Chapter: 57. Testing
Even though the appearance had changed, no longer a golden orb with an unclear visage.
But that annoying feeling that rushed at her was still the same in Princess Xue Fei’s eyes.
Disdain and disgust were openly displayed in Xue Fei’s eyes.
She would have no patience for this guy who always schemed in the shadows.
“Changing into a child’s form, and your way of speaking is different from before. What kind of twisted hobby do you have…?”
“Ah… I just wanted to adapt to the way people in your era speak, you… um, you don’t like it?”
“Disgusting.”
“That’s quite harsh, eh? You’re right; I also find it disgusting. But… you managed to recognize me right away? I even deliberately dressed up this exterior image? Well… it is called an exterior image, but this is actually how I looked when I came into existence.”
The golden-haired little girl twirled around, seemingly wanting Princess Xue Fei to appreciate her.
“A big fish is still a big fish; don’t think just because you’re no longer a light orb that I can’t recognize you. It’s you, Aimeres.”
“My name is Aimeres, you insolent thing.”
“……”
Not skilled at remembering names, I won’t remember even if you scold me.
Even though she was eager to go back and see if Xiya and the others had returned, Xue Fei now couldn’t hurry away.
After all.
The puppet master had revealed herself.
Xue Fei turned to secretly observe the golden-haired loli opposite her. Aimeres’ true form smiled, and even though her magic gave Xue Fei an overwhelming sense of disgust, from a purely visual standpoint, this body was indeed quite cute.
Long eyebrows, heterochromatic eyes, an exquisitely doll-like face, long hair shimmering down to the ground, a golden gown, and tiny feet standing in the snow, her mini toes were crystal clear and white, yet would not turn red from the cold.
If Xue Fei had the mindset of being a loli lover in her previous life, she might have wanted to toy with her.
Ahem…! But now, Xue Fei was reformed!
Xue Fei snapped her fingers, a 【Storage】 magic black hole suddenly appeared.
She pulled out a wooden chair from it, stuck it firmly in the snow, and casually sat down with her legs crossed, waiting for this uninvited guest to speak.
“So? You came out on your own to cause trouble? To be honest… you’d better think of a way to run now; I’m a bit angry.”
“Oh… someone daring enough to sit in front of a deity, Xue Fei, you are the first since ancient times.” Aimeres frowned slightly, seemingly displeased, but then her smile returned in an instant. “However, I forgive your disrespect.”
“Then I’m truly grateful.”
With a playful remark made.
But the raging snowflakes surged.
The deep white snow suddenly seemed to have a soul, swirling and roaring around Aimeres.
Under Xue Fei’s silver hair fringe, she lowered her gaze, a dark light flashing in her eyes.
Unlike her usual easygoing nature, she now radiated an absolute aura befitting a Demon Princess.
“I don’t care what you want to do, but I need you to promise me one thing.”
“I allow you to state your wish.”
“Whatever you plan to do, don’t interfere with me or anyone around me. No… judging by today’s events, you have already crossed the line.”
“Heh… So? My vision doesn’t care about any obstruction; do you really think you are arrogant enough to challenge a deity?”
“How do you know if you don’t try?”
“Mm…?”
【Tenfold Spirit Destruction Barrier】
Boom————
The world lost its color.
Here, only black and white remained.
The disguise of six wings faded away, eight wings faintly visible, ultimately condensing into eight tangible black feathers.
Aimeres’ watery eyes showed a realization, as if she were pleased, laughter erupting continuously.
Facing the magic torrents surging from all directions, she maintained a childlike innocent smile, hands behind her, walking left and right as if dancing, almost like a hymn offered to the gods.
The tenfold destruction barrier roared like a tsunami, resonating through the atmosphere, even the snow-capped mountains a thousand meters away were affected, crumbling little by little.
With every ring that drew closer to the center, the purple light in Xue Fei’s eyes became ever brighter.
