General Feixiao strode with a swaggering gait, taking her seat on the right side of the center stage at the press conference.
On the other side, General Huaiyan looked elderly, but his frequency of taking his seat perfectly matched this junior's. It was unknown whether the former deliberately yielded out of courtesy, or if this deeply hidden master artisan had his own unique methods.
Regardless, the two heavyweight guests of this interview were in position.
Below the stage, the journalists immediately showed their prowess. The sound of camera shutters rang out like a torrential storm, illuminating the entire front stage as bright as day.
It is worth noting that Fu Xuan, as the host of this Luminary Wardance, was not present.
The two visiting Generals showed full understanding regarding their colleague's absence.
Firstly, they had specially exchanged greetings upon arrival. Secondly, both had held high positions for a long time and deeply understood the heavy responsibilities and hardships of governing a Xianzhou ship.
When the frenzy of the photo session subsided slightly, the formal interview phase began.
According to the scheduled order, a journalist with a peculiar appearance on the left side of the stage raised her hand first.
"Hello to the two Generals, I am Carmella from Universal Entertainment, a subsidiary of the Interastral Peace Corporation."
The woman (?) calling herself Carmella wore a proper professional suit, but above her neck was a precisely structured camera device.
Obviously, she came from some Omnic civilization in the Sea of Quanta.
"I would like to ask General Feixiao."
Carmella's synthesized voice seemed a bit nervous; it appeared to be her first time attending such a heavyweight scene.
As an Omnic, she actually pulled out a small physical notebook: "May I ask the General, how do you feel about everyone calling you the 'Great Victorious General'?"
"I think this title is somewhat biased."
"Eh? I-Is that so? Then how would you prefer us to address you?"
Feixiao playfully blinked at her: "Invincible!"
"Ah, this? T-Truly worthy of the Great Victorious General who slaughtered until even mindless enemies dared not approach!"
Stars seemed to twinkle in Carmella's eyes—don't ask how a single-lens camera twinkles.
She was referring precisely to the legendary battle against the Headless Legion five years ago. Those headless monsters, clad entirely in pitch-black heavy armor and standing over three meters tall, were pure killing machines created by a certain plunderer civilization.
As a result, during their siege of Feixiao, she single-handedly slaughtered a hundred thousand of them. The corpses piled up into rolling hills, so much so that by the end of the slaughter, these emotionless war machines instinctively avoided her marching route, thereby exposing a fatal flaw in the enemy's defense line, leading to their ultimate annihilation.
"It was nothing."
The person in question casually brushed her long hair, her expression crisp and indifferent, as if speaking of a trivial matter.
Carmella sat down filled with excitement and reverence. Another blonde boy stood up: "Hello to the two Generals, I am Emisha from Anti-Entropy."
"I would like to ask General Huaiyan, as the oldest General in the Alliance, how have you maintained such a good mentality and spirit throughout your decades of rule?"
As soon as the question was asked, the atmosphere at the scene froze slightly.
This little guy from Anti-Entropy comes with ill intentions.
Feixiao narrowed her eyes.
The Mara-Struck curse, known as "Shuhu's Blessing," was a household name on the Honkai side. Natives of the Six Great Xianzhou ships would maintain a youthful body until their sixtieth year, after which there was a probability of falling into Mara.
Countless outstanding talents in history had fallen here. The most famous recent example was the previous Luofu Sword Champion who forged the undefeated myth of the Cloud Knights, one of the High-Cloud Quintet—the "Transcendent Flash," Jingliu.
Asking this in the current scenario could almost certainly be identified as a provocation.
Considering the other party came from Anti-Entropy, such trickiness wasn't entirely unexpected.
"Ho ho ho, this little friend's question is very interesting. Let me think about how I should answer it."
General Huaiyan stroked his snow-white long beard, pondered for a moment, and pointed to not far away: "Hmm, do you see this old man's schedule of working diligently and forgetting to eat and sleep every day to handle mountains of official duties?"
