A sharp whistle tore through the air!
A section of chain, glinting with a cold bronze luster and tipped with an incomparably sharp Demon-Breaking Awl, shot out like a long-dormant scorpion's stinger! Its target was precise, unerringly striking the side of Daziel's fire poker!
"Clang—!"
A piercing metallic clash exploded, sending out brilliant and dangerous sparks.
A heavy, mountain-like force traveled madly along the poker, making Daziel's arm, which gripped the fire poker, intensely sore and numb, his blood churning.
The fire poker's attack trajectory was instantly forced off course by this external force.
The terrifying high temperature, enough to melt gold and iron, ultimately just grazed a few strands of Hanya's hair by her temple.
The scorching heatwave curled those silver strands, and the pungent smell of burnt hair instantly filled the air, leaving a few curled, blackened marks.
Daziel's heart tightened.
He abruptly turned his head, his gaze cold, shooting towards the source of the force.
In the deep shadows of the corridor entrance, a figure dressed in blue and white had silently appeared at some unknown time.
It was an exquisitely, almost perfectly crafted puppet.
Its skin had a hard, ceramic luster, fine and smooth, without a flaw.
Through the iconic white silk stockings encasing its slender legs, and at the joints, one could vaguely glimpse the intricate mechanical structure within, glinting with cold metallic light.
A peculiar sensation, transcending the cold metal and bio-mimetic materials of the shell, like an invisible thread, silently connected, reaching deep into Daziel's heart.
This feeling he was absolutely certain!
The seemingly cold and emotionless puppet before him was none other than Xueyi herself, whose corruption value he had already raised by half!
Xueyi's eyes were calm.
She bound the still slightly trembling Hanya with the chain awl, then turned to Daziel.
Her voice, transmitted through the puppet's speakers, showed no emotional fluctuation.
"My sister Hanya, a mortal body, cannot withstand the searing heat of your weapon."
"Moreover, according to my investigation, the core of that troublesome Heliobus is not attached to her body."
Daziel's brow instantly furrowed.
He subconsciously held the fire poker defensively before him, the rolling heatwaves spreading outwards, forming an invisible barrier. After all, Xueyi only had a 50% corruption value, she hadn't become his personal plaything yet, so it was better to be cautious...
He stared intently at Xueyi, asking in a deep voice:
"Judge Xueyi? Why are you here?"
"And... why is Hanya clearly corroded and controlled by that Heliobus, yet you seem unharmed?"
The exquisite face of Xueyi's puppet remained expressionless, only in the deepest part of her eyes did an extremely subtle, almost imperceptible ripple seem to pass.
"I had just gone to the Artisanship Commission to replace this spare puppet body and was about to return to the Shackling Prison when I detected an abnormal energy signature here, a sign of an intruder."
As Xueyi explained, she flicked her wrist, and the bronze chain awl wrapped around Hanya suddenly tightened.
"Mngh… Sister, you..."
Hanya let out a soft grunt.
The chain pressed tightly against Hanya's body, outlining her already shapely curves even more clearly, making her appear even more strangely alluring, creating a strong visual contrast with her current dazed expression.
Xueyi's gaze shifted to several other puppets nearby, still instinctively on guard, their movements stiff.
Her tone remained indifferent.
"These spare puppets I left here were unexpectedly affected by some of the Heliobus's power and lost control."
"I'll trouble you all to destroy them completely first. My apologies for causing you trouble."
No more words were needed; Fu Xuan and the others had already understood.
Under the combined assault of Fu Xuan's formation, Guinaifen's fire-breathing technique, Sushang's heavy sword slashes, and Daziel's fire poker aimed at the spiritual body, the remaining few Xueyi puppets barely managed to put up any decent resistance.
They were, after all, just fakes that had lost their core control, acting solely on basic programming and instinct.
Compared to this high-performance puppet personally controlled by Xueyi, their combat power was worlds apart.
"Bang! Crash!"
With a series of crisp sounds, those already flawed puppets were utterly smashed into fragmented parts in a very short time, scattering across the ground.
Daziel panted slightly, the high temperature from the fire poker seeming to distort the surrounding air.
"Alright, the immediate threat here is temporarily cleared."
