Base No. 1 construction zone.
The small island was dusty with machinery roaring. Several large building materials continuously assembled and transported under Small Universe domain's precise operation. anwhile, military construction teams weren't idle either, rapidly laying water, electricity, communication, and other facilities.
A large group of 4-ter-tall puppet-like relics appeared on site helping, even so tad Disaster Beasts lending hands—building at almost visible speed.
Captain Deputy Li Yingge took command of engineering construction, racing against ti to coordinate overall planning.
Remaining Josh and Kale discussed specific plans for the next step regarding Fallen Zone depths with Hibiscus and Elsa:
The Salvation Church definitely had to go in and cause trouble, likely fighting great battles with high-tier Disaster Beasts. This would definitely trigger chain reactions—best to prepare in advance. After all, the other end of the storm circle was famous for affecting the whole body with one move, likely facing massive Disaster Beasts. Understanding this, military leadership worried for the Magical Girls but couldn't interfere with command—just reminding them to be safe.
They sat around a map on the beach.
The silver-haired girl pointed to the current base island position, then drew a straight line stabbing into Fallen Zone depths, tapping the thick paper decisively:
"The Church will enter from weak points, but probably enemies await us. If battle aftermath spreads to core zones, General Josh, your people must be careful and prepare firepower interception."
"No problem."
Elsa supplented: "Please also maintain contact with headquarters. If high-tier Disaster Beasts engage in summoning behavior, it'll definitely create power vacuums in peripheries—use this chance to advance recapture wars. We'll be away and out of contact for a while, but you can feel changes."
"Mm, I express gratitude on behalf of Pacific Theater forces." Josh's tone was respectful.
Honestly, she didn't think it would go smoothly. The other side ultimately had four Hegemon Disaster Beasts stationed, plus un-revealed high-tier Disaster Beasts. Even the Church had insufficient combat reserves.
By now everyone basically understood the so-called world's number one Magical Girl Organization's combat capabilities—probably not much hidden.
Unless the Church's trump cards exceeded imagination.
If they could withdraw unscathed from wars exceeding Hegemon Disaster Beast siege scale, it would confirm the Church still retained massive combat power underwater, or current open personnel still hadn't used full strength. Either point would rank as world-class power.
"One more thing." Suddenly Kale raised her hand: "Why do several intelligent Disaster Beasts ntion 'cultivation grounds'? What's going on?"
Speaking, she poked Josh who'd been answering all along. "You say sothing too."
Who here wasn't shrewd? They basically guessed the military might separately hold information—don't think they were truly useless. Compared to the Church's intelligence capabilities, they might be sowhat lacking, but definitely not clueless.
"...I'll state first—the following intelligence sources are scattered and unreliable, lacking verification ans, so just listen casually."
Josh gestured for soldiers to bring a drift bottle.
She generously displayed yellowed paper filled with warnings and cries for help.
"Recent years, coastal garrison forces indeed continuously received so ssages from self-proclaid Fallen Zone survivors, revealing Disaster Beasts were accumulating massive flesh in central zones, seemingly nurturing new monsters—possibly humanoid with extrely strong power. Interestingly, this mutually corroborated so fishern's rumors. Due to frequent similar intelligence, Antarctic Treasury conducted Prophecy Book divination."
"The relic gave feedback: Fallen Zone center, driven by conspiracy, will birth humanoid intelligent subspecies Disaster Beasts—it's an insignificant part of massive destruction ons."
"The latter half sentence never appeared even in two Catastrophe Disaster Beasts divinations." Josh took a deep breath. "We tried further divination, but Knowledge Poison contamination was severe—even Miss Snow Maiden was severely injured and had to stop."
Besides this, she provided so military deductions:
Intelligent subspecies should represent significance greater than strength, currently being cultivated, having ventured out during the process.
Prophecy Book paying such attention to targets should naturally be eliminated—this was also one reason the military hoped to actively advance recapture wars.
I see!
After hearing so much information, Hibiscus suddenly understood. The world's official appearance of "intelligent subspecies" terminology ca from top-tier divination relics—that indeed made sense.
The silver-haired girl's brightening eyes couldn't escape the gathered experts' gazes. They all looked at her, wanting to hear what evaluation the prophet had of Prophecy Book results. Two super clairvoyants joining forces—surely not afraid of re hidden enemies?
