Volume 1, Chapter 26: Ana, Lend Me Your Strength

As Xia Chen returned to this familiar scene, his identity had also changed.

From being a member of the Immortal Blades, he now became part of the Snow Lotus Squad stationed at the base. However, it seemed to have no other significant impact.

Gazing upon the Queen hovering mid-air, her disdainful gaze fixed on humanity, a surge of anger ignited within him.

Once again, countless Honkai Beasts descended upon the world.

Just as before, darkness overshadowed all hope.

Xia Chen tightly gripped the Red Sakura, his eyes locked onto the Herrscher of the Void above.

Numerous Honkai Beasts clashed with the Valkyrie Squad, causing fallen beasts' corpses to pile up continuously, yet more swarmed forth without respite.

The defense line formed by Valkyries quickly began showing gaps.

As a Knight-class Honkai Beast was about to charge deep into their ranks, a sudden flash of crimson light split its body, swiftly separating head from torso.

Xia Chen wielded the Red Sakura like a traditional Far Eastern warrior, engaging Honkai Beasts far larger than himself on the floating island.

Despite wearing the less advantageous Mark-III Valkyrie Armor, he showed no hint of fear. During his first simulation, he had already gained the courage to face any challenge head-on.

Three Templar Honkai Beasts, seemingly acting with newfound intelligence, began encircling Xia Chen. By then, countless Honkai Beast corpses lay strewn around him.

Members of the Immortal Blades voluntarily moved closer to alleviate some pressure off Xia Chen.

"No need to worry about me; I can handle it," he warned the approaching teammates as he charged towards the three Templar Honkai Beasts.

Xia Chen surged forward, undaunted by the imposing presence of these colossal beasts.

As a massive shield loomed towards him, he swiftly twisted his body and aimed the Hurricanes revolver at the Honkai Beast's eye.

Kaslana Gunmanship!

In a display akin to mastering an incredibly difficult stunt, all three Templar Honkai Beasts collapsed instantly.

However, more Honkai Beasts continued to assail Xia Chen.

Xia Chen felt an inexhaustible surge of energy coursing through his body. Holding a blade in one hand and a gun in the other, despite appearing somewhat comical, he continuously felled Honkai Beasts before him.

His 'outstanding' performance caught the attention of the Herrscher above.

With disdainful eyes, she focused on Xia Chen.

"Hmph, mere insect."

An Aether Spear suddenly materialized and shot rapidly towards him.

"Watch out!"

A voice, unclear who it belonged to, warned Xia Chen. Narrowly avoiding the spear, he squinted his eyes.

The Aether Spear pierced the floating island, leaving only a mark behind.

Looking up, Xia Chen saw three more Aether Spears instantly lock onto his position.

A sense of impending danger enveloped him.

This is fatal.

Although not his first death in simulation scenarios, the instinct for survival still triggered a momentary fear.

Straining every ounce of his potential, Xia Chen evaded the trio of Aether Spears. However, just as he did, a Dead Silence emerged unnoticed beside him, aiming its scythe to reap his life.

"No!"

Driven by sheer will to survive, at this critical moment, he tapped into the power of his Stigmata.

The Dead Silence transformed into an ice sculpture.

A hint of shock flickered across Xia Chen's eyes, followed by a sudden burning sensation on his back.

His Stigmata had manifested its strength.

"Ana..."

Gazing at the small area encased in ice, his tone softened.

"Can you lend me your power?"

As he spoke, countless Honkai Energy surged into his body. Moments later, the Aether Spear aimed at his head froze mid-flight.

"Hm?" The Herrscher of the Void, seemingly sensing something, pondered with her proud expression shifting slightly.

Suddenly, a chill swept over her.

Drawing upon her combat experience, she evaded the incoming ice shard. However, to her surprise, the man she had been taunting earlier now appeared directly before her.

"Herrscher, it's time for you to pay the price."

Xia Chen held Red Sakura, and no one could tell how he suddenly materialized from the floating island to hover nearby.

The Herrscher of the Void felt the surrounding air thicken, even briefly losing connection to Virtual Space.

Yet...

"Ignorantly wielding stolen authority, daring to challenge a god? How laughable."

"I shall grant your wish; prepare to die."

She disregarded Xia Chen's swinging blade and instead channeled Honkai Energy to pierce through his body.

Instantly, Xia Chen's face paled.

However, despite this, her path was blocked by the relentless glow of his sword.

Just as the Herrscher of the Void thought it was all over, her expression drastically changed.

Suddenly, ice shards pierced her body.

"Ha..."

"My apologies."

"The insignificant ant you underestimated has already wounded you." Xia Chen grinned at Herrscher of the Void.

"Hmph."

Enraged, Sirin, the Herrscher by name, channeled even more Honkai Energy to pierce his body.

For any ordinary person, being struck by such Honkai Energy would either turn them into Zombies or make them vanish entirely—there was no other outcome.

To Sirin's shock, however, the Honkai Energy entering Xia Chen's body simply disappeared. Moreover, the wounds inflicted on him began to heal rapidly.

"It's not just you who wields power," Xia Chen said with a glint of madness in his eyes. Holding Red Sakura, he caused the surrounding temperature to plummet as icicles formed, locking onto Sirin's body.

"Now it's my turn!"

"What?" Surprise flickered across Sirin's face as she felt herself continuously freezing over. Xia Chen clung tightly to her, seemingly intent on dragging her down from the sky.

A flash of anger crossed her expression; once again, a human had pushed her to such a desperate state.

"Let go!"

Her voice carried a hint of shrillness as she unexpectedly lost connection with the void due to this intense cold.

Fortunately, she could still summon Aether Spears. Hastily, countless spears pierced Xia Chen's body.

Yet, Xia Chen refused to let go.

Instead, his grip tightened even more firmly.

"I won't release you."

"Never will I."

His face was pale as paper, his voice weak and strained, while his clothes were soaked in blood. However, to Sirin, his words sounded like those of a demon.

"With all my strength, I'll entomb both of us within ice."

Their bodies gradually merged into intertwined blocks of ice.

Then, they plummeted rapidly into the Mediterranean Sea.

[You have fallen into the Mediterranean, unconscious, with only a faint trace of life remaining.]

[The Archon Honkai Beast Benares excavates you from the sea and takes you away, becoming its meal.]

[This Honkai World experience has ended. You can permanently retain one item for extraction to the real world. Congratulations! You've obtained 2 Honkai Pieces and increased your Honkai Energy compatibility. Extract now?]

Xia Chen opened his eyes.

The bed beneath him was already dampened by sweat.