Fu Hua couldn't help but smile— the livestream chat was absolutely buzzing with excitement.
Only Fushibao wore a somewhat troubled expression, constantly giving Old Timer subtle glances, urging him to hurry through the main story segment and get past this scene.
What even is this nonsense!
Better to move forward quickly and let everyone see her true strength!
Perhaps sensing Fushibao's gaze, Fu Hua stirred from her recollections.
In the main story—
Upon seeing the Herrscher of Sentience about to leave because of his words, Otto quickly called her back and, with clever wording, persuaded her to seek out Kevin.
As she left Schicksal HQ, the Herrscher of Sentience pondered her odds in a fight against Kevin, seriously analyzing the matchup.
She concluded that they were evenly matched—fifty-fifty.
And though not truly naïve, merely somewhat pure-hearted, the Herrscher of Sentience slyly copied a portion of Otto's memories.
Thus giving players a glimpse into Otto's hidden past.
Players had already learned through miHoYo's comics that Otto had been a frail and sickly child, passionate about invention but unrecognized by his family.
Until he met Kallen Kaslana—his first source of genuine validation.
Childhood friends, they had gone through much together since.
Honestly, even for those who didn't like Otto, it was undeniable—this chapter was rather sweet.
Now, miHoYo was finally covering Otto's backstory in the main story.
Players were extremely curious—what exactly would this memory reveal?
The scene shifted—an ancient medieval castle.
An elderly voice conversed quietly with a young Otto.
Five hundred years ago, after Schicksal's failed crusade to the east, the three great families faced impeachment. Kallen, the last direct heir of the Kaslana bloodline, was scheduled to be executed soon.
That was the original plan.
But the current head of House Apocalypse, Nikolas, presented Otto with a choice: marry Kallen, and in doing so, secure the Apocalypse family's control over House Kaslana.
Since she was to marry Otto, naturally Nikolas would not let Kallen be executed.
In other words...
If Otto obeyed and fulfilled this marriage, helping Apocalypse seize House Kaslana, Kallen would live.
But Otto thought—
"..."
How strange.
His lifelong dream lay before him—everything aligned perfectly.
Fate's currents had pushed him toward the result he'd always longed for:
To be forced into marriage with the woman he loved most—Kallen Kaslana.
And yet, he felt no joy.
Because he knew—
This was not what Kallen Kaslana wanted.
The memory ended.
The players were stunned for a moment.
Otto's genuine feelings for Kallen had shaken them.
[This is Otto? A pure-hearted warrior of love?! But who is Kallen?]
[If you haven't read the official comics, go catch up! Honestly, I've never seen a game company release novels and comics just to complete the story—industry leading quality!]
[For real, miHoYo's dedication here is... utterly incredible!]
[Old Otto and current Otto feel like two different people. He actually seemed pitiful back then.]
[Did Otto agree? Did Kallen still die?]
...
As more of Otto's past was revealed, players couldn't help but marvel.
That Otto... had such a history?
Taken alone, this memory painted him as a tragic man.
But recalling his later deeds—it was hard to pity him, no matter how pitiful he once was.
Indeed.
Otto was both a simple and a complex man.
His experiences, his obsessions—so many contradictions intertwined within him.
Which made this man... truly incomprehensible.
After watching this memory, Fu Hua paused slightly, waiting for the barrage of chat about Otto to subside before clicking on the next chapter.
The stage description read:
"Today, the tale of the great hero Fu Hua's curious encounter while visiting a friend."
Great hero Fu Hua? Curious encounter?
Was this written by the Herrscher of Sentience herself?
Or perhaps the writer had been manipulated by the Herrscher of Sentience.
At the very least, the moment Fu Hua read the description, she subtly glanced at Fushibao.
Wondering if Fushibao had made some secret deal with Hokuto to alter this description.
Such thoughts flitted through her mind, but her hands didn't pause.
[Battle Prep]—[Begin]
The screen opened onto a ruined cityscape, nearly buried in sandstorms—harsh and desolate.
The Herrscher of Sentience had arrived at World Serpent's base, but her luck wasn't great—she'd been discovered.
A dozen mechs surrounded her.
Of course, with her power, these mechs were easily dismantled.
But this rough start made her decide to change tactics—she would now storm the place head-on.
Her new plan: cause enough chaos that Kevin would be forced to meet her personally.
The logic here...
Truly befitting her current Herrscher personality—always finding... unexpected methods.
Elsewhere.
Jackal, detecting the intrusion, also identified the "rude guest" as Hua—not Fu Hua.
But players weren't surprised. They figured Jackal must have read her name somewhere.
Little did they know—a subtle hint for a future, devastating storyline in Elysium had already been planted here.
Back to the story.
Upon confirming the intruder and seeing no chance of negotiation, Jackal decided to handle this impolite visitor without alerting Kevin.
Jackal (broadcast): "Intruder spotted at the intersection of Corridors 5 and 7! Squads One and Four, surround her! Drive her into the Spiral Zone!"
