Honkai Simulator: Start with Confessing to The Herrscher of Finality

Please support me on Patreon, where you can read a bunch of extra chapters, not just for this novel, but for all the novels I'm working on. I upload at least 2 times daily for most novels - There are at least twice as many available chapters on Patreon, compared to here on Webnovel. Additionally, there are also free extra chapters available for Free Members, so head on over:

Patreon.com/ThatGreatStuff

******

For now, Kiana's A-Class Valkyrie assessment could wait.

Xia Chen accompanied Hare once more to Nagazora City.

Following the previous 'Major Honkai Eruption,' Nagazora City was undoubtedly even more devastated. Concerned for their safety, Raven had relocated the children to an undisclosed island—she took on additional assassination contracts from the Charon Directory to cover the expedited costs.

Now, Nagazora City truly became a ghost town, abandoned even by Raven herself.

However, the connection between the Virtual Being and Herrscher of Thunder within Nagazora City remained intact.

If Raiden Mei continues refusing her Herrscher identity, this link will persist indefinitely. But that wasn't something Xia Chen should concern himself with at present.

Instead, he pondered over the Hare before him.

Or rather...

Cheng Lingshuang.

"I can guess why you're seeking me out, but why not approach Fu Hua directly?" He observed Hare's expression amidst Nagazora City.

Disappointingly, the name didn't seem to affect the Hare.

"That's irrelevant," she responded nonchalantly. "My master... She has already endured enough hardship; there's no need for further burdens."

She tacitly acknowledged her identity.

It became evident that over these five centuries, the Hare had remained active in this world.

Xia Chen knew nothing about Cheng Lingshuang's experiences from five hundred years ago until now, nor did he have any obligation to understand them. All he knew was to address her as Hare presently.

"If so, doesn't that mean you've lost your reason to find me?"

"No."

The Hare's eyes slightly narrowed, revealing a rare display of 'emotion' on her face—a moment Xia Chen hadn't expected. He initially thought Hare, like Bronya, was expressionless.

"It's just that there are certain matters I need to verify with you."

With those words, Hare moved swiftly like lightning, striking down at Xia Chen with her sword.

Unrivaled Divine Sword, Unbound by Emotion.

Xia Chen, not being part of the jianghu (martial community) five hundred years ago, naturally couldn't comprehend the origins behind such a description used back then.

Yet, he could sense the terrifying power behind this strike.

Even with Sirin's strength at his disposal, Cheng Lingshuang locked onto his presence effortlessly.

Despite invoking fluid protection around him, freezing the air to ice, the sword seemed unhindered.

Xia Chen narrowed his eyes as the blade appeared poised to cleave through everything and strike directly at him.

However, nothing happened.

Caught off guard, he initially thought that Hare had held back. But seeing her perplexed expression, he quickly dismissed that idea.

If she had indeed restrained herself, it wouldn't have been like this.

Hare slowly spoke, "As I suspected, you've cultivated the Divine Essence."

Her sword strike was aimed at severing his divine soul.

Only by mastering the Divine Essence could one remain unaffected.

Xia Chen couldn't help but ask, "All this effort just for one sword strike?"

"Indeed," she replied. "To cultivate the Taixuan Divine Essence, one must first sever worldly thoughts. Master, knowing her time is limited, entrusted everything to you. However, she hesitated to act, so I took it upon myself."

Xia Chen's pupils contracted sharply.

Fu Hua's time is running out?

How could it be...

Wait, he should have realized.

The aura of Fu Hua's superior transformation factor was exceedingly faint, so much that even without practicing Taixuan Sword Qi, he felt no urge to absorb it.

From this, he should have guessed that Fu Hua's time was running out.

A grave mistake made five hundred years ago—the Taixuan Divine Sword exerted its full power during the Second Honkai Eruption... In truth, for Fu Hua to endure until now was already testament to her immense strength.

Thus, she had imparted almost all her knowledge and experiences to Xia Chen without reservation.

Fu Hua must have known her days were limited, leaving her with insufficient time to carefully select a disciple. Consequently, when she found Xia Chen, she didn't conduct any formal character assessment either.

Reflecting on this, Xia Chen couldn't help but sigh.

"And your conclusion?"

"Other than lacking solid foundations, everything else is commendable." The Hare remained expressionless. "I'm leaving."

"Wait." Xia Chen's eyes narrowed slightly.

"While I understand you had your reasons, passively enduring attacks without retaliation isn't my nature," he said slowly. "Now, it's my turn."

Gripping Red Sakura, Xia Chen launched an attack at the Hare.

He refrained from using Taixuan Sword Qi, knowing it would only invite humiliation. Instead, he employed the sword technique Rin initially taught him:

Sakura Petal Fall.

Combining this ancestral sword technique of the Yae Clan with his current physique, although it had lost its original graceful fluidity, it remained formidable and swift.

The blood-red petals, resembling splashes of crimson, descended upon Hare—Xia Chen also compressed the air around her to prevent any escape.

Hare's previous strike with the sword was executed with utmost seriousness.

Naturally, he reciprocated with equal intensity.

It was evident that with Hare's aptitude, she must have acquired all the imprints from the Elysian Realm. Xia Chen wanted to gauge just how powerful she had become by fully harnessing the Stigmata's abilities.

He soon received his answer.

Facing Xia Chen's lethal move, the woman, serene like autumn waters, merely lifted her gaze, effortlessly dissipating the attack.

Xia Chen struggled to describe the resistance he encountered; yet, his assault completely failed.

This transcended mere martial arts.

It was an Authority.

An Authority akin to that of a Herrscher.

It was difficult to articulate the sensation—it felt as if he were swinging at thin air.

No, more precisely, aside from the source of Honkai Energy, there seemed to be no difference between her now and a Herrscher...

"So, this is the ultimate goal of Project Stigma," Xia Chen began calmly analyzing. "To embrace the Imaginary Tree, connect with its will, and exist between being and non-being, thereby achieving temporal stasis."

"Even though you've traversed five long centuries, your body remains frozen at the moment Project Stigma was completed."

He now had a rough understanding of the true nature of Project Stigma.

Clearly, it served as a means to preserve the Kindling and sow the 'seeds of vengeance'.

Only by embracing the Imaginary Tree could one remain unaffected by any Authorities. Since Virtual Beings inherently 'do not exist', how could a Herrscher's Authority influence someone who is essentially 'non-existent'?

Thus, all his previous techniques were ineffective against Hare, but likewise, Hare only targeted his Divine Spark.

By transforming everyone into 'non-existence,' civilization could continuously 'persist.'

This was the essence of Project Stigma.

Only through rendering individuals 'non-existent' could humanity challenge the elusive 'nonexistent entities'.

And Hare, as the first successful product of Project Stigma—Kevin himself hadn't achieved this step yet—embodied this potential.

Durandal followed as the second success.

The ultimate successful product of Project Stigma would challenge the Imaginary Tree. No, it's not just about 'success'; any consciousness could potentially confront the Imaginary Tree.

Even if the chances were slim, it still represented an increase from 0% to 0.1%.

This was the seed of vengeance MEI had planted against the world.

The power unleashed by Holy Mark consciousness would be far more terrifying than anyone imagined.