Chapter 416: What Are You Doing?

She probably sorted out the logic: Type Moon Suppression Force wants to discard Chang Ye Yue and A Xing as "troubles", and upon detecting a Holy Grail War signal in some world, it threw the people over there.

The result was being tossed into a later timeline, a parallel Honkai Star Rail abbreviation world that was holding a crossover event.

So the question arises: what is the Pioneer of this "Third World" doing…?

Heimu's mind flickered, attempting to have the system, within the Pinokanni area of this newly detected "Third World line", search for information traces highly matching "Xing" or "Pioneer".

Quickly, the system locked onto a signal with an extremely obvious characteristic— a fluctuation unique to a Star Core bearer.

Heimu shifted the observation perspective.

Some relatively secluded open‑air platform.

The night wind blew.

The platform's edge was adorned with glowing delicate railings.

There were no other guests for the time being, making it considerably quieter.

A gray‑haired figure stood at the center of the platform.

It was indeed the world's "Xing".

She wore the familiar Pioneer attire, with a hint of curiosity on her face and a trace of eager anticipation.

On the ground before her, glowing powder outlined a somewhat rough Summoning Circle pattern.

"Hmm… this should be right, right? I learned it from that weird flyer…"

Xing muttered to herself, tugged at her hair, as if recalling the steps.

In her hand she still held a garishly colored flyer printed with "Holy Grail War·Dream Stage! Summon Your Destiny Partner!"

Clearly, Pinokanni in this world was hosting a "Holy Grail War" event for specific participants.

And Xing, whether out of Task curiosity or simply drawn by the prize, also joined in.

"Alright, magic… uh, can I replace it with Fate Energy? Let's try…"

Xing took a deep breath, her expression turning serious.

She placed her hands virtually above the Summoning Circle, attempting to mobilize the Star Core Power within her body, while recalling the over‑the‑top summoning incantation printed on the flyer:

"Declare—"

Her voice rang out on the quiet platform, a bit raw but striving for clear enunciation:

"Your body shall serve under my command, my destiny attached to your sword…"

"Answer the Holy Grail's summons, those who follow this will, respond to me!"

"Here I swear—"

"I am the one who accomplishes all good deeds in the world, I am the one who purges all evil in the world…"

"Entwining the Three Great Word Spirits of Seven Days—"

"From the Wheel of Suppression, the Guardian of the Scales—!"

As she, slightly embarrassed but diligent, finished the chant, and the Star Core Power slowly infused within her, the Summoning Circle on the ground suddenly burst into dazzling golden light!

The light grew brighter, stretching Xing's shadow across the platform and illuminating her face with brilliance.

She couldn't help but squint, her heart full of anticipation and curiosity.

"Who will be summoned? A knight? A mage? Or some weird creature? I hope it's strong enough to easily win the contest and get the prize…"

The light, after reaching its peak, slowly contracted inward and coalesced.

A figure, amidst the fading golden light, slowly appeared at the center of the Summoning Circle.

Xing widened her eyes, looking on curiously.

The first thing she saw was a somewhat messy, shoulder‑length gray hair.

Then the same style jacket and lining.

Further down, the pair of gold eyes lacking any highlight.

Xing: "……?"

She froze, her mouth slightly open.

The person standing in the Summoning Circle—aside from having a gaze even more vacant, an expression even more blank, and an aura even more "empty" than hers—had a face and attire that were practically a mirror image!

A Xing: "……?"

She also froze, her golden eyes fixed on the "Master" before her who looked almost identical to herself, her mind seemingly glitching for a fraction of a second.

Both gave each other a big‑eyed stare, standing on the night‑breezed platform, sinking into an odd silence.

Xing's mind was still trying to process the information before her: "I… summoned myself?"

Before she could ask, a sudden anomaly erupted!

The opposite A Xing, after a brief daze, instinctively reacted.

Her movement was as swift as a phantom!

Without even seeing how she retrieved it, a seemingly ominous… Salted Fish already appeared in her hand!

The Salted Fish was sizable, its body stiff, its eyes vacant—it was her oddity, the Immortal Salted Fish!

The next instant!

"Whoosh—Bang!!!"

The rush of wind and a solid thud almost erupted simultaneously!

A Xing swung her arm, and the Salted Fish, at a speed faster than the ear could be covered, solidly slapped the opposite Xing's face!

"Ugh—!"

Xing didn't even have time to react; she only felt an indescribable massive force hit her face, mixed with an ultimate stench that seemed like aged stinky tofu blended with rotten fish and shrimp, then concentrated after three months of scorching summer sun, blasting straight toward the Heavenly Spirit Dome—instantly flooding her nasal cavity, mouth, and brain!

"Ugh—!!!"

Strong physical impact blackened her vision, and her body leaned backward.

And that indescribably terrible smell triggered the most primal, intense repulsive reaction in the body!

Her stomach churned like a raging river; she dry‑vomited audibly, and the sour fluid almost surged up.

"Plop."

Xing fell straight backward onto the icy ground, eyes rolling white, temporarily losing consciousness.

A clear Salted Fish imprint remained on her face, along with a Lingering Aftertaste that persisted.

A Xing stood where she was, still holding the Salted Fish in her hand.

She tilted her head, her golden eyes glancing at the unconscious fellow on the ground, then at the surrounding gaudy, unfamiliar surroundings that clearly didn't belong to Dongmu City.

(Not the target location. Hostile unit? Subdued. Identity uncertain. Environment high‑risk.)

Without any hesitation, she flicked her wrist, and the Salted Fish vanished.

Then she turned, her steps light and swift like a leopard, instantly sprinting to the edge of the platform, bracing the railing with one hand and leaping across!

Her figure merged into the interwoven lights and crowd of the nearby street, a few flickers disappearing, leaving only the unconscious Xing on the platform and the Salted Fish Lingering Aftertaste drifting slowly in the night wind.

【System】: Detected an abnormal interaction event in the Third World line Pinokanni.

The target entity Xing suffered an unknown attack and fell unconscious.

The attacker's characteristics match A Xing by 99.8%.

The event has been recorded.

Heimu stared at this absurd yet dramatic scene on the screen, silent for several seconds.

Then she raised her hand, covering her face, her shoulders trembling slightly.

"Ha… hahaha…"

The suppressed laughter leaked through her fingers, "What… is this… what even is it…"