Why Am I a Priestess When I Reach the Maximum Level? - [Vol. 6] Chapter 16

[Vol. 6] Chapter 16: The Tales of Yangyuan

A few days later, outside Yangyuan City in the Western Origin Spirit Kingdom, at a roadside teahouse.

Three women sat at a tea table by the window, each sipping from their cups of warm tea, which wasn’t particularly high-end, while casually observing the official road outside. They seemed quite relaxed.

The three women each had their own distinct charm and differing temperaments. The young woman in white robes, with her unique attire and pure black hair, naturally attracted the attention of many patrons inside the teahouse. Even the owner and staff couldn’t help but glance in their direction.

However, the women seemed already accustomed to such attention, paying no mind to the various gazes directed at them, instead quietly engaging in conversation.

“So, are you saying it will take another half a year before the Immortal Island appears again? And what about its location?”

“It’s uncertain. The location of the Immortal Island changes every time it appears. This mysterious and magical island moves frequently and does not have a fixed point where it stays.”

“Whenever the Immortal Island is about to appear, an [Immortal Envoy] is sent to the capitals of the Four Nations to inform the current [Four Saints] of its specific location and details. They then organize competitions within their countries to select outstanding talents who are eligible to board the Immortal Island.”

“This is one of the most prestigious and grand events in our [Ancient Spirit Realm], the [Four Saints’ Immortal Selection Ceremony].”

“Wow, it feels like the situation just suddenly became… strange…”

“Hmm? Did you say something, Senior Violet?”

Looking at the noble and graceful yet gentle gray-haired young woman, Ling Feng, who had spoken with a puzzled tone, Violet, who had been traveling with them for several days and was now familiar with many of the customs and common knowledge of this [Ancient Spirit Realm], smiled and shook her head.

“Nothing, just a little muttering about foreign customs. But speaking of which, Miss Ling Feng, it seems you aren’t all that surprised that I’m here for the Immortal Island, and you accepted that explanation quite easily and provided information without hesitation. Is there a particular reason for that?”

Ling Feng lightly brushed aside a lock of hair from her temple, and the breeze from outside the window fluttered her long gray locks. Though it was just a small gesture, paired with her noble and graceful demeanor and stunningly beautiful face, it left a few patrons at nearby tables staring in awe.

Bai’er glared fiercely at them before finally retracting her sharp gaze.

“Senior Violet may not know, but our [Ancient Spirit Realm] is vast and interconnected, and in ancient times, it could even connect to multiple worlds. Although since the arrival of the Four Saints and the pacification of chaos, along with the regulation of the Immortal Island, the number of visitors from beyond the heavens has greatly decreased, they still come continuously.”

“In the present peaceful age, visitors from beyond the heavens usually come for a few reasons: either for cultivation, travel, or to seek immortality and wisdom, hoping to ascend to the legendary supreme land of immortals for guidance. So, Senior Violet, your reason for coming is actually quite legitimate.”

“I see… Well, I didn’t expect it to take another half a year. That’s such a long wait…”

Miss Bai’er, who had been looking out the window and occasionally surveying the teahouse, but rarely took the initiative to speak, surprisingly turned her head and joined the conversation between the two.

“It’s not too long. Normally, the interval between the Immortal Island’s appearances could be ten years or even several decades, and many people may only get the chance to see it once in their lifetime. But this time, it’s only been less than three years, and the Immortal Envoy has suddenly returned to announce that the Immortal Island will be opening soon…”

“So, your timing is actually perfect, but also quite unfortunate.”

Although Bai’er didn’t explain herself very clearly, after the events in Zengjia Village a few days ago, Violet could roughly guess what she meant by “perfect timing” and “unfortunate.”

The priestess didn’t seem to mind. In fact, rather than focusing on the so-called grand era or new epoch, what caught her attention more were the hints of information that Bai’er had subtly revealed.

“Mm? It sounds like… you have some unique knowledge about the Immortal Island?”

