| “ | I like protecting those beautiful yet fragile butterflies. | ” |
Bio[]
Full of wiles, a consummate performer, and a woman both resourceful and decisive who excels at moving from strength to strength. Her powerful cunning and scheming have secured for her a position in the Holy Church.
Food Introduction[]
Chicken strip soup is a tasty Chinese regional delicacy and is also known as Mother Lü's Rebellion chicken strip soup. Its inventor was a lady in the Xin dynasty period known as "Mother Lü", the first ever female leader of a peasant rebellion in Chinese history. Chicken strip soup, together with Tai Gongwang braised chicken and spiced boiled chicken giblets are known as the three great chicken marrow delicacies of medicinal food.
Other Info[]
How to Acquire[]
Associated Events
- Soaring Future
- Early Winter Warmth
- Infinite Change
- Firework Flicker
- Flowered Lapel
- Breezy Twilight
- Flowers Abound
- Auspicious Raiments
- Under a Rock
Initial Stats[]
 Soul Power
|
1592 |
|---|---|
 Attack
|
55 |
 Defense
|
19 |
 HP
|
140 |
 Crit Rate
|
721 |
 Crit Dmg
|
511 |
 Atk Spd
|
1582 |
Skills[]
| Shifting Banner | Basic Skill | |
|---|---|---|
|
Chicken Strip Soup presses her banner down on the enemy, dealing 100% (180%) ATK as damage to the nearest enemy, plus 67 (1871) damage, with a 50% chance of charming the target, lasting 3 seconds. | |
| Banner Shadow | Energy Skill | |
|
Chicken Strip Soup propels her banner, lowering the nearest enemy's DEF by 25% (37%), lasting 4 seconds, with a 50% chance of charming the target, lasting 8 seconds. | |
blue = lvl 1
red = max lvlVoice Lines[]
| JP | CN | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Contract | It appears you are my Attendant? Heh-heh, then I am yours to command. | ||
| Log In | How kind of you, Master Attendant, making time out of your busy schedule to drop by. My patient waiting has not been in vain. | ||
| Ice Arena | I still take more comfort in the sweltering heat than the icy cold. | ||
| Skills | Where the banner's shadow passes, all turns to dust. | ||
| Ascend | Is this the form you were hoping for? | ||
| Fatigue | I shouldn't let you see me in this exhausted state... | ||
| Recovering | If you're by my side, I think I can recover a little faster. | ||
| Team Formation | I know just the thing to deal with these little imps. | ||
| Knockout | Heh... Did I make a mistake... | ||
| Notice | No matter how busy you are, Master Attendant, you must remember to nourish yourself. | ||
| Idle 1 | Without Master Attendant here, these quiet days would truly be a bit dull. | ||
| Idle 2 | This world is full of idleness. If one doesn't find something to do, it's such a waste of time. | ||
| Idle 3 | Even though I have taken up a position as Holy Woman, I still won't let others decide my life at their whim. | ||
| Interaction 1 | You see that autumn-tinged red leaf? When it blossoms into its most beautiful form, that is precisely when it withers and dies. | ||
| Interaction 2 | Master Attendant, do you suppose those fragile butterflies yearn for powerful wings? | ||
| Interaction 3 | I observe in this world too many that place their hopes in the divine. Perhaps, Master Attendant, you would be willing to place your faith in me? | ||
| Pledge | In this moment, I want only to fall with you into the bustling world and leave behind all the complications around me. | ||
| Intimacy 1 | Heh-heh, I wouldn't mind, Master Attendant, if you got a little closer. | ||
| Intimacy 2 | You're blushing at this? You are a cute one indeed, Master Attendant. | ||
| Intimacy 3 | Master Attendant, you are surely quite enjoying yourself now, yes? Your eyes never lie. | ||
| Victory | Such inferior methods are insufficient to pique my interest. | ||
| Defeat | A mere fluke... | ||
| Feeding | A gift? Heh-heh, I knew Master Attendant would be thinking of me. | ||
Skins
| Bitter Winter | |||||||
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| Spring Leisure | |||||||
Notes
- Mother Lü (Chinese: 呂母; pinyin: Lǚ Mǔ; died 18 AD) was a rebel leader against the Xin dynasty in ancient China. She started a peasant uprising after her son was executed by the government for a minor offence, and became the first female rebel leader in Chinese history. After she died of an illness, her followers became a major force of the Red Eyebrows rebellion which played a significant role in the downfall of the Xin dynasty and the restoration of the Han dynasty by Liu Xiu, enthroned as Emperor Guangwu of Han. (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mother_L%C3%BC)
- The Xin or Xia dynasty is the first dynasty in traditional Chinese historiography. According to tradition, the Xia dynasty was established by the legendary Yu the Great after Shun, the last of the Five Emperors, gave his throne to him. The Xia was later succeeded by the Shang dynasty. (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xia_dynasty)
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Main[]
Sprite[]
Sprite Animations[]
Normal[]
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Contents of this page has been fan-translated by BasilCosmo and may not be completely accurate. Official translations will be added whenever it's available. |
I. Stirring up Trouble
"The number of believers in Bali Town has increased by another seven hundred… The rest of the settlements are also being arranged accordingly… That concludes the progress report for this matter, Holy Lord."
