When Xia Chen returned to Schicksal Headquarters, he found Nagamitsu looking rather awkward.
He knew the reason for Nagamitsu's discomfort.
The Moonscorch armor was highly effective, and Xia Chen could utilize it, but it simply wasn't suited to him.
If compared to a video game, Moonscorch's design resembled using a high-level character to clear low-level mobs. Although efficient and swift, it felt wasteful.
Moreover, the most critical issue was that after clearing enemies, this character would be drained of energy.
Xia Chen thought that Schicksal's Moonscorch Armor could be likened to Anti-Entropy's Father armor—impressive yet practically useless.
Of course, as a fourth-generation armor, its base capabilities far surpassed those of the third generation.
Nagamitsu expressed his intention to further improve the armor, to which Xia Chen remained indifferent.
It was clear that Otto intended for Xia Chen to use the Moonscorch Armor; otherwise, he wouldn't have asked him to test it.
With a smile, Otto said, "Your talent is exceptional. I eagerly anticipate your performance on future battlefields."
Xia Chen had to admit, Otto was indeed a charismatic man.
Regardless of the situation, unless one became his enemy, he always managed to make people feel at ease and comfortable around him.
After speaking, Otto departed.
Xia Chen couldn't help but sigh in relief.
Following this unexpected event, he naturally decided against going to the training room—it was already 1 AM.
As a Valkyrie warrior, short periods of sleep were sufficient to regain energy. Lying on his bed, Xia Chen suddenly considered simulating again.
Since Rin could blur memories of the simulation process, he no longer needed to strictly follow the System's advice.
He closed his eyes, first ensuring to lay out the bedsheets as usual.
The pattern on the sheet had faded significantly due to repeated washing and drying over time.
[Schicksal World Simulator activated.]
[Current Scenario: Intrinsic World - Queen's Descent.]
[Equipped Weapon: Red Sakura.]
[Assigned Stigmata: Ana Schariac.]
[System generating records...]
[Day 1:]
As Xia Chen returned to the familiar floating island once more, he was taken aback.
Herrscher of the Void again? Quite the coincidence.
Gripping his weapon tightly, a ferocious expression crossed Xia Chen's face.
Sirin was quite the 'old acquaintance' now.
Despite knowing that Herrscher of the Void's abilities were crucial to Otto's plan, at this moment, all he wanted was to kill her.
Even if he couldn't defeat her completely, he aimed to strike fear into her.
Countless Honkai Beasts rampaged across the floating island as usual, but suddenly, a chilling blast swept through, freezing them all instantly.
"Thank you, Ana."
He lifted his head, gazing up at the towering figure of the Herrscher above him.
The Herrscher sensed his acknowledgment and looked down.
"Hmm, an intriguing human," Sirin observed disdainfully from high above. "Do you dare challenge me?"
Xia Chen, clad in the Mark-III Valkyrie Armor, remained undaunted. Without speaking, he charged directly with his sword raised.
The mystic blade's crimson glow burst forth like scattering cherry blossom petals.
"Sakura Petal Fall!"
Sirin instinctively retreated to evade the blade's arc, but Xia Chen moved even faster.
At this moment, Xia Chen's combat ability was akin to an S-rank Valkyrie, while Sirin had only just taken control of Kiana's body.
A Herrscher wields immense authority but requires time to adapt to their new vessel—a limitation even Sirin could not escape.
Xia Chen felt utterly confident.
Sirin continuously evaded, while Xia Chen utilized his authority to briefly hover and relentlessly pursue her with the mystic blade.
Swinging a kitchen knife like a madman, sparks flew amidst lightning strikes.
A flash of anger crossed Sirin's eyes.
Was the world turning upside down? How could anyone dare to bully a Herrscher so easily? As the Herrscher of the Void, she found herself being chased by a human in mid-air—absolutely absurd.
Furious, she retaliated with the Aether Spear, but Xia Chen was no longer encountering Sirin for the first time. Despite its ability to shift between reality and illusion, the Aether Spear still relied on molecular motion.
