"That General Miao Jian..."
Fuli sank into the sofa, his tone revealing a clear sense of how thorny this situation was.
Although she had the least seniority among the Seven Celestial Generals of the Taixuan Front, her difficulty level was absolutely top-tier.
"Ow, ow, ow... Fu Xuan? Her surname is Fu, too?"
Kiana, still rubbing her temples from the drilling she received earlier, lit up as if she had discovered a new continent. She leaned close to Fuli. "A-Li, A-Li, is she part of your family?"
The girl remembered that Fuli's surname was originally supposed to be "Fu" (符), just like Fu Hua's. However, because his parents did something rebellious back in the day, they had to change it to the homophone "Fuli" (浮).
"No relation," the person involved denied immediately. "Fu Xuan was born into a family of stargazers in the Yuque Bubble Universe. She was born with a silver spoon in her mouth, completely different from a destitute household like mine. We couldn't be further apart."
"Aww, I thought I was going to get another pretty General cousin," Kiana mumbled, quickly flashing a charming, innocent smile before Fuli's gaze could sweep over her.
"Speaking of which, the Hyperion actually cooperated with this General during the previous Kanas Incident," Kallen recalled, resting her chin on her interlaced fingers.
"Back then, to deal with the sudden descent of Shuhu, General Fu Xuan made a prompt decision to invite Durandal and Eleanor to enter Shenzhou to confront it. Her subordinate, the Master Diviner Qingque, also provided precise coordinates in time. It was only by joining forces that everyone barely managed to reach a stalemate with Shuhu, right?"
"Tsk."
Mei's expression turned slightly cold. For some reason, she felt inexplicably annoyed by that Master Diviner named Qingque. Even though the two had absolutely no grudge against each other.
"It's fine."
Fuli exhaled a breath of stale air, forcibly suppressing the various terrible memories related to Shuhu from the previous loop.
"That's why I say the 'Sequence' level is terrifying," he said, a teasing smile returning to his clean face. "Bianka, Li-bao (Yunli), Eleanor, and Yanqing—four people confronting it at the front lines. Plus the Hyperion's Genesis System providing ultra-long-range locking, and Situ Qinghong arriving on the Undying Spring (the Jiangsu carrier). That adds up to a total of seven S-Rank combatants just to barely force one entity to retreat."
"What about that General Fu Xuan?" Bronya asked, preparing for a rainy day. "How is her strength?"
After pondering for a moment, Fuli answered, "She is essentially at the peak of S-Rank herself. But if necessary, she can superimpose the divine power of the 'Five Directions, Five Elders' granted to the Luofu General, reaching a level equivalent to a Limit-Breaker."
"S-Rank Limit-Breaker?!" Kiana, hugging the Heirloom Seal, turned pale with fright. "Doesn't that mean she's stronger than the Herrscher of Thunder?"
Mei had obviously done her homework and interjected, "In a state of full power, that is indeed the case. However, the divine authority of the Seven Celestial Generals can only be activated within the territory of the Taixuan Front."
The subtext being: She's not as good as your full power, right?
Kallen glanced at her, reading the competitiveness the young woman barely bothered to hide.
"In short, she is a friend, not an enemy," Fuli concluded. "But to be safe, it's best to hide things like the Fuli Well, Mei."
"Kurikara will stay at Mount Taixuan for the entire duration tomorrow."
As if responding to her master's words, the small crimson dragon coiled around Mei's wrist gently flicked its tongue.
The energy extracted by the Fuli Well was pure energy, unlike the highly corruptive Honkai energy, so its interference with divination abilities was limited.
Kurikara was different. As a Judgment-Class Honkai Beast, she was naturally a massive source of interference. Even if the General Miao Jian, an expert in calculation, came in person, she would have to pay a considerable price to peek through that noise.
There was no need to hide the rest. In fact, they would actively invite Fu Xuan to visit places like the Superstring Space and the Massive Electric (ME) Corp production lines to pave the way for future trade channels with the Luofu.
Bronya tapped a few times on her virtual screen. "If tomorrow's negotiations go smoothly, Hyperion will have the Schicksal Far East Branch, New ME Corp, Lady Asta, and the Xianzhou Luofu as four major clients. Adding in retail investors like the Galaxy Ranger Boothill and the British Royal Family... well, I'm starting to worry that ME Corp's production capacity won't keep up."
"They don't work exclusively with us, you know," Fuli said nonchalantly. "What normal organization doesn't have a finger in every pie? They definitely won't put all their eggs in one basket."
"It is still necessary to seize market share," Mei said seriously. "I will find a way to increase production capacity."
This concerns my precious research funding! I'll go all out against them!
"Ugh... ah..."
Listening to everyone's speeches, Kiana's eyes gradually turned into swirling mosquito coils.
"Hey! Hey!"
Not wanting to be left behind, she raised her small hand high. "Since we have such a powerful helper like Little Kuri, can we consider promoting the organization?"
