[Vol. 6] Chapter 231: In the Shadow of Light
A spatial passage connecting to an unknown world?
Hmm… that would explain the faint, unstable fluctuations coming from it. The energy was subtle and well-contained, detectable only at close range.
Piecing together the sparse details from [Information Detection], Violet began to understand.
The ultimate magic called [Seal of Heaven and Earth] was undoubtedly the powerful spatial barrier enveloping the Ancient Spirit Realm. Whoever cast it remained a mystery, but it seemed that the existence of [Mirror Valley] was a result of this immense magical force.
The crystals scattered throughout the valley were formed by the magic to stabilize the spatial seal. However, due to the interference of some unknown force, the crystals mutated. The power originally meant to lock down space had instead reversed, becoming unstable.
Those unable to withstand the chaotic spatial energy within the crystals would faint, froth at the mouth, or even go mad if they got too close. Stronger beings, on the other hand, might be randomly teleported under its influence, leading to the increasing number of strange incidents that earned [Mirror Valley] its place as one of the ten most dangerous areas in the Ancient Spirit Realm.
So… those who disappeared might have perished in the chaotic spatial currents during the teleportation. Or perhaps they didn’t die at all. Maybe they were sent to some unknown world?
What a wild idea… a magical crystal doing *isekai* chaos truck-style mischief?
“Violet, what are you spacing out about? If you’ve found the target, hurry up and fix it already. This is only the first one,” Xiao Kong’s voice broke through her thoughts.
The black-haired girl turned her head to glance at the calm-faced cat-girl, who didn’t seem particularly concerned about the danger of the crystal. Violet nodded slightly.
“Right… let’s give that tool Immortal Island gave us a try. Hopefully, it works.”
……………………………
While the intense search and repair efforts in [Mirror Valley] were well underway, those remaining at the camp outside, including the Spirit Maiden and Yu Dan’er, were busy with another task.
“This should be the right spot, Miss Ling Feng! Does this location work for you?”
Yu Dan’er, dressed in a fine robe, carefully calculated certain measurements with a special instrument embedded deep in the ground. After double-checking the readings, she brushed aside some dirt with her hand and turned to call out to the gray-haired girl nearby.
Ling Feng and the Spirit Maiden walked side by side, and with just a quick glance at the dense notes Yu Dan’er had written on paper, Ling Feng smiled faintly.
“Miss Yu, as an expert in spiritual vein studies who passed through multiple rounds of selection, I naturally trust your judgment. Alright, everyone, proceed.”
“Yes, ma’am!”
Several strong soldiers from the Western Kingdom stepped forward, carefully lowering a massive, heavy pillar, over a meter long and entirely made of a special metallic material. The pillar’s surface was engraved with intricate, mysterious patterns. It was gradually inserted into the exact location Yu Dan’er had calculated, until it was fully buried underground and no longer visible.
This was one of at least ten such pillars they had already set up around [Mirror Valley], yet it represented only a fraction of the total project, barely a tenth of the planned installations.
Not only were they working in this direction, but personnel from the other three nations were also installing similar devices in different areas. The purpose of these pillars remained unclear to most, beyond their role as components of some kind of formation.
Ling Feng glanced up at the sky, her eyes briefly passing over the damp patches on Yu Dan’er’s robes before pausing to think. Finally, she waved her hand.
“Let’s take a short break. Resume work in half an hour. We must finish all installations before the scheduled deadline. Bai’er, has there been any activity on that side?”
The young guard stepped forward and shook her head.
“No updates from the other three groups. Everything is relatively calm for now. My lady, aren’t we being a little too cautious? With such a strong military presence, where would the demons even get the audacity to attack the united forces of the four nations? Even if some powerful demon shows up, it would be a matter for the experts. Why are we setting up defensive lines against regular forces? It’s not like demons are going to suddenly appear out of thin air, right?”
Ling Feng offered no comment and didn’t elaborate.
“The [Tidal Deep Valley], surely you haven’t forgotten it so quickly? Nothing is impossible. Before the [Demon Rebellion] descended, who would have imagined the Ancient Spirit Realm’s civilization could vanish overnight? Stay vigilant. Instruct all outposts to maintain high alert, monitor the situation closely, and keep constant communication with the other three defensive lines. Go now.”