Everyone looked where he pointed, but only saw an exquisite chessboard virtually projected in the air and a few leisurely swaying orchids.
"I don't see it," Emisha said very honestly.
"This old man doesn't see it either," Huaiyan answered with a smile.
The journalists were taken aback at first, but quickly realized what was going on.
A burst of relaxed laughter rang out in the venue, and the subtle tension from just now melted away like ice.
Emisha was relentless: "Then does the General admit that he is currently holding a sinecure and doing nothing?"
"If answering 'yes' allows you to go back and successfully complete your assignment, this old man doesn't mind saying so."
The old General maintained his leisurely attitude. He couldn't wait to retire quickly, collect his pension, enjoy his twilight years, and casually urge his granddaughter to get married. He didn't care about these rumors and gossip at all.
On the contrary, many people within the Alliance begged the Old Master to sit in the General's position, letting him—a centenarian who still hadn't fallen into Mara—establish a spiritual beacon for everyone.
Not to mention that the old man had been clean and honest all his life. Apart from not responding to the other Xianzhou ships' arrest warrants for the sinner Yingxing, he had almost no black marks.
For example, right now, the term "holding a sinecure" undoubtedly enraged many Xianzhou journalists present.
Under the sharp gazes of the crowd, Emisha had no choice but to hurriedly get up and leave.
Feixiao clapped her hands lightly, pulling people's attention back. "So, next?"
"Alright." The third journalist stood up: "May I ask General Feixiao, I heard you never use anesthetics when receiving medical treatment?"
"Anesthetics don't have much effect on me."
"How much alcohol do you drink every day?"
"As much as I can. What about it?"
The atmosphere of the subsequent interview was very harmonious. After all, the Taixuan Front was one of the three super-large factions.
Setting aside Schicksal and Anti-Entropy of the same tier, the journalists invited here were all well-versed in the importance of maintaining basic etiquette and a harmonious scene.
Soon, the first round of interviews reached the last person.
A girl with cascading purple hair slowly stood up: "Hello to the two Generals, my name is Raiden Ei."
"Oh! You are the Chrysos Heir young lady who awakened a while ago, right?" Old Master Huaiyan was very enthusiastic. "It caused quite a big stir back then. It seems the Heavenly Strike General isn't aware of this matter yet?"
"Yes."
Feixiao spoke bluntly; she had been fighting on the front lines all that time.
She looked at Ei who had stood up and sincerely extended an invitation: "Are you interested in joining the Yaoqing? Regarding guiding the fourth-stage awakening of a Chrysos Heir, we have a mature set of protocols tested through countless real battles."
Even without hearing the specific details, Feixiao could smell the immense potential hidden within Ei's body.
That was undoubtedly God-King level aptitude. Once fully developed, advancing to S-Rank was almost a certainty.
Thinking of this, she even leaned forward slightly, her tone emphasizing a coercive force that brooked no doubt: "As long as you agree, I can even take you as my disciple. In the future, becoming the next Yaoqing General is not impossible."
"General, speak carefully."
Huaiyan voiced a reminder from the side, but there wasn't much blame on his face. Instead, there was a bit of pleasure in seeing it happen, even in front of so many journalists.
Ultimately, in a supernatural world where individuals can hold their own, the style will inevitably and subtly become "might makes right," especially on the Yaoqing Xianzhou, which had a robust and fierce folk custom similar to the Han Dynasty.
Back then, Huo Qubing even brought a private chef to the battlefield, and how many of his subordinate soldiers objected?
If Ei could truly achieve S-Rank before Feixiao retired, so what if she took over the position of General from the latter?
Feixiao's position was handed down from her master, the previous Yaoqing General, Yueyu.
"Sorry, I refuse."
Unfortunately, the falling flower yearns for love, but the heartless brook babbles on.
Ei answered calmly, "Thank you for the General's kindness, but I already have a master."
"Oh?"
Feixiao raised an eyebrow.
"Oh, it's that person, right."
