The mist covering the sea began to dissipate, allowing Xue Ji and her group to reach the battlefield.
Shaya lay on the ground in agony, her brows tightly furrowed, her entire body shrouded in a faint, wispy smoke.
As the smoke faded, a web-like network of flesh and blood fell to the ground, resembling a bloody spider’s web.
Xue Ji opened a barrier and lifted Shaya into her arms.
At that moment, she had reverted to her usual loli form, her hands instinctively wrapping around Xue Ji’s neck, her cheek nuzzling affectionately against her.
It seemed that in Xue Ji’s embrace, her pain could be eased.
“Xue Ji… this time, I won.” Shaya forced her eyes open, flashing her tiger fangs in a smile.
“Yeah, you really are amazing.”
“So tired… I want to sleep…”
Xue Ji could sense that Shaya’s current condition was far from normal—her whole body felt weightless, and her soul was incredibly thin.
“You can’t sleep yet, little one. There’s still that strange mist lingering inside you, and you need to drive it out yourself.”
Fenrir’s consciousness within her heart spoke up. Shaya barely managed to open her eyes and saw that Xue Ji and the others were already methodically making preparations.
“Shaya, listen to Fenrir. We’ll help you too. Hold on a little longer.”
Xue Ji could now observe Fenrir’s figure and even hear Fenrir’s reminders to Shaya.
Hearing this, Shaya could only hazily open her eyes, tears streaming uncontrollably down her face.
All the weakness she had suppressed in her heart came rushing at her all at once, now that she had finally relaxed.
She remembered the days after her father—the Wolf King—had passed away, when she and her younger brother had depended on each other.
Hunger and exhaustion, old wounds layered with new ones, the oppression of the new Wolf King, her still-frail younger brother… Back then, she had looked utterly pitiful in the rain.
As the older sister, she couldn’t show any weakness under such circumstances.
Death battles—she had been through countless ones.
And the one that left the deepest impression was when she bit through the neck of the previous Wolf King.
That bastard, with his eyes rolled back and a face like death, was now staring fixedly at Shaya.
【You and your brother should have died by my hands long ago!】
The emotion of anger surged to its peak once more, and Shaya tore that bastard to shreds completely.
【You think you’re worthy of being my enemy? How delusional!】
Cain’s massive form descended once again, looking down at Shaya like she was an ant.
But this time, besides Cain, Xue Ji also appeared by her side.
Her beloved smiled and embraced her from behind.
Even in this silent moment, she still remembered that day—the experience of being held by Xue Ji as they flew into the sky.
“Yeah, I know. I’ve grown stronger.”
Three soaring claw blades tore through Cain’s body, and he shriveled like a deflating balloon.
But in the next second, Cain’s body was possessed by the Lord of Mist.
【I knew it. You’re someone who relies on others’ help, yet you have the nerve to claim it’s your own power!】
The mist completely enveloped Shaya. She lost all sense of direction—even Xue Ji, who had just been by her side, had vanished.
Shaya looked at her powerless hands. Everything she had gained after ascending to godhood was gone.
She was struck down once again by the Lord of Mist, who attacked once more.
【Claws and fangs? A laughable ant. Did you really think you could wound me?!】
Enemies from the past kept emerging from the mist. Shaya was overwhelmed by a sea of foes, unable to move.
The Lord of Mist took on Shaya’s appearance, holding a sword to her throat.
【Don’t worry. I’ll replace you, and your companions won’t escape either!】
The Lord of Mist swung the sword, and Shaya struggled helplessly.
The blade grew larger in the corner of Shaya’s vision. Her body seemed to have given up long ago—even though her spirit still wanted to fight, she had no strength left.
“Am I going to die? No, I don’t want to!”
Clang!
A crisp ring of steel sounded, and the Lord of Mist’s sword was blocked.
“Why is it you?!” Shaya’s eyes widened in disbelief as she looked at Ling Xiaoxiao’s figure.
“Why can’t it be me? You studied under me, after all. Don’t embarrass me.” As soon as the words left her mouth, Ling Xiaoxiao disappeared.
“Damn you… Don’t mess with me!”
“Embarrass you? You bastard! I’m going to get out there right now and beat you up!”
Shaya’s anger toward Ling Xiaoxiao ignited her fighting spirit, and she burned from the inside out.
This flame was the power she had received from Xue Ji at the moment of her transformation.
“Just watch me burn you to ashes!”
Flames swept across the entire world. The mist was driven away by this blazing power, and Shaya’s sky cleared.
At the same moment, Xue Ji and the others began to act.
Xue Ji helped Shaya circulate her raging flame spiritual power, and Sophia once again bestowed a blessing upon the flames.
The white-robed girl with golden hair and blue eyes prayed with both hands, and a strange fluorescent light enveloped Shaya and herself.
“The fighting spirit never dies, the holy flame never extinguishes, life without end.”
As the final chant ended, the flames ignited within Shaya underwent a transformation, changing from pale gold to ashen white.
The Ice Continent began to crumble—these flames possessed a rank no less than that of the Frost Authority.
“Mo Ling, Aria, it’s your turn now.” Xue Ji turned her head and said.
“Okay, Teacher.” The wine-red color in Shen Mo Ling’s eyes deepened, taking on an eerie luster.
Her entire body also underwent a tremendous change, growing cherry-colored fox ears and nine fox tails.
As her ability activated, everyone present was able to enter Shaya’s inner world.
A boundless sea of fire and an eternally frozen glacier stood in opposition, their terrifying auras of destruction interweaving—it was enough to make one’s scalp tingle.
Aria was completely stunned at the sight.
“Is this the end of the world?”
“No, it’s not. This is Shaya’s inner world. The two forces of ice and fire are devouring each other.”
“What an interesting little one. To think she could grasp the authority of fire with just that tiny bit of blessed flame.” Sophia couldn’t help but praise.
Shaya’s talent was actually terrifying. If not for special existences like Xue Ji, Ling Xiaoxiao, and Lilith being so dazzling, she would be a true genius in every sense.
“She has the potential for endless evolution.”
Sophia’s appraisal skill activated. There had never been such a high potential value before, and it was still slowly increasing.
Xue Ji nodded. Of course she knew this too—that was why she had given Shaya the Fenrir Winter, the most suitable power for her, and let Fenrir, a demon god of the same wolf clan, guide her growth.
This was also the entrustment of the spirit clans, represented by the Monarch Deer. They had asked Xue Ji to cultivate Shaya.
“So what can we do now?” Aria, feeling that if she didn’t speak up soon she’d just become background scenery, quickly steered the topic back on track.
“First, help Shaya master the balance of her powers, and then we’ll go find Ling Xiaoxiao from here.”
After Xue Ji finished speaking, Aria felt like she must have misheard.
“Huh? Isn’t this inside little Shaya’s heart? How are we supposed to find Sister Xiaoxiao from here?”
“That’s where you and Mo Ling come in. Oh, and also this.”
Xue Ji extended her hand and opened her palm, revealing a drifting, fiery red feather floating above it.
