On the Ship of Light, Kate opened a single gate and three sets of cards emerged. She grabbed one set and activated it. The first set of cards split into three, revealing their titles in golden light: The Primordial Elements. The first card read "The Creation Element," the second "The Destruction Element," and the third "The Transformation Element."
Kate's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Finally, an element for my character!" she thought. "Creation element is the most fitting for a researcher, but... should I pick the Transformation Element?"
After a moment of contemplation, Kate made her decision. "Then I pick the Transformation Element," she declared. The Transformation Element card glowed and merged with her, while the other two cards burned away to nothingness.
Without wasting any time, Kate activated the second set of cards. The title "The Ruins" appeared, and to her surprise, it consisted of only one card named "The Ruined Universes."
"What is this?" Kate wondered aloud as the card entered her body. Deciding to worry about it later, she moved on to activate the last set of cards. The title "Ability Menu" appeared, and the set split into two cards: "Ability Panel" and "Ability Multiplier."
Kate pondered her options. "I don't know what these are, but the Ability Panel sounds helpful, and the Multiplier sounds useful too," she mused. After careful consideration, Kate chose the Ability Panel. The chosen card glowed and merged with her, while the other card burned away.
"Alright, let's see what new possibilities this brings," Kate said, ready to explore her newly acquired powers.
"For now, let's create the character that I want," Kate said as she opened her CCC and navigated to the Character Creation menu. "First, I need to pick the universe, then the character," she continued, making her selections.
"The next one is the appearance. I don't want to change anything," Kate said, moving on to the next part. "The elemental ability. There is a maximum of three, so her body is able to contain three," Kate said as she placed the Transformation Element card. "Then, confirm!" Kate pressed the confirm button.
The Creation Menu turned to golden dust, which then transformed into multiple colors. Slowly, it materialized into Dr. Mei from the Honkai Impact universe. As soon as she appeared, she immediately kneeled in front of Kate.
"Milady," Dr. Mei said.
"Nice!" Kate exclaimed as she examined Dr. Mei in her lab coat. "Wow, you're even more beautiful in person than in the game," Kate said, circling Dr. Mei with admiration.
After some time, Kate was sitting while Dr. Mei read the folders given to her.
"Milady, creating this will require a huge amount of time and resources," Dr. Mei said.
"For now, we only need one, and it's the A196-Apocalypse. But our goal is the A216-Aftermath," Kate replied. "I also want it to have modular defensive capabilities."
"Milady, making it is one of the problems. Where are we making it, and what about manpower?" Dr. Mei asked.
"It's indeed a problem," Kate agreed. "We'll be making it once we arrive at the Tong Xuan Realm. For now, I want you to strengthen yourself inside the Void Archives and learn about this world with Chu Yuechan."
"Then I shall do that, Milady," Dr. Mei said. "I will also produce our own vehicles."
"Thanks, help each other, okay?" Kate said as the Void Archives on her neck glowed violet, absorbing Dr. Mei.
"For now, I should look at the Ability Panel," Kate said, and it materialized in front of her, listing all her abilities:
1. Gate of Babylon
2. True Art of Mara
3. Unyielding Golden Skeleton
4. Proud Golden Body: Tempered Body Record
5. True Yang Secret Art
6. The Isolation of One's Heart
7. Ability Panel
"Wait, why is it only the True Art of Mara? I practiced many techniques for that. Where are they?" Kate wondered aloud. "Well, I only want the True Art of Mara, so it doesn't really matter," she added.
"For now, I should practice the book hidden in my heart," Kate said as she sat on her bed and began to cultivate.
After a month of cultivation, Kate finished mastering "The Isolation of One's Heart." She opened her eyes and thought, "This technique took me a month to master, but with it, my plan will be easier." She then moved towards the shower.
Later, Kate returned to the Fragrance House. A young woman greeted her, "Hello, Ms. Kate. My name is Bi Luo. I'm here to welcome you." Bi Luo led Kate to Shan Qing Luo's office.
"Have a seat, Milady," Shan Qing Luo said.