Daziel's gaze returned to Hanya, who was firmly controlled by Xueyi.
Xueyi nodded slightly and continued her previous explanation:
"The Records Department is the central control area of the Shackling Prison. I went there first..."
"Judging by the holographic map, the Heliobus didn't linger long at the Prison Gate, it seems to have moved towards the cells in the prison area."
Fu Xuan, who had been listening, frowned, her expression instantly becoming grave.
"The depths of the Shackling Prison hold heinous criminals who have committed the Ten Unpardonable Evils. If that Heliobus releases a few of those vicious individuals"
The consequences would be unimaginable!
Xueyi seemed to notice Fu Xuan's worry, shook her head slightly, her tone carrying a hint of reassurance.
"Master Diviner, there's no need to worry excessively."
"Although the Heliobus's power is strange, it seems to have its limits. It is currently only roaming the outer areas."
"The deeper prison areas for serious offenders have extremely powerful multiple restrictions, as well as measures personally set by the Generals. It's by no means something an incomplete Heliobus can easily shake."
Fu Xuan's tense expression relaxed slightly, and she let out a soft sigh:
"That's good then… General Jing Yuan is also about to arrive. Even if the legendary great Heliobus Conflagration were present, it would be no match for the General. I don't think it can cause too much trouble."
Guinaifen, arms crossed, looked Xueyi up and down, blinked, and couldn't help but speak:
"I say, Judge Xueyi, although it sounds like the problem isn't too big, but… the defenses of this important Ten-Lords Commission area in your Xianzhou Luofu, isn't it a bit… Hmm, too easy to sneak into?"
A trace of extremely subtle, almost imperceptible helplessness and self-blame finally entered Xueyi's tone.
"...It's rather shameful to admit."
"Today, the outer area of the Shackling Prison happened to be undergoing a rotation, and only my younger sister Hanya was on duty here."
"Although she is also a judge, her main duties are clerical work and information organization. She is not skilled in direct combat, which is why that cunning Heliobus found an opportunity to corrode her..."
Xueyi's words hadn't fully faded when Hanya, who had been dazed, seemingly immersed in some strange sensation, abruptly turned her head!
She glared fiercely at Xueyi, her eyes no longer filled with the previous desire, but with sharp, twisted resentment and dissatisfaction!
"Sister!!"
Hanya's voice suddenly rose, becoming shrill and piercing, carrying a morbid excitement and strong accusation, "You're so annoying! You're the worst!!"
"Why! Why did you have to interrupt my fun at this exact moment!!"
"You're always so repressed! So restrained! Like a feelingless block of ice! Can't you stand to see me find a little bit..... a little bit of comfort and happiness?!"
"That... that searing hot, soul-trembling big stick, was just about to... about to touch me..."
Her current hysterical, explicit manner was a world away from the usual image of the cool, quiet, dark-circled clerical judge who always stood silently behind her sister!
The twisted, perverse feeling emanating from her very bones made even the spectating Guinaifen and Sushang shiver.
Xueyi, faced with her younger sister's intense accusations, merely watched her calmly, her puppet's electronic eyes showing no ripples, or rather this puppet body couldn't express such complex emotions.
"..."
Xueyi turned her head, her gaze sweeping over Daziel, Fu Xuan, and the others.
"Could you perhaps first find a way to help my sister Hanya regain her senses?"
The straightforward Sushang immediately clapped her hands, appearing very relaxed and optimistic.
"Hah! What's so difficult about that? Isn't she just affected by some dirty thing messing with her mind!"
She suggested cheerfully, "Just let Master Daziel give her another one of those, won't that do it!"
"Weren't we all hit by it before? And wasn't it Master Daziel alone, who's the best at it, who sorted us all out in just a few tries!"
"Anyway, Master has already worked so hard so many times today, one more time won't hurt, right?"
Sushang said, turning to Daziel as if it were a matter of course, her large eyes blinking.
Daziel's mouth twitched madly as he listened, feeling the veins on his forehead throb.
"Hey, Sushang the way you say that, it makes me sound like some kind of tool that can be repeatedly exploited."
However, to Daziel's surprise, after hearing Sushang's simple and crude suggestion, Xueyi actually nodded slightly in agreement.
