Why Am I a Priestess When I Reach the Maximum Level? - [Vol. 6] Chapter 14

[Vol. 6] Chapter 14: The Moon of the Ancient Spirit Realm

On a starry night without a moon, seven stars of different colors slowly moved in a specific pattern, intertwining and drawing closer together. Their light, not overwhelmingly bright but impossible to ignore, cast a growing, dreamlike haze upon the land, creating a rare and fantastical sight.

Across the [Ancient Spirit Realm], many must have noticed this celestial phenomenon known as the [Seven Stars Alignment]. On this final night of the old calendar, marking the dawn of a new era, they likely raised their glasses amidst celebrations with family and friends, marveling at the beauty of this event.

Yet, few would know that beneath the same starry alignment, in an unassuming little village, an extraordinary battle was unfolding, one destined to be etched into history.

The ghastly green mist had morphed into various ferocious beasts, surging toward the black-haired, white-robed priestess.

She raised her hand, and golden barriers sprung up from the ground under the guidance of her holy staff. The spectral beasts, radiating eerie and malevolent energy, disintegrated upon impact with the barriers, unable to launch even a single meaningful attack.

…Well, to be fair, calling this “intense” might be a bit of an overstatement.

“Is that all? After all that bragging, can’t you show me something impressive?”

Her words were deliberately provocative, laced with a playful, mocking tone. But this time, the “entity” formed of green mist didn’t let Violet’s taunts rile it up again.

Instead, it seemed to observe her intently, or as much as a mist could, occasionally glancing at the larger golden dome surrounding them. The dome excluded everyone else in the village, including Zeng Zhuang.

“This technique… it’s not part of the conventional magic systems of the [Ancient Spirit Realm]. And your strange attire… Are you from beyond the borderlands?”

“Oh, so you may not be much of a fighter, but your observation skills are pretty sharp.”

Just based on this, you’re already much better than Zeng Xianzhi.

The pale green mist wavered slightly, as if lost in thought.

“If you’re an outsider, why align yourself with the lackeys of the [Yin-Yang Division]? I bear you no grudge. The coming great era would benefit your kind as much as anyone else. What do you say? Shall we join forces?”

“…?”

Wasn’t that a little too fast of a change in attitude?

Violet could tell what was going on.

This creature had likely already sensed the presence of the two mysterious women near the square, those it referred to as “lackeys of the [Yin-Yang Division].” And since it didn’t have full confidence in dealing with them, it was trying to enlist other external forces for support.

Otherwise, anyone with a bit of awareness should have noticed that the Holy Light magic Violet used was the complete antithesis of these sinister, malevolent energies. It shouldn’t have even considered trying to recruit her in the first place.

Sure enough, no matter where you went, it all came down to strength.

Once Violet displayed her power through battle, the creature’s attitude noticeably shifted. If earlier it had been full of arrogance, stubbornly clinging to its pride, now its tone was closer to that of a conversation between equals.

“What’s your name?”

Noticing a slight softening in the tone of the black-haired girl, the green mist perked up, seizing the opportunity to get closer.

“Greetings, friend. This one is known as [Hidden Fog], one of the Seven Heavenly Demon Lords. Born of endless fog, hidden amidst the world. May I ask your name?”

“Violet.”

[Hidden Fog]’s presence hesitated slightly, seemingly thrown off by such a short and dismissive introduction. However, it quickly composed itself, adopting a pleasant tone once again.

“About the earlier proposal, what do you think, Violet? Your extraordinary powers already qualify you as a worthy partner of us Seven Heavenly Demon Lords. Assist me in completing this life sacrifice ritual, and once it’s done, I can personally recommend you to—”

“Stop right there.”

The black-haired girl raised her hand, cutting off its incessant attempt to spin promises out of thin air.

“Just to clarify, what exactly is this life sacrifice ritual you’re talking about? And what happens to the targets of the ritual once it’s complete?”

“The targets of the ritual?”

[Hidden Fog] seemed momentarily taken aback before quickly replying.

