Chapter 294: "Shattered Samsara" Concludes! Mei in World Serpent!
"We... we won?"
Looking at the animation screen swallowed by golden light, Kiana's expression was filled with disbelief. After all, the power displayed by the Herrscher of Sentience previously had been far too terrifying. If it hadn't been for Fu Hua's help, she wouldn't know how many times she would have died already. Facing Senti's final move, Kiana originally thought she definitely wouldn't be able to block it and expected the Class Monitor to sacrifice herself to stop the strike. However, in a desperate situation and under Fu Hua's guidance, she actually unleashed the Taixuan Sword God, defeating the powerful Herrscher of Sentience in one fell swoop...
This turn of events left Kiana unable to fully process it for a moment. But everyone else in the livestream was excited, and many viewers couldn't help but cheer in their own homes! Under extreme pressure, the protagonist's desperate counterattack securing a victory is a classic among classics, no matter when it happens! Moreover, the first half of the animation and the previous game plot spent a great deal of time describing the Herrscher of Sentience's immense power. Yet, this enemy—set up from the start as an incredibly powerful, seemingly invincible foe—was countered by Kiana using the Taixuan Sword God in a desperate moment, culminating in a grand-scale ultimate move clash...
How could the audience not be excited and stirred by this? To perfect the collision of these two ultimate moves, Su Mu had put in a great deal of effort. Judging from the feedback and results, his hard work was clearly worth it!
[This is just too cool!]
[The old thief knows exactly what we want to see!]
[Wow, this beam clash is so satisfying!]
[Damn, honestly, seeing the scene of Kiana's Taixuan Sword God facing off against Senti's phoenix, I was so nervous I almost forgot to breathe!]
[MiHoYo, how about you stop making games and just debut as an animation studio to save the industry?]
[What? Wasn't MiHoYo an animation company from the start?]
[What? Isn't MiHoYo a music company?]
[So the old thief isn't a game producer, but an animator and a musician, right?]
[Isn't he??]
It must be said that this hearty battle swept away all the previous gloom for the livestream viewers in one breath. Now, their hearts were filled only with the excitement and thrill of this battle of the century!
"It's unfair, it's unfair!!"
However, human joy and sorrow are not shared. Senti only found the noise irritating. Although she knew that if she won, the Old Timer might disappear... she never imagined she would lose to the Taixuan Sword God! Kiana could use the Taixuan Sword God, so why didn't her own in-game self use it? Su Mu, you villain, you definitely showed favoritism! Her cheeks puffed out in anger as she indignantly stood up for her in-game self.
"Two against one—what kind of hero is that! If... if it were a one-on-one, it's still uncertain who would win!!"
Seeing Senti's childish behavior, everyone else in the livestream couldn't help but smile. It had to be said that an angry Senti was quite cute!
Of course, the animated short did not end with Senti's defeat. After the endless golden light receded, Kiana opened her eyes, and an illusory figure of Fu Hua appeared before her.
["Thank you, Kiana. I'll handle the Herrscher."]
She stood with her back to Kiana within the dreamscape, with a pitch-black feather floating in her hand. Soon, the feather changed back to its original form. This scene in the animation made Senti sigh.
"Forget it... better I lose than the Old Timer dies. Sigh, there's no helping it..." She quickly comforted herself. Although she lost, at least the Old Timer lived, and it seemed she wasn't directly killed by that move, so maybe there would be a chance to fight alongside the Old Timer in the future.
However, the next moment, Fu Hua's words made Senti's eyes widen.
["The dream is about to dissolve. Go back. This time, it is likely... a final farewell."]
Kiana shook her head vigorously, unwilling to accept such an ending.
["Wait, Class Monitor! There must be another way!!"]
But to Kiana's cry, Fu Hua replied:
["Perhaps. But, this is my mission."]
Kiana's eyes widened. She found this sentence so familiar... Yes. Now, she was exactly like Mei back then. She could only watch helplessly as a precious person was hurt, unable to do anything...
"Wait, why?"
Senti couldn't take it anymore. She slapped the table and stood up, pointing at Su Mu's nose and yelling:
"Su Mu, you bastard! I've already been defeated, what more do you want? Why does the Old Timer have to die! Are you even human? Do you even have a heart!!"
Without a doubt, Senti became the voice of the livestream audience at that moment. The viewers also collectively denounced Su Mu's inhumane actions.
[Damn it, giving us a bit of hope just to snatch it away, right?]
[Another twist? So Fu Hua has to receive a "bento" no matter what, right?]
[Fu Hua has suffered so much, yet you still torture her like this! Old thief, you monster!]
[I really wish I could just eat you alive!!]
Everyone in the livestream was exceptionally agitated, as they all believed that as long as the Herrscher of Sentience was defeated, Fu Hua wouldn't have to die. But the current direction suggested she would still die... Then what was the point of defeating Senti? Fu Hua didn't save her life, and Kiana failed to save her important person... Damn it, isn't this a total loss!!
