Chapter 42: Ya Zi

After a brief moment of shock—or perhaps surprise—Miss Vilyric quickly realized something was off.

“This can’t be, how is this possible?”

It was utterly absurd.

Vilyric had imagined countless roles Hen could play in this Ancient Spirit Realm, yet she never once considered that she might be the almost within-reach Princess Ling.

To be clear, in the message Hen sent, she explicitly stated for Vilyric to go to Lingyin Fairy Island to look for her, which nearly implied that the former was currently on the fairy island, and the Priestess had understood it that way too.

Hen would never speak carelessly; if she was indeed the West Saint, then what need did Vilyric have to go to Lingyin Fairy Island?

This was obviously illogical.

In fact, right up until the moment she activated her information detection skill and received this unexpected revelation, Vilyric had been more inclined to think that Ling Feng was that wandering, Saint patrol lady—in any case, conducting covert visits was not uncommon throughout history.

Whether it was her natural noble aura, extraordinary knowledge, or her extraordinary strength at least above the life realm, including Bai’er’s presence, it all nearly hinted at her identity.

But now it seemed, that was far from the case.

“Wait, is this damn skill malfunctioning again?”

Amidst the slightly confused gazes of the two women before her, Miss Vilyric stubbornly investigated the jade token in her hand once more, but unfortunately, the result was no different from before.

“Vilyric, is something wrong? Could the protective jade also reject outsiders? Your expression… looks a bit unusual.”

“Oh, it’s nothing… really nothing. I was just startled by its ability; it’s a great treasure.”

This is just ludicrous… what on earth is going on?

Knowing it wasn’t the right moment to ask, Vilyric forced down the impulse to probe Ling Feng further about that West Saint’s information and discreetly tucked the protective jade into her bosom.

“Is this preparation sufficient now?”

A hint of confusion flashed across the young lady’s noble face, but Ling Feng prudently refrained from pressing further, merely nodding slightly.

“Let’s go in together; we must be cautious, Bai’er.”

“Yes!”

Bai’er drew her sword, leading the charge, while Vilyric and Ling Feng fell slightly behind, walking side by side.

However, as soon as Vilyric stepped her left foot inside the palace’s coverage area, she abruptly frowned slightly.

A sense of discomfort washed over her, as if swept by some strange energy; she instinctively glanced sideways at Ling Feng and Bai’er, only to find them looking perfectly normal, still alertly facing forward, seemingly unaware of the recent invisible presence.

Is this the so-called evil aura they mentioned?

Not likely.

Simply put, the talisman Ling Feng previously handed Vilyric hadn’t reacted to this unusual energy, like sunlight penetrating an airtight glass; the protective effect was still present yet without any tangible outcome.

It felt like being scrutinized, akin to those bizarre things floating around in Yangyuan City—just more subtle and far more dangerous.

Looks like there’s something dirty about this…

Without expressing her thoughts, she continued forward alongside the other two.

They traversed the luxurious corridor of the Crystal Palace and arrived at the center of the vast, silent space.

The figure of the palace’s master came into view.

In the open area at the center of the Crystal Palace stood seven gigantic patterned pillars several meters in diameter, reaching towards the dome, arranged in a peculiar pattern, while thick silver chains coiled around each pillar, extending outward to impale and firmly restrain the only living creature within.

It was a massive beast, no less grand than a Qilin.

Its head bore a strong resemblance to a Qilin overall but was sharper and more angular, lending it a rather ferocious and imposing air; the curled horn on its head was not rounded but closer to a sharp shape.

It had four legs, devoid of hooves, replaced instead by incredibly menacing claws; its elongated body ended with a tail similar to its horn’s shape, wrapped in sturdy scales thicker than that of a Qilin, looking extremely formidable.

Ya Zi, without a doubt, this was Ya Zi—the fierce one among the nine sons of the dragon.

Oh… by the way, it reminded Vilyric of a certain demon lord who got sent back to his hometown but constantly yelled “kill, kill, kill, kill” all day.

Rumor has it that guy was searching for a suitable mount, and this pair looked quite compatible…

Ya Zi lay prostrate in the center of the Crystal Palace, its four feet, chest, and tail each punctured by a chain from the seven pillars, even the curved knife-like horn on its head was bound by the last chain.

This silvery chain, which resembled metal and was made from who knows what material, secured its massive body tightly to the ground, rendering it nearly immobile except for slight turns of its head.

But its dark red eyes, brimming with fierce and wild energy, were already fixed on the newcomers.

【It’s been a thousand years since I’ve seen any humans; are you here to fulfill her promise?】

Ya Zi’s voice did not emerge from its mouth lined with sharp teeth but rather resonated as a more grandiose will echoing within the palace, entering the minds of the three girls present.

This somewhat familiar method took Vilyric by surprise, prompting her to slightly elevate her evaluation of the being before her, yet she still maintained a composed facade, for there were those better suited for dialogue than her.

Ling Feng took a slow step forward, unfazed by the massive head of the bizarre beast.

“Ya Zi, why do you strike against the seal?”

The beast’s dark red eyes drooped slightly, landing on the particularly tiny girl in its view, and it bared its teeth, as if mocking.

【Of course, it’s for freedom. The thousand-year pact has ended, yet she has yet to appear; since that’s the case, what’s wrong with me making some noise as a warning?】

Ling Feng’s expression turned serious.

“I don’t know what kind of contract you made with the first West Saint, but she equally would not permit you to violently rush against the seal and create tremors. Do you know what kind of devastation that previous earthquake has brought to the lives above?”

“If you have grievances, we can negotiate; how can…?”

“ROAR!!!”

Suddenly, with a tremendous roar, Ya Zi unleashed a thunderous wave that interrupted Miss Ling Feng’s words.

【Negotiation, always negotiation! Back then, you cunningly deceived me into this ocean to seal myself, scattering the evil aura with secret methods, and when it comes to liberating the world from evil, did you consider my feelings!】

【She deceived me! The evil power is innate to my being and can never disappear! So why must I remain trapped beneath this deep sea? Because it’s against your established rules, because it poses a threat to the so-called world, I must be imprisoned like a prisoner!?】

【You cannot dispose of the element of ‘destruction,’ yet you condemn and erase those innocent beings. What kind of reasoning is this?!】

【I am a son of the dragon; why must I accommodate myself to mere ants like you!!!】

An overwhelming and savage force surged forth accompanied by Ya Zi’s fury, almost tangible as a whirlwind rushing toward them.

“Buzz~”

The protective jade that Ling Feng handed over earlier finally radiated warmth at this moment, automatically isolating the catastrophic evil energy that could shatter mere mortals, safeguarding the three girls.

“Ya Zi, calm down… um…”

【Flowery words! All lies!!!】

   

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