BXBX NOVEL Chapter 58: Goddess is having her birthday today!
A trickle of blood ran from the corner of her mouth, and she felt incredibly weak.
Amidst the glowing light, Timothy slowly approached.
"It's you..." Selene, enduring the pain, struggled to get up.
But she quickly realized that the pain had completely immobilized her.
"I am the sister of Holy Maiden Aeliana, you..." Even at this moment, Selene's eyes still held a cold and proud demeanor.
"Holy Maiden's sister?"
"Sorry, I'm not familiar with any Holy Maiden Aeliana. And frankly, I'm not afraid of her either." Timothy bent down, looking straight into Selene's eyes.
His gaze briefly swept over her thin, somewhat gaunt body.
"What do you want!" Selene glared at Timothy, furious.
"Don't worry, neither your looks nor your figure are anywhere near tempting enough for me." Timothy gave a slight smile and raised his fist.
"You!"
Before Selene could utter another word, the fist came crashing down.
This proud sister of Holy Maiden Aeliana, renowned across various Sects for her swordsmanship, felt a burning pain on her cheek.
The pain struck, and soon after, everything went black as she lost consciousness.
As Selene fainted, the God of Flowers Form behind her became even more ethereal, eventually fading away.
Flames drifted down from the sky, occasionally a spark landing on her scarred body, adding a touch of tragic beauty.
[System: Strong mental impact on Selene of Blooming Sanctuary, skill point +1]
[Mission completed, treasure from the auction acquired, skill points +4]
True to her reputation, even she could yield a skill point.
If possible, Timothy would like to meet more opponents like her.
However, his attention was now more focused on the wooden box.
What exactly was inside it that it fetched a price of ten thousand Mana Crystals at the auction, and even prompted the system to issue a mission worth four skill points?
Clearly, those auction folks were up to no good.
Though they put this wooden box up for auction, they had secretly placed a defensive array on it.
But for Timothy, such measures were practically non-existent.
Easily removing the high-grade restrictions covering it, Timothy slowly opened the wooden box.
Instantly, a scorching breath of air hit him.
Inside the wooden box was a fiery red pearl.
"System, run a check," Timothy said.
[Ding, this item is called the Blazing Phoenix Gem.]
[Attribute: Fire]
[Rarity: Extremely Rare]
[Function: On the surface, it serves as a medium to enhance fire magic, but few know that this spirit pearl can be used to refine high-grade magical artifacts.]
"A high-quality magical artifact?"
Timothy immediately thought of the 'Phoenix Blade' in his hand, which had been severely damaged by Goddess Sylvia.
"System, can the Blazing Phoenix Gem be used to repair this sword?"
[Ding, yes, the Blazing Phoenix Gem has a strong restorative effect. However, due to the high grade of the Phoenix Blade, the success rate is only 6%.]
"Only six percent? That's a bit tricky." Timothy pondered for a moment, then suddenly remembered something.
When he had conquered Goddess Sylvia, the system had rewarded him with ten Heavenly Fate chances.
If he used that, it might significantly increase the success rate.
Timothy used the first Heavenly Fate.
[Ding, favored by heaven and earth, the success rate has increased to 46%.]
Hearing the system's prompt, Timothy didn't hesitate to use the second Heavenly Fate.
[Ding, favored by heaven and earth, the success rate has increased to 86%.]
"That's enough."
Timothy then suspended both the Blazing Phoenix Gem and the Phoenix Blade in the air, continuously channeling spiritual energy into both.
Initially inert, the two objects finally reacted under Timothy's control, slowly converging together.
"Crack."
The moment the Blazing Phoenix Gem touched the blade, a crisp ringing sound echoed through the sky.
Then, a miraculous phenomenon occurred.
Endless flames surged out from the Blazing Phoenix Gem.
The originally smooth, red surface of the pearl, unclear in form, began to evolve phoenix patterns amidst the flames.
The phoenix looked lifelike, as if bathing in the flames, ready to soar.
It seemed as if it could let out a high, resonant cry at any moment, flying out from the fire pearl.
Flames continuously flowed from the Blazing Phoenix Gem into the Phoenix Blade.
The blade became increasingly red and hot, and as time passed, flames also began to burn on the Phoenix Blade.
The two merged into one.
In an instant, a strong red light illuminated half of the sky.