Ling Feng smiled slightly and naturally took over the conversation.

“To be honest, Bai’er was actually the third place winner from our Western Kingdom in the previous [Four Saints’ Immortal Selection Ceremony]. She once ascended to the Immortal Island and was even favored by Lord Wuqu, one of the Seven Hidden Stars, who personally guided her for over a month. In our Western Origin Spirit Kingdom, she is considered a leading figure among the younger generation.”

“Third place only, not something to brag about… I wasn’t even the champion. In the final competition, I was knocked down to more than tenth place…”

Bai’er, being praised so openly, couldn’t help but blush slightly on her fair face, a little embarrassed, and turned her head away. However, Ling Feng simply smiled without comment.

“The final competition was the grand martial arts tournament of the entire [Ancient Spirit Realm], not just our Western Kingdom. There were even outsiders like Senior Violet. Moreover, the [Four Saints’ Immortal Selection Ceremony] doesn’t have an age limit. Bai’er, you achieved such an excellent result at such a young age. It’s already a great honor. Don’t belittle yourself.”

“Well, it’s because many strong competitors didn’t participate for various reasons. If Master had intervened…”

*Cough cough.*

Ling Feng’s soft reminder made Bai’er realize she had misspoken. She quickly stuck out her tongue, ending the out-of-control topic and pretended to look outside the window again.

The reason for this was simple: one of the teahouse staff had just brought a new pot of tea to replace the almost empty teacups in front of the girls. As if trying to linger for a moment longer, the staff member slowly tidied up the empty teapot while smiling and striking up a conversation.

“All of you ladies look extraordinary. Could it be that you’re here to join the recruitment by the prefect of Yangyuan City, seeking opportunities?”

“Hm?”

Violet, who hadn’t initially paid much attention to the staff, was now mildly intrigued by the question.

“Recruitment? What kind of recruitment? Has the prefect of this city… encountered some kind of trouble?”

Seeing that the black-haired girl had responded to his casual mention, the staff member, who had been prepared to be ignored, perked up and quickly stopped in his tracks, laughing heartily.

“How could the prefect, a noble official governing an entire county, have any difficulties? But, just a few days ago, on the night of the Millennium Year-End, during the Seven Stars Alignment, I’m sure the three of you saw the rare lunar eclipse, right?”

“Hm, so what happened?”

“Heh heh, well…”

The staff member mischievously rubbed his hands, and before Violet could respond, Bai’er, seemingly familiar with such tactics, tossed a coin toward him with a flick of her sleeve. The staff member caught it expertly with both hands, and his attitude immediately became more earnest and polite.

“Ah, very generous, honored guest! Very generous!!”

“Actually, just a few days ago, when the rare Seven Stars Alignment appeared and the moon, which hadn’t been seen in a thousand years, briefly reappeared, there were reports from about twenty miles outside Yangyuan City, near the tidal deep valley, where people witnessed the legendary holy beast Qilin, which symbolizes auspiciousness!”

Hearing this, Ling Feng’s brow furrowed slightly before quickly returning to normal. It was a subtle shift, but it didn’t escape Violet’s keen observation.

Of course, neither of the two women responded, simply listening attentively to the staff’s description.

The staff member quickly slipped the silver coin into his pocket and continued with a mysterious grin.

“This Qilin is extraordinary! It’s said that it fought alongside the Western Saint during ancient times, and its power of immortality helped the Western Saint quell the chaos and establish the Western Origin Spirit Kingdom.

“Unfortunately, not long after the kingdom was founded, the first Western Saint withdrew into the mountains, and the Qilin that had accompanied them disappeared soon after. No one has seen it since. Who would have thought that it would appear now, in a cursed place like the tidal deep valley?”

“Now, if the Qilin truly reappears, wouldn’t that be the most important event in our Western Origin Spirit Kingdom? So, the prefect quickly issued a recruitment order, calling for talented individuals to join the search for the holy beast. If they find it, heh heh…”