With Himeko's guidance, Ming Yu and the others passed through the complex Bagua formation without any resistance, leaving no room for Fu Hua to show off her skills.
After stepping out of the formation, Ming Yu suddenly felt his body lighten, and the faint sense of oppression also dissipated.
Looking back at the formation behind him, Ming Yu couldn't help but be secretly amazed.
This so-called Bagua formation was not only a complex maze in itself but could also interfere with one's perception of Honkai Energy. It was truly marvelous. The Previous Era's research on Honkai Energy was indeed not something that modern humans could compare to.
"Is that... the legendary Xuanyuan Sword?"
Looking at the golden ancient sword in front of them, Himeko's eyes couldn't help but flash with a hint of wonder and admiration.
At the center of the altar-like circular platform, a simple, ancient-style golden greatsword was quietly suspended. Three Chiyuan Bird statues each shot a beam of golden light from their mouths, firmly enveloping the ancient sword, adding a touch of mystery and solemnity to it.
"According to the data in the Schicksal database, this sword also seems to be a Divine Key."
Although he had already expected it in his heart, when Ming Yu truly saw this legendary ancient sword, he couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement.
Although the Xuanyuan Sword was just an ordinary one among the thousand Keys of Domination, the meaning it represented far exceeded the value of the sword itself.
In the many myths and legends passed down in Shenzhou, the Xuanyuan Sword has always been the top divine weapon. Even the many Keys of Domination that have survived in Shenzhou have all been named after Xuanyuan.
And the source of all this was the Key of Domination right before their eyes.
Glancing at the excited Ming Yu, Fu Hua calmly adjusted the red-framed glasses on her nose and said in her usual, unwavering tone, "That's right, this is indeed a Divine Key. It seems the abnormal concentration of Honkai Energy in Jiu You is related to it."
Hearing the discussion of the A-rank Valkyries, the only B-rank Valkyrie, Bronya, also nodded. Fortunately, the little bunny was a genius girl and not a paramecium, so there was no need for anyone to explain the knowledge of Holy Relics and Divine Keys for her to understand what Himeko and the others meant.
Taking a step forward, Himeko's gaze lingered on Ming Yu for a few seconds, and she said in a deep voice, "The one that called me just now seems to be this sword."
Noticing the faint threat in Himeko's tone, Ming Yu couldn't help but frown.
For Himeko, this Divine Key was something that must be recovered, and the person to recover it could only be her.
Putting aside the danger of this sword, the appearance of the Xuanyuan Sword meant that the information from the previous steles was unreliable, and it also meant that there was still hope for Ji Lin's Stigmata to remain.
If the Stigmata was really still there, and if she could gain the recognition of the Xuanyuan Sword first, then the chances of obtaining the Stigmata would undoubtedly increase greatly.
Even without the Stigmata, a Divine Key should be in the hands of "one of our own." And between the two sword-users in the team, she herself was undoubtedly the most trustworthy "one of our own"!
Sighing, Ming Yu earnestly advised, "Major, I can feel that this sword is not simple. You must be careful!"
Ming Yu had always been aware of his own position. He knew very well that he alone could not persuade Himeko to give up the Xuanyuan Sword.
From a logical and emotional standpoint, he lacked influence over Himeko and couldn't make her yield the Xuanyuan Sword through reasoning or emotional appeals.
From a practical standpoint, the Far East Branch had already paid him in advance with a set of Soul-Etching Armor, so he had no reason to lay a finger on the Xuanyuan Sword.
Moreover, both Sakura Fubuki and Jizo Mitama were in the category of slender swords. The Xuanyuan Sword, on the other hand, was a thick and simple greatsword, not the type of weapon Ming Yu was accustomed to using.
Even if a Divine Key had the ability to change its form according to the user's will, at least the current Xuanyuan Sword was still an out-and-out greatsword.
"Facing such a mysterious sword, I don't need you to tell me to be careful."
Waving her hand, Himeko said with a light laugh and walked step by step towards the Xuanyuan Sword on the circular platform.
Watching Himeko's back, Fu Hua's brows furrowed imperceptibly, but she didn't say anything more. With her abilities, she could naturally sense that the Xuanyuan Sword was somewhat different from a normal Key of Domination, but she didn't pay too much attention to it.
Her attitude towards the Xuanyuan Sword was the same as Himeko's. Although she had no prejudice against Ming Yu as a person, she had to admit that this Key of Domination should, by all rights, be handed over to Himeko.
Moreover, even if something unexpected happened, she was confident that she could handle it.
As Himeko gradually walked onto the circular platform, the golden beams of light from the mouths of the Chiyuan Bird statues slowly dissipated, and the ancient Xuanyuan Sword slowly descended from the air.
After carefully examining the ancient sword before her, Himeko no longer suppressed the desire in her heart and reached out her right hand to gently press on the hilt of the Divine Key.
Seeing Himeko begin her communication with the Xuanyuan Sword, Ming Yu couldn't help but hold his breath, his eyes fixed unblinkingly on the sword.
Emotionally, he very much hoped that Himeko could successfully gain the recognition of the Divine Key. Even setting aside the increase in combat power, this could also avoid a series of subsequent events.
But rationally, he knew that this was a matter doomed to fail. This was not only because of the special nature of this Xuanyuan Sword, but also because Himeko herself did not have a firm enough heart; the impending collapse of her body and the zombification of many of her comrades were always hurdles she could not overcome in her heart.
One second, two seconds, three seconds... As time slowly passed, a clear sword cry suddenly rang out from the Xuanyuan Sword, and an incredibly violent surge of Honkai Energy erupted from the center of the circular platform, quickly sweeping through the entire ruin.
"Heh~ hehehe~"
Accompanied by a few evil chuckles, Himeko slowly turned her head, her pair of crimson beast-like pupils radiating endless madness.
A ferocious smile appeared on the corner of her mouth as Himeko pointed the Xuanyuan Sword in her hand towards Ming Yu and the others.
The next moment, countless blue and white bolts of lightning surged out from the Xuanyuan Sword, turning into an ocean of lightning that crashed towards Ming Yu's group.
"Be careful, Major Himeko has been controlled by that sword!"
With a low shout, Fu Hua twisted her body and rushed forward, her toes tapping lightly on the ground as she charged straight into the sea of lightning. At the same time, a faint golden light of condensed Honkai Energy covered her fists, and she would occasionally punch out to disperse lightning bolts that were difficult to dodge.
Faced with this terrible situation, Fu Hua's face remained as calm as ever, but when her gaze swept over the Xuanyuan Sword, a sharp, cold glint would occasionally appear.
"Fall back and protect yourself!"
After a hurried instruction to Bronya, Ming Yu instantly drew Sakura Fubuki and Jizo Mitama, rushing into the sea of lightning. The sword and blade in his hands danced around his body, creating an impenetrable barrier.
By the time Ming Yu charged out of the sea of lightning, a terrifying ghost-faced mask had covered his face, but it could hardly conceal the coldness and severity in his blood-red eyes.
Facing Himeko, who was controlled by the Xuanyuan Sword, Ming Yu knew that the longer this dragged on, the more danger Himeko would be in. The only thing he could do was to end this battle in the shortest time possible.