Chapter 707: The Second Stratum and the Ill-Natured Individual

Lolth never anticipated being forced to unveil her ultimate trump card during this "First Stratum."

The divine wine bestowed by the God of Light enabled her to optimize the "drunken" state perfectly while maintaining full consciousness.

Truth be told, Lolth had originally reserved this empowered condition for at least the final trial.

Yet she had to play it now, solely because…

The Sword Master of Seychelles proved more formidable than any demi-god or divine avatar she’d ever faced!

A single swordstroke that severed "concepts" – this was genuine god-slaying capability.

Moreover… by hierarchical rank, Lolth remained sub-divine.

But as A Qiu had observed:

Though not divine,

Lolth transcended norms in her own extraordinary way.

Silent flames rippled outward as her plain black garments morphed into a resplendent crimson gown.

Her exhalations transformed into warm, cloying wisps of rose-tinted vapor.

The established "concept" of Severance already permeated reality – an immutable truth theoretically beyond countermeasure…

To evade such an absolute strike

Required but one solution:

Transcending reality itself, warping facts, defying all theoretical constraints.

In her normal state augmented by magic devices, Lolth could already rewrite magical principles.

Now, with elevated rank…

Even concrete reality would kneel before her!

"Let no ‘Severance’ exist here."

Her whisper ignited the dormant flames around her, reality’s fabric unraveling under rewritten rules.

However potent, all concepts remain rooted in existential reality.

When that foundation shifts…

The erased "Severance" dissolved like morning mist,

Its effects reversing completely – Lolth’s physical form, soul, and magic flow restoring pristine condition.

This surpassed mere healing; it excised the conceptual wound from causality’s tapestry.

Witnessing this, Isabella and Tina… even Naivee could only shudder with primal dread.

"Dearest companions, this succubus proves a hundred thousand times more terrifying than the abyssal sea…"

Naivee murmured involuntarily.

Only Kanor perceived fragments of the altered cosmic principles. After contemplative silence, her expression blossomed into devout awe.

"So this… Master holds such fundamental truths… Is this the glorious zenith of the path she’s charted for me?"

Her eyes blazed with intensity.

Watching her "slash" dissipate, A Qiu exhaled deeply.

"Even more unhinged than I anticipated…"

"Worthy of being the ‘Chosen One,’ indeed."

As she spoke, she faced Lolth across the clearing, her sword tracing an elegant arc before resting behind her back. With a slight bow, she executed the traditional swordsman’s salute.

"You’ve unlocked the First Layer."

The warrior and her blade dissolved into mist. Lolth perceived the path ahead growing distinctly clearer.

"Forward, everyone."

Lolth strode through the arched gateway. Kanor, Naivee, Isabella, and Tina hurried after their leader.

Tum City’s streets lay deserted, devoid of any soul—the eerie stillness of a plague city under perpetual curfew. A dozen paces beyond the gate, another figure sat lotus-style upon the cobblestones.

Though bearing A Qiu’s features, this incarnation glittered grotesquely. Golden-threaded and crimson-embroidered fitted robes shimmered over translucent under-silks. Crystal-studded hairpins and peacock plumes crowned her head, while metallic chains coiled around her arms like liquid mercury. Iridescent pigments dusted her eyelids, her lips glistening with nacreous gloss.

The abbreviated blade across her knees scarcely resembled a weapon—more jewelry than steel, its hilt and fuller encrusted with chatoyant stones and filigree.

"Late Seychellois court fashion," Isabella murmured. "Noblewomen wore this to soirées decades past. Some even dared daytime appearances…"

"Ridiculously ornate," Tina commented.

"Practically induces migraines," Lolth added, approaching the seated figure.

The gilded A Qiu beamed with saccharine warmth.

"Greetings, succubus."

"Welcome to the Second Layer."

Her dulcet tone clashed with expressionless delivery.

"Allow me to clarify—this iteration replicates my mindset, martial comprehension, and legendary-tier prowess during my tenure as Seychelles’ Honored Member of the Supreme Council. The so-called ‘Honorary High Councilor’ period…"

"That… was two decades past," Isabella breathed.

Lolth’s earlier unease crystallized into understanding. "You’ve ascended to legend level now?"

Superficially, the spiritual domain appeared simpler. Both Sword Saint Seychelles and herself exemplified how realms could deceive regarding true power, yet…

Has your comprehension of swordsmanship and mental state regressed to what it was twenty years ago?

Lolth refused to believe that a genius like A Qiu could deteriorate over two decades.

For such individuals, every breath they take naturally deepens their understanding of the "sword"—she undeniably embodied that very essence of genius.

"Indeed, my cultivation has weakened, and I’ve grown considerably younger."

A Qiu chuckled lightly.

"However… it defies logic for trials to decrease in difficulty."

