Chapter 1233 - 537: The Fairy's Spring

Once again attaining the Phoenix Avatar, the Hero, just as in reality, bore the curse left by the dying Corrupted Phoenix.

And in this realm of possibility, she not only absorbed the magic power of the Corrupted Phoenix but also fully accepted the essence of its soul.

As a result, the intensity of this curse far surpassed the real world.

Even the Ancient Hero couldn't cut through the surging tide, not even having the chance to draw his sword, merely clenching his fists helplessly on the sidelines.

However, rather than calling it a curse, it might be more apt to describe it as the innate nature of this Phoenix Avatar.

Just as "spicy" is merely a form of pain but is still deemed an indispensable part of deliciousness by countless people.

Even if the nature of things does not change, a different perspective can yield a completely alternative interpretation.

The remnants left by the Corrupted Phoenix are the same.

It can be termed a curse, yet it can equally be viewed as a blessing.

[Sins of (Arrogance/Jealousy/Wrath/Sloth/Greed/Gluttony/Lust)]

D7=2

Its dying words were resentment and acceptance.

But in essence, it was jealousy.

Resenting her who blocked its path, yet acknowledging her who denied its will.

If it could exist without the world's constraints, or not as the original but merely as an ordinary, mission-free kin born into this world… would a different ending await?

Yet this thought isn't even a desire, merely a zero-probability delusion.

However, the girl who defeated it and devoured it, isn't she precisely such an existence?

At this thought, everything about the girl appeared irresistibly alluring.

The hatred lingering in its heart never dissipated, unable to be relieved, yet seemed so tempting.

Despite loathing her, it accepted becoming her.

Like a forest cake sprinkled with chili powder.

Even though the excessive seasoning can't be swept away, the sweetness following the spiciness offers valuable worth.

'I didn't know you had such subtle thoughts, truly adorable.'

'Say less, if you can't keep quiet.'

But at this highland, no one knew that the Corrupted Phoenix, harboring twisted jealousy towards the girl, surrendered all of itself to her.

They only saw the Hero, after obtaining the Phoenix Avatar, as if losing all sense, soar into the sky without pausing, flying toward the edge of the highland.

Neither the Sergeant's calls nor the Gleaming Scale Serpent's dissuasion could slow down the black flaming meteor at all.

The cries of lower beings were merely meaningless noise.

Embodying the value of ego supremacy, the black Phoenix form of the Hero shot straight across the dawning sky, speeding towards the horizon.

Finally, as the horizon extended continuously, the scene in the sky altered.

What appeared wasn't layers of clouds anymore, but an ocean blanketing the entire sky.

It was indeed the highland's end, a singularity of gravity, a supreme spectacle sculpted by tidal forces.

——Reverse Flow Sea.

[Hero's Humanoid Index (30-Bird, 80+ Regain Reason)]

D100=64

By the time the White Snake following closely behind the Hero arrived, the pure black flaming sphere had long vanished from the sky.

Apart from the White Snake, the Gleaming Scale Serpent also arrived here in succession, but no other figures followed.

Given that this was an almost highland-spanning swift march, unless one belonged to a powerful Fantasy Species, it was impossible to get the Magic Creatures en route to give way willingly, hence only White Snake and Gleaming Scales followed the Hero's trajectory.

Although the White Snake, as the Snow Mountain's ruler, was a dominant force in the highland, she rarely left her snow domain. She wouldn't visit this rare human-seen spectacular place without necessity.

Yet, as a native of the highland, she wasn't unfamiliar with this scenery.

But now, what unfolds before her was a cloud mist rivaling even the Fog Stone Forest.

Neither the ocean constantly surging in the sky nor the horizon resembling the world's end was visible.

Neither the black Phoenix nor the Heroic girl was to be seen.

But upon extending her snake tongue to sense for a moment, the White Snake instantly realized what had transpired. The Gleaming Scale Serpent, initially agitated, also stabilized under her guidance.

Next, the two Fantasy Species collaboratively spellcast, unleashing a fierce icy wind that chilled the pervasive steam, instantly rendering the scenery clear again.

The White Snake raised its head, its massive vertical pupils reflecting the scene above, and then a feeling of mixed emotions emerged.

"Your Majesty…" Even the nearby Gleaming Scale Serpent couldn't help but sigh helplessly.

