Chapter 3: Taixu Sword God

The Dominion Key is a mass-produced divine key. In its initial form, it appears as a golden sword. Since divine keys are crafted from Herrscher cores and Soulium, and Soulium adapts to the user's super-mutation factors, the key isn't limited to its golden sword form. This adaptability gives rise to the Grips of Tai Xuan.

Don't assume that being mass-produced makes it weak. As one of Fu Hua the Immortal's divine keys, how could it possibly be anything but powerful?

The Grips of Tai Xuan... Dominion Key. It can freely absorb all types of energy, including Honkai energy, and convert it into natural forces like fire, lightning, and frost to destroy enemies.

If you still think the Dominion Key isn't impressive enough... then what about the eighth divine key, "Fenghuang Down"?

While Fenghuang Down's other capabilities remain unclear, its power as the Taixu Sword God alone is remarkable...

[Taixu Sword God]

[Fenghuang Down's First Rated Power: Tai Xuan Sword Qi's Fifth Essence - Divine Essence.]

[The divine represents the pinnacle of change, transcending all phenomena through its ineffable nature. Without form yet filling all space, this sword permeates existence itself. Thus omnipresent and invincible.]

Of course, such tremendous power cannot be wielded recklessly. Even when Fu Hua uses Fenghuang Down in combat, it places a significant burden on her. However, abilities like teleportation (or extreme speed) are merely secondary effects of Fenghuang Down.

Without considering the energy consumption...

At this moment, Phoenix suddenly removed the beautiful hair ornament from her head.

Perhaps no one could have imagined that the divine key Fenghuang Down was actually an ornament from Phoenix's hair?

Fenghuang Down is a weapon forged from the core of the eighth Herrscher of the previous generation. It manipulates brain signals, serving as a divine key that governs consciousness.

Its primary ability lies in controlling brain signals, inducing those who perceive "feathers" into illusions created by the wielder. This also explains Fu Hua's extreme speed - by creating illusions that make enemies believe they're still in place, the deception is only revealed after they've been struck. It functions similarly to complete hypnosis.

In the space created by Fenghuang Down, Fu Hua could manifest an unfallen version of herself, instantly overwhelming the Herrscher's consciousness and inducing hypnosis. After trapping an enemy in an illusion, she could enter their consciousness and examine their memories.

Additionally, she could implant feathers in a target's memories. When triggered, these feathers would automatically manifest. The feathers would reach their end alongside the host's mental demise.

Every time Fu Hua appeared, she was accompanied by a floating feather effect. These feathers were also components of Fenghuang Down. By holding a feather, one could use Fenghuang Down to invade consciousness and create illusions.

-

The Phoenix Immortal's power was already terrifyingly strong. Now she wore a divine key in her hair and another on her hand.

Add to that the collection of divine keys in her inventory...

It would be hard not to feel overpowered.

The two divine keys remained beyond Phoenix's full control at this moment. The young girl hadn't yet fully acclimated to Phoenix's own power.

Thus, she temporarily set aside the divine keys and focused on mastering Phoenix's innate abilities.

Though they stood in the desert, Phoenix remained indifferent to their surroundings. To her, location held no significance.

Her first step involved... Phoenix's Flame of Departure.

Phoenix extended her right hand, and orange flames began to burn upon her palm. She felt no pain, only warmth.

The flames seemed to recognize her as their own.

Yet these seemingly docile flames before her would undoubtedly transform into a terrifying force when facing enemies...

Next, Phoenix experimented with directing the Flame of Departure according to her will, finding it surprisingly obedient.

When Valkyries transitioned from game to reality, their powers transcended fixed skills and patterns.

Take Phoenix's Flame of Departure - it proved adaptable and versatile.

Phoenix attempted to form a pair of fiery wings behind her back, envisioning effortless flight through the skies.

Drawing upon her experiences from previous worlds, the young girl quickly grasped the power of the Valkyrie. This wasn't about learning new abilities, but rather familiarizing herself with powers that were already ingrained in her being.

These capabilities had become part of her very essence, requiring no additional study. All that remained was understanding how to wield them effectively.

Within a few hours, the young girl had comprehended the fundamental aspects of Phoenix's power. Only then did she open her inventory, her gaze settling on the divine key within: the sacred blade Jizo Mitama.

This wasn't Higokumaru's original weapon, but the transformed version of Higokumaru.

After a moment's consideration, Phoenix decided to retrieve it.

As the Jizo Mitama appeared in Phoenix's hand, she quickly realized this blade differed from the one she'd obtained in her game at the beginning.

This century-old blade... seemed to possess genuine life. It felt as if Higokumaru herself stood before her.

"Higokumaru?"

After a moment's hesitation, Phoenix tentatively addressed the Jizo Mitama in her hand.

The act was undeniably absurd. Higokumaru had completely transformed into the divine key—how could she possibly respond...

But...

Phoenix noticed that the Jizo Mitama in her hand seemed to tremble slightly.

"Higokumaru..." Phoenix called out uncertainly.

The Jizo Mitama's vibrations intensified, and then...

It slipped from Phoenix's grasp, hovering before her and emitting an eerie glow.

In the next instant, the Jizo Mitama vanished, replaced by a little fox.

"Higokumaru?"

"Yes, it's me. You're... Big Sister Serenade?" The little fox gazed at the unfamiliar Phoenix before her. If not for a sense of familiar warmth, Higokumaru might have mistaken her for a complete stranger.

Yet this young girl before her felt incredibly dangerous...

As if she could defeat Higokumaru's former self with ease.

"What 'Big Sister Serenade'? You've clearly been corrupted by Higokumaru. My name is Phoenix now - remember it. Don't get it wrong." Phoenix was instantly annoyed by the "Big Sister" address.

This used to be such an obedient little fox! How did she end up like Higokumaru? They really are two sides of the same coin.

"Phoenix? Big Sister Phoenix? How did you become so powerful in the blink of an eye?" Higokumaru, the little fox, blinked her fox eyes curiously and asked.

"You're doing this on purpose, aren't you? Keep calling me 'Big Sister'... and I'll roast you alive! Want to taste my Flame of Departure?"

Phoenix extended her right hand, which ignited with fiery flames. As she brought her blazing hand close to Higokumaru, the little fox immediately cowered in fear.