It was a bright, sunny day. Li Xuan squinted in the sunlight, thinking, "Life couldn't be better." He was lounging in a leather recliner, sipping tea brewed from leaves he'd scavenged from an abandoned house.
This life was too good to be true.
After nearly being buried alive yesterday, though the Xuanyuan Ceremonial Suit had mitigated much of the damage, he was still left battered and bruised. At first glance, it looked quite serious, but in reality, it was nothing. Moreover, since his transmigration, his physical constitution had been steadily improving, and minor injuries like these would heal in a matter of days.
But a maiden's kindness was a debt that must be repaid. Yae Sakura, a kind and simple girl, believed his injuries were her fault and had gone out to gather food today as an apology. Though Li Xuan couldn't see how his injuries were her fault, he was more than happy to take a break.
Besides, after slaying such a massive Honkai Beast yesterday, he had used his Stigmata to extract a large quantity of pure Honkai Energy Crystals from its body. Sending Yae Sakura away today was also a way to keep his secret safe, allowing him to make another wish. After all, he still didn't fully understand Yae Sakura's origins.
Li Xuan put down his water cup and retrieved the Gate of Wishes from his ring, along with a pile of Honkai Energy Crystals. The azure crystals emitted a faint blue glow under the sunlight.
Li Xuan counted out 280 crystals, then used the remaining crystals to enhance his Rifled Flintlock, increasing its power and ammunition capacity.
One by one, the crystals vanished into the Gate of Wishes. After the last crystal was consumed, the Gate suddenly emitted a blinding purple light.
Li Xuan lowered his hand, which had been shielding his eyes, and gazed expectantly at the Gate.
Before him lay a delicate, hollow lace garment—a woman's lingerie. "What the hell is this?" Li Xuan's eyes widened. He reached out and picked up the tiny lace garment, and as expected, a message appeared in his mind:
*Five-Star Material: Hollow Lace. Unknown Effect.*
"..." Li Xuan fell silent for a moment, then expressionlessly placed the tiny lace garment on his head.
"..." Hmm, no surge of power, no special buffs... just an ordinary piece of clothing...
"Aaaah!! My crystals!" 'What the hell is this thing good for!?' In a nearby building, a certain African loser ripped the lace garment from his head with a howl of despair after his attempt to use it had failed miserably.
At that moment, a massive explosion erupted outside with a resounding "Boom!"
"What was that?" Li Xuan peered out curiously.
Yae Sakura walked down the alley, casually dispatching a Dead Soldier. She carried a large bundle filled with food she had gathered, including the noodles that only needed to be boiled to taste like home. She had found a huge supply of them.
With the bloodstained Sakura Blizzard in one hand and the massive bundle in the other, Yae Sakura flashed a smile that could melt any boy's heart. Her long, fox-like ears twitched excitedly, betraying her joyful mood.
"Hah, die!" Suddenly, the sounds of fighting and angry shouts filled the air. This surprised Yae Sakura, as she had rarely seen humans in this city. Now, it was clear someone had appeared.
Yae Sakura set down her belongings and peeked cautiously around the corner.
There stood a silver-haired girl, about four feet tall, clad in a black and white nun's habit. She was clearly trapped in a swarm of Dead Soldiers. Yae Sakura felt a pang of sympathy and considered helping, but then she noticed the golden cross hanging around the silver-haired nun's neck.
*Ugh...* The sight of the petite girl's pure white hair suddenly gave Yae Sakura a headache. Fragments of forgotten memories seemed to surface in her mind, incomplete images that flitted through her thoughts like fleeting nightmares.
At this moment, the silver-haired nun found herself in a predicament. While she had encountered a horde of Dead Soldiers, she could easily handle the ordinary ones herself. Even smashing them with the Oath of Judah would suffice, without needing to activate its full power.
But now she faced a mid-level Dead Soldier—a red-haired one known from the data as a particularly troublesome self-destruct type. Getting too close would likely result in serious injury from its explosion.
*Tch, no choice.* The nun reached out and touched the golden cross, saying, "Soul Steel of Judas's Oath, feel my soul and unleash your power!"
The cross known as the Oath of Judah emitted a twanging sound, extending its sides to reveal a long spear. The golden spear gleamed in the sunlight, its sharp edges glinting like the fangs of a monstrous beast, radiating a faint chill.
The spear, forged from obsidian alloy, shot forward, instantly piercing the red-haired Dead Soldier.
"Explode," the nun murmured, turning away. A thunderous explosion erupted behind her, sending her silver hair dancing in the shockwave.
In the alley, Yae Sakura walked with her head bowed, clutching her belongings and looking utterly lost.