I Am Honkai

"—Grow!"

With Selene's command, the chasm caused by the "Eurasian Sky Disaster" was entirely covered in tangible violet-red Honkai Energy Crystals.

The ridged mountains and compacted earth began to quake violently.

The ground fractured inch by inch, forming dense, intricate cracks. From these fissures, concentrated Honkai Energy surged forth like torrents, shooting into the sky and dyeing the heavens a terrifying blood-red.

Buzz—buzz—buzz!

Centered on the Eurasian continent, the concentration of Honkai Energy in the atmosphere continued to rise.

Those standing near Selene—Astartes warriors and mortal auxiliary officers alike—felt their entire bodies shuddering with euphoric pleasure.

The sensation was akin to coming home, filling them with unparalleled relaxation and joy.

The power armor worn by the Astartes and the lightweight combat suits of the mortals, crafted from Orichalcum and Honkai Energy Crystals, resonated with the ambient Honkai Energy.

On their armor, the golden double-headed eagle emblems and various insignias—U-shaped crests, olive branches, swords, shields, skulls—gleamed faintly under the violet-red light, alternately brightening and dimming.

Hidden in their armor packs, the energy absorption units discreetly siphoned the high-density Honkai energy, converting it into reserves.

Through their helmet displays, the Astartes noticed with astonishment that the energy expended during their movements was being replenished at an astonishing rate.

For ordinary humans, Honkai Energy was undoubtedly a deadly poison.

Unprotected, exposure to Honkai Energy almost invariably resulted in "zombification," leaving only a rare, fortunate few to survive and evolve.

Clearly, Astartes warriors, mortal auxiliaries, and the citizens of the Empire—along with those assimilated from conquered worlds—were exceptions.

To them, Honkai Energy was as comforting as the scent of home.

Some Astartes even removed their helmets, taking deep breaths of the Honkai-laden air.

With Selene presiding, the Empire's integration of Honkai Energy had always trended toward beneficial outcomes. Under her meticulous adjustments and deliberate control, the dangers of uncontrolled mutations were nearly nonexistent.

Ten years may seem short, but it has been transformative, especially when measured against societal evolution.

A decade ago, communication devices were dominated by flip phones and landlines; now, smartphones permeate daily life, their convenience making them indispensable.

Such gradual, imperceptible changes—whether spanning years, months, or even weeks—can profoundly reshape habits and societies.

Selene's approach mirrored this phenomenon.

For the citizens of the Empire, obedience to Selene's rule, participation in Astartes expeditions, encounters with "adorable" Honkai beasts, reliance on Honkai Energy for power, and interactions with alien slaves from conquered worlds were all routine aspects of life.

So ingrained were these elements that their absence would feel unsettling, even wrong.

If someone were to emerge one day advocating rebellion against the Empress's rule, proclaiming equality and freedom, denouncing Honkai Beasts as evil, and declaring Honkai Energy the harbinger of destruction, their words would spark no revolution.

Instead, such an "agitator" would likely be apprehended as a traitor—not by Imperial forces but by ordinary citizens eager to claim a bounty.

"Oh?"

Selene suddenly remembered the presence of a few locals who had never undergone acclimation to Honkai Energy.

Even though she controlled the Honkai Energy to prevent harmful mutations, its overwhelming density was undoubtedly unbearable for them.

Turning to check, she saw that her suspicion was correct.

Westcott and Ellen had collapsed to the ground, their bodies trembling as they clutched their chests, gasping for air as though trapped in a sauna. Sweat poured profusely from their exposed skin.

As for Elliot and Karen from the Ratatoskr organization, their condition was far worse. Severely injured during their capture by Robert's forces, the intense Honkai Energy further drained their vitality until they lay unresponsive.

"They're probably not dead yet," Selene mused, pausing her work. "Mmm, tools... ahem, contributors to the Empire's construction shouldn't die so easily."

Drawing a circle in the air with a wave of her hand, she isolated their space and resumed her task, satisfied.

"Break through the earth!"

