Why Am I a Priestess When I Reach the Maximum Level? - [Vol. 6] Chapter 141

[Vol. 6] Chapter 141: A Thousand-Year Wait

“Bang!!!”

With a heavy impact, Shangguan Hong’s tall figure was thrown backward, stumbling uncontrollably into the group behind him.

Shaking his still-aching shoulder, the lead disciple of the [Shocking God Sect] lifted his gaze. His sharp, dual-colored eyes locked onto the figure that had just repelled him, and he couldn’t help but mutter under his breath.

“This… monster. Isn’t this a bit too absurd?”

“Watch out!”

As the warning rang out, Liu Quan, assigned to provide support, instinctively stepped in front of Shangguan Hong. Activating the “Golden Bell Shield” to its full potential, he unleashed a dazzling, golden brilliance.

“Clang!!!!”

With a sound like clashing metal, the golden shield shattered under the force of the impact. Liu Quan spat out a mouthful of blood but refused to retreat even half a step. Raising his hand, he shattered the now-powerless energy arrow into fragments.

Following their pre-planned tactics, two other disciples of the [Shocking God Sect] immediately stepped forward to cover the injured, shielding them from further harm. A young woman hurried to the wounded men’s side, summoning an energy-formed white lotus with a wave of her hand. The gentle light from the lotus cascaded over the injured, healing their wounds.

“Senior Brother, you were too reckless,” said Yanzi, who stood at the front, maintaining the defensive formation. Her expression was calm but cold as she pointed out Shangguan Hong’s mistake, leaving him with a wry smile.

“How could I have known these strange creatures were so bizarre? They looked like they were about to fall apart and yet managed to overpower me head-on. It’s just a pile of straw…”

His words seemed to irritate Yanzi, who immediately frowned.

“This world is filled with countless wonders beyond simple appearances. How can you judge everything with your eyes alone? Senior Brother, your sense of teamwork is severely lacking, and you show no respect for true mysteries.”

“Remember, Liu Quan was injured because of your actions. I understand you come from a prestigious background and have high self-esteem, but right now, you’re the lead disciple of the [Shocking God Sect] and a part of this team. I hope you realize this before your companions pay an irreparable price for your recklessness.”

“Frankly, based on the teamwork you just demonstrated, you’re not even on par with those straw soldiers we fought.”

The statement, delivered in a calm and steady tone without a trace of reproach, came from Yanzi, a girl who appeared no older than sixteen or seventeen. Her words left Shangguan Hong speechless.

Just moments ago, he had been hurling defiant insults at the [Black Scaled Army]. Yet now, faced with his teammates, he could only remain silent for a moment before nodding in acknowledgment.

“…You’re right. I was reckless before. I apologize, Yanzi. I promise I won’t make the same mistake again. From now on, you’ll lead this fight.”

Seeing that the senior and most experienced disciple wasn’t stubbornly clinging to his pride and instead openly accepted her critique, the ponytailed girl visibly relaxed. She turned her attention back to the four tattered straw soldiers in front of them.

To be honest, while she maintained a composed outward demeanor, Yanzi wasn’t entirely confident either. This mission was unlike anything she’d ever experienced, nothing from her past or even her memories compared. She was taking a gamble.

A gamble on something that might happen in the future.

Her risk-taking far surpassed anything Shangguan Hong could have imagined, but Yanzi hadn’t shared this with anyone.

Because Yanzi hadn’t always been Yanzi.

To put it simply, she possessed memories from a “previous life.” That was the reason her mind was far more mature and composed than those of her peers despite her young age.

Her previous life had taken place more than a thousand years ago.

Of course, the history of the [Ancient Spirit Realm] extended far beyond a millennium.

More than a thousand years ago, before the world was thrown into chaos by the invasion of demonic forces, this land had been home to many nations. Some were massive powers rivaling the Four Holy Nations of today, while others were tiny kingdoms of just a few cities and a million people.

At that time, the rulers of the [Ancient Spirit Realm] were not entirely human. Among them was a great being known as the [Origin Ancestor], referred to by later generations as the [Ancestral Dragon]. This magnificent existence led a faction of immense influence and power.

It wasn’t something that could be simply described as “spirit beasts” or “monsters.” The composition of that era was far more complex than what exists today.

