Why Am I a Priestess When I Reach the Maximum Level?-Chapter 159[Vol. 6] - The Missing Ferryman and the "Sea"

[Vol. 6] Chapter 159: The Missing Ferryman and the “Sea”

“What happened?”

Noticing the commotion behind them, the [Shocking God Sect] members, who had been keeping within visible distance, quickly stopped and regrouped. After listening to Violet’s brief explanation, Mu Ze, who had apparently ventured into the [Endless Wasteland Sea] before, nodded thoughtfully.

“Miss Violet, does this person named Murong… carry some kind of legacy?”

“Why did you assume that?” Violet replied, answering the question with another.

Surveying the increasingly dense white mist around them, Mu Ze explained, his tone contemplative.

“Long ago, the [Endless Wasteland Sea] wasn’t as dangerous as it is now, nor did people need to rely on luck to enter it. Back then, there was a group entrusted with ancient missions. They were tasked with guarding the entrance to the [Endless Wasteland Sea] on behalf of the [Spirit Fox Shrine Maiden]. These individuals were known as the [Ferrymen].”

“The [Ferrymen] were shrouded in mystery. Their numbers and circumstances were unknown, but they seemed to possess the ability to freely traverse the [Endless Wasteland Sea]. They could move between the two realms with ease.”

“Whenever the sea opened, [Ferryman] would appear near the entrance to screen and guide suitable individuals into the sea. This guided entry allowed travelers to avoid many of the sea’s dangers, and survival rates under their guidance were nearly 100%, extremely safe.”

“The way we’re entering the [Endless Wasteland Sea] now was considered ‘smuggling’ in those days. This method was unrecognized and unwelcome by the [Endless Wasteland Sea], leaving participants to rely entirely on luck and their own strength for survival.”

“However, about a century ago, a massive and strange calamity swept across the [Ancient Spirit Realm]. A terrifying, unknown force annihilated hundreds of sects of all sizes across the land in a single night. Among the countless casualties and disappearances were an estimated tens of thousands of [Ferrymen].”

“To this day, the truth behind that disaster remains a mystery. But ever since then, the [Ferrymen] have vanished from the [Endless Wasteland Sea]. With no one to guide them, people have been forced to cross the sea unaided, taking on enormous risks to do so.”

“Scholars studying this period of history eventually connected the dots, theorizing that the legacy of the [Ferrymen] might be hidden within those sects that were wiped out during the calamity. It could be tied to just one sect or possibly several.”

“And the culprit likely couldn’t determine which sect truly held the [Ferryman]’s legacy, so they cruelly wiped out all sects within the suspected range.”

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“So that’s the full story behind the incident…”

Exchanging glances with the two girls beside her, Violet didn’t comment much but instead asked further questions.

“So, you’re suggesting that Murong Yun’s legacy might be connected to the [Ferrymen], which is why he could enter the [Endless Wasteland Sea] so quickly? But who was that mysterious force, and why would they go to such extreme lengths to annihilate the Ferrymen?”

Mu Ze shook his head.

“It’s only a theory on my part. As for the rest, it remains one of the greatest unsolved mysteries in the [Ancient Spirit Realm]. Scholars and sects have been searching for answers for over a century. The ability to destroy hundreds of sects across the world in a single night is like a sword hanging over everyone’s heads. Who wouldn’t fear such a force?”

“Yet, even after more than a hundred years, no conclusive answers have been found. Anyone who uncovers even a hint of a clue soon vanishes without a trace. Over time, it’s become an enduring mystery…”

“As for why they targeted the [Ferrymen], my personal guess is that they wanted something the [Ferrymen] possessed, or they didn’t want people to have easy access to the [Endless Wasteland Sea] and whatever secrets of the [Spirit Fox Shrine Maiden] it might contain.”

“If you follow that line of thought, the real target of this force might actually be the [Spirit Fox Shrine Maiden] herself.”

“They’re targeting the power of the [Spirit Fox Shrine Maiden]…”

After a moment of silence, the black-haired girl’s lips curved into a faint smile.

“Even though the [Ferrymen] have disappeared, the [Endless Wasteland Sea] hasn’t become an unreachable place, has it?”

Shangguan Hong nodded, “Though we still don’t know who this mysterious force is, their willingness to expose themselves to completely wipe out the [Ferrymen] already tells us a lot.”

“The [Spirit Fox Shrine Maiden] is the guardian of the [Ancient Spirit Realm]. Her enemies are the enemies of the Domain itself. Since they are our enemies, how could we possibly let them have their way?”

“Ah…”

With a resigned shake of her head, Violet continued walking forward.

Although Murong Yun had vanished ahead of them, he had already shared the method for entering the [Endless Wasteland Sea] with Violet and her companions.

*Listen.*

Listen for the *sound of the sea*.

It sounded absurd, almost like a fantastical tale. But according to Murong Yun, as the dense mist rose, those walking within it would gradually lose their sight but gain sharper hearing. By focusing their senses, they could catch the sound of the sea in the right place.

Hearing that sound meant you were nearing the path to the [Endless Wasteland Sea].

From there, you needed to follow the direction where the mysterious sound grew fainter. Eventually, this would lead you to the legendary [Endless Wasteland Sea], a place that didn’t exist within the [Ancient Spirit Realm].

At first, this explanation seemed so bizarre that Violet couldn’t help but think, *Is this guy messing with us?* But after watching Murong Yun vanish right before her eyes and encountering more and more strange phenomena tied to the [Spirit Fox Shrine Maiden], Violet found herself reconsidering.

Such bizarre rules might actually have some merit to them.

After wandering aimlessly for what felt like an eternity, she finally heard it.

The sound of waves rising and falling, crashing against the *sea*.

“*Huala… huala…*”

Even though her surroundings showed no sign of unusual energy, illusions, or magical traces of any kind, Violet could clearly hear the mysterious sound—a sound that shouldn’t exist in the heart of the mountains.

It was as if an invisible mirror stood before her. Violet on one side, and on the other, a world completely cut off and isolated.

“Violet.”

The soft, pale hand that had been clasped in hers tightened slightly at the sound of a gentle call. Evidently, Hen had also heard the faint, nearly imperceptible sound of waves.

“Are you nervous?” Violet asked.

The silver-haired girl didn’t hesitate to answer.

“A little… because I *can’t see* what’s inside.”

“I see.”

Nodding, Violet tightened her grip on Hen’s delicate, almost weightless fingers.

“Don’t worry. I’ll protect you.”

“Wait, wait, wait! What about me?!”

Turning to glance at the catgirl, who had hurriedly rushed over, Violet couldn’t help but chuckle, caught between amusement and exasperation.

“With your strength, Xiao Kong, you shouldn’t need constant protection… but fine, fine, you can come too.”

Extending her free hand to the eagerly waiting Xiao Kong, Violet found it immediately seized by the catgirl, who was holding her white cat in one arm. Xiao Kong even shot a smug glance at the silver-haired girl, though Hen paid her no attention.

Taking a final look at the [Shocking God Sect] group ahead, who had already started moving after signaling their intentions, Violet took a deep breath.

“Alright, let’s step forward.”

“Got it.”

“Let’s go!”

“*Huala… huala…*”

The sound of waves surrounded them completely, engulfing their senses as they moved ahead.