Taixuan Mountain, lofty and grand, Peaks sharp as swords that pierce the land, A winding path ascending high, Into clouds above the sky.
With peaks touching the heavens, after rain's first respite, one beholds a long stairway, leading upward to misty heights— Nature's marvel, ethereal grace, abounding with immortal trace.
"Truly befitting of the Red Kite Immortal's abode."
Zeke surveyed the surroundings, his eyes filled with awe.
Indeed, it was breathtakingly beautiful, but the focus lay not on its aesthetics but rather on the peculiar force field enveloping the entire mountain range.
On one hand, this field seemed reminiscent of Fenghuang Down's effects. Those lacking sufficient Honkai energy levels or control would, upon entering, experience subtle suggestions, making them unable to locate the true entrance to the mountain and instinctively wanting to leave without noticing anything amiss.
On the other hand, the unique blend of signals within the force field effectively disrupted mechanical devices' functions, particularly remote-controlled observation machines. Essentially, they could not capture the genuine view inside the mountains.
This demonstrated a glimpse of the advanced technology from the previous era civilization encapsulated within these very mountains.
Zeke had previously attempted sending worker bees for reconnaissance and even dispatched Anti-Entropy members from the Shenzhou region to visit, yet none discovered any irregularities.
However, after exhausting all methods without finding any trace of Fu Hua, he had no choice but to shift his attention back to Taixuan Mountain, which he initially suspected. Upon personally visiting, he indeed uncovered something suspicious.
"Ooh, I smell something delicious over there. Zeke, let's hurry and check it out..."
Kiana tugged at Zeke's sleeve, attempting to head downhill.
Zeke remained immovable like a mountain, yet Kiana didn't sense anything amiss; instead, she pulled harder, determinedly following the scent of food.
Zeke turned, raised his hand, and gently pressed it against Kiana's head.
Black material spread from the black band around her thigh, swiftly forming a suit of black armor that enveloped her body below the neck.
Then, Kiana paused, blinked, and suddenly looked bewildered as she turned towards Zeke.
"Huh? It seems...I can't smell it anymore..."
"Thud!"
Zeke flicked her forehead with slightly more force than usual—a testament to his precision. Anyone else post-Fusion experiment would struggle to exert such control so quickly.
"Ouch!"
"You feeling pain now means you're awake."
"Awake from what?"
"You were just subjected to psychological suggestion."
"Huh?" Kiana clutched her forehead, utterly bewildered.
Zeke promptly started ascending the stairs without missing a beat.
Kiana hastily followed close behind.
"So, I was really under some kind of mental influence? Who did it?"
"It's likely the work of the Red Kite Immortal or her associates. There are traces of the Key of Sentience 'Fenghuang Down' and other technologies from the previous era's civilizations. Unless granted permission by the owner, anyone lacking sufficient power would be compelled to leave upon entering Taixuan Mountain's borders and unable to perceive its true nature."
"...I just wasn't prepared; it caught me off guard for a moment. See, I'm fine now!" Kiana feigned composure, despite feeling uneasy inside.
Before arriving here, she had confidently assured Bronya and Sin that she'd protect Zeke at all costs. If they found out she fell victim right upon entering the mountain, they'd tease her relentlessly for an entire year.
Zeke shot her a sidelong glance.
"It's all thanks to the black armor. Want to take it off and see?"
"No way! This mountain is clearly peculiar; I need to stay at my best to protect you!"
Kiana declared firmly, simultaneously pressing the touch switch near her neck to raise her helmet as well.
With her entire face concealed beneath the black armor, only her eyes visible through the pale blue visor, she managed to hide her embarrassment.
Zeke shook his head.
Protect him? First, master the Herrscher of the Void's abilities, equip six Cores, then come talk big!
In truth, Zeke brought Kiana along simply because they hadn't ventured out together like this for ages. He thought it would be good for her to relax, nothing more.