"Very well."
Xueyi's voice was still cool.
"My sister Hanya has to process and endure a massive amount of negative karmic information related to the mara-struck year-round. Her mind is already exhausted, on the brink of collapse."
"For a long time, she has gradually become numb and indifferent to worldly affairs, including her own joys and sorrows."
Xueyi paused, then added a sentence that confused Daziel even more.
"Perhaps... such a strong impact from your weapon, Mr. Daziel, for her, she might not truly care, and might even."
Xueyi didn't finish her sentence, but Hanya, hearing this, her originally dim eyes suddenly burst with terrifying brightness!
Her breathing became rapid and heavy, and an almost twisted, pathological desire and flush appeared on her pale cheeks.
"Quick......... hurry up........."
Hanya's voice trembled, carrying a chilling urgency as she urged, "I... I can't wait any longer!"
Guinaifen watched from the side, dumbfounded, and couldn't help but whisper to Fu Xuan next to her:
"Uh... Fu Xuan, although I know there's the influence of the Heliobus, but this dark-circled big sister is she has she been bottling up too much work stress and broken down? I wasn't like this when I was possessed."
Xueyi ignored the the whispers of others.
She turned to Daziel again, her exquisite puppet body bowing slightly as she formally made her request.
"Mr. Daziel, I'll trouble you to lend a hand."
"I will hold my sister down to prevent her from struggling and injuring herself due to instinctual reactions."
Xueyi paused for a moment, seemingly choosing her words, then added in an extremely indifferent tone.
"Judging from your previous performance, your movements will likely be very swift."
"Thus... it shouldn't cause my sister too severe substantial damage."
Daziel: "???"
...
Daziel felt a wave of speechlessness. Did this woman misunderstand him? He clearly wasn't some kind of quick-draw artist… This misunderstanding seemed a bit significant.
But... He looked at the extremely bizarre pair of sisters before him.
One expressionlessly requested him to use that baseball bat-like stick to "treat" her own sister.
And the other, far from showing any fear, displayed a pathological, almost fanatical anticipation and desire.
Then he looked at the puppet arm covered in a white silk glove that Xueyi extended, ready to hold Hanya's shoulder.
This situation, this atmosphere, this dialogue no matter how he looked at it, something seemed off?!
Is this the divine power of the inner world?!
Hanya began to writhe even more violently, trying to break free from Xueyi's chain awl.
Her gaze was fixed deadly on the fire poker in Daziel's hand, and she let out unintelligible, rapid, suppressed gasps from her throat, sounding both pained and excited?
Xueyi's puppet body stepped forward, and that fair as jade, yet hard and cold puppet hand, gently rested on Hanya's shoulder.
This seemingly gentle action contained an irresistible force, instantly immobilizing the previously restless Hanya, rendering her unable to move.
"Sister... you... you really are considerate of me, hehe..."
Hanya struggled, her face a mixture of the pain of being restrained and an even stronger, almost frenzied excitement and anticipation.
Xueyi maintained her unchanging icy expression, merely shifting her gaze back to Daziel.
"Mr. Daziel, please proceed."
Her voice was still as cool as snow, yet it carried an undeniable, almost inviting tone.
Daziel took a deep breath of the cold air, forcefully suppressing the thousands of questions and a desire to complain that surged in his heart like a tidal wave, and began to relieve Hanya of her worries.
Since so many people were watching, Daziel didn't savor it much, just wanting to get it over with quickly.
Although Hanya's body had a unique coolness, it was indeed a different experience.
Perhaps this is what happens when you're a judge for a long time, maybe even Huohuo will become like this in the future.
Xueyi's puppet arm held Hanya firmly.
The latter, far from being afraid, actually met Daziel's baseball bat-like stick with a sigh of satisfaction.
This scene was indescribably strange...
At this moment, Fu Xuan, Sushang, and Huohuo all held their breath, nervously turning their heads away, too embarrassed to say a word.
Only Guinaifen was the most understanding.
She shouted, "Sponsor Daddy, I'll help you push her butt!" and pounced.
Daziel was speechless but didn't say much, just letting Guinaifen do as she pleased.
