In Little Gui's live stream, she had just entered the new map revealed after Dan Heng parted the sea—the Ancient Timing Ruins.
The atmosphere here was entirely different from before, filled with numerous undersea elements. The most peculiar sight were the fleeting shadows resembling dragons occasionally passing through the divided seawater on either side.
Guinaifen stared at this spectacle for a long moment, marveling audibly.
Ahead, two Timing mirages were engaged in a heated argument. Guinaifen promptly approached, knowing that their conversations often revealed crucial information.
A venerable voice declared, "Sealing the Tree of Foundation with Scalegorge Waterscape? Treachery! This is a grave act of disrespect!"
"You're insane! Do you think this will earn the Xianzhou people's trust? As outsiders, we can never truly align!" The adjacent figure bore the form of the High Elder.
The elder continued, "I understand your concerns, but my decision stands firm and cannot be altered."
"Fine... Fine, I'll report to the dragon masters, demanding they strip you of both the title and power of High Elder!"
Dan Heng explained, "This is...the first High Elder who accepted the mission to suppress the Tree of Foundation..."
"According to tradition, every subsequent High Elder must return to Dragonvista Rain Hall, guiding the tides of Gǔhǎi here, guarding and reinforcing the seal on the Tree of Foundation."
"I see," Guinaifen nodded.
Without this game dramatizing aspects of Xianzhou's history, such knowledge might have remained obscure for many.
Even if this tale had spread, it likely wouldn't have been widely believed.
However, since it originated from Honkai: Star Rail, its authenticity was unquestionable.
Following Dan Heng's instructions, they proceeded to complete the Threefold Prayer Claws ceremony.
In essence, it involved lifting three Timing seals.
During this process, another dialogue between Timing mirages revealed crucial information:
"Bringing me here and letting your people know will land you in deep trouble." This was the voice of a middle-aged man.
"They won't find out. Be quiet, Yingxing. Now we're even. I'll give you two hours; study as much as you can within that time. Remember, only two hours," said the High Elder.
"I'm from a short-lived race; do you really think two hours is little? It's more than enough for me."
"If the High Elder speaking here is Dan Feng, then who is this Yingxing?"
"Outlander names surely don't last long..."
"He must be one of Dan Feng's close friends, likely from the short-lived race. He's probably already passed away by now."
"I remember Dan Feng once brought his short-lived friend here, possibly even secretly making some sort of wager."
Guinaifen tugged at her hair, feeling frustrated by this flood of information without understanding the true situation behind it! All she could do was silently take note, hoping for further clarification as the story progressed.
Soon after, another mirage appeared.
This time, a frail voice spoke first, presumably that of Timing, the dragon elder, based on previous dialogue.
"Who are you?" the elder asked.
The woman muttered to herself, "Dan Feng said only High Elders can enter here."
"That traitor is long dead. Who are you? What do you intend to do with the Dragon Lord?"
"What do I intend to do?"
"I just want to see her... Just want to know how she's been doing... Only that!" The woman's voice carried a hint of madness.
This distinctive quality allowed Guinaifen to immediately identify her.
"Jingliu!"
"This woman is Jingliu!"
"Jingliu had also infiltrated this place before! But by then, Dan Feng should have already undergone the Forced Shedding ritual. So whom was Jingliu here to visit? To whom does 'her' refer?"
Unfortunately, there were no further relevant hidden conversations.
Meanwhile, all three seals had been completed.
The path towards the Tree of Foundation was once again connected.
From their vantage point, the dragon-like silhouette at the end of the path became distinctly visible.
"What is that?! Is it a dragon?" March 7th asked.
Dan Heng responded, "We've reached the end. This is the Protogenius Tree, where the Miracle of Abundance resides."
"The '[Three-Clawed Bow to Shimo]' refers to this place. Constrained by dragon power, the Profound Root of the Protogenius Tree has taken on the form of a dragon-shaped wood knot."
"Now, I will lift the final seal..." Jing Yuan surveyed their group and asked, "Everyone, you're all prepared, right?"
"Wait, not yet!" Guinaifen hastily responded. "Let me activate my character's special ability first!"
"I'll check if there are any more consumables; we should take them all." Guinaifen also specifically examined her Relic and Light Cone.
After a flurry of actions, she confirmed everything was in order. It was time to proceed.
