Honkai Impact: I, The Herrscher of Ice, Am Loved By Players

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The surface-level illusion presented one scene, but the deep-layered illusion revealed a starkly contrasting picture.

Surrounded by lush greenery and serene landscapes, Bai Zhi, veiled, sat within a tranquil pavilion sipping fragrant tea. Incense burned nearby, filling the air with soothing smoke, evoking a sense of Zen tranquility.

Although Bai Zhi embodied the consciousness form of the Herrscher of Sentience, she differed significantly from her counterpart. Her abilities and strength depended on the self that granted her these powers. In essence, if she required a physical body, her true self could create one for her without any distinction from how she normally exercised her Authorities.

However, being within this illusory realm, both the tea and incense were manifestations of mental energy, not tangible substances. Nonetheless, Bai Zhi could still perceive their flavors, albeit subjectively based on her perception.

Across from her, the Herrscher of Sentience version of Fu Hua sat restlessly scratching her head, displaying evident signs of distress.

Observing this, Bai Zhi raised her hand and gently tapped on the nearby table. A refined white jade vase appeared, adorned with a bundle of willow branches.

Ah, reminiscent of Guanyin and Sun Wukong's aura.

In truth, the Herrscher of Sentience's perplexity was quite understandable. After all, she is the Herrscher of Sentience; even though Bai Zhi left numerous clues, they fundamentally exist only within the realm of consciousness.

It didn't take long for the Herrscher to review everything, followed by attempts at verification and confirmation.

However, no matter how diligently the Herrscher scrutinized, she couldn't find any definitive leads to confirm the identity of the person before her, hence her frustration.

As she would put it, "What's with this? Let's just have a fight first and talk later!"

Yet, seeing Bai Zhi's composed demeanor, her desire to engage in battle dissipated. To explain it simply, Senti tends to pick on those weaker than herself while avoiding confrontation with stronger opponents—a stark contrast to Fu Hua's approach.

Senti avoids fights unless absolutely necessary, choosing not to engage if uncertain of victory. However, when critical moments arise, she doesn't hesitate or waver.

Overall, Senti leaned towards being timid and picking on those weaker than herself. However, thanks to Fu Hua's influence, she could stand firm during crucial moments.

Otherwise, Senti would likely have become more of a menace; one can only say that Fu Hua, the old relic, remains dependable after all.

"Would it be possible for the other esteemed presence to join us as well?" Ana asked with a smile, taking a sip from her tea.

Without a doubt, Bai Zhi referred to the true Fu Hua, whose consciousness currently resided within the Fenghuang Down inside Senti.

"Hmph." Senti let out a cold snort, somewhat reluctantly acknowledging that this illusory realm was now Bai Zhi's domain.

A burst of light emerged from Senti, swiftly transforming into a hazy figure. Gradually, the figure solidified, ultimately revealing a woman dressed unmistakably like the Red Kite Immortal from Azure Empyrea.

"Well, Your Excellency certainly possesses remarkable abilities," Fu Hua observed Bai Zhi intently before remarking deeply. Naturally, Ana merely smiled lightly, unfazed.

"After all, this is who I am - mediocrity isn't part of my repertoire."

Fu Hua remained silent, continuing to scrutinize Bai Zhi for further clues. This composed demeanor reminded Fu Hua of someone from her past - a person who had led her to her current predicament.

However, it was evident that the woman before her wasn't that acquaintance. Nonetheless, given their striking resemblance, as Bai Zhi claimed, she must indeed be an old friend.

"Don't worry; you both have plenty of time ahead. Besides, we're not adversaries," Bai Zhi said with a smile, pouring cups of tea for each of them.

Fu Hua picked up her teacup, pondered briefly, and took a cautious sip. Meanwhile, Senti eagerly drained hers in one gulp. Seeing no adverse effects on Senti reassured Fu Hua, allowing her to drink without hesitation.

This insight wasn't merely speculation but rather a reflection of both Fu Huas' unspoken thoughts, since they were within the illusory realm controlled by Bai Zhi, the Herrscher of Sentience.

"After all, how do you perceive Honkai?" Bai Zhi asked after a moment.

The perception of Honkai has always been an intriguing question. How one views Honkai determines how they confront it. For Fu Hua, however, the answer is unequivocal.

"Honkai... must be eradicated!"

As Azure Empyrea uttered these words, her body visibly trembled, and for a brief moment, her consciousness became momentarily disoriented.

