Cornflower Witch

Chapter 322 The Fairy's Blessing

'Blackquis, the Two-Headed Serpent,' a legendary monster worshipped by the Cult of Two Serpents, brought terrifying nightmares to early humans during the Seventh Era, nearly causing the extinction of human ancestors in the desolate wilderness of the star.

Although the ancient king eventually defeated it, the terrifying legends it left behind influenced later generations and even led some humans to worship it, thus establishing the Twin Serpent Cult.

Based on the 'Blackquis', the Cult of the Twin Serpents created many bizarre and cruel secret arts, many of which can splice creatures to form new monsters, as well as rituals to sacrifice and devour humans to gain power.

In the past, many people joined the sect out of greed for the secret techniques they possessed, which made the 'Twin Serpent Cult' active for a time. However, in the chaotic era of the Eighth Era, the calendar changed, and various factions fought each other. The methods of fighting gradually escalated and the scale of the battles grew larger and larger, and the weaknesses of the Twin Serpent Cult were gradually exposed.

They were indeed like venomous snakes in the shadows, inspiring fear. However, in the all-out and brutal epic war, such petty tactics gradually became inadequate to keep up with the intensity of the struggle. When the Sun Dragon returned, it directly cleansed the entire Fifth Continent to establish its authority, causing countless beings to tremble in fear.

Because of its methods and character, the Twin Serpent Cult was ostracized by many forces and races, especially the high-ranking members of the human camp, who were determined to wipe it out. Under such circumstances, the Twin Serpent Cult gradually declined, either going into hiding or changing its appearance. The later named 'Parenmarkov' was one of the branches that changed its doctrines and appearance.

Hilti recalled the details of the 'Twin Serpent Cult' and quickly walked towards the small lighthouse that had just been built in the camp.

She looked at the illuminated white sphere on the lighthouse, placed her hand on the stone wall of the lighthouse, and felt its state.

"Lady Tiya?" The guards asked curiously as she suddenly connected to the lighthouse node.

"I need to contact the command center at the rear; I have something important to report."

Although they didn't understand what had happened, seeing Hilti's solemn expression, the members immediately sprang into action. They assisted Hilti in adjusting the lighthouse node, and then a dazzling beacon beam rose up, piercing the dark sky and transmitting the information.

Several minutes later, pale gold text appeared inside the lighthouse and then disappeared.

"We've received it from the rear," the guard reported after reading the message.

“That’s good.” Hilti nodded, then thought that they were already very close to the location of the 'Blackquis Larva', and there would inevitably be great danger in the battle that followed.

"Notify everyone to prepare for evacuation. Also, before leaving, reinforce the lighthouse nodes so that they can remain lit for at least three days."

"Yes."

The entire team began to move, and everyone felt a tense atmosphere.

This was the limit of their exploration. The constantly flowing black silt around them rendered their methods of exploration ineffective. No one knew what lay ahead. The unknown brought fear. The members, who were already somewhat worried, clearly sensed something was wrong when they heard Hilti's order, and their speed increased involuntarily.

More than ten minutes later, the entire team was ready and began to retreat in the direction they had come from.

"Lady Hiltiya, aren't you leaving?" a knight asked.

"I'll catch up later, you guys go first," Hiltiya instructed, telling them to leave first.

She didn't leave because she didn't know if the 'Blackquis Larva' had already detected the group. If it chased after them, this group, with its highest-ranking members at level three, would be crushed by the giant serpent's power and unable to escape. If she stayed, and the 'Blackquis Larva' pursued them, it would target her first, temporarily abandoning the group's attempt to leave.

As the group set off, Hilti remained standing under the lighthouse, eyes closed, concentrating on sensing her surroundings. She dared not rashly use her secret techniques to locate the two-headed serpent, lest she provoke it.

Since her teammates had already left, she no longer needed to worry about being alone. She directly transformed into her 'alien' form, surrounded by shimmering starlight, parted the thick silt, and slowly floated up.

Five beholders were released, hovering hundreds of meters around her, serving as observation points and targets to draw enemy attacks. Time slowly passed, and facing this pitch-black abyss, Hilti felt that there were hazy monsters moving within it, but this passive perception could not pinpoint their exact location; sometimes they were below her, sometimes to her side, constantly shifting.

Suddenly, Hilti opened her eyes, her beautiful purple eyes sweeping across her side and behind her. Then, her figure flickered and disappeared from the spot in an instant.

Soon after, a huge black snake head roared past, passing the spot where she had just been standing like a train.

Hilti's figure reappeared higher in the sky, looking down at the enormous serpent swimming below, her heart trembling with fear.

It discovered itself, and even with the interference of the five-eyed demon, it accurately hit its own position.

The two-headed snake's attention was drawn to the fact that it failed to devour the annoying 'insect' the second time. It had been unconsciously devouring any living creatures and 'small insects' that came near, but the two failed attempts gradually awakened its dormant consciousness.

What was originally just an unconscious, instinctive, slow movement suddenly accelerated, and its sluggish, enormous body became incredibly swift.

In the abyss, four dark red eyes lit up, like giant protruding light bulbs, sweeping across the surrounding area for dozens of miles.

Immediately, it locked onto the tiny point of light near the sky, realizing that this was the 'little bug' that had just escaped its snake's jaws twice.

The enormous serpentine body swayed and rose, like a black, curved pillar reaching the sky, soaring into the heavens. Locked in by those blood-red eyes, Hiltiya felt her blood freeze instantly, unable to flow. Every cell screamed and cried out, conveying some kind of hidden, instinctive fear.

At this moment, she was unable to use any of her abilities and could only watch as the enormous blood-red serpent's mouth surged up from below, slowly transforming into a giant pool of blood that engulfed her. Inside the serpent's mouth was a writhing abyss that was forever dark and devoid of light.

Fear washed over her consciousness like a black tide, engulfing her. This immense mental shock temporarily rendered the girl unable to react. Fortunately, at the last moment, the seven-colored picture book appeared, allowing the girl to flash once more and dodge the attack.

The loss of its target once again enraged the two-headed serpent. It spat out its huge black and red tongue, and invisible ripples spread through the air. Any creature touched by these black ripples would be cursed, with snake-shaped blood veins growing on its body, and would eventually be devoured by the black snake that emerged from its body.

【Blackquist's Curse: Ouroboros】

Having dodged the attack, Hiltiah appeared on the other side of the sky, clutching her chest and gasping for breath, sweat beading on her forehead. The ripples from the attack spread throughout her body, causing black serpentine patterns to begin to grow on the girl's collarbone and neck.

Eerie and terrifying serpent patterns spread across Hilti's body, one extending to her right leg, its slender head coiling around her calf and gradually appearing at her snow-white ankle.

The serpent patterns spread and became more active. Just as the curse was about to take effect, a new power emerged within Sylvia. It seemed to have been awakened by the curse, appearing inside the girl and then manifesting on her body.

The pale pink petal patterns exude a pure and holy aura, contrasting with the spreading serpentine patterns.

[Fairy's Blessing]: 'Blessed by the high-ranking fairy Ayarani, when you were ten years old, you entered the Heavenly Garden and received a blessing from Ayarani, the high-ranking fairy beside the Spring Hour. She blessed you with eternal youth, ensuring that your appearance will not age until your death.'

"Tia, remember to thank Lady Ayara~"

"Understood, Mother."

As a child, Siltia respectfully bowed to the sacred fairy high in the sky.

(End of this chapter)