Xiaoxi had seen magic that could summon subordinates and create illusion realms before, but Jingtong was definitely the first to be able to do it to this extent.
The Blood Moon Witch in the illusion realm had at least seventy percent of the original’s strength, and could perfectly replicate all abilities.
In her [Sirius] form, Xiaoxi was simultaneously dealing with attacks coming from multiple directions, appearing somewhat overwhelmed.
Her head was also aching slightly. Although Xiaoxi’s cognition hadn’t been completely overwritten by the illusion realm, she was still somewhat affected.
Memories of past battles against the Divine Summon Order and the Blood Moon Witch uncontrollably surfaced in her mind, including the memory of having completely defeated the Blood Moon Witch here before.
Unlike the Rich Girl who constantly talked about [Eternal Star], ever since Xiaoxi learned that Ye Xinglan was the Blood Moon Witch, she had intentionally avoided recalling the past, especially that sword strike that pierced through Xinglan’s body…
Although Xiaoxi knew it was inevitable, every time she thought about it, she still felt a faint, indescribable guilt.
Now the Third Divine Envoy had not only used the illusion realm to replicate the battlefield of the final battle against the Divine Summon Order, but also made a replica of the Blood Moon Witch fight her… What a disgusting and perverse taste.
The Third Divine Envoy didn’t seem to be in a hurry to join the fight against Xiaoxi. She just watched the two fighting like a spectator, smiling meaningfully.
“Saintess is indeed hard to deal with… But if you changed forms, it might be easier. What do you think, Miss Sirius?”
Xiaoxi gave no response. With a boom, several tentacles smashed down at Xiaoxi’s location, kicking up a cloud of dust.
But a sudden flash of starlight broke through the dust and slashed straight toward the Third Divine Envoy who was watching from midair.
As the dust gradually cleared, a golden figure appeared in the middle of the street—a high ponytail that carried an air of competence, light armor that combined a knight’s uniform and a long skirt—
Xiaoxi, who had switched to the Eternal Star [Morning Star] form, shook the Knight’s Longsword in her hand. All the tentacles that had just struck down were cleanly severed at their roots.
The illusion realm seemed to fall silent for a few seconds, until a burst of excited laughter echoed above the street.
“I knew it—it really was you, Eternal Star! Finally done hiding?”
The Third Divine Envoy’s eyes shone with excitement. She bent over, laughing twistedly and wildly. That expression was completely incongruous with her innocent-looking face.
Xiaoxi stared coldly at the Third Divine Envoy in midair. There really was no need to continue hiding anymore, and it was time to show her trump card.
Jingtong’s illusion realm should have trapped everyone. She was very worried about Xinglan’s safety, especially since she didn’t know if the Divine Summon Order had succeeded.
The Third Divine Envoy finally calmed down a little and spoke eagerly: “Do you know? Originally I was just curious about who this [Sirius] really was—how could a Magic Girl who was hiding her power and had never been heard of before suddenly appear in the Association? So I collected some of your magic power samples after the battle to study them.”
“But during my research, I made an unexpected discovery. How could this [Sirius]’s magic power have such a high compatibility with [Eternal Star]? So high that it’s as if… these two are the same person!”
“Jing’s ‘Replication’ is so lifelike thanks to you. Her ability requires observing the replication target, but the Divine Summon Order is never short of battle records and magic power samples of [Eternal Star]!”
“Ahh, indeed… The Third Divine Envoy took a deep breath. “Long time no see, Eternal Star.”
In response, another slash came. The Third Divine Envoy sidestepped and barely dodged it. Xiaoxi had already charged forward, sword in hand.
“But I don’t want to see you, Nixian. I remember clearly—you died three years ago, didn’t you?”
The Third Divine Envoy smiled and said nothing. The Blood Moon Witch replica moved again, blocking in front of the Third Divine Envoy.
But this time, the evenly matched situation did not appear. The replica that had been fighting fiercely with Xiaoxi just moments ago was blasted away at the first exchange, slamming heavily into the nearby rubble.