It was like the gentle sound of strings, the tolling of a great bell.
Accompanied by a majestic cry, a fiery phoenix suddenly appeared in the sky.
With overwhelming presence and flames spreading all around, the phoenix dove down and directly merged into the Phoenix Blade.
Instantly, the Phoenix Blade emitted an incredibly intense heat.
The flames that enveloped it were of unmatched purity, as if even the smallest spark contained boundless, scorching heat.
"Boom!"
A burst of golden light erupted, as if expending every ounce of energy, followed by the most intense and unprecedented cry of a phoenix, echoing one last time.
This sacred cry rippled outwards in an instant, spreading in all directions.
In a flash, every major sect, cultivator, and hidden force within thousands of miles was shocked.
"That sound and aura... it's the sign of a Heavenly-level treasure being forged!"
"Heavenly-level treasure!
The source of that aura seems to be near Skyveil City.
Who on earth could forge a Heavenly-level treasure!"
"Direction of Skyveil City, a Heavenly-level treasure has appeared, everyone, follow me quickly!"
Although it was unclear who had forged or fortuitously obtained the Heavenly-level treasure, such a significant event could not be ignored by any sect.
Rather, everyone hoped to stumble upon a lucky find.
After all, possessing a Heavenly-level treasure could potentially pave the way for the advancement of an entire sect, or even one's personal cultivation journey.
The value of a Heavenly-level treasure was enough to make people risk their lives and forsake everything!
Numerous forces, disregarding all else, rushed towards Skyveil City.
However, as they approached Skyveil City...
The gathered cultivators suddenly felt the overwhelming aura of the Heavenly-level treasure vanish without a trace.
And they couldn't detect even the slightest hint or clue!
"Thousand Blades Sect, you guys are here too?"
"What? Even a small sect like Lightning Hollow dares to compete for a Heavenly-level treasure?"
"Say that again!"
Many sects arrived above Skyveil City one after another.
And those who came were mostly highly skilled elders from within the sects.
A Heavenly-level treasure was an unparalleled opportunity, and securing it could greatly enhance the entire sect.
As tensions already ran high among some sects, their encounters became even more fraught.
"But where did that immensely oppressive Heavenly-level treasure go just now? Why does it seem to have disappeared into thin air, with no aura detectable?"
The confusion among the forces was palpable.
With many experts present, they couldn't believe that something could escape their notice right before their eyes.
Suddenly, from behind the Thousand Blades Sect, a burst of aura from a Heavenly-level treasure erupted.
Then, someone shouted loudly: "The Heavenly-level treasure has been taken by us, Thousand Blades Sect! You trash, dare to come and fight?"
Instantly, many sects were enraged.
"How audacious, to swallow a Heavenly-level treasure right in front of all the major sects and even dare to provoke us here! Thousand Blades Sect, you must pay the price today!"
"Such audacity from the small Thousand Blades Sect!"
"I've heard that Thousand Blades Sect was never up to any good, flying the flag of righteousness but actually oppressing the good and committing evil. Today, as all the major sects are gathered, why not exterminate them right here!"
"Right! The Heavenly-level treasure doesn't matter. We just want to catch these remnants brainwashed by the Demonic Sect and restore peace for the people!"
All the major sects were filled with righteous indignation.
They had completely surrounded the Thousand Blades Sect, ready to strike.
The people of Thousand Blades Sect were utterly dumbfounded.
When did they ever get their hands on a Heavenly-level treasure?
Moreover, who was the reckless fool who had shouted those words?
There was no such person in Thousand Blades Sect at all!
"Kill them!"
"Capture them!"
"Uphold justice, retrieve the treasure!"
However, the major sects had already charged into battle, with blades flashing and spells booming.
It didn't take long for the Thousand Blades Sect to be overwhelmed, unable to withstand the combined forces.
One by one, their elders were injured, and their leader was critically wounded.
"Ha ha, the Heavenly-level treasure has been secured by us, Lightning Hollow."
"You bunch of hypocrites with the hearts of beasts, come on, dare to fight us, Lightning Hollow!"
Just then, the aura of the Heavenly-level treasure, which had briefly disappeared, burst forth again.
Its source was right where the Lightning Hollow members were jubilantly fighting.
Lightning Hollow: "Huh?"
Thus, the bloodthirsty sects charged towards them.