After all, the current situation was indeed too complex and bizarre, but saving someone was paramount.
And he needed to find that damned Heliobus—Carnal—as soon as possible!
Shackling Prison, Chill Cages.
A gloomy wind howled through the prison level, used to detain and punish cold-fearing evil creatures. It was perfectly suitable for imprisoning a fire-natured Heliobus.
Carnal hadn't delved into the core of the Unshackling Key, which held the unforgivable criminals; its target was only this outer prison level.
It cunningly knew that alarming those truly terrifying existences would be of no benefit to it.
The air felt as if it had solidified, cold and heavy, carrying a musty and deathly smell that made it hard to breathe.
Unlike the relative cleanliness of the outer Records Department, this place was dimly lit.
Only the faint cold light emitted by the blue crystals embedded in the walls barely outlined the deep corridors.
On both sides, specially made bronze cells were densely arranged like a honeycomb, their thick doors inscribed with complex and abstruse talismans, flickering with a suppressive faint light.
"..."
A sharp, piercing metallic scraping sound, like fingernails on a blackboard, suddenly tore through the eternal silence.
Carnal, controlling the Shackling Prison's jailers, slowly opened the tightly shut bronze prison doors one by one, as if opening a soul-devouring giant mouth.
Behind the doors were not empty spaces, but various forms of swirling, ominous energy bodies.
These were the Heliobi captured and imprisoned here by the Ten-Lords Commission.
Their power was far inferior to Carnal's, but they each possessed twisted and bizarre characteristics.
Faint light and energy fluctuations leaked from the opened prison doors, like long-trapped fireflies, carrying confusion and weakness.
They cautiously poked out, condensing into indistinct outlines.
Some were twisted like the limbs of nightmarish monsters, others shattered like ancient artifacts bearing grudges, and some were simply masses of ever-changing, murky-colored smoke.
These newly escaped Heliobi appeared very weak, their energy cores dim.
They vaguely turned their senses, surveying this familiar yet strange cold cage, and then, a powerful, alluring, yet unspeakably oppressive force, like a magnet, attracted all their attention—
It was Carnal!
An indistinct figure, as if condensed from pure desire, floated silently in the center of the corridor, its body emitting fluctuations that made the other Heliobi's hearts palpitate.
Almost out of primal instinct, all the escaped Heliobi began to converge towards the source of that power, like moths to a dangerous and fatal, alluring flame.
"It's... It's Lord Carnal! We're saved!"
A Heliobus shaped like a shriveled fruit pit, its voice hoarse as sandpaper, was the first to let out a trembling sound full of reverence.
"Thank you, Lord Carnal, for your mercy in rescuing us from this cold hell!"
Another smoke-like Heliobus obsequiously twisted its illusory body, trying to show maximum deference.
They were of all shapes and sizes, yet now, without exception, they showed the relief of surviving a catastrophe, as well as undisguised reverence and an almost slavish dependence on Carnal.
After all, if Carnal hadn't acted, they didn't know how much of their consciousness would have been worn away in this sunless cage, until they were completely annihilated.
One of them, which could barely condense a face-like outline, approached with a fawning smile on its face, its voice a bit oily:
"Hehehe, with Lord Carnal's wise leadership, our Heliobus clan finally has hope! We can definitely break out of this damned place and turn it upside down!"
It seemed to get more excited as it spoke, its illusory form beginning to fluctuate unstably, as if gesticulating grandly with flying spittle (though it had no physical spittle):
"Never mind this small Shackling Prison, even taking down the entire Luofu Xianzhou in one go is not an impossible dream!"
"By then, whatever emotions we want, we can seize! Whatever thoughts we want to devour, we can feast on!"
This Heliobus seemed completely immersed in the beautiful illusion it painted, smacking its non-existent lips, a look of immense nostalgia on its face:
"To be honest, little brother here, I especially love to consume those desires related to human food, tsk tsk tsk..."
"Especially that Shangshi Flavor signature dish, Red Oil Chopped Beef Offal! Oh my, that flavor, that texture, and the heartfelt satisfaction of the diners as they taste it... I haven't tasted that in a long, long, long time..."
