Television screens continued broadcasting a series of Mercenary Alliance news—nothing worth mentioning.
But what surprised the Magical Girls was media openly mentioning things like "a Hudson Bay research center attempting to domesticate Disaster Beasts and illegally imprison Magical Girls" and "an Antarctic base using dangerous relics causing disasters"—in knowing eyes, tantamount to exposure.
You described it so detailed—just following the vine would definitely lead to the two major institutions. Anyway, secrecy levels weren't what they used to be.
Hibiscus pondered briefly and understood.
It was a warning.
Bull borrowed the "persecuting Magical Girls" pretext to suppress, actually warning both groups "my allies harshly dealt with you—better behave from now on" as a new official. After all, without strength, the Relic Treasury wouldn't obey, let alone Snow Maiden's group who had always been worldly independent without involvement. So he leaked some news slightly—experts crossing moves, stopping at just enough.
The Mercenary Alliance boss was a rational person. Precisely because of this, Hibiscus chose Bull. Though they hadn't met since their last parting, long-distance cooperation was pleasant.
Official internal power struggle history concluded. Next would be rarely peaceful. Short-term, Anti-Disaster Beast combat would be more united with less internal friction and more cohesion. Long-term, what would happen as more and more irregular purely mercenary forces entered this field?
Unknown. Anyway, Hibiscus wasn't interested. Most Magical Girls couldn't think this far, and even if they could, were too lazy to care.
Elsa asked, "Senior Hyacinth, mercenary representatives hope to meet with Church Leader you."
"No, we're busy."
"If we don't appear more, won't opportunities to distribute benefits slip away?"
"Don't reverse cause and effect. The foundation for being distributed benefits is power, not brushing presence. Currently we've achieved excess harvest—why proudly rush forward? Even heroes should pay attention to distance. Stop here. Reduce contact levels—any future matters coordinate with the Administration."
Hibiscus's rational to cold judgment awakened Elsa. At this moment she suddenly realized if Magical Girls lost their mysterious veil, it would be counterproductive—let things be.
Indeed, if you don't come to the table, there's no cake. But this belonged to normal world logic—extraordinary power often overturned common sense.
Even if the Church didn't arrive, no one dared touch their share. On the contrary, it made many with ulterior motives wary, even beneficial for Bull's威慑 toward new followers.
As if "my relationship with the Church is so good that Hyacinth not coming still gets fair treatment" was very impressive.
Heroes think alike.
Elsa understood Boss Mu and President Bull belonged to the same level of strategists. Cooperating had perfect understanding—no communication needed to coordinate each other's pace.
Nan Zhiyi said, "Since he found Miller's connection, maintain that channel cooperation. The Church doesn't need to appear. Ice Island meeting was special circumstances—we're busy, no time for frequent foreign guest reception."
The second-in-command housekeeper confirmed the decision. The rest had no objections, so the Mercenary Alliance was left hanging.
Elsa replied they were temporarily inconvenient—done.
She hinted continuing contact with her old father was fine, counting as new political support for Miller. Anyway, the Church didn't lack supporters or fear your wild imagination. Since we could elevate one helmsman, we could also support opposition. Don't get involved, maintain distance—distance creates beauty.
Senior Hyacinth was really good at "hot and cold manipulation." Probably Bull was still puzzled why the Salvation Church wasn't rushing to cling for benefits?
Very simple. Now Elsa understood the strongest Magical Girl aimed at more magnificent targets.
"Are you done yet?" Jin Ruochu, recovered from the calamity's price, rolled on the beach shouting, "I haven't eaten for 2 days! I want grilled fish, steamed fish..."
Already hungry enough to recite menu items!
Hibiscus said, "Don't mind those miscellaneous things. To forge iron, you need to be strong yourself. Let's properly reward our people."
