Category: The Saintess Has A Showdown

Chapter 165: The Malice of a Legendary Being

–Waterfall Lake Wonderland

[Mission 99: Investigate the anomaly at the Sea Region’s Pool of Hidden Secrets. Reward: 100 exchange points.]
[Mission automatically completed and submitted. 100 exchange points awarded.]
[Total exchange points: 100]

“Huh?”

Within the vast, empty, white space, Gong Lianyue blinked in confusion.

She had just opened the mission list, and it had automatically been completed. Could this mission system track her experiences?

There wasn’t just an anomaly at the Pool of Hidden Secrets. The entire Pool of Hidden Secrets had emerged from its millennial ice prison, a faction and its people from a thousand years ago returning to the Sea Region!!

This would have a massive impact on the current state of the Sea Region, resources and territories redistributed, inevitably leading to a conflict between the Pool of Hidden Secrets and the Winter Floating Sky.

The Sea Concubine Palace hadn’t been affected yet, but if the Winter Floating Sky chose to retreat, the conflict would quickly spread to the other factions.

What puzzled Gong Lianyue was that the mission had been completed without her doing anything.

The Waterfall Lake Wonderland couldn’t possibly track her experiences. It must have already known about the situation with the Pool of Hidden Secrets, and since she was the only combat trial participant from the Sea Region at the moment, it had simply awarded her the points.

Having received 100 exchange points, Gong Lianyue checked the other Sea Region-related missions, but none were within her grasp.

[Mission 1: Obtain the legendary Shadowlurking Blade, Night’s Executioner. Reward: 500 million exchange points.]
[Mission 2: Uncover the true identity of the mysterious Water Element. Reward: 100 million exchange points.]
[Mission 3: Investigate the reason for the legendary being’s presence in the Cangsheng Palace. Reward: 40 million exchange points.]

The top three missions were all related to legendary beings, their rewards incredibly high, a stark contrast to the others.

Anything involving legendary beings, even something trivial, offered a significant increase in exchange points.

Flipping back and forth between the mission and exchange lists, Gong Lianyue pondered for a moment, then a chilling realization washed over her.

She sensed a certain malice from these missions. At first glance, there seemed to be no hidden agenda, but…

Uncovering the Water Element’s true identity was worth 100 million points, and hiring the Jade Concubine to act once also cost 100 million points.

This was designed to lure people into deadly situations for the reward, then have them spend it all just to survive!

Taking it a step further, perhaps the moment the Water Element’s true identity was revealed, if the Jade Concubine was confident enough, she would immediately seize the demonic blade, regardless of whether she had been hired or not.

This was a trap laid in plain sight, specifically for those arrogant enough to think they could meet the Water Element and escape with their lives!

She couldn’t completely trust the Waterfall Lake Wonderland, nor could she completely trust the Jade Concubine…

A sense of caution filled Gong Lianyue. She closed the mission list and turned towards the star-filled trial space, where the Tyrant Demon Seed was engaged in close combat with the Black Devouring Rabbit.

---

[Trial – Level 10]
[Opponent – Mid-rank Black Devouring Rabbit, Combat Talent: Ordinary]

A dreamlike battlefield, a beautiful sea of stars, surrounded by a hazy mist.

Having been defeated once, the rabbit was now more cautious, relying on its superior physical abilities to relentlessly pummel the black rabbit, which offered no resistance.

Its opponent possessed some unknown skill. A single mistake, and it could be defeated.

“Huff~~~”

The Black Devouring Rabbit’s face was covered in blood, its eyes bloodshot, a dense, bloody aura emanating from its mouth.

At the same time, the silver rabbit woman’s white foot, raised high above her head, slammed down like an axe, a silver crescent moon slash striking the black rabbit’s head.

Boom!!!

The terrifying impact cracked the surrounding space, but the Tyrant Demon Seed’s eyes widened in shock.

The Black Devouring Rabbit, which it had been effortlessly dominating just moments ago, was completely unharmed, its body enveloped in a black aura, its muscles swelling as if entering a demonic state.

“Wait, aren’t battle techniques forbidden…?” Gong Lianyue couldn’t help but exclaim.

Bang!

The next second, the Tyrant Demon Seed was sent flying by the enraged black rabbit’s punch, its body shattering into pieces.

[Failure]
[Battle Evaluation: How can a combat-type spirit beast have no martial arts techniques?]

Back in the main space, the Tyrant Demon Seed stared blankly ahead, its defeat baffling even Gong Lianyue.

The Tyrant Demon Seed had lost again, a strange and unexpected outcome, like encountering a bug in the game.

“Battle techniques are forbidden. What are these ‘martial arts techniques’?”

Before she could even finish speaking, the exchange list automatically opened, searching for the keyword [Martial Arts Techniques].

A long list of books appeared.

[Waterfall Lake Immortal Fist, ultimate martial arts technique, created by the Jade Concubine. Cost: 1 million exchange points.]
[Jade Peak Fist, advanced technique. Cost: 50,000 exchange points.]
[Mist Dust Fist, advanced technique. Cost: 30,000 exchange points.]
[Autumn Shattering Fist, advanced technique. Cost: 25,000 exchange points.]
[Flowing Light Fist, intermediate technique. Cost: 2000 exchange points.]
[Sword Crane Fist, intermediate technique. Cost: 1600 exchange points.]
[Ice Prayer Fist, intermediate technique. Cost: 1000 exchange points.]
[Torrential Rain Seventeen Fists, basic technique. Cost: 100 exchange points.]
[Tyrant God Fist, basic technique. Cost: 100 exchange points.]
[Water Killing Fist, basic technique. Cost: 100 exchange points.]

“…”
“…”

Utterly speechless, Gong Lianyue finally understood the Waterfall Lake Wonderland’s… malicious intent.

She remembered what martial arts techniques were. They were specialized combat skills for combat-type spirit beasts, unlike battle techniques, which were innate and instinctual. Martial arts techniques had to be learned, and there was no guarantee of success.

Combat-type spirit beasts were rare. Neither the Sea Region nor the Wind Realm had dedicated martial arts techniques for them. There simply wasn’t any demand. Besides exchanging for them in the Waterfall Lake Wonderland, there were practically no other ways to obtain them!

And now, with battle techniques and cultivation levels suppressed within the Waterfall Lake Wonderland, preventing Saint-ranks from crushing lower-ranked opponents, martial arts techniques had become crucial.

To challenge stronger opponents, spirit beasts in the trial had to constantly learn and improve their martial arts skills. At this rate, the final opponent on the 100th floor would probably require mastery of the Jade Concubine’s Waterfall Lake Immortal Fist!

One million exchange points… This was forcing combat-type trial participants to spend all their hard-earned points!

Learning martial arts techniques might make them stronger, but the Waterfall Lake Wonderland also gained valuable information and resources. A win-win for the Jade Concubine.

Legendary rank… truly deserving of the title…

---

Chapter 166: The Snow Monarch’s XP (2)

Even the cheapest basic martial arts technique manuals cost 100 exchange points!!

100 exchange points were equivalent to almost 200,000 spirit crystals. Gong Lianyue wasn’t about to spend that much without further investigation.

She needed to research the actual value of martial arts technique manuals, to see if the Waterfall Lake Wonderland’s prices were inflated.

Although the Sea Concubine Palace didn’t have any, perhaps other factions did.

And even if they didn’t, she wouldn’t necessarily buy from the Waterfall Lake Wonderland. She could simply forgo the trial rewards and earn points through missions.

After all, even if the Tyrant Demon Seed cleared the tenth level, the reward might not cover the cost of the manual. And even if it cleared the tenth level, it might not be able to clear the eleventh. And even if she bought a manual, the Tyrant Demon Seed might not be able to learn it.

Considering all these factors, Gong Lianyue decided to postpone her purchase and returned to reality.

Her consciousness left the Waterfall Lake Wonderland, returning to the Saintess Tower in the Sea Concubine Palace.

---

Sea Concubine Palace, Saintess Tower

The blue-haired girl sat before her vanity mirror, her beautiful, teardrop-stained face gazing out the window at the azure sky, like a caged bird.

Her journey to the Wind Realm was finally over. Gong Lianyue had returned the Swallow God and safely arrived back at the Sea Concubine Palace, her fame and reputation greatly enhanced.

However, the Storm Realm was now in chaos.

All their forces were mobilized to either subdue or negotiate with the Water Element, a do-or-die situation.

The Sea Region wasn’t peaceful either. The revival of the Pool of Hidden Secrets had caused a massive upheaval.

The various factions had sent representatives to investigate, but the situation remained unclear.

As her status and power increased, Gong Lianyue felt a growing sense of… insignificance.

She knew that as a mere Dead Sea Stage Spirit Master, she couldn’t offer much help to the Sea Concubine Palace.

“I can’t wait any longer…”

A sense of urgency filled Gong Lianyue as she pulled out a worn roll of parchment from her storage bracelet.

The characters on the parchment were complex and jumbled, a language no living being should be able to comprehend. This was the most difficult language in the spirit world, the language of humanoid spirit beasts!

She had obtained this ancient record, [The Mystery of Legends], from the third level of the Soul Prison Trial, the Dark Ages.

Gong Lianyue suspected the revived Pool of Hidden Secrets, filled with resentment, would definitely target the Snow Monarch again, potentially endangering the entire Sea Region. And the first legendary being mentioned in this scroll happened to be the Snow Monarch. Even if she couldn’t uncover its preferences, she needed to at least know how to avoid or deal with it.

She had refrained from reading it before the Wind Realm Overlord’s birthday celebration, afraid of injuring herself, but now, with ample resources for recovery, she had nothing to fear.

[Switch]

The next second, the water in the blue-haired girl’s eyes swirled like ripples.

Not a full rotation of her eyeballs, but her pupils spinning independently, the water droplets scattering and reforming into small whirlpools.

Her unfocused gaze gave her a slightly vacant, foolish appearance.

This was the Sorrowful Saintess’s third form, Natural Form!!

[See cover image for reference]

Because this form made her look foolish, Gong Lianyue never used it in public. It was her secret.

In this state, she could increase her affinity with spirit beasts and understand their languages!

The only drawback was a slight decrease in intelligence…

With her eyes in their Natural Form, the secrets and preferences of the Snow Monarch were revealed.

[First: The Snow Monarch]
[Titled Legendary Spirit Beast – Snow Monarch, the icy ruler walking the river of time, her true name lost, her existence unique, her frost eternal.]
[She walks in a pure white wedding dress, leaving behind a trail of shattered realms.]

Bang!

Just as she reached a crucial part, Gong Lianyue’s eyes exploded, shattering into water droplets.

The secrets of a legendary being were too much for her mortal eyes to bear. Just a few lines, and her eyes ached as if she hadn’t blinked in years.

After consuming a few Life Fruits, the girl lay on her bed, waiting for her eyes to regenerate.

Just as hair and nails regrew, her eyes quickly healed.

Fully recovered, Gong Lianyue switched back to Natural Form and continued reading.

[The Snow Monarch was a legendary being born before the fall of the mythical era, her lifespan estimated to be over 50,000 years, one of the oldest legendary beings in existence.]
[No one has ever seen the Snow Monarch’s true face beneath her mysterious wedding veil.]
[Snow Monarch is her title, but her true name is unknown. No similar being has ever appeared. The truth might lie with the Frost Snow Women.]

Bang!

“Again!!!”

[The Snow Monarch loves all things pure white. Her presence allows for no imperfection. All blemishes are frozen.]
[The most important things to the Snow Monarch are the Frost Snow Women, whom she considers her daughters or lovers. She will not tolerate any interference.]
[A legendary-rank spirit beast was once erased from history for injuring a Frost Snow Woman.]

Bang!

“Switch!!!”

[The Snow Monarch, always clad in a pure white wedding dress, travels the world with her Frost Snow Women.]
[The Illusion Sea Concubine, the Snow Monarch’s only friend, received a Frost Snow Woman as a wife.]
[The Snow Monarch once destroyed ten realms in anger after losing a Frost Snow Woman, then destroyed another ten realms in joy after finding her.]
[Warning: Never provoke a Frost Snow Woman/the Snow Monarch.]

Bang!

Repeating this process of forcing comprehension and recovery for more than an hour, the blue-haired girl, drenched in sweat, collapsed onto her bed, exhausted.

Having read the information about the Snow Monarch, a chilling dread filled Gong Lianyue, her already anxious heart even heavier.

She had contracted with a Frost Snow Woman without the Snow Monarch’s consent. What would happen to her…?

She herself, bound to the Frost Snow Woman, might not die, but the surrounding realms… They might be utterly destroyed!

Even legendary beings perished. What chance did a weak human Spirit Master like her have?

Gong Lianyue resolved that even if she encountered the Snow Monarch, she wouldn’t summon the Frost Snow Woman to plead for mercy, lest she anger the legendary being.

The information in this “Mystery of Legends” was truly terrifying…

By now, the meeting between the Pool of Hidden Secrets and the Sea Region factions should have begun, right?

T/N:

From now on, I’ll use “Pool of Hidden Secrets” instead of “Penetrating You Pool”

——

Both options are good, and there are even more options, but for now I think the first one fits better—or maybe the second, knowing the author style haha.

---

Chapter 163: The Water Emperor

–Sea Concubine Main Hall

Within the main hall, filled with dense water spirit energy, nine blue-haired women gathered, a scene resembling a family banquet.

Seated at the head of the long table was Shui Yingge, the Water Emperor, Palace Master of the Sea Concubine Palace. This was the first time Gong Lianyue had met her.

Her waist-length blue hair was similar to the Six Concubines’. Her appearance wasn’t particularly stunning, but her aura was cold and aloof, almost inhuman. A small, white fox, its eyes curiously scanning the surroundings, was coiled around her neck.

Shui Yingge wore a unique, flowing robe, specially made for the Sea Concubine Palace, similar in style to the Saintess’s, but more regal and elegant, clearly a superior version.

She had left the word “boring” on the Sea Concubine’s Love Tablet, a testament to her aloof personality.

Another unfamiliar woman, a dignified matron with her hair in a bun, looked to be in her thirties. In reality, Nether Traverse Stage Spirit Masters could maintain their youthful appearance for thousands of years. She was likely a centuries-old monster.

The warden of the Cold Shark Prison. For years, she had single-handedly suppressed numerous enemy Spirit Masters and spirit beasts, her strength on par with the Water Emperor.

The Water Emperor, the Warden, the Six Concubines, and the Saintess. At this moment, the highest-ranking members of the Sea Concubine Palace were all gathered here.

“Saintess, the ransom has been confirmed. Twenty percent will be transferred to you, along with the agreed-upon 5000 contribution points.”

“Also, the incident with the Four Guardians was an unforeseen circumstance, a failure on our part. If you have any requests, the Sea Concubine Palace will do its best to fulfill them within reason.”

Shui Yingge nodded, her expression unchanged, and put away the spatial ring.

Of the one million spirit crystals, 200,000 would go to Gong Lianyue, worth about 100,000 contribution points.

That was enough to buy 100 Tyrant Blood Pills or 50 stalks of Blazing Soul Grass. However, in the Waterfall Lake Wonderland, Blazing Soul Grass only cost 1 exchange point, practically worthless.

The Saint-Breaking Pill, on the other hand, cost 10 million exchange points, a thousand times more expensive than Blazing Soul Grass.

Anything related to Saint-ranks was incredibly valuable.

No, it was more accurate to say that the Saint-Breaking Pill was beyond the reach of ordinary human Spirit Masters!

“Requests…?”

Gong Lianyue pondered. The Sea Concubine Palace had really screwed her over this time.

Who would have thought the Windchaser Emperor would so brazenly side with the Shadowcandle Temple? If she hadn’t been so ridiculously overpowered, she would have died.

However, this trip to the Wind Realm had also resulted in incredible gains: breaking through to the Dead Sea Stage, contracting the Frost Snow Woman, contracting the Tyrant Demon Seed, collecting Moonlight Grass, gaining access to the Waterfall Lake Wonderland… a series of fortunate encounters.