A faint glimmer flashed in Bai Zhi's eyes, yet she effortlessly suppressed any further effects.

What exactly caused this disruption? No explanation was needed; it was Divine Sound—the foundational basis of Taixuan Sword Qi. Developed by Dr. Mei from the previous civilization using Aponia's Commandments as inspiration, it was tailored specifically for Fu Hua's cultivation method.

Later, Fu Hua refined this technique into the current form of Taixuan Sword Qi.

Additionally, in a sense, Fu Hua's Divine Tablet emerged as a result of Divine Sound manipulation. Despite various humorous nicknames used by players, the truth stands firm.

It can be said that Fu Hua's present physical state represents her optimal adaptation to Honkai Energy.

As for why other Herrschers have such impressive figures, that remains unknown.

"Honkai is merely a form of power; there's nothing particularly significant about it," the Herrscher of Sentience remarked nonchalantly. This statement truly embodied her character: on one hand, she was born under the guidance of the Will of Honkai, and on the other, she absorbed Fu Hua's memories. The result of these dual influences shaped her perspective.

Indeed, this viewpoint was accurate.

Honkai is just another type of energy. Consequently, neither Earth nor humanity can inherently label Honkai as harmful. Without the principles of Virtual Beings and quantum physics, how could humans rapidly advance their technology and achieve leaps in civilization?

Furthermore, Project Stigma was indeed a desperate measure. Replacing original humans with "new" humans bearing Stigmata, while confining the original humans' consciousnesses within dreams to serve as nourishment for the Stigmata—this approach strikingly mirrors a strategy employed in a parallel world.

Yes, precisely like Nu Su's world, where the female version of Su devoured the entire realm and integrated it into her own domain, akin to Buddhism's concept of Buddhist Realm Within One's Grasp.

Indeed, this approach transcended the collapse and passed the trial, but it was merely a deceptive illusion. Eventually, whether it be the new Stigmata humans from Project Stigma or Nu Su's Buddhist Realm Within One's Grasp, once reaching a certain limit, they would inevitably shatter.

Humans would ultimately awaken from their dreams, still needing to confront Honkai once again, unavoidably.

After all, until the Cocoon of Finality finds its chosen one, it will not cease this selection process. And with the Authority over time and cycles, the Herrscher of Finality can reset everything anew.

"So, what is your perspective on this matter, Your Excellency?"

As Azure Empyrea Fu Hua calmed down, she posed the question calmly, but Bai Zhi only smiled without responding.

Outside the illusory realm, events unfolded as per the original storyline. Soon, Kiana and Bronya encountered Lin Zhaoyu, the leader among Taixuan Mountain's Seven Disciples.

After some conversation, Bronya posed a question:

"Elder Sister Lin, have you ever heard of someone named Bai Zhi?"

Lin Zhaoyu shook her head.

"No, I haven't. Since the immortal departed, this place has been sparsely populated. If there were indeed such a leisurely swordsman, it would be impossible for me not to know."

"Perhaps what you experienced was an illusion conjured by the immortal's heart seal within Taixuan Mountain. Please, do not become engrossed; succumbing could lead to qi deviation, tarnishing the dignity of the Taixuan Sect."

"Thank you, Elder Sister Lin," Bronya responded gratefully, mimicking the Taixuan Sect's gesture of respect with clenched fists.

"Go ahead. If you find similar feathers but cannot break the seals, feel free to seek my assistance." With that, Lin Zhaoyu waved them off and settled down to rest.

"Thank you for your help, Elder Sister Lin."

Kiana and Bronya exchanged glances, bowed respectfully, and then departed to search for the Plume of Dust on Taixuan Mountain.

"Kiana, do you think we can trust this Elder Sister Lin?" Bronya suddenly asked once they reached a secluded spot.

Kiana initially shook her head but then nodded hesitantly.

"I believe so. Much of what she said aligns with Class Monitor's teachings, and her sword techniques closely resemble those of our Class Monitor. Watching her wield the sword almost feels like seeing Class Monitor's shadow."

"Hmm, let's focus on finding the Plume of Dust quickly!"

"Agreed."

As Kiana and Bronya continued their search across Taixuan Mountain, unbeknownst to them, three individuals observed their actions with perfect clarity. Bai Zhi and Fu Hua remained silent, merely shaking their heads. However, Herrscher of Sentience seemed somewhat dismissive.

