Chapter 50: Chapter 50: She Is Here!
Vahn purposefully took a mission from the Mission Hall that would lead him out of the Holy Land.
Surprisingly, the authorities did nothing to stop him. If he were truly important to their plans, they should have intervened, which made him curious but also wary.
At Gate No. 8, before leaving the familiar territory, he checked his back and surroundings to see if anyone was following him.
Once reassured, he continued walking.
Ahead of him was a rocky path that cut through vast, plain, grassy land like a serpent. In the horizon he could only see mountainous terrains and big forests.
Behind him, the silhouettes of the White Lotus’ mountains grew smaller and smaller.
Looking at him now, he only had an Earth Grade Silver Saber in his hand, which he’d bought from the Treasure Hall for 1,000 Spirit Stones.
The Saber wasn’t a Spirit Weapon; it was just an ordinary enchanted weapon. Because of this, he feared it wouldn’t be able to handle the full pressure of the Nine Heavens Lightning Art. He would have to be careful not to use his full force. Although the Nine Heavens Lightning Art specified a sword, he could substitute it with a saber, as their build was similar enough.
It wasn’t strictly necessary to use a physical weapon with the Lightning Art; he could cast the art just fine. However, based on the knowledge in his mind, a good weapon could enhance the application tremendously, allowing him to do more damage.
So to say, a good weapon was truly important.
But this was the best he could manage to gather from the Treasure Hall. They had told him that "newbies" couldn’t acquire higher-tier items than Earth Grade. He was furious back then, feeling the injustice, but there was nothing he could have done.
He would have to make do with this Silver Saber.
After crossing a few miles straight to the east from the White Lotus Sanctuary alone, Vahn took out the mission scroll. The mission was about gathering a rare Spirit Herb from the Venomous Valleys, a low-level hazard zone known for dangerous Qi-poisoned reptiles.
The reward was a mere 100 Spirit Stones.
The rewards were ridiculously low, and Vahn knew nothing about hunting Spirit Beasts.
So, he wouldn’t risk his life unnecessarily. He planned to start with low-level Spirit Beasts to steadily increase his battle experience and energy control.
But for now, he was enjoying the beautiful landscape. This world had no pollution, no harmful air, nor any kind of noise from modern vehicles. On this lonely path, he felt a different kind of peace.
But all of a sudden, Vahn paused, feeling an eerie silence descend around him. He looked up to see the bright sun, which had been shining strongly until now, suddenly shrouded by thick, dark clouds. The sunlight struggled to pierce through the oppressive gloom. The air also went into a complete standstill.
"Something is wrong," he muttered and unsheathed his saber.
Just then—
"So, we meet again, Vahn Necrotis."
The voice was cold, devoid of any emotion.
Vahn felt a shiver crawl down his spine.
He hurriedly turned back, only to see a black-clothed woman standing there with demonic grace.
Her figure was beautifully sculpted, generous in all the right places, though a touch less voluptuous than Seraphina’s. Her skin shone pale and delicate, smooth like porcelain touched by moonlight.
Beneath her gown, two long slender legs stretched out, the kind that could rival any supermodel’s.
She carried herself with an effortless elegance.
The dress she wore was a deep midnight black with rose patterns. It wrapped around her body like liquid shadows, giving her the bearing of a queen who needed no crown.
With her arms crossed lightly over her chest, she exuded both power and majesty, as though the world itself needed to bow before her.
So why would he say she was demonic?
That’s because of the layer of darkness that veiled her face, and also the aura she radiated was the true definition of darkness.
She was the Saintess of Darkness: Lilith Moonveil.
There’s no way Vahn would forget her.
Vahn forced himself to stay calm and asked,
"You’re Lilith Moonveil, aren’t you? What do you want from me now?"
Lilith didn’t respond immediately. Instead, she slowly started walking toward him with graceful strides, the hem of her dress swaying like flowing shadows.
Within moments she stood before him, her veiled face locked onto his. She was taller than Vahn, though only by a few inches, and the difference was enough to make her presence feel oppressive.
She extended her porcelain right hand toward him.
"You will come with me..."
Her voice was calm, yet heavy with command.
Vahn furrowed his brows. He didn’t like the forceful tone she was using. It made him feel like she was looking down on him.
Besides, there was no telling what sinister intention she might be hiding behind that veil.
He was about to refuse, but then the air split apart. A figure, or perhaps an object, shot toward them at blinding speed.
No, not at them. It only targeted her.
The light howled through the air, its sheer force tearing the ground and blasting shockwaves in every direction.
Dust and debris flew, and Vahn staggered back, shaking on his boots as the pressure pressed against his body.
Yet Lilith did not flinch.
At the last instant, just before the radiant sphere could reach her, she moved. Not her body, only her outstretched right hand.
Her pale fingers glowed with a sinister black energy, so heavy and violent that the very air buzzed and cracked.
Buzz!
Then, with the ease of swatting an insect, she struck the light sphere aside.
Whoosh...
The blinding sphere hurtled off its original path and smashed into a distant mountain.
Boom!
The explosion tore straight through its peak, carving a blazing hole that burned like a wound in the land. The rumble of collapsing stone echoed across the horizon.
Seeing this with his very own eyes, Vahn’s forehead was covered with cold sweat. If the attack had actually hit her, he would have died too.
Ba-dum, Ba-dum!
His heart hammered in his chest. He had never seen such effortless destruction. Even nuclear missiles from Earth might fail to match its destructiveness.
Just what kind of Art was that? Light elemental, yes. But he never thought that element could have such destructive capabilities.
But then, before he could even blink, Lilith was gone from where she stood. She appeared right before him, her cold hand closing around his own.
Before he could react, darkness surged like a tidal wave, swallowing his sight and breath.
The last thing he heard as the world vanished was a furious voice, filled with wrath beyond forgiveness:
"Curse you, Lilith! I will never forgive you for this!"
The shout belonged to a heroic young man, who was enraged to the very core.