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Chapter 269: Towards the Other Shore of the Sea

A few days later, at the coastal border of the Spirit Nation.

The giant island that obscured the sky slowly came to a halt by the seaside, casting a beam of light that projected the figures of about ten individuals onto the ground.

“Well… this will do. The space is quite spacious; it’s just right to unfold the ship. Let’s bid farewell here.”

“Miss Vilyric, do you really not need me to prepare a vessel for you?”

The Priestess smiled and shook her head as she patted the shoulder of the girl, who temporarily reverted back to being a Cat Daughter due to some complicated reasons.

“No need! I have my own ship, perfectly suited for this occasion. If it’s for ocean travel, this is definitely the one~”

Vilyric pulled out an exquisitely crafted wooden ship model from her backpack and flung it toward the distance. The model instantly expanded in mid-air, transforming into a magnificent vessel over a thousand meters long, quietly floating on the endless sea.

“Oh~ This is something you brought out from there too, right? It looks quite interesting.”

“Yes…”

Watching the sacred vessel she named “Noah’s Ark,” which she had crafted with her companions in the game, Vilyric couldn’t help but feel nostalgic.

Even now, she still couldn’t figure out why items from “Phantom World” transformed into physical entities in the real world.

Many technical abilities used by the Lingyin Clan were similar to those in the game because they were designed by the Spiritual Fox Priestess. However, fundamentally, they couldn’t be equated to many game systems Vilyric understood.

At least, skills like “Information Detection” or individual attribute panels, or the mission and item reward systems mentioned by Min Chen had little to do with that certain Fox Miss.

As a semi-virtual world, “Phantom World” really shouldn’t be able to transcend the absolute boundary between fantasy products and reality, which had always been the biggest problem that the Spiritual Fox Priestess couldn’t resolve.

This dreamlike world, created by Ming Xi, must have undergone significant changes over the millennia that Vilyric was unaware of, perhaps even influenced by some external forces. That would be the key to unlocking the most profound mysteries surrounding the Priestess.

Many things… were still shrouded in fog.

With a somewhat curious Miss Xiao Kong and a few Lingyin tribesmen who were set to accompany her on the sea voyage, Vilyric boarded “Noah’s Ark,” tuning various systems she hadn’t used in a long time while introducing different features to them.

Even within the Lingyin Clan, those who knew Vilyric was the Spiritual Fox Priestess were quite limited. Aside from a few high-ranking figures like the Elders, Ming Lan, and Ming Xin, most remained in the dark.

The interpersonal relationships stemming from Vilyric’s two identities showed considerable differences, and having too many people knowing sensitive secrets wasn’t a good thing.

By the way, based on the scarce true appearance data of the Spiritual Fox Priestess preserved in the fairy island, Vilyric’s looks indeed bore a striking resemblance to Ming Xi. Although there were slight differences in details like hair color and facial features, their body shape and voice were virtually identical.

Even now, Vilyric still couldn’t understand why the image she had crafted with her own hands became intertwined with Ming Xi in such a way.

What exactly was left behind by Ming Xi? Did it attach to the character in the game or her real form in the real world?

What happened after her disappearance?

Perhaps only the currently missing Hen truly knew the secrets behind all of this.

Before long, a Lingyin girl came running from afar, respectfully bowing to Miss Xiao Kong and the Priestess, who were enjoying the sea breeze on the open deck.

That was Miss Ming Lian Xin, who had previously had a few encounters with Vilyric. She learned about Vilyric’s true identity purely by chance after the chaos of the Evil Demon was over. To maintain absolute secrecy, she didn’t even divulge a word to her sister, Ming Lian Yun.

After all, every Lingyin tribesman was utterly loyal to the Spiritual Fox Priestess.

“Miss, they have arrived and are waiting outside the beach.”

“Well… let them come over. It’s about time.”

“Yes.”

Vilyric did not inform many people of her departure from the Ancient Spirit Realm. Aside from the high-ranking folks on the fairy island, it was mainly those who were closer to her and had previously interacted with her.

Since we have a connection, it wouldn’t be right not to say goodbye before leaving.

Soon, several figures boarded “Noah’s Ark” under Ming Lian Xin’s guidance, their expressions varying, but all looked around curiously.

Ling Feng, Bai’er, Murong Yun, Mengrui, and a black-haired girl with a fish-tail braid, along with a few familiar faces.