"Thanks," Kate replied, taking a seat. "How's the progress with the pills?"
"We finished selling three of them," Shan Qing Luo reported. "To get the maximum profit, we auctioned them off weekly."
"That's good. Any important news?" Kate asked.
"Nothing important, Milady," Shan Qing Luo replied.
"Alright," Kate said with a nod, satisfied with the progress.
"Then, I shall come back again," Kate said as she stood up.
"You can come back anytime, Milady," Shan Qing Luo replied.
"Right, the Ancestral Order will move now, so record it," Kate said as she walked away.
"I wonder what she is planning," Shan Qing Luo thought to herself, watching Kate leave.
Kate stood on top of the Ship of Light, gazing at the horizon. "The Isolation of One's Heart," she murmured. Her pearl-white skin turned ash-grey, her hair followed suit, and her battle dress shifted to black and ash-grey with silver designs.
"Having complete control over my appearance is great," Kate said, admiring her new look.
"Let's go back to the High Heaven Pavilion and see what he's doing," Kate commanded as the Ship of Light moved at an astonishing speed. In the blink of an eye, she arrived at the pavilion. Activating the True Art of Mara, she used the Isolation of One's Heart to change her Qi color to black and ash-grey. With a deep breath, she jumped down into the middle of the sect, causing a massive explosion that wrecked everything around her.
The dust settled, revealing Kate standing amidst the destruction, her presence commanding attention as she surveyed the chaos she had caused. The sect members, stunned and disoriented, began to regroup, their eyes fixed on the mysterious and powerful figure in their midst.
As Kate stood in the middle, the disciples were panicking. Cries of "Who is she?" "A demon!" and "An attacker, tell the elders!" echoed through the air. Kate, seemingly unfazed, thought to herself, "Now, let's go back to my story. I'm the Vice Leader of the Ancestral Order and came here to show our power. Yes, that's it."
After ten seconds of standing there, all the elders and core disciples had arrived. Kate noticed Su Yan among them and thought, "Su Yan is here; I have to take measures."
Kate raised her voice, her tone commanding and authoritative. "I am Qin Xinci, Vice Leader of the Ancestral Order. I've come here to demonstrate our power and issue a warning. Do not interfere with our plans."
The elders and disciples exchanged wary glances, unsure of how to respond. Su Yan stepped forward, her expression a mix of determination and caution. "What do you want, Qin Xinci? Why have you attacked our sect?"
Kate met Su Yan's gaze, her own expression unreadable. "This is merely a demonstration. We mean no harm unless provoked. The Ancestral Order seeks to reshape the future, and we will not tolerate interference."
The tension in the air was palpable, the sect members on edge as they awaited the next move. Kate remained calm, her transformation into the ash-grey, black, and silver form enhancing her imposing presence.
"Remember this day," Kate said, her voice echoing through the ruins of the sect. "The Ancestral Order will not be stopped. We will change the future, and those who stand in our way will be dealt with accordingly."
"She's full of evil Qi," Su Yan thought to herself. "Changing the future, is this one of Kate's plans?" she added.
"She's at the Peak Transcendent Realm. Where did Kate find a hidden monster?" Su Yan said aloud.
"I don't remember her," the Sect Master said, perplexed.
"Let's attack her!" Treasurer Meng suggested, his voice filled with determination.
"It's too dangerous for everyone," Elder Su Xuan Wu cautioned, his tone grave.
As the elders and disciples debated their next move, the sense of urgency and uncertainty loomed over them. The presence of such a powerful and enigmatic figure left them with more questions than answers, and the threat of the Ancestral Order now hung heavily over the High Heaven Pavilion.
"You, you're Treasurer Meng, right?" Kate asked, her voice echoing with authority.
"Yes, why do you ask?" Treasurer Meng replied cautiously.
In the blink of an eye, Kate was already in front of him, surprising everyone. She reached out to grab Treasurer Meng, but the Sect Master intervened, blocking her path.
"What are you doing?" the Sect Master demanded.