Huaiyan wore a knowing expression, clearly having learned of the girl's relationship with Hyperion through certain channels.
Facing Feixiao's inquiring gaze, he shook his head slightly, signaling to discuss this topic later.
"Alright then." Feixiao shrugged. Although it was a pity, she didn't force it. "Then, Miss Raiden Ei, what is your question?"
"Rumors in the streets claim that the General recently has the intention of seeking a life partner. Is this true?"
"It is true."
Feixiao confirmed candidly.
"Holy crap! The General is actually...?!"
"Real or fake? Am I dreaming?"
"General, look at me, will I do? I've been single since birth too!"
An uproar erupted below the stage. The sensational effect was no less than when Kiana publicly slammed the Imperial Seal on the table.
That majestic Three-No General actually plans to fall in love with someone?
Has God gone crazy, or have I?
Only Ei, who hadn't been in contact with the Honkai side for long, maintained a detached calmness, completely unable to understand the explosive news value behind this matter.
The girl continued to ask, "Then what are the conditions? Since you are looking for a partner, what specific requirements or standards do you have for your future significant other?"
Good question, little girl!
Huaiyan's spirit lifted, and he quickly pricked up his ears.
He had wanted to ask this earlier, but was interrupted halfway by Qingque.
"As for conditions, naturally I have already thought them out."
Compared to those reserved and gentle ladies from noble families, Feixiao, who had spent more than half her life on the battlefield, possessed a matching straightforwardness.
Under the public gaze, she spoke with assurance.
"First, compared to other things, I value future growth and possibilities more."
"I hope the other party has the potential and mindset to reach the Grand Sequence-Rank level, and can use this goal to continuously temper themselves and surpass their limits."
Huaiyan couldn't help but raise his hand to rub his forehead. If it were S-Rank, that would be manageable.
Grand Sequence-Rank? Sorry, even just counting potential within the known scope, those who meet the condition probably don't exceed the fingers on one hand.
"Truly worthy of General Feixiao; this first rule almost filters out everyone."
It was not difficult to judge from his tone that the Old Master didn't view this behavior favorably.
"Second, I hope the other party is a person with courage and hot blood."
"Even if they are currently weak, they must possess the courage and determination to draw and swing their sword at the absolute strongest."
"Pardon the intrusion," Carmella, who was recording diligently, raised her head. "Regarding this 'weak' and 'absolute strongest,' can there be a more specific definition?"
"Roughly A-Rank versus Grand Sequence-Rank," Feixiao thought for a moment. "Or relaxing the conditions a bit: an A-Rank facing an S-Rank and managing to survive in the end would also count as passing this test."
This is called relaxing the conditions?!
The people below the stage looked at each other in dismay. The fire of curiosity or longing that many had just ignited was directly extinguished.
In the Honkai World, setting aside bugged rule-breakers, challenging someone one tier higher was almost an impossible feat. She actually wanted them to challenge someone two tiers higher?
Even if it was just the courage to swing a sword and survive, this concubine still cannot do it!
"Third, I hope he is similar to me. Having gone through hardships in childhood, thus deeply knowing the preciousness of family and friendship, and knowing how to protect and cherish them."
Finally, a requirement that fits humans.
Many people secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
But on second thought, it wasn't quite right. The Heavenly Strike General struggled to survive under the cruel rule of the Borisin in her childhood, hovering between life and death several times. The "hardships" she spoke of were probably of a degree that ordinary people absolutely couldn't endure or imagine. A guaranteed minimum would have to be both parents dead.
"Fourth, I hope the other party is younger than me."
Speaking of this, Feixiao admitted very generously, "That's right. Compared to mature and steady older people, I personally prefer youthful, vibrant, and energetic young men."
These words drew a burst of good-natured and resonant laughter from the audience below. Clearly, this point could evoke widespread understanding.
However, everyone also knew clearly in their hearts that, with the General's standards, she was destined not to fancy some greasy "little fresh meat" (pretty boy), but a freak of nature who could match the previous strict criteria.