After this strike, the magic power reaction from Xiaoxi was even stronger than before. After all, [Sirius] was indeed her least proficient form.
Relying solely on this single form, she couldn’t fully display Eternal Star’s true strength, especially since she was a Magic Girl famous for her multiple forms.
Xiaoxi no longer had the patience to drag it out. With her all-out effort, the balance of the battle tipped.
The Blood Moon Witch replica retreated repeatedly and was soon backed into a corner.
“Oh my, even though you two are girlfriends now, you can still bring yourself to attack your own girlfriend? How heartless, Eternal Star.”
Xiaoxi ignored the Third Divine Envoy’s mockery. The Starlight Staff in her hand aimed at the replica’s chest as magic power gathered.
But at that moment, the Blood Moon Witch replica’s empty eyes suddenly became clear.
“…Xiaoxi?”
Xiaoxi’s hand trembled, but the next second she gripped her magic wand even tighter. She knew very well this was just a trick. The one in front of her was not the real Xinglan.
As the starlight pierced through the replica’s chest, the surrounding illusion realm began to destabilize, making crackling sounds like a collapsing Background Board.
“It seems that even if it happened again, you would still attack the Saintess without hesitation. Ah, how sad the Saintess would be if she knew.”
The surrounding space began to fade. Everything in the illusion realm was disappearing. Xiaoxi stepped closer and closer to the Third Divine Envoy.
Even she could barely control her anger because of the malicious farce just now.
Since the Third Divine Envoy hadn’t died three years ago, she didn’t mind personally sending her off today.
“Enough nonsense. Where is Xinglan? What have you done to her…”
Xiaoxi suddenly stopped in her tracks. After the surrounding illusion realm fully reverted to the pitch-black Mirror Space, she saw Ye Xinglan standing not far away, her eyes full of disbelief and confusion.
The Third Divine Envoy’s smile could no longer be suppressed, as excited as a child finally getting to watch her favorite cartoon.
“What? Of course I wouldn’t do anything to the Saintess! You didn’t think I would trap the noble Saintess in the illusion realm too, did you? The Saintess has been right here from the start, watch-ing!”
Xiaoxi felt her head buzz. Of all places, of all times—it was the worst possible moment for Ye Xinglan to discover her [Eternal Star] identity.
“Xiaoxi? No…” Ye Xinglan’s voice trembled. “It’s fake, right? This is also an illusion created by that Jingtong, isn’t it?”
“…Sorry, Xinglan.”
Xiaoxi’s dry reply completely shattered Ye Xinglan’s illusions. Xiaoxi opened her mouth.
She had imagined many situations where Xinglan would discover her identity, but she had never imagined it would happen in such a situation.
All the words she had prepared beforehand just wouldn’t come out.
At this moment, Ye Xinglan understood many things. No wonder Xiaoxi inexplicably feared the Blood Moon Witch so much.
No wonder she always felt that Xiaoxi was hiding something. No wonder… So that was it. It was because Xiaoxi was [Eternal Star].
“Why?” Ye Xinglan’s first reaction was not anger or shock, but grievance. “Why did you hide it from me? Why did you hide it from me for so long?”
“Listen to me, Xinglan! I never intended to hide it from you forever, but with everything that happened recently, plus the Eternal Star fake situation, I planned to confess to you after finishing these matters…”
Xiaoxi’s voice grew quieter as she spoke. Even she felt her own words lacked conviction. Saying things like “I was going to confess later” now just made her sound like a heartless woman.
Although she knew she was telling the truth, in the end, now that she had been discovered, no matter how she explained it, it would just sound like excuses, wouldn’t it?
The Third Divine Envoy clapped and couldn’t help laughing. “I never realized that the great Eternal Star could be such a smooth talker. Did you see that, Saintess? She didn’t hold back at all just now—”
“It seems your little girlfriend might have been an agent sent by The Association to monitor you from the start. Maybe your little girlfriend doesn’t even like you, and all of this is just to control you better!”