"You're Ling Tai Xu, the Sect Master, right?" Kate said, her tone calm and collected.
"Yes, that would be me," Ling Tai Xu replied, eyeing her warily.
"Anyway, don't forget my warning. I won't do anything else. This is Milady's sect, after all," Kate stated as she began to fly upwards.
"Is Kate your leader?" Su Yan called out, but Kate ignored her.
To Kate's surprise, an elder attacked her. She quickly formed a barrier just in time to block the assault. She landed smoothly on the ground again.
"You think you can come and go in the High Heaven Pavilion as you please?" Elder Wei Xi Tong challenged, his voice filled with indignation.
Kate looked around at the gathered disciples and elders, her expression unreadable. "I've delivered my message. Remember it well," she said, her voice carrying a warning as she prepared to leave once more.
As Kate tried to fly again, the remaining elders blocked her path.
"Hmph! You really don't learn, do you?" Elder Wei Xi Tong shouted.
"If I fight with Su Yan, they'll know it's me," Kate thought to herself, but then a realization hit her. "I see, I can do that."
She started laughing sinisterly. "You mongrels should've let me go instead!" she declared as she swung her arm toward the disciples. One by one, they transformed into monsters surrounded by evil Qi, causing panic among the others.
"Hahaha!" Kate laughed loudly and creepily. "Since I'm here, let's start!" She suddenly appeared in front of Ling Tai Xu, attacking him, but he blocked her strike.
"NICE!" Kate exclaimed. "Let's have fun!" She then disappeared and reappeared behind Su Yan, her movements swift and unpredictable.
Su Yan reacted quickly, turning to face her. "Qin Xinci, what are you doing?" she demanded.
"Milady's plan doesn't concern you," Kate said as her hand was engulfed by gray flames. She attempted to strike Su Yan, but the flames suddenly dissipated before reaching her target.
"What?!" Kate exclaimed in surprise.
"I'm your Milady's weakness. Didn't she tell you?" Su Yan said with a smirk as she encased Kate, disguised as Qin Xinci, in ice. However, it didn't take long for Kate to break free.
"I see," Kate said, dashing at Su Yan again, but was intercepted by Treasurer Meng. Kate focused her Qi in her palm and attacked Meng Wu Ya, their clashes creating ripples of energy.
"Little girl, you're pretty strong," Meng Wu Ya said.
"Really? Then I shall not hold back," Kate replied, using her full power. She cast a False World, and in an instant, Kate vanished, leaving the disciples and elders in stunned silence.
"Where are we?" the elders asked as they looked around in bewilderment.
"Is this the starry sky?" Meng Wu Ya mused, his eyes wide with awe.
"Isn't that Kate?" Su Yan said, pointing at the scene before them.
They saw Kate and Yang Kai engaged in a fierce battle, both radiating the power of the Creation Realm. The sight of the two clashing was both mesmerizing and terrifying.
"What is this? Is that Yang Kai?" Su Yan repeated, unable to believe her eyes.
"Catch this!" Kate shouted as she created a planet, condensed it to a dot, and hurled it at Yang Kai. He dodged easily, but the impact of Kate's attack devastated multiple planets and stars, causing massive explosions and widespread destruction. The group watched in stunned amazement, their fear growing with each display of power.
"So Kate really did fight with Junior Brother," Su Yan whispered, but as she looked around, she noticed the others were nowhere to be found. "What happened?" she asked, trying to remain composed.
In a new, black world, Su Yan stood alone, the echoes of the intense battle between Kate and Yang Kai still ringing in her ears. The void around her seemed endless, devoid of any light except for the faint glow of distant stars. The ground beneath her feet was smooth and dark, reflecting no light, giving the eerie sensation of floating in nothingness.
As Su Yan tried to make sense she heared a Voice
"I'll show you what Milady sacrificed for everything," Kate's voice echoed.
Before Su Yan could respond, a huge slash appeared above the two combatants, and another Kate descended from the slash.
"Qin Xinci!" the new arrival shouted.