Honkai Impact 3rd: Catching the Herrscher of Sentience at the Start

"Hmph! A little kid is still a little kid—always making the adults worry. When she comes back, I'll spank her!"

"Class monitor, Bronya will also help."

Just as everyone was about to leave, a spatula blocked their path. Mei, with a gentle smile, said,

"I know everyone is anxious—I am too. But let's eat breakfast first, so we have the energy to find Fu Shi. Right, everyone?"

Everyone, 'Please lower the spatula, everything is negotiable!'

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Just as Fu Hua and the others were anxiously searching for Fu Shi, she, on the other hand, seemed quite carefree, leisurely floating ten thousand meters above the ground.

"Hmm~ hmm hmm~~ I wonder if that old antique will worry when she notices I'm gone. Hahaha, as if! That block of wood wouldn't care at all! Right, Little Kite?"

"Gugu?"

"..."

Fu Shi sat cross-legged on her sword sheath, holding a plump, round chicken in her arms. The chicken was dressed in the same outfit as the Herrscher of Sentience and had a 'ferocious' expression on its face.

This fat bird was none other than the Herrscher of Sentience's familiar—Black Kite—hatched after painstakingly absorbing Honkai energy for a grueling 'eighty-one days'!

If you ask how strong this 'fearsome and menacing' Black Kite is, well, I can only say it punches retirement homes in the south and kicks kindergartens in the north... Of course, that's impossible.

But as a mascot, or emergency food supply, it fits the role perfectly.

"I am the great Herrscher of Sentience—versed in astronomy above and geography below, skilled in both literature and martial law, standing strong with wisdom. I wouldn't say I'm perfect, but nine out of ten is fair enough."

"So why did I end up hatching such a silly, cowardly, and utterly weak fat bird? Is genetic inheritance so terrifying that even Honkai energy can't change it?!"

"If Sirin finds out I hatched something like this, where will my dignity go?!"

Fu Shi lifted Little Kite in her hands, staring at its 'intelligent' eyes. The more she looked, the angrier she got, wishing she could shove it back into the egg.

Little Kite seemed to notice Fu Shi's disdain. Its gaze instantly sharpened, and it flapped its tiny wings, using its sharp beak to peck at Fu Shi's head relentlessly.

"Cluck cluck!! Cluck cluck cluck!!!"

"Stop! You little thing actually have a temper? I am your master! If you don't stop, believe it or not, I'll throw you down."

"Gugu? Gugu gugu!!!"

Little Kite didn't stop at Fu Shi's threat. Instead, it became even more arrogant and aggressive. The next second, Fu Shi flicked it away, sending it flying into the distance, where it turned into a tiny speck and vanished.

Fu Shi clapped her hands, then leisurely controlled her sword sheath to approach from behind, silently watching as Little Kite flailed its wings desperately but remained helplessly plummeting.

Seeing Little Kite's comical struggle in the air, she couldn't hold back her laughter.

"Hahahahaha!"

Little Kite's eyes widened at the sound of laughter. When it turned its head and saw Fu Shi, it was as if it had found a lifeline, flapping its chubby body toward her.

But before it could get close, Fu Shi pulled away, spinning 360°, then flipping upside down with her arms crossed, smirking at Little Kite.

"Gugu?"

"Regretting now? Call me boss, and I'll—wait... wait..."

"Hiss! Are you... evolving?!"

Fu Shi quickly adjusted her posture, sitting sideways on her sword sheath with one leg crossed, playing with her hair as she watched Little Kite, her face filled with amusement. But before she could finish speaking, she was dumbfounded.

"Chirp!!!"

Little Kite, having realized it couldn't rely on others, let out an angry and resounding cry. Then, its plump body began undergoing an incredible transformation.

Under a dazzling light, its body stretched and expanded. The once chubby, white figure became imposing and powerful.

Its feathers sharpened like blades, strong and firm, and when it spread its wings, it seemed to cover the sky.

Its piercing crimson eyes instilled fear, its talons gleamed coldly, sharp enough to slice through iron like mud, with traces of black flames flickering above them.

Its tail was adorned with long, slender black-golden plumes, occasionally sparking with black flames, adding to its majestic and awe-inspiring presence.

Two black, white, and red feathers floated atop its head, its curved brown-yellow beak sharp and menacing. Embedded in its forehead was the unique rhombus-shaped red gemstone of the Herrscher of Sentience.

At a glance, it exuded both intimidation and reverence, a being both regal yet elegant, magnificent yet composed.

"Wow! This is incredible!!!"

"Ahem, I now declare that you are officially qualified to be the exclusive familiar of the Herrscher of Sentience! Come, let me ride you for a spin—it'll be so cool!"

Fu Shi's eyes sparkled as she gazed at the transformed Little Kite, her earlier disdain completely gone. She raised both hands in awe.

"Chirp chirp!"

However, Little Kite ignored her, glancing at Fu Shi with disdain before flapping its wings and soaring away, preparing to leave her behind and explore the world alone.

"Hey? Don't go!"

"A fledgling spreads its wings and soars, a cocoon finally breaking into a butterfly. I was just testing you, and look, you succeeded! Truly worthy of celebration!"

Seeing Little Kite about to leave, Fu Shi quickly followed, spreading her hands as she spouted nonsense. But she seemed to have forgotten that Little Kite was originally just a red chicken meant for slaughter, not... a bird.

...Thinking about it that way, Little Kite really had it rough. A simple ground chicken forced to become a 'phoenix.'

"Chirp!"

Ignoring Fu Shi, Little Kite gradually picked up speed, trying to shake off its unreliable master and enjoy its newfound freedom alone.

Fu Shi, noticing Little Kite's intention, grinned and stopped her chatter, slowly raising her fist the size of a sandbag.

"Gugu!!!"