These were friends who had shared more in-depth experiences with the Priestess during their journey and were able to come and bid farewell. By the way, Miss Le Qiao Qiao and Hong Yan were also on the ship, having come with the fairy island. They would leave the Ancient Spirit Realm with Vilyric, while only Fish Dan’er from their trio chose to return home after completing her studies on the island.

It was said that those two had long intended to leave the Ancient Spirit Realm, but due to certain limitations, they hadn’t been able to enact it. This time, they just happened to get on the Priestess’s ship.

“Hey, you all came! Hmm? What’s this with you two…”

The first to notice the intertwined hands of Ling Feng and Bai’er was the black-haired girl, who raised an eyebrow with a teasing smile just after saying a quick greeting.

“What’s up, finally realized something?”

Everyone was already very familiar with each other, and the gray-haired girl, whose actual identity was quite remarkable, naturally understood what Vilyric meant, but merely smiled gently.

“Yeah, I’ve given up on searching for the Spiritual Fox Priestess. How should I put it… Having truly experienced the resurrection of someone important to me, I now understand why such miracles are untouchable taboos and why that power shouldn’t be in mortal hands.”

“It’s only because loss cannot be reversed that we should spare no effort to cherish what we hold dear. If everyone could resurrect, the meaning of life would become distorted. I… was a bit obsessed before.”

“You seem to have come to terms with it.”

Vilyric nodded in satisfaction.

Actually, she chose to use “The Other Shore Like Blood, Yin Yang Reversed” to resurrect all the beings who sacrificed themselves during the chaos of the Evil Demon after careful consideration.

As Ling Feng said, “Resurrection” is a taboo and miracle for mortals. The existence of the Spiritual Fox Priestess represents a gift that defies that cycle, yet if the gift turns into a personal favor, many things would morph into another form.

God can shine light upon all beings in disaster, granting blessings beyond reason, but it cannot be given upon request. Mortals cannot receive whatever they desire.

That would make what shouldn’t happen seem entirely reasonable, ultimately distorting the very concept of life itself.

That is why Vilyric had never told Ling Feng and many others that she possessed this ability.

The black-haired girl, who already knew of what had happened to them, said nothing further, only smiled and winked at Bai’er.

“Since it’s settled, you better work twice as hard to protect her from now on.”

The guard immediately pounded her chest proudly, brimming with confidence.

“Do you even need to say that? I’ll dedicate my life to protect her!”

“Look at you, grinning from ear to ear~”

Casting a glance at the white-clad middle-aged man, who also shook his head in mirth, Miss Vilyric cheekily skipped past this lad who always called her Miss Vilyric and looked toward the bard, who was silently staring at her with complex emotions.

Before she could even open her mouth, the bard smiled first.

“Vilyric, we will meet again, won’t we?”

“Of course! It’s not like I’ll never return to the Ancient Spirit Realm. There are many people and things I care about here.”

Gently stroking a necklace of gems that shimmered faintly on her snowy neck, Mengrui relaxed a breath.

“Since that’s the case, then I have nothing more to say. Mengrui is just an ordinary girl and can’t be of much help… I wish you all the best on this journey, and if you have some free time, play some ‘Cloud Dream’! When we meet again, I’ll be sure to teach you some music skills.”

Waving goodbye cheerfully, looking forward to the time of their next reunion, was definitely more memorable than crying and parting in sorrow. Vilyric understood this well.

She merely returned the light smile.

“I’ll give you a piano the next time we meet.”

“Okay, then I’m looking forward to it~”

After that, Vilyric said her farewells to everyone in turn, receiving numerous departure gifts. Before long, it was time to set off.

“Make sure to come back and visit when you can, and don’t forget the things I entrusted to you! Keep in touch!”

The Cat Daughter waved vigorously by the seaside with the others who remained in the Ancient Spirit Realm, while Vilyric on the deck smiled and nodded back.

Words of promise had no meaning. Although this was only a stop in her journey, the Priestess assured her it would never become a road with no return.

When the day comes that this world can completely lift its barriers and freely interact with the outside, the Ancient Spirit Realm will surely burst forth with more vitality.

So, some things must be done by someone.

“Woo~~~~~”

The magical furnace of “Noah’s Ark” hummed gently, the enormous ship creating ripples on the sea as it slowly moved towards the far shore.

It was time to return to another world, carrying the gains from the journey and the yearning for her companions.

The real path was just beginning.

Volume Six: God Fox’s Secret Transmission, Lingyin Fairy Tale Completed.