Every Heliobus has its own deeply ingrained unique peculiar fondness and fixation, just like in the original plot, the "Sword Spirit" obsessed with the way of the sword, which eventually chose to possess the genius swordsman Yanqing.
This Heliobus's lifelong pursuit was clearly concentrated on the greedy imitation of gluttony.
However, Carnal, standing silently in the center, showed no emotional fluctuation towards this enthusiastic flattery and grand vision.
The indistinct pink heart-shaped figure merely tilted slightly, as if "staring" with invisible eyes at the "beef offal enthusiast" still chattering on and reminiscing endlessly.
A twisted, emotionless, pure, and absolute will suddenly boomed in the perception cores of all the Heliobi.
"I don't eat beef!"
This will was concise, abrupt, yet carried an undeniable, chilling authority.
"....!"
The words had just fallen, before the Heliobus immersed in the deliciousness of beef offal could even react from its shock.
The space around Carnal suddenly distorted violently, and an irresistible, terrifying suction force like a black hole erupted!
The heart-shaped figure, which seemed to beat vigorously, instantly enveloped the still-fantasizing Heliobus!
Swallowed in one gulp, instantly refined!
"Ah—! No! Lord Carnal, spare..."
The shrill scream was cut off halfway.
That pitiful Heliobus, along with its humble and persistent thoughts of red oil beef offal, was instantly decomposed, dissolved, transformed into the purest, most primal energy, and ruthlessly, completely devoured and refined by Carnal.
The entire process was so fast it was heart-stopping, leaving only a faint, almost imperceptible trace in the air, as if the residual thoughts of red oil spices mixed with extreme fear, then also dissipated into nothing.
The corridor instantly fell into a deathly silence, even more suffocating than before.
The remaining surviving Heliobi, whether monster-shaped, artifact-shaped, or smoke-shaped, all froze in place, as if their cores were seized by an invisible giant hand.
The energy in their cores fluctuated violently, uncontrollably, conveying unspeakable extreme fear and a reality-shattering disbelief.
After Carnal refined its own kind, the indistinct figure seemed to become slightly more solid, and the alluring aura it emitted also became more intense, yet it also carried a chilling danger and madness.
It issued its will again, this time, the will carried an almost frenzied, bone-chilling pleasure, as if it had tasted the most delicious delicacy in the world:
"This seat just likes lewdness."
"I want to create a Xianzhou where only lewdness exists."
This declaration, like the most biting cold wind from the Shackling Prison, instantly pierced through the energy core of every surviving Heliobus.
They finally understood completely. Carnal had released them from their cages not to gather companions, nor to form some resistance force.
In Carnal's eyes, these so-called kin of theirs, perhaps... were merely spare "snacks," or rather, "fuel" for it to achieve some mad goal!
A Heliobus shaped like a cracked bronze mirror, its surface trembling violently from extreme fear, reflecting the terrified energy fluctuations of its surrounding companions, tremblingly issued its tearful will:
"Carnal… you... you actually devour your companions... what on earth are you trying to do?!"
"Without us… alone, how can you contend with the entire Luofu?! Those Xianzhou people won't let you go!"
Carnal's will carried a self-evident, almost god-like arrogance, echoing in the perception of all the Heliobi, booming like thunder from the nine heavens:
"Simple."
"I'll become Conflagration, won't I?"
The moment the words fell, Carnal's aura was no longer concealed, erupting like a bursting dam!
A dense pink mist, so thick it was impossible to dissolve, carrying a cloying sweetness and fatal corrosiveness, instantly enveloped all the surviving Heliobi!
Deep within the Shackling Prison, shrill, desperate screams and heart-wrenching pleas rose one after another, interweaving into a symphony of despair.
Carnal, however, turned a deaf ear to this. While greedily devouring these former "companions," strengthening its own existence, it began to hum softly in an almost chant-like, strangely rhythmic way:
"First molting, a taste of a hundred sweet emotions, daring to cover the Star Abyss with rainbow garments."
"Blood's blaze burns the body, bones as lamps, in the sea of desire I walk alone!"
"Myriad charms erode the heart, weaving a net, devouring souls and melting spirits to forge a red beauty."
"Today I swallow a thousand flames, refining passion, refining color, even refining the heavens!"
