Chapter Seventy: Old Friends

Hen is one of the most trusted friends of Miss Vilyric in the “Fantasy World.” Back when she was only at levels thirty or forty in the early game, she coincidentally met Hen, who was at a similar level, through a dungeon matchmaking.

Although it was their first encounter, for some reason, they clicked perfectly, seamlessly working together to take down a boss that should have been a bit tricky. As a result, when they parted ways, they added each other as friends, agreeing to continue teaming up in the future.

Over the course of several years in the game, Hen was almost always by Vilyric’s side. They helped each other and grew together. Even though Hen missed the opportunity for a boundary breakthrough and the qualification to reach level 110, to be honest, it didn’t cause any cracks in their solid friendship.

The “Invisible Space Portal” is a spatial item that Hen gifted to the Priestess. If she really came to this place and found herself in a situation similar to Vilyric’s, then creating a new item would be completely reasonable.

The Divine race’s heart remained calm, yet it rippled with emotions called “anticipation.”

To be honest, Vilyric had thought many times if any past companions had also somehow come to this world, and their journey was, in some sense, a search for something.

The appearance of Min Chen and other travelers had given her a glimpse of hope. However, after deeply realizing the various differences between them, the Priestess once again doubted this possibility.

However, the “Invisible Space Portal” could still be the work of other players, but the “Heavens and Earth Map” was almost exclusively enjoyed by her friend, Hen. Although what the Oracle possessed was not the original item, the resemblance between the two was undeniable, indicating a connection.

Sure enough, the Lingyin Merchant Association… no, the Lingyin Tribe definitely held some unknown secrets.

Temporarily suppressing her restless thoughts, Vilyric knew that this was not the right time to dig deeper. They had come this far; even if they were to search for Hen’s traces, there was no rush for a day or two. It would be wiser to slowly engage with the Lingyin Merchant Association and advance cautiously.

On the other side.

Holding the “Heavens and Earth Map” in a scroll form, the Oracle, his eyes wrapped in black cloth, “looked” towards the gently flickering light, clearly indicating something inside was continuously bursting out. He chuckled lightly.

“Don’t waste your effort, little girl. With the power of this ‘Heavens and Earth Map,’ even a guy like Ming Lan, once locked in, would at least have to stay inside for three to five days. This treasure is especially lethal to you Succubi, and I’ve specially borrowed it for this purpose.”

So it really is the Heavens and Earth Map…

Vilyric maintained her composure on the surface, only shifting her gaze from behind her mask to the Oracle, who was stroking his beard and smiling, and calmly stated,

“Is this all there is to it? So all this trouble was just to capture this Succubus named Chloé?”

Closing the treasure map completely and putting it away, the Oracle thoughtfully stroked his beard and replied,

“Well… it’s certainly not just that. Tonight is merely the start of the plan. Moreover, I mustn’t hide it from Miss Xī; actually, in my and Princess Yuna’s plans, luring Chloé out is all but certain. However, her methods of dealing with being surrounded…”

Across the room, the Saintess of Bright Light seemed slightly puzzled.

“Indeed, originally, we thought that when she saw she was outmatched, she would forcibly use herself as a medium to open a small passage connecting to the Demon Realm, summoning the power of a Demon Lord from that side, which is of the same lineage as Chloé, or some of her brother’s powers to break the situation, rather than employing such a blatantly dangerous method.”

“Open a… passage to the Demon Realm?”

Miss White Fox tilted her head in confusion.

“Why would she specifically want to open that kind of small passage?”

“That naturally has its significance. We…”

Just as Yuna was about to say something more, a Light Tribe Girl, with long hair flowing like light, the Guard Captain of the Lingyin Merchant Association, had already landed on the second-floor platform where the three were after the fighting had concluded.

The attitude of the Saintess towards her didn’t seem as casual as that of some fox lady; she immediately fell silent, seemingly reluctant to speak further.

Miss Amy, however, didn’t pay any mind to the two girls nearby and instead rushed directly to the elder, who was the Merchant Association’s president, and angrily grabbed his white beard, shouting as if settling a score after harvest.

