Though Ming Yu was puzzled, he forced himself to remain calm and said impassively, "Ming Yu, a trainee at St. Freya."
"I've seen you in Theresa's reports. A male survivor of a major Honkai Eruption is a rare sight indeed." A hint of nostalgia appeared on Otto's face as he was reminded of another man who had survived the First Honkai Eruption, a man named Welt. But Ming Yu was clearly different, so he quickly dismissed the thought.
Looking at the young man before him, Otto poured two cups of black tea, gestured for Ming Yu to sit, and said gently, "Celestial Phoenix and I are old friends. She has been very lonely all these years. I am pleased that she has taken on such an outstanding disciple as yourself."
Ming Yu was secretly shocked. *Is it because of Fu Hua? Still, I wouldn't trust you for a second, you crafty old man.* However, right now, only Fu Hua's name could protect him. Otherwise, it would be difficult to explain his knowledge of the Divine Keys; the source of his information alone would be impossible to justify. *If I'm exposed, I'll be dissected for research, won't I?* Ming Yu shuddered at the thought.
"I appreciate your concern, Lord Overseer," Ming Yu replied in a slightly cold tone without sitting down, his mind racing for a way to end this conversation.
Otto, of course, heard the coldness in Ming Yu's voice, but did he care? In his eyes, the young Ming Yu was ultimately just a child. It was normal to have a bit of a temper. Or rather, people who wore their hearts on their sleeves were easier to communicate with, and easier to control.
With an unconcerned smile, Otto continued in his gentle tone, "It seems your recent experience in the data space has left you with some prejudice against me, but that's quite normal. You are still young and cannot see the reality of this world. Sooner or later, you will understand. When that day comes, you might even become someone just like me."
"I never will!" Ming Yu said firmly. *I will never become a madman like him, absolutely not!*
"Hehe," Otto chuckled without refuting him. "It seems Celestial Phoenix has told you quite a lot, even about the Divine Keys. Is she planning for you to take over her duties?"
Otto still remembered Ming Yu's performance in the data space. Although he was a bit weak, it was unmistakably the Inch-Heart Fist Technique. He presumed Ming Yu hadn't been practicing for long.
"That is her business and not something Lord Overseer needs to worry about," Ming Yu said bluntly.
*Interesting.* Otto took a sip of tea. Compared to the old foxes at Schicksal, conversing with a child who showed his emotions so openly was far more amusing. From Ming Yu's reply, Otto could glean a lot. At the very least, Celestial Phoenix hadn't mentioned much about her role as the Guardian of Shenzhou. However, the fact that she had revealed so many secrets of Mount Taixu to him suggested she had such intentions. Otherwise, given her personality, she wouldn't be so talkative.
"Celestial Phoenix and I are old friends. It is only natural that I pay some attention to her disciple," Otto said with a smile. "How about it? Would you like to come to Schicksal HQ after graduation? Your compatibility with Black Abyss alone makes you worth cultivating. When you become an S-rank warrior, I could even let you inherit the Sixth Divine Key, Abyss Flower. What do you say? Think it over carefully." Though it was a question, his tone carried an undeniable authority, as if Ming Yu was expected to do as he said.
"Thank you for your kind offer, Lord Overseer, but I prefer the atmosphere at St. Freya," Ming Yu said, shaking his head without the slightest hesitation.
*You must be joking. Go to Schicksal HQ? That's no laughing matter. It's easy to get in, but difficult to get out.* Moreover, knowing some of the secrets he did, Ming Yu knew from the start that his ideals were incompatible with Schicksal's. *Have I only just entered St. Freya and I already need to start planning my defection?* Ming Yu mused.
"Oh, is that so? What a pity," Otto said with a sigh, as if he were genuinely disappointed by Ming Yu's choice. "However, wielding such immense power with Black Abyss does not come without a price, you know?"
As he spoke, Otto waved his hand, and a mirror materialized in front of Ming Yu.
Looking at his reflection in the mirror, Ming Yu was shocked. At the same time, a wave of exhaustion washed over him from deep within his body. His vision went black, and he lost consciousness.
Otto watched the disconnected Ming Yu, smiled faintly, and took a sip of tea, his mind plotting something unknown.
Meanwhile, with Kiana and Bronya, the moment they took off their helmets, Kiana grabbed Bronya and rushed out.
"Bronya, what happened?" Bronya asked as she followed Kiana.
"It's Ming Yu! Remember that black dragon in the data space just now? Ming Yu was the one who summoned it," Kiana said as she ran. "His condition wasn't good after that. I remember you once said that if you die in that space, you die in reality too. So, Ming Yu's condition right now can't be good either."
The mere mention of the black dragon still made Bronya tremble slightly. She could still vividly recall the scene of the Honkai Beasts struggling under the black dragon. Those five-to-six-meter-tall beasts could easily topple buildings and slaughter civilians, but they seemed insignificant before the hundred-meter dragon. They roared at the dragon, swiped their claws, but were all eroded into dust, unable to put up even a shred of resistance.
Fortunately, their rooms were not far apart, and Kiana soon arrived at Ming Yu's door. The anxious Kiana had no time for knocking and chose the quickest method. Luckily, Ming Yu hadn't locked his door, or he'd have to get a new one when he woke up.
Opening the door, she saw a young man lying quietly on the bed directly opposite, wearing a blue HOMU helmet, his breathing even, as if he were asleep.
Bronya walked to the bedside and checked the HOMU HOMU Virtual Reality Connector, finding that the connection had been severed. It seemed there was no problem. However, the fact that Ming Yu was still unconscious was the biggest problem. A normal disconnection wouldn't cause someone to lose consciousness. Although several days had passed in the data space, only a few hours had passed in reality, so it couldn't be a case of excessive fatigue either.
Bronya carefully removed the HOMU HOMU Virtual Reality Connector, and the sight under the helmet stunned them both.
Beneath the HOMU helmet was a full head of white hair. Upon closer inspection, a full fifth of his black hair had turned a lifeless white. The strands of white scattered among the black were so striking, drawing far more attention than the remaining four-fifths of his black hair.
This white hair was completely different from Kiana's. If Kiana's white hair was like moonlight or snow, a pure white containing vibrant life force, then Ming Yu's white hair was like blank paper or withered grass, holding only decay and a heavy aura of death.
Even with the helmet off, Ming Yu did not wake up, seeming as if he were simply in a deep sleep. But the lifeless white hair was a clear sign that things were not so simple.
"What exactly happened in the data space?!" Bronya asked in a low voice.