In the ancient myths of Shenzhou, Chiyou was always feared for being able to devour continents. But for the vast majority of people, myths were just myths.
But if such a continent-devouring Honkai Beast truly existed, how large would its body have to be?
For five thousand long years, Chiyou had slept deep at the bottom of Jiu You's sea, gradually assimilating with the earth's crust through long geological evolution, as if it had become a part of the land itself.
Although its Honkai Energy was not particularly quiet, compared to the harm its main body could cause, it was ultimately considered peaceful. Over the long years, the name Chiyou was slowly forgotten by the world.
But now, it has broken the shackles placed upon it and is preparing to return, to announce Chiyou's existence to the world once more!
Just as a person's mind is sluggish after a long sleep, Chiyou, having slumbered for so long, could not wake up all at once.
For it, this might just be the equivalent of moving a finger or turning over. But for Jiu You, it was nothing short of a cataclysm.
Amidst the crumbling Jiu You, Xing fled alone, nimbly weaving between falling rocks and fissures in the ground. Although such an environment would be perilous for an ordinary person, it was nothing for the well-trained Xing.
"Damn it! Damn it! Damn it..."
As she ran along the path she remembered, Xing couldn't stop cursing.
Although she was now far from those dangerous people, the scenes from before kept replaying in her mind, especially Bronya's calm expression and that man's cold eyes.
Clearly, Bronya should have been on her side, so why did she have to help those Schicksal bastards!?
"Damn it all~"
Xing furiously shouted, cleaving a falling rock in front of her with her sword.
Suddenly, the communicator in her ear vibrated slightly, pulling Xing back to reality from her resentment.
Biting her lip, after some hesitation, Xing chose to accept the communication, and that gentle voice immediately sounded in her ear: "Xing, how is the mission going?"
"...I'm sorry, the mission... failed."
Though reluctant, Xing chose to report truthfully. In front of that person, she shouldn't hide anything.
"Failed...? How could it be? The mechs I assigned to you were more than enough to defeat an elite Valkyrie squad."
Hearing Xing's answer, the person on the other end was clearly shocked, and their tone became more serious.
"I... ran into Bronya. The mech squad was useless."
Although she knew that person didn't mean to blame her, Xing still felt a deep sense of guilt.
"Bronya... I see." Hearing this name that had been gone for so long, the other end fell silent. Only after a long while did they continue, "How are you now? Are you injured?"
"I'm fine, but all those mechs fell into Schicksal's hands," Xing said in a low voice, looking down at her disheveled self.
"Mechs are just things; if they're gone, they're gone. As long as you're okay." Hearing Xing's reply, the person on the other end was clearly relieved, their tone filled with the joy of a close call.
Then, the other end asked again, "But, did you see the Third Herrscher?"
"No, the Third Herrscher did not appear." Knowing the other person couldn't see, Xing still shook her head. "But I saw the Far East Branch's Murata Himeko, and that man from last time was also there."
Due to their geographical proximity, the Far East Branch and Anti-Entropy had clashed many times, and Murata Himeko's name was well-known within Anti-Entropy.
"Murata Himeko appeared too? With Bronya there as well, your loss wasn't entirely in vain."
Hearing that familiar name, the tone on the other end became a little calmer. After all, she knew very well what kind of opponent that woman was.
"No, no, no! Murata Himeko seemed to be injured and didn't fight. It was just Bronya alone who managed to crack the mechs' operating systems in less than five minutes."
Realizing the other person must have misunderstood something, Xing quickly explained.
"Is that so... It seems that child has grown up too." With a long sigh, the voice on the other end sounded a bit weary. "In that case, retreat. Remember to be safe!"
Although she understood that retreating was the most correct course of action right now, Xing's heart was filled with unwillingness. But thinking of the huge disparity in combat power between the two sides, she reluctantly said, "Okay... Mother~"
Hanging up the communication, a sinister smile appeared on Cocolia's lips on the other side as she murmured, "So that's where you are, Bronya. Then, you should be there too, Third Herrscher..."
...
On the other side of Jiu You, Ming Yu's group, who were evacuating, also received a communication from the Hyperion.
"Hey! What on earth did you guys do!? Even on the Hyperion, I can detect the tremors from the seabed!"
As soon as the communication connected, Ming Yu and the others heard Theresa's anxious inquiry.
"If you're referring to what just happened, we had a direct confrontation with Anti-Entropy. Fortunately, they weren't very strong. They left behind a few dozen mechs and ran off."
Hearing Theresa's question, Ming Yu hesitated for only a few seconds before honestly explaining the situation.
"..."
Hearing Ming Yu's sincere words, the Principal didn't seem to want to reply. Just a short while ago, Fu Hua had said the force Anti-Entropy sent this time was not to be underestimated, and now you're telling me you've already finished the fight, and with a resounding victory?
Even so, Theresa didn't intend to doubt Ming Yu's words. After witnessing the power of the Key of Corruption, she was not at all surprised by this result.
"Ahem! Principal, it seems we broke some kind of seal while obtaining the Xuanyuan Sword. And now, the thing that was sealed is about to awaken. I hope you can prepare for it."
As if noticing the awkwardness in the atmosphere, Fu Hua kindly explained for Theresa.
After hearing Fu Hua's reply, the Principal was clearly silent for a moment before she asked hesitantly, "The thing you're talking about... is it Chiyou?"
"According to myths and historical records, it is very likely Chiyou." Pushing up the glasses on her nose with her free left hand, Fu Hua confirmed the Principal's guess.
"Mm, I understand. You all should retreat quickly too."
After saying this calmly, the Principal ended the communication. Although she had many questions she wanted to ask Ming Yu, she didn't know how to begin.
"The beast that devours continents—Chiyou..."
Muttering to herself, Theresa cast her gaze towards the churning sea below, as if her eyes could penetrate the water and see the giant beast turning over.
It had caused such a huge commotion without even fully revealing itself. Did this Honkai Beast really possess the power to devour continents as the legends say?
After a long time, the Principal's unfocused eyes became firm again, and she shouted loudly, "Hyperion, battle stations, level one!"