Chapter 187: The Symbol of a Legend
At the center of the Water Heart Stage, as the teardrop-eyed girl arrived, her divinely marked face, a symbol of the Water God’s favor, silenced the entire arena.
Those cold, icy eyes, like frozen tears… such a sorrowful, yet invincible, presence.
Hei Luelan stared in disbelief, a chilling dread washing over her, a shiver running down her spine.
Since birth, she had borne a black, water droplet-shaped mark on her forehead, said to be identical to the Nether Empress’s, earning her the title of the Pool of Hidden Secrets’ Saintess of Salvation.
This mark had been her source of strength, her pride, her everything.
And yet, at this moment, the face of this blue-haired girl, the Sorrowful Saintess, made her realize…
Just how insignificant, pathetic, and weak her own little water droplet was.
Standing beside this girl, she couldn’t imagine the shame, her dignity shattered.
Gong Lianyue, the Sorrowful Saintess of the Sea Concubine Palace, favored by the Water God—
The woman who had formed a contract with a legendary being!
As she entered, her sea-god-blessed, water-blue hair flowed and rippled like liquid, a stream of clear, azure water trailing behind her.
Blue-haired girls were common in the Sea Region, but the Sorrowful Saintess’s hair seemed to flow and shimmer like water, constantly scattering droplets.
Watching her flawless figure disappear into the entrance tunnel, several Winter Floating Sky Spirit Masters breathed a sigh of relief, their gazes fixed on the small, pink figure hovering anxiously nearby.
The pink figure, its arms wrapped around a beautiful, ice-blue eyeball, flitted back and forth.
The commotion earlier had been caused by Sacred Water, Lover. It had been stopped by the Winter Floating Sky Spirit Masters, as wild spirit beasts weren’t allowed to participate in the Ranking Battle.
And so, before everyone’s eyes, the Sorrowful Saintess had removed one of her eyeballs and given it to Lover for safekeeping…
With the eyeball, Lover could sense her master’s spirit energy fluctuations at any time.
The next second, as everyone stared at the Sorrowful Saintess in shock, they found her empty eye socket completely healed, as if the eyeball had never been removed, a bizarre and unsettling sight.
They would definitely have nightmares tonight!
Tattoos, markings, patterns, beauty marks… any unusual, innate feature was considered a sign of divine favor, a blessing from the spirits.
It was said that thousands of years ago in the Sun-Seizing Divine Metropolis, a girl was born with a body temperature as hot as the sun, incinerating her mother upon birth, her skin covered in strange, fiery lotus patterns. Considered a demonic monster by the mortals around her, she later entered the Spirit Palace and awakened her companion spirit beast—the legendary-rank, elemental-type, Blazing Heart of Purgatory!
It was said that a thousand years ago, in a distant, powerful ice realm, a girl was born, her arrival freezing the land for miles around her, three snowflakes marking her eyes and forehead, even attracting the attention of the Snow Monarch, who came to offer her blessings. She later awakened her companion spirit beast—the legendary-rank, biological-type, Ice Antelope Grand Concubine!
It was said that ten thousand years ago in the Ancient Sword Domain, a girl was born, her sword energy so powerful it shattered the world around her, killing her instantly, her story becoming a cautionary tale, her companion spirit beast confirmed to be—the legendary-rank, weapon-type, World-Ending Azure Sky!
And it was said that more than ten years ago in the Sea Region, a girl was born with six teardrops on her face…
In short, almost all Lord Attendants possessed some unusual, innate marking, setting them apart from ordinary humans.
Fiery lotus patterns, snowflake marks, sword scars, teardrops…
One day, the Sorrowful Saintess would also be recorded in history, her story passed down through generations, her devoted fans firmly believing this.
Initially silent, as Gong Lianyue walked towards the center of the arena, the cheers and screams grew louder, almost deafening, practically lifting the roof.
Fans of her beauty, fans of legendary beings, fans of her power, fans of her achievements, fans of her unwavering protection of the Sea Region… Their combined number likely exceeded several million.
Witnessing this enthusiastic display, Bai He, Hong Tao, and Qing Yu, standing behind Gong Lianyue, felt a surge of anxiety, though their expressions remained calm.
The other members of the Sea Concubine Palace team, however, were completely overwhelmed, their faces a mixture of shock and awe, like country bumpkins seeing the big city for the first time.