Before finishing, rear guard Magical Girls brought barbecue racks, canned meat, fresh fruit, and long-stewed soup. From pita bread to sandwiches, from salad to fruit platters, from pancakes to pizza... Salvation Church members from around the world holding celebration banquets naturally had to cover all cultural backgrounds—the scene could film a global cuisine documentary.
They hadn't been idle. During the two expeditions' departure, they'd been preparing to immediately reward everyone and sweep away accumulated fatigue.
Kelly explained, "Actually we stopped briefly while passing the equatorial zone, gathered some tropical fruits and specialty crops—totaling over 56 varieties. Vegetables, specialties, and such were even more numerous. Guaranteed everyone could eat hometown food while experiencing foreign flavors."
"Of course if you want alcohol, we also procured some good stuff."
Pop!
Jin Ruochu opened champagne, splashing freely. Her laughter added festive atmosphere to the beach—for socializing and livening atmosphere, the unlucky young lady was reliable enough.
Finally everyone's gaze focused on the silver-haired girl, waiting for the host's opening words.
"Do all parts of the world have this dining etiquette? Actually no need to be formal." Hibiscus smiled and took Jin Ruochu's wine glass. "Let us remember this triumphant moment. Cheers."
The Magical Girls raised their glasses and drank heartily. The long-silent Hidden Island regained lively atmosphere—peaceful and beautiful.
Many of them were satisfied just thinking about a good meal.
Complex calculations, grand schemes, or world conquest weren't related to everyone. The real majority only cared about safely returning.
Though exhausted, Hibiscus still mingled with first- and second-awakening Magical Girls to prevent marginalization psychology. According to netizens, "completely forgetting T3, T2 level characters," but reality was full of variables—always adapting to circumstances.
The main force was born from numerous ordinary Magical Girls through trials. They couldn't separate from the greater environment, so as Salvation Church Leader, she naturally had to pay attention internally.
In the original, when everyone lacked systematic training, they were uneven and weak. Now the Church emphasizing collectives even raised global extraordinary levels with one organization's scale.
Just as the silver-haired girl pondered, Jin Yulu suddenly embraced her shoulders, face drunk, alcohol breath hitting her face.
World Serpent could get drunk?
Thinking again, Hibiscus realized years of military career meant Captain Jin had no connection with indulgences, naturally couldn't adapt. Even non-transformed World Serpent would be sluggish facing first encounters, and why drink only this time?
"...Always feel cold. Heart of Profound Winter's power isn't completely expelled."
"This adaptation process is too slow."
"That relic has higher-level attached Knowledge Poison usage. I need time. Sorry, bit embarrassing."
"I can kill her."
Hibiscus's meaning was simple. If World Serpent couldn't adapt to Heart of Profound Winter's influence long-term, then eliminating the relic owner was the best strategy—at worst, make another trip.
At this moment she showed anger plus some self-blame. Perhaps she should have gone directly to the Relic Treasury to harshly deal with those guys. Though according to intelligence Snow Maiden was dutiful and not bad, different stances were enough to determine life and death.
Hearing this, Jin Yulu smiled and nestled in the girl's embrace, extending her right index finger to curl a strand of silver hair.
"...So keeping such long hair is for time suspension distribution to teammates? You always think about everyone."
"Talk business."
"Don't worry, just because of overnight rushing without time to allocate magical power to adaptive abilities. Now drinking alcohol to warm up is much better. Look if you don't believe."
Jin Yulu pillowed on Hibiscus's thigh and turned around. Large frost marks on her back quickly faded, replaced by smooth back skin. Thanks to her current swimsuit attire, shoulder blade curves were clearly visible like jade carving, transmitting faint body fragrance. Firelight and dawn rays mapped her skin, appearing soft and lustrous with myriad charms reserved for one person.
Hibiscus removed her beige windbreaker to cover her. "If cold, don't wear so little."
"It's fine. Chatting with you, I'm already much better."
