The next morning, upon waking.
"I... I... I..."
The quilt bulged slightly, arching up at one corner like a small hill. Carole only showed half of her small head, her large, watery eyes peeking out nervously to steal glances at Ryuga.
When she met his teasing gaze, her face turned even redder.
There was still the haze and shyness of a hangover.
Like a startled rabbit, even the tips of her ears were tinged with a faint blush.
"What's wrong?"
"Where did that Carole go, the one who was so full of bravado last night, saying she wanted to be a 'master-riding rebellious disciple'? Did she disappear after a night's sleep?"
Ryuga let out a low laugh, reaching out to pinch Carole's soft little face and then affectionately stroking her pert nose.
Looking at his raised eyebrows and teasing eyes, Carole's face instantly flushed crimson, and she stammered, unable to form a complete sentence.
Her fingers unconsciously twisted the corner of the quilt.
Last night was entirely due to the alcohol; now that she was awake, she wished she could crawl into a hole.
(Wuwu, Mom misled me.)
"Alright, time to get up. The sun is already high. We're setting off today to start a new life."
"Perk up, now."
Ryuga's smile deepened.
Suddenly, with a mischievous grin, he flicked his wrist and abruptly pulled the entire quilt away!
"Ahhh!"
Carole shrieked repeatedly.
Her arms tried to cover here and there, but it seemed she couldn't cover anything.
So, she curled up in a panic, turning her back like a little turtle that had its shell flipped, her face puffed out in a mix of shame and annoyance.
Then, she realized she was being picked up horizontally.
Before her cries could stop, her Master was already carrying her toward the bathroom.
The sound of water began to rise, and the steaming heat spread like a thin mist, quickly blurring the entire glass wall.
Water droplets meandered down the smooth glazed surface, reflecting a hazy, graceful figure.
Before long, from behind the mist-shrouded glass, a melodious and pleasant sound echoed...
...
It truly was a wonderful morning.
A refreshed Ryuga, leading a blushing Carole, went to find Skirk.
He wasn't the type to "forget who someone is once the pants are back on."
On the martial arts field, Skirk stood in the center like a sword, quiet but not angry, possessing an aura of inviolable majesty.
She had already adjusted her state to its peak.
While drinking last night, Ryuga had said he wanted her to give him some pointers.
Coincidentally, she also wanted to spar with Ryuga; otherwise, she would have returned to Teyvat long ago.
The martial arts field was surrounded by a sea of people, with Kevin standing at the front of the crowd.
"I've been replaying it in my mind all night."
"Your fighting style, and the rhythm when you engaged the Herrscher of the Void and the Herrscher of Thunder... I've meticulously deconstructed it all."
Skirk slowly opened her eyes, staring at Ryuga.
After a pause, she added.
"In reality, there is very little I can point out to you."
"My sword techniques aren't suitable for you; you're walking a different path. As for the Abyss and elemental power, I imagine you wouldn't care for them either."
Skirk shook her head and said.
"When three people walk together, one must be my teacher."
Ryuga smiled; he didn't actually care about the pointers.
He just wanted the title of "Master" so he could then become a "master-riding rebellious disciple."
Hehe~
As for his combat experience, it was all insights gained from life-and-death struggles.
Dancing on the edge of a blade.
Tempered under the shadow of death.
Of course, the one who truly polished his rough style into a sharp edge was "Master Herta."
With her almost eerie genius mind and unfathomable simulated computing power, she deconstructed his every movement down to the millimeter.
The moment he thrust his spear, the angle was precisely calculated for him to nine decimal places.
The control of force was like a precision instrument.
The power and endurance of the shadow flames were compressed to the most efficient critical point—not a fraction more, not a hair less.
Herta used data and logic to forge the most perfect moves for him.
In short, using the minimum force to leverage the maximum gain.
Like a lever lifting a thousand pounds.
"So, the only thing I can likely point out is 'Rational Judgment,'" Skirk said.
Having spent years in an environment like the Abyss, "Rational Judgment" was particularly important.
"Alright, Master Skirk, please lash me to your heart's content," Ryuga said solemnly, taking a deep breath.