Even the ground where Aimeres originally stood was blasted out into deep pits, snow and mist surging up thousands of meters, blotting out the sky, making it impossible to see the battle within.
Xue Fei remained seated in her position on the wooden chair, arms crossed, and at the moment the snow waves crashed towards her, they were bounced back into the air by her invisible defense barrier.
This scene, no matter how one thought about it, would likely lead anyone to believe that the golden-haired little girl would be left with nothing.
However…
——Swish!
A golden flash surged from the mist, dispersing the snow fog.
A long sword, gathering magic, pierced through a layer of defense barrier in front of Xue Fei, cracking the air, stopping just a few centimeters from her cheek—unable to advance even a bit further.
Aimeres remained unscathed, still wearing that smile.
And Xue Fei maintained her seated position, showing no sign of movement.
It was as if both sides had long expected this would be the outcome of their confrontation, with neither showing any surprise.
The only difference from before might be that Aimeres’ petite face now bore a smile tinged with more excitement and surprise.
“It can only penetrate one layer of defense, eh… Xue Fei, you truly surprised me. Do you know when it was that made me feel so stirred last time during battle?”
“I don’t know, nor do I want to know, but I know that even if I say I don’t want to know, you’ll still say it.”
“Yes… it was during the battle with Tiyer, ha…!”
Bang!
Aimeres seemed to have found some wonderful toy, growing excited, and pushed the golden sword light forward.
But even though this sword light carried the momentum of a thousand tons of thunder, it merely left some cracks on the second layer of defense barrier in front of Xue Fei.
And the number of layers of this barrier was something Xue Fei herself had decided.
As the eight wings behind Xue Fei glowed dimly, Aimeres’ sword snapped in response.
Under the deity’s heterochromatic gaze, that surprised and proud smile was no longer concealed—but just before launching the next wave of attack, it became calm.
She took two steps back.
Aimeres lifted the hem of her princess-style skirt, slightly bending her knees, showcasing the etiquette of a noble lady from this era.
This might also be a new trick she learned recently.
“Xue Fei, dear sister, you…”
“I said, spare me with that title; it’s disgusting.”
“Then shall I call you sister? Heh… to be called sister by a deity, you should feel honored. By the way, may I touch your eight wings? I’m quite curious.”
“Get lost.”
The word “get lost” was not just verbal attack.
Boom!
An invisible wave of air exploded between them, forcibly pushing Aimeres back a few meters, away from Xue Fei.
But she retreated without any sign of awkwardness, more like gracefully gliding on ice.
Knowing she couldn’t get closer now, Aimeres had a bitter smile and shook her head, seemingly giving up on the thought she had earlier.
She concealed the unnatural blush on her face, and the tilt of her head while smiling was strangely eerie.
“I think you should understand now; even though I haven’t regained all my powers, I am immortal and indestructible. Your magic cannot harm me, and similarly, I cannot do anything to you now. Therefore, you should know I only came to have a few ‘heart-to-heart’ talks with you, not to fight you. After all, this fragile world can’t withstand such turmoil.”
“You’re right; you’re no longer a spirit and can maintain a physical form? It seems you’ve become a bit stronger than before?”
“You say ‘a bit’… you really carry some of Tiyer’s arrogance in your speech.”
“Don’t bring up that Tiyer; I don’t know her. You’re right; negotiations are important; if you don’t seek me out, then I must look for you. But before that…”
Xue Fei put away her little stool.
The silver-haired girl with eight wings, her previously indifferent expression suddenly revealed a mischievous smile.
Under Aimeres’ slightly puzzled and adorable gaze, Xue Fei stretched out her hand, opening it forward.
On her palm floated a bright golden crystal.
In the transparent crystal swirled mysterious magical particles, differing from any magical constructs of the modern age.
“Lady Deity, out of politeness, I must tell you~ I just quietly took a little something from you; you don’t mind, do you~”
“……”