"…Not bad. I have always had high expectations for you, Chicken Strip Soup."
A deep voice came from behind the heavy black beaded curtain. Though the words carried a tone of approval, there was still an underlying pressure in them. Instinctively, I lowered my posture even further. After completing my salute, I stepped aside. A strategist immediately stepped forward. Judging from his attire, he appeared to be from the Alchemy Hall.
But so what?
Countless strategists had come and gone from the Alchemy Hall, yet none had ever managed to refine a truly effective elixir. Without the Holy Lord’s approval, their efforts were meaningless. A trace of amusement flickered in my heart. I raised an eyebrow with mild disdain, curious to see how this one would embarrass himself. However, the situation unfolded in a way that completely defied my expectations—no, in fact, it defied everyone’s expectations. The Holy Lord suddenly rose from his seat in excitement, causing the beaded curtain and the screen to jingle and clatter.
"Hahaha—!!! As expected, I did not misjudge you! Well done! Hahaha—!!!"
"Congratulations, Holy Lord!!!"
Thunderous cheers erupted all around. I had no choice but to kneel with the others and offer my respects. The strategist, having successfully refined a miraculous elixir, instantly became the Holy Lord’s most favored subordinate. His reputation and status soared overnight. Before the assembled crowd, the Holy Lord bestowed upon him immense honor and recognition. Suppressing the surprise and faint displeasure in my heart, I raised my cup in a courteous toast to him.
"Greetings, Holy Maiden."
"H-Holy Maiden, mind your step."
Still lost in thought about what had transpired in the hall, I was caught off guard when the strategist suddenly appeared before me. A subtle unease crept into my heart. It wasn't until a maid sweeping the roadside reminded me to be careful that I snapped back to reality.
"Thank you."
Maintaining a composed expression, I stepped over the stone in my path and nodded politely at the two maids as a gesture of acknowledgment. Moments later, hushed whispers—deliberately lowered yet still within earshot—began trickling into my ears. My pace unconsciously slowed.
"So that's the Holy Maiden? I heard she only recently took the position, yet she’s already earned the Holy Lord’s favor in every possible way."
"That’s because she constantly flatters and panders to the Holy Lord. Rumor has it… she even had her own attendant killed just to secure the title of Holy Maiden."
"Shh! K-Keep your voice down! You don’t want anyone to hear that."
"What’s there to be afraid of? Haven’t you heard? Word about that strategist from the Alchemy Hall has already spread everywhere. I’d say it’s only a matter of time before his status surpasses the Holy Maiden’s. After all, she’s just a mere Food Soul…"
As their voices faded into the distance, a cold smirk formed on my lips. Without a hint of emotion, I continued on my way. Such words were nothing new to me—I had long since grown accustomed to these venomous whispers in broad daylight. Because in the end, none of them could truly harm me.
II. Fluttering like a Flag
Still, I couldn't deny that the words of that maid unsettled me today—perhaps because of the unexpected rise of that strategist. Lost in thought once more, I wandered aimlessly until a cool sensation brushed against my skin. I stopped walking. Raindrops were beginning to fall, and in front of me stood a side hall, half-shrouded in mist. The familiar plaque above the door, the faint scent of aged sandalwood—memories wrapped in the fragrance of the past drifted toward me. As if compelled by some unseen force, I pushed open the tightly shut door.