"..."
Skirk's pupils shrank slightly, and a very faint blush appeared on her fair cheeks, but it vanished in an instant.
She subconsciously turned her head, her peripheral vision scanning the surroundings.
"Ahem~, there's no need for 'Master'; I can't teach you much anyway."
Skirk covered her mouth and coughed a few times.
In fact, she had already spoken with Jingliu last night.
Ryuga's "Venerable Form" was more like the "Lightning-Wielding Thunder-Clapping Spiritus" (Lightning Lord) bestowed upon the Xianzhou by Lan. It would be best if a Xianzhou General personally gave him pointers.
Jing Yuan of the Luofu and Yueyu of the Yaoqing would probably be Ryuga's best teachers at the moment.
The Luofu's Spiritus was most similar to his.
The Yaoqing General excelled in offense.
Unfortunately, Jingliu's past meant she was destined to be unable to contact the Xianzhou.
The Xianzhou viewed her as a traitor. Of course, if she requested it, Jing Yuan wouldn't refuse.
Tsk.
Fortunately, Jingliu didn't do that.
Even if she had contacted Jing Yuan, Ryuga wouldn't have gone.
He would rather wait until Feixiao became General than go to Jing Yuan. Wouldn't being a "master-riding rebellious disciple" be better?
Carole blinked, then suddenly covered her mouth, her eyes sparkling with realization.
So, that's what "master-riding rebellious disciple" meant?
When her mom was passing on experience to her, she only remembered the term "master-riding rebellious disciple."
Now, it all became clear.
It wasn't that the Master liked being "ridden" by the "rebellious disciple," but that the Master himself wanted to be a rebellious disciple and "ride" his own "Master."
Her gaze shifted back and forth between Skirk and Ryuga, and the corners of Carole's mouth curled higher and higher.
She understood.
This move was called: Riding the Master and Defying the Ancestors.
"We only have a few short hours. How much you can grasp depends entirely on yourself."
"Furthermore..."
Skirk steadied her mind, the tip of her sword rising slightly to point at Ryuga, her voice gradually returning to its cold tone.
"I will suppress my strength to be at the same level as yours."
Ryuga raised his hand and said.
The gap in strength was too vast; if she didn't suppress her strength, he would be sent flying by a single thrust from Skirk.
The two stood facing each other on the martial arts field.
Sword intent and the Venerable Form constantly collided in the air.
The fastest way to give pointers was never through words, but by proving the path with blood and transmitting the heart through battle.
...
"Then, let's begin!"
Before Skirk's voice had even faded, her figure had already lunged out like a gust of wind.
The longsword in her hand drew a silver-bright arc, aiming straight for Ryuga's throat.
Before the blade even arrived, the sharp sword qi had already sliced through the air.
Ryuga's gaze narrowed, the long spear spinning in his palm as he met the oncoming sword shadow.
The sound of clashing metal suddenly exploded.
Fentian danced, the spear shadows layering to construct an airtight line of defense.
But Skirk's offensive was as continuous as a cold wind, the tip of her sword precisely landing in the gaps during his move transitions.
Fast! It was simply too fast!
Ryuga's brow furrowed tightly, his pupils shrinking violently.
In the high-speed confrontation, Skirk had already turned into countless afterimages, crisscrossing in his field of vision and leaving behind crack-like trails.
"In battle, various unexpected situations will arise, such as now."
Hum!
As Skirk's voice fell, space suddenly trembled, and a rift abruptly opened behind Ryuga, with Skirk's figure stepping out from it.
The sword tip thrust toward his back.
A sense of crisis climbed up his spine and rushed into his mind.
Ryuga almost instinctively turned his hand, bracing the long spear against his back.
A dull thud.
The sword tip was successfully blocked.
"Not bad, a very cautious defensive posture, seemingly flawless."
"But—"
The evaluation sounded ethereal, making it impossible to tell her direction.
As the words fell, another "Skirk" lunged out from a rift in front, the sword tip pressing against Ryuga's throat, only a hair's breadth from his skin.
