Honkai: You're telling me this difficulty is from Honkai Impact 3?!

The images faded, and Shu opened his eyes, standing bewildered on the car roof. It felt unreal, as if he were still trapped in the illusion. Only the cold steel of the sword in his hand reminded him—those were memories; this was reality.

He had seen the past—the past of two swords. His own sword had shown him the seven disciples leaving the Taixu dojo; the returned sword had shown him their fate.

But…what good was it? This wish had consumed a considerable amount of Hope, but what had he gained?

He glanced at Li Sushang's wish, and his eyes widened. It was no longer unknown. Two clear desires were written there.

[From Li Sushang: Promise and Revenge.]

What promise? Her mother's promise: "I will definitely come back."

How to take revenge? By killing Lava Emperor.

Otto had gambled correctly. Shu now possessed the purest of wishes, granting him the focus and drive he needed to destroy Lava Emperor, free from doubt or hesitation.

He stood tall, took a deep breath, and stepped forward. As his foot landed, the flames that had engulfed the world vanished in an instant.

And the cost in Hope… zero.

This was the gift of the fulfilled wish.

The thousand-meter-tall fire tornado dissipated, revealing Lava Emperor within. Shu raised his sword, pointing it at the distant Honkai beast. He opened his mouth to speak, but a hand touched his shoulder. He didn't flinch, holding his stance, listening to the voice in his heart.

["Seventh disciple of the Taixu Seven Swords, Ink Dye Fragrance—Qin Suyi." Qin Suyi looked up at Imperator, raising her broken sword. "For the bonds of this world—I draw my sword."]

Shu raised the tip of his sword slightly, adopting a starting stance. The lingering heat around him calmed, rapidly returning to normal.

["Sixth disciple of the Taixu Seven Swords, Crimson Shadow—Ma Feima." Ma Feima wiped the blood from his mouth, straightening his tall frame, his gaze and posture radiating arrogance as he looked down at Imperator. "For the battles of every day—I draw my sword!"]

A cocky grin spread across Shu's face. He shifted his weight, positioning the sword at his side, ready to strike.

["Fifth disciple of the Taixu Seven Swords, Supreme Freedom—Cheng Lingshuang." A flicker of emotion crossed Cheng Lingshuang's icy face as she stepped forward. "For all desires fulfilled—I draw my sword."]

Shu reached the edge of the car roof, but he continued stepping forward, as if oblivious to the drop, until—he was standing in mid-air.

["Fourth/Third disciples of the Taixu Seven Swords, Falling Nowhere/Wind Clear—Jiang Wanru/Jiang Wanxi." The twins stepped forward, raising their swords in perfect symmetry, exchanging a satisfied glance. "For the bonds of family—we draw our swords."]

The car doors opened, and the others emerged, watching as Shu ascended an invisible staircase. Otto murmured something, his words indistinct.

["Second disciple of the Taixu Seven Swords, Unrivaled Sword—Su Mei." Su Mei smiled easily, as though the impending battle were a game soon to end. "For unparalleled skill—I draw my sword."]

Shu became the focal point, not just for Otto and the others below, but for everyone who had fled the shelter, their gazes drawn to him.

["First disciple of the Taixu Seven Swords, Light Dust Willow—Lin Chaoyu." With all her fellow disciples behind her, Lin Chaoyu stood tall at the front, her eyes blazing. "For the sake of duty—I draw my sword!"]

Shu exhaled, bringing his left hand up in a sword finger position.

His voice, now a chorus with the seven voices in his heart, resonated with power.

"A god—is the ultimate change—the expression of all things—" His sword finger pointed to the sky, the tip of his sword towards the earth.

All creation, in this moment, became his drawn sword, isolating Imperator, trapping it amidst countless blades. To express one's will through all things—this was the essence of Taixu swordsmanship.

Fu Hua watched the sky, a wistful expression on her face. "So this…is the meaning of the Sword God?" She reached out, her hand closing around an invisible sword. But when she looked, her hand was empty.

Inside the car, Li Sushang slowly uncurled. She felt…the sword return to her…everywhere, enveloping her like her mother's embrace.

"Mama?" she whispered, bewildered, climbing out of the car and looking up.

She witnessed a sight she would never forget.

A giant sword descended from the heavens, cleaving the clouds, the sky, the world itself.

And severing her grief.

"Mama's back…" she murmured, the words barely audible.

Unnoticed by Shu, a wish in the corner of his awareness transformed, merging with Li Sushang's. He turned, looking at the rapidly refreshing wish before him.

It was the strange, unknown wish. Now, it shed its veil, answering the Sword God's call, offering itself entirely to Shu.

[From everyone at Taixu dojo—Protect Taixu dojo!]

No… now, its demand was—

[Those of us who cultivate, must protect all under heaven!]

Shu paused, then chuckled softly.

"Your wish…I hear you." He swung his sword, his voice filled with unwavering confidence.

"And now, I shall fulfill it!"

[41st generation disciple of Taixu dojo! 40th generation disciple of Taixu dojo!]

Countless voices converged, the ideals of many coalescing into a single, unified will, giving rise to the one and only—

Taixu Sword God!

"The formless—cannot be questioned by form!"

The giant sword plunged from the heavens, harming nothing but its target.

The moment the Sword God appeared, Lava Emperor shed its molten shell, revealing its true form as Imperator.

Before the Sword God, all illusions were shattered.