Why Am I a Priestess When I Reach the Maximum Level? - [Vol. 6] Chapter 23

[Vol. 6] Chapter 23: The Qilin’s Trail

Although the interrogative tone from earlier had initially annoyed Violet slightly, the priestess wasn’t the petty type. Since it was clear the woman hadn’t been trying to provoke her intentionally, Violet saw no need to hold a grudge.

The young woman took the initiative to ease the tension.

“All right, no need to be so uptight. Qin Xuan, right? I’m probably the one you’re looking for. Just call me Violet. As for sect affiliation… well, I’m afraid I don’t belong to any.”

“I see. Greetings, Senior Vi.”

“I told you, my surname isn’t Vi… oh, whatever. Call me whatever you like.”

She gave up.

With the ice broken, the group engaged in casual conversation, letting the initial awkwardness dissipate. Soon, an attendant arrived with fresh tea and snacks and lit brighter candles to illuminate the room.

The culture of this Ancient Spirit Realm bore many similarities to the ancient world of Violet’s knowledge, though it was a touch more “fantastical.” Over time, however, the priestess had adapted to local customs and the written language, relying on her divine memory and adaptability.

Thus, when Murong Yun handed her a scroll filled with characters and illustrations, Violet was able to read and understand its contents quickly without needing any tools to assist her.

“A map of the [Tidal Deep Valley]… You actually have something like this?”

The man in white nodded and offered a courteous explanation.

“Senior Violet, and to the two other ladies as well, since we are all gathered here for the holy beast Qilin, I’ll be straightforward.

“This map is the result of half a year of effort and several expeditions into the [Tidal Deep Valley]. I created it based on what I saw and experienced.

“The [Tidal Deep Valley] is one of the ten most dangerous forbidden zones in the Ancient Spirit Realm. The area is shrouded in ominous energy, teeming with fiends and demons. Its terrain is extremely complex, riddled with countless sinkholes and valleys, making it extraordinarily perilous.”

“The depths of this place are directly connected to the underground river. Due to the rise and fall of the tides, it is accessible only during the three-day low tide period each month. To be honest, my original intention was merely to explore this mysterious place and pave the way for future adventurers. I never imagined I would stumble upon the trail of the holy beast Qilin.”

“Unless absolutely necessary, I actually wouldn’t recommend anyone venture into such a place. For ordinary cultivators, entering is almost a death sentence.”

“That sounds pretty interesting…”

Violet unrolled the map and casually hung it on the stand in the center of the room. From there, she could see the densely packed illustrations and notes, with one location in the southeast clearly marked in bright red ink.

This is probably the place where Murong Yun witnessed the Qilin’s trail.

Ling Feng, sitting next to the priestess, posed the crucial question.

“Mr. Murong, could you describe what happened at the time? Could you provide more details?”

“Mm.”

Murong Yun’s expression grew serious, as though he was recalling the events.

“Five days ago, during the [Tidal Deep Valley]’s monthly low tide, it was my sixth time entering this perilous area. By then, the map had been mostly completed, and I had a general idea of which areas were dangerous and which were passable. I had made thorough preparations.”

“I initially thought this would be my last entry into the [Tidal Deep Valley], so I specifically revisited areas I hadn’t fully explored before, to fill in the gaps and record everything.”

“Under normal circumstances, an investigation like this would mean all the areas I’d been to would have been noted on the map…”

At this point, Murong Yun’s expression shifted slightly.

“But oddly enough, after completing the last survey and preparing to head back the way I came, I discovered a strange hole along the path, the one I had never seen before.”

He stood up and pointed to the scroll. The area marked in red was especially narrow and was located in the central part of the entire map. It resembled a short line connecting two irregularly shaped circles.

“Everyone, please take a look. This ravine is the only way into the deeper part of the [Tidal Deep Valley]. When I found the hole, the entrance was several feet wide. If it had been there before, I would’ve never missed it.”

