"Every place that holds memories—everything you touch there—feels like a flower covered in thorns."
Acheron glanced at Welt, then vanished.
Welt's lips moved, but for a long time he couldn't get a single word out.
After staring at Stelle and Yanqing for a while, he finally let out a sigh.
He'd realized something: whenever he ran into situations like meeting someone familiar, eight times out of ten it was Xun Yu's doing.
The Honkai is still chasing me? How could that be…
He'd been on the Astral Express for so long and hadn't heard of Honkai appearing anywhere…
Just scaring myself…
But when he thought about that person Xun Yu had just transformed into—someone who looked a bit like Raiden Mei…
Why did his heart start pounding?
There was always this ominous feeling…
Probably just my imagination…
Back on the Xianzhou, there'd also been that guy named Luocha, who looked a lot like Otto. He'd been overly on edge then too.
And afterward, he'd suddenly blurted out:
"It's you… Joachim."
Xun Yu had explained it—just stuffing a portion of Otto's memories into…
…Wait. Otto's memories…
Oh no!
…
Thud—
Stelle and Yanqing collapsed onto the sofa at the same time.
They looked at each other and laughed in unison.
"Phew… Not sure why, but I suddenly feel really relaxed."
Yanqing stared at the ceiling, recalling everything that had just happened.
All of it had been things he'd never experienced before.
Especially just now, when he grasped the essence of the Taixu Sword God and successfully manifested it.
The strain was huge, but once you've done it once, the second time gets easier. He was confident he'd master this move soon!
Still, its destructive power was too great. Better to keep it as a trump card—not something to use in sparring…
It's just… after following Teacher Xun Yu for this period of time, Yanqing felt like something had left him…
"Hey, relax. Xun Yu's just like that. All we need to do is think of ways to stir up trouble and have fun. As for being companions… there's a lot more for us to consider."
Stelle patted Yanqing's shoulder with a mature air. Just then, Xun Yu arrived.
"Rested up? Time to start special training~"
Xun Yu bared his teeth with a mischievous grin and lightly slapped both their shoulders.
"Teacher Xun Yu, I'm ready!"
I am NOT ready!
Stelle's silence was deafening.
Before she could say a word, Xun Yu dragged them to an open area.
At the center… was a jeep.
"Xun Yu, this is the 'special training' you were talking about?"
Already waiting there, March 7th curiously pointed at the jeep.
How was that supposed to be training…?
"Ahem! I've got my own clever methods. March, wanna join?"
"No."
March 7th immediately stepped back, eyeing Xun Yu warily.
"I'm warning you—those photos of yours? I've already had them developed."
Stelle and Yanqing both looked curious.
They glanced at Xun Yu, then at March 7th…
Something's up.
"Ahem! Heroine March, how would I dare!"
"Your Honor, I'm innocent!"
March 7th kicked him irritably.
"Alright, alright! Let's see this so-called 'special training' of yours."
She stepped off to the side. Welt sat beside her.
He was curious what kind of training method Xun Yu could possibly have.
"Here we go~"
Xun Yu hopped into the jeep and started it in one smooth motion.
Before Stelle and Yanqing could react, he floored the accelerator and drove straight at them.
Everyone: "…?"
You call this training?!
"Stelle! Yanqing! Don't dodge! Charge straight at the jeep!"
"What doesn't kill you will only make you stronger!"
What doesn't kill me will only make me stronger…?
Yanqing muttered the words. Seeing the jeep barreling toward him, he swallowed hard.
His eyes turned resolute as he charged forward.
And then…
Yanqing flew dozens of meters through the air and collapsed.
Looking at him sprawled on the ground, then at the jeep now charging toward her, Stelle let out a piercing scream.
"Gah! I don't want special training anymore!!"
He chased, she ran—there was no escape.
Soon, Stelle and Yanqing lay side by side on the ground.
"This is insane! Uncle Yang, we have to stop Xun Yu!"
March 7th shook Welt frantically.
"Ahem. March, calm down. Look carefully."
Welt pointed toward the training field. March 7th looked over in confusion.
A pale green energy slowly flowed into Stelle and Yanqing's bodies.
Visible to the naked eye, their injuries healed.
"Alright, alright! Ready? Time for round two~"
A voice like a devil's whisper echoed.
Stelle had just gotten up—and immediately chose to run.
Bang!
A barrier blocked her.
"Stelle, don't be afraid. Charge at the jeep!"
Stelle looked utterly hopeless as Xun Yu dragged her back.
Her hand left a deep scratch across the ground as she was pulled away.
"Uncle Yang! March! Save me!!"
March 7th turned her head away, unable to bear it.
She'd been curious about Xun Yu's method for getting stronger—but now she wasn't.
Too terrifying… She wouldn't last through this kind of training.
Yanqing was actually enjoying himself, and Stelle was tough enough—she'd probably be fine.
After all, hadn't she once been cooked to "medium-rare" and still bounced back afterward?
And according to Uncle Yang, that pale green energy could heal their injuries.
Just like Xun Yu said:
"What doesn't kill you will only make you stronger!"
The light in Yanqing's eyes grew brighter.
So that's it… So that's it!
Teacher Xun Yu, I understand now!
Stelle: What did you understand?! Someone save me!!
Meanwhile, Xun Yu—busy running people over with a jeep—felt deeply satisfied with the effectiveness of this training method.
Good. Very good.