["Ah… sorry, I didn't see any blood, so I thought you were fine… So you're a mechanical puppet."]
[The girl's broken body was sparking with a faint "zzzt" sound. "The mobility core is damaged. I can't move."]
"Wow, her mechanical body is exactly like Senior's!"
Inside New Eridu's Public Security Bureau, Zhu Yuan's eyes widened in surprise.
"Well, 'a puppet body is very useful' is indeed a universal truth across worlds," Qingyi remarked, curiously studying the girl on the celestial screen. "The craftsmanship looks similar, but her endurance seems superior."
"Senior, the Xianzhou's technology is advanced, but don't underestimate the tech of the Huaysta Academy," Seth said with a pout.
"Heh, if my body were damaged like that, my battery would probably last only five minutes."
Qingyi smiled faintly, and in front of everyone, she casually removed the twin tails from her head, holding them up for display. "That's why my hair was designed as backup power sources for emergencies."
Seeing the two dark holes left on Qingyi's head, Seth was visibly shaken. "Senior… your twin tails are detachable?!"
"Just a small trick, no need to make a fuss," Qingyi said, reattaching her removable twin tails.
"But I'm curious about the consciousness in her body. Is it like yours, Senior?"
Though Qingyi could interact freely with them, her personality was a simulated one, shaped by ancient cultural texts from a bygone civilization—strictly speaking, an AI. If this puppet girl had more advanced technology, the Public Security Bureau could provide more precise feedback to the Academy for Qingyi's next upgrade.
["The mechanical girl struggled to lift her head and look at Sushang. 'Are you a Cloud Knight? Good. Please take me to the Commission.'"]
["Uh, well…" Sushang turned to the two behind her, looking troubled. "Luocha, Silent Guy, sorry, we might have to delay again. This girl is a puppet judge from the Ten-Lords Commission. As a Cloud Knight, I have to prioritize her orders."]
[Luocha stepped forward. "I know a bit about healing. Shall I try to treat the girl's injuries?"]
["Uh, you don't get it—she's a puppet. We should just take her to the Commission," Sushang said.]
["No worries, Miss Sushang, leave it to me." Luocha raised his left hand, and the pendant dangling from it began to emit a steady stream of vitality. A green glow enveloped the puppet's body.]
["It shouldn't hurt, but it might feel strange… maybe a tingling or numbing sensation. Can you stay still?"]
"This can't be the same person, can it?! How could there be such a coincidence?"
Watching Luocha heal someone else, Li Sushang felt an eerie sensation crawl up her spine, like a centipede with countless tiny legs skittering along.
Back in the deserts of Northern Mo, Luocha had healed her with the same face, same technique, same posture… even the same lines!! Could counterparts really be connected across worlds?
This couldn't just be a simple "coincidence," could it?
"What's wrong? From your expression… remembering something?" Durandal noticed Li Sushang's unease.
"Yeah, but it's all in the past. It's nothing now…" Li Sushang took a deep breath and slowly lowered her head.
["It's no use. My body is a mechanical construct, not flesh and blood—"]
["Mechanical or flesh… both are merely tangible things. As long as you don't mind my methods…"]
[Before Luocha finished speaking, the pendant in his hand glowed brightly, and Xueyi was astonished to find her mechanical body's malfunctions miraculously repaired. Even she, usually emotionally reserved, couldn't help but exclaim in awe, "…Incredible."]
["You—how did you do that? That's not healing at all!" Sushang's eyes widened.]
[Dan Heng, aware of that power's nature, looked serious and muttered under his breath, "Abundance…"]
Soul Society, Division 12 Barracks, Vice-Captain's Office.
"Oh? It can even repair machinery? The principle behind this power is fascinating."
"This green fluorescent substance is worth studying too. It regenerates muscles in humans and repairs machinery as well."
"If only I could get my hands on some."
Mayuri Kurotsuchi sat in front of the screen, his fingers rapidly typing notes as he eagerly observed the changes in Xueyi's body, recording every detail.
Truth be told, regenerating muscles was nothing special—he could heal physical injuries in ten different ways if he wanted. But "healing" machinery was an intriguing challenge. As the second-generation director of the Research and Development Institute, he didn't mind such novel experiments.
"Nemu, record the results of the thirty-second experiment."
Mayuri looked up excitedly at the ceiling of the barracks, where countless cables and conduits intertwined, one end connected to Nemu's damaged body and the other to a row of large machines along the wall.
He pressed the red switch beside the keyboard, producing a "crackle" sound as a faint electric current coursed through Nemu, causing her to open her eyes abruptly.
"Yes, Lord Mayuri."
"Hmm… looks like we'll need to switch to a different base material for the next repair substance. Pull up all the previous experimental data and compile it into a table—quickly."
["Good. No need to return to the Commission. The mission continues." The girl showed a satisfied expression.]
["Per the Ten-Lords Commission's laws, as a judge, I avoid external ties. But since you helped me escape, I'll offer one piece of advice: leave quickly."]
[The girl cautioned them, "I came here to restore order and apprehend a key criminal—the Stellaron Hunter. His swordsmanship is unparalleled, and he wields a divine weapon, extremely dangerous."]
["…!" Dan Heng flinched. She must be talking about Blade!]
["If not for some bizarre incident, my lifespan might have ended here," Xueyi sighed deeply.]
["A bizarre… incident?" Dan Heng cast a puzzled glance.]
[Xueyi looked at Dan Heng, hesitating briefly, but after a quick assessment, she turned to the group and said, "Follow me."]
[Dan Heng, Sushang, and Luocha exchanged glances and followed her in silent agreement.]
[Not far ahead, massive tree branches and vines sprouted from the ground, entwining a lighthouse-like structure. Upon closer inspection, the treetop seemed to burn with raging flames.]