novelraw Chapter 127: First Entry into the Full Heart Image Remnant
Chapter 127: First Entry into the Full Heart Image Remnant
"Where did this roadside stray dog come from?"
"You're the stray dog, your whole family are strays!"
Twins standing on the ice immediately shot back an angry retort.
The Prince in the mirror was stunned by the insult as well.
Up until now he had taken every insult quietly, so why was he suddenly arguing back?
The Prince was momentarily at a loss, even forgetting to be angry.
"This beauty over here is the most famous beauty for miles around in Beihai!" Twins cupped Winter's distant figure as if holding a treasure, "Azure Cloud Sect's strongest Magical Girl (excluding Shion)! The most powerful Magical Girl in Azure Cloud Sect (the Sect Master doesn't count)! The kindest, the gentlest, and the most perfect Magical Girl in the whole world! (That includes Shion)!"
"Magical Girl Winter!"
The Prince listened, bobbing between bewilderment and surprise. Twins whispered the parenthetical remarks so softly that the Prince barely heard them.
But the part about Shion not counting — he did hear that. "But she's still a roadside..."Twins stomped on the mirror and shattered it!
Then the fragments scattered, leaving nothing.
Wiping the sweat from her brow, she breathed a satisfied sigh.
It had been such hard work.
Today, Twins had fought so hard for Lady Winter.
Anyone who dared speak disrespectfully of Lady Winter would be annihilated by Twins, even from afar!
She held her hands to her heart and stared fanatically at the ice-blue Magical Girl's back in the distance.
After all these years, Lady Winter was still so perfect and exquisite, especially her magical outfit. Twins had tried to imitate it for a long time
but still fell far short. Seeing it again now, it was as enchanting as ever.
So beautiful—she was practically an angel, Lady Winter.
Twins really wanted to wear the same magical outfit and stand beside Lady Winter, to be Magical Girls of Azure Cloud Sect together.
What was the Witch Association, what was the Disaster Control Bureau—before Lady Winter they were just a bunch of insignificant trash!
Just standing here, without any superfluous Azure Cloud Sect disciples, neither the Witch Association nor the Disaster Control Bureau dared act rashly.
That was the power of Lady Winter!
Even though she was only a Seedling-tier Magical Girl, she stood alone like an army, forcing both sides to freeze in place.
Lady Winter is the best, Lady Winter is the highest, the world's number-one princess...
Twins took another glance and saw the little girl beside Winter.
After careful inspection, she realized that the girl was the new Magical Girl who had appeared earlier in Hulin City—An Shiyu.
When did she join Azure Cloud Sect?
Why, as an Inner Disciple and double agent for the Witch Association, did Twins receive absolutely no intelligence about her arrival!
More importantly, why was she standing so close?! The spot beside Lady Winter was obviously mine!
Jealousy gnawed at her so fiercely she nearly bit her teeth to bits. Suddenly Twins heard a foreboding thudding sound.
Dong! Dong dong!
She looked up and saw that the Heart Image Remnant in the distance had swollen to an alarmingly close size. The surrounding light began to warp; the pulsing sensation like a monstrous heart spread over the sea, even making Twins feel a sliver of fear.
"The Heart Image Remnant is going to swallow us!"
The Prince floated on the ice and watched, "Throw the mirror I gave you to Simo Tu's side!"
"Why are you still here?" Twins blurted, then frantically scanned around, "But where is he now? I can't find him!"
"Look toward the fissure!"
Twins followed the Prince's instruction and was suddenly terrified!
.....
Hongmian drew a deep breath, and the exhale carried waves of chill.
The surrounding Magical Girls felt the same—no magical outfit could resist the cold; even the flow of mana slowed.
What an outrageous ability.
Although Yingwei had reported before that Azure Cloud Sect's Winter could even freeze mana, experiencing it firsthand was another matter.
It wasn't just freezing—mana felt bone-piercingly cold; as it flowed, the body stiffened.
She looked down: her magical outfit had even begun to frost over...
The Witch Association side suffered the same fate. The Complete Witch at the front—who looked like Simo Tu's lapdog—was now shivering, clutching herself and squeezing into other Complete Witches as if trying to borrow warmth.
They were all shunned and pushed aside.
Snow fell harder, and the sea's icy surface extended into the unseen distance.
Where had Simo Tu gone?
Red Cotton couldn't locate her target and couldn't shake her unease.
"We..."
Red Cotton was about to suggest a temporary ceasefire, that both sides should first find a way into the Heart Image Remnant before fighting.
After all, whether Witch Association or Azure Cloud Sect, both wanted to enter the Remnant.
If the Remnant wasn't handled properly, everyone would be ruined; even out of self-preservation, conflicts should be minimized here.
Before she could finish, a witch from the opposing side suddenly waved her hand.
