Why Am I a Priestess When I Reach the Maximum Level? - [Vol. 6] Chapter 117

[Vol. 6] Chapter 117: Hidden Threads

According to reports from her secret organization, the naive Princess Yuan Zhi had already sneaked out of her home with her guards and headed to Yangyuan County, inspired by the “adventure” the Spirit Maiden had described. After verifying the details of the [Heavenly Secrets] with Prefect Wen Fu, Hen only needed to give things a subtle push from behind.

She issued a secret order for Wen Fu to publicly announce the sighting of the Qilin and to invite heroes from across the land to investigate the matter in [Tidal Deep Valley].

In truth, Hen didn’t expect these so-called “heroes” to accomplish anything significant. Her real goal was simply to ensure that Yuan Zhi, already in Yangyuan County, would hear the news.

Based on her understanding of the princess, once Yuan Zhi heard anything related to the Qilin, her curiosity would be piqued beyond measure. The Western Holy Beast was the foundation of the Western Origin Spirit Kingdom’s existence, and as a descendant of the Spirit Saint, Yuan Zhi would undoubtedly want to prove herself more than just a decorative figure. She would do everything possible to get involved.

To further guide events, Hen vaguely hinted in her letter that a noble figure closely tied to the Qilin would soon arrive to address the matter. She instructed Wen Fu to take note of this but not to make a big deal about it, simply act as though he were unaware.

As long as Yuan Zhi entered [Tidal Deep Valley] and caught the Qilin’s attention, Hen’s objective would be achieved.

Regardless of the process, the disaster related to Yazi would inevitably be temporarily quelled. Whether it could be resolved perfectly was another matter.

Hen was not a god. For now, her priority was to mitigate and reduce the impact of disasters to the best of her ability.

However, Hen also took note of another piece of information from Wen Fu’s report.

The golden light that had pierced the skies and illuminated Yangyuan County was not something Hen recognized from the memories that had resurfaced when she awoke in this body. If it were truly significant, the [Heavenly Secrets] would have surely mentioned it.

This left two possible explanations:

1. It was a random coincidence, an event whose creator posed no threat or influence to the [Ancient Spirit Realm]. In this case, it could be ignored.
2. It was something far more significant, connected to forces that could drastically alter events.

The first possibility, while plausible, was less likely.

If it were merely a minor disturbance, Wen Fu wouldn’t have included it alongside the Qilin sighting in his report. Moreover, Yangyuan County was already a hotspot for major incidents. Whether it was the chaos at the yin energy focal point that marked the start of this era’s upheaval or the Qilin in [Tidal Deep Valley], any external interference in these events could trigger unpredictable outcomes. Ones that even Hen couldn’t foresee.

Thus, the Spirit Maiden chose to believe another possibility:

[This event had already exceeded the calculations of the [Heavenly Secrets].]

Perhaps… the Chosen One was in Yangyuan County and might even become involved in the chaos beneath [Tidal Deep Valley].

Emotionally, Hen wanted to meet this person directly. However, she understood that this was impossible.

From the moment she left the capital, the carefully prepared plan had officially begun. The hidden forces plotting to overthrow the world’s order had already taken her bait. It was likely they would act before she even reached Yangyuan County.

Moreover, her belief that the Chosen One was in Yangyuan County was still only speculation. If she acted rashly and caused greater disruptions, the loss would outweigh the gain.

After careful consideration, she decided to stick to the original plan. Instead of hastily seeking out the Chosen One, whose identity remained unclear, she would head to a location where she was certain they would eventually arrive and wait for them there.

Hen followed her initial strategy. Along the way, she dispatched several waves of elite Spirit Guard troops on horseback, making a show of force under the pretext of reinforcing [Tidal Deep Valley]. This not only weakened the forces visibly surrounding her but also served as bait to lure out certain enemies.

This calculated, dual-purpose approach quickly yielded results.

When her patrol group was still hundreds of miles from Yangyuan City, the predicted “earthquake” occurred right on schedule. A signal to the enemy’s imminent attack.

Sure enough, less than a day later, her group was ambushed by an unknown faction.