"The Heavenly-level treasure is with us, Sunspire Sect!"
"Hey, we, Silvermoon Sect, got the Heavenly-level treasure, annoyed much?"
"Is that so? We, Shadowglow Sect, are taking it and running!"
Mocking voices rose one after another, as sects clashed back and forth, igniting a massive battle.
In the midst of chaotic combat, people were occasionally severely injured and slammed to the ground.
Even though they had completely lost track of where the Heavenly-level treasure was and were blinded by rage, the sects with old grudges fought even more fiercely.
Blood flowed as every conceivable method was employed.
But, unbeknownst to them, the instigator of the entire affair was on the ground, rifling through the belongings of the severely wounded cultivators.
"Bye-bye!"
Having filled a spatial ring with treasures, Timothy took one last look at the chaotic battle above, smiled slightly, and strode away.
No matter how many were there, under the cover of Shadow Veil, these fools couldn't see through his movements at all.
Behind him, lights flickered and shouts of battle roared, but Timothy walked away nonchalantly.
...
After who knows how long, realizing that there was no longer any aura of the Heavenly-level treasure and that all the sects had suffered great losses, the bloodthirsty sects finally stopped.
Looking around, they all wore embarrassed expressions.
...
Blooming Sanctuary.
Watching the image of her sister Selene's bruised face, Holy Maiden Aeliana covered her mouth with her pale pink sleeve and chuckled lightly.
"Holy Maiden, you..."
The maid beside her was stunned.
In her memory, Holy Maiden Aeliana was most affectionate towards her sister.
Apart from the Crown Prince of Phoenix Kingdom, Selene had almost defeated all her peers without a single loss.
But whenever a senior made a move against Selene, once Holy Maiden Aeliana heard the news, she would immediately leave the sanctuary.
She had even nearly leveled an entire sect with the sacred elephant in retaliation.
Thus, not just in Blooming Sanctuary, many forces knew well of Holy Maiden Aeliana's protective nature towards her sister.
Even if Selene was ever so spoiled and unreasonable, no one dared to provoke her, and most would endure even if they were hit.
But now, the situation seemed a bit off.
Noticing the maid's expression, Holy Maiden Aeliana gave a slight smile, "It's nothing serious. Mengyun has indeed become quite overbearing these past few years. It's not a bad thing for someone to step in and teach her a lesson every now and then, to make her tone it down a bit. Besides, Timothy..."
She paused mid-sentence, shaking her head as if she wanted to say more but then stopped herself: "Let's focus on preparing for the feast in a few days. We can talk about the other matters later."
"Yes," the maid replied, not daring to say more and quickly left.
"Timothy, huh."
"Sylvia, this time you can't keep hiding things from me."
Looking towards the horizon, Holy Maiden Aeliana's face, usually so serene and otherworldly, carried a faint smile.
...
Sky Sanctuary.
As Timothy approached the high mountains near Sky Sanctuary, he could clearly see a swath of fiery red hanging over the mountain.
Looking up, the sky above the mountain range seemed ablaze with a flame-like aura.
Unlike the usual coldness, today's Sky Sanctuary seemed extremely lively and festive.
Apart from the fiery red lanterns hanging around, many people respectfully lined up on the mountain, each holding various precious gifts.
Though still solemn and respectful, it was far busier than usual.
Timothy landed on the ground and found Elder Turner, with whom he usually had a good relationship, and asked in confusion, "Elder, what's going on here?"
Elder Turner replied with a beaming smile, "Goddess Sylvia is celebrating her birthday today, so all the major Sects, holy places, and dynasties that have relations with Sky Sanctuary have sent people to bring gifts. They plan to hold a grand celebration today to honor the goddess's birthday."
"Goddess is having her birthday today!" Timothy was shocked, having had no idea about this news!
Elder Turner chuckled, "Not just you, I've been an elder by the goddess's side for many years, and even I didn't know when her birthday was."
Timothy was puzzled, "What's different this year?"
"The date for Goddess Sylvia's birthday was revealed by Holy Maiden Aeliana. Strangely enough, if this were in the past, the goddess would have undoubtedly driven away these people coming to celebrate. But this year, she seems much warmer than before and hasn't refused them. Perhaps, the goddess's mood is also changing."
Elder Turner shook his head, slightly puzzled.