Chapter 98: The Teachings of the Ancestors

“Young one, you must remember what I am about to say next: as a Nine-tailed Celestial Fox, there will be many with ill intentions coveting your bloodline. Some of them will stop at nothing just to obtain it.”

“In this day and age, would people really still do such things?”

In Liuli’s view, this was an era of peace, after all. Though acts of murder and plunder still existed, surely they wouldn’t happen to someone like her, right?

“Young one, should I call you pure, or just naive? Evil knows no era. Rather than trusting them, it’s better to protect yourself. A wary heart is never unnecessary.”

“But…”

Liuli understood this logic, but living in constant suspicion was too exhausting. Such a life wasn’t what she wanted.

Was she supposed to abandon the trust she’d painstakingly built with those around her?

“Young one, though I understand your worries, remember that protecting yourself is more important than anything else. Whether to trust or not—right now, you may not be able to tell the difference, but given enough time, you will.”

“So, Ancestor, do you think the people around me now are trustworthy?”

“I do not know. I cannot see the outside world. I am only telling you this so you can be prepared. You cannot always remain foolishly pure, can you?”

“Ancestor, since you can’t see the outside world, what kind of state are you in now?”

At first, Liuli imagined something like the old man in the ring, but on second thought, if it really were like that, either the old man would absorb her spiritual power and leave her a useless wreck for years, or he’d grant her some precious Heritage.

Hmm, did this bloodline count as a Heritage?

“I am now but a Remnant Soul, awakened only when you resonated with Magic.”

“Then, Ancestor, besides chatting with me, can you offer any other help?”

Such a rare opportunity—Liuli couldn’t help but wonder if she’d gained nothing more than a conversation partner.

“Does experience count? As a Remnant Soul, I truly can’t help much, but if you ever face difficulties while studying magic, perhaps I can offer some assistance?”

Although her Ancestor couldn’t offer material help, which disappointed Liuli somewhat, finding someone familiar with the Nine-tailed Celestial Fox was already rare enough, let alone one sharing her bloodline.

It gave her the sense of meeting an old friend in a foreign land.

Though this wasn’t really a foreign land, nor was her Ancestor exactly an old friend, could she perhaps treat her as a confidant, a tree hollow to vent her troubles to?

“Then, Ancestor, how long can you remain in my mind?”

To be honest, Liuli was a bit worried. Her Ancestor had already said she was just a Remnant Soul, and it was uncertain how long she could persist.

Unlike other Students of Saint Laia, her Ancestor had no physical form and, in a sense, posed no threat, which made Liuli instinctively want to trust her.

“I do not know. I left only a trace of Remnant Soul back then, and I have no idea how long I can linger. So, while I am still able to answer your questions, ask as many as you can.”

Liuli could tell her Ancestor’s tone was calm, as if it were all perfectly ordinary, but the content itself was a bit bittersweet.

Even though Liuli didn’t fully understand it, by common sense, her Ancestor should already be dead. The soul of the deceased should belong to the heavens.

But her Ancestor’s Remnant Soul lingered with her. Would she truly be able to reincarnate smoothly?

“Ancestor, if given the chance, would you wish to be Revived?”

“….”

Liuli could clearly sense the air grow heavier.

“Young one, do you know what you are saying?”

“I-is there something wrong with that?”

“In our era, to Reverse Life and Death was a grave taboo. Anyone who sought such methods would suffer the severest punishment. I do not wish for you to go down that misguided path. Besides, to be honest, I have no special longing for rebirth. To let things be as they are is enough. Since I am already dead, there is no need to pursue so-called Revival.”

“But…”

Liuli felt a pang of regret. Though her Ancestor always addressed her as ‘young one,’ she had no air of superiority or old-fashioned authority, making Liuli feel at ease.

In many ways, Liuli was reluctant to lose her.

“No need to worry so much. I can sense that I will not dissipate so easily. At least, not until you grow into a unique Nine-tailed Celestial Fox. I should remain. Hehe, I must witness my descendant’s growth, mustn’t I?”

Although the Ancestor’s words were clearly meant to comfort, why did they sound so much like a flag—like the classic death flag?

“Ancestor, to you, what did the Princess of Saint Laia mean?”

Liuli remembered hearing the name Saint Laia from her Ancestor’s lips. It proved her Ancestor truly knew of Saint Laia and would also understand this so-called princess system.

Although ancient records suggested her Ancestor might not have been a Princess of Saint Laia, surely she had her own expectations of a Princess, didn’t she?

Though she might not be able to meet everyone’s expectations, nor feel obliged to, there should be no issue meeting the expectations of those close to her, right?

“In our era, a Princess was a spiritual symbol, often required to lead from the front to ensure peace between races. So, to me, a Princess was not only a symbol of spirit, but also a Flag.”

“Flag…”

Liuli murmured, suddenly recalling 《Liberty Leading the People》.

She remembered the painting from her school days.

To be honest, it had left quite an impression.

Now, hearing her Ancestor compare a Princess to a Flag, she felt it was almost too much.

“Yes. But since there is little conflict now, for Her Highness the Princess to serve as a spiritual symbol alone is enough.”