Why Am I a Priestess When I Reach the Maximum Level? - [Vol. 6] Chapter 182

[Vol. 6] Chapter 182: The End of a Mission

“So, this now-empty [Void Prison]…”

Just as Xiao Kong was about to continue speaking, the multicolored black sphere before them suddenly twisted violently. Its glow dimmed rapidly, and even surrounding the [Heaven-Opening Sect] ruins and [Void Prison] began to tremble faintly.

Floating mid-air, the two women exchanged glances. Violet nodded slightly.

“It seems the time has come.”

During her earlier conversation with the [Spirit Fox Shrine Maiden], Violet had been explicitly told that the [Void Prison], though an extraordinary creation by [Dawn] herself, was never meant to exist permanently.

A thousand years. That was the predetermined lifespan of the [Void Prison], and also the maximum duration for the existence of the [Spirit Fox Shrine Maiden]’s avatar.

After the turmoil a century ago, part of the [Void Prison’s] energy had been diverted to maintain the [Heaven-Opening Sect] ruins. This additional strain meant its lifespan was shortened even further.

In reality, even without external interference, the [Void Prison] would have collapsed entirely within a few decades. Fully aware of her own approaching end, the avatar of the [Spirit Fox Shrine Maiden] had chosen to pass herself on as a gift to Violet.

The fragment of the [Spirit Fox Shrine Maiden]’s authority and [Divinity], the very essence of the avatar, had fused with Violet not long ago, becoming one with her.

This was likely why Violet’s aura had changed, something Xiao Kong had pointed out earlier, and it also revealed the true treasure hidden within this [Void Prison]: the legacy and power of the [Spirit Fox Shrine Maiden].

With the avatar’s essence now dissolved, the [Void Prison] was inevitably collapsing. The entire [Void Prison] would disintegrate within a short time.

But there was a problem.

“Zzzz… zzzzzzz!”

The twisting of the [Void Prison] grew more violent, and the dark fissures that webbed the surroundings expanded rapidly. Without any remaining force to contain them, the fractures began to spiral out of control, heralding an imminent collapse.

Although the powerful duo floating above the chaos were not in any immediate danger, it was clear these spatial rifts would quickly engulf the entire [Void Prison]. If not resolved, it would soon be consumed entirely.

The others who entered the [Void Prison] would have no way of withstanding the force of these spatial ruptures.

“Wait, Violet, something doesn’t feel right. If this [Void Prison] wasn’t truly created by her, could it be that there was never a way to leave in the first place…?”

Violet didn’t immediately respond to Xiao Kong’s concern. Instead, the black-haired girl raised her head, gazing at the sky of the ancient town, which was now almost entirely obscured by black cracks, as if she were waiting for something.

Suddenly, she smiled.

“They’re here.”

As her words fell, an intense light, like the brilliance of a perpetual day, burst forth from beyond the [Void Prison]’s sky. The light descended, splitting into dazzling beams that streaked toward the earth below with tremendous force.

“Huh… what’s this?”

Unlike the bewildered Xiao Kong, who was taken aback by the sudden display, Violet, having already integrated with the fragment of the [Spirit Fox Shrine Maiden]’s essence, merely smiled.

“Xiao Kong, have you ever wondered why those earthbound spirits were so obsessed with their death-match scenarios? Why they drove everyone, both those they could possess and those they couldn’t, toward the center of the [Void Prison]? Or more fundamentally, where do these so-called *earthbound spirits* even come from?”

“You mean…?”

Violet nodded slightly.

“That’s right. They are the remnants of the [Heaven-Opening Sect] disciples who perished when the entire sect was forcibly transported into the [Endless Wasteland Sea].”

“You already know that the [Spirit Fox Shrine Maiden]’s power is renowned for its ability to communicate with spirits. And the [Endless Wasteland Sea] lies in the rift between the Underworld and the Sanzu River. Under the influence of her lingering power, the souls of those who died didn’t immediately enter the afterlife. Instead, they lingered here in the form of earthbound spirits, quietly hiding within the [Void Prison].”