"And as for the final fifth rule... actually, I haven't thought of it yet—"
"Uwaa!"
An unsuppressed exclamation suddenly came from the corner of the venue. Even though it stopped abruptly, it successfully attracted everyone's gaze.
It was a journalist sitting in the corner. Facing the numerous gazes cast her way, she scratched her head sheepishly and hid the phone that was playing something deeper.
This aroused the curiosity of the others. This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to simultaneously interview two Xianzhou Generals. Even the fledgling Ei was recording the whole process, yet this person actually had the mood to be distracted?
The journalist clearly realized she had done something wrong. She hurriedly stood up and bowed repeatedly to her surroundings. "V-Very sorry! I disturbed everyone!"
"Ho ho, no harm, no harm."
Old Master Huaiyan waved his hand magnanimously. "An interview should inherently be speaking freely in a relaxed atmosphere. Making it too serious and rigid is actually bad."
He smiled kindly. "But little girl, this old man had sharp eyes just now. I seem to have glimpsed my overly lively little granddaughter, who always makes people worry, on your screen?"
"Ah? Y-Yes!" The journalist felt as if granted amnesty and hurriedly responded. "What's broadcasting live here is precisely the public match between the Artisan Yunli and the Sword Champion Yanqing!"
"So that's how it is. Has it reached this time again?" Huaiyan stroked his beard, a look of interest appearing on his aged face. "Then who won this time? That little brat of my family, or little Yanqing?"
"Neither! It hasn't ended yet!" The journalist shook her head vigorously, her voice carrying uncontrollable excitement. "And it's completely different from previous years! This time, someone really did like the Heavenly Strike General back then, stepping in single-handedly and stopping the battle between those two at the same time!"
Feixiao's interest was immediately piqued: "Miss Journalist, is it convenient to share the footage on the big screen?"
"Of course!"
As soon as her voice fell, a huge holographic light screen unfolded in the center of the reception hall.
Rarely seen, the three-way battle showed a one-sided trend.
Unlike what everyone imagined, it wasn't Yunli and Yanqing suppressing the interloper.
On the contrary, the young man who had intruded into the battle circle from nowhere was using an almost art-like combat style to suppress the famous Luofu Sword Champion and Zhuming Artisan until they couldn't catch their breath!
Yanqing's freely controlled Sword Control Art was perfectly countered by the Ye Ying Sword, which was vastly inferior in numbers. The infinite evil Rakshasa that transcended time, the spell-severing Tsukimi-zake, the ideal fluid Kuyasha... the sword body carrying the numerous forms of the 'Momentary Strike' debuted in turn, and various unheard-of exquisite sword techniques were executed effortlessly.
Occasionally cooperating with the Ino-Shika-Cho that slayed the enemy's intent, and the Forgetful River Guard that controlled gravity, he easily suppressed the Luofu Sword Champion until he was suffering unspeakably, his former calm demeanor completely gone!
Yunli, with her edgeless heavy sword, felt even more stifled and uncomfortable. The big boy opposite her, whom she hadn't seen many times, seemed to know her moves better than she did herself. Every slash would land perfectly at the junction where her offensive transitioned, and his tricky force-generation techniques made her, who was used to wide open and sweeping moves, feel as uncomfortable as being edged.
Even when a few heavy attacks occasionally broke through his defense by a stroke of luck and landed on the other party, that outrageously extreme defense almost caused the Artisan girl to suffer internal injuries from frustration, wishing she could pounce on him and bite him fiercely!
"I-Is this real?"
At the edge of the plaza, the burly man with the giant axe who had been swept out of the battle circle by Yunli earlier watched dumbfounded.
Even though both sides suppressed their strength to the A-Rank level, those two were rising stars who had forged illustrious reputations on the Honkai side.
Yet they were actually easily crushed by that young bro in a one-versus-two?
"Wait! That face of his, I feel like I've seen it somewhere before!"
Someone in the crowd suddenly cried out involuntarily.
