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

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Su Qing'an asked:

"What does Rin think the outside world is like?"

It was just casual conversation. But Yae Rin thought about it seriously for a long time, racking her brains before giving her an answer. She said:

"The outside world is very, very big, and there are many wonderful things."

The little girl drew a circle in the air with her finger, as if trying to illustrate its size, and continued:

"But it's also very dangerous. Dad said that the outside world is chaotic. Even in Yae Village, which is hidden among green mountains and clear waters, you will face some terrifying monsters if you step out of the village."

"So he told me from a young age that I was in poor health and couldn't go out, but actually I still wanted to see the scenery outside."

"Isn't Rin being a little naughty like this?"

“My older sister is the village shrine maiden. She’s incredibly powerful. So once, she said she knew that Rin always wanted to go out.”

The little girl's sickly face suddenly lit up with a different kind of radiance. As if recalling something happy, she smiled and said:

"Then she took me to see the cherry blossoms. I was so happy that day. I realized that cherry blossoms are really like this. They are different from the ones in picture books and stories. They are really beautiful."

"But I actually knew."

Rin's words became somewhat dejected and self-reproachful.

“It’s not good to keep troubling my sister like this. She works so hard every day finding medicinal herbs and decocting medicine for me, and she also has to be careful of monsters taking me out. So I told my sister that she can come and take me to see the cherry blossoms next year if she has the chance.”

“If I don’t say it this way, my sister will keep forcing herself. I know that my sister doesn’t like the training of a shrine maiden, doesn’t like holding a sword, doesn’t like killing. My sister also loves to see cherry blossoms. It’s just that my sister is too gentle. So gentle that she can’t refuse these things that are called responsibilities or obligations.”

"Rin doesn't really understand either, but that's how it's written in some books."

The two listened silently as the little girl recounted her story. Theresa couldn't help but purse her lips, thinking that this little girl, who had actually existed, had died in that heavy rain five hundred years ago.

A well-behaved and sensible girl like her shouldn't have ended up like this.

Unfortunately, reality is often disappointing.

The calamities of collapse and human malice are both things that continue endlessly.

Perhaps an individual's strength seems too insignificant in the face of these challenges.

However, the nun would never have thought that she was powerless to do anything.

Because if you think like that, isn't it no different from admitting defeat?

Looking at the real yet illusory girl in front of her, Theresa understood that giving up was not an option.

Theresa gently hugged the little girl, leaving her momentarily stunned. The fragrance emanating from the nun's hair and the warmth of her kindness left Yae Rin speechless.

This is the world closest to the manifestation of the soul's essence. As the master of most of this world, Higokumaru can almost clearly feel the nun's sorrow and grief.

Immediately, Theresa's words reached her ears:

"Rin really loves her older sister."

"What a good child."

Stupid nun.

You clearly know that I'm just an illusion.

Then why are you sad? You're too naive.

She's exactly like that saintess who risked her life to seal herself away.

But Higomaru also strangely understood that they were different people.

Theresa and Karen share similar will and goals, but they are different.

Karen is Karen.

Theresa is Theresa.

Their paths home will be drastically different.

"Yes, my sister is very important to me. No, she's the most important person to me. I want to be with my sister forever."

In her dual identities of Higokumaru and Yae Rin, she spoke words that were as truthful as could be.

She really likes her older sister.

Even if it's just for Yae Sakura's sake, she really wants to admit defeat.

Unfortunately, it's impossible.

The fox spirit within me is laughing loudly.

We'll be able to leave soon, we'll be able to leave soon.

The priestess wavered; the spirit sword was now tainted.

I will destroy this civilization and kill all of humanity.

Her insatiable rage is the result of the malice that Higokumaru suffered back then, the bitter fruit of humanity's own actions.

Higokumaru could never forgive humans. The despair and suffering she endured in life were like fuel that would never be extinguished. Even if she took countless lives, she would only laugh gleefully.

Humans...

The fox shadow's roar gradually subsided, the remaining echoes carrying a hatred as deep as an abyss.