And the Water Emperor… she was surprisingly… gentle, more reliable than the Six Concubines…

“I want the Cold Court’s Lost Scroll.”

After a moment of hesitation, Gong Lianyue spoke.

The Steel Moon Chapter had significantly impacted her spirit energy. Combined with the Cold Court’s Flower Moon Chapter, her power would surely increase dramatically.

For a chance to study the Flower Moon Chapter, there was no point in hiding her strength any longer.

She had to become stronger, no matter the cost, to retrieve the Water Element.

As Gong Lianyue finished speaking, the surrounding water spirit energy stirred.

“What did you see in the Ice Shield Palace’s Lost Scroll!?”

The Warden, her beautiful, mature face creased with a frown, asked, her tone incredulous.

If she remembered correctly, the Sorrowful Saintess had only examined it once. How could she have possibly gleaned anything from it?

“The true name of the Lost Scroll: The Steel Moon Chapter of the Heavenly Full Cold Moon.”

Gong Lianyue channeled the silver Steel Moon within her, releasing a heavy, oppressive aura.

Sensing this powerful spirit energy, the expressions of both the Water Emperor and the Warden turned serious, while the Six Concubines stared in shock.

Gong Lianyue was only at the Dead Sea Stage, yet her aura far surpassed that of an ordinary Samsara Stage Spirit Master.

As expected of one who had been favored by a legendary being…

“Although I regret to say this, the Cold Court likely won’t agree. Our exchange of information with the Ice Shield Palace regarding the Lost Scroll has been exposed. If we ask to borrow theirs now, they will surely guess the reason.”

“The Cold Court is notoriously selfish. They won’t agree.”

After a long silence, Shui Yingge said helplessly.

If possible, she also wanted the Sorrowful Saintess to master the Lost Scroll, strengthening the Sea Concubine Palace’s high-end combat power.

Unfortunately, the Cold Court was not only selfish but also stubborn.

Unless the Water Element personally appeared before them, they wouldn’t agree. They had to see it to believe it.

Gong Lianyue wasn’t discouraged. She hadn’t expected to obtain the Lost Scroll anyway.

“Then I want a detailed report on all known wild Saint-rank spirit beasts in the Sea Region.”

“Granted.”

Shui Yingge immediately agreed, and Shui Qinghou smiled, a look of relief on her face.

The Sorrowful Saintess, possessing four or five Saint-ranks, a former Lord Attendant, was finally ready to reveal her true power, no longer hiding, no longer running.

Every faction kept records of wild Saint-rank spirit beast sightings, like the Ice Shield Palace’s Seven-Foot Sword Princess Flower, regularly sending younger members to attempt to contract with them.

Few wild Saint-rank spirit beasts submitted after being defeated. If their appearance or personality didn’t appeal to them, they would rather die than be controlled.

Too weak, and they wouldn’t be considered.

Too strong, and they would feel humiliated.

This was why Saint-rank spirit beasts were so difficult to contract. Even the Winter Floating Sky, the strongest faction, only had four Saint-rank Spirit Masters.

But with the Sorrowful Saintess, things were different!

She would enter a period of rapid growth, like those legendary figures in history, leading the Sea Concubine Palace to a new golden age.

“By the way, has there been any activity at the former site of the Pool of Hidden Secrets?” Suddenly remembering this, Gong Lianyue asked.

“That area is currently patrolled by the Winter Floating Sky. Why?” Shui Qinghou asked, puzzled.

“Nothing. I just felt a strange aura there when I passed by.”

Gong Lianyue shook her head, offering a vague excuse.

She had wanted to report the mission from the Waterfall Lake Wonderland, but the situation there was still unclear.

Bang!

Suddenly, the main hall doors burst open.

A senior instructor rushed in, her face pale, her voice trembling as she met the gazes of the high-ranking officials. “Palace Master, there’s been an incident at the former site of the Pool of Hidden Secrets!!!”

---

Chapter 164: The Pool of Hidden Secrets Revived

A thousand years ago, a peerless woman rose within the Sea Region’s Pool of Hidden Secrets.

Her beauty was breathtaking, her aura cold and alluring, her power unmatched. In just ten years, she rose from the Illumination Stage to the Sun and Moon Realm, leading the then-declining Pool of Hidden Secrets to the pinnacle of the Sea Region. She was known as the Nether Empress.

Her influence spanned ten realms, her combat power unparalleled, her wives as numerous as the stars.

The Wind Realm? A bunch of barbarians.

The Cang Realm? Easily crushed.

The Fire Metropolis? Boiled in a pot.

The Sea Region? A marriage agency.

Even legendary beings had offered themselves to her, only to be rejected without hesitation.

She would surpass the legendary rank through her own power. She wouldn’t become a Lord Attendant. Only then could she prove her existence was truly special.

However, when that thing appeared before her, she finally understood.

Humans could never surpass legendary beings, neither in terms of their life level nor the number of their wives…

Watching everything she had built crumble, buried beneath the eternal frost and snow, she swore a blood oath.

Just one. If she survived, she would dedicate her life to slaying a legendary being, to prove the meaning of her existence.

The Snow Monarch!!!

---

Sea Region, Pool of Hidden Secrets

This area, where the Snow Monarch had once annihilated the Pool of Hidden Secrets, was now a desolate wasteland.

Ice and snow covered everything, no survivors.

After a thousand years, the terrifying ice world had sunk to the depths of the ocean, yet it showed no signs of melting.

But now, the ocean currents began to swirl and churn, a massive abyss opening up.

A terrifying, chilling aura spread outwards, and the Winter Floating Sky Spirit Masters stationed here felt a sudden, inexplicable dread.

“What’s happening?”

A woman muttered, her expression strange. As she looked down, her eyes widened in disbelief.

From the depths of the abyss, a crystal-encased palace slowly rose, carried upwards by a torrent of water, returning to the surface.

A massive palace, its surface shimmering with an amber, jade-like luster, a large plaque bearing the characters [Pool of Hidden Secrets] on its front.

“Snow Monarch!!!!!”

A furious roar echoed, shaking the surrounding sea, violent waves pushing the water outwards.

The Winter Floating Sky woman, her body trembling, blood trickling from her orifices, her spirit energy fluctuating uncontrollably, stared in horror.

What level of Spirit Master was this, a single roar injuring her soul core?!

Above the Pool of Hidden Secrets palace, a woman in a black robe stood in the air, her chaotic spirit energy almost tearing the sky apart, the force of its outward expansion pushing back the seawater.

With her aura alone, in the Sea Region, where ninety-nine point nine-nine-nine-nine-nine percent of the world was water, she had created a massive void!

The woman’s long, dark, almost green hair was styled in an ancient fashion. Her face was beautiful, her eyes deep and world-weary, her expression a strange mix of laughter and tears, the character [Nether] on the back of her robe fluttering in the wind.

“Hahahahaha, Snow Monarch! My Pool of Hidden Secrets, after a thousand years, hundreds of generations, have finally broken free from your icy prison! How pathetic, how truly pitiful!!!”

The woman’s laughter was interspersed with sobs, a mixture of joy and sorrow, rage and grief.

What use was the Sun and Moon Realm?

What use was being the strongest?

Before a legendary being, they were all insignificant ants!

Her laughter subsided, her gaze turning cold and indifferent as she looked towards the distant horizon.

“What year is it? And who rules the Sea Region now?”

As the black-haired woman’s voice echoed, the Winter Floating Sky woman felt a chill run down her spine.

She knew the question was directed at her, yet the woman’s gaze hadn’t even fallen upon her.

No one was worthy of her attention…

This woman… must be the Nether Empress of the Pool of Hidden Secrets!

“Your Highness, it has been 1123 years since the fall of the Pool of Hidden Secrets. The current ruler of the Sea Region is the Winter Floating Sky.”

“The Winter Floating Sky?”

Hearing the trembling reply, the black-haired woman frowned.

The Winter Floating Sky had been the lowest-ranked faction back then. How had they risen to become the ruler of the Sea Region?

Shui Yuerong of the Sea Concubine Palace, with her beauty and potential, rivaling even her own, should have led her faction to the top.

Whatever, it didn’t matter who ruled the Sea Region now. It would soon change.

“The Pool of Hidden Secrets will once again stand at the pinnacle of the Sea Region. Go and tell them that.”

“This is now the territory of the Pool of Hidden Secrets. Outsiders are forbidden from entering without permission.”

Swish!

As the Nether Empress spoke, the world before the Winter Floating Sky woman vanished.

A dizzying sensation, the world turning upside down, the air itself tearing, making her want to vomit.

The woman looked around, her face pale. She was no longer in the same area.

She had been instantly transported more than ten kilometers away, expelled from the Pool of Hidden Secrets’ territory, a feat of almost divine power.

Was this… the Water Heart Separation, a Saint-rank technique?

She truly was the Nether Empress. The Pool of Hidden Secrets had returned!

Terror filled the woman’s heart as she hurried back to the Winter Floating Sky to report.

And so, news of the Pool of Hidden Secrets’ revival spread throughout the Sea Region.

---

Sea Concubine Palace

“Palace Master, there’s been an incident at the former site of the Pool of Hidden Secrets!!!” a senior instructor rushed into the main hall, her voice filled with panic.

“The Pool of Hidden Secrets has reappeared, the Nether Empress revived! She claims she will once again rule the Sea Region!!”

“What!?”

Shockwaves rippled through the hall. Someone from a thousand years ago… revived?

This wouldn’t only affect the current power structure of the Sea Region, but it might also involve the Snow Monarch.

Imprisoned in ice for a thousand years… the Nether Empress’s hatred must be immeasurable…

“Wait, wasn’t the Pool of Hidden Secrets destroyed by the Snow Monarch? How did they survive?” Gong Lianyue asked, her face puzzled, voicing everyone’s thoughts.

The Sorrowful Saintess herself was a Lord Attendant. She understood the power of legendary beings and would naturally question this.

How could the Pool of Hidden Secrets have survived the Snow Monarch’s attack?

And after a thousand years… This was highly unusual.

“Um, well, according to the reports, the Nether Empress and the Pool of Hidden Secrets spent a thousand years breaking free from the Snow Monarch’s ice prison. They seem… relatively unharmed,” the senior instructor stammered nervously.

“…”
“…”

“I see.”

“So it was just… pity~~~”

Chapter 161: Return to the Sea Region

–Sea Concubine Palace, Entrance Ceremony

Today was the annual entrance ceremony of the Sea Concubine Palace. The palace was bustling with activity, far more lively than usual.

The entrance ceremony was similar to the Gray Citadel’s disciple recruitment, but there were key differences.

Firstly, ordinary Spirit Masters couldn’t directly enter the Sea Concubine Palace. They had to be recommended by a subsidiary force, and only those with exceptional aptitude were eligible.

Secondly, the Sea Concubine Palace instructors didn’t choose their disciples. Instead, they offered courses for the new members to choose from, similar to university course selection.

After completing a series of designated courses, fulfilling certain advancement requirements, and reaching a specific cultivation level, they could become instructors. This process usually took three to five years!

Of course, there were also those who couldn’t reach the Dead Sea Stage even after seventy or eighty years. They would be assigned to subsidiary forces, guarding the spirit crystal mines. If they had no grand ambitions, they could marry, have children, and live a peaceful life.

“There are many promising newcomers this time…”

“Of course. The number of applicants to the Sea Concubine Palace has increased threefold, exceeding even the Cold Court and the Winter Floating Sky!”

Two women in instructor uniforms walked towards the Sea Dou Hall, their arms filled with stacks of new member profiles.

Incredibly, the number of talented individuals choosing the Sea Concubine Palace this year was even greater than that of the Winter Floating Sky, the leading power of the Sea Region Alliance.

Ever since the Sorrowful Saintess’s Water Element’s true nature was revealed, the Sea Concubine Palace had been flooded with visitors, bustling with activity every day.

Sea Concubine Palace – 1080 new recruits.
Winter Floating Sky – 847 new recruits.
Cold Court – 611 new recruits.
Ice Shield Palace – 609 new recruits.
Water Wish Pavilion – 300+ new recruits.
Tide Pavilion – 200+ new recruits.
Azure Stream Palace – 200+ new recruits.
Snow Fairy Mansion – 182 new recruits.
Jade Pot Palace – 9 new recruits.

The Sea Concubine Palace’s influence was now subtly surpassing even the Winter Floating Sky!

The allure of a legendary being was beyond imagination, the ultimate dream of every Spirit Master.

The Water Element, wielding a demonic blade, devastating the Wind Realm, with only the Sorrowful Saintess unharmed. The implications were clear.

The Sea Concubine Palace was likely under the protection of a legendary being!

And Gong Lianyue, the Sorrowful Saintess, was the key…

Meanwhile, within the Sea Dou Hall, the entrance ceremony was underway, nearly a thousand new Spirit Masters gathered.

Three of the Six Concubines were present, including Shui Qinghou, the Chief Concubine, who was looking around, bored.

“Are there any particularly talented newcomers this time?”

“Hmm, let me see. Look over there, the one with green hair,” Shui Qiu’e, the Fifth Concubine, pointed at a girl in the crowd.

Her delicate features stood out among the new recruits, her flawless face so smooth and tender it seemed to glow, a cute pink bow adorning her hair.

Luo Sanba, cousin of Luo Kuxin, the Wrathful Saintess of the Ice Shield Palace. It was said she had been driven out by her jealous cousin for being more beautiful, wandering for years before joining the Sea Concubine Palace.

Her companion spirit beast was suspected to be the high-rank, plant-type Ice Fragrance Flower.

“And that blue-haired girl over there, with stars in her eyes. Her name is Shui Puxing. She’s from the same water lineage as you and me, practically our niece~~”

“And that white-haired girl with the fox tail, a human-beast hybrid, daughter of the Snow Fox clan.”

These three girls were the most eye-catching among the new recruits, both in terms of their cultivation level and their appearance.

The white-haired girl with the fluffy fox tail had a cold, emotionless expression, while the blue-haired girl’s eyes shimmered with stars, as if everything she saw sparkled, a comical sight.

They were likely the top candidates for the next Saintess. Each Saintess’s term was short, only one or two years.

Once Gong Lianyue stepped down, they would take her place.

“It’s a shame the Saintess isn’t teaching any courses…” the blue-haired girl with stars in her eyes said, her tone slightly disappointed, though her expression remained unchanged.

“Of course not. She hasn’t returned from the Wind Realm yet. She won’t be here today.” Hearing the mention of the Sorrowful Saintess, the Snow Fox girl’s ears twitched, and she spoke, a rare occurrence.

According to the Ice Shield Palace’s report, the Sorrowful Saintess was returning today, but even at top speed, it would still take two or three days to reach the Sea Concubine Palace.

“She’s almost here!”

Luo Sanba suddenly interjected, drawing curious glances, but no one paid her any attention.

This girl was always spouting nonsense. They were used to it.

“Y-You… you don’t believe me? I bet you! Loser dies! What do you say?!” Seeing their dismissive expressions, Luo Sanba shouted angrily.

“Fine, I’ll bet you. My mom is the Snow Fox Princess!” the Snow Fox girl, annoyed by Luo Sanba’s constant antics, declared, revealing her background.

“My mom is the Vice Palace Master of the Seventh Palace of Ice!” Luo Sanba retorted.

“…”
“…”

Hearing their wager, the onlookers quickly backed away.

The Snow Fox Princess was the companion spirit beast of the current Palace Master of the Sea Concubine Palace, Shui Yingge, the Water Emperor.

And the Vice Palace Master of the Seventh Palace of Ice was the wife of the Ice Empress.

This bet… involved the lives of Sun and Moon Realm Spirit Masters’ family members! They hadn’t expected these girls to have such powerful connections…

Bang!

The next second, a figure fell from the sky, landing in the center of the Sea Dou Hall, creating a cloud of dust.

A powerful aura filled the air. Shui Qinghou and Shui Qiu’e, their expressions turning to shock, stared intently at the shadowy figure within the dust cloud.