With Ana's blessing, he could temporarily harness powers similar to a Herrscher. Even freezing the air itself posed no challenge, making it difficult for the Aether Spear to penetrate him.
"How is this possible? You..." Before Sirin could finish, Xia Chen struck again with his blade.
Fortunately, her combat experience was extensive, allowing her to block crucial moments with Honkai Energy.
However, the freezing frost frustrated Sirin, temporarily severing her connection to Honkai Energy and preventing her from tearing through space to escape. A deep sense of sorrow and anger began to surge within her.
Who is truly the Herrscher here?
Oh God, are you abandoning your apostle?
However, Sirin had not yet given up.
Since her powers as the Herrscher of the Void were ineffective, she possessed another authority within her—the Gem of Serenity.
The ability to control life's growth or decay emerged from her hand.
Xia Chen observed black mist surrounding Sirin but remained unfazed.
"Ana, please."
Unleashing the full potential of his Stigmata, Xia Chen executed Icebound Sky, slicing through the air with his blade.
Instantly, Sirin was encased in ice.
"Roar!"
Benares, the Archon Honkai Beast arriving from Siberia, dove towards Xia Chen for impact.
Just then, a railgun beam struck Benares' back.
The SSS Hyperion, equipped with the Moonlight Throne, had just fired its shot.
Despite the pain, Benares continued undeterred, charging at Xia Chen.
Even without considering its elemental abilities, Xia Chen couldn't afford to underestimate the sheer force of such a massive collision.
After all, Benares weighed several tons.
With no time to worry about the frozen Sirin, he leaped aside, landing on the nearby SSS Hyperion.
Currently, Xia Chen lacked flight capabilities.
"If only I had access to fourth-generation armor," he couldn't help but think.
Even Moon Ash, which seemed rather insignificant to him, could still provide flight assistance. Durandal had even used the Moonlit Specter to travel from Europe to Shenzhou.
Unfortunately, Moon Ash wasn't suitable for Xia Chen, and it was uncertain if Schicksal would design new armor specifically for him.
As Xia Chen approached, he drew cautious attention from the Valkyries aboard the SSS Hyperion. Theresa and Bronya watched him warily, their expressions reflecting exhaustion and weariness. The ship itself bore signs of damage from the Honkai Beasts' assault.
Xia Chen glanced around and calmly stated, "I'm here to retrieve the Herrscher."
"She's not a Herrscher," came a tearful voice. It was Raiden Mei, whom Xia Chen recognized.
However, he replied indifferently, "Reality tells me otherwise."
Xia Chen did not linger on the Hyperion, instead contacting Alvitr to confirm the Herrscher's location.
Raiden Mei could only watch helplessly as he leaped away from the ship.
"Why is this happening..."
She couldn't comprehend how the world had turned out like this.
Naturally, Xia Chen remained indifferent. Just as he prepared to track down the Herrscher, Alvitr's communication reached his ears.
However, the voice on the other end belonged to Otto.
"Xia Chen, you've done well," spoke the Lord Bishop, who had previously held high regard for him.
"Perhaps I wasn't clear enough; our objective is to control the Herrscher of the Void. Durandal has already been dispatched for retrieval. Return and rest now."
Xia Chen hesitated momentarily but ultimately agreed, feeling somewhat unsatisfied. Since Durandal was handling the retrieval, there shouldn't be any issues.
[The Herrscher of the Void escaped.]
[Schicksal deployed multiple Valkyrie squads to contain this Honkai Disaster. You and Ana Schariac worked tirelessly day and night, taking fifteen days to resolve the Honkai Event in the Middle East.]
[The Schicksal World experience has concluded. You may permanently retain one item from this simulation to bring into the real world. Congratulations! You have earned 2x Honkai Pieces, 2x Supply Crates. Extract now?]
[Your Honkai Energy compatibility has increased.]