NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 429: Showdown - Part 2
A surging torrent of consciousness, carrying the mindscape's entire Honkai energy, roared like a tsunami. Thick, deep purple Honkai energy converged, forming boundless waves.
The Herrscher of Sentience formed a sword with her fingers and tapped her forehead. In an instant, sword intent sharp enough to tear the mindscape apart erupted skyward.
Under this pressure, Kiana, who had previously felt she still had energy to spare, felt an overwhelming mental exhaustion. Even breathing became difficult.
The Domain of Incandescence in her hand lost its fiery form, reverting to pure consciousness energy before being completely absorbed by the distant Herrscher.
This was the unique power of Sentience's authority.
Unlike Herrschers like the Herrscher of Ice whose powers focused on pure combat, the Herrscher of Sentience held an absolute advantage within the mental realm. In the real world, Kiana might be able to suppress her with her combined Herrscher powers, but here, within the mindscape, Sentience reigned supreme.
Moreover, Senti was now completely reckless, willing to risk her own consciousness being devoured by the Honkai to empower this final strike.
This was a gamble, a desperate attack with everything on the line. Kiana had no tricks left to play. Her only option was to face it head-on.
Even with the odds stacked against her, Kiana wasn't afraid to face the Taixu Sword God. Her true concern was for Fu Hua, fighting alongside her.
Kiana, as a full Herrscher, had Ren on her side. Even if she lost, it would only result in serious injuries, a temporary setback.
But Fu Hua had no physical body. If her consciousness was damaged, even the Fenghuang Down might not be able to sustain her.
Watching Senti gather power in the distance, Kiana's heart sank. As she considered her options, Fu Hua spoke.
"Kiana, leave this to me. I have a way to deal with the Herrscher."
Fu Hua's voice was calm, as if she had anticipated this situation and had a plan ready.
"Really?"
Kiana was doubtful, not because she didn't trust Fu Hua, but because her composure seemed unusual at such a critical juncture.
"Yes. While you were fighting, I infiltrated the Herrscher of Sentience's mindscape. All I need to do is sever her connection to the Honkai. I've already opened a path to the real world through the Fenghuang Down. You need to leave the mindscape, now."
As if to prove her point, Fu Hua's figure emerged from the Fenghuang Down. Her fingertips traced a Tai Chi pattern in the white void, and through it, Kiana could faintly see the landscape of Taixu Mountain outside.
"But the Herrscher of Sentience is different. Even you, Class Monitor, shouldn't be able to handle the Taixu Sword God."
"Don't worry. Have you forgotten? I created the Taixu Sword God. I understand it better than anyone. I have a way. You…"
A jolt of pain made Fu Hua's voice tremble. She turned away, hiding her expression from Kiana.
"You'll only be in my way if you stay. Leave. Take Ren with you, leave Taixu Mountain. I'll find you when this is over."
Infiltrating the mindscape wasn't easy. She had gained control, transforming it into this white void, but in doing so, she had also exposed herself to the corrosive Honkai energy within.
To avoid revealing her true intentions, she urged Kiana to leave.
But Fu Hua had forgotten that Kiana was no longer the naive girl she could easily deceive.
"Class Monitor, you know, compared to Ren, you're really bad at lying."
Instead of heading for the exit, Kiana grabbed Fu Hua's arm, pulling her around to face her.
"Kiana, what are you talking about? I…"
Fu Hua tried to defend herself, but her voice trailed off as she met Kiana's intense blue gaze.
"Listen to me this time. Don't be reckless." She knew she couldn't keep up the pretense.
Having merged her consciousness with the mindscape, she could feel the turbulent Honkai energy within, the deep purple flames burning and scorching her consciousness.
Her original plan had been to seal herself and Senti within the mindscape and self-destruct. However, the Taixu Sword God had thrown a wrench in her plans. As she had said, no one understood the Taixu Sword God better than her. She knew that once it was unleashed, neither she nor Kiana would survive.
Her only option was to buy Kiana time to escape and try to complete the exchange.
"You're the one being reckless."
Kiana's voice was ice-cold.
Fu Hua, lacking in emotional intelligence, hadn't realized that her choice of words had struck a nerve. She didn't know that Kiana had heard those words countless times before.
Siegfried, Himeko, Mei… they had all left without a word, treating her like the naive fool from St. Freya.
Everyone told her to stop being reckless, when it was they who were making unilateral decisions and leaving her behind.
"Class Monitor, I won't let you."
With that, Kiana fell silent. If she couldn't change Fu Hua's mind, then she would force her to see reason—just like Ren had done for her.
As they reached an impasse, the Herrscher of Sentience showed no sign of waiting. The sword intent intensified, and the space around them trembled.
Fu Hua knew that if she didn't act now, once the Taixu Sword God was complete, there would be no turning back.
"I'm sorry, Kiana, but I can't listen to you this time. The Herrscher of Sentience is using my body. This is our only chance to defeat her. I'll bind her within this realm with my own consciousness and return to the Honkai with her. This portal won't last long. You have to leave, now."
The Fenghuang Down in Kiana's hand blazed with blinding light, the heat searing her palm and forcing her to let go.
At that moment, Senti finished gathering her power. Immense Honkai energy coalesced into a soaring, avian construct of pure energy, tearing at the fabric of the mindscape.
"Wait!" Kiana reached out, trying to grab Fu Hua's fading form, but a screech from the avian construct echoed, ringing in her ears.
When she recovered, Fu Hua had completely merged with the mindscape.
And the soaring construct, as if cut in half, exploded in midair like a firework.