"You go ahead, I'll cover the rear—leave everything to me!" Kiana said confidently, hands on her hips. However, her real intention was to let reliable Zeke encounter any potential dangers first.
Zeke didn't bother exposing her foolishness and continued walking forward by himself.
The staircase seemed endless, and after some time, the bored Kiana couldn't resist striking up conversation.
"Zeke, who is this Red Kite Immortal? Why are we looking for her?"
"The Red Kite Immortal is a MANTIS warrior who protected Shenzhou for millennia, a remnant from the previous era's civilization. Currently, she partners with Otto, trading allegiance to him for Schicksal's protection over Shenzhou. She's incredibly powerful; despite suffering severe injuries and memory loss multiple times, she can effortlessly defeat ordinary Herrschers..."
Zeke cast a mild glance at this black-armored paramecium.
In truth, not just ordinary Herrschers—she nearly sent the former Hexacore Herrscher of the Void straight to the afterlife with a single blow.
He continued, "I'm seeking her out because she possesses knowledge of 'Divine Sound' technology discovered by the previous civilization. It allows direct control over Honkai Energy using specific sound patterns. After centuries of exploration, the Red Kite Immortal evolved it into unique martial arts passed down through generations in Shenzhou, enabling even ordinary individuals to harness Honkai Energy. I believe these techniques could greatly benefit us. If possible, I also intend to recruit her, heal her afflictions, and secure a top-tier combatant on our side."
"Oh..." Kiana nodded solemnly, feigning complete understanding as she said:
"Got it. So basically, we're not here to fight."
She removed her helmet and once again positioned herself shoulder-to-shoulder with Zeke.
"You sure are straightforward. Now that there's no danger, your courage has returned?"
"...And what if it has?!"
"Unbelievably shameless admission right there."
"Well, since it's just us two, you won't judge me, right? Right, Zeke?"
"No, I definitely will."
"Aww, come on! You don't mean that!"
With her thick skin and unwavering self-confidence, Kiana suddenly leaped onto Zeke's back, wrapped her arms around his neck, and playfully whined,
"Zeke, I'm tired of walking; carry me, pleeease~"
"Get off, you're heavy."
"I am not—this black armor is actually quite light."
"I wasn't talking about the armor, but you yourself. Haven't you noticed how much weight you've gained?"
"It's all in the right places, no worries. Trust me, you'll understand later."
"...Believe me or not, I might just roll you down these stairs straight off the mountain," Zeke threatened, rolling his eyes as he ascended one step at a time without pausing.
Kiana just laughed heartily, her face pressed against Zeke's cheek like a kitten delighted with its treat.
She knew that despite his sharp tongue, Zeke's hands were dutifully supporting her bottom to prevent her from sliding off his back.
"Zeke!"
"Hmm?"
"I'm hungry. Did you bring any snacks?"
"So troublesome. There's chocolate in my jacket pocket; help yourself."
Kiana retrieved the chocolate, tore open the wrapper, and began munching away contentedly.
Whether due to the brand or simply wishful thinking, she found this piece of chocolate incredibly sweet—so much so that she felt herself melting, going limp against Zeke's back as she listened to the strong heartbeat near her ear. Strangely, her cheeks seemed slightly flushed.
"Wanna try some?"
"No thanks."
"You sure? It's really sweet! And it even has the flavor of this beautiful girl right here! Consider it a bonus, a special perk—you understand, right?" Kiana shook the chocolate playfully, grinning mischievously. As she said, sharing a bite of her chocolate could indeed be seen as quite the perk.
Today, once again, Kiana remained blissfully self-assured.
"If you keep nagging, I'll toss you down the mountain," Zeke sternly rebuked her with a stony expression.
Kiana stuck out her tongue, refraining from further testing Zeke's patience, and quietly continued eating her chocolate.
Gradually, as the mist dispersed, they reached the end of the staircase. A spacious and well-lit platform appeared before their eyes.