Why Am I a Priestess When I Reach the Maximum Level? - [Vol. 5] Chapter 155

[Vol. 5] Chapter 155: ?Yin-Yang Harmony?

Though he couldn’t understand the full situation, Mr. Dead Soul could only follow Bowen’s kind reminder before leaving, quickly turning around and distancing himself from the riverbank, where he had been just half a step away from the water. He returned to the spot where he and Bowen had sat together before, and continued waiting.

He didn’t know what he was waiting for, but apart from waiting, there was nothing else he could do.

This time, the wait felt far longer than before.

In the world of souls, there is no concept of time, but a long enough stay can erase all things and spirits.

Mr. Dead Soul did not know how long he had been sitting in the sea of red spider lilies.

He only remembered seeing far too many souls passing away. Falling from the sky of the underworld like feathers, drifting down into the mist-covered Sanzu River, where they were submerged and dissolved.

No matter if they were ordinary beings, strange creatures with twisted appearances, or mighty beasts, none could escape the fate of being washed away by the long river and reduced to dust.

Too many, for too long, had passed, and even the swordsman’s heart, which could be called resilient, became void.

He couldn’t tell if it was enlightenment or just numbness.

More than once, he felt a deep fatigue from within, wishing to close his eyes and sleep forever in the sea of flowers. Yet Bowen’s reminder before leaving echoed constantly in his mind, making him realize that if he gave up, everything would truly be over.

Though he still didn’t know what he was waiting for, or what he was meant to wait for, the lingering traces of reluctance and desire continued to support this soul, now on the verge of collapse.

He still remembered the light he sought, the radiant figure that descended in a rain of swords that covered the sky in the “swords tomb”. It was a desire unrelated to flesh or gender, a pure yearning for something exalted, like a moth to a flame.

Even if that light would burn him, turning him into ashes.

Thus, he waited, waiting for the elusive, distant future.

Waiting…

Waiting…

Waiting…

And so, from a distant place where vision was blurring and form nearly dissolving… a clear and pleasant sound, seemingly at odds with the heavy, sorrowful atmosphere of the underworld, like the moon in the night or a lighthouse’s beam on the sea—a sound rang out on the banks of the Sanzu River.

“Ding-ling~”

The sound of a bell, reminiscent of the ?Ferryman? he had seen long ago, carried with it an ancient and majestic intent, yet it was also brimming with the vitality and beauty of life. Even the crimson sea of spider lilies, as red as blood, swayed gently to the sound, their vibrant petals blooming in joy.

A figure was approaching from across the river.

It was a young girl, wearing a white fox mask and with a pair of triangular pointed ears atop her head. Her hair, white as freshly fallen snow, cascaded down like a waterfall, reflected clearly in the dark waters of the underworld. She wore a complex, flowing red-and-white shrine maiden outfit, as if it were a graceful adornment to her elegant dance.

Unlike the ?Ferryman?, she did not ride a boat, but instead walked on the surface of the Sanzu River, which should have swallowed everything. She walked with light, graceful steps, slowly approaching from the distance.

“Ding-ling~ Ding-ling~”

The sound of the silver bell echoed once more throughout the underworld.

The mist-like waters of the river rippled with exquisite waves beneath her feet, gently lifting her up. Even the countless wandering souls, always drifting down into the underworld, vanished without a trace in her presence.

“Ah… ahh… this is…!”

Taking in this breathtaking sight, Mr. Dead Soul, whose consciousness was on the verge of fading, suddenly recalled fragments of an ancient ballad.

This was a distant tale, passed down through generations in his hometown, one that everyone knew by heart as children, yet no one could confirm its truth. It seemed to recount some fantastical story that only existed in myth.

Murmuring, he began to sing softly, almost unconsciously.

“There is an Underworld, by the banks of the Nether, on the far shore of the Sanzu River… Fox Spirit, Fox Spirit comes across the river… Flowers bloom like blood, eyes look far beyond… The fox treads between Yin and Yang, ringing the bell, ferrying souls away… The world calls her… the Fox Shrine Maiden…”

“In the west, there is an island of immortals, hidden in spirit… The legend of the ?Fox Spirit Shrine Maiden?… it’s all true…”

He smiled, feeling an overwhelming sense of joy and satisfaction, his thoughts reaching clarity at that moment.