A massive, pure white rabbit with floppy ears, its soft, long ears dragging on the ground, an adorably fluffy creature.

And on the back of this white rabbit sat a blue-haired, teardrop-eyed girl in a water-colored robe.

Although her appearance and figure had changed drastically, the six neatly arranged teardrop beauty marks were unmistakable.

Gong Lianyue, the Sorrowful Saintess!

Although her teardrop eyes were cold and indifferent, Gong Lianyue felt like she was about to vomit.

The Tyrant Demon Seed had leaped across thousands of miles, crossing half the Wind Realm and the Sea Region in mere minutes, returning to the Sea Concubine Palace, a hellish journey.

It had even bypassed several ambushes along the way, their attackers not even catching a glimpse of her, returning safely.

“Aaaaaah, it’s the Sorrowful Saintess!!”

“My god, she’s even more beautiful than the rumors say!!”

“Saintess, I love you!!!!!”

The Tyrant Demon Seed was instantly surrounded. Gong Lianyue looked around in confusion. News of her exploits in the Wind Realm had just started spreading. It shouldn’t have reached the Sea Region so quickly.

She didn’t realize she had become so popular.

“You lose!” Luo Sanba said smugly, then realized the Snow Fox girl was gone.

She looked around and found the girl at the foot of the white rabbit, her fox tail swaying as she tried to squeeze closer.

The Snow Fox girl’s eyes were filled with hearts. She was clearly a fan of the Sorrowful Saintess!

She hadn’t expected the Snow Foxes, who considered themselves the most beautiful beings in existence, to also have… idols…

---

Chapter 162: You Pigs, Get Out of My Way!!!

–Sea Concubine Palace, Sea Dou Hall

“Saintess, I love you!!!!!”

“Aaaaah, I’m ovulating!!”

The Tyrant Demon Seed’s fluffy body was surrounded by a dense crowd, making it difficult for Shui Qinghou and the others to even get close.

And among the crowd were many beautiful, high-ranking Spirit Masters, usually surrounded by admirers themselves.

Especially that mixed-blood girl from the Snow Fox clan, her eyes filled with hearts, her screams louder than childbirth.

Truly, only the strong were worthy of beauty. The Sorrowful Saintess’s fame and status now rivaled even the Sun and Moon Realm Emperors of the Sea Region.

“Ahem, excuse me, everyone, please make way. I have things to do.”

Gong Lianyue coughed politely, trying to reason with them.

However, her voice was drowned out by the girls’ frantic screams, a mere ripple in the ocean of their excitement.

The Tyrant Demon Seed, overwhelmed and terrified, cowered, allowing the girls to paw and grope it freely.

From their excited chatter and shouts, Gong Lianyue finally understood. News of the Water Element’s actions had reached them.

And the rumors seemed to have become even more exaggerated. The Water Element had simply slashed at the spirit beasts in the Yin Tomb, but now it was being said that it had single-handedly destroyed the entire Wind Realm, leaving no survivors…

“Excuse me, please step aside. Thank you!”

“Please, I need to get through!”

“…”
“…”

No matter what Gong Lianyue said, it was useless. Her teardrop eyes deepened, the ice-blue hue intensifying, like swirling vortexes.

Her expression hardened, like an empress suppressing her anger. This was her fourth form, Rage Form.

“You pigs, get out of my way! You’re blocking the path!!!”

A single, sharp shout, and silence fell upon the Sea Dou Hall, the frantic screams ceasing instantly.

The blue-haired girl’s beautiful face was cold and indifferent as she scanned the crowd.

Those who met her icy gaze quickly backed away, clearing a path.

How could the Sorrowful Saintess be so fierce? This was completely different from their impression of her!

The Tyrant Demon Seed, smoothing its ruffled fur, carried Gong Lianyue out of the crowd, walking towards the exit with a dignified air.

However, before they could even reach the exit, another wave of ear-splitting screams erupted, even louder than before.

“Aaaaah, the Saintess is so domineering! I can’t take it!!!”

“I’m about to lay an egg!!!”

“I’m in love! This pig is pregnant!!”

“Saintess, please step on my head and insult me!”

“Saintess, don’t ride that smelly rabbit! Ride me!”

“Saintess, where are you going? We haven’t signed the marriage certificate yet!”

The deafening screams echoed like a tsunami. Gong Lianyue, utterly speechless, quickened her pace, leaving the Sea Dou Hall.

Fortunately, the Tyrant Demon Seed couldn’t understand human language. Otherwise, it would have been driven mad.

This generation of Sea Concubine Palace members was truly terrifying, lacking the purity and composure of her own generation.

—

Three women waited for her at the entrance to the Sea Dou Hall:

Shui Qinghou, Shui Qiu’e, and a young woman with blue twintails, Quan Zhiliang, the Sixth Concubine.

“Let’s talk as we walk. The Palace Master is waiting for you,” Shui Qinghou said softly, her expression gentle.

Gong Lianyue nodded, and the four of them walked towards the main hall.

After several months apart, her figure had developed, almost on par with the Six Concubines. Walking together, they looked like sisters.

Of course, she still couldn’t compare to Bai He or the Wrathful Saintess’s clone, whose… assets… were the size of watermelons, probably three or four kilograms each, too large to even hold with two hands.

Halfway there, Gong Lianyue suddenly remembered something and asked, “Teacher, do you know the true purpose of the Sea Region Alliance’s Saintess selection?”

She had noticed something strange during her trip to the Wind Realm.

The Wind Realm also chose Saintesses, but there were no ceremonies or designated procedures. Whoever was strongest became the Saintess.

Taking turns being Saintess, your turn next.

The Sea Region, on the other hand, had complex and formal procedures, even a Sea Concubine’s Love Tablet recording the messages of past Saintesses.

Therefore, the Sea Region’s Saintess selection must have a different, more significant meaning.

Otherwise, the Wind Realm wouldn’t bother trying to disrupt it…

“Um, well, that, that, um~~~” Shui Qinghou stammered and groaned, then looked helplessly at Shui Qiu’e.

“Are you stupid? The Desireless Saintess of the Winter Floating Sky has been chosen. There’s no harm in telling her now,” Shui Qiu’e said, exasperated.

“Fine…”

“It is said that every Saintess of the Sea Region Alliance is summoned to a mysterious space upon their selection, where they come into contact with a special artifact and are imbued with a portion of its aura. Of course, I haven’t been there, so I don’t know the details.”

“When all ten Water Saintesses have made contact, the residual aura on the artifact will become incredibly powerful, even attracting legendary beings…”

“This aura dissipates after two or three years. If no water-type legendary being appears and forms a contract, it means… failure.”

“But I think it’s useless. It hasn’t worked once in thousands of years!”

“Shhh, be careful! What if the Palace Master hears you!” Quan Zhiliang quickly hushed Shui Qinghou, afraid of being implicated.

So that was it…

Gong Lianyue finally understood the purpose of the Saintess selection. It was to make all ten Saintesses of the Sea Region Alliance into potential Lord Attendants!

Every Lord Attendant possessed incredible abilities or a unique destiny, practically defying the natural order, a mortal accompanying a god.

Since a single Saintess wasn’t enough to attract a legendary being, they would combine the auras of ten Saintesses!

Unfortunately, this method hadn’t worked once in thousands of years.

Not only did Shui Qinghou show no remorse, but she even added,

The Ice Shield Palace had recently proposed abandoning the tradition, while most other factions were still holding onto hope, thinking, “Maybe this generation of Saintesses will be different.”

Not to mention the Sorrowful Saintess, who was already a Lord Attendant, the blind, deaf, mute, and lame Desireless Saintess of the Winter Floating Sky, and the immortal Wrathful Saintess of the Ice Shield Palace. The combination of their unique traits might actually attract a specific water-type legendary being.

The Narcissus Jade Ring Sea, a legendary-rank, biological, all-purpose, water-attribute, plant-type spirit beast.

Of course, that was just wishful thinking. Whenever the Wrathful Saintess was involved, Gong Lianyue had no hope.

 

Chapter 159: Confronting the Sun and Moon Realm

Within the maze of the fourth level of the Soul Prison Trial, the Tower of Heaven, any spirit beast team passing through this area would encounter a strange ice coffin.

Some were scared off by its aura, while others recklessly attacked it, but it remained undamaged.

After about ten minutes, the 25th floor of the Tower of Heaven was cleared, concluding this session of the trial.

[Congratulations on clearing the fourth level of the Soul Prison Trial, first stage (1/4).]
[Note: In the next session, all injuries and statuses will be fully restored. Spirit beasts that were defeated cannot re-enter.]

Swish!

With a flash of white light, the spirit beasts’ surroundings vanished, the Soul Prison Trial’s secret realm disappearing.

Everyone returned to their respective masters.

—

Storm Realm, Gray Citadel

Almost the instant Gong Lianyue and the Tyrant Demon Seed returned from the Waterfall Lake Wonderland, the Frost Snow Woman and her team also returned from the Soul Prison Trial.

Gong Lianyue learned the rules of this trial through her spirit beasts’ shared consciousness.

A complete wipeout meant temporary disqualification, while surviving, even by hiding, guaranteed rewards.

If even a single spirit beast survived to the end, the rewards and evaluation would be multiplied.

Although she didn’t know what had happened inside, they seemed disheartened, only the Frost Snow Woman remaining.

It seemed not only the Tyrant Demon Seed, but the others had also suffered…

Only the Ice Soul Cold Star, disguised as the Ice Spirit, was still happily munching on its ice.

“What’s wrong? What are you thinking about?”

Seeing the Frost Snow Woman’s troubled expression, Gong Lianyue gently stroked her soft, white hair.

The Frost Snow Woman hesitated. She wanted to mention that the green-haired spirit beast was also in the Soul Prison Trial, and not just the obvious green and red ones.

That little blue flower that had appeared at the end… it probably also belonged to that woman.

But she didn’t know Luo Kuxin’s name and didn’t know how to explain.

Besides, the blue-haired girl’s touch was rather pleasant, so she simply rolled over, enjoying the caress.

Human hair wasn’t particularly sensitive, but for humanoid spirit beasts, it was like being petted.

Even the usually reliable and intelligent Frost Snow Woman forgot to report the appearance of the legendary spirit beast.

This was crucial information that could affect the entire Soul Prison Trial!

Even if they managed to avoid it this time, what if they encountered it again…?

Whatever, they had survived this time. She would worry about tomorrow’s problems tomorrow.

Three days after the Soul Prison Trial ended, it was time to return the Swallow God.

During this time, the name of Gong Lianyue, the Sorrowful Saintess, had spread throughout the Storm Realm like a tornado.

Everyone knew of this woman who had formed a contract with a legendary being, now alone in the Wind Realm to return a hostage.

After the legendary Water Element’s rampage and subsequent departure, the Shadowcandle Temple didn’t dare to interfere.

Compared to that Water Element, the Swallow God was just a helpless infant, not a threat.

---

Three days passed.

The time for the exchange arrived. Beneath a tower at the edge of the Gray Citadel, shrouded in shadows…

A black-haired woman in a black python robe stood silently, radiating a strange, deathly aura. Although she stood there in plain sight, the passersby seemed to ignore her, walking past without even noticing her.

Her appearance wasn’t stunning, but she possessed a certain rustic charm, the kind that grew on you.

The spirit energy around her was calm and subdued, so much so that it was impossible to discern her cultivation level.

One of the three Emperors of the Wind Realm, a Sun and Moon Realm Spirit Master, the Shadow Emperor!

She had been injured while trying to intercept the Water Element, two of her spirit beasts dead, one injured. Her aura was slightly weakened, her face pale.

That was why she had come here personally, to observe this girl who had formed a contract with a legendary being, to see what kind of monster she was, whether three-headed and six-armed, or something even stranger.

“Emperor, she has left her residence.”

“Mm.”

The woman in the python robe closed her eyes, vaguely recalling her encounter with a Sun and Moon Realm expert hundreds of years ago, when she was still at the Dead Sea Stage.

She had been so terrified, she could barely speak, her body trembling.

And then, she became the Saintess of the Gray Citadel…

“She’s here!”

Sensing a trace of water spirit energy amidst the dense wind spirit energy, the woman in the python robe opened her eyes, a shadowy aura instantly enveloping the entire Gray Citadel.

A terrifying pressure, far exceeding that of an ordinary Saint-rank, assaulted the minds of all the Spirit Masters present, a deafening roar echoing.

Boom!

An oppressive weight, like a collapsing star, erupted from her, a wave of spirit energy spreading outwards.

Then, a blue-haired girl, her hair swaying gently in the wind, appeared.

Six teardrops, neatly arranged on her face, like tears, flowed from her shimmering eyes, staining her cheeks.

The girl wore a water-patterned robe, the special uniform of the Sea Concubine Palace, her thighs wrapped in smooth, white silk, the water spirit energy around her undisturbed by the terrifying pressure.

Most striking was the black crown on her head, radiating a chilling aura that seemed to defy the world, impenetrable even by the Shadow Emperor’s spirit energy.

Wearing the black crown, Gong Lianyue had transformed into a Holy Water Body, entering a strange, isolated state, sensing only the flow of water, oblivious to everything else.

The blue-haired, teardrop-eyed girl walked towards the woman in the python robe, stopping less than half a meter away.

The next second, the woman in the python robe trembled slightly.

This Sorrowful Saintess… she looked just like that Water Element! It startled her.

Even more terrifying, the water spirit energy flowing around the blue-haired girl was completely undisturbed by her Sun and Moon Realm aura…

“Hand over the ransom list.”

Hearing the Sorrowful Saintess’s cold, commanding tone, the Shadow Emperor fell silent.

To speak to a Realm Emperor like this… She was a monster. An ordinary human Spirit Master wouldn’t even dare.

Was this the quality of someone chosen by a legendary being…?

---

Chapter 160: Subduing the Water Element!!

“Hand over the ransom list.”

Hearing the Sorrowful Saintess’s cold, commanding tone, the Shadow Emperor fell silent for a moment.

She was beginning to understand why she hadn’t been chosen by the Shadowlurking Blade, Night’s Executioner, all those years ago.

Unafraid of a legendary being, unflinching before a Sun and Moon Realm expert… was this the quality required of one chosen by a legendary being…?

The Shadow Emperor’s feelings were complex. This teardrop-eyed girl before her might one day reach a level beyond her reach.

Meanwhile, Gong Lianyue’s expression remained unchanged, her heart calm.

This woman, wearing the Gray Citadel higher-ups’ special uniform, was clearly a high-ranking official, at least at the Vice Palace Master level. She must be trying to intimidate her.

Unfortunately for her, the Holy Water Body was the purest and most sacred of constitutions, impervious to all external spirit energy. Even a peak Nether Traverse Stage expert couldn’t affect her.

Therefore, Gong Lianyue repeated her demand. If they had any objections, they could take it up with the Water Element.

After a long silence, the woman in the python robe handed over a spatial ring, a specially made storage artifact.

Gong Lianyue accepted it and, channeling her spirit energy, checked its contents against the ransom list.

–1 million spirit crystals.
10 high-rank spirit beast eggs.
500 stalks of Wind Realm high-grade medicinal herbs (excluding Moonlight Grass).
10 pieces of Wind Iron Stone.
Gray Citadel Spirit Technique (Wind Call).
Gray Citadel Spirit Technique (Shadowstep).

Besides these, there were some items Gong Lianyue didn’t recognize and a few miscellaneous spirit artifacts.

To ransom a single Saint-rank, the Gray Citadel was willing to pay such a hefty price. Although painful, it wasn’t crippling.

After confirming everything, Gong Lianyue nodded and summoned He Daoqi, the Swallow God, from her stone bracelet.

However, she had discreetly removed the restraints beforehand, eliminating any… incriminating evidence.

After all, if the Gray Citadel higher-ups saw their Saintess in such a… state, they would be furious.

The black-haired girl, imprisoned for nearly a hundred chapters, finally saw the light of day. She didn’t cry or show any emotion, simply hiding behind the woman in the python robe, remaining silent.