Even the grandest Saintess selection ceremony couldn’t compare to this…!!!
Only Gong Lianyue, the Sorrowful Saintess, remained impassive, her icy eyes downcast, as if indifferent to the surrounding chaos, her aloof demeanor eliciting even more enthusiastic cheers.
In reality, not only her outward appearance, but even her inner thoughts were calm.
Compared to this, being alone, deep within enemy territory, her identity exposed during the Overlord’s birthday celebration… that had been far more nerve-wracking.
Meanwhile, the Spirit Masters from the other factions watched with grim expressions, a sense of oppressive dread weighing upon them.
They were about to face this monstrous woman in the arena?
Both her power and her popularity were… suffocating…
A short while later, each faction’s participant list was revealed.
“What a shame. I heard the Sorrowful Saintess is only participating in the final round, the Final Battle. How boring.”
“Isn’t that a good thing? The first two rounds are just for fun. The real show is the Final Battle!”
“Yeah, crushing some small fries isn’t very interesting~~~”
Unlike the casual spectators, the Spirit Masters who understood the rules of the Ranking Battle were nervous.
Sending their powerful Saintess Candidates and other renowned geniuses to the first two rounds to earn points, while the Sorrowful Saintess and four unknowns were reserved for the Final Battle…
This was the Winter Floating Sky’s strategy, the same one that had secured their position as Alliance leader for three consecutive terms!
And they were using it again, even with the Pool of Hidden Secrets’ return disrupting the balance of power. It seemed the Sea Concubine Palace was confident that the Sorrowful Saintess alone could dominate the final round…
At that moment, Gong Lianyue, the blue-haired, teardrop-eyed girl, sitting calmly in the Sea Concubine Palace’s designated area, her expression cold and regal, under the watchful eyes of millions…
As a participant in the final, decisive battle, she was merely a spectator for the first two rounds, a minor character.
Even so, no one could tear their eyes away from her.
Chapter 188: The Pitiful Snow Fairy Mansion
In the first round of duels, each faction had five chances to challenge any other faction.
Since they couldn’t specify a particular Spirit Master, the challenged faction chose their representative, giving the challenger a disadvantage, and the challenged faction a strategic advantage.
However, if a faction possessed a Spirit Master capable of crushing any opponent, it was a different story.
Although there were theoretically fifty possible challenges, in reality, there were usually fewer than thirty.
After all, a defeated Spirit Master, their spirit energy depleted or their main spirit beast dead, wouldn’t be able to participate in their own faction’s challenge, automatically forfeiting.
Whether challenging or being challenged, victory earned one point, defeat lost one. Therefore, strategically waiting to be challenged could also earn a high score.
Crucially, each Spirit Master within a faction could only accept one challenge. A second challenge was forbidden.
These were the rules of the first round. Each Spirit Master had one chance to challenge and one chance to be challenged. Strategic deployment was key to earning a high score.
—
On the massive Water Heart Stage, the Ranking Battle finally began.
A woman in an elegant, feathered robe from the Winter Floating Sky gracefully floated onto the stage, acting as the announcer, referee, and healer.
Her Nether Traverse Stage aura intimidated the smaller factions. Even the Snow Fairy Mansion and the Jade Pot Palace only had one Nether Traverse Stage Spirit Master each. And the Winter Floating Sky had sent one to be a mere referee. Their power and influence were far greater than most had imagined.
“First round. The Jade Pot Palace, being the lowest ranked, will choose their opponent first, then we will proceed in order.”
“You may now choose your representatives and your opponents!”
As the referee finished speaking, the five Spirit Masters from the Jade Pot Palace, led by the Lost Saintess, quickly began their discussion. They had already formulated a plan: their weakest member would forfeit their challenge to avoid being crushed by the opposing faction’s strongest Spirit Master.
Although forfeiting wasted an opportunity, it was better than losing a point.
However, unexpectedly, the Pure Saintess of the Snow Fairy Mansion was participating in the second round, the Tests. This significantly increased their chances of winning…
“I challenge the Snow Fairy Mansion!”
The Lost Saintess stepped forward confidently, eliciting gasps of surprise.
The Jade Pot Palace had sent out their Saintess in the first round! This was unprecedented, a display of confidence befitting the former top recruit.