Jin Yulu suddenly did a carp leap to stand, shaking off snowflakes, then her whole body showed fine scales. During this, it seemed like lava flowing with hissing heat waves spreading along her swan-like neck, then she opened her mouth to spit:
Dragon Breath!
Unlike before, at this moment flames and frost pillars soared skyward in two parts—brilliant fireworks making Magical Girls cheer repeatedly.
Then she sneezed, and the relic ability's aura completely vanished. She didn't forget to give Hibiscus a thumbs up, meaning "talk therapy" worked well.
No need to worry about the strongest mythology magic. World Serpent with recovery, tolerance, impact resistance, and even instant death immunity was safest. Though higher-level hardness and immortality abilities existed, comprehensively speaking, the most extreme survival ability was definitely hers.
"Why not lie down longer?" Hibiscus patted her slightly fleshy thigh and smiled. "I guess you're not good at expressing softness, right?"
Jin Yulu turning away with red face said everything.
Her back looked like a child's.
Understandable—parents died young, entered orphanage, later discovered magical talent and entered special forces, then deployed to various battlefields. The girl who should have developed personality was educated by war. No one would tolerate your willfulness—discipline was the keynote.
Actually, the real hard worker was Nan Zhiyi. Jin Yulu, who seemed hardworking, was essentially "uncomfortable without demands, so just self-pressure"—appearing very busy.
From the original perspective: After Ningfeng Harbor was attacked by Vanguard Disaster Beast Three-Eyed Cat Demon, Asia-Pacific War Zone commander Josh promoted then-Captain Protea, later transferred under Elsa, gradually building the Golden Dragon Emperor reputation and finally standing alone. But reality? Actually Miss Protea was often led by the nose by higher-ups. Fortunately, fairy advisors assisted or she'd be calculated to bankruptcy paying for Director Chrysanthemum's political legacy.
Quoting netizen evaluation—hitting the nail on the head:
"Jin Yulu urgently desires an elder-boss role throughout life to fill missing family-school and social-school ecological niche gaps."
Actually interacting, Hibiscus indeed felt the other was emotionally dull yet hiding expressiveness. Actions were always hurried, but combat intelligence climbed steadily in battle, usually like a super child who couldn't even confide.
"Stop setting off fireworks there. Rest more—it's dawn and we need course corrections."
"Yes, ma'am."
Jin Yulu slid into the silver-haired girl's embrace like a snake, but after holding it in, she couldn't think what to say. With her style, it would probably become a battle invitation.
"I want to thank you for standing alone in Antarctica. Also, a junior definitely needs to express gratitude to you."
"Senior Protea, I made pancakes—could you try some?"
Beatrice offered a slightly immature but heartfelt creation. Facing the two cuddling, she showed a blessed smile. Seeing this, Jin Yulu thoughtlessly accepted and ate heartily, even seriously commenting. Direct polite praise wasn't her style—this seriousness was also charming.
Just then, dawn light illuminated the earth. Unknowingly, the celebration banquet lasted all night, everyone wine-and-food satisfied in harmony.
Sea waves lapped, warm breeze pleasant.
Magical Girls lay scattered on the beach, exhausted and fast asleep—quite a scenery.
Jin Ruochu, who'd been the celebration's chief atmosphere booster, was already sprawled asleep with sleeping posture completely contrary to her young lady background. Around her fluttered colorful butterflies—obviously fortune's bee-and-butterfly attraction still working.
In Hibiscus's embrace were Jin Yulu and Beatrice, who'd entered dreams together. After experiencing Antarctica Relic Treasury battle's dangers, only the strongest Hyacinth provided security.
She felt Nan Zhiyi's distant gaze—the latter's momentary jealous expression then covered her mouth laughing lightly. "You're just like their mother."
"Stop mocking me. My legs are really sore."
"Things are pretty much settled. What does our prophet have to teach next?"
