[Amber's Valkyrie squad successfully arrived in New Siberia, shrouded in toxic mist. The pseudo-Death Herrscher quickly annihilated the Valkyries. Amidst inexplicable apologies, Amber's gas mask was removed, and she soon fell unconscious. ...
[The "Edge of Taixuan" has four realms: Still Water, Dustless, Mirror Bright, and Taixuan.
Valkyrie Cheng Lixue meditated upon a lake, practicing the Taixuan Sword Qi taught by the Immortal Chiyou. Years ago, her master took her in, teaching her reading, writing, guqin, and martial arts... Though exceptionally gifted since childhood, the day Cheng Lixue called her "Master," Fu Hua gazed at her with gentle yet sorrowful eyes. Her master's sudden departure without explanation left a demon in her heart. "But Master... why did you leave me back then?"
"Unspoken words became my inner demon. My Sword Heart remains stuck, unable to break through the Dustless realm."
On the burning battlefield, Cheng Lixue pointed her sword at the Herrscher soaring in the sky, thinking: "Let this battle temper me! Let this body be the crucible!"
To refine her Sword Heart! The 10th Divine Key "Undine" in her hand summoned countless water blades that slashed fiercely toward the enemy! The resulting waterspout turned to steam under 5,000-degree heat. Even Undine itself couldn't withstand such temperatures, developing countless cracks. Then, the bored Herrscher fired a high-temperature beam that pierced through Cheng Lixue's struggling form.]
[Kiana]: "Class monitor! Senior Cheng Lixue was so great! Why couldn't you acknowledge her?"
[Fu Hua]: "No! That's not it... How many memories have I lost? Why... would this happen?"
Fu Hua's face twisted in agony. Why had she refused to take a disciple? Why did her heart feel so hollow and riddled with holes?
[Aponia]: "I sense... the Edge of Taixuan seems like a modified version of [the Discipline]?"
[Mobius]: "Correct, little mouse. Not bad at all. You even disseminated the Divine Voice? And optimized it too."
[Sushang]: "Huh? Taixuan Sword Qi? I think my mother taught me that too?"
[Sushang]: "But the realms seem different?"
[Jing Yuan]: "Being from different worlds, it's normal for sword techniques with the same name to differ."
[Guinaifen]: "So Shuangshuang, which realm have you reached?"
Facing her curious friend, Sushang dodged the question—some topics were better left untouched between friends.
[Kiel, Germany
The Honkai-energy-generated tornado destroyed several Finnish cities before crossing the Baltic Sea to make landfall in Germany. B-Rank Valkyrie Lewis led ground forces in artillery bombardment.
Through their diversionary strikes, A-Rank Valkyrie Shigure Kagura successfully pinpointed the Herrscher via satellite.
After relaying the coordinates to S-Rank Valkyrie Cecilia who'd been waiting patiently, Cecilia launched a surprise attack from 1,500 meters up through an opening above the tornado. The pseudo-Wind Herrscher noticed Cecilia's assault and hastily counterattacked with wind blades—all blocked by Black Abyss White Flower. Raising her lance high, Cecilia thrust downward at the Herrscher below! "Go, Black Abyss!"
Against the Black Abyss, the Herrscher's defenses proved paper-thin. With disbelief in her eyes, the Wind Herrscher was impaled through the chest. The tornado dissipated instantly upon her death. Mission accomplished, Cecilia began free-falling from the sky. "Hurry! Catch me, White Flower!"
The White Flower plunged into the ground, glowing with vital energy as massive vines erupted to gently catch the falling Cecilia. "Whew... mission complete."
"Seems like another beautiful day."
Lying on the vines, Cecilia smiled cheerfully.]
[Durandal]: "As expected of Lady Cecilia! I still have much to learn—must keep striving!"
[Kiana]: "That's my mom for you! She's on another level entirely! Hey Durandal—remember this! I, Kiana, will become the strongest Valkyrie!"
[Durandal]: "Hmm. I'll await your challenge at headquarters."
[Rita]:Pfft!
[Durandal]: "What is it, Rita?"
[Rita]: "Nothing, nothing! Just thought of something amusing!"
[Luocha]: "Black Abyss White Flower...?"
[Honkai Star Rail - Welt]: "Oh... Luocha, what mischief are you plotting now?"
[The scene returned to the Fire Herrscher. With a searing beam through her abdomen, merely standing drained Cheng Lixue's remaining strength while burning every nerve.
The Flame Herrscher tauntingly approached from behind to deliver the final blow. Seizing her moment, Lixue grabbed the Herrscher's wrist and threw her down—even without Undine, her master's Inch Heart Fist could still fight! Enraged, the Herrscher ignited towering flames to reduce her to ashes! Just then, feathers drifted by as Fu Hua emerged through the inferno to rescue the gravely wounded Lixue. "Don't move yet. After I defeat her, I'll treat your wounds."
Gently setting Cheng Lixue down, Fu Hua regarded the furious Herrscher with indifference. The Herrscher unleashed even greater flames that surged toward Fu Hua—only to be casually deflected with a wave of her hand. Emerging unscathed, Fu Hua's appearance had transformed: gray hair turned white, tan coat replaced by red-and-white qipao, while a fiery divine bird roared behind her. Finally sensing fear, the Herrscher watched as flames now obeyed Fu Hua's will—she was their true master. Fu Hua advanced slowly. "Long ago... I faced another flame-wielding Herrscher..."
"...Compared to her inferno, yours is but a feeble spark."
One punch—the pseudo-Flame Herrscher fell. Fu Hua hurried to treat Cheng Lixue's wounds. The Herrscher's consciousness was already under Feather's Control—now just a breathing corpse. Then a pale hand—the Void Herrscher's—claimed the Flame Herrscher's body.]
[Pardofelis]: "That's our Hua! Bringing instant security just by appearing!"
[Kiana]: "Huh? Class monitor can transform too? So cool!"
[Bronya Zaychik]: "The monitor completely dominated that battle."
[Kalpas]: "HAHAHA! Not bad rookie! You've improved somewhat!"
[Mobius]: "Indeed. Compared to the true Flame Herrscher who scorched Australia, this pseudo one was merely a flicker."
The other Flame-Chasers nodded in agreement—they all remembered that continent-engulfing inferno. There was no comparison.
[Raiden Mei]: "Only the Death Herrscher remains. Let's hope nothing goes wrong."
[Sparkle]: "That depends on whether your pal Otto decides to be human~"