“The [Tidal Deep Valley] has a strange natural phenomenon called [Tidal Stone]. This stone can only be found within the inner valley, and it’s very unusual. Though it’s a stone, it will shrink and expand in an illogical manner according to the rise and fall of the tides and the changes in the weather.”

“If it reaches its limit, it can even transform from the size of a fist to a several-meter-wide boulder, and it becomes extraordinarily hard and heavy. Ordinary cultivators can hardly move it at all. It truly is a rare and bizarre thing.”

“Therefore, I suspect that the entrance to this hole might have been blocked by a massive [Tidal Stone], and every time I entered the [Tidal Deep Valley] during the low tide, it coincided with the stone’s expansion, so I could never find the entrance to the hole.”

Upon hearing this, Bai’er immediately looked curious.

“Huh? Then why did the stone shrink the other day and reveal the entrance?”

Murong Yun turned around, his expression serious.

“Because that day happened to be the last day of the year in the 999th year of the Four Saints Age, the night of the millennium’s end. Perhaps the [Seven Stars Alignment] and the power of the Holy Moon that night altered the usual expansion and contraction patterns of the [Tidal Stone] in the [Tidal Deep Valley], causing the secret entrance that should have been submerged under water to emerge.”

“……”

The only plausible explanation caused the group to fall silent for a moment.

Soon, Ling Feng took the initiative to continue the conversation.

“So, Mr. Murong, you decided to investigate further?”

“Mm.”

The middle-aged man in white nodded again.

“The [Tidal Deep Valley] only has three days of low tide each month during which exploration is possible. I usually spend two days exploring deeply, leaving enough time to account for any unforeseen circumstances. Therefore, when I was returning from a long journey and discovered the mysterious hole, I still had plenty of time to spare for further investigation.”

“The Night of a Millennium is a rare opportunity, one that cannot be sought. For someone like me, who enjoys exploring the mysteries of the world, it was hard to suppress my curiosity. After much consideration, I decided to return to the surface, explained the situation to my companions, and then decided to venture back alone to explore further.”

“Oh, I get it! This is what they call the spirit of adventure, right? I feel the same way!”

“Senior Vi, please don’t make fun of me…”

Murong Yun shook his head with a wry smile and continued explaining.

“When I returned to the hole, it was already nearing midnight. Because I wasn’t sure if the tidal period in the [Tidal Deep Valley] would be affected by the astronomical phenomena, or if the [Tidal Stone] would change again, I didn’t dare to delay any further and immediately entered the hole.”

“Originally, I had prepared myself to face attacks from demons, monsters, or other strange beings, but to my surprise, there seemed to be none of the usual creatures that I’d encountered in the [Tidal Deep Valley]. It was as if the area within this hidden hole was free of such threats.”

“Moreover, even though it should have been located at the bottom of the [Tidal Deep Valley], the soil and rocks inside were surprisingly dry, unlike the constantly waterlogged environment I had expected. It was quite remarkable.”

“But the space inside the hole was vast, so vast that it defied reason. I walked for a long time without encountering any living beings, and I began to grow anxious.”

“After a long search with no results, I checked the time, and the tide was about to rise… Although I was reluctant to leave, I had no choice but to return the way I came.”

“But what surprised me even more was what happened next. After walking for what seemed like an eternity, and even running at full speed later on, I couldn’t find any of the previous markers or the entrance. It was as if I was trapped in a cycle, unable to find a way out!”

“At that moment, a commanding roar, accompanied by an overwhelming pressure that nearly stopped my breath, suddenly swept from deep within the passage.”

“Before I could even react, a tall, strange beast appeared unexpectedly in front of me. Its long tail swept by, and I felt the world around me twist in a surreal and bewildering way… When I came to my senses, I found myself standing outside the entrance to the [Tidal Deep Valley].”

“Soon, the tide began to rise again, and that exploration had to come to an end.”