Mr. Dead Soul’s consciousness came to a halt.

…………………

Mr. Dead Soul’s consciousness awakened once again.

“Ah!”

He opened his eyes wide, suddenly rolling up from the snowy ground, bewildered as he looked around.

“He’s awake! He’s really awake!”

In front of him, a young girl, with gray bangs covering half of one eye, knelt on the ground at eye level with him and let out an excited cry. Another girl, who looked similar but had her bangs falling to the right side, and a middle-aged man standing behind them—wearing a straw raincoat and with snow accumulating on his conical hat—also smiled in relief.

Who… are they?

Staring at their strangely familiar faces, Mr. Dead Soul furrowed his brow, trying to recall. Finally, after a long moment, memories from long ago slowly resurfaced in his mind.

Wait, this snow and wind…

Is this… the summit of the ?Wall of Heaven??

The gray-clad swordsman lowered his head, glancing at the seven long swords hanging at his waist and the jade-green ring on his left wrist. A wave of astonishment surged in his heart.

“I’m not dead?”

“You’ve got the nerve to say that! If it weren’t for Miss Dawn showing mercy, you’d have really died, you know that?”

As memories from the past flooded back, he looked at the girl named ?Dark Lotus? in front of him, her face filled with a mixture of fear and anger, but mostly concern. The young man, who had felt a bit at a loss, finally… sighed lightly and raised his hand to gently ruffle her hair in comfort.

“How long was I unconscious? Have you all been taking care of me this whole time? Everyone made it out, right? Who’s managing the merchant association’s group?”

He expected a quick answer and had even prepared himself for the possibility that things had gone awry. But as soon as he finished speaking, he noticed the three of them looking at him with particularly strange, or rather, even more worried expressions.

Finally, Miss Dark Lotus couldn’t hold back and spoke up.

“You… you didn’t hit your head when you fell, did you? From the moment Miss Dawn defeated you until now, it’s only been about half a minute.”

“…?”

At that moment, the crisp voice of a girl, as clear as silver bells, rang out perfectly.

“Perhaps the ability I just used made him see some illusions. No need to worry, he’ll recover after resting for a bit.”

Upon hearing this, Mr. Dead Soul quickly turned his head in surprise, only to see the ?Fox Spirit Shrine Maiden? standing at the edge of the mountain platform behind them, her hands behind her back as she gazed out at the vast horizon above the clouds. The cold wind from the northern region stirred her long, snow-white hair, and her graceful, serene figure seemed as though it had transcended the mortal world.

As if sensing the gaze of the gray-clad swordsman, Miss White Fox turned around, her silver-blue eyes meeting his in the air. Her tone carried a faint trace of playfulness.

“Don’t worry, I still give you some chance.”

“Miss Dawn…”

The girl swiftly waved her sleeve, cutting off Mr. Dead Soul’s words before he could speak.

“No need to say more. As long as you understand, that’s enough. It’s not easy to come and go freely, so for now, return with your companions and rest. When the time is right, I’ll come find you again. This trial should be enough for you to reflect on for quite some time.”

“Oh, right, the flying wings. As promised, I’ll leave them in your care. You may use them, but don’t break them.”

“……”

Stunned for a long moment, as if he finally understood something, a look of realization slowly appeared on the gray-clad swordsman’s face, followed by uncontrollable gratitude.

He gently waved off his companion’s attempt to help him, stood up, and, facing Miss White Fox who had turned her back once more, bowed deeply three times with utmost respect.

“Thank you, Miss Dawn, for the unparalleled opportunity you’ve granted me. I will never forget your guidance!”

“…Go on.”

“Yes!”

Afterward, the four of them passed through the now-open space portal, returning to the expedition camp on the other side.

Only when the snowy peak was left with just the girl did Miss Dawn finally remove her mask, revealing a mixture of helplessness and curiosity beneath it.

“Strange… What exactly did that kid see earlier?”