A figure slowly surfaced in my mind. A frail silhouette, always hidden deep behind heavy curtains, burying her pale face in darkness. People respectfully called her "Holy Maiden," and within the Holy Church, all bowed before her. Yet, she never wished to accept it. The first time I saw her, her eyes held nothing but pain, despair, and a desperate longing to escape.
Driven by curiosity, I took my time familiarizing myself with the world around her. The Holy Church spread across the Light Kingdom’s cities and villages, using the name of the divine to plunder and hoard wealth, even capturing their own kind and Food Souls for experimentation. All because they coveted the unique spiritual energy of Food Souls, seeking to satisfy humanity’s unchanging desires—eternal life and endless pleasure.
I witnessed high-ranking humans living in extravagance, indulging in lavish feasts within opulent palaces, all while standing upon a foundation of suffering—a living hell beneath their feet. And they wished to extend this life of luxury indefinitely, stopping at nothing to steal the power of Food Souls to make up for their own weaknesses. To them, this was the perfect union of all things beautiful. This was the Holy Church—a venomous serpent coiled around the Light Kingdom.
To say I agreed with them would be incorrect. Rather, I found them pitiful, pathetic, and utterly laughable. They were enslaved by their own base desires, allowing their own kind to be harmed. And yet… their relentless pursuit of perfection, their desperate attempts to create a higher form of life—this fascinated and enthralled me. No species can give birth to something greater than itself.
But gods can. A god stands above all things, creating and nurturing everything in existence. That is why they are worshipped and revered. That is what I desire. For these weak humans, their aspirations were nothing more than trivial tasks to me. If I so wished, a mere flick of my finger could grant them what they longed for.
After all, I am not human. I am a Food Soul—born different, gifted with powers beyond their reach. Who wouldn’t willingly offer their faith and soul to something superior? This devotion, this absolute submission, was my birthright. And with it, I would ascend to the realm of the gods.
Yet, my delicate and fragile Master Attendant—Every time I raised my glass at a banquet, effortlessly navigating through the web of scheming and deceit, she would look at me with those eyes, eyes devoid of life, burning with quiet despair. She would tremble as she spoke:
"You… you… So you were just like them all along…"
"You’re all monsters!"
Monsters? Hah.
These people wear their desires openly, so plainly written in their eyes. A few sweet words were all it took to lead them exactly where I wanted them, to make them offer up everything I desired. In the end, they brought ruin upon themselves. I merely pointed out the shortcuts, making them seem less foolish.
"Hah. Don’t lump me in with them."
"I refuse to cower in this tiny room, only to end up as a puppet, a lifeless husk swayed by others."
I gazed at my Master Attendant, curled behind the curtains, hands pressed over her eyes. Tears trickled between her fingers, falling one by one. But at that moment, I felt not the slightest bit of pity. If anything, I found her pathetic. A Holy Maiden should be noble, not weak and powerless. A Holy Maiden should be revered by all.
From that day forward, I claimed she had fallen ill and took over her duties. Gradually, people began to recognize my authority. And the true Holy Maiden? She remained in her self-imposed exile, locked away in a forgotten corner of the grand palace, day after day, untouched by the world.
III. A boat in disarray
"Chicken Strip Soup… please let me go…"
"I don't care about the title of the Holy Maiden… as long as I can leave…"
The attendant who once condemned me was now kneeling before me, sobbing as she begged for my help to escape. I didn't say anything more. To me, this was nothing more than a trivial matter—effortless. Besides, it was beneficial for both of us. And so, the "Holy Maiden who passed away due to illness" was finally able to erase her name from the Holy Church entirely, starting a new life in a faraway place, free from all turmoil. Meanwhile, I naturally inherited the position of the Holy Maiden.
"Holy Maiden, there you are. The Poison Doctor is waiting for you in the hall."
The voice of an attendant suddenly pulled me back to reality. I hadn't even realized when I had wandered behind the curtains. As the memories faded, I noticed that the rain was still falling, and the door remained open from when I had pushed it just moments ago.
"I understand. I'll head there now."
Steadying my thoughts, I walked toward Calamus Wine. Noticing my approach, the woman known as the Poison Doctor narrowed her eyes slightly. She seemed somewhat wary of me.
"How do you plan to help Sweet Lotus Seed Soup?"