Herrscher of Sentience: "So noisy. Is this one dumb? Who broadcasts their own tactics..."
Jackal didn't mind—instead laughing loudly: "What's wrong? Scared? Surrender now and I might let you die with dignity!"
The Herrscher of Sentience promptly dismantled the incoming mechs with ease.
Mocking in return: "That's your strategy?"
Jackal, flustered: "You just wait! Electromagnetic net—activate!"
Thinking this grand move might cause trouble—
But...
The Herrscher of Sentience floated calmly above it.
"Idiot. I can fly. You really thought electricity would paralyze me?"
At this point.
The players were dying of laughter at these two clowns.
They'd expected the Herrscher of Sentience's infiltration of World Serpent to be an epic battle. Instead, it was like two elementary schoolers squabbling—chaotic and hilarious.
Especially the "Idiot, I can fly" line—instant classic.
In an otherwise heavy recent story arc, this pure fun was a refreshing highlight.
Their fondness for the Herrscher of Sentience soared.
Though they didn't fully understand her yet—they already loved her.
[Herrscher of Sentience is… Honkai Impact 3rd's new joy-bringer!]
[Haha! The kids are laughing silly!]
[Honkai 3rd can't do without the Herrscher of Sentience! Just like miHoYo can't do without MIss Shi!]
[Fan of Herrscher of Sentience! Fan of Miss Shi!]
[Fan of Herrscher of Sentience! Fan of Miss Shi!]
...
The chant evolved.
Fushibao saw the chat—and smiled brightly.
See?
As long as "her" Fu Hua—no, her Herrscher of Sentience—appeared, everyone would fall in love with this reality-bending, all-capable Herrscher!
But...
"You're not hyping enough yet."
Fushibao raised a fist to her mouth, clearing her throat.
"Ahem. You should say—"
'Honkai 3rd can't do without the GREAT Herrscher of Sentience!!'
Everyone: "..."
"Well, I'll keep playing. Kevin should appear soon."
Fu Hua controlled the Herrscher of Sentience, smashing through Jackal's traps.
Seeing the incoming Herrscher of Sentience, Jackal deployed the Deathweaver, proudly declaring "World Serpent's tech is twenty years ahead of its time!"
But the Herrscher of Sentience, with memories of the Previous Era, scoffed: "It's fifty thousand years behind what I've seen."
Jackal was utterly fuming. But the Deathweaver was no match for her.
Preparing for desperation.
Just then—Kevin appeared, stopping Jackal's "husky antics," and faced the Herrscher of Sentience.
"Where'd you find this subordinate? She's amusing."
"She's useful—but not for combat."
After all...
In battle, Jackal's blunders nearly let the Herrscher of Sentience tear apart World Serpent.
Even Kevin had to clarify politely.
"She's useful—in other ways."
"Oh, the same old story." The Herrscher of Sentience looked impatient. "To defeat the Honkai, you'll use anything you can, right?"
Kevin: "..."
That one line—while holding a feather—confirmed for Kevin: this was not his old comrade Hua.
He silently drew Judgment of Shamash, speaking a line from Final Lesson:
"Friend or foe—choose."
And with that—the chapter ended.
[Kevin (draws Judgment of Shamash): YOU said I wouldn't even get to draw this?]
[Everyone knows she's not Fu Hua—only she doesn't know. LOL.]
[Though, seriously, the Herrscher of Sentience's eyes are so wise (lol).]
[Honestly, I want to call her Fubao instead of Herrscher of Sentience.]
...
"Fubao?" Fu Hua glanced at Fushibao.
"What?" Fushibao replied.
"Nothing."
Fu Hua shook her head. She thought Fushibao might be upset—but she looked perfectly calm?
Next up—another interlude matching Final Lesson.
Kevin and the Herrscher of Sentience sparred.
Their relationship, oddly, grew more harmonious after the fight.
Kevin handed over the feather he'd intercepted from Kiana.
And—realizing her identity—invited the Herrscher of Sentience to join World Serpent.
Though they already had a Herrscher of Thunder, knowing Elysia's personality—
He understood: the more cute girls, the better.
As for whether Elysia could handle it?
Of course.
But despite Kevin's sincerity, the Herrscher of Sentience declined, choosing instead to rest elsewhere.
Hours later—rested—she unlocked the feather Kevin had returned.
A Phoenix form Fu Hua appeared before her.
Yet, Phoenix wore a deeply confused expression—as if struggling to understand something.
She asked: "Who are you?"
Without hesitation, the Herrscher of Sentience answered: "I am your master."
Phoenix: "Am I... your clone?"
Hearing that familiar voice and tone—
The players immediately realized:
This... was the real Fu Hua.
The Herrscher of Sentience had pulled a role reversal!
Anything involving the Herrscher of Sentience was pure joy.
She was the source of joy in Honkai Impact 3rd!
...