The moment Acheron drew her blade.
A thunderclap resounded out of nowhere outside The Shackling Prison!
Cold sweat instantly streamed down Yanqing's face!
Because.
At this moment!
He seemed to see mountains of corpses and seas of blood!
The colors in his vision were reduced to only black and white!
And…
That flash of crimson blade light!
It was an indescribable terror!
Yanqing felt as if he was about to plunge into an abyss in the next second!
To be erased from existence!
He wanted to resist.
But not an ounce of strength remained in his body!
This.
Was even more terrifying than the time he faced Jingliu!
His temples were pounding relentlessly!
Only one thought filled his mind—
It's over!
This time, I'm really going to die!
In the blink of an eye.
The crimson light was already at his chest.
With all his might.
He could only move his sword an inch, barely positioning it in front of him.
But Yanqing knew full well.
When this blade descended.
Both he and his sword would be utterly annihilated!
This was the closest brush with death!
However,
Just as he was about to face that flash of red,
Everything was suddenly pulled away!
The direction shifted,
Sweeping away in the opposite direction!
"Boom!!!!!"
The red blade collided with another green sword.
There was no clashing sound of metal.
Instead, an invisible shockwave spread out.
The pressure concentrated on Yanqing was completely lifted.
The flying sword automatically protected its master,
Helping him block the impact and preventing him from being sent flying.
But even so,
Yanqing was still gasping for breath,
His heart still pounding with lingering fear.
Sweat poured down his face!
He looked up,
And saw Acheron colliding with a mech in front of him.
As his vision cleared and the blurriness faded,
Yanqing immediately recognized the identity of that mech!
"Stellaron Hunter... Sam..."
As he uttered the name,
Yanqing's heart turned completely cold.
At this moment,
Sam's chest was burning with an "X"-shaped flame.
The jet systems at her joints were all activated.
One hand was gripping the green sword.
It was her,
Who had blocked the strike.
Of course,
It wasn't that Sam had saved Yanqing.
But at the critical moment, Acheron had suddenly withdrawn all her strength and redirected her attack toward the target behind her.
Behind Sam,
Another figure emerged.
"Ah, we were just watching the show. How did we end up getting caught in the crossfire?"
Kafka was like a ghost.
She glanced at Acheron.
A hint of interest flashed in her smile.
Yet, Acheron remained as cold as ever.
She spoke indifferently, "I don't like having others behind me."
"Especially when they're Stellaron Hunters."
Yanqing's mouth involuntarily twitched.
Why were Stellaron Hunters showing up here?!
And not just any Stellaron Hunters—the two most wanted and dangerous criminals on the bounty list!
Acheron and Sam!
What on earth was going on today?
This was way too bizarre!
Earlier, they said this place was deserted.
Now, look at this!
Three big shots showed up at once!
How could anyone handle this?!
"Phew…"
Yanqing took a deep breath to calm himself.
Fortunately, it seemed they weren't on the same side.
Although both sides had sheathed their weapons, the tension between them was still palpable.
Sure enough, the next moment, Kafka spoke up again, "So, shall we settle this here and now?"
Sam placed her hand on her chest, the flames around her body shifting toward a green hue.
Clearly, Firefly also understood how terrifying Acheron was.
The initial strike was meant to be blocked by Sam's body.
But when the full force of the attack came through, Firefly realized—
It was impossible!
This was Acheron, already with her blade drawn!
If she had only used the scabbard, perhaps it could have been managed…
But that red blade seemed indestructible!
It forced Firefly to instantly unleash her sword in its fully ignited state!
And now, she was preparing to enter her full combustion form.
Because.
The Acheron before her.
Though she hadn't responded immediately.
The blood-red tattoo on her neck began to flicker faintly!
Half of her hair had already turned white!
She was about to "mourn for the departed"!
Yanqing licked his lips.
At this point, all he could do was force a bitter smile.
Firefly and Acheron were both playable characters in Honkai: Star Rail.
One was a Nihility damage dealer!
The other was a Break-focused DPS!
Why couldn't they just stay in the game and carry their teams? Why did they have to team up and come to The Shackling Prison?!
Yanqing even felt the urge to step forward and persuade them!
"If you're going to fight, could you at least do it out in space?"
"It's more spacious out there!"
"Our humble Luofu can't handle you big shots!"
Of course, this was just Yanqing's inner monologue.
There was no way he'd actually say it out loud.
The situation was delicate.
But as long as they didn't join forces and storm The Shackling Prison, it was manageable!
Every second they delayed meant General Jing Yuan had more time to arrive!
However!
It seemed that the worst-case scenario was about to unfold!
Kafka suddenly shifted the conversation.
"Or… should we hurry in and investigate?"
"Finding Yu Ling's trail will depend on our own abilities."
Acheron lowered her gaze.
She was thinking.
Two seconds later.
"Swish—"
Acheron sheathed her long blade.
She nodded.
"Fine."
Seeing Acheron nod, Yanqing felt as if the sky had fallen!
This was bad!
They weren't going to fight!
They were really going to join forces and storm The Shackling Prison!
One Acheron alone was enough to make him break out in a cold sweat, and now two Stellaron Hunters had joined her!
How was he supposed to handle this?!
But.
The worst was yet to come!
Acheron spoke up, "How about we cooperate temporarily?"
"I'm also a player of Honkai: Star Rail, so I know the nature of the Stellaron Hunters."
Kafka's smile deepened.
The flames around Sam slowly receded.
Firefly's voice, accompanied by Sam's harmony, spoke:
"Of course."
"Our goals align—to find clues about Yu Ling."
"There's no conflict in that."
"Thanks to Star Rail, we also trust you."
Yanqing's hand trembled slightly.
Oh no!
Just moments ago, they were at each other's throats, and now they're about to join hands and venture into The Shackling Prison together?
And their objective is so straightforward!
It's as if it's already a done deal!
Am I just a background character now?
Don't they even need to ask for my opinion?
Thinking this, Yanqing clenched his fist tightly!
"I absolutely cannot... let you pass!"
A glint flashed in his eyes!
"I'll stake everything I have!"
All the flying swords behind him gathered together.
Radiating a dazzling blue light!
Behind Yanqing.
A massive sword materialized!
Hovering silently in the air.
Exuding an imposing aura.
In the past, he could only use this move to defeat an enemy in one strike.
It was a one-time Ultimate.
But now!
He had successfully condensed it into a nearly tangible form!
Controllable like his own flying swords!
Today,
Yanqing had truly surpassed himself!
Yet,
Even so.
Yanqing felt no joy in this breakthrough.
His expression was extremely grave!
He muttered to himself:
"General, this will be Yanqing's final battle."
"Yanqing has not disgraced you."
Then.
He formed a sword gesture with his hand.
Pointing it towards Sam, Kafka, and Acheron ahead.
"Cloud Knight Lieutenant, Yanqing!"
"Why fear a battle?"