Jingliu's mood was a little complicated.
Mobius had been right; it did indeed glow.
The metal platform at the top of the Herta Space Station opened directly into outer space, devoid of any life support systems.
The peerless swordswoman from the Xianzhou stood there, just like that.
Three points on her body shone with a starlike brilliance that even her clothes could not conceal...
...It was rather awkward.
Mainly because the location of these three glowing points was far too symbolic.
If anyone saw her, they might mistake this pure and otherworldly swordswoman for a practitioner of some lewd art.
However, her combat power had indeed tripled.
Jingliu felt a trace of bewilderment in her heart. The Star Ring, something her wicked disciple had casually put on her, was stronger than a thousand years of her own arduous training.
"No..."
The peerless swordswoman's expression wavered for only an instant.
This was merely "borrowed" power. How could it compare to her own blade, tempered through long years of training?
"However..."
If she continued to be strengthened like this, perhaps she could truly obtain a might comparable to that of an Aeon.
The peerless swordswoman looked up, a sliver of her crimson eyes peeking out from beneath the black silk ribbon. She stared into the cosmos, clenching her fair fists tightly.
"If it allows me to strike down that star, then even if it is that wicked disciple's power... I will master it!"
Jingliu's resolve became even firmer.
---o---
At dawn, the sky began to turn a hazy white. The morning light filtering through the window fell upon Elysia, as if Heaven itself had draped a wondrous veil of white mist over the fairy, who was exhausted from a night of pleasure, to soothe her.
Her pink hair, scattered over her shoulders, was now disheveled, revealing the snowy nape of her neck and a portion of her fragrant shoulder, which was covered in a fine layer of sweat, giving it a moist and lustrous sheen.
The sweet fragrance emanating from her silken hair and neck was several times stronger than usual, slightly intoxicating, yet extremely delicate. If Ye Feng were here, he would probably feel as if he could never breathe it in enough.
"Mmm..."
The Pink Elf™ slowly awoke, feeling a certain heaviness in her body.
As consciousness returned and the scenes from before surfaced in her mind, Elysia sat up in bed with a start, accompanied by a crisp, tiny ringing sound.
Elysia's face flushed red. She couldn't help but clutch the quilt to her chest, curling into a ball.
"...Mister Ye Feng and Mobius, really. How could they do something so outrageous?"
It was one thing in that world, but to bring it back here—how was she supposed to face anyone?
Elysia looked down but couldn't see anything, yet the Star Ring was undeniably there.
She was suddenly reminded of the time in Aponia's church when Mister Ye Feng had placed a ring on her finger.
If I had known this would happen, I would have just readily agreed to Mister Ye Feng back then...
The thought involuntarily popped into Elysia's mind, causing her a wave of irritation.
"No, no, what's happening to me... Why do I have to choose to accept one between 'bad' and 'worse'?"
Even if the unfolding of events was beyond her control, her inner thoughts were also very important.
It was a matter of attitude.
Elysia shook her head. She felt like she was truly, as Mobius had said, slowly sliding into an abyss of pleasure...
No, that's not happening... I'm just a girl as beautiful as a flower. It's perfectly normal to occasionally choose the easier option.
It doesn't define who I am.
The Pink Elf™ threw off the covers, her fair, long, and smooth legs exposed to the air.
She got dressed and tidied her hair.
Then she began to pace back and forth in the room.
She wasn't contemplating anything, but rather...
"Mmm, as I thought, if I wear underwear, the fabric pressing against my skin causes a very distinct friction..."
The slight, pulling pain was one thing, but it also inevitably produced a clear and pleasant ringing sound.
But if she didn't wear any, the situation would be slightly better.
As long as her movements weren't too large, she could control the Star Ring.
"Mmm... Mister Ye Feng has such wicked tastes."
The Flawless Elf hesitated for a long while before finally, resignedly, taking off her undergarments.
She was filled with resentment toward Ye Feng.
But she seemed to have forgotten there was another main culprit.
It was winter now, and although she didn't need clothes for warmth, she could wear a couple of extra layers.
Over her usual attire, she draped a large coat, the kind a "young idol might use when going commando at night."
Of course, Elysia had no idea a coat could be used in such a way; she was simply using it to cover her shame.
Then again... there didn't seem to be any H-doujinshi difference between the two scenarios.
"Alright, no more long faces. Let's go out and see if we can find something to be happy about."
Elysia smiled at her reflection in the mirror, looking full of energy.
Stepping outside her dorm, a misty breeze brushed against her face. It was a bit cold, but also refreshing.
She walked slowly through the small grove on the outskirts of the campus, listening to the soft chirping of birds and admiring the unique, cold serenity that only winter could offer.
The sun gradually rose from the other side of the sea, and more and more fine rays of light penetrated the heavy mountain mist, scattering across Elysia's face, her beautiful countenance blooming into a faint smile.
"Huh, is that... Danzhu and Hua, and Ah Lin?"
The three of them were strolling side by side in the morning grove.
However, Danzhu and Ji Lin were illusory figures, floating in the air and advancing silently and smoothly.
In the early morning countryside, this added a bit of a ghostly aura.
If anyone saw them, another story would probably be added to the "Academy's Strange Tales."
Even though Valkyries could manipulate the miraculous power of Honkai energy, many girls were still afraid of things like "ghosts" and "spirits."
Fu Hua had not yet recovered her memories, but Danzhu still came to visit her every day. In her words, "What's forgotten is forgotten. We can build new memories."
Saying so, she often dragged Ji Lin along with her.
Ji Lin, in truth, did not want to see Fu Hua.
She had her reasons.
She harbored a sense of guilt for "cuckolding her husband," as well as the anxiety of "fearing she would be found out."
But to refuse Danzhu's invitations time and time again would seem too strange.
Therefore, she could only accompany Danzhu every few days.
"Don't you two think? Kiana and the others have become... less charming, or you could say, they've lost their spring-like allure?"
Fu Hua turned her gaze toward her. "What do you mean?"
"Yesterday, I was reading a book, something called the Female... something Heart Sutra."
Danzhu explained, "In this world, whenever a woman is nourished by her lover, there will be subtle changes in her. Her eyes might soften, or her disposition might become tender and charming. This is called spring-like allure. This is the source of coquettish charm."
Ji Lin's heart couldn't help but tighten, and she immediately retorted, "Then wouldn't every woman in the world who has performed the act of yin-yang union be astonishingly charming?"