Dan Heng pointed towards the sky, causing the Profound Root of the Protogenius Tree to emit a shimmering, multicolored light.
Even Guinaifen felt a sense of nervous anticipation. "It feels like we're about to face our last stand."
They successfully ventured into the deepest recesses of the Profound Root.
Everything around them appeared hazy and white. Massive roots towered like pillars supporting the heavens.
On the lotus seat at the farthest end, a golden flame flickered.
"Hmm? Oh, is it Luofu's General?" Phantylia's ethereal voice echoed.
March 7th excitedly exclaimed, "That wretched thing! Just as expected, she was waiting for us here. Come out, Phantylia!"
"Ah, our benefactor has arrived too? Do not rush; this humble maiden hasn't finished her grooming yet."
"No wonder Disciples of Sanctus Medicus were so confident... The Protogenius Tree indeed possesses regenerative powers to reshape existence."
Phantylia's voice carried hints of seduction and arrogance.
Jing Yuan cautioned, "Everyone, be extremely vigilant."
"Dan Heng, I entrust my back to you."
"I understand."
Despite being within sight of the lotus throne and golden flames, there remained a significant distance to traverse before reaching them.
As they approached closer,
the golden flames suddenly ascended with the lotus.
Then,
a colossal female figure emerged in the space before them.
Background music swelled!
It was a haunting melody reminiscent of sacred chants.
This spectacle exuded an indescribable sense of overwhelming pressure!
"T-this is... Phantylia!"
"My goodness..."
"It's enormous!"
Guinaifen felt parched and at a loss for words to express her awe!
"That background music's scream almost sent me off!"
"Phantylia... how terrifying..."
"The overwhelming presence is intense! This is undoubtedly our most formidable opponent yet!"
"It's the combined form of the Extinction Army and the Strength of Fertility from the Tree of Foundation! If this were to manifest in reality, Luofu would surely be destroyed!"
"People from the Alchemy Commission, check immediately! Is there such a colossal Queen emerging on your sea?!"
Meanwhile, in reality, at the Protogenius Tree:
Phantylia had already utilized the Divine Fruit grown from the Tree to construct a massive new body for herself. Her previous waiting period was merely to adapt and familiarize herself with this newfound form.
A white-haired woman approached her.
Phantylia noticed the rising killing intent within the woman, seemingly taken aback. "Are you also a cloud rider? Judging by your aura, it appears more fitting that you're Mara-Struck."
This was meant as a taunt; any stubborn Roaming Cloud Rider would perceive such words as a grave insult.
However, the woman before her reacted differently, revealing instead a gleeful smile.
"You're right, Pawn of Destruction.
"I am indeed Mara-Struck."
"Before claiming stars above, slaying an Emissary of Destruction might be quite an auspicious sign."
The smile on Phantylia's lips slowly vanished.
She sensed something unsettling about the white-haired woman's presence—it had escalated to a level that made even her heart race.
Suddenly, the chilling aura and murderous intent reminded her of someone. Without hesitation, she blurted out, "Could you be..."
Just then, another figure entered the space.
It was a man wielding a sword, who said nothing but stared at her like a predator eyeing its prey.
To Phantylia, this figure seemed strikingly familiar.
Her gaze suddenly darkened as she said, "Fascinating. Just like me, you possess the power of Abundance."
"However, my esteemed body was born from the Tree of Foundation, while yours is infused with the blessings of Shuhu, already deceased."
"I am here for the Xianzhou's destruction, not concerned with your Stellaron Hunters."
It was clear that Phantylia had recognized Blade's identity. However, she couldn't comprehend why the Stellaron Hunters would involve themselves in this conflict.
Blade let out a cold laugh. Without uttering a word, his gleaming sword spoke volumes about his stance.
As Phantylia grappled with uncertainty,
two more figures simultaneously entered the scene.
"Phantylia, who exactly did you call 'minor henchmen'?" Jing Yuan held his formation blade, and Dan Heng wielded the Abyssal Orb.
Phantylia's expression immediately turned grave.
"The General of Luofu... accompanied by an immortal Dragon descendant..."
At this moment, her joy over acquiring a new body evaporated completely, replaced by an ominous feeling.
Based on her previous experiences infiltrating Luofu, it should have been impossible for Jing Yuan to command such formidable forces! Why, after just one day, were so many powerful individuals converging here?!
Could it be...
due to that damned game again? Honkai: Star Rail!