It must be said that Prisoner Li (Fuli) knew his dear Cousin Ah-Hua best, hitting the nail on the head regarding the girl and her reaction after the fact.
Fu Hua still cared about her face after all. I, an old lady of fifty-five thousand years, came! to trick! to ambush! and flirt with a young man of sixteen!
At the time, she was too excited to think much, but now that she had calmed down, she was practically dying of embarrassment.
"Um, well." Seeing her pacing back and forth in the conference room with a conflicted expression and mixed feelings, Miss Sadako whispered, "Celestial, if there's nothing else, I'll leave first? Little Toshio from Kayako's house next door is still waiting for me to tutor him."
Just what kind of ghostly things are hidden in your Shenzhou Dongfeng-41 missile silos?!
If the Fuli-Kiana-Bronya trio were here, they would definitely shout out complaints about this nonsensical setting.
Deep in thought, Fu Hua waved her hand, and Miss Sadako, having received permission, immediately dove into the dry well on the conference room screen.
The air fell silent for a moment. After a while, the doors at the entrance slid open to the sides, and a 'girl' dressed handsomely stepped into the room.
The 'girl' had golden hair and golden eyes. Her eyelashes were dense like first snow, and her jawline tapered sharply yet softly.
The epaulets of her crisp, modified white military uniform pressed down on her slender frame. The collar was buttoned meticulously up to her throat, revealing a neck with a jade-like texture. Complemented by the solemn atmosphere of the aerial battleship, anyone would mistake this figure for a white Epiphyllum amidst the smoke of gunpowder.
"Grandmaster Immortal Celestial (Empyrea)."
She came before Fu Hua and bowed. The Taixuan Bagua Saber at her waist jingled, like the sharp edge of cold iron settled in the depths.
Ah-Hua, recovering from her internal conflict, said, "It's been a while, Qinghong."
——— Situ Qinghong. Member of the current Shenzhou Anti-Honkai Council, current Director of the Taixuan Laboratory, Chief of Staff of the Taixuan Front, and descendant of a certain disciple of the Celestial of Empyrea.
Five hundred years ago, an ancestor of the Situ family encountered the heavily injured Celestial Fu Hua on Sky Dome Peak and regarded her as a teacher (actually a unilateral belief), becoming the Celestial's unregistered disciple from then on.
After bidding farewell to Fu Hua, who went to Europe to heal, this ancestor gradually made a fortune relying on the one or two moves taught by the Celestial. As time passed and the world changed, the Situ clan eventually grew into a huge family lineage that has been passed down to this day.
(This character and the Situ family are both from "Honkai Gakuen 2")
Ah-Hua looked behind the door and found that she (?) was the only one who came.
One of the Seven Mysteries of the Taixuan Front, initiated by the popular Xianzhou streamer "Little Guizi" (Guinaifen) with millions of votes: Situ Qinghong's gender.
Frailty and sickly since childhood, in order to extend her life, she was forced to use the biological science technology of the Taixuan Laboratory to fuse with Honkai beast factors, becoming a modified human similar to a Fusion Warrior.
As a result, her appearance became exceptionally dignified and beautiful. However, due to her flatness surpassing even the Celestial of Empyrea's broad chest, it was difficult to ascertain her gender.
She herself seemed happy to let everyone guess. Not only did she dress up as a trendy beautiful girl all day long, but even her hairstyle was cute golden twin-tails.
While secretly lamenting that the other party had become increasingly androgynous in recent years, Fu Hua asked:
"Where is Durandal?"
"Ms. Durandal and the Valkyrie codenamed Eleanor are currently being hosted by the diplomatic team that accompanied me," Situ Qinghong replied. "Theoretically, I, as the highest-ranking official, should have stepped forward personally. But as you know, it's better for me not to meet people from Schicksal recently."
After the Foggy Capital White Moon incident ended, Otto, on a whim, chose to depose the British Royal Family's seat in the Schicksal Senate and invited Situ Qinghong to take it instead.
Fu Hua was a bit curious about this. "Why refuse?"
"Having a foot in two boats? I don't have that habit," the 'girl' answered decisively, then changed the subject. "Of course, if you want me to become a Senator, I'll contact that annoying blonde fox right now."
