Chapter Fifty-One: The Journey to Mingguang

As I pondered, there was another knock on the canopy of the carriage outside. The driver’s assistant of the White Dove Merchant Association cautiously lifted the curtain, poking in half his head.

“Esteemed guests, we will soon be arriving at New Aster City. Mr. Afuri asked me to inquire whether you will be parting ways here or continuing with the caravan?”

Although they had discovered those who went missing had been killed by hidden things underground and had become some sort of bizarre “sacrificial offering,” the intervention of Vilyric and the others had ultimately prevented further casualties in the caravan.

Therefore, after they had handled the issue, buried the entrance to the underground passage, and returned to inform everyone of the general situation, including the caravan leader, Mr. Afuri, everyone’s attitude towards them had become much more respectful and awed.

This was not just owing to the debt of gratitude; in this world, having sufficient reliable power is the ultimate passport, often more effective than wealth or authority.

Though they hadn’t asked for any explicit reward, the preferential treatment they received along the way felt like something that had been impossible before. Even Mr. Afuri had specifically arranged for Vilyric and the others to ride in a more luxurious and comfortable carriage as a token of appreciation, and this inquiry now was a courtesy that ordinary passengers would never enjoy.

However, Vilyric was quite prepared for this question.

“Our destination is directly to Mingguang City. Please inform Mr. Afuri, and if there’s nothing pressing, it would be preferable not to disturb us.”

This wasn’t because Vilyric was disdainful; it was simply that Renée was currently meditating to break through her final bottleneck. According to the Priestess’s calculations, if all went well, she should be able to complete her transcendence before they reached Mingguang City. Thus, it was best to provide her with as stable an environment as possible during this period.

Following Miss White Fox’s implied gaze, the assistant quickly understood when he saw the white-feathered girl sitting quietly in the corner with her eyes closed.

“Uh, sorry! I… I won’t disturb you any further.”

The newly appointed coachman, who had been specially arranged by the caravan leader, quickly retracted his head from inside the carriage and pulled down the heavy curtain. Upon seeing this, Miss White Fox glanced at Renée, who was still emanating a steady flow of magic power not far away, and at the other two girls who had resumed their game. She gently exhaled a long breath and picked up the book resting on her thigh once more.

“Ha…”

I just hope nothing else unexpected happens before we reach Mingguang City…

…

Perhaps someone’s wish was answered, for within a few days, the White Dove Merchant Association’s convoy passed through three large cities safely, and from there, it was on to Mingguang City, known as the Western Capital.

This place was also considered a significant stop on the Priestess’s journey.

The concept of Mingguang is derived from the three great divine bloodline families that have dominated this city since ancient times, the Summerfield Family, and the “Saint of Bright Light,” who is viewed as the closest being to the Light Goddess in “positions” and is historically known as the leading saint.

Only those with an absolute, devoted purity towards the light can serve as the Saint of Bright Light. While the “Judgment” and “Redemption” saints might have other exceptional candidates who are not directly of divine blood, the “Bright Light” has always been born solely within the Western divine bloodline family, the Summerfields, enforced for thousands of years without exception.

The fundamental reason lies in the extremely high requirements of the Saint of Bright Light’s artifact, the “Crown of the Uncrowned.” It is nearly impossible for ordinary people to meet its conditions. Frequently, there have been occasions where, after the previous Saint of Bright Light passed away, the temple and church would spend quite some time without finding a qualified successor, resulting in the leading saint’s position being left vacant for an extended period.

However, at present, there is indeed someone for the position, the current head of the Summerfield Family, the legendary woman Yuna Summerfield, who is a genuine transcendent powerhouse combining divine and light bloodlines in her being.

Of course, in the external rumors, the Saint of Bright Light, like the other two saints, remains at the legendary level. Although it is unclear why the temple spreads such narratives, Yuna herself has not publicly refuted them, yet Edwina, also of divine lineage, is quite aware of the true strength of the leading saint.

Thus, our dear Priestess naturally understands this.

“According to the map, we should reach the outskirts of Mingguang City in three days. Renée, how are you doing now?”

Under the night sky, the girl wearing the white fox mask offered a steaming bowl of soup to the white-feathered girl in front of her. Surrounding them, a few other girls gathered around a campfire crackling and popping as it roasted the boiler.

Though we were nearing the end of winter, the holy kingdom was not far from the snowy northern lands, and the cold wave still tormented many beings on this land. Apart from Vilyric and the equally unfazed Miss Giant Dragon, even the already transcended Leila wrapped herself in a coat resisting the wind and snow after stepping out of the warm carriage.

Renée, also in thick fur clothing, accepted the porcelain bowl handed to her by Vilyric, thanked her, and took a cautious sip of the delicious hot soup, but soon her brows furrowed in worry.

“I can’t do it, I can’t handle it… It’s toxic, really toxic…”

Miss Renée looked utterly defeated.

“Why? I can feel I’m just a little short, but I’ve tried breaking through several times, yet I’m still just a little short. This little bit is just too much… Damn it, there’s no reason! My sister did it successfully on her first try!”

“Well…”

She feigned a thoughtful expression, but at heart, the Priestess was just as confused.

After all, Vilyric had never encountered anything like breaking through a bottleneck. In the game, both she and Little Dragon Daughter would simply level up when they accumulated enough experience, with only that one time for lv100 transcending limits, which required a special and complex additional quest.

Logically, since it had already been established that this world also had levels and similar methods of progression, Renée’s persistent inability to break through could only mean her experience points were insufficient, requiring more meditation or combat.

However, based on her “almost, almost” remarks, it seemed it wasn’t entirely that straightforward. After all, this was a genuinely existing reality, and simply mirroring game theories would surely not work.

Speaking of which… since the power of mythical beings fundamentally comes from bloodlines, could Renée’s difficulty in reaching transcendence be due to some bloodline issue?

But she and Leila were sisters; if that were the case, similar situations should manifest in both of them, right?

Thus thinking, Miss White Fox stood up, moved to sit beside Renée, and extended her hand toward her.

“Uh, what are you…?”

“Relax, it’ll be fine soon.”

After soothing the puzzled white-feathered girl, Vilyric gently placed her hand on Renée’s shoulder, beginning her overly familiar “Information Detection” process.

“Mm…”

Seeing Vilyric resting her hand on Renée’s shoulder in silence, the other girls understandably stayed quiet. The campfire and temporary campsite they occupied were already a fair distance away from the rest of the caravan, leaving only the howling cold wind of the winter night and the occasional crisp pops of burning wood surrounding them.

“Crack ~”

Suddenly, the fire burst out loudly, and the girl behind the white fox mask slowly opened her eyes, revealing silvery-blue pupils like gemstones that flashed with surprise.

“Let me ask a rather irrelevant question, Renée, do you… believe in gods?”

“Uh?”

The white-feathered girl was taken aback.

“Um, well… but how does that relate to my inability to transcend?”

Hearing this, her sister, who sat beside her, gently tapped the girl’s head with the butt of her weapon, making a “duang” sound.

“Ow!”

“Whatever Miss Xī asks, you answer. Can she harm you?”

“Wah…!”

The white-feathered girl rubbed her head, pouting pitifully.

“Fine, fine… I admit, I used to look up to the God of Sky, but I learned the truth later, so now I don’t believe much. Overall, I’m probably in a state of not caring…”

After listening to Renée’s response, Vilyric nodded subtly, as if she understood something.

“I see… so that makes you somewhat of a non-believer.”

   

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