The ice around Winter snapped open and a gigantic shark burst through the ice!
It lunged at her with a ferocious bite!
The shark was covered in pitch-black polluted magic, its pupils blood-red—obviously under control.
It must be some Complete Witch's specialized ability to control beasts, and it was heavily enhanced.
Red Cotton's heart dropped. She snatched up her wand; she hadn’t expected the other side to act so recklessly and attack an Azure Cloud Sect Magical Girl!
Although uncertain whether they were friend or foe, Jincha had said Azure Cloud Sect would support the Disaster Control Bureau, so Red Cotton intended to help...
A clear, sharp strand of magic, like sword qi, flashed!
The gigantic shark leaping from the ice was cleanly sliced in two mid-air!
The source of that bright, razor-sharp sword energy was a girl in white standing at the far edge of the ice sea, the bright moon hanging above.
Her eyes closed, a wooden sword in her hand slid slowly back into its scabbard, then she stepped forward—
One step like supersonic, a second without pause; in a blink she appeared beneath the others, standing beside Winter. Her sleeve brushed upward in what seemed like a salute to Winter.
A spray of bloody water fell around her like rain, but it froze midair into a thin layer of ice, failing to stain the pale girl in the slightest.
"True-transmission of Azure Cloud Sect from Jiangming City?"
Someone from the Witch Association whispered. Yet the Complete Witch who had struck out showed no fear.
"Just two people. What are you afraid of?"
She tossed a large amount of polluted magic into the sea; the dense blackened energy stained the ice itself!
Other Complete Witches prepared to use their abilities. Red Cotton immediately planted her wand, intending to open a domain in aid!
"Ri Mei."
Winter called softly.
The girl in white wavering on the ice finally raised her head.
She opened one eye.
It was a gaze like a sky full of stars—so brilliant that the moonlight seemed pale beside it!
Clang!
Although she held a wooden sword, when it was drawn from its wooden scabbard it emitted a bright humming tone!
Then an even more dazzling blade light flashed!
Frost-bright!
Yet in an instant, the sword light flashed like a comet and vanished without a trace,
only a gentle breeze brushed through.
When she returned the sword to its scabbard, Ri Mei slowly closed her eyes.
A Complete Witch who had been scattering polluted magic into the sea slumped; a fine sword wound bloomed from her brow and tore through her body!
With a wet sound her body split apart, spewing the polluted-magic blood.
The polluted magic, the moment it splashed, crystallized into black ice and crept through the air into the Complete Witch's body. That corrupted blood blossomed like an obscene ice flower, spreading and expanding.
It then swallowed the Complete Witch whole, turning her into a vivid ice sculpture.
Like a work of art.
The surrounding screams froze as if chilled: a short "ah" and then silence.
At the fallen Complete Witch's feet, the seawater split cleanly in two.
A narrow strip of sky remained.
In an instant, the sea above the Heart Image Remnant fell into dead quiet.
Only when the Complete Witch fell into the abyss beneath and the cleaved seawater slowly closed did a chorus of cries erupt among the Magical Girls.
Xilan scrambled back like a madwoman behind the other Complete Witches!
Damn, how can everyone in Azure Cloud Sect be so exaggerated! Are there any ordinary humans in that organization?
As the crowd murmured, the girl in white lightly coughed.
Blood leaked from the corner of her mouth; she leaned forward slightly, weakly wiping the stain.
Indeed, such a powerful move had a price...
Everyone relaxed a little.
That slash had been swift and devastating; unprepared, no one could have taken it.
Naturally, panic swept through the ranks; seeing that the attack had a cost, the Complete Witches felt marginally reassured—probably she could only slash once or twice more, not enough to be unlucky enough to hit them all.
Red Cotton had already stepped forward and loudly declared, "The Disaster Control Bureau is willing to cooperate with Azure Cloud Sect to enter the Heart Image Remnant. We can join forces to eliminate the Witch Association first."
Xilan quickly chimed in, "The Witch Association is also willing! The Disaster Control Bureau is untrustworthy; cooperating with them is like inviting a tiger into your skin!"
Seeing both sides rushing to offer cooperation, An Shiyu found herself stunned.
Are the Disaster Control Bureau and Witch Association such weak organizations?
She stole a glance at the girl in white, Ri Mei, who had her eyes closed. Unexpectedly, Ri Mei seemed to notice her: she turned her head and smiled at An Shiyu. That made An Shiyu flustered, and she quickly bowed her head.
Earlier she had been sleeping with Peony; Peony had really taken care of her.
After that recent battle, after rescuing other Magical Girls, the Disaster Control Bureau had invited them to an ocean villa.
Peony felt it might not be safe for An Shiyu; in a daytime fight, when An Shiyu opened her mouth, the Bureau's Magical Girls would get instantly poisoned and be beaten to the ground. Taking her to the big villa might cause the mansion to collapse.