As the head of the Situ family, Situ Qinghong possessed the inherited memories of previous generations in her mind.
In her own words, "Inheritance sounds fancy, but essentially it's just storing useful memories into Soulium chips and implanting them into the brain."
Because of this, she also inherited the reverence for the Celestial of Empyrea from previous generations, and was also part of the conservative faction within the Taixuan Front that strongly demanded the Celestial's return.
Yes, the radical faction believed they should welcome the Grandmaster back with drums and gongs as soon as possible;
While the conservative faction believed these guys were too conservative and that they should destroy Schicksal first before discussing this matter.
Arranging an A-Rank Valkyrie position for our ancestor just to perfunctorily dismiss her? Who is that bastard Otto trying to insult?
"No, no, no. Just follow your own will."
Fu Hua hurriedly refused.
Overly enthusiastic juniors were also one of the reasons she didn't want to return. She was really afraid that the moment she landed, she would be hoisted onto the position of Taixuan Marshal by them, unable to do this or that.
Ah-Hua was just a fifty-five-thousand-year-old baby. The world is so big, she hasn't seen enough of it yet.
"Yes, Grandmaster."
Situ Qinghong held her saber and responded, then lowered her head in apology. "Luofu Sword Head Yanqing's unauthorized action offended you, Grandmaster. Please rest assured, he will receive his due punishment."
"That is not necessary either."
Fu Hua frowned.
Even though she had been outside for a long time, the girl was aware of the complex attitude of the Taixuan Front's higher-ups toward Shuhu.
Fu Hua obviously supported eradicating evil completely and didn't think there was anything wrong with Yanqing's persistent pursuit, at most worrying that he was too weak.
But she could also understand the difficulties of those who opposed it. That was a Jiazi—a full 60 years of peak state for the entire population, involving the six Xianzhou ships in the Sea of Quanta outside Shenzhou proper, and a massive population that stretched beyond sight.
If they really cut it off all at once, the Taixuan Front would instantly fall into civil strife. A single strand would become blocked at both ends, and the super-large faction would exist in name only.
Meanwhile, hearing Fu Hua plead for Yanqing, Situ Qinghong secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Setting aside factions, the Luminary Wardance Ceremony hosted by the Xianzhou Luofu was about to open. Taking down the renowned future Sword Champion at this time would be a slap in the Taixuan Front's own face.
Since Shuhu herself was fine, Yanqing's matter was neither big nor small. It was a case of "insignificant if not weighed, but mostly trouble if weighed."
Normally it wouldn't matter, but right now everyone knew that after this Luminary Wardance Ceremony, the Merlin General of the Yaoqing, "Feixiao," was going to abdicate. By then, the main force supporting the elimination of Shuhu and those speaking for Yanqing would be one fewer.
Receiving comfort from Fu Hua's mouth, Situ Qinghong could use this to persuade certain people not to blow things out of proportion and escalate the situation.
"Thank you for your magnanimity."
She nodded, and just as she was about to say something more, splurt—she coughed up a large mouthful of fresh blood.
Fu Hua skillfully took out the handkerchief she carried with her and said helplessly, "This old problem hasn't healed yet?"
"You know, the sequelae left from the modification in childhood."
The blonde girl took it, wiped the corners of her mouth, and quietly folded the handkerchief and stuffed it into her pocket.
"I think it's more than that." Looking at the golden blood, Fu Hua said gravely, "How much time is left for the erosion of divinity?"
"As expected, I can't hide it from you." Situ Qinghong smiled. "In three more years, I will step down from the priesthood of the Earth Official Emperor (Diguan Dadi)."
In the distant past, gods existed within the territory of Shenzhou.
The vast majority of Them did not care about the life and death of mortals, watching natural and man-made disasters coldly, or even profiting from them while the common people suffered.
Countless people were angry at the gods' indifference, but for various reasons, they could not organize effective resistance.
Until the sun rose in the East. Mobilizing the power of the whole nation, raising an army of millions, and gathering countless extraordinary people to crusade against the Divine Authorities.
