"Boom!!!"
As two figures clashed fiercely, their aftershocks ripped through the concrete surface and caused several skyscrapers within a hundred-meter radius to collapse.
Wendy was propelled hundreds of meters away by the counterforce, smashing through numerous buildings.
"Crash! Crash! Crash!"
Struggling to crash into a store, Wendy tasted blood in her mouth before being buried under the collapsing debris.
Individually, she firmly belonged in the S-rank domain. However, even an S-ranked Valkyrie typically engaged with specialized Valkyrie Armor and powerful weapons—much like how the combat effectiveness of a certain overpowered Gold Saint significantly differed between armored and unarmored states. This disparity was even more pronounced for a normal prodigy like Wendy.
At present, aside from assistance from thousands of worker bees, Wendy fought unarmed. While capable of confronting a Pseudo-Herrscher, it would not be an easy task.
Wendy pushed aside the concrete slabs weighing on her, barely managing to stand up. Across from her, an ominous figure entwined with black patterns violently burst through obstacles.
"Boom!!"
Under the intense force, Wendy crossed her arms defensively, plowing dozens of meters into the ground. She then shook off the numbness from her arms.
"This is getting troublesome," Wendy frowned.
Fully equipped, she could dispatch Pseudo-Herrschers with a single punch, but without her armor, they were formidable opponents.
"Zing! Zing! Zing!"
The swarm overhead continued launching ranged attacks—lasers, infrasound waves, spherical lightning—all devastating forces against Honkai Beasts. Yet to the Pseudo-Herrscher, these assaults were insignificant, merely eliciting frustrated roars from the ominous figure.
"Icarus, warn the nearby support units. The Titans can handle it, but for humans, only S-rank Valkyries and their candidates should engage; others won't withstand this onslaught."
Wendy shook out her wrists, clenching them into fists as she spoke.
Between A-rank Valkyries and Pseudo-Herrschers lay an insurmountable gap. Similarly, the difference between a Pseudo-Herrscher and an armed S-rank Valkyrie was another vast chasm—of course, referring specifically to fully equipped S-rank Valkyries.
Comparing an S-rank Valkyrie to a complete Herrscher is challenging due to each individual's uniqueness, both being exceedingly rare. Without direct confrontation, it's often hard to determine who would prevail.
In any case, Wendy charged forward.
Despite being unarmed, she was among the top students of Fu Hua's martial arts class. When fully unleashed, each strike carried enough force to shatter mountains and cleave earth, allowing her to hold her own against the Pseudo-Herrscher seemingly enhanced with superhuman strength.
Buildings crumbled one after another, electrical equipment sparked explosions that ignited fires spreading far and wide, and the thunderous rumble shook the ground audibly for miles around.
The battle lasted half an hour before Wendy finally defeated the Pseudo-Herrscher closest to complete evolution.
It was hard to predict whether this Pseudo-Herrscher would awaken again amidst such high concentrations of Honkai Energy, but regardless, Wendy lifted the body, panting heavily as she declared her victory.
"Icarus, apply restraints and bring her back. Let's see if we can save her—if not, hand her over to Zeke for dissection. I don't relish it, but it's the most efficient use of resources."
Gently brushing aside strands of hair from the girl's face, Wendy noted its serene beauty, as though hinting at a sense of liberation.
Wendy sighed deeply.
A Herrscher's birth might not be voluntary; if it was, there usually lay a tragic backstory behind it. Wendy felt that the saying "those deserving of hatred often have their own sorrows" aptly described Herrschers.
Hopefully, this girl's tale wasn't as heart-wrenching, which would make things easier for Wendy to bear.
Several worker bees brought over Honkai Energy Restraint Devices and then carried away the Pseudo-Herrscher, uncertain whether she was dead or merely unconscious. Afterwards, Wendy looked up and asked:
"Any news on Seele and the others? When will my black armor arrive?"
"Inform: The whereabouts of Miss Seele and her companions remain unknown at present. However, no reports indicate damage to the black armor. Your backup black armor will arrive in 12 minutes."
"Still not found? Damn! Could something really have gone wrong? Never mind, you're more efficient at locating people—keep searching. Tell me the direction of the next Pseudo-Herrscher."
"Inform: You have expended significant energy. It is recommended to take temporary rest and await reinforcements or the arrival of your black armor."
"They could turn into complete Herrschers at any moment. Each one I capture reduces future risks. Stop nagging, I can handle it. Just give me directions!"
"As you command."
"Whoosh!"
Before Icarus could provide directions, a shrill whistling pierced the air.