In the vast ocean current that replaced the sky, resembling an upside-down waterfall, an area of stillness had appeared, continuously emitting steam.

In that place, a delicate maiden lay leisurely on her back like a siren — in a posture that overlooked the earth — floating idly on the water's surface.

With a little thought, the Gleaming Scale Serpent could roughly guess what had just transpired.

The Black Phoenix, flying at full speed to this place, showed no sign of slowing down even against the massive ocean current that had risen against gravity.

Then, the Black Phoenix, carried by tremendous firepower, crashed headlong into the tide coming in reverse. The terrifying heat evaporated a vast amount of seawater into the cloud mist that had obscured the skies.

However, the current hero was no longer the arrogant Corrupted Phoenix, nor did she have the near-limitless magic power enhancement of the Ancient Hero.

Therefore, the head-on collision with the Reverse Flow Sea did not last long before her magic power was about to deplete.

However, if she really had been swept into the ocean in a weak state with depleted magic power, Your Majesty would not be in such a leisurely state as she is now.

It was probably at the last critical moment that she finally sensed the crisis, voluntarily dispelled the Phoenix Avatar, and then harnessed the power of the Siren to control the sea she had just heated to a boiling point.

And so, there she was hanging upside down in the sky, soaking in the hot spring.

Her slender limbs appeared even paler in the azure blue water, faintly visible amidst the rising mist, like a legendary fairy of the spring, captivating the hearts of onlookers.

The cold wind that had just swept through didn't elicit any reaction from the hero soaking in hot water; instead, it seemed to appropriately dispel the surrounding stuffiness, allowing the maiden's brow to relax even more comfortably.

Despite this, upon perceiving the gaze from below, the drowsy hero reluctantly opened her eyes.

Glancing at the massive White Snake and the Fantasy Snow Elemental Spirit, she lazily waved her hand, as if acknowledging them.

Then, as if suddenly realizing something, she furrowed her brow slightly and waved her hand again, making a shooing gesture.

"...Your Majesty recognized us." Observing the hero's actions and expressions, the Gleaming Scale Serpent thoughtfully interpreted.

"However, since we would cool the water if we went up, she wants us to hurry away."

"It seems she hasn't regained full rationality yet." Hearing the blunt words, the White Snake couldn't help but chuckle softly.

"Although I don't know what the Corrupted Phoenix left behind, at least for now, her status looks pretty good." She uncertainly flicked her serpent tongue.

"She should come down later, right?"

While the water surface still looked steaming hot, it was not really a hot spring. Plus, since it was winter, even with the Siren's control over water temporarily isolating the exchange of heat and cold, this state couldn't be maintained forever.

Once the water cools, the hero wouldn't continue soaking.

Although it's impossible to rest easy, at least she hasn't flown further, and that alone calls for gratitude.

"Yes, but we must remain vigilant. We don't know what Your Majesty might do..."

The crystal of the Fantasy Snowflake Scales flickered a few times, the surging magic power coalescing into delicate ice flowers that lightly flew with the cold wind into the distance.

"I have already communicated the situation here to the sergeant and the others, for now, we wait for Your Majesty."

"It seems you have quite a good grasp of your own power." The White Snake looked at the Gleaming Scale Serpent who awakened as a fantasy spirit through its lineage, nodding with some relief.

"Furthermore, you understand the rules of human society better than I do. With you assisting at her side, I feel assured."

After all, she was not something that could walk freely within the kingdom, even if a Familiar Contract with the hero was signed later.

"You flatter me." The Gleaming Scale Serpent's voice was steady, "I am merely doing my best to chase after Your Majesty's shadow, and even if I exert all efforts, it doesn't guarantee that I can always keep pace with her."

"At least for now, we can still keep vigil by her side, right?" Said the White Snake, who had lived through many ages, gently.

The two fantasy species, one large and one small, thus stayed at the cliff edge of the highland, raising their heads, quietly watching the ocean hanging upside-down in the sky, and the relaxed and leisurely maiden floating amid the ocean.

The sound of the massive waterfall reverberated between heaven and earth, and besides that, there was no more noise, creating a stable and peaceful atmosphere that persisted.

Then—

[The appearance of the submarine]

1.5. Climbing the waterfall

2.6. Diving

3.7. Descending

4.8. Under the moon

9. Ancestor (?)

10. Great Success/Extreme Failure

D10=8

♛: Moonlight's course