Ever since the Stellaron erupted on Punklorde, one doubt after another has emerged from this strange celestial body. Why is this Stellaron's communication-blocking ability so persistent? To this day, the IPC is still unable to pinpoint Punklorde's specific signal, let alone receive it.
Why is this Stellaron's activity so frequent...? It's just a dimensional rift, with no Antimatter Legion involvement. Why is the Stellaron's corrosion so rapid, pushing a planet that had achieved "friendly cooperation" with the IPC directly into a life-or-death crisis?
And why did the Stellaron appear at such a timely moment, wiping out the entire Punklorde Council in one fell swoop?
When one coincidence occurs, it might be just that—a coincidence. But when multiple coincidences happen in the same place at the same time, it can no longer be called a coincidence. It's a "conspiracy."
Regrettably, however, no one has been able to catch the architect of this conspiracy...
---o---
After finally traversing the corridor that seemed completely unfit for human passage, Wende stared at the white door before him, his heart filled with even more doubt.
First, it was a black and white door, now it's a white one. The last one would probably be black.
With such a direct hint, if Wende didn't connect this to the Chaos energy within his body, he might as well just go play games with March from now on...
(Far away on the other path, March: "Achoo!")
Pushing open the pure white door, Wende once again entered first, with Jingliu and Tingyun following closely behind.
Beyond the door was a pure white room. A white figure stood silently in the very center. It was clad in immaculate white armor, as pure and flawless as a holy knight, radiating an aura of light and benevolence.
Upon seeing the three of them, the figure stirred slightly, but after its gaze fell upon Wende and Tingyun, it returned to its motionless state, like a statue.
Jingliu, however, could clearly feel a sharp, murderous intent emanating from the figure, directed solely at her.
Realizing this, Jingliu glanced thoughtfully at Tingyun and Wende, a faint smile gracing her red lips.
Directly behind the figure was a pitch-black door, the complete opposite of the one they had just entered.
It seemed there was only one way to enter that dark door.
Seeing that the armored figure was unmoved by him and Tingyun, but seemed fixated on Jingliu, Wende's brow furrowed slightly. A Yang Lightning Needle quietly condensed at his fingertip.
Swoosh!
The needle shot through the white knight's form and embedded itself firmly in the white wall of the room. The figure, despite being pierced by the needle, seemed completely unaffected, continuing to radiate its intense malice toward Jingliu.
"It seems it's after me. Very well, let me test my blade."
Jingliu took a step forward, her ice sword materializing naturally in her hand. Its tip pointed directly at the white knight...
---o---
"Well, did you guys expect this? Because I sure didn't."
Looking at the people opposite them, March shrugged, her expression one of someone whose worldview had just been shattered.
"Indeed... I certainly didn't expect this situation. So now... are we fighting ourselves?"
Himeko looked at the "four people" standing opposite them, feeling a dull throb in her temples.
Were they really not in some kind of illusion? Why were they standing on the other side?
"This is more like the mimicry of the dimensional rift, but more..."
Dan Heng looked at the version of himself holding Cloud-Piercer, and for a moment, he couldn't find the right word to describe it. Should he just curse and call the other side a shameless copy?
"So this is how cool I look when I'm serious?"
Stelle, on the other hand, seemed completely unfazed. She looked at her mimic, clicking her tongue in wonder.
"I'm telling you, stop messing around! The other Stelle is about to charge!" March shouted at Stelle, who was still lost in thought.
Swoosh!
An ice arrow zipped past March's ear.
"Alright! How dare you sneak-attack me, you imposter! I'll show you what this girl is made of! You must think I'm a helpless kitten!"
The ambushed little March instantly bristled like a cat. She threw up a Six-Phased Ice shield, then began a "passionate exchange of fire" with her counterfeit.
"Err..."
Himeko looked helplessly at the "herself" in front of her. Should she offer her a cup of coffee and see what happens?
But seeing how rushed her double was, even if Himeko had coffee on hand, the imposter probably wouldn't have the good fortune to enjoy it.
"VMMMMM!!!"
The monomolecular saws buzzed, clashing against each other.
"Let me ask you, what is my favorite thing?"
Stelle stared seriously at her "self," posing a soul-crushing question.
"You like trash cans," the "Stelle" mimicked by the rift replied.
"No! I like the thrilling sensation of exploring the unknown!"
"You like trash cans."
"? Flame Lance!"
"..."
Dan Heng silently faced his opposite number, and his "double" silently stared back. A flicker of helplessness passed through both of their eyes simultaneously, before they immediately charged, weapons clashing!
---o---
"Clang!!"
Sword flashes, as pure as the moon and laced with a chilling killing intent, shot from Jingliu's blade toward the pure white knight!
Although its body seemed to be covered in heavy armor, the white knight was exceptionally agile. The pale greatsword in its hands blocked several sword flashes, and with nimble footwork, it narrowly avoided several more. It then launched itself toward Jingliu in an unstoppable leaping slash!
With a light step, Jingliu easily dodged the heavy blow. Her ice sword spun in her hand, and another volley of moonbeams shot toward the knight!
"Hmm..."
Wende, who was standing to the side watching Jingliu's performance, felt the incredibly vast Yin energy radiating from her and fell into deep thought.
When did she cultivate so much Yin energy?
Wende scratching his head.jpg
Could it have been back in the illusion...?
Watching Jingliu, who had now completely gained the upper hand and was relentlessly suppressing the white knight, Wende couldn't help but shiver.
"Sigh, Tingyun is still the obedient one."
"Benefactor?"
Tingyun looked blankly at Wende, who was now gently kneading her fox ear. There was a fight going on over there... and they were just relaxing here... Was this really okay?
"Don't worry, Jingliu isn't even using half her strength."
Wende shook his head nonchalantly. She was still probing this white knight. If this was all it was capable of, then the enemies to come were nothing to worry about.
For some reason, as if seeing Wende fiddling with Tingyun's ear from the corner of her eye, the ferocity of Jingliu's attacks couldn't help but increase by several degrees...