My first thoughts about Anti-Entropy are purely for helping. Spiritual qi might recover Welt Yang's peak form. Honkai energy exists in the body. Spiritual qi exists in a separate metaphysical state.
The two do not conflict. Whenever honkai energy enhances the body's capabilities, it also causes damages. Spiritual qi repairs that damage. That's how it is during the Qi Refining Realm.
The [Two Phase Art] can also prevent minor honkai eruptions if used well.
My previous strength isn't enough to do many things. I can only help others by the impact of my techniques.
What I didn't expect was my rapid growth during three months. I reached the level of B Rank valkyries.
No matter what, I am as strong as the trio during the game's start.
Subtly, my thoughts changed. I wanted to influence this world more—to give them another option beside the original ending. I might have been too arrogant during that process. A certain confidence rose up, that I can easily beat up Herrschers when the time comes.
The Salt Lake base tour woke me up. There's still a lot I don't know about the honkai. Just its insane equivalence to spiritual qi remains unknown. Herrschers can only destroy cities, continents at best, yet they showed hints of a Golden Core Realm cultivator.
Be it the confusion or the honkai's capabilities, it served as a cold water to my head.
I need to reconsider some serious things.
I lack the 'reach' major organizations have when it comes to honkai. It is tiring to do things alone. I believe, with my current growth, that I can participate in more high-end battles. I underestimated myself, so as to speak.
In that case, it is best to have a group backing me up. Schicksal is a big no-no due to Otto, which leaves Anti-Entropy as the best partner.
"First, I want to meet Kiana's father. Second, I want your help when it comes to honkai."
As a "kid" raised by his "Master", I can't show too much knowledge. There should be an inexperience behind my actions—flaws, per se. I need to have a visible "reason" behind my partnership with Anti-Entropy.
"Master brought me down the mountain to experience the world… and fight against the honkai. You are a group who fought against them for a long time, aren't you?"
"That's right." Welt affirmed my words. "About Siegfried… we will try to contact him. You can rest assured with the second one."
Just like that, I earned Anti-Entropy's support.
*****
1:15 PM.
The town's business began to return to normal. The zombies amounting to less than a hundred people are turned into crazy rioters. Even if the people did not believe it, the government is the one who let out that news. It was even featured in news throughout Siberia.
Along with that was a tragic explosion of a city-wide power plant. It was said to have triggered a lot of chain explosions, causing an entire city to go down in flames. Out of the five hundred thousand residents, only twenty thousand are reported to have survived.
It is the most tragic news since the past few years. Some speculated it as a terrorist attack, while others attributed it to the crazy "rioters" found in smaller towns.
Siberia's situation due to its extreme climate—said to be caused by climate change—already caused it to be more desolate. These events only further wore people's spirits down.
All in all, the truth about zombies and honkai beasts are covered in the eyes of the public.
"He won't be late, no?"
Kiana waited in front of their designated meeting place. The cashier and even the manager greeted her from the inside. Their stomachs are single-handedly pushing the town's restaurants to higher incomes.
Just then, she saw a familiar face.
Nothing changed with Shi Tian's looks. There was, however, a kind of subtle change of his vibe. It made him stand out from the crowd of people. It did not help that he brought along a long silver case on his shoulder.
"Let's go. I can tell you are hungry."
"Hey?! I'm not hungry yet!"
He only gave her a knowing smile. Facing the Tuna he knew for three months, Shi Tian is relaxed. He can spit out some of his intrusive thoughts.
"Hum."
Kiana refused to admit it. She led him inside the place. The two ordered a full course, though it was modified. The owner of this restaurant multiplied the amount of their food by ten. From the soup down to the main course (beef stew, meat cutlets, dumplings), it turned into a large serving.
Shi Tian took their waiting time as an opportunity to tell her something.
"I tried to find your old man in the base."
"Base?"
"Oh. I forgot to tell you. I am teleported straight to Salt Lake."
"Eh? That works?"
Her eyes held a strange light.
"They said it's for military use." He explained. "I asked about your father. Even they are avoiding the topic. Your father seems to be keeping his distance from you."
"The old man…"
Siegfried did not tell her about the Herrscher Core she has. If Sirin has a must-kill list, Otto takes the first three spots.
The fourth spot is for Siegfriend while the fifth is for Welt.
The rest of humanity takes up the sixth spot.
"Right. I have something to ask you."
"What is it?" Kiana nodded curiously.
"Remember the technique I practiced? I reached a new level of proficiency. It unlocked a new function."
Shi Tian explained the details of his [Xiutian Yin-Yang Jue]. Its newest function of being able to boost each others' progress took her interest. She is already thinking of ways to catch up to him.
It's nothing but the 'responsibility' Kiana took on. She wanted to be a big sister for once. Unfortunately, Shi Tian made her feel like she is the younger sister.
That's a no-no in a Tuna's pride.
"Oh, it's just that. That's okay."
Kiana handed out her right hand. She has her palms raised upwards. Shi Tian placed his right palm slightly atop hers. Nothing else happened… except for the 'empty space' inside his three dantians reacting.
It is a very small dot amidst the white spiritual qi present. If probed with spiritual consciousness, it will show a mysterious space surrounded by unknown dao rhymes.
All he has to do is to connect his spiritual consciousness to Kiana.
Hum-!
The mysterious space rumbled. A weird sound only audible to Shi Tian's ears rang.
Ding-!
'A bell? No…'
Soon, the disturbance ended. Nothing new appeared inside the mysterious space. Though, he felt there is a 'connection' between him and Kiana. It is somewhat vague, but it is there.
Shi Tian opened his eyes. He met Kiana's clear blue eyes.
"So? How did it go?"
"It's done." He replied. "We can test it later."
"Alright!"
Ironically, Kiana fell deeper into the younger sister role.