Her crisp voice broke the silence. A hint of surprise flickered in my mind—I hadn’t expected her to be so straightforward.
"Heh, you'll find out soon enough. Don't worry, for now, we're still allies. I have no reason to harm you."
Seeing the slight hostility in Calamus Wine's expression, I offered her a sincere smile. She remained skeptical, but she did not object further. A few days later, I found where Sweet Lotus Seed Soup was being held. Using my status as the Holy Maiden, I easily took her away.
"Forgive me for speaking out of turn, Holy Maiden, but why would you save someone unrelated to us? That Food Soul’s Master Attendant… was executed by the Holy Lord for attempting to escape. She was supposed to be taken as an experimental subject…"
"If the Holy Lord finds out about this… it may not end well…"
"There’s no need to worry. I have my own plans."
Seeing the confusion in my attendant’s eyes, I merely smiled without answering. After all, everything was still proceeding according to my design. A quiet manor, surrounded by flowing water and elegant pavilions. The woman before me sat with caution but maintained her composure. I smiled and handed her a cup of tea before speaking first.
"You don’t have to be nervous. They won’t find this place."
"Thank you, Holy Maiden… but I must ask, why would you choose to save me? Could it be that Calamus Wine…"
"It was my decision, though she did help a little."
"The Holy Maiden truly is different from those people. I am beyond grateful for your kindness. If there is ever anything I can do for you, I will do my utmost to help."
"Heh—Miss Zither, let’s not be so formal just yet. Since you’re so sincere, I won’t beat around the bush—"
"What I want is for you to establish the Ink Pavilion — To eradicate the Holy Church."
IV. Wildfire
"The Holy Lord has already decided to send that strategist and his Food Soul to the Wicked Capital. However, what concerns me is that the Holy Lord seems to value that strategist greatly..."
"I am baffled and do not understand why you, Holy Maiden, have been so persistent in persuading the Holy Lord to let these two take charge of the Wicked Capital..."
"It is simply not the right time yet."
Not wanting to reveal my thoughts too soon, I took a sip of tea and answered calmly and unhurriedly. After all, the real show was yet to come.
"How is the matter I entrusted you with progressing?"
"You mean the Master Attendant of Peking Duck? It has already been taken care of."
Suddenly, a gentle breeze drifted in from the window, carrying a strange medicinal fragrance in the air. So, she finally came. I silently acknowledged it in my heart, then placed my teacup down and dismissed my attendant.
"Alright, you may withdraw for now. A guest has arrived."
"Calamus Wine, what brings you here today?"
"So this is what you were talking about? You said that all she needed was to fake her death and escape. Why did you still involve her with the Holy Church?"
Calamus Wine frowned, her expression displeased as she questioned me.
"You should know that she still harbors resentment and hatred."
"…But it should have ended already."
"She will not simply compromise. You understand her better than I do, don’t you?"
"This was not solely my decision—I merely lent a small helping hand. As for what comes next, she will make her own choices."
Seeing the lingering hostility in Calamus Wine's gaze, I knew I had to offer her a sincere smile. Only then would she fully lower her guard.
"I have told you before—we are not enemies. The Holy Church is the true root of all problems."
"Don't you also want to personally destroy it?"
As if I had struck a nerve, Calamus Wine’s previously wavering gaze abruptly sharpened, and her body trembled slightly.
"…Her choice, huh..."
After a long silence, she finally spoke again.
"…I will trust you for now. But if she is ever in danger, I will definitely come back for you."
With those words, Calamus Wine flicked her sleeves and departed, leaving behind only the lingering scent of medicinal herbs. Watching her disappearing figure, I felt a surge of satisfaction. I stepped out onto the balcony, leaning against the railing to take in the full view of the manor. An elegant, towering building stood at its center, with two large characters—墨阁 (Ink Pavilion)—inscribed on its plaque. At the entrance, well-dressed individuals and Food Souls could be seen coming and going. The idea of establishing the Ink Pavilion had been growing in my mind ever since I took over the duties of the Holy Maiden. To truly create another Holy Church that belonged to me, I knew the road ahead would be long and full of obstacles.
