Chapter 22: The Heartfelt Voice of the Gentle Maiden

Watching the transformed girl—Zhuang Xiaoyuan—wield her sword as she battled fiercely with the evil fiend, Wen Hui noticed another demon rapidly approaching from behind. She had no way of knowing the true extent of Zhuang Xiaoyuan’s fighting power, but even a deity descending to the mortal realm would struggle against an encirclement of four demonic gods. At that moment, Wen Hui’s heart was filled with worry for Zhuang Xiaoyuan and a profound sense of her own helplessness. In the end, could she do nothing to help? Was she destined only to watch the silhouette of her friend from behind?

As an abandoned orphan, Wen Hui possessed a fierce pride, always striving to be first in everything. She believed, perhaps irrationally, that her efforts would make her absent parents regret their decision. Though it was merely a psychological comfort, it did not diminish her resolve to pursue the top spot.

Yet, this strong-willed Wen Hui encountered Zhuang Xiaoyuan in the military training institute. From childhood, Zhuang Xiaoyuan had always been superior, whether in relationships with peers, praise from teachers, or academic achievements. Every time, Zhuang Xiaoyuan claimed first place, leaving Wen Hui perpetually in second.

Her feelings toward Zhuang Xiaoyuan had always been complicated—a mixture of admiration and envy, unwillingness tinged with respect. Thus, Wen Hui had made Zhuang Xiaoyuan her goal, chasing after her, yearning to surpass her, to overtake her.

But on the day of the graduation trial, seeing Zhuang Xiaoyuan force a smile, witnessing the sadness concealed beneath that smile, and finally seeing Zhuang Xiaoyuan bested for the first time, Wen Hui felt nothing but emptiness.

With the graduation trial concluded, classmates departed for various departments to begin their careers. Only then did Wen Hui realize she had lost her goal, and with it, her familiar daily life.

Though she had never once defeated Zhuang Xiaoyuan, every provocation she launched ended with her own frustration. Yet those days, now, were oddly nostalgic. Without realizing it, Zhuang Xiaoyuan had become an irreplaceable presence in her heart.

When she saw Zhuang Xiaoyuan again, the memory of that forced smile and hidden sorrow during the graduation trial surfaced. Unconsciously, Wen Hui provoked her once more. When her challenge was met with Zhuang Xiaoyuan’s sharp retort, Wen Hui was surprised to find her heart leaping with joy.

But in the days that followed, Wen Hui only hid in the shadowed corridors, watching as Zhuang Xiaoyuan returned late each night and entered the bath even later. Every time she wished to join her, every intention of greeting her faltered after the first step, never daring to take the second.

Wen Hui was afraid and timid. She had always revealed her competitive spirit with every provocation, but now she worried—did Zhuang Xiaoyuan always find her annoying? Maybe, after they parted, Zhuang Xiaoyuan was happier.

With such conflicted feelings, Wen Hui met her again. The chance encounter at the apothecary made Wen Hui even more excited—she hadn’t given up. Wen Hui was certain that as long as Zhuang Xiaoyuan didn’t quit, she would catch up. That belief was firmer than Zhuang Xiaoyuan’s own, for Wen Hui had always watched her.

Yet Wen Hui hadn’t expected that this meeting would bring such danger. The evil god had slipped past the soldiers’ patrols and infiltrated, summoning a demon of commanding rank. As one at the pinnacle of the Prayer rank, Wen Hui had nothing to fear—but another demon lurking amidst the crowd caught her off guard, and she paid dearly for her carelessness.

When the blade pierced her abdomen, severed her intestines, and was finally withdrawn, the pain was excruciating—near unbearable. But in front of Zhuang Xiaoyuan, she could not cry out. She refused to show weakness, determined to always display her indomitable spirit before her. That, she thought, was the only way to preserve their familiar daily life.

Noticing the guilt and remorse in Zhuang Xiaoyuan’s eyes, Wen Hui felt genuine delight. Zhuang Xiaoyuan didn’t dislike her; she still acknowledged her. That was enough—enough to satisfy her, to make her happy. So, at this moment, she absolutely could not collapse.

Though her stomach ached, though her strength was waning, at the very least, she had to hold on until the senior warriors arrived. At least, she had to protect Xiaoyuan. In her heart, Wen Hui called her Xiaoyuan—surely that was fine, since she wouldn’t notice anyway. Heh.

Just as Wen Hui summoned all her strength to stand fully upright, Zhuang Xiaoyuan stopped her. Her expression was unusually serious—more serious than Wen Hui had ever seen.

From somewhere, Zhuang Xiaoyuan produced a black card. As it shone with golden light, enveloping her, Wen Hui instinctively squinted, unable to discern the changes within the radiance. But when the golden glow faded, she saw her.

Though her appearance had changed, Wen Hui was certain—it was Zhuang Xiaoyuan. She was utterly astonished, unable to quell the shock in her heart. Xiaoyuan could transform through divine descent. She had reached the Divine Descent rank? Wen Hui had always expected Xiaoyuan to catch up, but hadn’t anticipated she’d surpass her so swiftly. In just a few months, she had overtaken her again. Yet this time, Wen Hui felt no resentment or envy. Because she was Zhuang Xiaoyuan. Once more, she had become Wen Hui’s goal.

Though devoid of resentment, Wen Hui was not content to be overtaken again. She had long foreseen Zhuang Xiaoyuan’s rise, but now, her fighting spirit burned anew. The lost target had reappeared, and somehow, it felt closer than ever.

She was improving too. She wanted Xiaoyuan to see her progress, to recognize her effort. She didn’t want to forever chase her from behind. This time, she was determined to walk alongside her. She wanted to show her… that she was capable too.

“Wen Hui, you truly have talent. In just a few months, you’ve reached the peak of the Prayer rank. But remember—advancing from Prayer to Divine Descent isn’t achieved through training or the approval of others. To ascend, you must accept yourself, persist in your own path, and firmly resolve your heart…”

The words of the veteran Divine Armored Warrior who had recently mentored her echoed in Wen Hui’s mind. Firm resolve…

“Senior, I have found my path. I want to walk alongside her. I wish to say to her: Please call me Xiaohui—please be my friend.” Waves of emotion surged in her heart, shattering the final barrier. Wen Hui felt a warm energy burst forth from within. The winds, as if celebrating, began to whirl about her.

“Divine Armament—Divine Descent Transformation.” Emerald light enveloped Wen Hui, as a fierce whirlwind sprang from the ground, soaring upward into the sky…