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Chapter 114: A First Meeting, A Long Time No See~

Without a doubt, this silver light pattern is a sealing formation.

Just like the【Seven Star Evil Town Seal】 that Miss Vilyric had seen before, although this is a higher level, its essence is actually quite similar, likely crafted by the same existence.

While the vast space before me is already quite spectacular, the silver light pattern surrounding the giant pillar is clearly only a part of the entire sealing formation, even just a small part.

The true core is probably still buried deep underground, using the Six-Way Array Palace as its center, suppressing a certain chaotic beast’s body in the depths of the chaotic secret realm. Here, where Miss Vilyric stands, holds some exceptions.

Indeed, it’s this Taotie that, for some reason, has extended part of its body beyond the ground. Although Miss Vilyric hasn’t seen the entirety of that chaotic beast, its size undoubtedly far exceeds any living being the Priestess has ever seen.

Even that fire giant from the【Fantasy Realm】—the【God of Blazing Flames】—only stood a few thousand meters tall, while Taotie’s observable body alone has already far surpassed that range.

While power doesn’t always correlate with size, it essentially equates to destructive capability, not to mention that【Taotie】 is a formidable enemy that even the【Most Holy God Fox】 needed to personally intervene to seal away.

No wonder Miss Xiao Kong is so wary.

It seems Taotie, although sealed, isn’t completely contained. Miss Vilyric is unsure why the God Fox didn’t seal this portion underground as well, but undeniably, this method has left unstable roots.

However, the Priestess isn’t focused on that right now.

At the end of this empty, quiet corridor, a figure stands silently atop the silver light pattern, facing away from Miss Vilyric, observing the Taotie that is bound in the center.

It’s a girl.

She has striking silver hair, nearly the same color as the light patterns underfoot, tall and slender, yet perfectly proportioned.

Dressed in a light blue fitted robe, she has an elegant appearance with a dash of spirited charisma under her hair that conceals her fair neck and dust. Just standing there, her majestic and noble aura radiates from the underground sealing’s scorching waves, instilling a sense of awe and submission.

Hanging from the girl’s waist is an ancient square jade of white and green, exuding a gentle warmth that shields her from the environment’s high temperatures and active energy. Her slender, translucent-gloved wrists rest behind her, seemingly in deep thought, or perhaps waiting for something.

Sensing the presence and footsteps of an outsider, she quickly turns, locking eyes with the silver-blue gaze of the Priestess.

A trance…

It feels like a long-awaited reunion, yet eerily new at the same time.

They both fall into an uncanny silence.

“…”

As their eyes meet, after a long moment, Miss Vilyric smiles, and her somewhat sentimental voice echoes in this tranquil space.

“Should I say… it’s a first meeting?”

“…”

A familiar cold yet enchanting face, a sharp gaze that feels almost too recognizable, but the response brings a slight sense of loss to the black-haired girl.

“You know me.”

Hen’s voice remains as crisp and confident as she remembers, nearly indistinguishable from her memories, and in that instant, Miss Vilyric feels like she has returned to that day in the game called【Fantasy World】, back to when they first met.

Or perhaps to an even earlier time, a moment from a long-vanished past.

The girl smiles again, trying to keep her swirling emotions at bay, calmly replying.

“Perhaps, I know someone who looks very much like you… in every way, but I can’t be sure if you are her. I intended to find the answer today, but it seems you don’t know either.”

The silver-haired girl nods and takes half a step forward, as always maintaining the initiative in the conversation.

“So, who are you?”

“Hehe, good question.”

Gradually settling down from the turbulence of their long-lost reunion, Miss Vilyric catches up with the topic thus led by the other.

She knows Hen is such a strong-willed person; though her words are always concise, seemingly impeccable, and unwavering, from the fleeting glances exchanged, it’s clear that the other’s heart isn’t as calm as it appears.

She delivers a powerfully understated retort.

“You ask who I am, but in truth, haven’t you been the one guiding me here all along?”

Surprised by this statement, the silver-haired girl subtly raises an eyebrow; her cold demeanor softens just a touch with a hint of appreciation.

“I haven’t guided anyone… At least prior to this, I was unaware of your existence, merely doing what I had to do.”

She still doesn’t approach, speaking softly.

“Prove it, prove you are the person I’ve been waiting for. If you are, you should know what to do.”

“Ah yes, of course ~”

Miss Vilyric feels a long-lost, heartfelt joy and emotion.

Just so, it should be so ~

This harmony, akin to gears locking together seamlessly, is the key to her becoming inseparable close friends with Hen.

Just a few brief words, or even just a slight trace left behind, can easily reveal what the other wishes to express.

This kind of comfort is distinctly different from the intimate trust shared with Little Dragon Daughter; it embodies a conceptual resonance of a different nature.

In that moment, Miss Vilyric fully understands.

The girl before her is indeed that long-lost dear partner, with perhaps some differences, yet her essence remains unmistakable.

She is Hen.

Without keeping her waiting, Miss Vilyric raises her hand, summoning a dazzling magic circle.

“Contract Summoning: Pup.”

A golden giant dog slowly emerges from it, radiating an aura of ancient power and ferocity, letting out a low growl.

“Roar…”

It scans the surrounding environment, its gaze sweeping across the empty silver space, ultimately landing on the robust pillar at the center and the silver-haired girl standing before it.

【My lord… I sense a dangerous aura.】

“Hmm.”

Clearly, Ya Zi, being the child of the Ancestor Dragon, is highly sensitive to a being like Taotie, which is said to be directly linked to【Destruction】. Even without knowing the situation, it instantly detects the anomaly.

Patting the instinctively protective giant dog’s head, which is baring its teeth towards Hen, Miss Vilyric gently comforts.

“It’s alright, Pup, I’m not asking you to fight. Just show your true form to her.”

【True form?】

The big golden dog blinks for a moment, but then quickly comprehends the more detailed information conveyed through the contract. After a moment’s hesitation, it nods slightly.

【…Understood. If this is my lord’s wish, I shall comply. Please stand back.】

“Okay.”

Ya Zi turns its fierce eyes towards the still-standing silver-haired girl, who doesn’t interrupt their exchange, falling silent for a moment before unleashing a roar akin to a dragon but unlike a beast!

“Roar!!!!”

Its body rapidly swells, dark red blood filling its fierce eyes, golden fur gradually transforming into thick scales, and its limbs and claws sharpen considerably, with a curved horn resembling a sword sprouting from its head—something a dog wouldn’t normally possess.

“Whoo!!”

With a mighty sweep of its enormous tail, it slices through the air with a sound akin to tearing cloth, its dominating ferocity bursting forth in a maddened surge!

“Buzz ~”

The gem hanging from the spirit girl’s waist radiates light, creating an invisible barrier that isolates the fierce intent. She isn’t intimidated by this overwhelming wild energy or the pressure from the beast’s savage might; instead, a distinct change in her expression finally appears.

That is a smile of【joy】.

“Son of the Dragon, Ya Zi, good, you are the one I’ve been waiting for… the destined one.”