While much of the history from that time has been lost due to the great upheaval that reshaped the world, Yanzi remembered it clearly.

Back then, the rulers of the world were known as the “Three Pillars”:

First, the [Blood of Origin], which governed the Inner Realm.

Second, the [Alliance of Nations], which expanded across the Outer Realm.

Third, the [Spirit Veil Immortal Island], a power above the [Ancient Spirit Realm]that maintained absolute neutrality. Though it did not interfere in politics, it wielded authority and strength equal to or even surpassing the other two.

The [Alliance of Nations] was composed of countless large and small countries from the Outer Realm. Essentially encompassing what is now the entire [Ancient Spirit Realm]. While it didn’t have formal independence, it united nearly all the nations across the continent at that time.

In terms of sheer numbers, the [Alliance of Nations] had far more members than both the [Blood of Origin] and Spirit Veil Immortal Island combined, making this its greatest advantage. Yanzi could still vividly recall the grand sight of countless envoys flocking to the Alliance’s summits.

The [Blood of Origin], on the other hand, was represented by the [Ancestral Dragon] and its faction of spirit beasts. These beings were the earliest intelligent lifeforms in the [Ancient Spirit Realm], deriving their strength from their inherited bloodlines. They had a long history, deep heritage, and little desire for political power.

They lived peacefully, guarding the Inner Realm, which was vastly different from the flourishing Outer Realm controlled by the [Alliance of Nations]. Although smaller in number, their combined strength far exceeded that of the [Alliance of Nations].

After all, while the Alliance boasted countless talents and powerful individuals, it lacked the [Ancestral Dragon]. A qualitative gap that was impossible to bridge.

As for [Spirit Veil Immortal Island], it stood between the [Blood of Origin] and the [Alliance of Nations], acting as a mediator and helping maintain the balance of power between the three. This equilibrium enabled the [Ancient Spirit Realm] to enjoy a relatively stable environment for development.

Unlike the other two, Spirit Veil Immortal Island didn’t have a large standing army or an extensive military force. Yet, its supreme status was upheld by two extraordinary figures. Beings of unmatched power, fearless even in the face of the [Ancestral Dragon], whose infinite might commanded absolute respect.

The [Spirit Fox Shrine Maiden] and the [Supreme Sacred Fox God].

If the latter was merely a symbolic guardian deity of the legendary Spirit Veil Immortal Island, the [Spirit Fox Shrine Maiden] was its true leader. She once walked among mortals, personally demonstrating her miraculous powers as a divine figure of Spirit Veil. Her deeds earned her universal respect from both the [Alliance of Nations] and the [Blood of Origin].

She was the only being in both of Yanzi’s lifetimes whom she genuinely revered and admired.

But the arrival of the “demonic chaos” shattered the [Ancient Spirit Realm]’s civilization. The [Alliance of Nations] fragmented under the bizarre forces, and the Inner Realm, governed by the [Blood of Origin], was torn from the earth and vanished. Two of the Three Pillars were broken, reshaping the world entirely.

Though Spirit Veil Immortal Island survived and even grew more transcendent and mysterious over time, its absolute leader, the [Spirit Fox Shrine Maiden], vanished. To this day, she remains only a figure of legend, surrounded by countless myths.

Yanzi’s reincarnation and reappearance in this era were tied to her profound gratitude toward the shrine maiden who had once saved her.

It had been on the eve of the demonic chaos’s end, through an incredible secret message from the [Supreme Sacred Fox God]:

A prophecy about the future, a hidden safeguard left behind by the Shrine Maiden herself.

“……”

The time had come.

Taking a deep breath, Yanzi acted as her teammates engaged the straw soldier puppets once again. She activated a technique called [Heaven-Shielding Art], an extraordinary secret passed to her directly by the [Spirit Fox Shrine Maiden] during a fateful encounter in her previous life.

As its name suggests, the [Heaven-Shielding Art] obscures the heavens’ awareness, allowing mortals to glimpse fragments of the infinite truths about past and future events.

However, the price of this ability is the abandonment of one’s true name to evade divine retribution. Despite its cost, the art provides a significant ability to predict future outcomes.

It was nothing short of miraculous.

This technique was one of Yanzi’s greatest assets since her rebirth, enabling her to anticipate her enemies’ actions and make the best decisions at critical moments.