Gong Lianyue’s expression turned strange. The two women’s facial features were somewhat similar. Could they be mother and daughter?

That would be awkward…

“Are you alright?” the woman in the python robe asked, turning to He Daoqi.

“Yes.”

He Daoqi nodded, her expression unchanged, her eyes, both pupils and whites, a deep, unreadable black.

She could sense that in this short time, the Sorrowful Saintess had grown even stronger, reaching a level beyond her comprehension.

Wearing the black crown, radiating a holy yet deathly aura, her water spirit energy unfathomable.

Normally, for a hostage exchange, the welcoming party would be a Vice Palace Master or a chief senior instructor.

However, the presence of this woman in the python robe indicated that the Sorrowful Saintess had caused a major incident during the Overlord’s birthday celebration, shaking the entire Wind Realm.

He Daoqi remained silent, waiting for an explanation.

Meanwhile, Gong Lianyue was slightly puzzled.

After being imprisoned and tortured for so long, didn’t she feel any resentment…?

Regardless, she was relieved.

The Swallow God had been returned, her mission complete. She could finally return to the Sea Region.

But before leaving, she would purchase a large quantity of Moonlight Grass. It was so cheap here in the Wind Realm. It would be a waste not to.

The woman in the python robe and He Daoqi watched as the blue-haired girl walked away, making no move to stop her.

“Emperor, what did the Sorrowful Saintess do at the Overlord’s birthday celebration?” He Daoqi asked after a moment.

“She’s a Lord Attendant. Her legendary spirit beast stole the Shadowlurking Blade, Night’s Executioner, during the celebration.”

“…”

“!!!”

Even though He Daoqi had been prepared, she was still shocked.

If the words “legendary spirit beast” were replaced with anything else, the weight of that statement wouldn’t be nearly as heavy, as terrifying.

It was precisely because it was a legendary being that the Sun and Moon Realm Emperor had abandoned all thoughts of revenge and retribution, speaking so calmly.

Not just because she didn’t dare to retaliate, but because it would be pointless.

A Lord Attendant couldn’t control a legendary being, nor could they influence its actions. The Water Element stealing the Shadowlurking Blade had nothing to do with the Sorrowful Saintess.

And even if it did, it wasn’t something outsiders could interfere with.

Based on millennia of experience, human Spirit Masters had learned a few things about legendary beings.

They could disrespect them, insult them, even attack them. As long as the legendary being was in a good mood and didn’t notice their insignificant presence, they would survive.

After all, a legendary being’s aura was so vast and powerful that even a Sun and Moon Realm or Saint-rank Spirit Master was like a speck of dust before them, easily overlooked.

However, there was one action that guaranteed death: obstructing a legendary being’s will.

Never, ever, stand in a legendary being’s way.

If you do, you will be noticed.

And if you are noticed, you will die…

He Daoqi fell silent for a long time. She hadn’t expected the Sorrowful Saintess to be connected to a legendary being.

“In three months, the Wind Realm will assemble a force to attack the Cangsheng Palace, to either subdue or negotiate with the Water Element before it reaches the Samsara Stage.”

“If negotiations fail, the Wind Realm will face either annihilation or a pyrrhic victory…”

Hearing the woman’s words, He Daoqi’s eyes dimmed.

What the Wind Realm was about to do was precisely what they had been warned against—opposing a legendary being.

Failure meant certain death.

But without the Wind Realm Overlord, even if they did nothing, the Storm Realm would eventually be conquered by the surrounding realms. Their destruction was inevitable.

This Water Element was a newly born legendary being, still at the Dead Sea Stage. There was a chance they could win.

And the Shadowlurking Blade, Night’s Executioner, wouldn’t be easily controlled. It would surely offer guidance and assistance at critical moments…

---

Meanwhile, oblivious to the Wind Realm’s predicament, Gong Lianyue, having gathered her spoils, prepared to return to the Sea Region.

After enduring countless trials and tribulations in the Storm Realm, it was finally time to go home!

Chapter 157: Encountering a Legendary

The Soul Prison Trial, in the current era, was like a myth, its origins and purpose shrouded in mystery, as if it had appeared out of thin air.

Initially, some speculated it was a secret realm created by a mythical spirit beast.

But this theory was quickly debunked when a mythical spirit beast emerged from the Soul Prison Trial…

This earth-shattering event triggered a contracting frenzy. Countless legendary Realm Overlords and even titled legendary beings rushed to form contracts with promising human Spirit Masters, preparing for the next Soul Prison Trial.

However, it was all for naught. The Soul Prison Trial didn’t accept legendary spirit beasts. They were all rejected.

Some legendary spirit beasts, enraged, even killed their Spirit Masters, suffering severe injuries as a result. Others waited patiently for their contractors to die of old age, their existence never revealed. There was even a legendary spirit beast that experienced a dramatic, star-crossed love affair with a human, their story immortalized in a classic novel.

After the initial frenzy, most spirit beasts gave up on the Soul Prison Trial, leaving only a small number still secretly researching it.

To this day, the secrets of the Soul Prison Trial remained unsolved.

---

Soul Prison Trial, Fourth Level, Tower of Heaven, 21st Floor.

This level consisted of four sessions, each 25 floors representing a round of battles, with a week-long break in between for recovery.

Only four more floors remained in this round, and at this critical juncture, the Frost Snow Woman and her team encountered another group.

A scorching heat, like an inferno, filled the area, burning steam billowing outwards, as five crimson spirit beasts emerged from the flames.

The most formidable force in this Soul Prison Trial, the fire-type team led by the Desolate Fire Netherworld Rakshasa, had encountered the Frost Snow Woman’s team.

The Desolate Fire Netherworld Rakshasa, a Saint-rank biological offensive type.

The Hellfire Princess, a Saint-rank elemental support type.

The Thousand Star Blazing Flame, a high-rank weapon-type possession type.

The Nether Fire Shroud, a high-rank weapon-type armor type.

The Fire Spirit, a low-rank elemental all-purpose type.

The two teams, water and fire, faced each other, a strange, awkward tension in the air.

The most out-of-place among them were the Ice Spirit and the Fire Spirit, dwarfed by the other, more powerful spirit beasts.

Water and fire were inherently opposing elements. A clash was inevitable.

The opposing team had also noticed the number of Saint-ranks on their side. The Hellfire Princess, a beautiful woman with fiery red hair, frowned, seemingly wary.

However, if it came to a fight, she wasn’t afraid.

Because…

“They have five Saint-ranks,” the Fire Spirit suddenly said, looking at the Ice Spirit.

Hearing this, the eyes of both the Desolate Fire Netherworld Rakshasa and the Hellfire Princess widened in disbelief.

“Where’s the rabbit?” the Fire Spirit asked, glancing around.

“It got lost,” the Frost Snow Woman replied coldly.

The opposing team had clearly recognized them as the Sorrowful Saintess Gong Lianyue’s spirit beasts.

This meant they knew the Ice Spirit was actually the Ice Soul Cold Star, and the little Snow Fox was the legendary Blood Garden Phoenix Stage.

Conversely, knowing the current situation in the Wind Realm, and with such a powerful fire-type team, they must be from the nearby Sun-Seizing Divine Metropolis.

The Sun-Seizing Divine Metropolis, the Infernal Saintess…

And it seemed the Fire Spirit was the leader, which was unusual for a low-rank spirit beast to be giving orders to Saint-ranks.

“There’s something… unusual… in this group. Although you have many Saint-ranks, be careful.”

“I suggest you split up soon. You don’t want to be wiped out all at once.”

After saying this, the Fire Spirit, its crystalline body floating, drifted past the Frost Snow Woman and her team, without looking back.

The other fire-type spirit beasts, albeit hesitantly, also passed through the area where the little fox and its two… admirers… were engaged in their… activities, both sides surprisingly avoiding conflict.

“Eh?”

Seeing them leave, the pink flower and the green vine swayed in confusion, seemingly unable to comprehend their decision to avoid a fight.

The Frost Snow Woman watched them disappear, her expression still wary, not moving.

---

A few minutes later, with no sign of pursuit, the Frost Snow Woman finally relaxed and signaled for her team to move on.

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM

Suddenly, a massive explosion of fire engulfed the maze for several kilometers.

The scorching flames almost incinerated the entire level, the terrifying heat boiling and burning, clearly the Fire Spirit and its team engaged in battle.

However, in less than half a second, the flames died down.

Swish—

A battered Fire Spirit, its body half-destroyed, its appearance disheveled, came flying towards them.

The Saint-rank auras of the Desolate Fire Netherworld Rakshasa and the Hellfire Princess were gone, as if they had vanished into thin air.

[Run.]

The Fire Spirit fled without looking back, its panicked message echoing in the Frost Snow Woman’s mind.

The Frost Snow Woman’s cold expression flickered. How could anyone defeat a Saint-rank team so quickly?

Even ten Saint-ranks couldn’t have defeated them so effortlessly…

Whoosh—

Without warning, the Frost Snow Woman’s shroud-like robe dissolved into a white, viscous liquid, her snow-white skin exposed, bathed in a faint purple light, a sight that stunned the three plant-type spirit beasts.

This humanoid spirit beast, so shameless, stripping naked in public!

Covered in the shimmering purple light, the Frost Snow Woman glanced gratefully at the Ice Spirit, then turned towards the shadows ahead, her expression serious.

She hadn’t deliberately removed her clothes. They had been melted away by something. And just as her own body was about to melt, the Ice Soul Cold Star had shielded her.

[Death Tribulation]

The purple starlight clashed with the white water, the starlight fading, being consumed and assimilated by the water.

A beautiful, white-haired woman with antlers emerged from the shadows. She was clearly the one who had annihilated the Fire Spirit’s team.

The Frost Snow Woman froze.

Sensing a familiar aura, she recalled a memory from her youth.

The Snow Monarch had once taken her to this woman’s birthday celebration…

A legendary-rank spirit beast… in the Soul Prison Trial…!!!

---

Chapter 158: The Most Ferocious Clan

Logically, legendary-rank spirit beasts shouldn’t be able to enter the Soul Prison Trial.

However, at this moment, the Frost Snow Woman was certain she wasn’t mistaken. She had seen this woman from afar once before!!

Her features as delicate as snow, her white hair shimmering like fireflies, her grayish-white eyes devoid of emotion.

Branches and leaves sprouted from her head, her icy antlers like a crown, a regal, winter queen.

[Legendary-rank – White Flower Moon-Treading Deer]

No, not her. It must have been one of her kin…

Even with the Frost Snow Woman’s limited intelligence, she understood. Although the same species, they weren’t the same individual.

The White Flower Moon-Treading Deer, a biological type with dual water and moon attributes, one of the top three most ferocious legendary spirit beasts, an unstoppable force.

Ten thousand years ago, two titled White Flower Moon-Treading Deer had existed simultaneously: the Cold Deer King and the Illusion Sea Concubine.

The Cold Deer King, having devoured the moons of countless realms, causing them to vanish from the sky, was hunted down and killed by enraged Spirit Masters and spirit beasts.

The Illusion Sea Concubine, however, was still alive. It was her birthday celebration that the Frost Snow Woman had attended with the Snow Monarch!

And the one before them now… was a newly born White Flower Moon-Treading Deer!

After all, the Illusion Sea Concubine’s power was beyond human comprehension, while this White Flower Moon-Treading Deer was only at the Dawn and Dusk Stage.

Why could a legendary-rank spirit beast enter the Soul Prison Trial…?

There was no time to ponder. A legendary being stood right before them.

For Gong Lianyue’s sake, they couldn’t be defeated here!

Whoosh, whoosh—

Waves of white water surged, the Ice Soul Cold Star’s purple star rapidly eroding, about to shatter.

Just then, the Iron Jade Ice Scorpion lashed out, its massive, scale-covered pincer striking the white-haired, antlered woman.

[Jade Shatter]
[Nether Stone]

Boom!

A violent explosion, a deafening roar, the shockwave clearing a path through the white water, reaching the antlered woman.

However, the blast passed right through her, as if she were a ghost.

Half of the antlered woman’s body dissolved into water, then reformed, her expression unchanged as she continued walking.

Whoosh~~~~

As she approached, a suffocating pressure descended, the white water surging even more violently.

She wasn’t even attacking, but these weaker beings couldn’t withstand her presence, their bodies dissolving upon contact.

Her grayish-white eyes reflected nothing, as if she didn’t even register the presence of these lesser beings.

So this… was a legendary being…?

And she was only at the Dawn and Dusk Stage!!!

Any spirit beast witnessing this would surely despair, convinced that a legendary being was an insurmountable foe.

Just then, the antlered woman bumped into something hard and collapsed to the ground, clutching her forehead in confusion.

A purple, star-shaped barrier, its watery surface rippling, had stopped her.

The white water’s corrosive power hadn’t been faster than her walking speed, so she had collided with the barrier, caught off guard.

Her grayish-white eyes finally focused, reflecting the forms of the spirit beasts before her, their species and appearances now clear.

Boom!!!!

As if in response to her gaze, the white water surged, threatening to engulf everything.

The Ice Soul Cold Star calmly created ten more Death Tribulations within its existing Death Tribulation. Although it couldn’t completely stop the white water, it prevented their immediate annihilation.

“Hmph…”

Seeing this, the antlered woman frowned, displeased.

She extended a slender finger and drew an illusory full moon in the air.

As a pure, unblemished moonlight enveloped the area, silence fell, no shockwave, no tremors, no sound, an eerie stillness.

The next second, like a splash of water, like the blooming of moonlight, the surrounding maze vanished.

The walls and floor within a radius of several dozen kilometers evaporated, a terrifying wave of spirit energy, like a nuclear blast, spreading outwards, the lingering water continuing to spread, dissolving everything in its path.

Within half a minute, nothing remained within sight, the entire maze destroyed.

The Iron Jade Ice Scorpion and the three plant-type spirit beasts on its back were effortlessly dissolved by the water, their auras vanishing.

Even the Ice Soul Cold Star’s Death Tribulation couldn’t protect them, instantly vaporized.

Gong Lianyue and Luo Kuxin’s team had been completely annihilated!

---

A few seconds later, the white-haired, antlered woman stood up, shaking her beautiful, icy antlers.

Just as the White Flower Moon-Treading Deer was about to leave, it paused, a puzzled expression on its face.

A strange ice coffin, radiating a chilling aura, lay nearby.

Made of some unknown material, it was completely undamaged by her devastating attack.

She approached the coffin and examined it for a long time, then shook her head.

“The Snow Monarch’s coffin?”

“I can’t do anything about this right now…”

Recognizing the coffin’s origin, the antlered woman didn’t even bother trying to open it, turning to leave.

The Snow Monarch’s ice was beyond the comprehension of ordinary beings, unbreakable even by fellow legendary-rank spirit beasts.

As the antlered woman’s terrifying aura faded, the Frost Snow Woman remained hidden within the coffin, determined to stay there until the 100th level.

She was the only spirit beast left. Another death would result in a complete wipeout, delaying Gong Lianyue’s progress.

Just then, a small, ice-blue flower, bouncing on its stem, hurried over from the shadows.

It frantically tapped and nudged the coffin lid with its petals, until it became dizzy and almost fell over.

Sensing the ice-blue flower’s presence, the Frost Snow Woman inside the Ice Coffin paused, a strange expression on her face.

She silently opened the coffin lid a crack, allowing the grateful flower to slip inside, then closed it tightly, her aura disappearing once more.

Chapter 155: Reactions of the Saint-Ranks

–Soul Prison Trial, Fourth Level, Tower of Heaven

[Rule: Within this hundred-level tower, all spirit beasts will engage in free-for-all combat. When a certain number of spirit beasts are defeated on each level, all remaining spirit beasts will automatically ascend to the next level.]
[There is no elimination in this trial, but the Spirit Master will be temporarily frozen from participating in the Soul Prison Trial. The earlier their team is completely defeated, the longer the freeze duration. A complete defeat on the first level will result in a one-year delay.]
[Also, the higher the level reached upon defeat, the greater the reward for the Spirit Master.]