Whoosh~
Intense flames suddenly erupted from around Ryuga, the fire roaring like a dragon, forcing Skirk to retreat hastily.
As the flames surged, Skirk's figure had already disappeared.
And the "Skirk" who had previously stabbed at his back also collapsed and dissipated.
"A qualified warrior must make the correct judgment at every single moment."
"Even if the senses are deceived, even if the situation seems desperate, one must make the calmest and most beneficial decision for the current situation in the blink of an eye."
Skirk stood ten feet away, her sword tip touching the ground, staring at Ryuga.
A rare look of approval flashed in her eyes.
"Good reaction."
"Your moves are exquisite, and your control over power is even more peak-level—the strongest I've ever seen, even surpassing my Master."
"Have you truly never received systematic training?"
Skirk sheathed her sword and walked slowly toward Ryuga.
During the Second Honkai Eruption, when Ryuga was clearing the Honkai Beast swarm, she had noticed it.
Ryuga's control over power and moves was simply invincible.
But his rational judgment was relatively weaker.
The two-hour fierce battle came to a close.
The two had exchanged hundreds of rounds, with the transitions between offense and defense being ever-changing, ultimately ending in a draw.
On the martial arts field, the aftershocks were still vibrating slightly in the air.
"After all, in the first six years, I was pretty much just leeching experience on the battlefield."
Ryuga said.
The battlefield of the Simulated Universe was also a battlefield.
"Warriors train day and night, but the final victory or defeat, life or death, might be decided in just a few seconds."
"A moment of hesitation or a mistake could cause all one's hard work to go to waste, so one must hone this body to the extreme to avoid leaving regrets."
"I have also gained much from sparring with you."
"Then, farewell."
Skirk was silent for a moment, then suddenly the corners of her mouth curled up slightly as she smiled at Ryuga.
Like melting ice and snow, it reflected a long-lost warmth.
The stone archway appeared again, and she had returned to Teyvat.
"Goodbye, Master."
Just as the door was about to close, Skirk's footsteps suddenly faltered.
It wasn't until much later that Skirk understood the meaning of that "Master."
And she blushed and went "Pei!"
...
After the crowd dispersed, Kevin still stood silently in place.
Looking at the spot where Ryuga and Skirk had fought, he slowly closed his eyes.
In his mind, the spear light and sword shadows reappeared.
Ryuga's spear momentum was like a dragon.
Skirk's sword shadows were like frost, rifts crisscrossing, afterimages flying.
Every move, every word, replayed repeatedly in his mind, as if he wanted to carve them deep into his soul.
Especially Skirk's final words, which echoed like a bell, lingering for a long time.
"A moment of hesitation or a mistake could cause all one's hard work to go to waste."
"A qualified warrior must make the correct judgment at every single moment."
Kevin's breath hitched slightly, and he clenched his fists.
These words would come true in the future like a curse.
The Sixth Great Eruption.
The Herrscher of Death, before dying, feigned human consciousness, causing him to fall into hesitation.
A moment of soft-heartedness ultimately led to the situation spiraling out of control again, the disaster area expanding, and all the innocent people in the entire city dying.
At that moment, he remembered Skirk's words again.
...
"Is everything arranged?"
"Yeah, I've handed Hua over to Himeko's father, Himeko's father... wait, do you remember Himeko's father?" (Note: The text mentions "痕" (Hen/Himeko's father in some fanfics/lore), but I'll use the name Hen as established in MOTH lore).
"Oh, the one with a bit of green on his head."
Ryuga was speechless, rubbing his brow with his finger.
I just said that all "Ascended" (Fly-ascended) should be led by Elysia. She, on the other hand, besides the induction guidance, just dumped everything else on Hen.
And the so-called "induction guidance" was nothing more than changing into some pretty clothes and having a drink.
Sigh.
"What do you mean by 'green on his head'?"
Elysia tilted her head, asking curiously.
"Ahem~, nothing."
Ryuga gave a dry laugh; after all, he had made off with Blanca.
"Hmm... I always feel like you're thinking about something naughty, Ryuga."