If they couldn't even see through such simple tricks, wouldn't Kiana and Bronya be too weak? That's what she thought.

"They were already existing beings from the past, after all. Besides, whether it's them or me, our words could very well be false."

As the saying goes: "The player is blind; the observer sees clearly."

From an outsider's perspective, Kiana and Bronya might indeed seem quite weak, but this perception was shaped by their respective needs.

Their purpose for coming here was solely to obtain Taixuan Sword Qi. Even if faced with illusions and uncertain answers, they would still choose to believe—simply because they had no other choice.

Moreover, there existed an information gap.

Kiana and Bronya were unaware that the Herrscher of Sentience had emerged and arrived at Taixuan Mountain, nor did anyone inform them about it.

Moreover, the memories within Fenghuang Down were genuine, indeed stored by Fu Hua herself. They did contain some answers the girls sought, and the illusions accurately depicted the original Seven Disciples of Taixuan, ultimately recreating that fateful night.

As for the final choice—whether to betray or embrace their master—it was originally Senti's decision point.

To be honest, Senti never fully understood why the Seven Disciples chose to betray Red Kite. This lack of comprehension led to the altered narrative, providing Fu Hua with her opportunity.

Their betrayal wasn't driven by deep-seated hatred towards Red Kite but rather due to her excessive detachment. To protect their junior sister, who they feared might succumb to demonic influence, they decided to strike first. In a sense, they even believed Red Kite herself had already fallen victim to it.

Unfortunately, at that time, Red Kite truly hadn't been corrupted. Each disciple harbored different thoughts during the act of betrayal.

As the plot continued unfolding, Kiana and Bronya encountered the other seven disciples and sensed something amiss. Of course, they had noticed the anomaly from the start; it was just that their focus lay on the Taixuan Sword Qi. With no immediate solution available, they could only wait for the key player to reveal themselves.

However, this time at Taixuan Monastery, instead of encountering "Black Tiger Ah Fu," they met the carefree wanderer Bai Zhi who greeted them initially.

"Welcome, honored guests, to this place." Bai Zhi spoke with a warm smile, her aura now distinctly different from when they first met. She chuckled softly, exuding a serene presence.

"You're behind all this mischief!" Kiana's expression hardened.

"Not quite. In fact, you two disrupted my setup, so as compensation, there are additional scenarios here for discernment," Bai Zhi replied with a light laugh.

"Either unravel my true identity or choose one Fu Hua to engage us in battle!"

As Bai Zhi finished speaking, Azure Empyrea Fu Hua and Black Tiger Fu Hua emerged from behind her, standing on either side...

In the real world, within Brother Cake's live stream:

As usual, MiHoYo chose to present this part of the storyline through flashbacks. However, the appearance of two Fu Huas alongside Bai Zhi captivated the players' attention.

Naturally, the most noticeable figure was Bai Zhi standing in the middle. This version of the plot significantly expanded, nearly doubling the overall content compared to the original.

Indeed, both the beta and public tests of the illusory realm were now depicted within the narrative. Yet, it made it even harder for players to discern the identities of these two Fu Huas.

One Fu Hua is undoubtedly genuine, while the other seems reminiscent of the Herrscher of Winter, suggesting she might be a new Herrscher.

After such a long time, it wouldn't be surprising if Fu Hua received her own Herrscher armor. Although previously, the scriptwriter stated that Fu Hua would not transform into a Herrscher, everyone knows MiHoYo loves retconning their narratives, and this isn't the first instance either. Despite the statement coming from the scriptwriter, they indeed have a history of retconning.

Considering Fu Hua's background, the most likely Herrscher transformation for her would be the Herrscher of Sentience, given that Yu Duo Dust was crafted using its core.

But who exactly is this Bai Zhi? From her composed demeanor and villainous tone, it's clear she appears to be another Herrscher.

Moreover, she demands Kiana to choose one Fu Hua, pitting them against each other with the other Fu Hua?

What kind of choice is this?

Why can't we have both?

Soon, several Captains raised this question in the official account's comment section. Although there was no response from the developers, numerous Captains expressed their support for the sentiment.

Exactly, why not have both? Let's gang up on you three-on-one!

However, the storyline abruptly ended at this point, leaving no continuation. To find out what happens next, players would need to wait for the upcoming update—a classic cliffhanger from MiHoYo once again.