Challenged by the Jade Pot Palace, the Snow Fairy Mansion, unsurprised, sent out a small girl with an ordinary aura.
The two girls faced each other in the center of the arena.
Would that woman notice her?
Boom!!!
The Lost Saintess, glancing towards the Sea Concubine Palace’s seating area, her body suddenly surging with spirit energy, was enveloped in a wave of blue water.
Within the swirling water, a massive, illusory shark circled the girl.
A high-rank, biological-type Hidden Skeleton Shark!!!
A ferocious shark, its sharp fins like blades, creating its own watery environment as it swam, a powerful and intimidating sight.
The Snow Fairy Mansion Spirit Master’s spirit beast was an armored panther, its upper jaw sporting two massive, walrus-like tusks.
A mid-rank, biological-type Snow Hunting Ice Leopard!!
The Ice Leopard was just over twenty meters long, while the shark was nearly a hundred. They weren’t even on the same level.
As the shark approached, the Ice Leopard, whimpering and yelping as if… violated, frantically scrambled back and forth, then retreated to its Spirit Master’s soul core, leaving the Snow Fairy Mansion girl standing there, her face flushed with embarrassment.
She had been prepared for defeat, but she hadn’t expected her spirit beast to flee without a fight.
The girl stood frozen, her body stiff. She had zero combat experience. There was nothing she could do…
An awkward silence fell upon the arena. The Snow Fairy Mansion Spirit Masters hung their heads in shame.
The Jade Pot Palace Spirit Masters, however, cheered. It had been years since they had scored any points in the Ranking Battle.
The Lost Saintess, her first victory secured, smugly recalled her spirit beast and returned to her waiting area.
[Jade Pot Palace: 1]
[Snow Fairy Mansion: -1]
The first battle concluded, and it was the Snow Fairy Mansion’s turn to choose their opponent.
Despite their negative score, they didn’t challenge the Jade Pot Palace. After all, the Jade Pot Palace had sent out their Saintess in the first round.
The Lost Saintess still had her challenge remaining. Any faction that challenged her now risked defeat.
“We forfeit our challenge.”
The Snow Fairy Mansion Spirit Masters, their faces grim, reluctantly forfeited their first challenge.
Although they knew the Pure Saintess would redeem them in the second round, how could they face the humiliation of being publicly defeated?
Next was the Azure Stream Palace. Their Hateful Saintess was also participating in the second round, leaving only… less impressive members for the duels.
Therefore, the Azure Stream Palace also chose to challenge the Snow Fairy Mansion.
The Tide Pavilion also challenged the Snow Fairy Mansion…
The Water Wish Pavilion also challenged the Snow Fairy Mansion…
[Snow Fairy Mansion: -4]
The Snow Fairy Mansion members watched, their faces burning with shame and anger, as they were repeatedly defeated, utterly helpless.
Since most of the spectators were Illumination and Dawn and Dusk Stage Spirit Masters, they couldn’t send out stronger representatives.
Taking turns bullying the Snow Fairy Mansion… It was a comical sight, even amusing the drowsy Gong Lianyue.
Judging by their performance during her visit, the Snow Fairy Mansion Spirit Masters had no real combat experience. They were easy targets.
The Snow Fairy Mansion had already used four of their five chances to be challenged, only one remaining.
If the Ice Shield Palace challenged them next, their nightmare would finally be over…
Amidst their pain, embarrassment, and anxiety, a sense of relief began to creep in.
“I challenge the Pool of Hidden Secrets!!!”
However, the green-haired woman from the Ice Shield Palace, unfazed by the previous farce, simply glared at the Pool of Hidden Secrets delegation.
Challenging the lowest-ranked faction was pointless. They weren’t worried about being overtaken by such weaklings.
The true objective for the top factions was to suppress each other, allowing their main forces to shine in the final round!
Seeing the green-haired woman, the black-haired girls from the Pool of Hidden Secrets exchanged grim looks.
Such a powerful battle intent… Were they sending such a strong fighter in the first round?
No, the Ice Shield Palace’s overall strength this time was simply… overwhelming. With all twelve former Saintess Candidates participating, they could practically sweep the entire Ranking Battle.
Strange, considering the usual animosity between Saintess Candidates, shouldn’t they be trying to sabotage the Wrathful Saintess? How had she managed to convince them to participate?
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