[Edge of Taixuan] had four levels.
—Still Water
—Dustless
—Bright Mirror
—Taixu
Withered maple leaves drifted onto the calm water, drifting with the ripples.
Immersed in an ethereal state, the girl clutching a sword sat on the ground, her long gray hair tied up.
It was said that the Edge of Taixuan was passed down from Master Jingwei of Mount Taixu. Her master taught it to her to mitigate the erosion of the Honkai.
However, a demon lingered within her. The Dustless Sword Heart had become an impenetrable shackle.
Cheng Lixue's thoughts were heard by everyone in a cold voice.
Master, why did you leave me?
Accompanied by these voices filled with confusion, sadness, and grievance, memories of the past unfolded like a scroll.
"When I was five, my family suffered a tragedy. Overnight, we lost everything."
"It was she who came to pick me up."
"Neither speaking nor smiling, this silent sister led me."
The figures of Cheng Lixue, one older, and Fu Hua, dressed in a windbreaker, emerged into view.
"As a child, I timidly grasped her hand."
"Her hand was cold. But it held the warmth of home."
Cheng Lixue, now much older, was in Fu Hua's arms, practicing swordplay under Hua's gaze.
"She taught me reading, writing, playing the qin, and martial arts…"
"I really wanted to make this person proud of me."
"I really wanted to see this person smile."
"She was very busy, and we were rarely together."
"Only this bowl of wonton noodles remained with me, month after month, unwavering."
Recalling her figure from that time, a hint of nostalgia lingered in her cold voice.
"The soup was made with bighead carp and river shrimp, and it was delicious and sweet."
"Duck eggs were added to the dough, and the dough kneaded by the master was very chewy when cooked."
"My favorite part was the wontons in the noodles, with the perfect amount of fresh shrimp and the perfect amount of pork. Although they didn't use any expensive ingredients, I believe the wontons made by Master were the best in the world."
With a nostalgic aftertaste, she recalled the moment she was stunned to see the birthday note Master left while holding a bowl of wonton noodles.
[Greed] is a poisonous substance.
"I knew what she was doing must be very important."
"But sometimes, I still wished she were by my side."
At that moment…
"I suddenly realized that I had only ever called her by name. A name I could use to introduce you, a way I could connect with peace of mind…"
"It didn't exist."
Realizing this, she sincerely pleaded during a rare moment with Master.
Master.
"Can I… call you Master?"
She waited, filled with anticipation yet apprehensive about receiving an inappropriate response. Her eyes closed tightly, and the brief moment felt so long.
"Okay."
Gently stroking her forehead, the master responded.
She felt incredibly happy then.
But why hadn't I noticed?
Master smiled gently, but her eyes were filled with sorrow.
—The next day, Master left.
When she met Master again, she had become a Valkyrie fighting for the people.
The martial arts Master taught her, the teachings Master shared, had finally become her life.
But, Master…
Why did you leave me?
The unspoken words became a demon within her. The swordsman's heart ultimately struggled to break through the realm of Dustless.
The images of Fu Hua and Cheng Lixue's past unfolded before everyone. Their words, both happy and filled with sorrow, lingered in their minds, captivating their hearts.
The images continued.
Lixue had grown up and become a Valkyrie of Schicksal.
One day, she stepped onto the battlefield.
Gazing at the blazing figure in the sky.
Although she had sensed the opponent's strength, Cheng Lixue remained surprisingly calm.
[Use This Battle to Temper Oneself]
[Use This Body as a Cauldron]
"Have the decoy troops retreat, and leave the target to me!"
Cheng Lixue, who had been waiting for a long time with her sword draped over her shoulder, made a decision after retreating her weakened subordinates.
[This is the only way to get one step closer to that person.]
"Hmph, are you the boss of these ants?"
"You dare to face me alone? How brave!"
Full of contempt in his delusion, the formidable enemy, bathed in fire, stood tall in the air.
[By then, perhaps…]
With a fierce fighting spirit, Cheng Lixue, wielding Water's Edge, one of the Ten Divine Keys, and possessing the power to manipulate water, launched an attack on the enemy.
However, the enemy's power was too great.
The scorching flames shattered Water's Edge into pieces.
"Die!"
As the cold, murderous words fell, the blazing flames pierced her abdomen.
The burning pain spread through every nerve.
Just standing there took all her strength.
However, even in this desperate situation, she showed no intention of surrendering. Hearing the swaggering mockery, she attacked without hesitation, enduring the pain. Even without Water's Edge, she mastered the Inch Force Fist technique her master had taught her.
However, it was clear that bare hands could not defeat a Herrscher, even if the opponent was merely a false entity.
Having escaped the attack and found a gap, the pseudo-Herrscher, enraged by the attack, unleashed flames with pure murderous intent, vowing to burn her to ash.
Smoke and dust filled the air. Amidst the Herrscher's rage, a figure emerged from the flames. Emerging from within.
The blazing flames dissipated instantly upon encountering the figure.
"Who… who are you?"
"Lixue, don't move. Master will come and heal you once she defeats her."
Putting Cheng Lixue down from her arms, her words were filled with concern and… anger.
The pseudo-Herrscher was dead.
The flamboyant Herrscher died in Fu Hua's fury, in the sleepless illusion silently.
"...Very handsome, Class Monitor."
Breaking out of her deep reverie, Kiana watched this scene with a startled expression. She admired Fu Hua from the bottom of her heart.
Judging from the video, Fu Hua's performance was truly impressive, saving the day and protecting her disciple at that crucial moment.
But…
Fu Hua didn't seem pleased at the praise at all, simply watching the unfinished video calmly.
To the final scene…
Burning everything that mattered, the unrivaled Eminence struck the almighty Second Herrscher.
But it didn't achieve the expected result.
"Ahem!"
"Master!"
Cheng Lixue worriedly supported Fu Hua.
But the next moment, Fu Hua suddenly thrust her hand away.
"I failed. Flee!"
After issuing a warning, a hint of sadness and apology crossed Fu Hua's eyes.
"I'm sorry, I can't remember your name…"
"But I vaguely sense that you're very important to me…"
"So, you must live…"
Fu Hua, exhausted, spoke these words before collapsing.
"No, Master."
Holding the person most important to her, she recalled the past, absorbing the alluring warmth in this brief moment as best she could. She smiled a gentle smile and whispered, "This time, it's my turn to protect you."
"Your Excellency, please take Master away from here as quickly as possible." She handed Fu Hua to Otto.
She glanced sideways at the person most important to her, as if to engrave her forever in her heart.
Then, Cheng Lixue looked resolutely at the Second Herrscher, who was about to revive.
"I'll hold the Second Herrscher back!"