The rules were transmitted to all the spirit beasts via the common spirit beast language. Upon understanding them, a large number of spirit beasts immediately retreated, distancing themselves from the Saint-ranks.

The Desolate Fire Netherworld Rakshasa, the Hundred-Eyed Ghost Bride, the Abyssal Bloodbone Jiao, the Libra Fighting Swallow, and the Frost Snow Woman were all beings to be avoided.

As the area around the Saint-ranks cleared, their respective teams became apparent.

The Desolate Fire Netherworld Rakshasa’s team was unsurprisingly composed of fire-attribute, offensive types. The Hundred-Eyed Ghost Bride’s team was a group of… unsettling ghostly beings.

The Abyssal Bloodbone Jiao… its teammates seemed to have been swallowed whole, their auras present, but their forms invisible.

The Libra Fighting Swallow stood alone, as expected of a combat-type spirit beast, a lone wolf.

The Frost Snow Woman’s team was a group of ice-type spirit beasts. Since the little fox had chosen a Snow Fox form today, it was naturally mistaken for one of them.

The Frost Snow Woman, the Ice Spirit, the Iron Jade Ice Scorpion, and a Snow Fox. Their master must be a cold and ruthless woman.

“Chirp!”

However, with the other spirit beasts dispersed, the little fox’s aura was exposed.

The pink flower and the green vine, like grotesque monsters, rushed towards it, drooling, clinging to it, and engaging in a… public display of affection.

“…”
“…”

Gong Lianyue’s other three spirit beasts were familiar with these two plant-types and didn’t interfere.

In fact, two more Saint-rank spirit beasts significantly increased their chances of survival.

[Prepare yourselves. The battle will begin in ten seconds.]

As the cold voice echoed in their minds, all the spirit beasts assumed battle stances, some even charging their attacks. Only the little fox looked nauseous and unwell.

It was about to be suffocated by the earthy scent of the plant-type spirit beasts, yet it couldn’t escape the embrace of the Misty Heart Lotus and the Seven-Foot Sword Princess Flower.

And these teammates had mistaken them for allies. How confusing!

[Battle begin!]

[Battle concluded. 100 spirit beasts defeated. Remaining spirit beasts, ascend to the next level.]

Before the announcement even finished, the spirit beasts’ surroundings shifted, and they found themselves in a complex maze.

The first level of the Tower of Heaven had ended in an instant, and they had automatically ascended to the second level.

Eh? So fast?

Had 100 spirit beasts already been defeated in that brief moment?

Almost all the spirit beasts were bewildered, completely unsure of what had just happened.

---

The Saint-rank Desolate Fire Netherworld Rakshasa, a massive, fiery skeleton, and its team of five fire-type spirit beasts exchanged grim looks.

“Did you see that? What just happened!?”

“No, I didn’t sense anything, just a sudden chill.”

“Be careful from now on. Split up after level 80. For our master’s sake, we can’t be easily defeated!”

The Desolate Fire Netherworld Rakshasa remained silent. Although its body burned like hellfire, its heart was filled with ice.

Something… unsettling… had entered this Soul Prison Trial.

---

The Saint-rank Abyssal Bloodbone Jiao.

Its massive, kilometer-long body had shrunk to the size of an ant, carefully hidden within the maze.

Under a microscope, one could see its trembling form, its emotions fluctuating wildly.

Although a massive biological-type beast, its dynamic vision was so sharp that, even thousands of years ago, as a wild spirit beast, it could easily track the White Moon Lord’s interdimensional leaps.

And yet, just now, it had seen nothing, unable to even react…

---

The Saint-rank Hundred-Eyed Ghost Bride, a beautiful female ghost in purple mourning clothes. Although her appearance was captivating, grotesque eyeballs constantly emerged from her robes.

Surrounded by a group of strange, ghostly spirit beasts, the Hundred-Eyed Ghost Bride wept softly.

Then, the other ghost-type spirit beasts also began to wail, their expressions filled with terror.

Swish, swish, swish!

The Hundred-Eyed Ghost Bride flicked its sleeve, scattering hundreds of eyeballs, which froze in midair.

The eyeballs converged, forming a massive, fleshy orb, a blurry black and white image, like an old television screen, appearing within its pupil.

The image showed the first level of the tower, a moment before the battle began.

Click—

The image flickered, skipping to the next level, as if a section had been cut out, nothing in between.

The Hundred-Eyed Ghost Bride’s expression turned grim. It radiated a powerful spirit energy that enveloped the fleshy eyeball.

This time, the image slowed down, the flickering delayed, but the scene remained unchanged.

Still unwilling to give up, the Hundred-Eyed Ghost Bride’s spirit energy surged, a terrifying purple aura almost filling half the maze, scaring the weaker spirit beasts witless.

The image slowed down even further, thousands of times slower, the eyeballs on its robe all opening, staring intently at the screen.

Finally, it saw it!

With a certain humanoid spirit beast as the epicenter, a hundred spirit beasts within its vicinity instantly melted.

A woman with snow-white hair and antlers, her hair shimmering like fireflies, her eyes, both the whites and the pupils, a uniform grayish-white, a disturbing and unsettling sight.

Branches and leaves sprouted from her head, her icy antlers like a crown, a regal, winter queen.

And her long, slender legs, bent at the knees like a quadruped, clearly mimicking the stance of her true form.

Seeing this antlered woman, the Hundred-Eyed Ghost Bride froze, a chilling dread filling its heart, unable to speak.

---

All the Saint-rank teams were startled by what had just happened, except for one.

Four ice-type spirit beasts and two plant-type spirit beasts chatted and laughed, seemingly oblivious to the events that had just transpired.

---

Chapter 156: The Antlered Woman

–Soul Prison Trial, Fourth Level, Tower of Heaven

While the first level, a free-for-all area, had ended almost instantly, the subsequent levels each lasted four or five minutes.

After all, the tower’s maze was quite large. Encounters were infrequent, and the early battles were mostly tentative, neither side fully committing.

As they ascended, the maze became more complex and expansive, allowing for various spirit beast types, ranks, and battle techniques to come into play.

With the Spirit Masters absent, this was a test of the lead spirit beast’s command and judgment.

Tens of thousands of spirit beasts battled within the maze. Having reached the seventh level, Gong Lianyue’s spirit beasts, however, hadn’t even heard a single sound.

The Frost Snow Woman’s Saint-rank aura was simply too terrifying. Enemy spirit beasts fled the moment they sensed it from hundreds of meters away.

Not just her team, but the other Saint-rank teams were also likely enjoying a leisurely stroll.

At this moment, the Frost Snow Woman’s team was wandering aimlessly, their thoughts elsewhere.

[Iron Jade Ice Scorpion: I want to fight!]
[Frost Snow Woman: I wonder if we can reach the 100th floor.]
[Ice Soul Cold Star: …]
[Nine-Colored Cloud Dream Flower: Chirp chirp, help!!!]
[Misty Heart Lotus: ?????]
[Seven-Foot Sword Princess Flower: ?????]

Boom!!!!

Suddenly, the wall and floor before them exploded, a cloud of dust and debris erupting.

As the dust settled, the six spirit beasts stared in disbelief, as if stunned.

Before them stood a massive, black ape, over a hundred meters tall, with four terrifying arms, a demonic figure.

A high-rank, Arm-Smashing Demon Ape!!!

And in its hands, it held another high-rank spirit beast, the weapon-type Dragon Emperor Battle Axes.

Four heavy, sharp axes, each with a dragon-head design, were gripped tightly in its massive hands, radiating a violent aura. This was the combined power of two high-rank spirit beasts!

Spirit Masters with weapon-type spirit beasts usually had to reach the Samsara Stage to utilize their full potential. Only in the hands of another spirit beast could a weapon-type spirit beast unleash its true power. A Spirit Master’s frail body was simply too weak.

Like He Daoqi of the Gray Citadel. Although her Swallow God’s aura was terrifying, among the highest ranked in the Wind Realm, she could only manage a few swings before collapsing from exhaustion.

Therefore, upon reaching the Samsara Stage, a Spirit Master could summon two spirit beasts simultaneously, one to wield the weapon-type spirit beast, creating a synergistic effect far greater than the sum of their individual strengths. It wasn’t 1 + 1, but 1 * 1!!!!

Now, within the Soul Prison Trial, free from its Spirit Master’s limitations, the Arm-Smashing Demon Ape swung the Dragon Emperor Battle Axes with ferocious abandon.

“I’m not afraid of any Saint-rank spirit beast, especially a weak, support-type!”

“I’ll kill you all!!”

Its furious roar echoed through the maze. Seeing the six spirit beasts’ stunned expressions, the Demon Ape grinned smugly.

It wished its master would hurry up and reach the Samsara Stage so it could unleash its full power and… engage in some intimate activities with its beloved, instead of relying on telepathic communication within the spirit space.

It lovingly stroked the axes’ handles, causing them to tremble slightly.

“…”
“…”

The Frost Snow Woman and her team exchanged glances, still seemingly unable to comprehend the situation.

They had sensed the ape’s aura, but they hadn’t expected it to attack, to challenge a Saint-rank.

If there were only one Saint-rank present, the Frost Snow Woman, then the ape’s actions could be attributed to recklessness, not stupidity.

But, buddy, did you know how many Saint-ranks were here…?

As they hesitated, the four-armed ape raised its axes high above its head and swung down.

It was confident that with its strength, regardless of whether it hit its target directly, even the aftershock would be enough to cripple, if not kill, anyone caught in the blast.

Boom!

Boom!!

Boom, boom, boom!!!

The four axes slammed down, the surrounding structures crumbling into dust, the terrifying force pulverizing everything within a hundred-meter radius.

Wherever this spirit beast came from, its fighting spirit was undeniable.

However, after only three strikes, the ape could no longer hold the axes. Not only were the blades shattered, but its fists were also covered in blood.

It stared down in horror. As the dust settled, a massive, ice-green figure was revealed.

The Iron Jade Ice Scorpion stood motionless, its body covered in a smooth, jade-like film, like a frozen fossil.

[Battle Technique – Jade Shatter]

Its perfectly tempered body was unscathed, not a single scratch, its shimmering, crystalline armor glowing beautifully.

The other spirit beasts, shielded behind it, hadn’t even moved.

Thud!

The ape’s four arms, twisted and broken, fell limply to its sides, the axes clattering to the ground.

Its face contorted in shock and fear, its eyes widening and contracting, its mind reeling.

How was this possible? Not only had its attack failed to penetrate the scorpion’s defenses, but the mere recoil had crippled it!

Such incredible durability…

[Battle concluded. 100 spirit beasts defeated. Remaining spirit beasts, ascend to the next level.]

[Current level: Eighth.]

Just as despair filled the Arm-Smashing Demon Ape, its surroundings shifted, and it was transported to a new area.

The seventh level had ended!

“Hahaha, the heavens are on my side! I’ll have my revenge when my injuries heal!”

The ape, having learned nothing, picked up the four axes with its mouth and swallowed them, its face filled with a delusional glee.

It must have been an off day. There was no way it could lose to a mere scorpion. It would crush them all next time.

A single loss meant nothing. It would eventually defeat these Saint-ranks!

Whoosh—

The next second, the Arm-Smashing Demon Ape froze, its movements ceasing.

Then, almost instantly, both it and the Dragon Emperor Battle Axes within its stomach dissolved into a puddle of white, viscous liquid.

A chilling winter aura filled the maze. A woman with snow-white hair and antlers, her gray eyes cold and indifferent, walked past.

“Let’s see what kind of monster this Soul Prison Trial is, that even mythical beings can’t identify its true nature.”

Chapter 153: The Legendary Being’s Friends Circle

Waterfall Lake Wonderland!

Gong Lianyue had thought she had been pulled back into the Soul Prison Trial, but she had actually entered the Waterfall Lake Wonderland.

The Waterfall Lake Wonderland was a spirit world secret realm controlled by the legendary spirit beast, the Jade Concubine of the Waterfall Lake, a training ground for combat-type spirit beasts!

Although smaller in scale than the legendary Soul Prison Trial, the Waterfall Lake Wonderland had also produced several… unbelievable success stories.

For example, a low-rank spirit beast, through rigorous training, evolving all the way to high-rank!

And a Saint-rank spirit beast, grasping the true meaning of martial arts, mutating and evolving into a legendary being, marrying the Jade Concubine, achieving peak spirit beast-hood!

Countless legends and rumors, all suggesting that for a spirit beast with exceptional combat talent, anything was possible.

As mentioned before, even among spirit beasts of the same species, rank, and type, their potential varied greatly…

Within a vast, empty, white space, the beautiful, blue-haired, teardrop-eyed girl calmly surveyed her surroundings, her gaze settling on a frost-covered counter in the center.

It seemed to be sealing some kind of treasure.

Gong Lianyue cautiously approached, releasing a wave of water spirit energy that struck the counter.

Crack—

Triggered by the spirit energy, the frost on the counter melted away.

At the same time, several options appeared:

[Stats]
[Trial]
[Mission]
[Instructions]
[Exit]
[Exchange]

“What’s with this… browser game vibe…?”

Gong Lianyue blinked, slightly taken aback.

She hadn’t expected a legendary being to have such… modern capabilities, creating a game-like system.

She had underestimated the power of legendary beings, assuming they were simply powerful, territorial deities.

However, especially those with titles, their power was beyond human comprehension.

The White Moon Lord, a single leap spanning dozens of realms.

The Snow Monarch, a single breath freezing an entire region.

The Dark Night Concubine, her passage dimming the world.

The Weaver of the Sun, her presence heralding sunset.

Even Sun and Moon Realm human Spirit Masters couldn’t even scratch a legendary being…

There was only one way to defeat a legendary being: become a Lord Attendant!

Only a legendary could defeat a legendary!

Composing herself, Gong Lianyue first checked the [Stats] section, then the others.

[Stats]
[?Tyrant Demon Seed?]
[Bloodline Talent: Closed Moon]
[Spirit Beast Battle Techniques: Enhanced Leap – Moon Collapse – Hundred Refinements – War Mantle – ∞]

[Trial]
[Choose any level from 1 to 100. Clearing level 100 allows you to leave the Waterfall Lake Wonderland.]

[Mission]
[Automatically searching for events in the trial participant’s connected regions…]
[Mission 1: Obtain the legendary Shadowlurking Blade, Night’s Executioner. Reward: 500 million exchange points.]
[Mission 2: Discover the true identity of the mysterious Water Element. Reward: 100 million exchange points.]
[…]
[Mission 99: Investigate the anomaly at the Sea Region’s Penetrating You Pool. Reward: 100 exchange points.]

“Waterfall Lake Wonderland, truly omniscient…”

After reading the mission list, Gong Lianyue was stunned.

This Waterfall Lake Wonderland could detect events happening in any region. Legendary spirit beasts truly were like gods.

It even knew about the Water Element stealing the Shadowlurking Blade, though it hadn’t discovered the Water Element’s true identity.

But wasn’t the Penetrating You Pool already destroyed by the Snow Monarch? Had something else happened while she was away?

After a moment of thought, Gong Lianyue continued scrolling.

She found it strange that [Exchange] was placed after [Exit]. The Jade Concubine’s thought process was a bit… unusual. The important [Exchange] option should be at the top!

What if someone accidentally clicked [Exit] and, without a confirmation prompt, left and couldn’t return?

[Instructions]

[Cultivation level is irrelevant within the Waterfall Lake Wonderland. All spirit beasts that emerge from here can fight and defeat opponents of higher ranks. Those levels are merely superficial limitations imposed by Spirit Masters.]

[Therefore, all spirit beasts’ ranks will be suppressed to the Illumination Stage during trials, simulating battles against opponents of the same level.]

[Click “Exit” to leave, focus your mind to enter the trial. One entry per day, time limit: 2 hours.]