The "promotion" the girl referred to was Hyperion going to the Disaster Containment Agency under the UN to apply for promotion to a "Medium-sized Organization."
"Idiot Kiana." Bronya rolled her eyes elegantly. "With Kurikara, Hyperion indeed meets the combat power prerequisite for promotion. But who dares to let a Judgment-Class Honkai Beast appear in public? Especially one that listens to orders so well?"
"Perhaps we can consider other promotion pathways," Fuli said, stroking his chin. "Combat power isn't the only standard. I recall that if the production scale reaches a certain index, you can also apply. Having enough patents should also get us a pass."
There were benefits to promotion. Although the membership fees would be higher, the rank itself was the biggest advertisement.
A "Small Organization" was, at the end of the day, a grassroots team. As long as the initial number of members was three or more, you just paid an application fee and passed.
It was fine when doing business with acquaintances like Theresa, but when trading with other organizations, seeing that you were "Small" led to immediate skepticism. Many would simply cancel orders.
It was like how people recommend buying computers from brands that have physical service centers in the city. Currently, they only had a few trading partners. While production shortages were one reason, lack of trust was another major factor.
"Then let's try applying first."
Mei made the final decision, while simultaneously drafting a plan in her mind to anthropomorphize Kurikara.
There was no helping it. For a companion Honkai Beast to turn into a human form, the idealistic Second Herrscher (Sirin) just had to bestow a pseudo-Thunder Core upon Benares. But Mei, a scientist who respected physics, had to consider a lot more.
"I'll go get the application forms."
Seeing that the discussion was mostly over, Kallen greeted them and vanished from her spot.
Mei also stood up in deep thought, casually grabbing Kiana by the back of her collar. She intended to ask the Queen within her—who possessed the memories of the Second Herrscher—for reference on how she anthropomorphized Benares back in the day.
In the blink of an eye, only two people were left on the vast bridge.
Fuli's eyes darted around, and his expression suddenly changed. He sighed and groaned, looking as resentful as a neglected housewife. "Sigh, my little sister has grown up and isn't close to her brother anymore... If this were the past, seeing me come back, she would have run over to ask for a hug, then laid in my arms to focus on playing video games."
As he spoke, he shot accusing glances at Bronya.
Bronya: (￢_￢)
Hug? You mean as soon as I hug you, the front armor that is 'soft as gathered peaks' gets physically deformed by your uncontrollable claws?
Lie in your arms and play games? Are you sure these 10-Denier sheer black tights stocking on my legs wouldn't end up tattered and full of holes halfway through?
"I think you are wrongly accusing me," Prisoner Fuli retorted solemnly. "I am not the type of person to lose my mind over lust."
"You only lose the ability to control yourself."
Bronya's tongue was as sharp as ever, but she still stood up and walked toward her cheap adopted brother.
With every step she took forward, her body shrank a little.
By the end, Bronya, having reverted to her silver-haired loli form (Haxxor Bunny size), skillfully burrowed into Fuli's arms. She sat cross-legged on his lap just like in the old days, leisurely pulled out her phone, and started gaming.
"The burden on the front was too heavy. This form is more comfortable," the girl said effortlessly.
Fuli: (QTQ)
Damn it!
The calmness of the Big Booba Party, huh? The you who knew nothing of the future back then would never have said such things!
Compared to the distinct four seasons of Earth, although the Luofu World Bubble located in the Sea of Quanta also had spring, autumn, winter, and summer, the timing was quite different.
For example, right now, while the land of Shenzhou was in the golden autumn of September, the Luofu was bursting with spring, birds singing and flowers fragrant, a scene of vibrant life where all things competed for growth.
Coinciding with the release of the civil service exam results, a batch of newly employed diviners sat in the Divination Commission's lecture hall, listening earnestly to a senior mentor on stage teaching them the do's and don'ts.
Thanks to the gift of Shuhu's curse of immortality (Mara), everyone present, regardless of age, maintained a youthful appearance.
The lightness of the body reflected on the mind. Coupled with the senior's humorous attitude and the banter of a few bold individuals, the already relaxed classroom atmosphere became even more lively.
The topic wandered around and eventually landed on Fu Xuan, the youngest General.
"Do you all know how the Tai—how Her Excellency the General's title came to be?"
The senior on the podium looked back with a smile. Her waist-length hair cascaded like a waterfall, like silk kissed by the breeze, rippling in the light and shadow.
"Me! Me! I know!"
A young female diviner raised her hand excitedly. Upon being called, she rattled off the information like she was enumerating family valuables:
"In the Taixuan Front, a General's title is never decided casually.
For example, the Merlin's Claw General, Feixiao: her spirit pierces the firmament like wind and lightning, unstoppable in charging enemy lines. Or the Flaming Heart General, Huaiyan: guarding the Zhuming ship, steadfast as a mountain and fire, forging the star skiffs and wielding ten thousand blades.