“This was their will. Even in death, they chose to protect their homeland and sect in this way, burning out the last embers of their existence to fulfill their ancient vows and promises. And so, she granted their wish.”

“Not long ago, the [Endless Wasteland Sea] showed signs of strange phenomena, and the [Void Prison] of the [Heaven-Opening Sect] ruins finally opened fully. As a result, the lingering souls of the sect’s disciples were awakened, just in time to encounter us, who entered from the outside.”

As Violet spoke, she smiled again, though her expression carried a trace of melancholy.

“Actually, their possession of the living wasn’t about returning to the mortal world, nor was it to force people into killing each other or engaging in some cruel game.”

“They were simply using this method to drive everyone toward the center of the ancient town. The purpose was to gather people in a relatively confined area, to prepare for the collapse of the [Void Prison] and ensure their safety when the time came to leave.”

“In other words, they were trying to save lives. You’ve noticed it too, haven’t you? Despite the intense fighting, we haven’t seen a single real corpse since we arrived here. That says a lot.”

Xiao Kong raised an eyebrow.

“Then these beams of light falling to the ground…”

“Yes, they’re likely the guiding lights meant to lead people out of the [Void Prison]. It seems that when the sect initiated the transfer long ago, they had already planned for this moment.”

“They planned for everything?”

Seeing Xiao Kong’s lingering confusion, Violet shook her head with a hint of exasperation.

“Still don’t get it? Why do you think Murong Yun, the last surviving descendant of the [Heaven-Opening Sect], suddenly disappeared right when the ruins began to react abnormally? Do you really believe these guiding lights were spontaneously generated by this crumbling [Void Prison]?”

As she spoke, soft, gentle light descended and enveloped the two of them.

Violet, having already felt the pull of this force once before, didn’t resist. Instead, she reached out and held Xiao Kong’s furry paw, stopping her from making any impulsive moves.

“Let’s go. Let the departed rest and return to where they belong.”

“The mission of the [Heaven-Opening Sect] has been perfectly fulfilled. They are true heroes.”

………………………………

Eastern Origin Mysterious Kingdom, Xinchuan District, just beyond a foggy hillside where the mist was beginning to lift.

*Swish, swish, swish!*

Beams of light flashed repeatedly as six young men and women with black hair and white robes simultaneously appeared in the forested outskirts of the hill.

As soon as they arrived, the young man leading the group casually removed a hidden necklace from around his neck. The moment he did, a pair of pointed fox ears emerged atop his head. He shook his head and grumbled.

“Finally out of there. I can’t believe us, proud members of the Spirit Veil Tribe, actually had to use these tools to hide our traits. This dumb task they gave us was such a pain…”

The others, equally young and elegant, also removed their disguises and reverted to their true forms. Among them, a woman who had previously had indirect contact with a certain priestess rolled her eyes.

“Wasn’t this task something you agreed to yourself? You barely returned from the last mission, and yet you couldn’t resist jumping into another mess and dragging us along to run ourselves ragged. You’re such a role model of diligence, Mr. Shui~”

“Uh, well…”

Ming Lan, disguised as Shui Menshu, awkwardly rubbed his nose before clearing his throat and speaking in a self-righteous tone.

“What are you saying? This task was left behind personally by the young lady. It concerns the lives of everyone in the [Ancient Spirit Realm], how could I not handle it properly? Ming Yue, I’m only thinking about the greater good.”

“Yeah, right.”

The girl from the Spirit Veil Tribe, called Ming Yue, scoffed.

“Your idea of ‘thinking about the greater good’ seems to involve sitting back and watching while some random strangers solve all the problems, only to come out like this when it’s over. If everyone followed your example, Spirit Veil Immortal Island’s reputation would crumble within a few centuries.”

Hearing this, Ming Lan dropped his casual demeanor, shaking his head with a sudden seriousness.

“You’re wrong, Ming Yue. That person wasn’t just some random stranger. She’s someone significant.”

“…She came here from the [Origin Realm].”