Wendy's ears twitched, and her body instinctively retreated, performing several somersaults to evade the lightning-fast assault.
"Crash!"
It was a thick, vine-like object extending from afar, leaving deep gouges in the ground with its concentrated force. The attack area bore corrosive marks and emitted a pungent odor.
"Hm?"
Frowning, Wendy had yet to inquire when Icarus promptly responded:
"Inform: The target is another Pseudo-Herrscher dominating this vicinity, suspected of controlling mutated plants for attacks. Its physical strikes carry corrosive toxins. Presumably, it has arrived to eliminate the threat after the defeat of the local Pseudo-Herrscher. Warning: Neurotoxins detected in the air; composition and specific effects unknown, danger level cannot be assessed. Recommending immediate evacuation."
"Toxic?" Wendy swiftly covered her nose, held her breath, and furrowed her brows anxiously.
Then, before Wendy's eyes, a girl entwined with green vines appeared, floating mid-air.
In truth, Wendy wanted to evacuate as well.
However, based on Wendy's perception, the energy intensity of this Pseudo-Herrscher before her had surpassed that of her previous adversaries.
Retreating would undoubtedly be safe, but allowing this situation to continue unchecked meant witnessing the birth of a new Herrscher right before her eyes.
Wendy's heart sank as she made her decision firmly.
"Icarus, generate weak electrical currents in the air to neutralize the neurotoxin."
"Warning: The toxin composition is not yet determined and suspected to contain Honkai Energy elements. Weak electrical currents may not fully destroy the toxin."
"It's better than nothing. I'll strive for a swift victory; provide me with full support."
"Yes, Lady!"
Without further ado, Wendy swiftly closed the distance, reaching the green-haired girl in the blink of an eye. With a force akin to a mighty mountain, she unleashed a palm strike tearing through the air.
"Boom!!"
The gust from her palm shredded countless vines, creating a fan-shaped clearing behind the Pseudo-Herrscher. However, the true power behind Wendy's palm was restrained by numerous thin vines, barely stopping just inches short of the enemy's forehead, unable to advance further.
Unfazed, Wendy's arm trembled slightly as she used Short-inch Strike to tear through the toxic vines binding her. Simultaneously, with a swift kick shattering the air, she struck her opponent.
"Boom!"
Like a golden right foot hitting a soccer ball, the Pseudo-Herrscher was sent flying hundreds of meters away, leaving a deep crater upon impact with the ground.
Wendy glanced at her arm, now exposed due to the corroded sleeves, and ripped off the remnants of useless fabric with a frown.
She sensed it; just before the strike, the Pseudo-Herrscher had already created a vine-based defense. This attack likely achieved little effect.
As expected, amidst the smoky pit, dozens of vines shot forth like arrows released from a bow, directly aiming for Wendy's body.
'Too corrosive, can't take it head-on.'
Making this decision internally, Wendy swiftly evaded each attack the moment she landed.
'Different from the one earlier, more agile, and adept at countering close-quarters combat. However, that suggests her physical defenses might not be too strong; perhaps I can resolve this quickly.'
Wendy contemplated her strategy while evading swiftly on the ground. After enduring one wave of attacks, she promptly identified her path forward and charged like a gust of wind.
Be swift, be powerful; penetrate the vines with force, aiming for a single fatal strike!
With determination surging within her, Wendy covered the hundred-meter distance in the blink of an eye, appearing before the girl shielded by layers of vines. Her palm struck with the sound of thunder crashing.
"Yard Force: Rock Shatter!"
"HOOOM!"
The immense power shattered the resilient vines, penetrating through their defense to directly impact the girl's chest, causing a deep dent in her torso.
Before the Pseudo-Herrscher could react, Wendy unleashed another long-prepared blow, carrying the terrifying might of nature akin to wind, lightning, rain, and thunder.
"Inch Heart Fist Technique: Mountain Crush!"
This technique, part of Fu Hua's ultimate martial arts repertoire, focused on pure physical strikes, harnessing Honkai Energy to maximize the destructive potential of the body.
While Wendy's progress with Taixuan Sword Qi was moderate, her mastery of the Inch Heart Fist Technique had significantly advanced under Fu Hua's tutelage.
As this palm connected with the Pseudo-Herrscher's chest, it first dissipated the vast accumulation of Honkai Energy stored within her, then proceeded to shatter every bone in her anomalous body.
Finally, the force punched through her chest, its energy resonating across the ground, causing tremors that shook the earth and left a three-foot-deep crater.
"BOOM!!!"