As for the ruler of the Luofu, Fu Xuan's title is Miao Jian (Sudarshana/Wonderful Sight).
The term Miao Jian comes from the Sanskrit sundrsti.
The prefix Miao (sun) means beautiful, supreme, and ultimate, emphasizing excellence beyond the mundane. Jian (drsti) refers to insight, the eye of wisdom—the awareness that can thoroughly see the truth and break through ignorance.
Combined, it means 'Supreme Wisdom of Sight' and 'Exquisite, Thorough Insight.' It refers to the supreme observation of wisdom, which perfectly corresponds to Fu Xuan herself, who excels in the calculation methods of the Matrix of Prescience and can see the big picture from small details. It is truly an exquisite title."
After summarizing the above in her own words, the female diviner blinked her bright, large eyes, looking expectantly at the senior on the podium, waiting for affirmation and praise.
"Wrong! Completely wrong!"
Unexpectedly, the senior on stage wagged her finger, wearing a helpless expression that said 'you are too young.' "Your source of knowledge is just textbooks. It looks standard, but it is a full one hundred and eight thousand miles away from the concealed truth."
The little diviner was unconvinced. "Then, Lady Tai... Senior, tell us, why is the General honored as Miao Jian?"
"Ahem!"
The senior looked left and right. After confirming no one was around, she lowered her voice. "You must promise never to leak this, only then will I tell you."
Seeing her nervousness, everyone swallowed their saliva and nodded solemnly.
The senior slammed her gavel and spoke shocking words: "The term Miao Jian actually refers to the Bodhisattva Myōken (Miao Jian Da Shi), one of the Buddhist deities! This Bodhisattva is the deification of the Big Dipper. And Her Excellency the General just happens to have a passion for wearing pure white silk stockings patterned with the Big Dipper... hence the name."
What... What?!!
The crowd below was dumbfounded.
Before they could digest this explosive inside scoop, a clear shout filled with shame and rage exploded like thunder at the end of the corridor:
"Qing! Que! What nonsense are you spouting again?!!"
Crap!
The senior—Qingque—secretly screamed internally.
Looking out, they saw a beautiful figure approaching with startling momentum.
Pink hair cascaded like a waterfall, tied into flying celestial loops. A golden hairpin hung diagonally, reflecting the third eye on her forehead that swirled with starlight.
This person was draped in a purple gauze cloud-patterned dress, an astrological disk shifting gently on her chest with her steps. Below her slender waist, pure white silk stockings patterned with the Big Dipper stretched from the root of her thighs to the tips of her toes, finally tucking into black short boots, exuding a soul-stirring charm amidst mysterious celestial grace.
That's right!
The arrival was none other than the one hailed as the Divine Strategist, the one who sees through the secrets of heaven, General Miao Jian—Fu Xuan!
"You, get over here!"
"Ouch! Lord General, easy, easy! So many colleagues are watching! Leave me some face!"
The peerless General, who was written into Luofu textbooks, extended a jade-like hand and precisely grabbed Qingque by the ear on the podium. Ignoring her wails, she dragged her away directly, leaving a group of diviners staring at each other in blank dismay.
Fu Xuan dragged her subordinate—who did nothing but produce bullshit all day—into an empty office before letting go.
She crossed her arms over her chest again, her tone indifferent. "Pack your things. You are accompanying This Seat on a trip to the Hyperion."
"Ouch, ouch, ouch... Go where—What? To the Hyperion?"
Qingque, who was still rubbing her ear, instantly bristled. She jumped three feet high and clung tightly to the decorative chandelier hanging from the ceiling, howling, "No, no! Beat me to death, but I'm not getting involved in that mess!"
"Denying reality is useless." Fu Xuan sat back in her office chair, pouring herself a cup of strong tea and adding sugar. "No matter how much you resist... you and that Fuli have a predestined marriage written in the stars."
"That's on the premise that he hasn't stepped into the Honkai Side, Lady Master Diviner!" In her desperation, Qingque even yelled out her old title. "If he were still an ordinary person, and since my mom likes him, I wouldn't mind pushing the boat with the current and accepting this marriage. But he's stepped into it now! Those 'Peach Blossom' (romance) threads are so dense they're about to wrap him into a cocoon! I don't want to wade into that muddy water!"
Fu Xuan scoffed coldly. "Do you think you can avoid fate just by saying so?"
"Why can't I avoid it?!"
The little sparrow hanging from the lamp yelled wa-wa-wa. "If he appears, I'll retreat three day's march! I won't touch anything he's touched! This is not only good for me, but also for you, Lady Master Diviner! Otherwise, you will get dragged in by the future me! First, you'll hide behind the door listening to me moan, then you'll open the Matrix of Prescience to share senses with us as a couple, playing a 'virtual threesome,' and finally, it'll naturally evolve into all of us sleeping together under one big quilt!"
"You! You still have the face to say that!"
Recalling certain images she had glimpsed during a previous divination, Fu Xuan's small face turned completely red in an instant.