Volume 2, Chapter 3: Herrscher of Wind vs Herrscher of the Void

Please support me on Patreon, where you can read a bunch of extra chapters, not just for this novel, but for all the novels I'm working on. I upload at least 2 times daily for most novels - There are at least twice as many available chapters on Patreon, compared to here on Webnovel. Additionally, there are also free extra chapters available for Free Members, so head on over:

Patreon.com/ThatGreatStuff

******

When Sirin felt the power of her Authority again, confusion surfaced in her eyes.

How many times has she repeated this dream?

The third or perhaps fourth?

Honkai Beasts descended upon the world like natural disasters, their cries echoing like those of helpless insects.

Yet, at that moment, she lacked the mood to relish in this spectacle.

Is this truly...just a dream?

A thought struck Sirin, causing her gaze to suddenly focus on a specific area of the floating island.

As expected, there stood that young man.

Compared to their last encounter, he had clearly become stronger. Sirin could sense an overwhelming vitality within him, hardly resembling that of a human, more akin to a humanoid Honkai Beast.

"So this is your ability?" she murmured to herself, "Dragging me into a dream and instilling fear."

"Then, consuming me."

The Queen's fury erupted like thunder descending.

"Well then, die!"

Three Lances of Antiquity, traversing between real and virtual space, infused with the power of the Gem of Serenity, swiftly shot towards Xia Chen.

One pierced through his Valkyrie Armor.

The other two were about to impale his head and heart.

But suddenly, they were encased in ice.

Unfazed by this, Sirin leaned forward and charged at Xia Chen.

At that moment, she had just regained control of her body and was not fully accustomed to wielding her newfound Authority. However, she couldn't afford to hesitate, opening the Virtual Space to supply Honkai Energy, disregarding any potential corruption it might cause to her body.

Since this is a dream realm,

let's engage in a fierce battle.

Human, I will utterly defeat you.

Then, every time you see me from now on, fear shall grip your heart,

just as the humiliation you inflicted upon me!

Her eyes hardened, channeling Honkai Energy to form a piercing attack towards Xia Chen's heart.

However, it proved futile.

Using his Stigmata, Xia Chen lowered the surrounding temperature drastically, even causing his armor to momentarily cease functioning.

His gaze slightly intensified as he observed the Herrscher of the Void nearby.

"Indeed, the simulator's influence extends beyond just myself."

"But that's no concern." A faint smile appeared at the corners of his lips.

He drew Red Sakura and pointed it at Sirin.

"Let the battle commence."

Sirin felt deeply humiliated, instantly erupting with fury.

With a snap of her fingers, countless Lances of Antiquity and Honkai Beasts surged towards Xia Chen.

She refused to believe that such peculiar ice could freeze everything.

Even if frozen entirely, it wouldn't matter.

She had countless more Honkai Beasts and Lances of Antiquity at her disposal.

This power was achieved by Sirin forcefully adapting to her Authority, allowing her to seamlessly shift between reality and illusion. Normally, such mastery would require gradual acclimation.

However, she accelerated this process.

Naturally, the cost of forcing adaptation meant that for a prolonged period afterward, she would be significantly weakened, both physically and mentally.

It was akin to a wooden barrel trying to contain excess sand without spilling, necessitating continuous compression.

Countless Lances of Antiquity and Honkai Beasts surged towards Xia Chen.

Regardless of the method, she intended to crush him utterly.

But just then, a fierce hurricane emerged.

Xia Chen manipulated fluid dynamics to lift himself into the air. He wasn't yet fully accustomed to the Authority's power; moreover, the Will of Honkai seemed to restrict part of its capabilities, limiting his control.

"Hm?" Sirin furrowed her brow involuntarily.

She sensed within Xia Chen a familiar aura.

"You are my other half... I see, you wish to replace me?" A realization seemed to dawn on her.

Sirin's limited knowledge naturally led to suspicions.