Having read the instructions, she now understood the basic rules of the Waterfall Lake Wonderland. Next was the most important part: the exchange.

If the items available for exchange were useless, then this entire Waterfall Lake Wonderland was pointless.

Even a low-rank spirit beast with perfect technique couldn’t defeat a high-rank one.

Therefore, there had to be some game-changing items here!

[Exchange]

[One opportunity for the Dark Night Concubine, a friend of the Jade Concubine, to act. Cost: 200 million exchange points.]
[One opportunity for the Jade Concubine to act. Cost: 100 million exchange points.]
[One opportunity for the Cold Nether Phoenix Spirit, a friend of the Jade Concubine, to act. Cost: 80 million exchange points.]
[Legendary Battle Technique Book (random). Cost: 50 million exchange points.]
[One guidance session from the Jade Concubine. Cost: 20 million exchange points.]
[Young Saint-rank spirit beast (type and attribute selectable, species random). Cost: 20 million exchange points.]
[Saint-Breaking Pill. Cost: 10 million exchange points.]
[Saint-rank Battle Technique Book (random). Cost: 100,000 exchange points.]
[Dual Soul Pill. Cost: 1000 exchange points.]
[Ethereal Spirit Pill. Cost: 1000 exchange points.]
[Heavenly Lotus Pill. Cost: 1000 exchange points.]
[Blazing Soul Grass. Cost: 1 exchange point.]

Hundreds of pages of items, a dazzling array, some incredibly powerful.

An opportunity for the Jade Concubine to act? An opportunity for the titled legendary being, the Dark Night Concubine, to act?

Ah, this… did legendary beings have friends circles too…?

Having them act meant that even if your enemy was the leader of a realm, they would be instantly annihilated.

And the Saint-Breaking Pill… wasn’t that something that could make a high-rank spirit beast break through to Saint-rank?!

The sheer number of treasures made Gong Lianyue’s heart race, but she quickly calmed down. Tens of millions, even hundreds of millions of exchange points… how long would it take to accumulate that much? She might not even live long enough…

---

Chapter 154: The Rabbit’s Death

–Waterfall Lake Wonderland
The dazzling array of treasures made Gong Lianyue’s heart race, but she quickly calmed down. Tens of millions, even hundreds of millions of exchange points… how long would it take to accumulate that much? She might not even live long enough…

Although there was a glimmer of hope of interacting with a legendary being, it was a distant dream, unattainable for most Spirit Masters, even after a lifetime of effort.

Gong Lianyue abandoned this unrealistic fantasy. It was more practical to focus on strengthening her own spirit beasts.

She would aim to earn points first. Even just 1000 points to exchange for another Dual Soul Pill would be good!

“The ways to earn points in the Waterfall Lake Wonderland are through missions and trials.”

“There are too many missions to choose from, so I’ll try the trial option first…”

Although some missions offered incredible rewards, Gong Lianyue instinctively felt that the trials were the main focus of the Waterfall Lake Wonderland, while the missions were merely side quests.

Therefore, she decided to prioritize the trials.

There were one hundred levels to choose from, each selectable by the Spirit Master.

As mentioned before, all spirit beasts within the Waterfall Lake Wonderland were equal in terms of rank. The difference in levels likely represented their combat prowess.

However, there was only one attempt per day. Failure resulted in a 24-hour cooldown, so she had to choose carefully.

“The Tyrant Demon Seed is a Saint-rank spirit beast. I should start at a higher level. Let’s try level 10,” Gong Lianyue thought for a moment, then selected the tenth level.

[Trial – Level 10]
[Opponent – Mid-rank Black Devouring Rabbit, Combat Talent: Ordinary]

Swish!

With a flash of white light, the Tyrant Demon Seed and a black rabbit appeared in a separate space.

A dreamlike battlefield, formed from a beautiful sea of stars, surrounded by a hazy mist.

Although not physically present, Gong Lianyue could sense everything within this space, as if she were examining her own storage bracelet.

The alluring, silver-haired rabbit woman looked around curiously, seemingly unconcerned with the black rabbit before her.

After all, it was just a pitiful, weak, mid-rank Black Devouring Rabbit, its fur as dark as coal, ugly and grotesque.

In the outside world, the Tyrant Demon Seed’s mere presence would scare it to death!

However, at this moment, the black rabbit’s movements and expression were stiff and mechanical, yet its eyes showed no fear.

Creatures instinctively feared stronger members of their own kind. A mid-rank rabbit, facing a Saint-rank rabbit, should be terrified. She wondered where the Jade Concubine had found this rabbit, completely devoid of fear.

[Battle Begin]

Crack—

Boom!!!

Almost the instant the command was given, a powerful, white foot slammed into the Black Devouring Rabbit’s neck, a sickening crunch echoing.

Even suppressed to the Illumination Stage, the Tyrant Demon Seed’s movements were still incredibly fast, crossing more than ten meters in an instant, a swift and brutal kick, its power undeniable.

Struck by the Saint-rank’s attack, the black rabbit’s eyes bulged, its neck twisting grotesquely, its entire body spinning.

Whirl, whirl, whirl—

The Black Devouring Rabbit spun like a top, then suddenly reversed its momentum, kicking the Tyrant Demon Seed in the abdomen.

Although the Tyrant Demon Seed loved creating muscular rabbits with billions of abs, its true form was that of a delicate woman, without a single ab. Caught off guard, it was struck, the black rabbit’s foot sinking deep into its… internal organs.

A burst of air, and the rabbit woman’s slender body bent like a drawn bow.

Bang! The next second, the Tyrant Demon Seed’s white body exploded, turning into a bloody mess.

In its final moments, it felt as if its own terrifying power had been reflected back at it…

After the Tyrant Demon Seed’s death, the spinning Black Devouring Rabbit also collapsed, its neck barely attached, clearly beyond saving.

[Failure]
[Battle Evaluation: Blindly pursuing physical strength and high cultivation is meaningless. With a combat-type spirit beast’s small and frail body, its raw power cannot compare to a biological offensive behemoth, nor can its destructive potential match an elemental offensive disaster. Do not fight a losing battle. Consider other methods of improvement.]

The Tyrant Demon Seed had lost to a Black Devouring Rabbit two ranks lower, their physical difference vast, at the same cultivation level.

Having witnessed the entire battle, Gong Lianyue’s face was pale with shock, her emotions complex. She remained silent for a long time.

Was the Tyrant Demon Seed weak?

Impossible!

It possessed the combat experience of a Sun and Moon Realm being, a once invincible demon god of the Wind Realm. And yet, it had lost to a mere mid-rank Black Devouring Rabbit, defeated by its martial arts skill!

A chilling realization washed over Gong Lianyue. She finally understood the true nature of the Waterfall Lake Wonderland.

Not just this Black Devouring Rabbit, but all one hundred trial opponents must have been personally trained by the Jade Concubine.

This meant that before a legendary being, whether a Sun and Moon Realm Emperor or a peak Saint-rank spirit beast, they were all equal, no different from low and mid-rank creatures…

“Waterfall Lake Wonderland, truly a sacred ground for martial arts!” Gong Lianyue couldn’t help but sigh.

The Waterfall Lake Wonderland had shown her just how vast and boundless the spirit world was, filled with countless powerful beings. She had only just begun her journey.

Although she had three Saint-rank spirit beasts, her current strength was still far from sufficient. She wasn’t even qualified to understand the Water Element’s actions.

Meanwhile, within the Waterfall Lake Wonderland, the revived, white rabbit with floppy ears was running around frantically.

Its face contorted in anger, stomping its feet, clearly frustrated by its victory.

As the rabbit ran past her feet, Gong Lianyue scooped it up and gently stroked its soft, white fur.

“It’s okay, don’t be angry. We’ll win next time.”

“You can become stronger…”

“Poo, poo, poo~~” The rabbit drooped its ears, tears welling up in its eyes.

Gong Lianyue and the Tyrant Demon Seed’s first Waterfall Lake Wonderland trial ended in failure.

Unlike the Soul Prison Trial, where a single loss meant disqualification, losing in the Waterfall Lake Wonderland wasn’t a big deal. They could try again every day, without any penalty.

To clear all one hundred levels, they had to learn from their failures, grow, become stronger, and evolve.

Chapter 151: The Black Crown

–Storm Realm, Gray Citadel

Shadows loomed, mountains surrounded.

The Gray Citadel, the second-ranked power in the Wind Realm, held a similar status to the Cold Court in the Sea Region.

It was said that the Shadow Emperor of the Gray Citadel had been severely injured while fighting the legendary Water Element and had gone into seclusion upon returning, cutting off all contact with the outside world.

Within a dark and gloomy palace, the meditating, blue-haired girl radiated a chilling aura, freezing the entire palace.

Spirit Masters could inherit the auras of their spirit beasts. Now, with the Ice Soul Cold Star in its true form, along with the Frost Snow Woman and the Tyrant Demon Seed, Gong Lianyue’s spirit energy was terrifyingly powerful, even rivaling that of a Nether Traverse Stage Spirit Master.

Of course, this was just in terms of aura. In a real fight, she would still lose…!

Usually, during hostage exchanges, the other side would send a single representative. But Gong Lianyue, the “kidnapper,” had brazenly entered the enemy’s headquarters.

After the Overlord’s birthday celebration, no one in the Wind Realm dared to touch her. No one could withstand the wrath of a legendary being.

The exchange of the Swallow God was scheduled for three days from now.

“Phew~~~”

The blue-haired girl opened her teardrop eyes, exhaling a frosty mist.

With two new Saint-rank spirit beasts, deciphering the encrypted information in her soul core had become incredibly difficult, taking her two hours to translate it into human language.

[High-rank Dead Sea Stage: Nine-Colored Cloud Dream Flower] (Seven-Star Titan Moonquake Fox, Autumn Water Hundred Flower Fox Princess, Bloodbath Fox Sovereign, Weaver of the Sun, Blood Garden Phoenix Stage)
[Bloodline Talent: Cultivation Amplification]
[Spirit Beast Battle Techniques: Deep Sea – Possessing the Divine – O]

[High-rank Dead Sea Stage: Iron Jade Ice Scorpion]
[Bloodline Talent: Five-Leaf Clover]
[Spirit Beast Battle Techniques: Jade Shatter – Nether Stone – O]

[Saint-rank Dead Sea Stage: ??Frost Snow Woman??]
[Bloodline Talents: Ice Coffin, Sacred Relic]
[Spirit Beast Battle Techniques: Soul Embroidery – Frozen Domain – ∞]

[Saint-rank Dead Sea Stage: ?Ice Soul Cold Star?]
[Bloodline Talent: Sea Soul]
[Spirit Beast Battle Techniques: Death Tribulation – Ice Emperor City – ∞]

[Saint-rank Dead Sea Stage: ?Tyrant Demon Seed?]
[Bloodline Talent: Closed Moon]
[Spirit Beast Battle Techniques: Enhanced Leap – Moon Collapse – Hundred Refinements – War Mantle – ∞]

Examining the information, Gong Lianyue noticed that the Tyrant Demon Seed was already fully evolved!

Having once been a Sun and Moon Realm spirit beast, it had already completed its cultivation, reaching a peak unattainable by ordinary Saint-ranks.

Its ability to create an army of grotesque rabbit clones was its battle technique [Hundred Refinements], which allowed it to divide its spirit energy and create new life, essentially weaker versions of itself.

Both [Enhanced Leap] and [Moon Collapse] were self-buffing, active techniques, while the function of [War Mantle] was still inaccessible to Gong Lianyue, seemingly requiring Samsara Stage spirit energy to activate.

However, having spent some time in the Wind Realm, she had heard stories about the Tyrant Demon Seed from a hundred years ago.

It usually appeared as a grotesque, twisted monster, but during intense battles, it would don a moon-like armor.

That armor… must be the War Mantle!

And the key to the Tyrant Demon Seed’s incredible physical strength was its talent [Closed Moon], which allowed it to convert its spirit energy into physical strength.

Essentially, sacrificing mana for attack power. Of course, it couldn’t convert all of it at once, or it would become completely drained, unable to sustain a prolonged battle.

As for the Ice Soul Cold Star, the function of its talent, [Sea Soul], was still unknown, likely similar to the Tyrant Demon Seed’s War Mantle, inaccessible due to her insufficient spirit energy level.

And [Ice Emperor City] was that massive, twisting cube, a guaranteed kill against any target, preventing death until the cube dissipated.

[Death Tribulation], both offensive and defensive, was primarily used for defense.

But if the Ice Soul Cold Star used Death Tribulation offensively, it would be like… hitting someone with a shield…

However, as long as the Ice Soul Cold Star remained within Death Tribulation’s range, it was invincible.

The two new Saint-rank spirit beasts, one an elemental offensive type, the other a biological combat type, had significantly increased Gong Lianyue’s combat power!

---

While Gong Lianyue cultivated, a soft, white rabbit with floppy ears slept peacefully on the bed, while a small pink fox rolled and tumbled playfully on top of it.

The rabbit lay motionless, unresponsive. After all, the little fox was essentially a flower, light as a feather.

The Tyrant Demon Seed and the Nine-Colored Cloud Dream Flower seemed to be getting along…

In contrast, the Ice Soul Cold Star and the Frost Snow Woman, as water and ice-type spirit beasts, disliked the chaotic spirit energy of the Wind Realm and rarely ventured out.

Although seemingly asleep, the Tyrant Demon Seed had been tasked by its master with scouting the surroundings.

Because Gong Lianyue was about to do something very important!

She focused her consciousness on the storage space within the stone bracelet. The Swallow God and the black crown were stored in separate compartments, like two separate rooms, unable to interact.

With a whoosh, the black crown left behind by the Water Element appeared, landing in the girl’s hand.

The crown’s intricate design seemed more like a naturally occurring artifact than something crafted.

Its dark, shimmering surface was etched with swirling water patterns, flowing and shifting, a masterpiece of craftsmanship.

The black crown, left behind by the legendary Water Element, radiated a chilling aura…

Gong Lianyue, suppressing her unease, placed the crown on her head. It gave her the appearance of a noble empress, the spirit energy flowing around her body distorting strangely.

Swish, swish—

Instantly, both the little fox and the rabbit were forcibly recalled and sealed within her spirit space.

At the same time, Gong Lianyue could no longer sense the flow of spirit energy around her, as if she had lost her senses, entering a strange state.

She knew she hadn’t actually lost her senses. Her soul core was simply blocking the wind-attribute spirit energy.

Within her spirit space, the Nine-Colored Cloud Dream Flower and the Tyrant Demon Seed were inaccessible, their connection seemingly severed.

However, she could still summon the Iron Jade Ice Scorpion, the Frost Snow Woman, and the Ice Soul Cold Star.

Their only common trait… they were all related to the water attribute…

Wait…

Unable to absorb non-water-attribute spirit energy, unable to contract with non-water-type spirit beasts… Gong Lianyue recognized this state.

The world seemed empty, only the sound of dripping water reaching her ears.

This was… the Holy Water Body!!!

---

Chapter 152: The Holy Water Body

As if sinking into the endless depths of the ocean, only the sensation of falling and the sound of flowing water remained, all other senses fading.

The connection to the physical world blurred, while her spiritual awareness sharpened, the two diverging, like paths branching in opposite directions.

The spirit energy flowing within her became purer, holier, denser…

Whoosh~~~~

The next second, ripples spread outwards, and the girl, wearing the black crown, opened her eyes, her pupils swirling with water.

The Holy Water Body. It sounded like a flawed constitution, burdened by its limitations, restricted to the water element, practically useless.

But focusing solely on a single element allowed for complete mastery. Her mind and spirit, having sunk into the depths of the sea, had reached an incredible, wondrous state.

Her body, her will, her core, her mind, her blood, her spirit energy—all transformed into a sacred temple of water.

Such a transcendent state, a realm beyond the reach of ordinary human Spirit Masters.

This was… the Holy Water Body…!!!

