Cultivating in Honkai!

Cocolia's story became more interesting to my ears. There are smaller details the game did not mention.

For example, Siegfried's actions right after he left Kiana. He did not make a fuss on Siberia, but rather, the regions outside it. That's how we came across Siegfried's traces near St. Petersburg. 

Cocolia handled one of his governmental cases and knew about it. Her position as a high military official is confirmed as well.

As for the things after that, it became more general. It is obvious she did not know or care much about Siegfried's shenanigans. She did not know about Kiana housing the Second Herrscher either.

It is different for me who knew the entire story.

That's why I can trust Cocolia to a certain extent. At least before the start of X-10, she did her due responsibilities. Everything after that is a mess, as if Cocolia turned crazy from everything. Nothing will explain her shitty writing, otherwise.

There is also Ryoma's safeguard. He and Siegfried will come rushing once something bad happens to Kiana.

Finally, my own strength.

I haven't tested my spells yet, but the burning incident from before indirectly confirms it. A middle stage Qi Refining cultivator stands a chance against multiple robots…

Why did I remember a certain Big Boss under a cardboard box?

Anyways, I will wait and see. If Cocolia is already starting it, some plans will have to be put forward.

If the worst comes, my blade can…

"...left Schicksal. He is akin to a man with wanted orders all around the world…"

Fifteen minutes later, the entire gist of events was revealed to Kiana. She completely understands why Siegfried left her.

"Things are not up to you. It is up to your father."

"The old man…"

I can see Kiana's entangled look very well. Her knowing the truth early on did not happen in the original story. My presence messed up a lot of things.

I can still guess it has something to do with my [Two Phase Art].

Nevertheless, this is not a bad thing. What Kiana needs is a stable place, even if only for half a year.

There is also a preliminary plan I came up with for immortal cultivation.

If…

If the X-10 experiment does not happen, will the Third Eruption occur?

If I can prevent Cocolia from doing that experiment, won't she have zero reasons to mess with Raiden Mei's Gem of Conquest?

It's a worthwhile thought.

"Miss Cocolia. Won't you give us a chance?"

"Oh?"

"If you come across Siegfried's whereabouts… if he is in a suitable scenario… Can you tell us?"

I put down my cards.

"We will take it as a favor."

She looked at my eyes for a while. Her face did not change. 

I can't read much from her.

"Certainly."

Cocolia gave out a verdict.

"Thank you."

I felt Kiana's stinging gaze. Her face is a mixture of surprise and gratitude. A child will more or less get affected by Cocolia's momentum. The entire room is filled with her professionalism.

Just then, she re-iterated her previous offer.

"Won't you consider staying?"

"I am afraid not." I politely declined. "My sect sent me out to experience the real world… and my benefactor needs help."

I spoke out the old-fashioned words I rehearsed for a month. I knew very well I needed to explain my background one day.

"Your sect?"

"It is located in a mountain range in England."

"Oh."

She nodded before asking:

"Is it a part of Shenzhou's teachings?"

Shenzhou.

In my spare time, I googled some relevant things like Shenzhou's Celestial. A lot of folk tales appeared on sites. Although nothing honkai-related was hinted at, the myths of the said celestial killing monsters and exorcising demons are spread out.

With the power I showed…

"It might be. I was told we were separated from the main branch."

My professional yapping skills came to play.

Whether or not my half-truth gets unfolded, it is a matter for the future.

"I see. As long as you change your mind, you are free to stay."

"I will keep it in mind."

*****

Meticulous.

That was how Cocolia described Shi Tian. Through their meeting now, she saw his mental age far surpassing his peers. He proposed what Kiana could not. He did not get overwhelmed by the general gist she told them.

All in all, Cocolia was impressed. 

The sect mentioned by Shi Tian did get her attention. The level of strength he demonstrated is way beyond a normal human. Moreover, he is a man.

Schicksal had valkyries because women' s honkai resistance is higher than a man's. There are only a few cases of males possessing high levels of honkai resistance. It indirectly caused beautiful girls to outnumber handsome guys.

"Sect, Shenzhou…"

She decided to delegate a part of her manpower to Shenzhou's investigation.

"Bronya." 

She called out to the girl who was about to leave. Only the two of them remained inside the office.

"What do you think of him?"

"...Dangerous. Polite."

Towards the Matushka who took her in, Bronya felt somewhat complicated. She could not drop her guard so easily. Simultaneously, the other party let her feel the warmth of a home.

Hearing the same impression from the other two personnel, Cocolia nodded.

"You may go."

*****

"You will finally have a bed!"

Kiana's voice rang in my ears. I am not in the mood to reply.

No way.

For a moment, I cannot believe it.

Apparently, every bedroom in this orphanage is a two-person room. Although there are empty rooms available, the orphanage itself adopts children. The empty rooms will be filled up.

Meaning, if I separate with Kiana now, I will end up sleeping together with a stranger. The said stranger is most likely a girl.

Cocolia established her orphanage mainly to take in 'homeless children' within Siberia. They are more likely to have a certain level of honkai resistance.

Who else will have honkai resistances if not girls?

I don't know if it's deliberate or not. There's no use thinking about it.

Anyways, Kiana trusted me well enough to be her roommate. I am also more comfortable with her than anyone else.

Thus, that decision was reached.

Clang.

I placed down the silver case against the wall. I sat down on my brand new bed. It is surprisingly soft and comfortable.

On the far right side is Kiana's place. She is currently organizing her clothing, preparing to place them on a mini-closet beside her bed.

My eyes caught a glimpse of something.

I looked away.

"Hm…"

Let's test it today.

I will set the [Two Phase Art]'s range within this room and see whether it can be detected. The next action will be depended on its outcome.

For once, I can actively reveal immortal cultivation to Anti-Entropy's side. To Ryoma, in particular. Welt Yang is more reassuring than the radicals.

There are no losses in this regard. Anti-Entropy's resources will open up to me. I slowly realized the need to know more about the honkai, and there's nothing more suitable than Anti-Entropy. If there are more cultivators out there to help with some stuff, I'd be more than happy to help.

"I'll start practicing now."

"Hum? Go on."

I started [Two Phase Art]'s operation. The first time, I opened it to the maximum. Its radius is bigger… maybe due to cultivation increase?

It took a few seconds to extend it fully to the underground.

…

Nope.

There's none nearby. I expected there to be some hidden rooms and such. It's not directly beneath the orphanage. I am mistaken.

I will need to find that beach… whose name I can't recall. The underground base is somewhere over there. The only problem is that... this Siberia don't have beaches. That scales the difficulty up. 

I cna vaguely remember it as a yellow sand beach, but there should be NO beaches in Siberia. Why would there be one if it's snowing most of the time around?

Looking at the carefree Kiana, I heaved a sigh. I limited the [Two Phase Art] inside this room to avoid any abnormalities.

To preserve these normal days, strength is the key.

"Cultivation…"

By then, the one courting death won't be me, but my enemies.