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Chapter 231: In the Shadow of Radiance

A space passage to an unknown world?

Hmm… Speaking of which, I can indeed feel some unstable fluctuations from above, but they’re quite subtle and can only be detected when you’re really close.

Sorting through the not-so-extensive content in the [Information Detection], Miss Vilyric gradually started to understand.

That profound magic called [Heaven and Earth Sealing] is undoubtedly the powerful spatial blockade shrouding the Ancient Spirit Realm. It doesn’t matter who initiated this, but it seems this Mirror Valley was formed precisely because of that overwhelming power.

The inexplicably existing crystals in this valley were formed by magic to stabilize the spatial lock, but due to the erosion of that unknown force, the crystals mutated, and their original purpose to lock the space seemingly reversed.

Some individuals couldn’t withstand the chaotic powers attached to the crystals and would foam at the mouth, faint, or even go insane upon approaching. Meanwhile, sufficiently strong beings would be randomly teleported under its influence, leading to an increasing number of bizarre events, causing the Mirror Valley to gradually become one of the ten deadliest places in the Ancient Spirit Realm.

So, those who went missing might have perished in the spatial turbulence during teleportation, or perhaps they’re not dead but simply sent to some other unknown world?

Good heavens… Is this like a plot twist with a truck from another world?

“Vilyric, what are you dazing about? If you find it, hurry up and act, this is just the first one!”

A sudden reminder from Miss Xiao Kong snapped the black-haired girl from her thoughts. She glanced at the cat girl, whose expression remained quite indifferent to the danger of this situation, and nodded slightly.

“Right… Let’s try using the thing we got from Lingyin Fairy Island earlier; I hope it’ll be of help.”

…

Just as the so-called competition in the Mirror Valley, which was actually a searching and repairing preliminary preparation, was in full swing, Princess Ling and Dan’er, among others, were doing something else outside the valley camp.

“It should be right here, Miss Ling Feng! Is it okay to place it here?”

As she used a special instrument deeply inserted in the ground to measure certain values, Miss Dan’er, dressed in an ornate robe, carefully calculated. After brushing some dirt from under her, she turned to the gray-haired girl not far away and shouted.

Ling Feng walked alongside a certain princess and, after a quick glance at the massive drafts she wrote on paper, smiled slightly.

“As an expert in spiritual vein studies who passed through multiple screenings, I naturally respect your judgment. Everyone, let’s get to work.”

“Yes!”

Several strong soldiers from the Spirit Nation moved forward immediately, carrying a giant, heavy stake made entirely of a special metal, its surface intricately etched with mysterious patterns. They began to slowly drive it into the ground at the spot calculated by Miss Dan’er until it was entirely submerged and disappeared from sight.

To date, they had already buried at least ten such stakes around the Mirror Valley, but this only accounted for barely one-tenth of the total project.

Not only they; personnel from the other three nation directions were also setting up similar items, but very few truly knew their purpose. It was only known that they were part of the foundation for constructing some kind of magic array.

Looking up at the sky, Ling Feng let her gaze sweep past the damp spot at Dan’er’s temples and pondered briefly before waving her hand.

“Everyone, take a break for a while. We’ll continue working half an hour later. We must finish all the work before our scheduled time… Bai’er, anything moving over there?”

The young guard approached and shook her head.

“No messages from the other three groups; everything seems stable. My lord, are we being a bit too cautious? With such a powerful military, how could they dare strike at the united forces of the four nations? Even if there is a formidable demon, that’s a matter for the strong, so what are normal troops guarding against? Surely a bunch of evil demons wouldn’t just pop up out of nowhere?”

Ling Feng did not concur and offered no further explanation.

“Have you forgotten the scene beneath the Tidal Depths Valley so quickly? Nothing is impossible. Before the chaos of the evil demons descended, who could’ve predicted the entire Ancient Spirit Realm civilization would vanish into thin air? Stay alert; all watchposts must remain vigilant, tightly monitor things, and maintain communication with the other three defenses. Go.”