"Actually I only understand the na. Other information at most confirms it's very strong, numbers increasing from few to many—that's all."
"Forget it—such things are still distant. Focus on present matters."
Leaving it at that, Josh put away the map indicating the topic's end. Actually it didn't count as much progress. Of course, corroborating each other's intelligence to move from speculation to certainty had sufficient value, so she needed to report to headquarters. Hibiscus went to accompany Nan Zhiyi working construction—their magic held strategic significance for this race-against-ti work.
Both at least reached veteran Growth Stage levels, handling such magic consumption with ease.
Suddenly Nan Zhiyi spoke: "You never ntioned intelligent subspecies Disaster Beasts before—are they very powerful?"
"Extrely troubleso."
"...I sense faint anxiety from you. Is it because magic has been stuck too long? You should have completed Origin Shaping and Regalia Upper Garnt illumination—actually could advance to Blooming Stage anyti."
"Right, indeed can't hide from you." The silver-haired girl smiled. "Once you encounter true hegemon battles, you'll understand how hard I am—comparable to mythology types."
Coincidentally, both Origin and Regalia corresponding to Blooming Stage abilities emphasized defense.
Origin Shaping: Originally flowing and easily dispersed origin energy beca fixed, ensuring explosive output outward without dissipation loss, while inward protection was impregnable, even immune to low-level interference. For instance, causal magic directly cursing Hibiscus with colds or fevers wouldn't work now.
Her error tolerance improved while enemy killing thods decreased.
Regalia Upper Garnt: Further enhanced protective power. Previously Regalia had limited defense for uncovered areas—now surface area seed unchanged but actually extended energy achieved "full-body armor" without affecting movent. For example, Hyacinth's Regalia lacked necklaces, collar ribbons, etc.—visually the throat appeared unprotected, but actually after upper garnt illumination, omni-directional extension of invisible energy wrapped around with strength matching Regalia body, so tight even facial features had no flaws.
All-around armor also improved physical strength—each move's quality tripled, fundantally increasing destructive power.
Netizens called Blooming Stage Magical Girls transforming "from glass cannons to super military fortresses"—not just talk. Endurance, stamina, and defense all massively improved.
Truly a watershed.
From then on, Magical Girls would also overco brain and heart weaknesses, enabling complete regeneration.
Blooming Stage Magical Girls truly achieved life-level leaps, with transformation states becoming permanent and comprehensive enhancent. Could descend to Mariana Trench depths, ascend to lunar orbital travel—as if born to adapt to various harsh environntal combat, advancing toward strategic weapons.
The strength doesn't fluctuate in strength due to environntal changes—indeed true for Blooming Stage, even if most limbs were destroyed it wouldn't affect performance.
Precisely because this level was crucial, Hibiscus hoped to gather all three elents before advancing, achieving everything in one step.
She sighed: "As you said, other things went smoothly, but magic still lacks sothing. Though I know Sands of Ti's next-stage skills, there's always a layer of paper blocking... Is it lack of pressure? Am I not desperate enough?"
"How many in the world qualify to fight you life-or-death? Plus I think you can listen to others' thods—Magical Girls don't only improve through combat."
"What?"
Nan Zhiyi slowly released magic and began resting. She gazed at Hibiscus with wine-red eyes, smiling brilliantly.
"Whenever I fight alongside you, I'm filled with strength. Gloom disappears, everything becos so clear. Though everyone often says I lack imagination, my definition of Magical Girls is traditional: for family, for friends, for the world. Being with cherished things won't let you slack off. There's always a way forward—I believe in your talent."
"You're right, but circumstances don't allow delay."
"...Said it several tis—don't always shoulder responsibility. The world keeps turning, things get done regardless. Don't pressure yourself."
As she spoke, Nan Zhiyi leaned her head on Hibiscus's shoulder. Black and white hair strands mingled. The two were close enough to hear each other's heartbeats and breathing. She whispered softly, breath like orchids: "Even if you see more distant things, don't take everything on yourself. There are always things that can change."
With childhood friend understanding, she imdiately sensed Magical Girl Hyacinth's pressure suddenly increasing.
