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Chapter 260: The Second Turning Point

Until the final stream of light shot into the sky, disappearing into the void above the Underworld, the Ferryman extracted the long pole from the river and gazed at the Fox-eared Girl still standing in place, her expression hidden behind the mask.

The grand feat just accomplished seemed to be created by her hands, but in reality, the Ferryman merely played a role as a fulcrum; the true might that moved such miracles came from the one before him.

【You… have changed more than before.】

“Oh? Really? More specifically?”

【Stronger, more complex, yet clearer. The influence of the wheel of fate on you seems to be weakening.】

The triangular Fox ears atop the White Fox Girl’s head twitched playfully, as if laughing.

“You’re still as difficult to understand as before.”

However, she truly saw the essence behind the phenomenon.

Without a doubt, Miss Vilyric was now stronger than she had ever been as the Spiritual Fox Priestess.

The profound meaning of ultimate skills is the peak of a law; according to the memories left by Ming Xi, gods might inherently possess divine realms and divine sparks, but not every god can master their exclusive ultimate skills. Only by comprehending and developing the concepts they represent to the limit…

Or rather, only by becoming a Supreme God can one unleash such overwhelming, world-reversing power.

The past Ming Xi could perhaps wield the ultimate skill 【Flower of the Other Shore as Blood, the Reversal of Yin and Yang】, a formidable ability capable of reversing the life and death of an entire world, but the price to be paid would undoubtedly be more than what Vilyric faces now.

After checking her SP reserves, determining that it wasn’t yet at a level requiring magical recovery, Miss White Fox looked again at the Ferryman.

“Well, I’ll be heading back now. Thanks for everything ~”

【This is your own power; no need for thanks. Additionally, did you…】

“Hmm?”

The head made of blue flames swayed gently, sending ripples through the air.

【It’s nothing. Go on and handle things in the mortal realm.】

“What the heck… getting so mysterious again. Fine, see you next time!”

After saying her goodbyes, the girl soared once more towards the now-dim sky of the Underworld, quickly vanishing from sight.

Everywhere, the Flowers of the Other Shore danced joyfully, as if bidding farewell to their long-lost nurturer. The Ferryman stared at where she had just disappeared for a long time, lost in thought.

【Bold enough to wield two powers at once, what are you really after, old friend…】

Left with an unclear sigh, the Ferryman, almost fused with the ferry, shook the long pole as he headed towards the distant tranquil river, disappearing into the shadows.

…

When consciousness returned to her own body, Vilyric’s fingers had just finished strumming the strings; the song was complete.

In fact, the ultimate skill 【Flower of the Other Shore as Blood, the Reversal of Yin and Yang】 did not necessarily need to be activated through music. It was merely shaped that way due to Ming Xi’s personal interests.

From the memories left behind, it seemed this individual had a fondness for beautiful art, whether it was music, painting, calligraphy, or even dancing—skills she possessed leaned towards assistance, creation, and coordination rather than causing widespread destruction.

Regarding the relationship between the Spiritual Fox Priestess and the God Fox of the Void Trace, it had always felt akin to the bond between a military strategist and a general—each excelling in different areas.

Hmm… or perhaps describing it as a Fox Strategist would be better?

Well, setting aside the trivial jabs for now, there was something crucial that needed to be handled next.

The evil demons rampaging in the Ancient Spirit Realm were merely concepts derived from nameless, cataclysmic entities—servants and subordinates from two generations ago—not strong enough to pose a significant threat against both the Spiritual Fox Priestess and the God Fox.

With the full power of the ultimate skill 【Flower of the Other Shore as Blood, the Reversal of Yin and Yang】, Vilyric was confident she could wipe out all level 80 and below weaklings, but dealing with stronger entities directly through wide-area attacks would be difficult.

After all, the main function of this ultimate skill lies in reversing life and death, resurrecting the recently deceased, and weakening foes; it’s a support ability, not a primary attacking magic like 【Ultimate Skill: Light】 or 【Ultimate Skill: Divine Punishment】.

