Chapter 844: Star Sky Martial Arts Ceremony (7)

Genshin Impact.

"What a passionate statement, but why did it suddenly turn to Xing?" Paimon looked puzzled.

Yoimiya extended a finger and said leisurely, "Paimon, think carefully: if there were no Traveler and you arrived alone in a strange new country, wouldn't the best way to adapt be to find a local friend?"

"Exactly! That's true, but Xing isn't a native of the Celestial Vessel either."

"That's irrelevant; what's important is that Mr. Lu Ka now needs a companion to join him in the martial arts ceremony, which will lessen his mental pressure." Yoimiya picked a meatball from the hot pot, "Just like when you have the Traveler by your side, Paimon, you won't feel nervous about many things, right?"

"Mm, that makes sense, Yoimiya!"

"From this battle we can see that Mr. Lu Ka's foundation is still solid; although the opponent was just a regular cloud knight, it was still a two-person formation... Wait, I always thought the martial arts ceremony was an individual contest!" Naweiya suddenly recalled.

"Minor issue, I initially thought the ceremony only allowed cold weapons, but I didn't expect even mechs could step into the arena," Yoimiya spread his hands, "Honestly, if the next opponent just pulls out a cannon on the spot, I wouldn't be surprised. As long as you can defeat the enemy, anything counts as a 'sword', right?"

——

"Why did the topic suddenly turn to me?" Xing widened his eyes.

"Because you're strong and know many capable people... In that match where you pretended to be my coach, you really helped me a lot. I want to bridge the gap between me and this world... Xing, could you help me?" Lu Ka said earnestly.

"Lu Ka has said all that, and Xing didn't refuse: 'Consider it done!'"

"Thank you, coach! I will give my all and train seriously!"

From beside them, Ka Mei Li's hoarse voice trembled as she wiped the camera on her head, "Wooo… blazing friendship. Please don't do this, my camera… got water in it, the footage… is blurry… wooo…"

"Lu Ka contestant, I will also do my utmost to help you! You will become the most legendary coach and fighter, and I will produce a special report that will secure my permanent position!"

In the following days, Lu Ka successfully defeated a woman who tried to become a plant and the pun‑playing "Silver Mane Iron Guard", earning enough points, and his next opponent is also an old acquaintance—Tuopa.

"Without realizing it, we've already had several matches! Lu Ka contestant, are you getting a bit used to it?"

Lu Ka held his forehead, "Haha, I'm used to it. But the hallucinations seem to be getting worse… My body isn't really developing any illness, right?"

"Could this be cultural shock?"

"Can cultural shock cause hallucinations this severe?"

Ka Mei Li: "It's possible! Several scholars from the Knowledge Society have struggled to glimpse the Honored Sage of Knowledge, but the moment they saw the Honored Sage, they went mad. Organic brains are very fragile."

——

A Certain Scientific Railgun.

"Seeing the Honored Sage of Knowledge can really impact the brain? But the first step to join the Genius Club is to see the Honored Sage, right? Why didn't they go mad?"

Mikoto Misaka shook her head. Since the celestial curtain appeared, the academy has indeed begun research and exploration of the Star Deity, but now it seems that successfully "observing" the Star Deity is also quite risky. It's like the sun: the closer you get, the more you are burned by its heat. If a person lacks the ability to behold the Star Deity, even a glance may carry huge risk.

"Sister, it's not just the Genius Club members," Shirai Kuroko reminded from beside, "Seeing the Honored Sage of Knowledge isn't necessarily a prerequisite for the Genius Club; remember Fu Xuan? She's neither a Genius Club member nor a commander, yet she not only saw the Honored Sage himself but also received the divine 'Law Eye'. Ultimately, personal constitution and spiritual power are also crucial factors."

"Hmm, but the Honored Sage of Knowledge, as the personification of the abstract concept of Knowledge, must cause a spiritual shock when seen, and ordinary people might simply go mad… If we analogize, would seeing other Star Deities cause similar shocks? Like 'Destruction', which might cause the body to vanish…"

Seeing the Star Deity itself and being glanced at by the Star Deity are completely different concepts; at least in Mikoto Misaka's view, the former may bring great benefits but also great risks. The latter, being glanced at, means one's destiny is acknowledged by the Star Deity—perhaps not hugely beneficial, but at least harmless.

——

"The more you say, the scarier I get, and my bright youth is waiting to blaze; I can't fall! The next match is crucial, and this opponent… is an old acquaintance."

"Have you met Tuopa?"

Lu Ka shook his head, "Actually I haven't seen her in person, but I think no one in Beiluoboge doesn't know her, right?"

"Miss Tuopa, one of the cutest among the 'Stone‑Heart Ten', I really like her," Ka Mei Li said.

"No offense, Miss Ka Mei Li, I dislike the Company. They almost turned my hometown into a tradable asset."

Ka Mei Li, hearing this, didn't get angry; instead she patiently reasoned, "Mr. Lu Ka, the Company is a massive collective. It's easy to label people, but in the end, every person we encounter is a living being with flesh and blood. I am also part of the Company's industry; do you also dislike me?"

"I spoke thoughtlessly. Please forgive my rashness, Miss Ka Mei Li. You are right… I should verify for myself what kind of person Tuopa is."

When both parties arrived at the arena, a large group of Company security personnel and mechs followed behind Tuopa. Seeing Lu Ka, Tuopa was also very surprised: "I didn't expect someone from Yaliluo‑VI to become active in the galaxy; I'm glad to see you in the martial arts ceremony."

She glanced at Xing behind Lu Ka, her smile deepening, "Xing, I heard you became the coach of the Beiluoboge representative team; that really surprised me."

"Xingqiong Lieche, you previously helped Beiluoboge negotiate debt issues, and now you're helping them join the martial arts ceremony… Haha, the kids are getting older and should learn to walk on their own, right?"

Tuopa's words contained several hidden barbs, but Lu Ka caught them all and replied resolutely, "The people of Beiluoboge have long lived in harsh conditions; we children have already learned to walk our own paths."

"Hm, lofty words. I hold no ill will toward Beiluoboge. I just want to confirm whether, after escaping that debt crisis, the people of Beicheng truly have the ability to stand up on their own." Tuopa shrugged, "... If they rely solely on the goodwill of great figures to get through, they'll never become truly free, only slaves granted a semblance of freedom."