Cultivating in Honkai!

Raiden Mei's Natural Stigma persona retreated. She could not sustain her existence without honkai energy. Being kidnapped by someone spelled for an emergency that forced her to come out.

I have to thank my overpowered spiritual consciousness.

Raiden Mei…

She wore a full black school uniform. Her skirt goes above her thighs. I knew just enough not to look at her now.

Though, I have to admit.

She's beautiful.

Despite not being a cultivator, Mei held a certain charm around her. Her beauty and elegance are further amplified, leaving a graceful young miss of a large enterprise.

Once she learns immortal cultivation, it will definitely become stronger.

Then again, the Tuna's lively nature is unique, too.

As for physical appearance, Kiana outmatches her.

There's no way. Immortal cultivation is a hack when it comes to enhancing appearances. Kiana is also beautiful before immortal cultivation—she looks far above-average even within cultivator standards.

If Mei practices, the same thing would happen.

My idle thoughts went along as I investigated the small Herrscher Core.

It is undoubtedly the Herrscher of Domination.

I am surprised, but not that much.

Our plan accounted for all changes. Su pointed out Kevin; I pointed out Otto and the Will of Honkai's random nature. I am mentally prepared for surprises.

But, targeting Raiden Mei…

It is confusing.

I know about its ability to steal control over Herrscher Cores. It can be done on those who "reject" them.

Mei does not have a Herrscher Core, only a Gem…

Wait a minute.

Theater of Domination. It can draw in honkai energy and force Mei's awakening!

…

I have to take account of this new Herrscher. It's time to update my contingency plans.

For now, I have to return this elegant girl back to her father.

My spiritual consciousness carried her body. My five senses are linked to it. I can feel the touch and scent…

Screw this.

I placed her down.

It is more embarrassing to use spiritual consciousness. I decided to carry her in my arms instead. One of my arms went underneath her stockings, the other on her back.

Lifting her up is no big deal.

"Hm."

She let out a soft groan.

A judgement swiftly came to my mind. Mei's still unconscious. I placed the Herrscher of Domination's body inside one of the storage rings. Both time and space are frozen within it. Only inanimate things can be placed inside—a corpse qualifies as one.

Disregarding the fragrant lavender-like scent drifting on my nose, I took two steps and returned to where Kiana and Teriri were.

"Did…"

Kiana's words were cut off. She gave the girl in my arms a look. Shen then shifted her gaze to my eyes.

"Your father's looking for her. I resolved it."

"No wonder you looked for her…"

I caught hints of grievance in her words.

"You want to be carried like this too?"

"..!"

Like a cat with its tail stepped on, her body jolted. A tinge of red appeared on her face.

That look…

No words came out of my mouth. My throat felt dry. I don't know what to say next.

I…

"So you are the boyfriend she talked about?"

I noticed Siegfried's return. He scrutinized me from top to bottom.

"Stinky old man!"

Kiana's embarrassment grew stronger, as evident on the redness on her face.

"What? I won't mind about you having a boyfriend, but a word or two won't hurt, won't it?"

The awkwardness inside me reached its peak. I am carrying Raiden Mei while being teased with Kiana.

That's it.

I am fighting fire with fire.

"Father-in-law. When will your friend come?"

"..!"

Kiana's head turned towards me. Her lips are trembling. She could not form any words.

"You are confident, kid. That's good." He paused as he looked at his watch. "He should be coming anytime now. Hold on to his daughter for a while, would you?"

I did not say anything else but nodded.

Once Raiden Ryoma arrived with a trauma team, I handed over Raiden Mei to them. They are also responsible for rescuing the people affected with honkai corruption.

Kiana pointed them out. She already arranged them based on their severity. The only pity is her lack of healing capabilities. The best she can do is to isolate honkai energy from them.

"Kid." Siegfried called me out. "We'll talk later. Us adults will be going first."

"Yes…"

I watched as he pulled over Theresa, the last person the word "adult" should be used on. Only the two of us are left.

"Phew…"

Kiana exhaled in relief.

"I never told you much to my old man…"

I did not comment on it.

"I knew he would come up with this!" She exerted force when she squeezed my shoulder. "And you played along with him!"

"It's rare to see you embarrassed."

"Hum!"

She refused to say anything else. Her hand crawled from my shoulder to my arm. Kiana initiated an arm hug.

With a cheeky smile, she looked at me.

"Don't you like this, my boyfriend?"

I dug a hole for myself.

*****

World Serpent's five-pronged attack ended twenty-five minutes later. It brought immense changes to the two organizations. The strength hidden by the World Serpent is enough to make them wary.

However, it does not have much effect on Cocolia's orphanage.

"I did it…"

Seele blankly looked at the unconscious woman on her right. She struck the moment the woman entered the orphanage's premises.

Seele's small stature hid the power of a Foundation Establishment cultivator. They are on par, if not stronger, than Schicksal's combat-oriented S Rank Valkyries (Durandal and Shushang).

With continuous honkai energy tempering, Seele's body is almost at the peak stage. She did not have much trouble dealing with Raven who was caught off guard with qi-based spells.

Since then, Seele tied her up with her water strings to ensure she won't break free.

"Sister Bronya?"

She looked from afar. Her eyes lit up when she saw the three people return. Though, her enthusiasm did not last for long.

{"This is tough."}

Shi Tian and Kiana left normally. When they came back, Kiana tightly hugged Shi Tian's arm.

Everything went from zero to one hundred.

Never had they expected Kiana to be so bold!

When the three of them arrived, Bronya gave Seele a look. The latter did not notice it as she stared at Shi Tian in a daze.

"...Seele?"

"Ah? Yes!"

Shi Tian took this chance to escape Kiana's grasp. He walked over to the unconscious Raven.

"She really came. You did a good job."

"Um…"

His compliments sent her to another daze. This alone is enough to make her feel elated.

{"You are hopeless…"}

Seele's other self saw her vulnerabilities. Kiana already made a bolder move. Their chances of winning can only go lower.

{'If there is no other choice…'}

*****

A/N: Siegfried is not the typical overprotective dad. It is shown in the Anti-Entropy Invasin Manhua that he is open-minded to Kiana being with others. His first response when he heard about Kiana and Mei was "My daughter turned lesbo? That's just fine!" or something along those lines.

So yeah, it's the father-in-law meeting in the next few chapters ;)