"Intelligence shows Bull threw nuclear bombs at Disaster Beast Fallen Zones to tie down the strongest Pacific War Zone—basically lighting firecrackers in toilets! Watch out in advance. The northern hemisphere has Ice Island attracting attention—Hidden Island retreats to the South Pacific. That means you two, Dieffenbachia and Flowering Crabapple—replace me in correcting Thousand-Li Viewing Mirror's course. Remember to move fast."
The sisters nodded and left quickly. Strictly speaking, they were combat support positioning, so consumption wasn't large and they still had energy to be lively.
Especially Ruan Xinyue's save points almost guaranteed permanent 100% status. With non-declining stamina and special mechanisms, she could delay enemies much stronger than herself. In the original, she was frequently featured as a desperate situation countermeasure card—invincible until having to face "delay Time Priestess 10 minutes"—that destined time magic duel.
As many fans regretted, after no save point users, knives became unstoppable.
If not for insufficient team coordination, she should have been sent to Antarctica.
Hibiscus also instructed several other Magical Girls to prepare, and after deploying troops, felt even more tired.
Nan Zhiyi said with slight reproach, "Jin, don't pressure yourself so much. Obviously you fought main decisive battles across two battlefields. Rest well—leave the rest to me."
"Mm, see you tomorrow."
Though the system rang with a series of completion suggestion alerts, she couldn't care now. Taking zombie-like steps back to her room for sleep.
After resting well from the Holy Relic civil war, Hibiscus opened her eyes again—already afternoon.
The girl sat up from the soft bed, stretched and moved her joints, incidentally combing her silver hair that didn't reach past her waist... Wait!
"Does mental relaxation automatically cancel transformation?"
She stood before the mirror observing—bright eyes and white teeth, long eyelashes, cherry lips slightly parted. Limbs proportioned, full chest, wasp waist curves. Overall looking tall and imposing with stable temperament retaining dignity, battle fire tempering ultimately left some traces.
Hibiscus realized Magical Girl Hyacinth form had automatically released. Seemed she was too paranoid—subconsciously not treating sleep as a relaxable state.
But she had to admit unconsciously maintaining transformation proved comprehensive qualities had all increased, and substantially.
One character difference between permanent transformation and normal transformation decided two levels' markers—the former being Blooming Stage. Once reaching this realm, one could almost ignore most conventional or surprise attack methods, truly developing toward what Jin Yulu called "facing any battle situation in peak condition unlimited powerhouse." As for origin output, magical power quantity, combat performance and other aspects—worlds apart.
"Hmm?"
Hibiscus suddenly discovered automatic release didn't include Regalia upper garment parts.
She subconsciously touched the military uniform buttons, contaminated with a trace of Knowledge Poison aura, instantly making her scalp tingle.
No wonder she woke earlier than expected. Though her body rested enough, instinct felt battle wasn't over because Relic Treasury contamination wasn't eradicated.
She should have suspected when seeing Jin Yulu's symptoms. Why didn't she think of it? Probably it also had "making targets difficult to perceive" cognitive interference, then penetrating bone marrow to slowly manifest.
Snow Maiden's second relic Memoir was quite troublesome—others would probably be in grave danger.
New Regalia part lit up?
Effortless gain. Previously she had no clue about Regalia's next stage—now experiencing it by chance, checking corresponding advancement stones found them indeed dim.
Hibiscus touched her flat tender belly, feeling a remaining guardian power. This inspired her—if "hair ornament represents telekinesis, i.e., mental attributes" and "gloves represent magical manipulation, i.e., strength attributes," then upper garment represented constitution attributes, characterized as protection.
Even if Regalia visually released, one part remained providing defense, and it differed from ornaments and gloves.
The first two had external manifestations; upper garment didn't. But Hibiscus could feel if she activated corresponding Regalia part, magical power, precision, telekinesis output, and physical qualities would all leap substantially. Especially defense was truly thick-skinned—fighting Ice Flower again, it couldn't break through. The answer was obvious—upper garment Regalia represented protection and comprehensive strength short-term bursts.