“Alright… I’ll go issue the orders right away.”

Once Bai’er hurriedly left, Ling Feng looked at the silver-haired girl beside her, who seemed emotionless and not quite human, and pondered for a moment before dismissing everyone around and tentatively asked.

“Spirit Lady, are you alright?”

Ceasing her measuring, Hen raised her head, returning a blank but calm gaze, as expressionless as ever.

“What do you mean? If you’re referring to the plans, they are progressing steadily.”

“No, I’m talking about you, your body…”

“…”

Slightly furrowing her brow without revealing it, the silver-haired girl’s tone carried an almost imperceptible emotion, a little wave called [Displeasure], akin to a moment of dissonance in a master tuning artist’s composition, leaving her feeling unsettled.

“Who told you?”

Realizing this was likely a confirmation of her earlier statement, Miss Ling Feng’s calm and elegant gaze narrowed slightly.

“So it’s true… It makes sense now; I found it strange when I heard about your extraordinary growth rate. Everything in the world follows a pattern. How could one gain without paying any price…”

After hesitating for a moment, the gray-haired girl asked.

“So, what are you planning to do next? Are you just going to calmly accept that moment’s arrival?”

A peculiar light crossed Hen’s silver eyes as she raised an eyebrow.

“Are you concerned about me? You should understand that if this succeeds, the Ancient Spirit Realm will no longer need the Spirit Lady. Whether I exist or not, it won’t matter much for the Spirit Nation.”

“What are you even saying? Is a person’s life something to be measured in terms of benefit and value? Do you really think I’m so selfish that I only consider things from a utilitarian perspective?!”

In response to Ling Feng’s sudden outburst, which captured some attention from afar, the silver-haired girl remained blandly expressionless.

“Who you are doesn’t matter. As long as you’re still in that position and called the West Saint Jun Yan Feng, you can’t act freely. It’s even impossible for you to show your true self, let alone to others?”

“That’s not the same thing! Don’t change the topic, Spirit Lady. While our interactions may have elements of self-interest, I truly hope you might…”

“In that case, why not just call me by my name?”

“…What?”

“I’m saying, why do you only call me Spirit Lady?”

Ling Feng was momentarily taken aback, but the silver-haired girl continued calmly.

“Your Majesty, I don’t deny you’re a good person, but your rationality outweighs your emotions. In your heart, my existence as [Hen] undoubtedly holds less weight than [Spirit Lady]. And in this world, only she will consider me as Hen… That’s enough. This is my fate, and it’s my own choice. You don’t need to force yourself.”

“…”

The graceful and elegant gray-haired girl remained silent for a long time, her usually gentle face now displaying a hint of uncertainty.

After a moment, she finally collected herself and wore a look of mild resignation.

“Have you really made up your mind?”

“I think this is one of the few decisions in my life that fully belongs to me; though brief, it’s already satisfying.”

“May I ask when you began to lose that power? Or rather, when did the changes start?”

Surprisingly, a hint of astonishment flickered across Hen’s usually emotionless face.

“You seem to know more than I expected; this is beyond your capacity.”

“I’ll let you know the reason; that was my purpose in bringing it up. So, can you help me understand? This doesn’t carry any ulterior motives, nor is it a command. I just think that even those who remain unnoticed behind the glow deserve recognition for their achievements… This is the only thing I can do for you.”

Gazing into Ling Feng’s kind eyes, the silver-haired girl pondered for a while, then finally nodded.

“After the Four Saints Selection Tournament begins.”

“…That’s almost the same time he brought it up to me; your background is indeed significant.”

Ling Feng nodded, expressing a bit of realization.

“Let’s go; I’ll take you to meet him. You two should get along quite well.”

At this, the Spirit Lady, who should have been knowledgeable and foreseeing, showed a hint of confusion.

“Who?”

“Well… The One-eyed Mystic. Have you heard that name before?”