So Peony refused the invitation and brought her back to Anyang City, booking a super-safe hotel and paying out of pocket to share a room.
She was afraid something might happen.
Especially afraid An Shiyu might suffer the same fate as Susan and never transform again; Peony couldn't forgive herself and could no longer be a Magical Girl.
Peony was truly attentive and caring, even if she disliked working...
One night when An Shiyu had woken up to use the bathroom, she had looked out the window and seen a Magical Girl with flowing ribbons like snow—Winter—standing at the window.
The leader of Azure Cloud Sect, a well-known Magical Girl in the Beihai Disaster Control Bureau. Susan had told her about her.
Even before arriving, Susan had warned her: if in danger, seek Azure Cloud Sect; Lady Winter would protect you.
"Jiang Si might need your help."
After saying that, Winter reached out her hand.
So An Shiyu had followed—though she hadn't noticed Ri Mei the whole time.
Azure Cloud Sect really was formidable...
Her thoughts ran between being proud that it was an organization connected to Jiang Si and feeling discouraged; compared to the girls in Azure Cloud Sect, she was terribly lacking.
With them around, would Jiang Si really need her help?
Standing on the ice, half-listening to the three-way conversation about tentative cooperation,
she suddenly heard a tiny calling.
"An Shiyu, An Shiyu~"
She looked up immediately. Neither Ri Mei nor Winter had spoken, nor had anyone from the Bureau or Witch Association—none of them knew her name.
"I'm here, I'm here, come over quickly."
She scanned desperately. Ri Mei noticed her odd expression and asked softly, "What's wrong?"
An Shiyu hesitated, "Did you hear someone call my name?"
Ri Mei shook her head. "No, they don't know your name."
"Oh, right. Maybe I'm just too sensitive, sorry..."
Seeing An Shiyu sheepishly smile, Ri Mei furrowed her brow slightly and, eyes still closed, turned her sight toward the Heart Image Remnant.
"But I did hear an unusual rhythm. Listen closely," Ri Mei said gently. "Listen to the voice of the Heart Image Remnant."
Startled, An Shiyu strained to listen.
"Huh? Why can she hear my voice? Only you should hear me. Oh well, Little An Shiyu, hurry over. If you don't come soon, the Remnant will explode!"
Sure enough, the voice came from the Heart Image Remnant!
An Shiyu's heart leaped—she might actually be useful...
She told Ri Mei at once, "I can hear it—the Heart Image Remnant's voice. It's a very pleasant girl's voice. She told me to come quickly, or the Remnant will explode!"
Ri Mei frowned faintly. Winter, who seemed to hear the exchange, murmured, "Take her over. Ri Mei, be careful."
Just as Ri Mei led An Shiyu closer, the entire Heart Image Remnant suddenly shuddered!
Dong—!
A massive ripple swept outward, and everyone staggered, nearly falling into the sea!
They all looked toward the Remnant; at a fissure, a masked youth hammered a black heavy measure repeatedly into the crack!
Dong! Dong! Dong...!
"What the hell is he doing! Does he want to kill us all!"
A Complete Witch cried in terror, "Ceasefire! Stop him!"
"Nonsense!" Xilan shouted, "Simo Tu-sama must have his reasons! Assist Simo Tu-sama and stop Azure Cloud Sect and the Disaster Control Bureau from advancing!"
"Are you out of your mind?"
"You're earning a few hundred a month; what are you risking your life for!"
"Scatter!"
While the Complete Witches descended into chaos, Ri Mei intended to bring the stunned An Shiyu closer to the Remnant.
The Magical Girls prepared to fly over to stop Simo Tu.
Even as the Complete Witches fled in all directions, Xilan did not run. Instead she drew her blade and stuck herself between Ri Mei and the approaching Magical Girls.
Facing many Blooming-tier Magical Girls, though trembling and terrified, she stood her ground—behind her were countless lights, hopes of many households!
"I am Xilan, Simo Tu-sama's number-one general! I will never betray Simo Tu-sama. No matter who you are, even if I can only be a hero for one second, I will not let you obstruct Simo Tu-sama..."
Before she finished, Ri Mei was already behind her and landed a crisp strike that knocked her unconscious.
After knocking Xilan out, Ri Mei noticed two more Complete Witches returning.
An Shiyu realized Ri Mei's usual apathetic gentleness had suddenly taken on a sharp edge—just looking at her hurt the eyes.
"Ruo Yun."
The returning witches were none other than Ruo Yun, wearing a fox mask, and Hyacinth.
They had been mixed among the Complete Witches earlier, looking for Simo Tu. They saw the fissure strike and had intended to use the chaos to follow Simo Tu into the Remnant, but the fissure hadn't yet opened; when Xilan collapsed, they had to rush back to block.
