Regarding the question of whether one thousand lives are enough to beat Honkai Impact 3rd.

The spirit blade slashed through the ropes binding Yaehiko, and the man tremblingly reached out and took the porcelain cup.

Is this due to emotional fluctuations, or is it the body expressing discomfort from being bound for a long time?

Not important anymore.

He said:

"Don't you want to add something? I've killed demonic beasts before, and I'm extremely sensitive to their blood and scent. There's some demonic beast blood in this room, isn't there?"

Yae Sakura smiled and said:

"I knew I couldn't hide it from you, Father."

Even when he was young, Yaehiko could easily tell whether he was slacking off in training.

Even when playing hide-and-seek, he always finds you within minutes.

she says:

"But the wine made from cherry blossoms doesn't taste good when blood is added."

"So, let's have another drink."

The wine made from cherry blossoms has a translucent pink color.

The man took a small sip, then tilted his head back and drank it all in one gulp.

The initial taste was sweet with a hint of cherry blossom fragrance. The refreshing taste and the slight astringency after tasting it left a lasting impression on Yaehiko.

Ancient memories are revived along with the familiar sensations that bloom on the taste buds.

It tastes great, he thought.

He handed the porcelain cup to the shaman, the meaning of which was self-evident.

Yae Sakura quietly poured the wine, and the last drop of bright red blood fell into the porcelain cup.

The shrine maiden handed the porcelain cup to the man with both hands.

Yaehiko accepted it with a smile.

He stared at the cloudy yet clear cherry blossom wine for a while, then simply drank it down.

Surprisingly, the taste of blood, combined with the alcohol, wasn't too bad. The rusty flavor and the refreshing sweet and sour notes gently burned through my body.

The fragrance of cherry blossoms filled my nostrils, and my mind was filled with memories and an almost blank emotional landscape.

The porcelain cup fell from my tightly clenched hand and shattered into pieces.

"Sakura, cherry blossom wine with blood is also delicious."

The man laughed and let out his final sigh, then lost his mind and life, becoming a speechless monster.

Yae Sakura drew her crimson sword and said:

"Rest in peace. I will intercede for you, Father."

The sword in the shrine maiden's hand is no longer the spirit sword named Cherry Blossom Blizzard.

It is a demon sword, Crimson Cherry Blossom.

Blood flooded the view, and even the cherry blossoms floating in the water tank were stained crimson...

Yae Sakura was defeated here.

69. Within arm's reach, everyone is an enemy.

Cherry blossoms are beautiful, but unfortunately, beautiful things always have to wither.

This wasn't Su Qing'an's first time seeing cherry blossoms.

But whenever he sees cherry blossoms, nothing good ever happens.

The cherry blossoms are withering.

The space of the Holy Mark is also withering.

The brief respite was shattered by the heavy, dark clouds that preceded the storm.

Looking at the cherry blossom tree's gradually thinning trunk and drooping branches, Su Qing'an said:

"Headmistress Theresa, I'm afraid I'll have to trouble you to take care of Rin from now on."

Theresa nodded solemnly, grasping Rin's hand. The current situation was likely nearing its end.

Wow, that was fast!

They did absolutely nothing.

There's nothing we can do about it. They're playing chess against an invisible opponent, while our only player who can see the board has long since stopped caring about winning or losing.

But if you lose your competitive spirit in a game, how can you possibly win?

Now that chess player has resigned his piece without hesitation.

Therefore, the remaining losers naturally had to face punishment.

Thick, dark red mist slowly rose from the earth's crust, while villagers armed with weapons and monsters formed a ring around the cherry blossom grove and advanced forward.

Su Qing'an patted the little girl's head. Although she looked uneasy, she remained well-behaved and didn't make a fuss.

He couldn't help but say comfortingly:

"It's okay, Rin. Just close your eyes like before. I promised your sister I'd take you out to see the cherry blossoms, right? So naturally I have to get you back safely."

“I value promises very much, so Rin doesn’t need to worry about me breaking my promise.”

[Hahaha, look how ridiculous he is! He's actually thinking about protecting you now. What an incurable idiot!]

[An agreement? How boring. It wouldn't be surprising if someone like him died at any moment because of some so-called agreement.]

Higokumaru burst into laughter.

Yae Rin remained silent, she tugged at the boy's sleeve, and extended the little finger of her other hand.

"A promise needs to be made in a formal way, right? Big brother, can we make a pinky promise?"

"Okay."

Without hesitation, Su Qing'an extended his thumb and closed the little girl's outstretched fingers.

He thought this would put Rin at ease, but he failed to notice the girl's resolute and determined expression.

Su Qing'an said:

"It's a promise. I will let Rin see my sister."

Yae Rin nodded emphatically and said:

"It's an agreement."

Their fingers intertwined, thumbs touching thumbs to seal their agreement, and the contract was finalized.

Beneath the cherry blossoms, which had mostly withered, humans and Herrschers made a pact.

Su Qing'an stood up, looking at the approaching crowd and demonic beasts, and said:

"Rin, close your eyes obediently. Principal Theresa, let's go."

The boy gripped the hilt of the knife at his waist.

This is a samurai sword given to me by Yae Sakura before I left.

The quality of the knife was mediocre. Iron smelting technology in this era was far less advanced than that of modern times, especially in this small mountain village.

Such a samurai sword is sharp yet fragile.

If the sword-wielding technique is slightly incorrect, it can easily break.

But in the instant he was about to draw his sword, the boy's eyes were calm as still water, as if the breaking of the sword was something he didn't need to worry about.

[Momentum]

The essence of the soul radiated throughout the entire cherry blossom grove with a peculiar wavelength.

The entire arena was momentarily oppressed by an invisible force field.

Just as Gu Long's silent gaze abruptly halted the advance of the encircling enemies.

The monster bowed its head, and the villagers stopped in their tracks.

But then, this spectacular scene vanished.

The dark red mist roared out of their bodies, and the mental restraints completely lost their effect.

Yae Sakura lost.

Therefore, Higokumaru has a greater advantage, and the power he can use is enough to affect the effect of his [momentum].

The boy looked at the crowds gradually approaching from all directions and sighed.

"It's not that simple after all."

"Headmaster, get ready to run away with Rin. I'll clear the way."

Theresa couldn't help but say with concern:

"Are you alright?"

Su Qing'an didn't turn around; he responded calmly:

"Don't worry, Headmaster."

The boy's composed demeanor gave Theresa some confidence, but at the same time, she felt a pang of displeasure at her own incompetence.

This is indeed the Stigmata Space of Himeko and Yae Sakura, but the Stigmata have already taken up residence in her own body. In essence, this is her battle with Himeko.

She shouldn't be so powerless.

only……

Theresa grasped the cross hanging from her chest.

I am not entirely helpless against Hiyokumaru.

But we must reserve our presence for the most crucial moment...