As the verses were chanted, the pink mist grew denser, the speed of devouring increased, and Carnal's aura was rapidly, terrifyingly ascending!
Daziel somewhat unnaturally extricated himself from Hanya.
The white-haired judge before him, whose face, usually excessively pale from fatigue, now uncharacteristically flushed with a peculiar crimson.
However, this flush was visibly, slowly fading.
Hanya's long eyelashes trembled a few times, and she slowly opened her eyes. At first, her gaze was dazed, empty, as if she had just broken free from a bizarre, grand dream and hadn't fully distinguished reality yet.
Her vision gradually focused, and the cold air rushed into her lungs, bringing a piercing clarity.
Then, she saw Daziel, who was close at hand.
That face, carrying a hint of awkwardness and helplessness, was clearly reflected in her restored pupils.
In an instant, all the daze, emptiness, and even the residual strange sensation were replaced by extreme shock and shame!
"Ah—!"
A scream, so sharp it almost tore the air, suddenly burst from deep within Hanya's throat!
Hanya recoiled violently, trying to get away from the man before her, her movements carrying an instinctive resistance and fear. She subconsciously wrapped her arms around herself, only to find she was bound by her sister's chains. Her voice trembled with emotion, tinged with tears, and filled with incredulous questioning:
"You! You... what did you just do to me?! And why did sister also get me..."
Her gaze towards Daziel was filled with vigilance, loathing, and a sense of violated humiliation.
Daziel was stunned by this sudden scream and accusation, subconsciously taking half a step back, raising his hands to show his innocence, his expression even more helpless.
"Wait! Judge Hanya, calm down! It was you... uh, and your sister..."
Xueyi silently took a step forward, positioning herself between Hanya and Daziel. Her exquisite puppet face remained as calm as an ancient well, but when her gaze touched the red corners of Hanya's eyes, an almost imperceptible ripple seemed to pass.
Guinaifen watched from the side, dumbfounded, then slapped her hand as if in sudden realization, leaning close to Fu Xuan's ear and exclaiming in what she thought was a very low voice:
"I knew it! It must be too much work stress that broke her! Look, isn't she awake now! Eh? But why doesn't she remember what just happened?"
Hanya completely ignored the others' movements. Her full attention now shifted from Daziel to Xueyi.
"Sister?"
Hanya's voice still trembled, but it held a bit more reliance and grievance, "He… he did to me....."
Xueyi's voice was still calm, like her unchanging puppet face, but her words clearly reached Hanya's ears:
"Little sister, calm down. You were corroded by the Heliobus just now, your mind was unclear, and you nearly caused a great disaster."
She extended her mechanically constructed hand, gently resting it on Hanya's still trembling shoulder, conveying an icy yet reliable soothing power.
"It was Mr. Daziel who took action, risking danger to drive that Heliobus from your consciousness."
Xueyi's gaze turned to Daziel, nodding slightly in silent confirmation and gratitude, then returned to Hanya:
"He did not misbehave towards you; it was merely that the situation forced him to use unconventional means. You should not blame him, but rather... you should thank him for saving you."
Tears still clung to Hanya's eyelashes.
Listening to her sister's calm explanation, the shame and loathing on her face gradually faded somewhat.
But in their place was a deeper confusion and a lingering sense of humiliation.
She bit her lower lip, her voice as soft as a mosquito's buzz:
"But......... sister......... that feeling......... I..."
She couldn't clearly describe the feeling of her body being occupied, spied upon, and forcibly intervened with by another existence.
It wasn't just physical discomfort, but a spiritual insult.
Even knowing it was to save her, that feeling of her core being touched still made it difficult for her to let go.
Daziel looked at Hanya's tearful appearance, feeling a bit uncomfortable himself.
He opened his mouth to say something more, but then felt that at times like these, any explanation seemed pale.
Sigh, wasn't it you all who initiated it? And now you're blaming me after the fact...
Fu Xuan coughed lightly, breaking the slightly awkward silence, just about to smooth things over...
Just then, a rough and clearly anxious voice suddenly rang in everyone's ears, like a clap of thunder!
"Wait! Everyone shut up! Something's wrong!"
___
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