But Hen had anticipated this. Using the chaos to her advantage, she escaped from view with the help of her secret allies. By faking her death, she slipped away to Peach Blossom Peak in the Cangyun Mountains, where she had arranged for sanctuary. There, she could also address another impending disaster.

However, an unexpected complication arose.

Knowing she would not return from this journey, Hen had planned to leave her adoptive sister, He Zhu, with the main group for her safety. But it seemed He Zhu had sensed something as well and stubbornly insisted on following Hen, no matter what.

The situation was urgent, and given He Zhu’s special status, Hen reluctantly allowed her to come along. During the enemy attack, Hen took advantage of the chaos to knock He Zhu unconscious and hide her. This was to prevent He Zhu from being killed or captured by their enraged attackers.

It was this small deviation that exposed Hen’s location, allowing Violet and her companions, who arrived later, to pinpoint her whereabouts and pursue her all the way here.

“So… you didn’t actually expect to meet me here?”

After listening to the general situation, Violet immediately grasped the underlying meaning of the Spirit Maiden’s words.

Hen shook her head, her gaze still fixed on part of the creature’s body belonging to the “Taotie”.

“I anticipated it… and yet, I didn’t.”

“What does that mean?”

The silver-haired girl turned to look at Violet, a faint smile tugging at her lips. Though her expression remained calm and serene, there was a subtle, almost imperceptible hint of relief.

“I mentioned it before, didn’t I? I couldn’t find the Chosen One, so I could only wait here.”

“Peach Blossom Peak in the Cangyun Mountains is a critical location. The Chosen One will inevitably come here one day, entering the [Great Secret Realm of Chaos]. This is the one place in the [Ancient Spirit Realm] they are destined to set foot in. So… I waited for you here.”

“…Why?”

“I’m not sure. It’s what the [Heavenly Secrets] told me.”

Frowning at the vague answer, Violet pressed further.

“Did the [Heavenly Secrets] reveal anything else about this so-called Chosen One?”

The Spirit Maiden silently shook her head.

“All I know is that you are important. Incredibly important.”

“Alright… but I have a few more questions.”

“Please, go ahead.”

After a moment of thought, the priestess raised a question that Hen had glossed over in her earlier explanation, something Violet felt was deliberately left unsaid, as if Hen was waiting for her to notice it.

“Why didn’t you share the full details with the Western Saint? Surely, someone of their stature could have helped you. Or… do you not trust them either?”

In response, Hen didn’t offer a direct answer.

“The Spirit Maiden is the Spirit Maiden of the [Ancient Spirit Realm], but the Western Saint is the Saint of the Western Origin Spirit Kingdom. No matter their character, that title does not change.”

“And what about the Spirit Veil Immortal Island?”

“I would have sought their help without hesitation, but you know… at that time, I couldn’t make contact with them.”

“I see…”

After wrapping up a somewhat ambiguous conversation, which they both silently understood, Violet continued.

“What’s the relationship between the Peach Blossom Sage and the [Supreme Sacred Fox God]?”

“Oh?”

The silver-haired girl raised her delicate brows slightly, showing a hint of surprise.

“How did you figure that out?”

If it were anyone else, Violet might have retorted with, “I’m the one asking here.” But since she had confirmed that Hen was indeed the person she was looking for, even if not exactly the Hen she had in mind, Violet couldn’t help but feel a bit more attachment.

Hen responded calmly.

“The one who sealed the [Taotie] is the [Supreme Sacred Fox God], while the one guarding the entrance to the secret realm is the Peach Blossom Sage. The latter also possesses nearly god-like peak strength, which itself is very telling.”

“Moreover, there’s a strong karmic bond on her, similar to the one with the [Taotie]. Although the forms are different, I believe only beings directly related to [Gods] could be affected in such a way.”

“This curse, seemingly born from [Destruction], clings to her like maggots to a corpse. Over time, it silently spreads to those closely connected to her. Father to son, son to grandson. The [Nine-Pattern Earth Spirit Great Saint] might have been killed because of this.”

“That’s why the Peach Blossom Sage stays secluded, refusing to meet with most outsiders. I don’t think it’s because she’s reclusive, but because she doesn’t want to harm innocent lives…”

The priestess smiled faintly.

“Of course, all of this is just my speculation. I wonder how much of it is true?”