Chapter 90: [Space]

The mountains are clear, the waters are beautiful, the birds sing, and the flowers are fragrant. Compared to the chilling and snowy mountain roads, this little village built by the mountain stream with its simple wooden houses can truly be called a paradise.

“Meow ~ Meow Meow ~”

White Cat Miao Miao turned around, very human-like waving its paw at everyone, then pointed to the golden barrier surrounding them.

“What… on earth is going on here?”

Amidst Bai’er’s surprised murmuring, Miss Vilyric released the barrier, allowing the warm breeze from the outside world to caress everyone’s bodies.

“Indeed, this is the real Peach Blossom Peak, or rather, the true residence of living beings within Peach Blossom Peak,” she tilted her head towards the peach blossom forest that stood guard in the distance, explaining with a smile that was more amused than anything.

“If I’m not mistaken, those peach trees are not just ordinary plants that don’t wither through the seasons. The peak’s master, Saint Peach Blossom, probably used these peach trees to construct a vast spatial formation that envelops the entire mountain, controlling the climate and creating that unreasonable cold weather we saw outside.”

“And these peach trees create a structure resembling a maze, sealing off the mountain path from the inside out, crafting a completely isolated space from the outside world.”

At her words, Murong Yun couldn’t help but show a look of surprise.

“But… why would Saint Peach Blossom do such a thing? Isn’t she someone who promotes communication between the living beings of Cangyun Mountain and the outside world, actively opening the tourist path of Peach Blossom Peak?”

“Well, she does value the free exchange among her subordinates, but it seems that this scope doesn’t include Saint Peach Blossom herself.”

Miss Vilyric pondered.

“You all should have noticed that during the ascent, the climate along the mountain path was quite suitable until we reached the midway point, where the environment rapidly deteriorated.”

“Clearly, she intends for this to be the endpoint, using a relatively polite way to prevent visitors from ascending any further. In other words, that Saint Peach Blossom doesn’t want anyone reaching the peak. During your previous trip to participate in the hunt, didn’t you fail to see her with your own eyes?”

“Moreover, this method should also be a form of protection for the beings here. Those willing to communicate with outsiders can take the initiative to go to the foothills, choosing their favored companions, while the spirit beasts and demons who wish to live peacefully can reside in this comfortably isolated environment, avoiding any conflict with the world.”

“As for why she does this… I’m not quite sure for now. Little Cat, you can understand our words, right? Isn’t that so ~?”

“Meow ~”

White Cat Miao Miao turned back, clarity like gems shining in its black vertical pupils, expressing a hint of human-like surprise, nodded slightly, and wagged its tail, seemingly signaling everyone to continue following.

Under the little cat’s guidance, the five of them continued along the flowing spring from a higher place.

As they curiously surveyed the pure, natural little village in the mountains, in the distance, some simply dressed, not fully shed of their beastly traits, little demons scampered by, or spirit beasts and birds frolicked, rising into the air, creating a scene of harmony.

Even when spotting these unfamiliar outsiders, the local beings didn’t seem too frightened, merely widening their curious eyes to watch from afar. Some bolder little animals even dared to approach, rubbing against the girls’ pant legs, expressing their friendliness and intimacy.

This white cat evidently held a leader-like stature in the village, as even the much larger and genuinely powerful spirit beasts showed her great respect, never attempting to question or attack the humans she brought, merely watching quietly from a distance.

Although it looked tough, Bai’er seemed to have the least resistance to these furry beings, soon unable to resist squatting down to pick up a cute little white fluff that was rubbing against her feet like a bunny, and with her eyes squinted in satisfaction, she pet it, eliciting a “purr purr” sound, while curiously asking,

“By the way, if there’s such a place, then why was Miao Miao wandering the mountain path alone and got hurt like that?”

Ling Feng glanced at the white fluff in the girl’s arms, fell into silence for a moment, then inexplicably turned away and shook her head.

“About that, I’m afraid we’ll have to wait until we reach the place it truly wants to take us to find out.”

Soon, Little White Cat led everyone to the end of the stream, where the clear spring cascaded down into a crystal-clear pool.

In the pool sat a giant rock, and atop it was a young girl with short black hair and two silver cat ears on her head, meditating.

An unusually strange girl from every angle.

She was beautiful, possessing a kind of elegant nobility mixed with a hint of wild beauty, her limbs long and proportionate, yet dressed only in a fluffy chest and shorts that resembled a cat cosplay from Blue Star, exposing large swathes of her fair skin.

Even stranger, she wore fluffy claw-like covers at the ends of her arms and legs, yet lacked the expected tail of a cat.

While undeniably cute, if she were to strike a pose and meow a bit, she might very well hit some Priestess’s sweet spot, yet it was difficult to truly refer to her as a Cat Daughter.

“Meow Meow ~”

This wasn’t her calling, but a real cat.

Miao Miao nimbly jumped several meters to the pool and reached the Cat Daughter’s side, extending its pink tongue to lick the girl’s finger, making a light sound.

Only then did the girl open her gemstone-like transparent eyes—also with vertical pupils—looking down at the approaching white cat.

“You’re back so soon? Miao Miao, did you find something today…”

The Cat Daughter’s perception seemed incredibly sharp, almost immediately noticing the several outsiders standing by the pool as she spoke. Her keen gaze merely swept over them instinctively, yet in an instant, it suddenly froze and sharply constricted!

“Meow?”

Sensing the Cat Daughter’s stiffened movement, Miao Miao looked up in confusion and rubbed its face against her palm, producing a purring sound.

Feeling the commotion, the unusually beautiful short-haired girl regained her composure, cradling the white cat into her perfectly proportioned curves, getting to her feet.

“Ahem… so we have guests. Miao Miao must have brought you here. It seems you’re kind-hearted people to earn her recognition. Nice to meet you all.”

As soon as her words fell, the Cat Daughter suddenly vanished on the spot, nearly in the next moment, appearing before Miss Vilyric and the others, nodding slightly in greeting.

“I’m called… Kong, just call me Xiao Kong. Let’s say I’m the guardian of this place, may I ask how you all prefer to be addressed?”

“Senior, please. I’m Murong Yun.”

“What great skill… I’m Ling Feng.”

“Bai’er.”

“Uh… Little Mole, that should count as a name, right?”

Just when everyone was shocked and curious about the Cat Daughter’s ghostly appearance beside them and began introducing themselves, Miss Vilyric frowned secretly.

This Cat Daughter, who had no tail and didn’t meow… why has she been staring at her?

The other party might think their gaze was subtle enough, but Miss Vilyric was exceptionally sensitive to the feeling of being watched. Even if it weren’t through sight, but some more mysterious method, it would be hard to escape the perception of a Priestess.

Besides, that momentary flicker of hesitation she noticed when she saw their group had been fully caught by Miss Vilyric.

Furthermore…

“I’m called Vilyric. By the way, have we met somewhere before?”

A sense of deja vu.

A strong feeling of déjà vu compelled the black-haired girl to ask this. This wasn’t some old-fashioned pick-up line nor was Miss Vilyric taken by the other party’s cute outfit…

Ahem, though it’s true there was a bit of a flutter in her heart, what was stronger was…

She really did feel an uncontrollable, strong sense of familiarity when their eyes met, something impossible for the divine race known for remarkable memory.

However, the girl known as [Kong] merely smiled, shaking her head.

“No, this is our first meeting… Vilyric, Vilyric, what a name that really suits you ~”

“Everyone, welcome to Peach Blossom Peak.”

   

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