Buzz—buzz—buzz!

Screeeech—!!

The ground quaked violently as twisted patterns carved themselves into the terrain, glowing brilliantly as they spread.

The rugged, desolate earth transformed instantly, becoming smooth and metallic, glimmering with a strange sheen.

As the fissures widened, a tender "shoot" broke through the ground.

In mere moments, towering walls of violet-red light—the colossal "tree"—rose, filling everyone's view.

"Is this still the Kabbalah Tree of Life?"

Westcott and Ellen stared in awe at the rapidly growing tree, momentarily speechless.

"No," Selene replied casually. "Now, it should be called the Simulated Imaginary Tree."

Crack—crack—crack!

As Selene spoke, the earth groaned as though alive. The heavy, resonant sounds of colossal forces shifting filled the air.

"Is... Is space itself breaking apart?!"

Westcott stared as the tree's dense branches pierced the atmosphere, oscillating between dimensions.

The immense branches obliterated reality itself, exposing the twisted Neighboring World beyond.

In the past, when Spirits escaped into the Neighboring World, humanity could do nothing. But now, the mere growth of the tree tore through that barrier effortlessly.

Then, something even more astonishing occurred.

Beneath their feet, the dense Honkai crystal formations began to disintegrate as they were rapidly absorbed by the tree.

The shattered crystal dust swirled into massive clouds, rising tens of thousands of meters into the sky.

Centered on the Simulated Imaginary Tree, the "Eurasian Sky Disaster" chasm churned with turbulent waves of liquid energy, surging toward the tree in a massive tidal flow.

In the skies above, violet-red mist spiraled into a massive vortex.

Everything within the chasm—the crystalline formations, the liquid energy, and the mist—was drawn into the tree.

Boom—rumble—boom!

Lightning flashed, thunder roared, and the ground trembled. Across the planet, every living creature could feel the seismic upheaval as their world shook violently.

At the heart of the Eurasian continent, where the scene resembled the apocalypse, Selene now stood atop a network of sprawling roots.

These massive roots expanded outward with terrifying force, obliterating everything in their path.

Submerging everything in its path, the roots of the tree swept away forests, uprooted trees, and flattened mountains and stones…

The destructive force annihilated everything in its trajectory.

After a long period of growth, the Simulated Imaginary Tree finally ceased expanding.

What appeared before Selene was a "World Tree" towering beyond the troposphere, penetrating the stratosphere and mesosphere, standing over 50 kilometers tall. Its trunk was so massive that it would take countless people linking hands to encircle it.

The sprawling canopy of the tree extended over an area exceeding 500,000 square kilometers, while its roots had penetrated deep into the planet's mantle, spreading across a vast expanse.

Countless solidified Honkai energy particles began to coalesce into bubbles, appearing in the surrounding area. Together with Selene's domain, they formed an expansive "purple sea" connecting heaven and earth.

Above the sky, the mountain ranges of the Honkai Dimension and star maps of conquered worlds refracted into view, emanating a dazzling brilliance.

Thump!

Thump, thump!

Thump, thump, thump!

With each heartbeat-like pulse from the Simulated Imaginary Tree, resembling the planetary core's rhythm, the inhabitants of this world felt their perception of time, their physical sensations, and even their consciousness slip into a void of emptiness.

The entire surrounding space seemed to collapse into nothingness in an instant.

"This world held such treasures?"

Standing seven paces behind Selene, Robert, the Chapter Master (Grand Commander) of the 13th Legion of Astartes Extremis, stared upward in awe.

The Kabbalah Tree of Life, combined with Honkai Energy and modified, could produce such an effect?!

The immense size of the Simulated Imaginary Tree was almost beyond comprehension, reminiscent of a mythical World Tree. The sheer magnitude of Honkai Energy required to fuel its growth was staggering.

Robert glanced up at the canopy stretching into the clouds. Selene made a single motion, and in the blink of an eye, she and the Imperial forces standing nearby vanished.

Swoosh!

