Upon hearing this, Otto was first taken aback. For anyone who had participated in the expedition three years ago, the name Celestial Phoenix was unforgettable.
After gaining leadership in Europe, Schicksal organized a massive expeditionary force to conquer the vast lands of the East for more territory and population. In Shenzhou, they encountered the formidable Ming Empire. Facing the Ming Empire's powerful army, Schicksal's vaunted knightly orders failed to crush the enemy as they usually did, and the war entered a stalemate.
With both sides at a deadlock, Schicksal risked its knights being corroded into Honkai Zombies by Honkai Energy and forcibly used Honkai Energy weapons. Before these super-era divine weapons, the Ming Empire's army began to collapse.
But just then, the appearance of a woman turned the entire tide of battle. She was cloaked in fierce flames, with peculiar white hair tipped in a fiery red, and her red pupils were impossibly deep.
Before her, Honkai Energy weapons were as useless as toys. Those divine weapons that could pierce the shells of Honkai Beasts couldn't even break through the flames surrounding her body.
Schicksal didn't know who she was, but the entire Ming army was chanting the title "Celestial Phoenix!"
Forced into a corner, Schicksal played its final card: the strongest Valkyrie—Kallen Kaslana. However, even Kallen, wielding the Oath of Judah, was no match for that celestial being.
It could be said that all of Schicksal was defeated by the hands of the Celestial Phoenix alone!
Choosing to use the name of the Celestial Phoenix of Mount Taixu was, of course, a carefully calculated move by Ming Yu. To have a dialogue with Otto, he first needed an equal standing; not just any random person could cooperate with Otto Apocalypse. For Ming Yu, the Celestial Phoenix was the best choice. Both his Eastern face and the training he had undergone with Fu Hua were perfect proofs. Most importantly, the name of the Celestial Phoenix was big enough that even if Otto wasn't entirely convinced, he had to take it seriously.
Although Ming Yu's Eastern face was very persuasive, Otto did not believe him easily. He asked in a deep voice, "What business does a friend from Mount Taixu have here? Could it be that your Celestial Phoenix is also interested in this land?"
"Do not presume to measure my master with Schicksal's filth!" Anger appeared on Ming Yu's face, and his tone became harsh.
Clasping his hands in a salute towards the East, Ming Yu continued, "Since the battle three years ago, my master has often spoken of a warrior named Kallen Kaslana. Although she possesses great power, she lacks a conviction to match it. But my master believes that with enough time, she will eventually grow into a champion who fights against the Honkai."
"So, you've come for Kallen!?" Otto's tone also grew serious. At this point, he was partially convinced. The inside details of the battle three years ago were known to very few. After defeating Kallen, the Celestial Phoenix did not take her life, only admonishing her that as the wielder of the Key, what was it she truly wanted to protect? Was it the organization of Schicksal, or all of humanity?
Ming Yu smiled slightly and continued, "My master heard of Kallen Kaslana's situation and felt it was unjust. A hero who fights the Honkai should not die shamefully at the hands of humanity itself. The Honkai is growing stronger by the day; we need to expand our forces and unite all powers. To fight the Honkai, the power of Kallen Kaslana and the Oath of Judah are indispensable, and that is why I have come."
Hearing the Celestial Phoenix's assessment of Kallen from Ming Yu's lips, Otto felt a sense of pride, but he did not let his guard down. When it came to Kallen, no amount of caution was too much. After a moment of thought, Otto asked, "Since you were able to find your way here, it means you are not entirely ignorant about Schicksal. I have one more question: how many of you have come in total?"
Faced with this question, Ming Yu felt a bit awkward, but it was an unavoidable point. His expression unchanged, Ming Yu extended a hand from under his cloak, held up his index finger, and said proudly, "Mount Taixu has sent only myself!"
