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Bronya led Kiana and Sin through key areas of the research district, energy district, armaments district, and construction frontlines herself. Afterwards, she summoned the invisible swarm to inspect the entire base on her behalf.
Although Zeke assured her he would handle these tasks, Bronya didn't want to make the long trip only to sit idle. Having both of them conduct inspections provided some added reassurance.
In the end, Bronya identified seventeen issues.
Zeke's report returned with twenty-three findings, encompassing all those Bronya had noted.
So, Bronya simply handed over Zeke's inspection report to Chen Tianwu.
As Chen Tianwu received the document, his hand trembled slightly.
"The overall planning and construction seem fine; this report is mostly for reference. However, if feasible, it's best to make improvements as suggested. Even minor issues that may appear insignificant can escalate into critical vulnerabilities when least expected... Hmm? What's wrong? You look somewhat uneasy."
"Oh, nothing, just more overtime work. I've grown used to it. The main concern is... Are you sure Sir Zeke isn't here?" Chen Tianwu scratched his face, sounding slightly anxious.
Bronya's expression remained unchanged as she replied calmly, "Of course not."
"I see, that's good..." Despite appearing tired and lethargic, Chen Tianwu narrowed his eyes subtly.
The report was of high quality, but the meticulous attention to detail bordering on nitpicking reminded him vividly of his time working closely with—ahem, studying under—Zeke years ago.
"Speaking of which, Commander Kiana, yesterday she secretly accessed information about the battlefield ruins from the Second Major Honkai Eruption. Just now, she headed alone towards the top level of the base, and Officer Sin seemed to be trailing her at a distance... Is there anything I can assist with?" Chen Tianwu asked leisurely, his tone carrying a deeper meaning.
Bronya straightened up, crossed her arms, and interrogated coldly, "Are you surveilling us?"
"I wouldn't dare."
"Then what do you mean?"
"Don't misunderstand me. Although I've verified the inspection orders and confirmed that several officers here indeed serve under Sir Zeke, the Lunar Base is crucial to humanity's future plans. As its director, it's my responsibility to oversee matters both big and small, isn't it?" Chen Tianwu flashed an innocent, harmless smile.
Bronya observed him expressionlessly for a moment before her lips also curved slightly upward.
"You're quite impressive. We've just met, but as expected of one of Zeke's students."
"Thank you, though you flatter me. Sir Zeke often used Officer Bronya as an example to motivate me; your reputation precedes you."
"There's no need for you to worry about this matter. Just focus on managing the Lunar Base. Some things, knowing that we both know they exist, suffice without further discussion."
"Understood! Well then, I'll take my leave now."
Chen Tianwu got up and departed.
Once out of Bronya's sight, his expression twisted.
'Damn! We really went all the way to the moon!'
Meanwhile, after watching Chen Tianwu leave, Bronya connected to Sin's communication channel.
"How's the situation?"
"She left the base. It seems she physically disconnected the signal from her black armor and shielded herself against detectable electromagnetic waves. Once she gets far enough, I won't be able to locate her. However, the lunar surface is too open, making it easy for her to spot me if I follow closely. Bronya, should we use worker bees for surveillance? Do we risk pursuing further?"
"No pursuit needed. Let her go. We'll wait for further instructions."
"Roger!"
Bronya cut off the communication, grabbed a worker bee mid-air, sent out the message, and sighed with a mature air.
Meanwhile, on the distant other side of the moon...
A graceful girl clad in an elegant white qipao embroidered with fiery red patterns danced nimbly amidst the grayish-white dust, her slender fists poised and ready. Each strike and movement exuded a natural beauty intertwined with force as potent as thunderstorm winds—harmonious yet devoid of any vulgarity or aggression.
After completing her martial form, she gradually settled back onto her feet. A massive and perfect Taiji symbol emerged beneath her, almost dreamlike in appearance.
"Brilliant."
Zeke applauded, his words echoing alongside the claps. If not for the extremely thin atmosphere, the applause would have resounded more clearly.
Fu Hua shook her head, smiling faintly.
"My apologies if it was unsightly. I didn't expect to fully adapt to this environment only now. But you're right; once accustomed, not only is it comfortable, but...I feel like this kind of setting might actually suit me better?"
"It's just your body adjusting. Remember, we humans still thrive best within planetary environments."
"Is that so? Well, at least I won't be holding anyone back anymore." Fu Hua smiled warmly as she approached Zeke.
Just then, a worker bee appeared in mid-air and projected a line of text.
Zeke grabbed the drone between his fingers, casually crushing it as blue eyes flickered once, his handsome features turning cold.
"Let's move out. Kiana has made her first move; we'll need your assistance shortly, immortal."
"It is my duty to assist," Fu Hua replied solemnly. "No need for such formality."
Zeke raised his hand, summoning a silver-white spaceship from the horizon. As they stepped onto it, the pair swiftly vanished into the distance.
Over the vast expanse of barren land, a black silhouette swiftly soared through the sky.
Bathed in intense cosmic radiation, Kiana's expression beneath her black armor was unusually cold and distant.
Boom!
In a mountain valley, Kiana made a forceful landing. Though no sonic boom echoed across the terrain, the ground cracked, and dust flew everywhere—clearly indicating she had no intention of holding back.
The armored figure slowly emerged from the deep crater they'd created, stepping onto seemingly unremarkable wasteland.
However, it only appeared ordinary to the naked eye. From the perspective of someone attuned to Honkai Energy, traces lingering within this area shone as brightly as the sun itself.
Kneeling on one knee, Kiana crouched down, scooped up a handful of sand, and watched it trickle between her armored fingers.
"This must be the place."
"Who knows how many worker bees there are on the moon? With Bronya's abilities, finding me won't take long."
"Not to mention, sneaking out might not even escape her notice."
"We don't have much time; we need to resolve this quickly."
Analyzing calmly, Kiana clenched her fist tightly around the sand. Concentrating immense power in her hand, invisible waves radiated outward, stirring whirls of dust.
"Hah!"
Kiana swung her fist downward, but just as it was about to smash into the ground, golden ripples appeared in her eyes. As if possessed, her other hand reached out and halted the descending blow.
"Having hidden for so long, you finally show yourself, Sirin... Or should I call you Herrscher of the Void?"
Beneath the black armor, Kiana's face contorted with struggle. Then, from her lips emerged another voice—identical in tone yet chillingly distant: "I simply found your meaningless entanglements tiresome. Who do you think you are? To dare desecrate the former abode of God is courting death!"
"You're the one who deserves damnation! The unresolved conflict from our dream realm ends here! This body belongs to me; you should have accepted your fate long ago!"
"Hmph! Utter nonsense!"
"You'll soon find out whether it's nonsense or not!"
"Ahhhhh!"
A pillar of white light shot up into the pitch-black cosmos, unmistakable like a beacon piercing the lunar night.
Simultaneously, red alarms began flashing within the Lunar Base.
"Warning! Warning!"
"A high-intensity Honkai Energy reaction detected at A1 Ruins, suggesting the birth of a new Herrscher! Enter war mode! Enter war mode!"
"Warning! Warning..."
Chen Tianwu, engrossed in his official duties, abruptly looked up, his bloodshot eyes twitching.
He knew it! Zeke's trip to the moon could only mean trouble! And they told him not to worry about Herrscher-level Honkai Energy readings?!