Hyacinth saw Ri Mei's complicated expression and Ruo Yun's silence; behind the mask her pale eyes brimmed with curiosity and anticipation.
Indeed, Ruo Yun had deep connections with Azure Cloud Sect; this conflict could be leveraged to delay them...
Ri Mei tugged her scabbard slightly; the wooden sword slid out a fraction. "Show me how you've advanced."
Ruo Yun took a deep breath, silently drawing the South China wand; with one hand she flicked a card.
Red Cotton was about to circle around, but Hyacinth leaped up to block everyone's path.
"Move aside," Red Cotton warned the masked witch, "or don't blame us for using force."
If you could be like Azure Cloud Sect, that would be great.
Hyacinth thought this while remaining silent, only drawing her wand and imitating Jiang Si's manner, "Come."
A riot of multicolored mana lights flared over the black night sea.
Before anyone could act, another violent tremor rolled through, ripples sweeping the sky.
There, Simo Tu smashed his heavy measure and, gathering his magic, struck directly at the Heart Image Remnant!
The entire Remnant seemed to shake!
This tremor was even more terrifying, as if the whole sky lurched in a shaking box; the ice shattered and the sea rose into roaring waves.
Several Magical Girls slipped into the sea and flew back up. Ri Mei quickly returned her sword to its scabbard and caught the nearly-fallen An Shiyu.
Ruo Yun's ears rang; she looked down—her card had been severed by the sword!
Amid the upheaval, a discordant mechanical alarm wailed from afar.
"Out of control!"
"Help!"
Amid screams, everyone looked up. A helicopter gleamed, spinning at an impossibly fast rate, charging toward them at extraordinary speed!
To Red Cotton and the others' astonishment, two beams of light dropped from the helicopter, then the glowing, spinning aircraft slammed like a meteor straight into the Heart Image Remnant's fissure!
A massive explosion of intermixed mana erupted!
Even Jiang Si was stunned. A rain of wreckage flew toward them; he didn't dodge—he bent down, trying to grab the widening fissure with both hands and tear it open.
The fissure suddenly expanded.
A brilliant white light burst forth!
Before he could react, it swallowed him.
The white light continued to expand, inflating the edge of the Heart Image Remnant and rapidly devouring the Magical Girls and witches nearby!
Twins, still at a distance, was dumbstruck: after swallowing everyone, the white light showed no sign of stopping and headed straight for her!
She immediately turned and ran, shouting, "Nothing to do with Twins! Twins was just passing by! Save—"
Before she could finish, the white light consumed her.
Soon the once-bustling sea surface lay empty; only the pleasant sounds of waves and sea wind drifted by.
......
Enveloped in white radiance, Jiang Si realized both his mana and the polluted magic had vanished.
Not suppressed, but gone altogether.
It felt as if submerged in seawater; he struck out with a forced punch. During the violent tremor another, stronger light enveloped him.
Had the Forbidden Zone of Life gone out of control?
Jiang Si guessed the zone's supreme power had acted.
He recalled the small glass orb on him—the item to enter the Remnant had not been used.
Of course—those sideline tricks were useless. Even without anyone, he could step into the Forbidden Zone of Life!
They had fussed over quotas and qualifications and torn each other apart to seize spots, but when they reached the secret realm's entrance something inevitable happened and everyone got in.
That's the fixed law of web novel dungeons...
But right now, the Great Emperor who severed himself with one strike was truly extraordinary—fearsome power.
Yet he himself possessed at least a Great Achievement Saint Body and had stepped into a divine forbidden region.
Not frightened...
While clutching the Miracle Seed he felt something coursing through his body.
The seed in his hand floated and vanished.
Then he noticed his body undergoing a strange change:
bones, blood, muscles, even each pore in his skin were being refashioned...
No— not reshaped, but reversed?
When he realized this, a fierce pain streaked through his limbs.
An intense itch and ache in his chest made him cough.
Then, dizzy, he opened his eyes.
A strange ceiling.
The smell of disinfectant he hated; everything white. He heard faint groans of pain and low sobs.
He reached out and looked: his right hand bore scars and was wrapped in bandages. Any effort sent searing pain.
His left hand was weak, almost skeletal, with an IV attached.
His knuckles prominent and dry.
So weak he had trouble breathing.
As he prepared to sit up and assess things, he felt the bedding and sheets pinned down beside his legs.
When he pulled at the sheets to rise, he dragged something—someone—up with him and banged his head on the adjacent bed frame.
"Ah..."
A soft cry, then a moment of silence, then a voice full of surprised tears:
"Jiang Si! You're finally awake!"
A sweet voice—partly familiar, mostly new.
He turned his head with effort and saw a pretty girl.
Tears streaked down her cheeks, now a delighted smile; pitifully lovely.
But he remained silent, a chill sliding downward through his chest.
"Lu Ya?"