Xiao Guizi's Livestream
At this moment, she had already entered the new map unlocked after Dan Heng parted the sea—the ancient ruins of the Vidyadhara.
The style of this map was completely different from before, infused with elements reminiscent of the ocean floor beneath the stars.
The most peculiar sight, however, was the strange, inverted reflection in the split seawater.
Guinaifen stared at this scene for a long time, marveling in amazement.
Ahead, a group of Vidyadhara shadows were arguing.
Guinaifen immediately approached, knowing that the dialogues of these shadows often revealed crucial information.
An aged voice spoke: "Using the sacred realm to seal the Ambrosial Arbor? Treachery! This is blasphemy!"
"You're delusional! Do you think this will earn the trust of the Xianzhou natives? Those not of our kind will never share our hearts!"
Another shadow, bearing the form of the Dragon Lord, responded:
"I understand the Elder's stance, but my decision is final and will not be changed."
"Fine… fine. I shall report this to the Dragon Masters. You will be stripped of your title as Dragon Lord and your power!"
Dan Heng explained: "This is… the first Dragon Lord who accepted the duty of suppressing the Ambrosial Arbor..."
"According to Vidyadhara tradition, from then on, every successive Dragon Lord must return to the Hall of the Great Dragon, where they must guide the ancient sea's tides and…"
"So that's how it is," Guinaifen nodded.
This piece of Xianzhou history, if not for the game's narrative presentation, would likely remain obscure. Even if it were passed down, few would believe it. But since it appeared in Honkai: Star Rail, it must be true—no doubt about it.
Next, following Dan Heng's instructions, she proceeded to complete the [Rite of the Three Claws].
In essence, it involved undoing three Vidyadhara seals.
During this process, more crucial information was revealed through the dialogues of the Vidyadhara shadows.
[Fragmented Speech]
"You brought me here. If your clansmen knew, they would—"
"They won't. Silence, Yingxing. Now we're even. You have one hour—study all you can. Remember, just one hour," the Dragon Lord said.
"I'm a short-lived species, you know. One hour may seem short to you, but for me, it's enough."
"If this Dragon Lord is Dan Feng, then who is this 'Yingxing'?"
"Outworlder names are hard to preserve for long..."
"Probably Dan Feng's friend, a short-lived species. By now, he must have passed away, right?"
"Dan Feng once brought a short-lived friend here… seems like they were involved in some secret wager."
Guinaifen scratched her head.
This kind of information felt significant, yet the truth remained frustratingly unclear. She could only note it down, hoping future plot developments would provide answers.
Later, the aged voice spoke again, questioning:
"Who are you?!" the Elder demanded.
A woman murmured to herself: "Dan Feng said only the Dragon Lord could enter this place..."
"That traitor is long dead. Who are you? What do you want with the Dragon Lord?!"
"What do I want?"
"I just… wanted to see her… just wanted to see how she's doing now… just wanted to see her!!"
The man's voice carried a trace of madness.
This characteristic immediately tipped Guinaifen off.
"Blade!"
"This man is Blade!"
"Blade once came here too! But by this point, he should have already undergone forced molting rebirth—"
No further relevant dialogues appeared.
...
By then, the third seal had been undone.
The path to the Ambrosial Arbor was reconnected. From this vantage point, the dragon-like silhouette at the end of the road was now clearly visible.
"What's that? A dragon?" March 7th asked.
Dan Heng replied: "We've reached the end. This is the [Root of the Ambrosial Arbor], the site of the divine miracle."
"[Rite of the Three Claws, Pilgrimage to the Ruler's Scale]—this is what it refers to. Empowered by the dragon's might, the seal is now broken."
"Now, I shall lift the final seal..."
Jing Yuan glanced around and asked: "I assume everyone is ready?"
Guinaifen quickly interjected: "Wait, not yet!"
"Let me activate my characters' techniques first!"
"And check if I have any consumables left..."
She even double-checked her equipment and Light Cones.