“Ah-bah, ah-bah, ah-bah, ah-bah, ah-bah”

Gong Lianyue was completely immersed in this wondrous sensation. Thirty minutes passed unnoticed, until the clock on the back of her iris beeped, jolting her awake. She quickly removed the black crown.

The moment the crown was removed, the strange sensations vanished, and she returned to normal, as if nothing had happened.

After a long silence, Gong Lianyue exhaled deeply, a lingering sense of awe.

She hadn’t expected wearing the black crown to transform her into a Holy Water Body, the legendary water-type constitution, the ultimate dream of every water-attribute Spirit Master.

Only those who understood the Holy Water Body truly feared it.

With the Holy Water Body, one’s spiritual state reached a transcendent level, their cultivation speed skyrocketing. There was even a recorded case of someone reaching the Nether Traverse Stage in just three years!

Wearing the black crown, she became a Holy Water Body.

Removing it, she returned to normal.

She hadn’t expected the Water Element to leave behind such a valuable treasure…

Storing the black crown back in the stone bracelet, Gong Lianyue adjusted her appearance and hair, preparing for the upcoming Soul Prison Trial.

The alarm on the back of her iris was something she had set, a one-minute warning.

Although she had been informed that Spirit Masters wouldn’t participate in this trial, that it was a test of the spirit beasts’ independent judgment and actions, years of participating in the Soul Prison Trial had made these preparations a habit.

[Soul Prison Trial, Session 219]
[Soul Prison Trial, Fourth Level: Tower of Heaven]

Swish, swish, swish, swish!

Within the Soul Prison Trial, inside a massive tower that pierced the clouds, thousands of spirit beast auras suddenly appeared.

From all corners of the spirit world, countless spirit beasts had been forcibly summoned.

Mid-ranks as common as dogs, high-ranks everywhere, even a few Saint-ranks!

The fire-type overlord, the Desolate Fire Netherworld Rakshasa, its scorching aura creating a hundred-meter radius of empty space, all other creatures fearing incineration.

The ghost-type Hundred-Eyed Ghost Bride, grotesque purple eyeballs constantly sprouting from its spectral robes, a sanity-blasting sight.

The thousand-meter-long Abyssal Bloodbone Jiao, and the Libra Fighting Swallow, its body radiating a violent battle lust.

Before these powerful Saint-rank overlords, most other spirit beasts kept their distance, afraid to approach.

Hidden among them, the Frost Snow Woman, her beautiful face pale and cold, her shroud-like robe radiating a chilling aura, stood silently in a corner, like an unmelting block of ice.

The Iron Jade Ice Scorpion and the small Ice Spirit stood on either side of her, a clear display of loyalty to the Saint-rank Frost Snow Woman, a water-type team.

A small, adorable fox perched on the scorpion’s head, looking around in confusion.

1, 2, 3, 4…

It could still count to single digits. Weren’t they missing a rabbit?

Where had the rabbit gone? The little fox scanned the area.

Suddenly, instead of the Tyrant Demon Seed, it saw two figures it dreaded.

A pink flower and a green vine, swaying helplessly amidst the massive spirit beasts, a pitiful sight.

The Seven-Foot Sword Princess Flower and the Misty Heart Lotus!

The little fox quickly ducked its head, concealing its aura, afraid to be seen.

It hadn’t expected to encounter them here. How unlucky!

---

The fourth level of the Soul Prison Trial didn’t require the Spirit Master’s participation. It was a test of the spirit beasts’ independent judgment and actions.

Based on the usual time dilation, Gong Lianyue had expected her spirit beasts to return in the blink of an eye.

However, a second later, the world around her shifted, the Gray Citadel palace vanishing.

Her consciousness transported, the blue-haired, teardrop-eyed girl stood in a vast, empty, white space, looking around in confusion.

“Strange, is this the Soul Prison Trial? I thought Spirit Masters weren’t supposed to participate.”

Only her spirit beasts should have been sent in. Why was she here?

As Gong Lianyue explored the empty space, she sensed something strange about her soul core.

Except for the Tyrant Demon Seed, all her other spirit beasts were inaccessible, their connection severed. Only the Tyrant Demon Seed could be summoned!

Just then, a cold, female voice echoed in her mind.

[Detected high-aptitude, combat-type spirit beast meeting requirements.]

[Detected Spirit Master age below 50.]

[Detected Saint-rank spirit beast: Tyrant Demon Seed.]

[Evaluation complete. Requirements met.]

[Welcome to the Waterfall Lake Wonderland. By completing the trials within, your spirit beast will undergo a significant evolution.]

Unlike the mechanical voice of the Soul Prison Trial, this female voice, although cold, had a seductive quality.

The woman who recorded this message must have been incredibly beautiful…

Wait, the Waterfall Lake Wonderland!!!

Wasn’t that the legendary Jade Concubine of the Waterfall Lake’s spirit realm? Gong Lianyue was stunned.

Her Water Element had just been suspected of being the Jade Concubine, and now she had been summoned to the Waterfall Lake Wonderland.

It must be because of the Tyrant Demon Seed’s powerful combat talent…

Its aura was so unfamiliar, even its own mother wouldn’t recognize it. So, she could rule out the possibility of the Water Element being the Jade Concubine!!!

Chapter 149: The Woman Who Formed a Contract with a Legendary

The Yin Tomb mountain range. A torrent of spirit energy, a terrifying, bone-chilling pressure, converged upon the blue-haired girl at the summit.

Gong Lianyue, the Sorrowful Saintess of the Sea Concubine Palace!!!

Her water-blue hair dancing in the wind, she calmly surveyed her surroundings, her expression cold and indifferent, a baffling display of arrogance.

Just moments ago, this woman had single-handedly defeated the Four Guardians, her Water Element going berserk and stealing the legendary Overlord, a feat that had shocked all who witnessed it.

“Sorrowful Saintess, do you realize what you’ve done?”

“What is your relationship with that Water Element? Explain yourself!!”

Bang!

A woman’s sharp voice echoed, a blade of energy piercing the sky.

A massive silver fox, its body almost spanning the entire mountain range, materialized before Gong Lianyue.

Its graceful form, its fur shimmering with sword light.

Ah, this… it was the same form the little fox had used as a disguise in Gray Shadow Mountain, the high-rank Silverblade Fox!

Its master was a woman in a Firefly Palace uniform, her aura incredibly powerful, almost on par with the strongest Spirit Master Gong Lianyue had ever encountered, Shui Qinghou.

A Vice Palace Master, or perhaps the chief of the senior instructors…?

Gong Lianyue remained silent, her expression unchanged, then raised her hand, releasing a wave of spirit energy, a dense purple starlight spreading outwards like the tide.

The six teardrop beauty marks on her face shimmered faintly, radiating an oppressive aura.

Seeing this, the surrounding Spirit Masters gasped, even the Firefly Palace woman pausing in surprise.

Was she… challenging her?

She was a peak Nether Traverse Stage expert, just a step away from the Sun and Moon Realm. Why would this woman make such a reckless decision!?

Illumination, Dawn and Dusk, Dead Sea, Samsara, Nether Traverse, Sun and Moon—

It was common for Saint-rank Spirit Masters to defeat Dead Sea Stage opponents at the Illumination Stage, but a Dead Sea Stage Saint-rank defeating a Nether Traverse Stage expert? Impossible.

That was because…

Although the Samsara Stage seemed like a single level, it actually had six distinct sub-levels!!!

First Cycle, Second Cycle, Third Cycle, Fourth Cycle, Broken Cycle, Sixth Full Cycle. Each cycle was a world of difference, a significant leap in power.

This meant that for a Dead Sea Stage Spirit Master to defeat a Nether Traverse Stage opponent, they weren’t just crossing one level, but seven!

Standing at the top of the valley, Gong Lianyue and the Firefly Palace woman faced off, their auras clashing, a terrifying shockwave dividing the world into two, silver and blue, swirling dust and debris filling the air.

Neither yielded, creating the illusion of an even match!

“Stop. She has a Dual Soul Body. If this becomes a true battle, you might lose.”

“And… you’re aware of the Penetrating You Pool incident, right?”

Hearing the weak voice from below, everyone looked down. A silver liquid was coalescing into a humanoid form.

The Six-Faced God’s body was regenerating, its aura weak and faint, its appearance battered.

Hearing the mention of the Penetrating You Pool, the Firefly Palace woman’s face darkened. She glanced nervously at the Sorrowful Saintess, then at the Six-Faced God.

“Even if the Guardian says so, we still need to know her relationship with that Water Element.”

“And what exactly do you expect to find?” the Six-Faced God continued.

“What if she answers truthfully? Are you prepared to face the truth?”

“Hundreds of Wind Realm Spirit Masters were slaughtered, yet she emerged unscathed. Do you understand what that means?”

“…”
“…”

After a long silence, the Firefly Palace woman bowed respectfully and retreated into the crowd.

Although the official reports claimed the Water Element hadn’t been captured, besides the Firefly Palace’s Sword Emperor, the other two Emperors’ spirit beasts had been severely injured, on the verge of death.

No human could withstand the might of a legendary being. This was a bloody lesson learned from millennia of history.

The once mighty Penetrating You Pool had been annihilated by the Snow Monarch, not even a trace remaining.

This Water Element had taken the Shadowlurking Blade, Night’s Executioner. Wielding the power of two legendary beings, if it truly wanted to destroy a realm, it wouldn’t even take half a day.

Therefore, if the Sorrowful Saintess truly had a connection to the Water Element, the Wind Realm couldn’t afford to face that terrifying truth.

Seeing the Firefly Palace woman retreat, Gong Lianyue inwardly breathed a sigh of relief and withdrew the Ice Soul Cold Star’s aura.

The Dual Soul Pill’s effect had worn off, and the Tyrant Demon Seed was now contracted. Able to summon only two spirit beasts, she was no match for a Nether Traverse Stage expert in a direct confrontation.

“Sorrowful Saintess, may I ask you a question?”

“Do you know the reason behind the Water Element’s actions?”

Facing the Six-Faced God’s serious question, Gong Lianyue paused, then replied coldly,

“Our contract was severed. I can no longer sense its location or its state.”

“…”

Gong Lianyue’s simple words sent a wave of shock and disbelief through the Wind Realm Spirit Masters.

A look of terror appeared on the Six-Faced God’s mask, its chaotic aura fluctuating wildly.

“What? You had a contract with a legendary being?!”

They had assumed it was a temporary possession, a symbiotic relationship. This was unbelievable.

How could a legendary-rank spirit beast form a contract with a human Spirit Master…?

No, wait. There had been a recent example, right here in their vicinity!

The legendary being of the Cangsheng Palace, who had fallen in love with a mortal!

But that was an extremely rare exception. This couldn’t possibly be related to love again.

Just what kind of terrifying power did this woman possess, to make a legendary being willingly form a contract with her?!

The Spirit Masters exchanged shocked glances.

“Well, in that case, the Wind Realm will handle this matter on its own. I can still sense my master’s aura. It should be within the Cangsheng Palace.”

“Sorrowful Saintess, whether you wish to remain in the Wind Realm or return to the Sea Region is up to you.”

The Six-Faced God’s attitude shifted completely, its tone now polite and welcoming, though still tinged with fear.

If it weren’t for that terrified mask, Gong Lianyue might have actually believed it.

As for her own plans, she would first go to the Gray Citadel and return the Swallow God. And after that…

…

…

She would find the Water Element.

---

Chapter 150: Shaking Two Realms

–Storm Realm, Gray Shadow Mountain

Within Gray Shadow Mountain, the once stable balance of power, dominated by the Saintess’s faction, had been shattered, the Saintess Hall obliterated by an unexpected disaster.

Now, the Bone Saintess’s position had been usurped by Shui Qingyue, that arrogant bully who threatened to have anyone who offended her sent to the mines.

Shui Qingyue would be attending the Overlord’s birthday celebration in the Saintess’s place. This news filled Gray Shadow Mountain with unease.

Although the Bone Saintess’s influence had been considerable, she hadn’t openly abused her fellow disciples. This Shui Qingyue, however… who knew what she would do once she became Saintess?

“I won’t let this happen!!!”

The Bone Saintess, her body wrapped in bandages, limping slightly, walked towards the main hall.

As soon as she recovered, she had checked the records. That scorpion that had destroyed the Saintess Hall wasn’t a Wind Realm creature, but a Sea Region Iron Jade Ice Scorpion!

Although she didn’t understand why there was such a vast difference in power between the Giant Bone King and the Iron Jade Ice Scorpion, both high-rank, the Bone Saintess knew Shui Qingyue wouldn’t last long. She was a Sea Region spy! Once she informed the higher-ups, Shui Qingyue’s arrogance and schemes would be exposed.

Confident, the Bone Saintess entered the Gray Shadow Mountain main hall. The higher-ups should be in a meeting at this time!

“That Shui Qingyue is a Sea Region spy! She attacked me! Her spirit beast is a high-rank Iron Jade Ice Scorpion, a Sea Region specialty!”

The Bone Saintess announced loudly upon entering.

She had expected the higher-ups to be shocked and alarmed, but their reaction was… unexpected.

The senior instructors of Gray Shadow Mountain looked at her with a mixture of pity and surprise, as if she were someone who shouldn’t have survived.

The Bone Saintess was quite resilient, having survived an encounter with the Iron Jade Ice Scorpion, the same beast that had defeated the Windchaser Emperor?

As the Bone Saintess stared in confusion, Senior Instructor Feng Wan handed her a piece of paper.

The Bone Saintess glanced at it, then her pupils constricted.

[Gong Lianyue, the Sorrowful Saintess of the Sea Concubine Palace, defeated and subdued the Tyrant Demon Seed two weeks ago and infiltrated the Wind Realm through a hidden passage, undetected.]
[Gong Lianyue, disguised as “Shui Qingyue,” defeated the Bone Saintess a week ago and secured a spot at the Overlord’s birthday celebration.]
[Gong Lianyue’s true identity was exposed by the Gloomy Saintess of the Shadowcandle Temple during the Overlord’s birthday celebration.]
[Gong Lianyue, using a low-rank Ice Spirit, instantly defeated the Gloomy Saintess’s Wicked King of the Wind, then encountered the Windchaser Emperor.]
[Gong Lianyue, using a high-rank Iron Jade Ice Scorpion, suppressed the Windchaser Emperor.]
[Gong Lianyue, summoned the Saint-rank Frost Snow Woman and defeated the Windchaser Emperor, then encountered the Sleepless Sparrow.]
[Gong Lianyue, summoned the Saint-rank Blood Garden Phoenix Stage and forced the Sleepless Sparrow to retreat.]
[Gong Lianyue, facing the combined forces of the Wind Realm’s Four Guardians, summoned the Saint-rank Ice Soul Cold Star (true form of the Ice Spirit) and the Saint-rank Tyrant Demon Seed, confirming her Dual Soul Body.]
[Gong Lianyue, defeated the Four Guardians in ten minutes, then summoned a legendary-rank spirit beast resembling a Water Element.]
[The Six-Faced God, leader of the Four Guardians, attempted to intercept the Water Element but was defeated. The Water Element seized the legendary Shadowlurking Blade, Night’s Executioner, and with a single strike, devastated the Wind Realm forces before departing.]
[The Saintess delegation from the Sun-Seizing Divine Metropolis encountered the Water Element and was annihilated.]
[The Three Emperors attempted to intercept the Water Element but failed, allowing it to reach the Cangsheng Palace, where it disappeared.]
[Gong Lianyue, the Sorrowful Saintess, is suspected to be a Lord Attendant (one who serves a Realm Overlord).]

If reading about the Sorrowful Saintess defeating the Four Guardians had been shocking, then reaching the end left them speechless.

Not just the stunned Bone Saintess, but almost everyone was in disbelief. The Sorrowful Saintess… a Lord Attendant?

A legendary Water Element wielding a legendary demonic blade, a single strike devastating the Wind Realm forces… only those present could truly comprehend the terror of that moment.

The Sorrowful Saintess’s rampage during the Overlord’s birthday celebration sent shockwaves throughout the Wind Realm.