But I also understood one thing—despite my position as the Holy Maiden, despite being worshipped by many, there were still those who clung stubbornly to their old ways, refusing to acknowledge or accept a Food Soul as their Holy Maiden. If I could not make them accept me, then I would simply replace them. And that Food Soul, Sweet Lotus Seed Soup, was the perfect choice.
"Defection" was considered one of the gravest offenses within the Holy Church. Her beloved Master Attendant had chosen to defect, unable to bear the oppression from the higher-ups, yet in the end, they had met a tragic fate. For Sweet Lotus Seed Soup, who had secretly aided both humans and Food Souls injured by the Church’s experiments, such an outcome would surely leave her heart unwilling to submit. Perhaps she would continue to resist and fight, only to meet a helpless death.
So why not extend my hand to her? After all, she was a truly exquisite chess piece. The Holy Church’s influence spread throughout the Light Kingdom, and the number of Food Souls who had suffered under them was countless. For someone like Sweet Lotus Seed Soup, a Food Soul who prided herself on justice and kindness—wasn't she precisely what I needed? All it would take was offering some easily obtained intelligence about the Holy Church, and the people within the Ink Pavilion would throw themselves into the flames for my cause. And I, without lifting a single finger, could simply sit back and enjoy the sight of my enemies vanishing one by one.
What unparalleled pleasure.
After all, those foolish humans were not worthy of my protection—what I required was absolute devotion and obedience.
Some time later, I finally received long-awaited good news. At the time, I was reclining on my couch, resting with my eyes closed.
"Holy Maiden, the Wicked Capital has been completely destroyed by a Food Soul named Peking Duck."
"And what of the strategist?"
"I personally witnessed both him and that Food Soul, Realgar Wine, perish."
Slowly, I opened my eyes. Outside the window, peach blossoms had unknowingly been swept down by the wind, their petals scattering over the pristine white couch—an exceptionally beautiful sight.
V. Chicken Strip Soup
Chicken Strip Soup’s innate talent for strategy and keen judgment were gifts she was born with—her greatest assets in securing a place within the Holy Church. As the Holy Maiden of the Holy Church, Chicken Strip Soup naturally had control over all internal information. Every scheming mind, every hidden agenda exposed, all fell under her watchful gaze. Eliminating dissidents was a necessity for anyone who stood at the top, and Chicken Strip Soup was no exception. Especially when those dissidents were humans, a race different from her own.
The Holy Church’s influence was vast, with its claws spreading across many corners of the Light Kingdom. Chicken Strip Soup monitored every movement within the church, knowing that to secure her position, she had to question and remove anything that posed a threat to her authority. Establishing an organization composed entirely of Food Souls, harnessing their hatred for the Holy Church to eradicate its enforcers—that was one of Chicken Strip Soup’s strategies. Thus, the Ink Pavilion was born.
Using her powerful network, Chicken Strip Soup swiftly transformed the Ink Pavilion into a mysterious yet renowned teahouse. As its influence grew, so too did its ability to challenge the Holy Church. And then there was the strategist who had recently gained significant prestige. With the help of his Food Soul, who had developed a miraculous elixir, he had earned the favor of the Holy Lord.
At the same time, a certain city—though not particularly large—caught Chicken Strip Soup’s attention. It was a city filled with sinners, known as the Wicked Capital. So Chicken Strip Soup brought fine wine and, through well-placed words, subtly guided the Holy Lord’s thoughts toward the Wicked Capital and the strategist. The Wicked Capital was flourishing, yet lacked a capable overseer.
The Holy Lord immediately slammed the table in approval, assigning the task to the alchemist strategist he had recently taken a liking to. If the Wicked Capital was the seed of sin, then the inferno that consumed it was the fruit it bore. So when Chicken Strip Soup learned of the strategist and his Food Soul, the one called Peking Duck, she knew without a doubt that he would be the spark to ignite everything.
As long as someone she valued was ensnared in injustice, those bound by loyalty and deep emotions would rush to defend them, throwing themselves into the flames without hesitation—especially when they had the power to do so. With just a few words, she had effortlessly erased a threat to her.
Chicken Strip Soup relished the thrill of having everything in her grasp. She continued to weave through the corrupt desires of the Holy Church, all while secretly supplying the Ink Pavilion with intelligence on its heretical activities. At the same time, she steadily climbed higher within the Holy Church’s ranks. She firmly believed that one day, she would build a Holy Church that truly belonged to her.