All along, Nan Zhiyi knew this childhood friend appeared cold and composed on the surface but actually carried countless profound thoughts in her mind. Those who could hide things were often lonely too.
What she could do was rely comfort. Helm-holding leaders had to make decisions themselves, especially as prophets.
"Won't think about it now—deal with it later."
Hibiscus smiled, touching Nan Zhiyi's head, feeling relieved. Being anxious was useless—first handle present matters, continue training Sands of Ti magic developnt.
Don't forget the system's reward for entering Fallen Zone depths included dium advancent stone fragnts. Adding the press conference one made two pieces—should be enough for advancent. When the ti ca, she'd gather three elents and breakthrough in Disaster Beast territory.
With this thought, she no longer worried, and seeing this, Nan Zhiyi was happy to rest.
The two continued chatting about academic matters. Thinking carefully, since recapture war began, they'd been constantly busy, completely forgetting university. Couldn't forget when returning...
anwhile.
Kale suddenly called Elsa preparing to leave, asking uncertainly: "I heard you're from the Miller family? Thanks to your family back then, the Holy Relic Treaty passed smoothly... Should be your grandfather's generation—he cast a key vote."
"Father indeed ntioned the family played a major role in that vote, but there was considerable struggle, so he doesn't want to recall."
"Right, the First Holy Relic Civil War was more intense than this ti, especially for political families. Because I advocated that repeatedly exchanging interests with relationship networks should be uprooted completely—killing one is killing, exterminating families is also killing, why not be thorough? I'm truly glad I didn't act against the Miller family, or today's relationship would be awkward. Half a century later, cooperating with his descendant—I really like this kind of fate."
"I think Grandfather was astute in timing."
The more Elsa listened, the more confused she beca. Why did the history from ancient Holy Relic Pharmacist's mouth differ so much from mainstream narrative? The forr was full of bloodshed.
"History is a little girl anyone can dress up. For future cooperation to look good, of course it needs beautification." Kale pointed to her temple. "Don't be so nervous—I can't read minds, you just wrote thoughts on your face."
Seeing Elsa's embarrassed expression, she finally laughed heartily, sweeping away accumulated gloom.
Since dealing with Hyacinth, initiative seed always in the other party's hands—like Monkey King entering Five Finger Mountain. If not everyone in Salvation Church were monsters, that would be great.
Most Magical Girls weren't mature enough—this organization was definitely one genius leading several talents, then driving the whole situation.
Hard on you.
"...These days I've heard many reports, especially about you. Mind revealing? Did you join the Church as intelligence says—through fighting then hitting it off?"
"Right, Hyacinth helped suppress rampage, and I weighed pros and cons, thinking staying in the Church was safer when the situation was unfavorable for Magical Girls."
"Honestly, I thought Miller family people would be more thoughtful."
"Only by leaving family-set circles can you create more achievents. Besides, joining the Church itself counts as multiple betting."
Young Elsa wasn't lacking in ambition. Being born into prominent family indeed provided high starting lines, but targets satisfying her sense of achievent were also bigger. Father already beca party whip—sitting in presidential position wasn't impossible later. She didn't need to struggle on this route. Instead, Salvation Church gave Magical Girl Chrysanthemum rare excitent, finding careers worth practicing lifelong—no hesitation needed, impulse was reason.
Moreover, the ceiling was high.
Who with clear eyes didn't acknowledge Salvation Church's rising like the sun? Moreover, visibly not reaching peak period, always in ultra-high-speed growth with no ceiling in sight. Missing Catastrophe Battle left Elsa regretful—recapture war couldn't be missed. She wanted historical fa, wanted to beco founding fathers of the next era.
She t the ancient Holy Relic's gaze with high fighting spirit, fire in her eyes sufficient as answer.
Instead, Kale was slightly stunned. Thinking of lifeless Rangers was disappointing, including herself. Indeed, talented people erged in every generation.
"...So the Miller family—no, you chose greater careers. Really excellent." She said admiringly: "I increasingly appreciate your organization. You erged at the right ti, perfect for stirring up storms."
"Want to join us?"
Elsa gradually gained conversational initiative, even extending olive branches.
"Not ti yet, but I'll seriously consider it." Saying this, Kale waved and walked away.
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