"Then let me show you," she declared, turning swiftly towards Xia Chen like a shooting star.

Xia Chen's eyes chilled slightly as frost thickened around the Red Sakura blade.

As Sirin closed the distance, he executed his sword technique:

Sakura Petal Fall.

The blood-infused cherry blossom petals, mixed with icy shards, successfully marked Sirin. Never before had the young man been this close to her.

However, Sirin showed no fear or surprise.

She was well-prepared for injury; this battle was one she could not afford to lose. At the very least, she couldn't let it extinguish her courage to fight. Even if it meant tearing him apart by force, she would take a piece out of Xia Chen.

While Xia Chen approached using his sword technique, Sirin likewise moved closer to him.

Kaslana Gunmanship.

This style, once dismissed by Sirin, now became her only means for engaging in close combat - the human-developed Marksmanship Arts.

With Kiana's memories, Sirin executed the Marksmanship Arts flawlessly. Moreover, she possessed the abilities of the Gem of Serenity.

Xia Chen naturally couldn't afford to get too close.

Even between Herrschers, their Authorities could still influence each other significantly.

However...

"This doesn't mean you've secured victory."

He focused on Sirin's body, or more precisely, the air surrounding her.

Then caused it to rapidly expand.

The invisible air erupted explosively, but for Sirin, it was merely a slight disturbance, hardly affecting her.

Yet...

Blood began streaming from various parts of her body.

This displayed the power of Ideal Fluid Cutting, albeit limited to his current extent.

Xia Chen's face turned slightly pale as a sudden thought emerged in his mind:

[Devour her!]

The idea struck forcefully, directly impacting his nerves. Like a shark drawn by the scent of blood in the ocean, he momentarily lost rationality.

In that instant, Xia Chen lunged towards Sirin.

Sirin also intensified her efforts.

Without evading, she lunged towards Xia Chen, ready to consume him like any Honkai Beast.

Her body contained genes infused with Honkai Beast DNA, granting her the same instinct for devouring.

Both were vying for control over each other's Authority. However, from the perspective of Schicksal and Anti-Entropy members watching, it resembled a passionate couple engaged in a heated embrace. There was no denying that their struggle looked somewhat akin to kissing fish.

Despite appearing affectionate, it was actually a life-or-death battle beneath the surface.

[You seized the Herrscher of the Void's Core.]

[Your actions triggered a greater Honkai event.]

[The Archon-class Honkai Beast Benares swallowed you whole before being recovered by Durandal.]

[As a result, you have died.]

[This simulated world experience has ended. You may permanently retain the following items and extract them into the real world. Congratulations on obtaining 2x Honkai Energy Fragments and 1x Supply Crate. Extract now?]

[Your Honkai Energy compatibility has increased.]

When Xia Chen woke up, he felt utterly exhausted.

Contesting for the Core was not simple; it became a battle of will between him and Sirin.

However, having endured multiple deaths, his willpower proved stronger.

Moreover, at a crucial moment, Kiana's consciousness assisted him.

Otherwise, he would have been the one losing the Core.

Nevertheless, even with this outcome, Sirin's presence attached to the Core inflicted immeasurable mental strain on him.

Clearly, the repetitive scenarios had deeply wounded Sirin's self-esteem, making her increasingly violent.

Fortunately, despite feeling drained, there were no lasting negative effects this time.

Feeling fortunate, he opened the supply crate.

And then...

[Congratulations! Player has obtained Stigmata 'Sirin - Ascension (Upper)', 'Sirin - Ascension (Middle)', and 'Sirin - Ascension (Lower)'.]

[This set of Stigmata harbors a specific consciousness.]

[As per its request, the Sirin - Ascension series will merge as one, without upgrades or numerical stat boosts. When activated on the player's body, it forms a stigma space. This stigma space can strengthen by absorbing other Stigmata and Honkai Energy.]

Xia Chen was momentarily speechless.

"Oh no, Ana!"