"Calm down, calm down!"
Seeing Hua's fists clench with veins popping, Fuxi quickly ran over and hugged her from behind.
Otherwise, she was afraid Hua might actually punch her sister and flatten her chest just like Hua's.
"Hah, I'm perfectly calm now. You can let go."
"Really? If you're lying, you'll never grow any bigger."
"...Really."
Taking a deep breath, Hua resisted the urge to punch Fuxi as well.
These two sisters were infuriating.
"Immortal Phoenix, Wise Craftswoman, the leader of the Youxiong Tribe, Ji Lin, requests an audience."
While the group was catching up, a woman's voice called from outside the tent.
"Wise Craftswoman? Is that you, Vill-V?"
"Hmph, of course. While I can't create technology too advanced for this era, I do know a lot about wooden craftsmanship.
So, I've been spreading the wisdom of our era's ancients to the present. But it seems to have caught the Honkai's attention. Still, it's not a big deal—just a few Honkai Emperors have appeared."
"...You're really something. Well, even if we push civilization to the level of our era all at once, at most we'll face Herrschers similar to those from our time.
With the Divine Keys in hand, we can still take them down one by one. But it won't be long before we face the Herrscher of the End again."
"You know it. Ji Lin, come in."
Rolling her eyes at Chang Yuan's bloodthirsty tone, "Friend" Vill-V called for Ji Lin to enter.
After receiving permission, a young woman wearing a golden crown entered the tent.
A golden sword hung at her waist.
"Ah, who are these two?"
Seeing Chang Yuan and Elysia, Ji Lin's curiosity was piqued.
"They're with us. No need to be formal. What's the matter?"
"Oh, it's like this. To the north, a giant beast has appeared. But unlike before, it hasn't attacked us. We're not sure what to do, so I came to ask for your guidance."
"Huh? A Honkai Beast that doesn't attack humans? Let's go, take us to see it."
Hearing about a Honkai Beast that didn't attack humans, "Friend" Vill-V's interest was immediately sparked.
She had never heard of such a thing in her life. Today, she was going to see it for herself.
But to be safe, "Friend" Vill-V first went to the armory and retrieved Elysia's 2nd Divine Key and Chang Yuan's commonly used 3rd Divine Key.
This way, their safety would be maximized.
Once everything was ready, "Friend" Vill-V led Chang Yuan and the others, following Ji Lin.
Soon, they arrived at the northern defense line of the tribe.
But when they saw the Honkai Beast, everyone was shocked—except for Chang Yuan and Elysia.
"Wow, this Honkai Beast doesn't seem to be in the catalog. A new type? But why does it look like a pink stingray?"
Pulling out her trusty notebook, "Friend" Vill-V began boldly documenting this new Honkai Beast.
Then, Elysia stepped forward.
She gently placed her hand on the pink stingray.
"Her name is Maheśvara. She's my companion Honkai Beast."
At that moment, "Friend" Vill-V froze.
Elysia's companion Honkai Beast? But only Herrschers had those.
For a moment, "Friend" Vill-V began to doubt herself.
Was this really the real Elysia? Otherwise, why would she have a companion Honkai Beast, something only Herrschers possess?
No, Elysia was definitely dead.
"Friend" Vill-V could never forget that heavy day—the day she lost a dear friend, a day she couldn't even stop.
"Hahaha, Elysia, it seems she sensed you waking up and came to find you. Let me give her a rub too."
Chang Yuan stepped forward, ready to touch the Honkai Beast.
But Maheśvara resisted, flicking him away with her tail.
Though Chang Yuan wasn't hurt, his pride took a massive hit.
Was he not accepted by the in-laws?
"Haha, it seems she only lets me touch her~."
Whine~ Back then, he couldn't save you. He didn't even try to save you, letting you die. I won't acknowledge such a man as my master.
"Huh? What are you talking about? I'm alive and well, aren't I?"
Elysia tilted her head, her eyes filled with confusion.
Maheśvara didn't explain, merely giving her a deep look.
"Fine, if you won't let me touch you, I'll just touch Elysia instead. Hehehe."
"???"
Whine~ Take this tail strike!
Without hesitation, Maheśvara flicked Chang Yuan away with her tail again.
"Hahaha, Yuan, it seems she's on my side. If you bully me, she'll help me."
"Stupid fish, just you wait. I'll eat you one day."
Standing up, a disheveled Chang Yuan shouted angrily.
Ji Lin looked at Elysia with admiration.
"Immortal, you're amazing! You can even tame giant beasts to serve you."
"Hmph, you might be able to do the same one day. After all, cute girls can do anything."
"Yes, I'll work hard, Immortal."
That night, after the celebratory bonfire party, Elysia and Chang Yuan naturally shared the same tent.
But Chang Yuan didn't cross any boundaries.
He simply held her, just like he had done before—as if it were only yesterday.
Chang Yuan knew full well that the Elysia before him was fake. After all, he had been the one playing her all along.
But the increasingly unhinged Chang Yuan didn't care. What he believed was real.
As he drifted into a dream, Chang Yuan didn't notice his Stigmata flickering a few times.
In the dream, everything was pure white, with no buildings in sight.
But Chang Yuan knew deep down that he was in a dream.
"A lucid dream? I've heard you can do anything in a lucid dream. Then, please let me see that pink figure again."
Chang Yuan called out, hoping to see that figure.
But there was no response. However, the pure white dream began to change.
Countless white buildings rose, resembling a pure white chapel. Around the chapel, clusters of pink flowers bloomed.
Seeing this, Chang Yuan was momentarily dazed.
Without realizing it, he walked to the center of the chapel.
Only when he reached the center did Chang Yuan snap out of his daze.
Then, a voice rang out.
"Hi~, long time no see~?"