Countless gods were expelled, crusade against, exiled overseas, their fates uncertain.
To ordain conscience for Heaven and Earth, to secure life and fortune for the people, to continue lost teachings for past sages, and to establish peace for all future generations.
From now on, the fate of Shenzhou lies only in the hands of the people of Shenzhou.
This was the "Myth" of "Ordaining Gods," achieved by no dynasty and no human beings in the long vicissitudes of Earth.
However, conquering the country is easy; guarding it is hard.
Rebelling against the Divine Court was just the foundation. The real difficulty was how to effectively utilize this power.
Compared to fragile regimes gathered by personal prestige like water without a source, Shenzhou has always attached more importance to building systems and inheritance since ancient times.
Thus, Project South Heavenly Gate (Nantianmen) came into being.
Nantianmen, meaning ordaining priesthoods.
The artificial Heavenly Court at its center was essentially a high-dimensional reservoir combining countless Huaxia beliefs + filled with massive Honkai energy.
Chosen Shenzhou people could connect with it through ordained priesthoods, obtaining the status and power corresponding to the myth.
In simpler terms, Project Nantianmen artificially created a Path named "Heavenly Court," and those ordained with priesthoods were equivalent to Pathstriders walking on it.
For example, Mu Hanyin; the priesthood assigned to her was the Seventh-Rank City God.
The generals controlling the six Xianzhou ships and their subordinates also held priesthoods.
And Situ Qinghong, her priesthood was the Earth Official Emperor of the Three Official Emperors—Zhongyuan Diguan Baogao, in charge of the Three Realms, Ten Directions, and Nine Earths, mastering the Five Mountains, Eight Poles, and Four Dimensions, breathing Yin and Yang. In the Heavenly Court myth sequence, she was ranked as a lofty Senior Second-Rank.
Not only did she possess the top-tier divine equipment Rex Lapis Seat capable of instantly changing the landscape of a region, but her own combat power was also immensely powerful.
However, power obtained so easily inevitably came with a corresponding price.
The priest would not only have their humanity and lifespan limit constantly worn down by the corresponding divinity, but they also could not extend their lifespan through external means.
Literally trading life for power.
So, what truly made Shuhu stop wasn't just the four S-Ranks including Durandal, but also the Hyperion hiding in the dark with its magic cannon ready to fire, the rapidly arriving Jiangsu Ship, and Situ Qinghong aboard it.
And even with all these people combined, in the end, they had no confidence in taking down this Sequence Rank (S-Rank), and could only watch helplessly as she turned and left.
Single-handedly battling a large faction without losing ground—an entity below Finality and Star Creation. The Supreme Heaven that Fuli believed could dictate one's own destiny upon reaching that level was truly awe-inspiring and yearning.
Of course, geniuses like Yunli and Yanqing had no need to step into the Nantianmen.
Aside from it being better to let them develop on their own, the Heavenly Court Path created by the Nantianmen system had an energy cap.
Under normal circumstances, according to regulations, the energy that priesthoods of Second-Rank and above could mobilize was all S-Rank and above.
But reading the pantheon carefully: The Three Pure Ones, the Six Royals, the Five Elders, the Golden Mother and Wood Duke, the Three Official Emperors, the Ten Directional Heavenly Worthies... every one of these was Second-Rank or above. Could a single Project Nantianmen create over twenty S-Ranks in one go?
Obviously not.
This thing was more like a reservoir with multiple faucets. If you used a little here, there would be a little less available there.
It was fine for local conflicts, but in a world-class war with S-Ranks piling up, it would lack stamina, after all, the total amount was fixed.
However, thinking carefully, wars of that scale were extremely unlikely to occur nowadays.
The only time was when the Second Herrscher mass-produced Pseudo-Herrschers with cores in the year 2000, which wasn't a big problem.
"Only three years left..."
Fu Hua closed her eyes, her expression melancholy.
Situ Qinghong was already in poor health, spitting blood from time to time even after fusing with Honkai beast factors.
Having been worn down by the priesthood of the Earth Official Emperor for so long, once she stepped down, it was basically equivalent to going to her death.
"No need to be sad for me, Grandmaster."