Elysia narrowed her eyes, her finger touching her lip, with a half-smile.
"By the way, here are the 'Herrscher Cores' sent by The MOTHs, as well as the Herrscher's corpse, and various Honkai Beast and Zombie corpses in the containers outside."
As if remembering something, Elysia pointed to two nanomaterial metal boxes on the ground and said.
"I really don't know what you want these things for, Ryuga."
She tilted her head, very puzzled.
"Oh, and this, all of Mobius's research data. Of course, her private logs are encrypted; you'll have to find her to unlock them yourself."
As she spoke, she stuffed a pitch-black laptop with a snake pattern into Ryuga's arms.
Leaving in such a hurry, Mobius only took the key results.
"Just leaving some legacy for future generations."
Ryuga gave a vague answer.
The Current Civilization inherited the legacy of the Previous Era, the two most important items being "Stigmata" and "Divine Keys."
For the worst-case scenario.
Of course, with the addition of the Star Rail system, Stigmata might see new diversity.
And Elysia, who had become a "Star Guardian," no longer needed to sacrifice herself as in the original plot to achieve the effects for the Current Civilization.
In short, research it first.
As for "Divine Keys"?
What he wanted most was "The Slumber of All Things."
In short, dump all the Herrscher Cores on Vill-V, and as for the Herrscher bodies, Honkai Beasts, Zombies, and such, give them to Mobius first.
After all, she was the one who first tinkered with Stigmata, and with Ruan Mei around, it would be safer.
"Dear, let's go."
After sending a message to Hua, Ryuga put Elysia, Vill-V, Himeko, and Carole's family into the Wallpaper House and then opened the Anywhere Door.
He wanted to do an experiment.
...
As if seeing what the girl was thinking?
Hen comforted her: "Lord Demon God will come back. Let's proceed with the second phase of training."
"Yeah."
Fu Hua nodded; the days ahead were still long.
She couldn't let Ryuga down.
In her heart, Fu Hua cheered herself on.
Additionally, she now had her own surname: "Fu."
Ryuga gave it to her, saying that "Fu" sounds like "Blessing" (Fu) and would bring her good luck.
...
Herta Space Station.
The days of "working" were both painful and happy. Mei and Blanca spent the whole morning repairing the equipment that needed maintenance.
Then, they reluctantly bought two cans of "Happiness Water" (Cola) and rested for a while on the sofa in the rest area.
"So tired, but seeing the Herta Coins arrive is still very happy."
Mei lay on the sofa and took a beautiful sip.
Refreshing and uplifting.
Blanca was in the same posture.
The two lay together like two salted fish that had lost their dreams.
"Speaking of which, our boss is too irresponsible, isn't he? Dumping us here for half a year and not even coming to take a look?"
Blanca complained.
"Oh?"
A voice suddenly popped up beside them, giving Blanca a start.
"Bo... Boss?"
Turning her head, she saw that at some point, Ryuga was leaning on the sofa behind them, looking at them with a smile.
Blanca immediately felt guilty; fortunately, she hadn't said anything too bad just now?
"Are you used to the space station?"
"It's alright."
Just as he was about to chat with his outstanding employees, not far away, a Herta puppet in a purple Lolita dress walked over: "Hmm? Ryuga, why are you here?"
"Just in time, there's a distress signal here. Haven't you always wanted to get involved with the Luofu? Then take a trip."
"What's the matter?"
Ryuga asked curiously.
"It's a distress signal from the 'Whistling Flames' merchant guild of the Luofu Skyfaring Commission; they've encountered an attack by the Borisin."
"Additionally, a fleet from the Yaoqing Foxian Guard has rushed over and is also in a stalemate. The leader is named Feixiao."
"It seems the Borisin hunting pack besieging them is very strong. I was planning to head over."
"Since you're here, I'll leave it to you."
As Herta spoke, she tossed a star map to him and then turned and left in a hurry.
"..."
He always felt there was something strange about Herta.
But Ryuga didn't think much of it.
Feixiao?
Whistling Flames merchant guild?
Tingyun?
To be continued…