After a flurry of preparations, she confirmed everything was set.
She selected [Proceed].
Dan Heng pointed forward, and the last seal shattered.
Guinaifen felt a surge of tension.
"Feels like a do-or-die battle..."
The surroundings were a vast expanse of white. Towering roots stood like pillars around them.
At the forefront, atop a lotus platform, hovered a mass of golden flames.
"Oh? Hehe, visitors—the General of the Luofu, perhaps?" Phantylia's voice echoed.
March 7th immediately shouted: "That villain! She's really here waiting for us! Come out, Phantylia!"
"[Benefactor], you're here too? No need to rush."
"No wonder the followers of the Yaoshi Sect are so arrogant… the Ambrosial Arbor truly holds the power of creation and rebirth."
Phantylia's voice dripped with temptation and conceit.
Jing Yuan warned: "Everyone, stay vigilant."
"Dan Heng, I'll trust you to watch my back."
"Understood."
Though the lotus platform and golden flames were within sight, a long flight of stairs still separated them.
As they neared, the golden flames suddenly rose from the lotus.
Then—
A colossal feminine figure materialized in the space.
The BGM swelled—an eerie, chant-like melody that amplified the indescribable pressure of the moment!
[Chat]
"Th-this is… Phantylia?!"
"Oh my stars..."
"She's HUGE!"
Guinaifen's mouth went dry, at a loss for words.
"That soundtrack drop nearly sent me to the afterlife!"
"She's this terrifying?!"
"The sheer presence… This has to be the most intimidating opponent yet!"
"This is the combined form of the Antimatter Legion's power and the Ambrosial Arbor's divine might! If this were real, our Luofu would be doomed!"
"Someone from the Divination Commission, check—is there a giant queen like this in your waters right now?!"
---
Meanwhile, in reality…
At the Root of the Ambrosial Arbor
Phantylia had already used the divine fruits growing from the Ambrosial Arbor to forge a massive new body for herself.
Her earlier waiting had merely been to acclimate to this new form.
A white-haired woman now stood before her.
Sensing the rising killing intent from the woman, Phantylia seemed taken aback.
"You're a Cloud Knight too? Though your aura feels more suited to the [Abundance's Avatar]..."
This was meant as mockery—most rigid Luofu knights would consider it a grave insult.
But this woman was different.
Instead, she smiled with genuine amusement.
"You're right, Emanator of Destruction."
"I am the Abundance's Avatar."
"Before I cut down the stars in the sky, slaying a mere Emanator of Destruction will serve as a warm-up."
Phantylia suddenly felt something amiss.
The chilling bloodlust emanating from this woman was on a level that even gave her pause.
It reminded her of something.
"Could you be…?"
Just then—
Another figure entered the space.
A sword-wielding man, silent, yet staring at her like prey.
This person… was Blade.
Phantylia's expression darkened.
"How amusing. You and I are alike—both wield the power of the divine."
"Except, my body is born of the Ambrosial Arbor, while you… are steeped in the dead blessings of the Abundance."
"I am here to destroy Xianzhou. This has nothing to do with you, Stellaron Hunters."
Clearly, Phantylia recognized Blade's identity.
But she couldn't fathom why a Stellaron Hunter would involve himself in this battle.
Blade let out a cold laugh.
He said nothing, but the glowing edge of his sword spoke volumes.
Just as Phantylia grew uneasy—
Two more figures arrived simultaneously.
Jing Yuan, gripping his glaive.
Dan Heng, wielding the Cloud-Piercer.
Phantylia's gaze instantly sharpened.
"The Luofu's General… and the [Permanence]'s dragon heir…"
By now, any joy she felt over her new body had completely evaporated.
In its place was an overwhelming sense of foreboding.
Based on her prior infiltration of the Luofu, this shouldn't be happening!
Why, in just a single day, had so many powerful figures gathered here?
Unless…
It was because of that damned game—
Honkai: Star Rail!
To be continued…
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