The blonde girl smiled brightly. "As the saying goes, death may be lighter than a feather or heavier than Mount Tai. I have lived enough in this life."
Her lovely features arranged themselves into a teasing expression as she winked. "Besides, compared to such a trivial matter, I'm more curious about the relationship between you and your cousin Fuli—oh no, Mr. Fuli."
If I can find out some inside scoop, dying on the spot would be worth the ticket price, dammit!
"You!"
Fu Hua's melancholy was instantly punctured. Her face flushed slightly, and she felt annoyed in her heart.
She knew these guys must have been watching the show in secret. The fact that she slept in the same room with her cousin before must have been seen by them!
Situ Qinghong shrank back from the glare but still stiffened her neck and shouted, "Within the Taixuan Front, some people want to hold you high on the altar for people to worship so that their power won't be infringed upon. But in my eyes, Grandmaster, you have always been a flesh-and-blood person from start to finish. There has never been anything wrong with falling in love with a boy you like!"
Ah-Hua glared at her for a long while, then sat back in her seat as if deflated. "I am over fifty thousand years old."
This referred to both the age gap and the difference in life experience.
"Yes, I know you have experienced too many unforgettable moments, partings, and deaths... At first glance, I might be well-intentioned, but from the perspective of a long-life species, such persuasion looks irresponsible and arrogant no matter how you look at it." Situ Qinghong said softly, "But I have always believed that hangovers are also part of tasting wine."
"Hangovers are also part of tasting wine..."
Savoring this sentence referring to life, recalling every bit of the Kanas mission, after hesitating for a long time and biting her lip, Ah-Hua finally let go dejectedly. "Let me think about it some more."
"I only hope you don't make a decision you'll regret."
Precisely because she was a long-life species, once she regretted, it would be even more unforgettable.
Situ Qinghong thought, then added, "Besides that, I actually came specifically this time to ask you one more thing."
"Speak."
The girl was absent-minded.
"Three hours ago, the Taixuan Front Anti-Honkai Council passed the motion to create a Supreme Priesthood in Project Nantianmen compatible with the Heavenly Consort Immortal Celestial (Empyrea) with a 6:3 vote."
"Supreme?" Fu Hua frowned. "Higher than the Three Pure Ones? The Jade Emperor of the Haotian Golden Palace (Haotian Jinque Yuhuang Dadi)?"
People who often read Honghuang novels might think: In the Heavenly Court's myth sequence, the Three Pure Ones are behemoths superior to Haotian.
This was indeed the case during the Tang Dynasty, with the Three Pure Ones as the highest gods and Haotian Shangdi only as an auxiliary god.
After the Song Dynasty, through political intervention such as the Fengshan sacrifices and god-making movements, Haotian Shangdi was reshaped as the manifestation of Heaven, making Him the supreme ruler of the Three Realms, which continues to this day.
Nowadays, in terms of rank, the Three Pure Ones are First-Rank priesthoods, same as the Five Elders.
And the Jade Emperor of the Haotian Golden Palace is the unique Supreme Being.
That was why Fu Hua blurted it out. This priesthood indeed had not yet been created.
The reason was simple. As the ultimate answer of Project Nantianmen, Haotian Shangdi's authority would be at least Sequence Rank.
The current Taixuan Front did not yet have the ability to create artificial Sequence Ranks.
"Yes, so we plan to use a little trick here."
Situ Qinghong held up the object in her hand. It was a pure cyan hexagonal crystal emitting a profound aura of the vast ancient sky.
"Using this newly obtained Divine Spark Crystal of the Eternal Heaven, we will use a trick to create the Supreme God of the Shenxiao Sect, who has similar characteristics to Haotian Shangdi and is essentially the same structure as His aspect."
"——— Fuli Yuanshi Tianzun (Primordial Lord of Heaven Fuli)!"
"Achoo! Achoo! Achoo!"
Far away in the car, Fuli sneezed three times in a row. One means someone misses you, two means someone is cursing you, three means someone is talking about you. Someone must be babbling about me in some corner again?
Looking around and finding nothing unusual, he hugged Bronya, who was fast asleep in his arms, tighter again.
...