"I know you're anxious, but don't be anxious yet." Fu Hua grabbed Senti, who was eager to "spar" with Su Mu. "The animated short isn't over yet, is it? It's not too late to draw a conclusion after finishing it."
Su Mu also nodded and then typed to Senti on his phone: "Also, I don't recommend being rough with my current body. When Madam Herta created the Herta puppets, she specifically added impact-resistant composite materials. Even if thrown from the thirtieth floor, it would be unscathed. If you punch it, you'll probably fracture your bone..."
"Pfft! Thirtieth floor? Is this thing Herta made really a puppet? Isn't it a T-800? A Terminator??" Senti couldn't help but burst out. So, this harmless-looking, even cute little Herta figure was actually a Terminator? Could it be any more ridiculous?
"I don't know about Terminator, but Madam Herta said the puppets are equipped with specialized armaments, saying they can not only handle work tasks but also act as studio security..."
"Armaments? What kind of armaments?"
"An all-metal sledgehammer made of composite titanium alloy. One strike is guaranteed to make any intruder go to sleep instantly."
"Pfft!!!" Senti almost fainted. Are you sure this is a work puppet and not some killing machine? Herta Space Station technology is truly staggering!!
In short, under the combination of Herta Space Station tech and the "Good Sister's" pressure, Senti finally settled down. After all, she didn't want to bet on whether she could spar with a Terminator; she was flesh and blood, how could she beat such a metal lump! Thanks to Fu Hua's intervention, Su Mu—whose ancestors might have otherwise been "greeted"—managed to keep his family tree intact... Oh, sorry, he doesn't have a family tree; after all, his household registration is on a single page, so it can't be targeted!
As the animated short continued to play. The dream world was constantly collapsing, and Fu Hua's figure eventually vanished, leaving only a single feather in Kiana's hand. "Rubia"—another peak musical masterpiece—began its intro, silencing the noise in the livestream. This gentle intro seemed to possess the power to soothe all pain.
["Enough, it's like this again..."]
Looking at the feather in her palm, Kiana's eyes trembled slightly. Was she going to lose again? Was she going to watch helplessly as an important person left her again, unable to do anything? No! How could she accept such an ending?
["A victory bought with sacrifice is unacceptable..."]
The next moment, the Herrscher of the Void's power connected with the feather in her hand, and an opening to Fu Hua's inner world appeared before Kiana.
["Give the Class Monitor... back to me!"]
Kiana's voice wasn't loud, yet it was incredibly firm, without a hint of hesitation. As Kiana's firm words fell, the vocals of "Rubia" began. Amidst that soul-stirring celestial voice, the music and visuals formed a perfect pairing. The intense visual and auditory impact caused Kiana and the others in the livestream to shed tears!
Kiana crossed through brilliant white and multi-colored black, finally reaching Fu Hua's inner world. However, waiting for her there were Fu Hua's constantly surfacing memories and an immersive experience.
["Phoenix Sage, I wasn't lying."]
Accompanied by a gunshot, Kiana's body fell heavily to the ground. She could feel Fu Hua's current despair and pain with utter clarity.
["I have experienced too much betrayal and deception."]
Fu Hua's helpless voice sounded. She had experienced too much and carried too much; her mind and body were already exhausted by the erosion of time.
["Class Monitor... I will never deceive you."]
Kiana struggled to get up. Having reached the inner world, she was now the person closest to Fu Hua. She could clearly perceive everything about Fu Hua, and because of this, she understood the state of mind Fu Hua had lived in all this time.
The next moment, a spear pierced through a figure in a snowy landscape—the scene of Cheng Lixue's death appeared.
["Lixue can only accompany you this far..."]
Fu Hua reached out, wanting to grab Lixue's body, but Lixue dissolved into fragments. In the icy world, Fu Hua was left alone... This unforgettable pain was felt deeply by Kiana.
["Those who trusted me were also caught up in my misfortune..."]
Looking at that lonely figure in the snow, Kiana stubbornly forced a smile.
["I'm very strong. Don't worry about me being caught up."]
As the scenes shattered, Kiana's body fell downward, and Fu Hua's countless memories continuously replayed before her. There was Kevin, Dr. MEI, Nuwa, and Fuxi...
["No matter how hard I try, I cannot stop the passage of time. In the end, I am still alone..."]
Kiana lunged forward, breaking through countless obstacles in the flood of Fu Hua's memories, finally arriving at the deepest part of Fu Hua's heart. Before her was a heavy wall blocked by chains.
["I won't... let you be alone!!"]
Golden light gathered in Kiana's fist, and the music reached its climax. This punch instantly shattered the wall and chains. Amidst Kiana's roar and the background music, the livestream audience was instantly ignited!
As Kiana punched through the wall, Fu Hua, who was inside, turned her head in disbelief toward the figure approaching her. Facing Kiana's outstretched hand, Fu Hua instinctively wanted to grab it but pulled back in fear.
["Kiana, why are you here? If the seal is broken..."]
She never imagined Kiana would appear here. At this moment, Fu Hua was like the ordinary "Hua" from the past—anxious and incredibly fragile.