Now standing on the tree trunk situated in the mesosphere, Selene gazed into the distance. Beneath her lay the human world, while above was the vastness of space. No matter how many times she experienced it, the sensation filled her with unparalleled exhilaration.

Here, the phrase "leaves as wide as parasols" was no exaggeration—it might even be an understatement.

The victorious First Company of the 13th Legion's Ultramarines stood on one of the branches of the Simulated Imaginary Tree, their vast numbers occupying it without any sense of crowding.

"Your Majesty, it seems this Simulated Imaginary Tree is providing feedback to us..."

Following behind Selene, Robert spoke excitedly.

Approaching the trunk, the overwhelming vitality emanating from the Simulated Imaginary Tree was so potent that Robert could distinctly feel the Honkai Energy coursing through his body—within his flesh, bones, internal organs, and marrow—steadily increasing.

"Indeed. As a replica of the 'Principles that Govern the Universe, the Mysteries of Life's Cycles, and the Origin of All Things,' even as a counterfeit at merely Level 1, its effects are still extraordinary."

This world would be entirely transformed by Honkai Energy. The dense concentration of Honkai Energy would influence the growth of all life forms—humans, vegetation, animals, and even minerals—bestowing varying degrees of enhancement.

In other words, this world would become an excellent recruitment source. Not just for auxiliary forces; it could even provide reinforcements for Astartes warriors!

A world capable of recruitment, manufacturing, resource generation, and energy production—it was an invaluable asset to any Astartes legion.

At the heart of the Simulated Imaginary Tree, Selene ran her hand along the seemingly rough yet exquisitely smooth surface of its trunk, nodding slightly.

For a moment, she hesitated. Though she was certain this was her first time touching it, the composition of the Simulated Imaginary Tree evoked an indescribable sense of familiarity.

The tree seemed like an enormous bubble, composed of billions of smaller bubbles coalescing together!

These bubble-like entities seemed to represent the people of this world. Each bubble symbolized an individual—constantly forming, vanishing, reforming, and vanishing again in an endless cycle of reincarnation.

Selene chuckled softly, "How quaint. You're just a knockoff that represents only the humans of this world, whereas the bubbles on the true Imaginary Tree represent entire worlds."

Tremble... tremble... tremble...

A faint quiver traveled through Selene's fingertips, as though the tree were an affectionate child seeking attention. Although she wasn't entirely certain, it seemed the Simulated Imaginary Tree understood her words and was sulkily protesting to its creator—its "mother."

"All right, all right, I won't say more. You've just been born, after all."

Stroking the surface of the Simulated Imaginary Tree, Selene gazed upward, her tone filled with anticipation.

"This is merely an imitation rooted in a single world… The true Imaginary Tree, rooted in the Quantum Sea… What kind of grandeur must it hold?"

"Um, Your Majesty... about this..."

In the thin atmosphere of the mesosphere, Robert exhaled visible white breaths. His heavily armored fingers intertwined nervously.

"Enough. You're the Chapter Master of an Astartes legion. Stop being so indecisive. Speak your mind."

Amused, Selene observed Robert, already guessing his thoughts.

"Your Majesty, will this world be annexed into the 13th Legion… or directly controlled by the central administration?" Robert cautiously asked.

"Do I look like the type to go back on my word? Do I seem like the kind of monarch who exploits their subjects without giving anything in return?" Selene scolded with a laugh.

"Uh... probably not…"

"Hmm?! Then perhaps I should—"

"No! Your Majesty! You are benevolent and wise, a visionary leader, just and compassionate, beloved by your people—"

Instinctively standing at attention, Robert placed a hand on his chest and spoke earnestly.

"Hmm. I accept your praise."

Selene chuckled as she stepped closer. Robert knelt on one knee in response.

Clang, clang, clang!

Tapping her fingers against Robert's neck armor, Selene suddenly asked, "Robert, how would you feel about making this world the capital of the 13th Legion?"

"What?!"

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

40 Advanced Chapters Available on Patreon: 

Patreon.com/DaoOfHeaven