This cycle is the last one.

64. The eighth level god.

Sitting in front of Su Qing'an was Yae Sakura's father, the current head priest of the Yae Shrine.

This was a kind-looking man. Unlike the Yae Sakura sisters' unique cherry blossom-colored hair, his hair was just ordinary black.

He was no longer young; he looked to be in his forties, but one could still vaguely discern his former handsome features.

But in terms of appearance, the two sisters are probably closer to their deceased mother.

When this man returned, Yae Sakura said something to him, and then things turned out the way they are now.

It is necessary to have a dialogue with the person in charge here, even if one harbors a dislike for him, temporary pretense is unavoidable.

Su Qing'an remained silent. In fact, it would have been more appropriate for Theresa to handle this situation, but given her young appearance, it would have been difficult for her to have an equal conversation with the other party.

Moreover, Theresa's presence should be kept as low as possible.

Su Qing'an had not forgotten the village's customs, so it was not surprising that Theresa could be taken away as a sacrifice at any time.

Such things are very likely to happen when outsiders are falsely accused.

In the deathly silent atmosphere, Yae no Kami took the initiative to start a conversation.

He said:

"Su-kun, what do you think of Sakura?"

This was an unexpected question, and in terms of tone, it sounded like the kind of opening line a matchmaker would use.

Su Qing'an naturally didn't expect the other party's first words to be like this, so he chose to express his own opinion:

"Miss Yae's martial arts skills are very high; she will become an excellent shrine maiden in the future."

This is an official, and quite straightforward, evaluation.

There's nothing particularly noteworthy about it, nor are there any flaws.

The man laughed:

"Su Jun is joking. Sakura is far from being a qualified shrine maiden. Her swordsmanship is still somewhat rudimentary and she is far from being able to stand on her own."

"If it weren't for the spirit knife, I wouldn't have felt comfortable letting her go into the mountains to gather herbs."

In that instant, Su Qing'an felt a sense of unease.

Yae Sakura's swordsmanship is quite good, at least no worse than mine, and perhaps even better.

This was a judgment made by Su Qing'an, who was also a martial artist.

The other person's breathing and footsteps, as well as my own intuition, all proved that if the priestess were to draw her sword, even I would be in great danger.

However, according to the actual historical time, Yae Sakura should not have reached this level at her age. Perhaps, as Yae Shinshu said, she was not yet capable of standing on her own.

Based on logical reasoning, Su Qing'an deduced that the swordsmanship passed down in ordinary shrines in mountain villages might not be that advanced. The reason why Yae Sakura's current level is at least on par with his own is because she has never stopped practicing swordsmanship over the past five hundred years.

Five hundred years.

Even if it's just working in isolation, without anyone to guide you.

Reaching this level is not incomprehensible.

But if Yae Sakura's memories of martial arts weren't erased, then why were her memories of Theresa erased?

This might just be proof that Hiyomaru didn't completely overwhelm his opponent.

Su Qing'an could accept the logic of this reason, but his intuition told him that it felt out of place.

So he didn't give up thinking, and he easily came to the completely opposite conclusion.

Is it possible that she's pretending not to know the headmistress?

Yae Sakura may not have lost her memory; she simply doesn't want to get involved with Theresa.

If this is true, what would be the reason?

In the end, only one answer remained in Su Qing'an's mind.

Karen Kaslana.

But all of this remains unresolved. As long as Yae Sakura doesn't want to, Su Qing'an will still find it difficult to confirm which one is the true answer.

Or perhaps he's just overthinking things.

The words of Yae no Shinshu interrupted his thoughts.

"Su-kun is a well-traveled and knowledgeable traveler. What are your thoughts on Sakura's appearance?"

Upon hearing this, the boy frowned slightly. He understood the other person's subtext, but it shouldn't be like this. It's normal to treat outsiders who come to the village in a xenophobic way.

It's even possible that the other party explicitly told them and Theresa to leave as soon as possible.