“Understood… I’ll deliver the orders right away.”
Once Bai’er hurried off, Ling Feng turned to the silver-haired girl beside her, whose cold and detached demeanor seemed almost inhuman. Ling Feng paused again, then waved her hand to dismiss the remaining personnel in the area. Once alone, she spoke cautiously.
"Spirit Maiden, are you okay?"
Hen paused her calculations, lifting her gaze to meet Ling Feng’s with her usual neutral expression, devoid of any emotion.
"What do you mean? If you're asking about the plan, everything is progressing smoothly."
"No, I mean you. Your body..."
"..."
Hen’s silver brows furrowed slightly, the motion so subtle it was nearly imperceptible. Yet her tone carried a faint, almost indiscernible note of irritation. Like a finely tuned instrument that had momentarily gone off-key, creating an uncomfortable sense of unease.
"Who told you?"
Ling Feng, interpreting this as confirmation of her concerns, maintained her composure. Her steady, elegant gaze betrayed no urgency as she replied, "So it's true... I had my suspicions when I first heard about your unusually rapid growth. The world has its natural laws, and obtaining something extraordinary often comes with a price."
She hesitated, pondering briefly before pressing further.
"So, what do you plan to do? Are you just going to quietly accept that moment when it comes?"
A strange glint passed through Hen’s silver eyes. Raising an eyebrow, she replied, "Are you concerned about me? You should understand that if this succeeds, the Ancient Spirit Realm will no longer need a Spirit Maiden. Whether I’m here or not will mean little to Western Kingdom."
"What are you talking about? Do you think a person’s life can be measured in terms of usefulness or value? Do you really think I’m so selfish that I’d view this from such a utilitarian perspective?"
Ling Feng’s voice grew louder, her rare display of anger drawing the attention of several onlookers in the distance. Hen, however, remained expressionless, her voice calm and even.
"It doesn’t matter what kind of person you are. As long as you sit in that position and the world calls you the Western Kingdom Saint, Yuan Feng, your actions cannot simply follow your desires. You can’t even show your true self to the world, let alone to others."
"That’s a separate matter! Don’t change the subject. Spirit Maiden, even if much of our relationship has been built on mutual benefit, I genuinely hope you can..."
"If that’s true, then why don’t you call me by my name?"
"...What?"
"I said, why do you only call me Spirit Maiden?"
Ling Feng froze for a moment, caught off guard. But Hen, her expression cold and unchanging, continued speaking.
"I won't deny that you're a good person. But your rationality outweighs your emotions. In your heart, my worth as ‘Hen’ will never surpass my role as the ‘Spirit Maiden of Western Kingdom’. The only one who truly sees me as just Hen… is her. And that’s enough. This is my fate and my choice. You don’t need to force yourself."
"……"
The dignified and elegant gray-haired girl fell into a prolonged silence. Her usually gentle face betrayed flickers of uncertainty and unease.
After a while, she composed herself, masking her emotions with a faint, resigned smile.
"Have you really decided?"
"I believe this is one of the very few decisions in my life that is truly my own. It may be brief, but it’s enough."
"May I ask… when did you start losing that power? Or rather, when did the changes begin?"
For the first time, Hen’s expressionless face showed a hint of surprise.
"You know more than I expected. This is beyond your usual scope."
"I intend to know the reason. That’s why I brought this up. Can you help me understand? This request has no ulterior motive, nor is it an order. I just feel that even those who remain hidden in the shadows of brilliance deserve to have their contributions remembered… It’s the only thing I can do for you."
Meeting Ling Feng’s earnest gaze, which was devoid of malice, Hen hesitated for a long time before finally nodding.
"After the [Four Saints' Immortal Selection Ceremony] began."
"… That’s about the same time he mentioned this to me. Your origins must be extraordinary," Ling Feng said, nodding slightly with a knowing expression.
"Come on, I’ll take you to meet him. The two of you should have plenty to talk about."
Hearing this, the Spirit Maiden, who was supposed to be all-knowing and always in control, tilted her head with a rare look of confusion.
"Who?"
"Hmm… the [One-Eyed Diviner]. Have you heard of that name?"