“The so-called life sacrifice, of course, uses life as its offering. Human souls are entirely transformed into a womb of Yin energy to be consumed by the Evil King. Only then can the best effect be achieved. Is there something you don’t understand, Violet?”

“Oh… sounds like you’ve done this quite a few times before.”

Although [Hidden Fog] could sense the girl’s growing hostility, it continued to patiently explain, likely in an attempt to win over this powerful outsider.

“Not frequently, actually. The [Yin-Yang Division]’s lackeys are everywhere, skilled in divination and highly sensitive. Large-scale rituals are often discovered in advance, making them nearly impossible to complete successfully.”

“If it weren’t for the peak of yin energy on this thousand-year night, it would have been impossible to conduct a life sacrifice with just a small village of around a hundred people. For that reason, I have rarely acted in the past century.”

Hearing the creature’s dismissive tone, the priestess exhaled softly, shaking her head with a faint sigh.

“One person ascends to immortality, while ten thousand bones turn to dust… is that it? In other words, if the conditions are right, you wouldn’t hesitate to frequently hold large-scale human sacrifices.”

The pale green mist rippled with agreement.

“The path to immortality is ruthless, the workings of fate unfathomable. To seek ascension is to compete against countless others. If we do not treat all things as straw dogs, how can we achieve transcendence?”

“Hah…”

The black-haired girl raised her long staff once again.

“Enough. The midnight hour you’ve been stalling for has arrived. Let’s see what you’ve gone to such great lengths to summon.”

“…So that’s your answer, is it? No wonder you’re involved with the [Yin-Yang Division]. You’re utterly foolish.”

[Hidden Fog]’s raspy voice grew equally cold, but soon it surged with fervent excitement.

Its formless hands stretched toward the heavens as it shouted:

“The millennium has come, and the great era shall begin! Come forth—Sacred Moon!”

The clock struck midnight at that very moment.

The seven brilliantly colored stars in the sky aligned completely, forming a single straight line that resembled a cord tying the heavens together, pointing toward a distant point on the celestial dome…

A moon emerged from the darkness.

This was no ordinary moon. It was a solitary, singular moon, vastly different from those of other continents.

Though its silvery-white radiance was vast and otherworldly, it carried an unmistakable sense of desolation and cold emptiness that trickled down with its light.

The light brought by the [Seven Stars Alignment] paled in comparison. In mere moments, the earth below was bathed in shimmering silver, as if reverting to daylight. At the same time, the sinister and oppressive Yin energy that had already begun to pervade the air reached its peak!

“V-Village Chief, why does it feel like it’s suddenly gotten colder?”

“…No one panic. Do not create trouble for Miss Violet.”

Violet turned her gaze toward the outer edges of the barrier, following the voices of those speaking.

Every villager of Zengjia Village, including Zeng Xianzhi and Zeng Zhuang, now had visible wisps of dense Yin energy seeping out of their bodies.

The Yin Wombs within them had begun to stir under the illumination of the moon’s power.

Although the talisman papers provided and distributed earlier by that noblewoman glowed faintly once more, forming protective shields that clung to their bodies to block the resonance of internal and external Yin energy, they were no match for the extreme Yin force of this [Millennium Night].

With the meticulous arrangements [Hidden Fog] had made in advance, relying solely on those hastily distributed talismans to suppress everything was clearly unrealistic.

Without Violet, the villagers would likely be left struggling desperately, hoping the two women on the other side could resolve the ghostfire and return to confront [Hidden Fog] here.

During that time, however, it would be nearly impossible to safeguard the lives of Zengjia Village’s people, unless the two women had some hidden trump card.

The black-haired girl raised her head, gazing at the solitary moon.

“A Sacred Moon, huh… No wonder it’s normally invisible.”

If the mere appearance of this moon can make the evil energy on Earth so intense, then it’s no wonder it usually disappears.

It had to vanish. There was no other choice.

At least, its light cannot shine on this place with the most yin energy right now.

The black-haired girl raised her long staff high and pointed at the full moon in the sky. Trapped in the barrier, [Hidden Fog] watched her movements in astonishment.