This earth-shattering news spread like wildfire.

It wouldn’t be long before the entire Sea Region also learned of it.

However, the panicked Wind Realm factions didn’t know that the Sea Region had already received the news.

The Ice Shield Palace of the Sea Region Alliance was the first to release the report on the Overlord’s birthday celebration!

---

The Sorrowful Saintess had a Dual Soul Body!

The Sorrowful Saintess had four Saint-rank spirit beasts!

The Sorrowful Saintess had single-handedly defeated the Wind Realm’s Four Guardians!

The Sorrowful Saintess was a Lord Attendant!

The Water Element was a legendary-rank being!

Never Forget Autumn Water, foremost of the Ten Sacred Waters of the spirit world!

Lord of the Nether Spring, the untouchable, purest being, ancestor of all water-type spirit beasts!

Jade Concubine of the Waterfall Lake, the most beautiful being in existence, ruler of the Waterfall Lake Wonderland, the legendary Martial Empress!

Based on appearance, aura, origin, compatibility, circumstances, and strength, these were the three legendary water-type beings it could possibly be.

Only the Lord of the Nether Spring had a title, indicating its combat prowess was on par with the Snow Monarch and the White Moon Lord.

Although the Jade Concubine of the Waterfall Lake had no title, she controlled a realm even more valuable than a title, the Waterfall Lake Wonderland. She was an uncrowned empress.

The most terrifying one was Never Forget Autumn Water, the daughter of the mythical-rank Azure Spring, Celestial Maiden!!!

Overnight, the name of the Sorrowful Saintess once again resounded throughout the Sea Region.

Who would have thought that ordinary, unremarkable Water Element was actually a legendary being!!!

However, some had guessed, and their number wasn’t small…

As the Overlord’s birthday celebration ended, the name of the Sorrowful Saintess, the Lord Attendant, shook both the Sea Region and the Wind Realm.

Amidst this chaotic frenzy, in a calm, azure region of the Sea Region, a ripple appeared.

The surface of the water, undisturbed by any wind, stirred, forming a massive whirlpool.

The shimmering vortex swirled, then calmed, the churning water subsiding.

The Winter Floating Sky Spirit Masters stationed there didn’t notice the chilling aura that had briefly emanated from the depths, a gaze from thousands of meters below scanning the surface.

This place, once known as the Sacred Land of the Sea Region, had commanded the obedience of dozens of realms, its power unmatched. It had also been reduced to ruins, its inhabitants annihilated, shattered and lost.

This was where the Penetrating You Pool had once ruled, the site of its destruction at the hands of the Snow Monarch…

After a thousand years, something was stirring once more!!!

Chapter 147: You Shall Be Crowned King

The blue-haired girl stood silently amidst the desolate, ravaged mountains, her expression calm and unreadable.

Although she could no longer sense the Water Element’s life force, a connection remained, like countless intertwined threads, unbreakable.

The legendary Water Element, previously suppressed by the Ice Soul Cold Star, had seized the Shadowlurking Blade, Night’s Executioner, another legendary being, and, after shattering its own life core with a single strike, had also shattered the soul cores of hundreds of Spirit Masters within the Yin Tomb, finally breaking free.

That was the apparent sequence of events, but Gong Lianyue didn’t believe it.

The terrifying power the Water Element had displayed was undeniable. It couldn’t have been suppressed by a mere Saint-rank spirit beast.

And it couldn’t have been waiting all this time just for the Shadowlurking Blade. It could have taken it by force long ago.

What was its true purpose…?

As Gong Lianyue pondered, a swirling mist began to rise around her, enveloping the area.

A few seconds later, a graceful figure emerged from the mist, her appearance completely transformed.

Long, flowing water-blue hair cascaded down to the ground, her long, slender legs exposed beneath her skirt, her… lower region… now resembling a… drooping plastic bag, accentuating her perfect curves.

Six ice-blue teardrop beauty marks adorned her face, her icy, teardrop eyes cold and indifferent, her appearance almost divine.

This stunning form bore a striking resemblance to the Water Element’s humanoid form, like mother and daughter!

Or rather, the Water Element had modeled its appearance after her, because legendary-rank elemental spirit beasts had no fixed initial form, often mimicking those they were familiar with.

This was the Sorrowful Saintess’s true form, the appearance of one who had given birth to a legendary companion spirit beast!

With the Water Element’s legendary status revealed, there was no longer any need to conceal this divine form. The Ice Soul Cold Star released the seal, allowing Gong Lianyue to return to her true self.

Her current beauty surpassed even human standards.

Swish, swish—

Gong Lianyue recalled the Ice Soul Cold Star and the Frost Snow Woman, then turned her gaze towards the Tyrant Demon Seed, lying on the ground, barely clinging to life.

The Wind Realm’s Four Guardians, having formed contracts with the legendary demonic blade, could be revived even if they died. Their soul cores would simply reform.

The Shadowlurking Blade, Night’s Executioner, had been taken by force. As long as the contract hadn’t been broken, they would be fine.

The other spirit beasts from the Wind Realm factions, however, had been innocently slaughtered, their Spirit Masters merely unconscious from shattered soul cores, able to recover and revive their spirit beasts later.

There was only one exception: the rabbit.

The silver rabbit woman whimpered and twitched on the ground, her soul core split in two, on the verge of death.

As the only wild spirit beast present, with no Spirit Master to help it regenerate, it was dying, its situation desperate.

Gong Lianyue walked towards the silver rabbit woman, her cold, oppressive aura causing it to open its eyes slightly, a desperate plea for survival in its beautiful, blood-red eyes.

“Do you wish to form a contract with me, to become my spirit beast, to be with me always, never to leave my side?”

“…”

Hearing the blue-haired girl’s cold voice, the Tyrant Demon Seed couldn’t even move its eyelids, but the excitement in its eyes was undeniable.

Gong Lianyue would save the Tyrant Demon Seed. It had helped her defeat the Six-Faced God.

And now, with the Water Element gone, she had an empty slot in her soul core, perfect for the Tyrant Demon Seed.

Boom!!

The next second, a silver aura surged, Saint-rank power erupting throughout the valley.

To survive, the Tyrant Demon Seed abandoned its Sun and Moon Realm cultivation, its freedom and long lifespan as a wild spirit beast, willingly becoming the girl’s companion.

[Saint-rank Dead Sea Stage: ?Ice Soul Cold Star?]
[High-rank Dead Sea Stage: Nine-Colored Cloud Dream Flower]
[High-rank Dead Sea Stage: Iron Jade Ice Scorpion]
[Saint-rank Dead Sea Stage: ??Frost Snow Woman??]
[Saint-rank Dead Sea Stage: ?Tyrant Demon Seed?]

Although the moonlight-attribute Tyrant Demon Seed’s true form was incredibly beautiful, its aesthetic sense was… distorted.

It often used its talent to create grotesque and disturbing rabbit-like creatures, sanity-blasting abominations.

A rabbit with 100,000 abs was relatively tame. Have you ever seen a pulsating sphere of flesh with only rabbit mouths…?

After a few minutes of sifting through the Tyrant Demon Seed’s… interesting… memories, Gong Lianyue sighed wearily.

Perhaps due to the increased weight of her… lower region, her body felt unusually heavy.

The silver rabbit woman was now sealed within the Frost Snow Woman’s Ice Coffin. It seemed, besides healing its injuries, she would also have to… re-educate it regarding aesthetics.

The Sorrowful Saintess had successfully contracted the Tyrant Demon Seed!

---

In the Ten Citadels’ designated area, the unconscious girls lay scattered on the ground, the green-haired maid among them.

Clone number 217 of the Wrathful Saintess, barely clinging to life, twitched slightly as she heard approaching footsteps.

Something was placed in her mouth, a surge of spirit energy flowing through her body, and she slowly regained consciousness.

Helped to her feet, Luo Kuxin clutched her head, her vision blurry, instinctively reporting,

“Ten minutes ago, a legendary Water Element seized the Wind Realm Overlord and left the Wind Realm. The Sun-Seizing Divine Metropolis delegation, attempting to intercept it, was annihilated. Only shattered cores, no Spirit Master deaths.”

“Five minutes ago, Sun and Moon Realm Spirit Masters from the Firefly Palace, Gray Citadel, and Shadowcandle Temple also failed to stop the Water Element.”

“Two minutes ago, the Water Element vanished at the entrance to the Cangsheng Palace’s realm!”

Having delivered her report, clone number 217 finally regained her senses, her vision clearing.

She stared at the breathtakingly beautiful, blue-haired girl before her, her revealing attire accentuating her curves, a trickle of green blood flowing from her nose.

“Three seconds ago, my estrogen levels surged, and the seed within this clone’s body began to… spawn.”

“In other words, I’m pregnant!!!”

Meanwhile, Gong Lianyue, having only heard the part about the Water Element, was lost in thought.

She suddenly realized she had overlooked something important…

Where was the Swallow God? Had she been taken away?

Suddenly, Gong Lianyue felt a strange spirit energy fluctuation emanating from the stone bracelet on her wrist.

Opening the storage space, she froze, staring at the contents.

A black-haired girl, covered in spirit artifact restraints, He Daoqi, the Swallow God. The Water Element had moved her from the Crystal Chamber.

And in the corner of the storage space, a dark, shadowy crown radiated a sinister aura…

Was that… the Water Element’s black crown?!

You shall be crowned king.jpg

---

T/n:

你将加冕为王(You shall be crowned king): Chinese meme

---

Chapter 148: Water-type Legendary

“What happened!?”

“What happened while I was gone!!!”

The Sleepless Sparrow circled the Yin Tomb, its wings flapping, letting out a terrified shriek.

The entire valley was drenched in blood, a gruesome, chilling sight. Just which spirit beast had lost so much blood?

It had only been gone for ten minutes! How could everyone be dead?!

Meanwhile, in a shadowed corner, Gong Lianyue, ignoring the Sleepless Sparrow, helped the weakened green-haired maid to her feet.

The Water Element had abandoned her, but for some reason, it had left behind its black crown…

Was this a sign of lingering attachment, or a promise of its eventual return?

Regardless, it both unsettled and comforted Gong Lianyue. She hadn’t felt any different, yet she also felt… empty, as if she had lost a part of herself.

She hadn’t examined the black crown yet. Dealing with the aftermath of the Water Element’s actions was more important.

“Gong Lianyue, your Water Element has really caused quite a stir~~~”

Leaning weakly against the blue-haired girl’s soft chest, the Wrathful Saintess, her face pale, her movements sluggish like a pregnant woman, forced a smile despite the pain.

The Wind Realm Overlord was gone, the Four Guardians defeated, and countless elites slaughtered. Even if they discovered the connection between the Water Element and Gong Lianyue, the Wind Realm factions wouldn’t dare to retaliate.

After all, the Water Element was a legendary being. How could the Sorrowful Saintess possibly control it?

Therefore, Gong Lianyue was safe. It was the Sea Region they should be worried about, wondering if they would use this opportunity to invade.

“By the way, judging from its actions, can you tell what the Water Element’s true name is?”

As they were about to leave the shadows, Gong Lianyue turned and asked softly.

After a moment of thought, the green-haired maid shook her head, then said,

“I can’t, but the Firefly Palace higher-ups just issued an announcement, narrowing down the Water Element’s identity to three legendary spirit beasts.”

[First: Never Forget Autumn Water]

The daughter of the mythical-rank Azure Sky Maiden, known as the foremost of the Ten Sacred Waters of the spirit world.

A legendary-rank, weapon-type, water-attribute, possession-type spirit beast—Never Forget Autumn Water. Its existence was fleeting. Those who forgot it would permanently lose their spirit energy, becoming ordinary mortals.

[Second: Lord of the Nether Spring]

The ancient progenitor of the Variant Water Emperor, the Flowing Shadow, the Serpentine Nether River, and the Watery Years, four Saint-rank water-type spirit beasts, practically the ancestor of all water-type spirit beasts.

A legendary-rank, elemental-type, water-attribute, mysterious-type spirit beast—Lord of the Nether Spring. Its liquid form was the purest and most pristine in existence, untainted by even a speck of dust, unable to be touched or interacted with physically.

[Third: Jade Concubine of the Waterfall Lake]

Her beauty was unparalleled, a single red dot adorning her forehead, her appearance unmatched throughout all realms.

A legendary-rank, biological-type, water-attribute, combat-type spirit beast—Jade Concubine of the Waterfall Lake, the invincible empress among combat types, ruler of the Waterfall Lake Wonderland.

The Waterfall Lake Wonderland was similar to the Soul Prison Trial, but only those with combat-type spirit beast aptitude were summoned, its scale and scope smaller.

“So they’ve narrowed it down to these three…?”

Gong Lianyue muttered to herself, helping the green-haired maid out of the shadows.

The moment they appeared, the Sleepless Sparrow in the sky spotted them.

“Ah!!”

“Sorrowful Saintess, was this your doing!?”

The Sleepless Sparrow shrieked, then, forcing itself to appear brave, demanded an answer.

The faint auras of its companions filled it with terror. Facing the blue-haired girl, its feathers stood on end, its body trembling uncontrollably.

It still couldn’t believe the Six-Faced God had lost, nor could it comprehend how anyone could have caused such devastation in such a short time. Even its master’s aura was gone. What had this Sorrowful Saintess done?!

Facing the Sleepless Sparrow’s accusations, Gong Lianyue slowly raised her head, her cold, teardrop eyes narrowing, and uttered a single word,

“Scram.”

“…”
“…”

A chilling aura, like falling into an icy abyss, washed over the Sleepless Sparrow, almost causing it to faint. It froze, its eyes wide with terror.

How was this possible? This Sorrowful Saintess was just a human Spirit Master. How could she radiate such a terrifying aura?

And in just ten minutes, she seemed to have become even more beautiful, more menacing…

The Sleepless Sparrow watched as the Sorrowful Saintess and the green-haired maid reached the top of the mountain, a strange surge of spirit energy erupting.

A faint, green glow enveloped the maid, a powerful spirit energy almost filling the entire mountain range.

“Reinforcements will arrive in two or three minutes. I’ll try to minimize the damage. That way, we might still have a chance against the Sun and Moon Realm Spirit Masters.”

“So, this is where we part ways… Oh, and if you’re interested in this body, you can request number 217 as your personal maid from the Ice Shield Palace~~~”

“Wait, is Luo Kuxin’s original body also this… forward?”

Hearing the green-haired maid’s suggestive words, Gong Lianyue was slightly curious.

However, the moment she spoke, the maid turned, her face flushed.

She gazed at the blue-haired girl with a lovestruck expression.

“I’m only like this with you. After all, I’m carrying your child~~”

“?”

Before Gong Lianyue could react, the green-haired maid exploded, turning into a puddle of green goo.

The goo spread outwards, forming a patch of vibrant green grass, its life force surging, countless green sprouts erupting.

The sprouts swayed and danced, then rapidly grew, transforming into a massive green lotus.

The Misty Heart Lotus, a Saint-rank spirit beast!

A torrent of green energy, like a downpour, accompanied by a powerful wind, swept through the valley, reaching every corner.

A few seconds later, the lifeless valley, now drenched in green rain, was revitalized.

The Wind Realm Spirit Masters, their soul cores shattered, began to stir, and the auras of the defeated Four Guardians slowly recovered.

Clone number 217 of the Wrathful Saintess, sacrificing herself, had awakened the Misty Heart Lotus, healing the unconscious Spirit Masters.

At this moment, not only the Spirit Masters in the valley, but reinforcements from the Wind Realm also arrived.

Countless Samsara Stage Spirit Masters, numerous Nether Traverse Stage Spirit Masters, and the auras of Saint-rank spirit beasts, all converged on the blue-haired girl at the top of the mountain.

“Judging by her tone, it seems she can revive…?”

Feeling the overwhelming pressure of the approaching forces, Gong Lianyue’s blue hair whipped wildly around her, her expression unchanged, as she muttered to herself.

An inexplicable air of indifference, because what she was about to face… was the entire Wind Realm!