The Third Divine Envoy spread her arms, using a seductive tone. “Return to the embrace of the Divine Summon Order, Saintess. Only we will not deceive you. Only under the protection of the God can you find true happiness!”
Ye Xinglan’s magic power fluctuations began to destabilize. Black mud surged, and tentacles extended uncontrollably.
Xiaoxi knew this was a sign that Ye Xinglan was about to lose control of her magic power.
“Don’t listen to her! Xinglan, believe me, Xing…”
Xiaoxi’s explanation got stuck in her throat. She watched helplessly as Ye Xinglan slowly took a step toward the Third Divine Envoy.
“Xinglan, don’t.”
An inexplicable fear struck Xiaoxi. At this moment, she finally realized why she had hesitated for so long without being able to make up her mind to confess her identity to Ye Xinglan.
It wasn’t because she was worried Ye Xinglan would be angry or take revenge… ‘She was just afraid that Ye Xinglan would leave her because of it. That was all.’
“That’s right, Saintess. You finally understand who truly cares for you…”
Before the Third Divine Envoy could finish, a crimson beast claw slammed into where she had been standing just a moment ago.
Ye Xinglan stared fixedly at the Third Divine Envoy, who had barely dodged her attack, without turning her head.
“Yeah, of course I believe you, Xiaoxi.”
Ye Xinglan’s voice was very soft. Xiaoxi was stunned, then suddenly let out a light laugh. ‘She really was a jerk. She actually doubted Xinglan for a moment just now.’
“Tsk, fine. Saintess, if you’re unwilling to return to the Divine Summon Order’s embrace, I won’t force you. But you should know that I’m not your enemy. I’m happy to help you take revenge on Eternal Star, who deceived your feelings. Isn’t that what you’ve always wanted?”
“This is a private matter between Xiaoxi and me,” Ye Xinglan said coldly. “Our affairs don’t require an outsider’s interference.”
The smile on the Third Divine Envoy’s face faded inch by inch, and her eyes went from excitement to disappointment.
“How disappointing. Hating Magic Girls should be your instinct, right? To be able to resist your own instinct, ah, Saintess… You really are just a defective product.”
Boom. A massive beam of light tore off the Third Divine Envoy’s entire arm.
Looking at Xiaoxi, who had attacked coldly and without hesitation, the Third Divine Envoy was not flustered—only wearing a playful expression.
“Oh? Are you angry because I exposed your disguise?”
“No. It’s because you shouldn’t have casually called my girlfriend a defective product!”
Crack crack.
The mirror space beneath their feet began to collapse.
Although she wanted to keep the two trapped here, the Third Divine Envoy knew very well that she alone could not deal with both Eternal Star and the Blood Moon Witch at the same time…
How interesting. She never thought she would see these two team up one day.
The mirror space completely collapsed. With nothing supporting them underfoot, the three began to fall.
Xiaoxi instinctively reached out to catch Ye Xinglan, but the other girl shook off her hand.
The three returned to the pure white labyrinth. But this time, Xiaoxi no longer saw the spiral staircase reaching to the sky.
Above their heads was only a pure white, boundless firmament. Beneath their feet was a huge platform formed by interlocking brass gears.
At the center of the platform, a powerful magical aura emanated faintly. A large, strangely shaped magical device engraved with many magic runes stood there.
Xiaoxi immediately spotted an object at the center of the device covered with several magic seals.
That must be the core of the Tower of Commandments. They were now at the deepest part of the labyrinth!
Jingtong was standing in front of the Tower of Commandments’ core, breaking the seals. It seemed the Hidden Bone Hall’s technology was indeed very strong.
The aura around Jingtong was so unfamiliar—filled with violence and chaos. Xiaoxi shivered unconsciously.
What was going on? She felt an unprecedented pressure from Jingtong, one she had never felt even from the Blood Moon Witch before.
After devouring that meteorite fragment, Jingtong was strong—far stronger than the two of them combined!
But… but how was that possible? This magic power was absolutely not something a normal body could withstand!
