Chapter 97: Obtaining

The dimly lit short passage seemed to swallow all excess sound and color, only the indicator embedded in the wall emitted a faint blue light.

Just then, the space rippled like water, and two figures silently appeared, out of place with the surroundings.

Leading was Black Curtain Lady, still wearing that purplish-black dress, a matching witch hat, her doll-like face with dull purplish-black eyes calmly scanning the surroundings.

Half a step behind her followed the system doll.

Why did they appear here? Time needs to be rewound a bit……

Star Rail Train

Chang Yue Yue had just finished reporting her work of successfully establishing contact with San Yue Qi before leaving the cabin.

The interior returned to a brief tranquility.

The system doll silently approached Heimu's side and reported: 'Master, a new cross-world mission command has appeared.'

Heimu was elegantly sipping a cup of red tea; hearing this, she raised her eyebrows slightly, set down the cup, and said: 'Oh? What mission?'

'Mission objective: Obtain the special existence "Past World Paradise" in the Honkai 3 world.'

The system doll replied without any fluctuation.

'Past World Paradise?'

Heimu lightly furrowed her brows, 'The Honkai 3 world… that is to say, it is not the "Past Pleasant Land" already settled in our Star Rail universe, right?'

She needed to confirm the independence of the mission world.

The system doll nodded affirmatively: 'Yes, according to source analysis of the command, this is a brand‑new independent Honkai 3 world.'

'Like that…'

Heimu murmured softly, tapping the armrest with her fingertip, 'Indeed, even if our universe's Past World Paradise exists, its core has likely long since dissipated.'

She lifted her gaze to the system, 'Does the mission have a designated timeline?'

The system doll shook its head: 'The core command only requires obtaining Past World Paradise. The specific timeline coordinates need you to personally investigate and determine.'

Heimu let out a soft sigh, carrying a hint of helplessness, but that was all.

'Just need to obtain Past World Paradise, right? Fine, then we'll settle it quickly.'

She stood up, her skirt tracing a neat arc, 'As for possibly encountering Kevin, or the Cocoon of The End, the chaotic Honkai will… we'll decide on the spot. First, let's check the situation.'

View returns·World Snake base short passage

Thus, the opening scene came to be.

Their teleportation landing point happened to be deep within the World Snake base, a secluded short passage.

Heimu curiously surveyed the surroundings; the environment was… 'desolate' compared to what she imagined.

'It seems the World Snake's manpower is even scarcer than the data showed.'

She softly commented, 'Besides those few core members, the rank‑and‑file likely rely entirely on mass‑produced Hui She units, one against a hundred. Not to mention, defenses near key installations appear tight on the outside but loose within.'

Her powerful perception spread like invisible tendrils, cautiously extending outward to conduct a deep scan.

'Very good,'

After a moment, she slightly nodded, 'No trace of Kevin's aura detected. He seems not to be here.'

During her detection, a specific target was locked on—just around the nearby corner, a figure in gray clothing, face covered by a mechanical mask, operating before a complex device constantly flashing data streams.

'Hui She…'

Heimu recognized this as the World Snake's signature rank‑and‑file unit, 'or rather, one individual among countless Hui She.'

The instant Heimu's perception swept over that Hui She, its motion adjusting the device jerked to a halt!

As if a pause button had been pressed.

Immediately, its scarlet electronic eyes blinked out, then countless eerie purple‑red patterns, like living vines, seeped from within its metal shell and rapidly spread over its entire body!

The next second, this Hui She, instantly 'formatted' and 'system‑reinstalled', moved with unnatural fluidity and… obedience.

It turned respectfully toward the direction where Heimu and the system doll appeared, like the most loyal servant, silently stepping aside into the shadows to clear the path to the device.

Only then did Heimu and the system doll fully emerge from the concealing darkness, stepping forward to stand before the device that was clearly an important terminal inside the World Snake base.

Heimu's gaze fell on the screen filled with complex code and interfaces; she extended a finger gloved in gray silk and casually flicked it in the air a few times.

An intangible command was issued; the data streams on the screen, like a tamed beast, swiftly followed her will to filter and categorize, finally displaying the latest record she wanted——

【Changkong City·Third Major Honkai Outbreak Confirmed】

【Ruler Core Response: Thunder Lawgiver·Identification: Lei Electric Yimei·Awakened】

【Related Events: ME Corp Abnormality, Qiuyu Academy Lockdown……】

'Changkong City……third Honkai……Lei Electric Yimei becoming the Thunder Lawgiver……'

Heimu whispered the key information, her slender fingers lightly rubbing her smooth chin, 'Looks, the point in time is now. All the story has just begun to unfold.'

She fell into thoughtful silence for a moment, then shook her head, as if weighing pros and cons.

'The main plot's waters are still deep; intervening now would easily invite unnecessary trouble. For now, the priority remains to take away Past World Paradise.'

Her gaze shifted from the screen to the nearby Hui She standing still like a statue, awaiting orders.

Looking at that mechanical shell still retaining the basic Hui She form, she slightly furrowed her brows, seemingly dissatisfied with its aesthetic.

'Since it's now mine, I ought to give it a more pleasing appearance.'

Heimu said lightly, raising her right hand, her fingertip gathering a point of purplish‑red light.

She took a light step forward and placed her fingertip on the cold mechanical mask's forehead of the Hui She.

'Hum——'

Centered on Heimu's fingertip, countless fine purplish‑red data streams burst forth like a surging tide, instantly enveloping the Hui She's entire shell!

These data streams acted like the finest chisel, rapidly reshaping its surface!

The whole process lasted only a few short seconds.

When Heimu elegantly withdrew her finger, the purplish‑red data streams receded like a tide and quickly vanished.

The one staying in place is no longer a "Hui She", but a tiny, system‑doll‑styled "little Heimu Doll" wearing a dark‑colored delicate little dress and a well‑behaved expression on its face!

In her eyes flickered a purplish‑red inverted‑cross radiance similar to that of system dolls.

The brand‑new creation moved its body a bit, as if adapting to its new shell, then faced the Black Curtain Lady, performed an impeccable courtesy, and said in a crisp voice:

"Hello, madam! I am ready to obey your orders at any time."

Heimu looked at this much more pleasing new subordinate, nodded with satisfaction, and the corner of their lips curled into a curve.

"Now that's more to my liking."

She whispered, her gaze again turning to the terminal screen flashing the World Snake emblem, "Then, next... we should go look for the Past World Paradise that hides the memories of thirteen heroes, to see which safe it is actually stored in."