["Quiet!"]
But she was met with Kiana's forceful attitude. Regardless of Fu Hua's hesitation or resistance, Kiana grabbed Fu Hua's wrist and pulled her directly to her side!
["Then I'll just beat her up one more time!"]
["There's no way you're escaping from me!!"]
As their figures overlapped, the abyss shattered, and the walls turned into fragments, dissipating in the white light. That gentle light enveloped the two, seemingly symbolizing that Fu Hua's closed heart had finally been opened by Kiana's relentless efforts.
As the Taixuan Dream shattered and clear daylight returned to the earth, this thrilling journey finally arrived at a warm conclusion... As the light gradually faded, a few lines of text appeared.
[The sun and moon rise and fall, time changes everything]
[Exhausted by partings, accustomed to despair]
[Unaware of the nature of time]
[Escaping endless cycles only for—]
[Mission]
The singing started again, and Fu Hua's memories replayed one by one like a slideshow. Her figure walked forward in a dark world, her clothing constantly changing. These were the different identities she had played throughout the endless years. Hua, Phoenix, Azure Empyrea, Shadow Knight, and then the outfit she wore when she first met Kiana at St. Freya Academy. That was the original Hua, the appearance of the girl who felt anxious about going away to school. Throughout the endless ages, she was always alone, walking in the dark.
However, now she could finally stop her hurried pace and take a well-deserved breath. As the darkness dissolved, Fu Hua's figure returned to the front of St. Freya Academy. She put her glasses back on and looked up at the familiar school gate. At this moment, Fu Hua seemed no longer a warrior who had experienced endless vicissitudes, but a young girl returning home.
——[Here, everything has changed]
As the singing ended, the animated short concluded with one final line of text. The moment it finished, Senti could no longer contain her excitement!
"Waaaaah!! Old Timer, you didn't die! That's wonderful!" She hugged the Fu Hua next to her, wiping her tears on Fu Hua's clothes. "I thought you were dead for sure! This is great! Kiana, you are my god! If it weren't for you, the Old Timer would definitely be dead!!" She excitedly rushed up and grabbed Kiana's hand, looking just like a happy child.
"Truly, Kiana worked very hard this time!" Elysia also nodded vigorously, with tears in her eyes. "Bad Su Mu, you finally acted like a human for once..."
[Good thing I finished the animated short, or I wouldn't have been able to pull back my eighty-meter sword!]
[Damn it, scared the life out of me! Old thief, you definitely designed the plot like this on purpose, didn't you?]
[I really thought Fu Hua was going to die...]
[This time the protagonist really pulled through! Shattering the door to the heart with one punch—that's our Kiana's true strength!!]
[I have to say, the old thief really outdid himself this time; the combination of music and animation is just perfect!]
[It really sounds so good... this audio-visual experience is top-notch. Even as a grown man, I teared up several times...]
The livestream audience excitedly discussed the animated short, praising MiHoYo's consistently high standards. At the same time, they retracted their attacks on the old thief's ancestors. Treat the old thief well, and there will be rice and candy; treat him poorly, and it's time for the data cable! This "Haji-Su Mu" is truly someone they can't stop loving for a single day, or they'll be loved to death by him!
"Uh..." Although also very moved, as Fu Hua reflected on the content of the short, she felt something was slightly odd. Ah, that's it. The scene of Kiana saving her—if the genders were reversed, wouldn't the sense of déjà vu be far too strong? What was with this feeling of a male protagonist going through untold hardships to save the female protagonist and lovers finally being together?
"I say, my dear Su Mu." Elysia approached with a grin, clearly up to some mischief. "You're intentionally pairing Kiana and Fu Hua together, aren't you? In thousands of years, Kiana is the only one who has ever walked into Fu Hua's inner world. It's hard for me, Elysia, not to think you did it on purpose..."
Elysia's words made Su Mu cough several times. How else did you think the "Fu-Kiana" shippers from the previous life came to be? But there was no helping it; in this life, he had to take the blame himself.
"Doing this is a bit immoral!" To his surprise, Elysia suddenly pouted, looking quite angry. "Taking advantage of Mei being in World Serpent to act recklessly! How sad would Mei be if she saw this!" Seeing Elysia's serious facade of standing up for Mei, Su Mu couldn't help but wonder what she was really planning.
"I don't know what you're talking about." In times like this, as long as he played dumb for a while, Elysia would show her hand.
Sure enough, seeing no response from Su Mu, Elysia coughed several times, leaned into Su Mu's ear, and whispered with a grin: "...Hey, how about we strike a deal? I've been curious for a long time about what Mei's horns feel like. Why don't you arrange a plot where I get to touch them too?"
Pfft! Su Mu almost spat out. Looking at the smirking Elysia, he was rendered speechless. Good lord, so the "Lesbian Queen of the Realm" was waiting for this! Wait, you haven't even met Mei many times, have you? How did you set your sights on her? Was it some underlying logic that long-haired, horned girls would be targeted by Miss Pink Elf? This was too ridiculous!
END OF CHAPTER
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