“Jing, give me a hand. How’s the seal deciphering going?” The Third Divine Envoy covered her still-bleeding severed arm.
It seemed even her incredible regenerative ability had limits.
“Hold on.”
Jingtong’s tone remained cold. She didn’t turn around, but a mirror appeared in front of both Xiaoxi and Ye Xinglan.
From each mirror stepped out a replica of Eternal Star and the Blood Moon Witch.
Before Xiaoxi could act, she saw the replica of Eternal Star in front of her being wrapped in several tentacles crisscrossing her body.
Xiaoxi was startled. Without any communication, she immediately understood Ye Xinglan’s intention.
She switched from her Venus form back to her Morning Star form and charged straight at Jingtong, who was facing away from her deciphering the seals!
Xiaoxi’s attack was extremely fast. The Third Divine Envoy, dragging her severed arm, couldn’t even block it.
But just as Xiaoxi was about to slash down at full power, a huge mirror appeared out of nowhere behind Jingtong, deflecting her attack.
The next second, a completely identical slash burst out from the mirror!
What? How was this possible? Feeling the slight pain in her hand, Xiaoxi’s eyes widened in disbelief.
That was her full-power strike, and Jingtong could block it while simultaneously holding off Ye Xinglan and deciphering the seals?
“It’s over.”
A huge magical fluctuation forced Xiaoxi back several meters. The entire labyrinth began to tremble slightly.
All the gears in the pure white space slowly stopped turning as if they had lost power. The magic seals at the center of the device gradually lost their glow.
Damn it. She can’t take the thing away! Xiaoxi’s expression hardened. Before Jingtong could take the box, she attacked again.
This time, Jingtong finally had a free hand and steadily caught Xiaoxi’s attack.
When the other girl turned around, Xiaoxi saw that Jingtong’s originally empty pupils were now filled with black mist.
The cracks on her doll-like face continued to emit wisps of black energy, carrying an unsettling aura.
‘Damn it, this is already a monster… No, it’s beyond the scope of a monster, right?’
Although Jingtong was terrifyingly strong, Xiaoxi at full power could still exchange blows with her.
She did manage to hold Jingtong off for the moment, but the box containing the Tower of Commandments’ core was right behind Jingtong.
Neither of them could spare a hand to grab it.
Slap. Jingtong suddenly turned and grabbed a tentacle that had stealthily extended from the black mud, trying to reach the device.
But the next moment, a golden figure had already rushed past her. Even without any communication, their cooperation was still perfect.
Ye Xinglan gritted her teeth. She didn’t try to fight. Instead, she extended several tentacles like an octopus, simultaneously binding the replica and the Third Divine Envoy.
Combined with Jingtong, who had just been left behind by Xiaoxi… Yes, their goal from the start was to prevent the Divine Summon Order from stealing the Tower of Commandments’ core, not necessarily to win against this monster!
Seeing the box containing the core right in front of her, and the Third Divine Envoy and Jingtong just breaking free from the tentacles, Xiaoxi thought they had it secured.
But her hand grasped nothing—it passed straight through the box.
…Huh? What happened? Some scales clung to Xiaoxi’s hand. The box originally at the center of the device dissipated like a grabbed bubble.
Next to the device, a figure with huge butterfly wings and an indifferent expression appeared.
Shandie, who had rarely shown herself in North Blossom City, appeared at the final moment.
“…Sorry.”
Shandie tightened her grip on the box and immediately distanced herself from Xiaoxi. Jingtong and the Third Divine Envoy stopped fighting.
A large mirror appeared behind them—clearly, the Divine Summon Order had prepared an escape route from the start.
Xiaoxi gritted her teeth and reached out. She knew that if Shandie escaped into the mirror space, she would never have another chance to reclaim the Tower of Commandments’ core.
But no matter what, it was too late. One of Shandie’s legs had already crossed the mirror.
Just as her figure was about to vanish into the mirror… Shandie suddenly stopped on her own.
No, not on her own. A look of surprise appeared on Shandie’s face. It was more like… something was holding her in place.