Reminded by him, the other onlookers also looked carefully.
"It's him! The guy who fought over a hundred City Gods alone in Sapphire City before!" Another person was shocked, their voice full of disbelief. "So he wasn't fighting a rigged match back then?!"
Obviously not.
In front of the light screen, Ei, as a personal witness, found her lips curling up uncontrollably.
That is my master. Rounded up, that's the future me.
Thinking that she could also be so valiant and heroic in the future, the girl couldn't help but hum softly.
General Huaiyan's gaze was sharp like a torch, quickly seeing the deeper intricacies.
"That little guy understands little Yunli and little Yanqing very well."
As mentioned before, in the previous loop, not only did the Li-Li duo have perfect tacit understanding with each other, but to investigate the cause of Yanqing's death, they also conducted a get-to-the-bottom-of-it level investigation on him.
The intelligence mentioned to Prometheus earlier was obtained this way, and his moves and habits were naturally included.
Therefore—
"It's time to end this."
Majestic Honkai energy poured into the Plasma Kagehide like a tide. The Abyss of Heaven's End brewed within it, and a destructive frenzy capable of burning away all phenomena condensed on the blade.
Fuli knew that as long as these two released the suppression on themselves, not to mention defeating him, they absolutely had the ability to break free from the current predicament.
However, he was equally certain that with the pride of the Artisan and the Sword Champion, and their respect for this ritualistic match, they would absolutely not choose to do so at this moment.
Sure enough, facing this Flame Form that mimicked a supernova explosion and recreated the terrifying power of a dying sun, even though Yunli and Yanqing's eyes were filled with unwillingness, they were still pushed off the stage by the overwhelming Heavenly Fire Tribulation Flames sweeping toward them, leaving the glory of standing at the highest point to the victor who sounded the gong to withdraw troops.
Fuli stood at the peak of the towering stone pillar condensed from the energy of the Ye Ying Sword. The gale formed by the high and low air pressure difference blew the hem of his clothes.
With a flick of his wrist, Clang!, he neatly and dashingly sheathed his long blade.
"Yay! Little Li is the best!"
Little Durandal was excitedly waving her small fists below the stage, jumping up and down with a face full of excitement. She looked even happier than if she had won herself.
Facing such an enthusiastic and cute little fan, Fuli naturally wouldn't keep a straight face to maintain the demeanor of a master.
He rested one hand on his hip, raised his right arm toward the direction where the girl was, and made a vibrant 'V' gesture.
Closing his left eye, he raised a sunny smile that seemed capable of dispelling all gloom:
"Yay! We won!"
"Ho ho, those two little ones lost."
Although he had been mentally prepared, witnessing the result with his own eyes still made General Huaiyan sigh with emotion.
"Recently, due to the influence of the Third Honkai, the voices calling for the abolition or revision of the S-Rank Restriction Treaty are not small... If there really is a change, little Yunli and little Yanqing won't need to deliberately suppress their power anymore. When the time comes, I wonder if this little guy named Fuli can still keep up with their footsteps. This old man is quite looking forward to seeing them compete at a higher level in the future."
The old man babbled on: "Sigh, when people get old, they just want to see the vibrant and energetic appearance of young people... General Feixiao, what do you think? General Feixiao?"
He muttered a few sentences, only to find that his colleague beside him had no reaction to this.
"..."
Feixiao lowered her head slightly. Her long silver bangs hung down, concealing her gaze and expression at this moment.
Her gloved hand unconsciously pressed against her chest, feeling the rapid, unfamiliar throbbing in her chest that was far more intense than when facing an army of thousands.
In the light screen, the clean, pure, dustless, and sunny smile full of the joy of victory from the sixteen-year-old boy was like the most blazing light, piercing through all obstacles and deeply imprinting itself in the depths of her mind.
That thought, which she hadn't yet figured out earlier, now surfaced in Feixiao's mind with incomparable clarity and intensity.
—Fifth rule: I hope he is a person... who possesses a smile as pure and clean as sunlight.