“Wow, you old guy! You’ve clearly been here for a while, and you’re just putting on a show for me, huh!! Watching a show! Watching a show! I’ll show you what it means to watch a show! How do you like it, huh? Riddling old pervert, you old head!!!”

“Ah, please don’t pull so hard… my dear little lady… there are important guests watching, give me a bit of face, won’t you…?!”

The elder Oracle, who was being held from behind with a grasp on his hands and yanked by his white beard, had seemingly completely lost his prior celestial demeanor. He looked quite fearful—or rather, spoiled by this fiery girl of the Light Tribe. Even treated so roughly and rudely, he showed no sign of anger or resistance, just a stiff-faced plea for mercy.

Seeing this scene, Yuna couldn’t help but elegantly cover her mouth, letting out a soft chuckle.

“You two remain as close as ever. Now that the incident has temporarily settled, and the sky is getting darker, I shall take my leave for now. Regarding the Enchantment Pearl, I will announce as planned that it has been sealed under the Temple’s care, and I kindly ask Mr. Oracle to tidily wrap up this matter here. As for the subsequent handling of Chloé, we can discuss it another day. How does that sound?”

The elder, whose beard was being tugged into a “八” shape, hastily turned to Ming Light’s Saint, nodding awkwardly.

“That sounds great, um… I also have some personal matters to attend to. Princess Yuna, let’s meet at the usual place tomorrow, and Miss Xī, please feel free to do as you wish.”

“Mm.”

The Saintess seemed to hold back a smile as she slightly nodded and then quickly looked towards the fox lady who hadn’t made a move throughout.

“What about you, Miss Xī? It seems Mr. Oracle isn’t in a very convenient situation. Why don’t we walk together for a while?”

“That sounds good.”

The Lingyin Merchant Association certainly held many secrets, but gathering information isn’t something that happens overnight. After all, this was only her second encounter with this force, and they couldn’t really be considered familiar yet.

Besides, having been out for quite a while, while Xiao Guang was okay, Leila and the others must be anxious, so it’s better to return sooner.

After temporarily bidding farewell to the Lingyin Merchant Association’s president, who was still busy apologizing to Miss Amy, Vilyric and the Saintess of Bright Light, Yuna, walked side by side down the corridor outside the venue.

This grand castle of the Saintess and Summerfield Family towered at over ten stories, rising hundreds of meters. The textures and carvings along the roadside evidently exuded an air of ancient artistry, seemingly showcasing the Divine ancestry’s rich heritage and profound history.

Walking along the castle’s corridor, the silvery moonlight streamed in through the windows and the elevated platform, casting its glow upon the two girls walking side by side, as if it were natural. The Blonde Saint, with her back to Miss Fox, spoke as they walked.

“Miss Xī, do you perhaps have something on your mind today?”

At those words, the girl couldn’t help but slightly pause, but she didn’t try to hide it either; she just curiously replied with a question of her own.

“Am I that obvious?”

At this moment, the holy figure referred to as the Saintess of Bright Light finally stopped walking, slowly turning around, her hands politely and naturally crossed at her abdomen, offering a pure and elegant smile under the March sky.

“How to say it… since our first meeting, Miss Xī has been quite terse, seeming unwilling to engage much with Yuna, and rarely expressing her opinions on various matters… While your presence has always been as profound and deep as a bottomless abyss, making me unable to grasp even a sliver of your essence, and despite the strange mask obscuring your expression… the simple details of obviously pondering something are nonetheless very easy to observe.”

“As a distinguished guest specially treated by Mr. Oracle, I imagine Miss Xī must have an extraordinary background and strength. Yuna has no intention of prying into your secrets, but as we have this rare chance to be alone, could you indulge my small curiosity?”

Facing the pure and flawless smile of the Saintess, the understanding Miss Vilyric ultimately just smiled back and slightly nodded.

“Let’s hear it?”

An invisible sense of mutual understanding flowed between the two girls. Seeing this, Yuna’s smile grew even brighter as she spoke lightly.

“Previously, the black-haired girl in the white robe depicted in the painting Yuna showcased, I presume you know her, Miss Xī?”

   

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