Corresponding to Blooming Stage power.
The silver-haired girl before the mirror reopened Regalia. Military coat gained a layer of flame-like magical power, actually similar to mythology transformation posture—truly solid as rock.
Simultaneously, Hibiscus was certain regeneration rate, flesh strength, and basic attributes all improved significantly. Bluntly speaking, even stripping all special abilities without a trace of magical power, she could crush a boss-level Disaster Beast with brute force.
"...The Magical Girl life advancement path is a tree-point route without shortcomings."
She murmured netizens' evaluation once heard, thinking it only referred to games then, now having deeper understanding.
Magical Girls weren't glass cannons.
Conversely, the further along, besides magic, other abilities rapidly caught up—all high defense, high health, high recovery, hard to exploit weak points.
No wonder netizens thought higher-tier Magical Girl decisive battles had higher value.
Hibiscus thought if she wanted to defeat this type, she'd need to exhaust the three elements plus reaction, combat experience, combat intelligence, etc. Variables like sneak attacks and assassinations approached zero effectiveness.
"After this Relic Treasury battle, my origin also welcomed growth. Regalia upper garment's protection and origin shaping's high resistance are basically similar."
Buzz!
A sword-shaped magical power rose in her hand—not instant burst but more substantial, incredibly powerful, comparable to an output skill, and general defensive abilities were like paper to it. Moreover, this "sword" could be swung out, understood as "sword qi"—considerable power.
Hibiscus hadn't fully mastered origin shaping, just assisted with immature Regalia.
No, this was the correct method—the three elements should mutually cycle and advance, jointly progressing to create stronger Magical Girls.
So even maxing out skill trees later couldn't compare to herself.
Having leads was better than being clueless. She vaguely guessed Sands of Time magic's next stage "Time Slice" ability. Rashly asking netizens might trigger Knowledge Poison, but personal reasoning was fine. First, from timeline calculation, White Hyacinth period's highest-tier Magical Girls definitely didn't reach the Withering Stage—otherwise absolutely wouldn't be constrained by officials, and could destroy with a flip of the hand. Combined with ancient Holy Relic suspected strength limits belonging to the Blooming Stage. Obviously, that skill was Magical Girl Hyacinth's Blooming Stage magic effect.
Guess right!
When she tried cutting the concept of "my own time," she indeed felt dizzy as white fine sand flickered, responding to the master's enlightenment—at least the direction was correct.
The real usage definitely wasn't as simple as clones. She had a premonition—clones interpreted as "other timeline selves bearing damage" effect. Netizens mentioned earlier that top-tier skill characteristics included damage immunity—Sands of Time had it too, probably thanks to Time Slice.
"...Forget it. Magic advancement can't be rushed. Take it slow—think about it later."
Hibiscus's mind was full of thoughts but finally suppressed long trains of thought. Only by building solid foundations could she consider the next level. Stabilizing origin shaping and Regalia upper garment was being practical.
She opened system prompts that had accumulated considerably:
[Suggestion "Suppress Research Center, Ensure Disaster Beasts Don't Overflow, Coordinate Tactically With Mercenary Alliance" Reward: Lottery Attempts ×10, Small Origin Advancement Stone Fragment, Small Regalia Advancement Stone Fragment]
[Suggestion "Suppress Relic Treasury, Beware Dangerous Relics And Knowledge Poison Erosion" Reward: Large Enhancement Potion ×1, 50 Free Attribute Points]
[Suggestion "Interrupt Relic Scarecrow's Skill" Reward: Small Recovery Potion ×3]
Besides these, compared to departure, an additional suggestion refreshed [Expedition Teams All Return Safely To Island: 150 Free Exchange Points]—truly an unexpected delight, rich harvest.
First time Hibiscus saw a series of completion prompts—it seemed this series of actions indeed matched optimal action planning.