The air suddenly fell silent. Otto felt an urge to flip the table. Celestial Phoenix, Mount Taixu, such grand names! He had almost thought the Celestial Phoenix had come in person. At the very least, seven or eight experts should have come. And the result? You tell me only one person came, and one so young. Although a genius's strength cannot be judged by age, they could have at least sent someone more mature. To send only one person and have him be so arrogant—do you think you're also a Celestial Phoenix who can fight ten thousand alone!?
Otto took several deep breaths to calm his inner impulse, his expression turning cold. "I acknowledge the strength of the Celestial Phoenix. If she had come in person, I would naturally have nothing to say. But with just you alone, sir, I'm afraid it won't be enough."
"Oh? Mr. Otto doesn't believe in my strength? Then you are welcome to test it." As he spoke, Ming Yu placed his left hand behind his back and his right hand in a palm strike position before him, assuming the opening stance of the Inch-Heart Fist Technique.
A demonstration of strength was an essential step. Only by possessing a certain level of power could he convince Otto. This had nothing to do with background. No matter what kind of background Ming Yu had, if he wasn't strong enough himself, he couldn't make Otto believe him. Moreover, as the "successor of Mount Taixu," if his strength was subpar, wouldn't he be disgracing Mount Taixu's name?
After a moment of contemplation, Otto had the same idea. The proof of the pudding is in the eating. Whether Ming Yu's identity was true could be determined through combat. Moreover, it would show whether this Ming Yu was qualified to participate in the plan. Turning to Rolfe, who was standing by, Otto ordered, "Rolfe, you test this friend from Mount Taixu. Use your full strength. Mount Taixu is no ordinary place, don't disgrace me!"
Rolfe took a step forward, bowed to Otto, and said, "This subordinate will do his utmost!"
Rolfe slowly walked in front of Ming Yu, his brown eyes filled with seriousness. He had also been fortunate enough to witness the prowess of that celestial being three years ago. Towards this person who claimed to be her disciple, Rolfe naturally did not dare to be careless. Assuming his stance, Rolfe said, "Guest from Mount Taixu, be careful."
Without any courtesy, Rolfe threw a punch straight at Ming Yu's chest.
Seeing the speed and power of Rolfe's punch, Ming Yu roughly understood that his strength was not much less than his own. In this era, he was quite good, probably a rare expert among the knightly orders. As a battle to establish his authority, he not only had to win, but win beautifully. He had to make Otto see his value, to make him understand that he was indispensable for rescuing Kallen. Only in this way could Ming Yu participate in the operation to rescue Kallen, and even take the lead.
Fortunately, Otto's study was spacious enough. Without using weapons, there was enough room for the two of them to go at it.
Without dodging, Ming Yu also threw his own punch, choosing to break through Rolfe's attack head-on. In terms of strength, Rolfe, as an ordinary person, was already quite impressive, but compared to someone like Ming Yu who had been enhanced by Honkai Energy, there was still a gap.
His right hand quickly clenched into a fist, mobilizing Honkai Energy in an instant. The fist, glowing with a faint light, met the attack. Ming Yu shouted inwardly, "Inch Strike: Rock Break!"
With a *bang*, the two fists collided in mid-air, creating a ripple of air that sent the papers on the desk rustling.
At a disadvantage in strength, Rolfe was sent back three steps. His entire fist turned red, and his arm bent unnaturally, clearly broken. Rolfe sucked in a sharp breath, his vigilance growing even stronger.
"What a heavy punch you have, sir!" Rolfe said, stalling for time while adjusting his condition.
"It's still far from my master's, but it's more than enough to deal with you," Ming Yu said unhurriedly as he slowly retracted his fist. He could naturally see that Rolfe was stalling, but did he care? He was going to win this fight decisively, so decisively that Rolfe would have no excuses.
Otto watched the situation in the room without a word. He could also see that this Ming Yu completely surpassed Rolfe in speed and strength. However, battles weren't won solely on that. Skill and experience were also very important parts of being a warrior. The outcome of this fight was still uncertain.