Chapter 106: The Long-Lost Survivor

“Who am I… really?”

As if that brief phrase had stirred up past memories, a touch of nostalgia and sentimentality surfaced in the girl’s gem-like, translucent vertical pupils, prompting her to glance back once more.

“Just consider me a survivor who once lived in this chaotic great secret realm, someone who should have fallen alongside that guy known as the [Ancestor Dragon], but fortunately managed to snatch back a life…”

“Are you a companion of the Ancestor Dragon? A companion on equal terms?”

Miss Priestess frowned slightly, seemingly unsatisfied with such ambiguity, and further pressed for answers.

“Then what exactly is your true form? Why do you hide atop Peach Blossom Peak? What were you even fighting against during that battle at dusk?”

“Hehe, good questions, and each one sharper than the last.”

Chuckling, Miss Xiao Kong clasped her hands behind her back, not bothering to turn her head toward the girl beside her.

“Vilyric, since you referred to us as demons earlier, let’s explain it from a demon’s perspective.”

“The true form, now, that’s one of the biggest secrets for demons. Especially for those rare, ancient beasties, true form information represents weaknesses and vulnerabilities, only absolute intimates can know. Just like Taomu, you’re not clear on what her true form is either, right?”

“Vilyric… What kind of person are you to me, and why should I disclose such important secrets to you?”

“…”

Miss Priestess fell silent.

Just as Miss Xiao Kong had said, the true form represents information; the more powerful a being, the greater the weight behind that information. If one were to divulge it, it signifies that she trusts Vilyric completely, willingly exposing her weaknesses before the girl.

It’s akin to pets, like cats and dogs, revealing their soft bellies only to their owners. Such trust carries heavy implications and intertwines their fates. Yet, Vilyric and Xiao Kong had only met just under a day ago.

Even if the other party was willing to provide an answer, could Vilyric accept it calmly?

She couldn’t be sure if she could extend equivalent trust to restore balance on the scale. If she only took without giving back, that would contradict the [Equal Exchange] she had staunchly upheld.

It might sound trivial and nonsensical, but for true powerhouses, it equates to a vulnerability of the soul. Perhaps it meant nothing in casual times, but if confronted by a heart demon like the [Door of Humanity], or even stronger foes that Vilyric couldn’t “cheat” against…

That would be a fatal flaw.

Seemingly grasping the crux of the matter already, Miss Xiao Kong took it lightly and didn’t let the desolate winds of the ancient battlefield continue to bring silence. She smiled and resumed speaking.

“Hehe, just kidding. It’s not that I don’t want to tell you; it’s just that some things aren’t yet at the point where I can say them. However, aside from some key points, I’ll try my best to satisfy your curiosity…”

“As for why I hide atop Peach Blossom Peak, it’s simple. Although I escaped disaster once, the power of karma didn’t let go that easily.”

“I’m wrapped in the aura of [Destruction]. If I excessively use my powers externally or perform certain specific acts, it could lead to other indescribable disasters manifesting in this world, and perhaps even more terrifying destruction arriving prematurely—consequences I cannot bear.”

“So, I chose to self-seal and hide at the entrance of this chaotic great secret realm. On one hand, it’s for recuperation, and on the other, it serves to keep an eye out for [Taotie]’s return. After all, if that guy loses control, he also poses a threat to annihilate the Ancient Spirit Realm.”

“Karma entwining, huh…”

Miss Priestess showed a serious expression.

In truth, this wasn’t the first time she had heard similar descriptions from others.

Once a being reaches the status known as [God], every move they make pulls on countless threads known as karma, a privilege unique to gods.

Stepping beyond karma, interfering with karma, controlling karma.

Be it Xi Fu back then, or now Xi Fu Lin, or the past demon god Olivya, including Vilyric herself when using Edwina’s body to control the [Sword of Origin], they had all felt this power and its significance at least once before.

Far deeper than mere magic, elements, or matter, it transcends time and space—a truly omnipotent “power.”

Therefore, while Miss Xiao Kong’s words might sound like alarmist drivel, they genuinely testify that she had participated in that divine war herself—or at least maintained some direct, intimate connection to it, reinforcing its authenticity.

Divine consciousness, karma—those were the true weapons of gods and the powerful privileges that elevate them far above the mundane, yet Vilyric could only say she had just started to dabble in it.

Thus, she wished to remain appropriately cautious.

“Miss Xiao Kong, are you a god? A god of the Ancient Spirit Realm? Or, using this side’s terminology… a Holy Immortal? Were there many gods in this world back then?”

The cat-eared girl finally turned her head, her gaze profound.

“There indeed were gods in the Ancient Spirit Realm, but compared to the heyday of the Primordial Land, they still fall short. Right now, I can’t be considered a complete god; I’m missing the most critical aspect of being a [God], so I can only say I possess part of the power from that realm.”

“I temporarily can’t explain it to you; the reasons involved are far too complex, and it’s not yet time to clarify…”

“Go ascend Lingyin Fairy Island, Vilyric. There, all your confusion will find resolution. But it also signifies that you truly step into and embrace a destiny that belongs solely to you. The power of this choice will always be in your hands… I will wait.”

“Miss Xiao Kong…”

That familiar yet unclear feeling swelled within her heart, and after much hesitation, the Priestess couldn’t help but inquire further.

“Did you… know me once? Or rather, know the me from before?”

Yet, the Cat Daughter could only chuckle again and turn back.

“Who knows? Perhaps. But for you and me now, that’s no longer key. Whether we knew each other before, or this is just a fleeting encounter, you… are Vilyric, simply Vilyric, aren’t you?”

“…”

The girl fell silent, and Xiao Kong casually shook her head, casting her gaze three times toward the towering pillar that shot into the clouds.

“Get ready; next, we have a troublesome matter to deal with. I’m not sure about your current state, but if it’s only at the level you showed earlier, it might turn out to be a hard battle.”

As soon as her words finished—

“Swish, swish, swish, swish, swish!”

Six strands of silver radiance flickered across various parts of the ancient battlefield, and soon, six figures of different appearances manifested upon the earth.

These six stood in various locations, with the farthest one being nearly a kilometer apart, but upon closer examination, it was easy to see that connecting their positions would just perfectly form a complete hexagram pattern.

Moreover, they just so happened to surround Vilyric and Xiao Kong at the center, or rather, they had intentionally arrived at their current positions beforehand.

Recovering her focus from that meaningful dialogue they had just shared, Vilyric surveyed the surroundings, taking in the six figures that had suddenly appeared in this space.

With a flicker of light, a holy staff condensed within the girl’s palm.

…They’ve come.

   

---