As for the true top-tier forces that could threaten the Ancient Spirit Realm…

Following the perception spreading from the ultimate magic, Vilyric’s view swept across the chaos below, where the chaotic trees were still engaged in fierce combat with the divine army, ultimately locking onto two presences that towered far above all demons and beings, along with the divine authority descending upon this world.

The brilliance flashed, and the mysterious tree transformed into a silver blade within her palm. Gazing at it, the White Fox Girl couldn’t help but feel emotions stirring within her.

“【Blade of the Void Trace】… so the true answer has long been before me. That guy is quite mischievous.”

She brought the silver blade down, pointing it towards a far-off edge.

Originally, without a set coordinate, the Blade of the Void Trace wouldn’t be able to accomplish such teleportation, but… this situation was an exception.

“Open the path for me, guiding me to my true master.”

Silver light erupted, engulfing the White Fox Girl and vanishing without a trace.

…

Outside the Mirror Valley, the defense line of the Spirit Kingdom.

Awakening as if from a deep and distant slumber, the quiet awareness slowly opened its eyes, and the girl named Lihai returned to the real world.

“What is this…?”

“Bai’er!!!”

The sudden warm embrace caught the girl off guard; she instinctively tried to push the other away but instantly recognized the identity of her hugger, her face turning red as she helplessly spread her arms outward, feeling somewhat at a loss.

“L-Ling Feng, what are you doing?!”

But the gray-haired girl just scolded her in a voice filled with tears, tightening her embrace. The strong scent of blood from the battle pressed into her nose, but the softness and demeanor of her body were a beauty Bai’er had never felt before.

“You silly girl! You foolish girl! Why would you dash straight like that! Have you forgotten my lineage? Even if hit like that, I might not die, you big fool!”

“Ah…”

Listening to her lord’s lament while still somewhat dazed, as if her soul hadn’t adjusted back to her body yet, Bai’er recollected the bizarre trees that suddenly emerged from the ground, attacking her busy-in-battle Master Ling Feng, and then… she unconsciously pushed her away, only to be pierced through by a sharp branch, recalling those dead memories.

Unsure of what to say, Bai’er could only laugh awkwardly.

“Ehhehe… It’s my duty to protect my lord! When I saw danger, I didn’t think much about it; my body just moved. I thought being a warrior would help me withstand it, who knew that thing was so strong, it really just killed me in one shot…”

This was a lie.

From the beginning, Ling Feng knew why this girl had taken the initiative to be her protector, why she insisted on keeping her safe even at the cost of her own life. Bai’er certainly understood as well; they had mutually understood this long ago, but had never broken that window paper… to maintain their respectful relationship, lest they end up not even being friends.

However, after what happened today, witnessing a loss firsthand, could she truly ignore the feelings of the girl before her?

Thinking this, Ling Feng gently released the girl she thought would never feel warmth again, her expression complex.

The latter seemed to have sensed her lord’s hesitation and glanced at the battlefield that had reversed following the arrival of the divine army and ultimate powers, quickly changing the topic.

“By the way, where did those giant suits of armor come from? And I clearly died, so why am I alive again? Did you use some secret method to save me, or turn my body into a puppet or something, preserving my soul and consciousness?”

“How could I possibly possess such power…?”

Temporarily setting aside her turmoil, Ling Feng looked up toward the majestic immortal island, which continued to radiate brilliant light and power, despite the melody fading.

“Bai’er, do you remember that fortune teller with one eye in the Lingyin Merchant Association in Xiangshou County? He foretold a lot for both you and me back then.”

“Oh, that one? Of course I remember! He seemed to say that I would face three turning points in my life, the first being participating in the last Four Saints Selection Tournament, and the second about to…”

“Huh?!”

In the midst of her protector’s sudden look of shock, the gray-haired girl let out a gentle sigh and nodded slightly.

“Indeed, what kind of encounter could be more worthy of being called a turning point than someone’s death and resurrection, the reversal of a world? In this world, the only being capable of creating such miracles is that one.”

“I thought I had maximized her identity, but it seems I’ve still underestimated her…”