigned surprise as he looked at her.
"Hmm! That way, I can help even more people, right?" Wendy thought with such anticipation.
...