"Therefore—the criteria for overcoming the second layer differs slightly from the first!"

"You needn’t defeat me… merely compel me to ‘act’."

"’Parrying’, ‘defending’, ‘initiating offense’… any use of my blade constitutes ‘action’."

Here, A Qiu paused deliberately,

her lips curving into a cunning smile.

"My design possesses exquisite intricacy. Though my current self faces more constraints when acting, these are merely external limitations—rules imposed upon demi-gods. The true difference lies in willingness… I’m far more susceptible to provocation in this younger state."

"My future self became unrestrained, indifferent to consequences. Had I encountered your ‘inebriated’ condition as that version of me…" She tapped the shortsword resting on her knee meaningfully. "…I’d have already tested you with steel!"

"But presently I wouldn’t…" A Qiu abruptly covered her mouth, eyes widening in theatrical dismay. "Ah—youth’s naivety betrays me! How careless to reveal this!"

Her crystalline ornaments chimed like windchimes as she shook her head in exaggerated frustration.

"Consider this your bonus hint, succubus."

"Gratitude, though these riddles enlighten little."

As Lolth spoke, she drew a gilded boning knife from dimensional storage—ordinary in shape yet shimmering with golden radiance. Upon closer inspection,

the gleam revealed itself not as mere light, but as concentrated divinity.

"So… provoking your action, hmm?"

Terrifying energy erupted from Lolth, making surrounding flames dance erratically. Palpable killing intent materialized like choking mist.

Though aware the lethal aura wasn’t directed at them, the four observers still reacted instinctively:

Isabella’s Knight Aura flared unconsciously, positioning her as the vanguard.

Silvery liquid from Versatile Kitchenware briefly oozed through Kanor’s pores before being forcefully recalled.

Naivee retreated completely into her turtle shell.

Tina developed a peculiar flush, thighs pressing together as her breathing quickened.

Lolth seldom unleashed her murderous intent—even during genuine homicidal urges, she maintained restraint. But when she did…

No one could overlook her murderous intent.

For she posed a formidable threat to all—

Even Sword Saint Seychelles, A Qiu, was no exception.

Her eyes narrowed faintly before…

A hand settled gently upon the short sword resting across her knee.

Yet moments later…

She erupted into abrupt, ringing laughter.

"Oh, how splendid—if only it were that straightforward!"

Lifting her arms, the jade beads coiled around her forearms clattered and shimmered with prismatic brilliance.

"Slaying me would mean nothing," she declared.

"I’ve no intention of striking over such trifles."

Her tone remained composed, yet the words themselves…

Were undiluted provocation.

Though fully lucid, Lolth felt her restraint fray as arrogance surged unbidden.

"Is that so—you presume I’d hesitate?"

The boning knife rose in her grip, its needle-like tip leveling at the cross-legged A Qiu.

"Then… let us test that theory."

A single stride carried her forward.

Despite the meters separating them,

Lolth’s step seemed ordinary—

Until space itself crumpled.

Suddenly she loomed before A Qiu.

The blade descended toward the girl’s throat with lethal precision!

Absurd it might seem—a kitchen utensil aimed at Sword Saint Seychelles’ neck—

Yet this was no mere blade.

A true Divine Artifact,

Equal in rank to the Rod of Eden itself.

And its wielder? Lolth, her divinity-kindled power blazing like wine-fed fire.

No casual tilt of the head could evade this strike.

Not when A Qiu remained bound to legend-level prowess.

To survive demanded steel.

Only the sword could answer steel.

But she remained… utterly motionless.

As if she had no regard for her own life whatsoever!

At the final moment…

Lolth’s blade halted, steadily poised before A Qiu’s throat.

The tip had pierced her skin, a single droplet of blood rolling down.

But… that was the extent of it.

“See? You truly don’t dare kill me.”

A Qiu chuckled softly.

“I merely refuse to grant your wish. After all, if you perished, you’d lose the chance to retaliate.”

Lolth’s voice was calm, yet deliberate.

Both understood the unspoken truth…

Though the figure before them was not A Qiu’s true form, but an illusion conjured by her domain,

a strike from Lolth’s blade would still spell genuine death for the demi-god.

This Sword Master, guardian of Seychelles, had staked everything on this gamble—a lethal game played without restraint.

And that was precisely why Lolth had stayed her hand.

“To gamble with your own life as bait… How deeply that reckless streak dominated your nature two decades ago.”

Lolth sighed wearily.

“Fortunately, I’ve known enough volatile individuals to recognize the cadence of your bluff.”

At these words, A Qiu flicked the blade’s tip aside with a fingertip.

“Indeed… This era finds me burdened by pressures that sharpen my edges beyond reason…”

“Even I would find myself difficult to handle, were our positions reversed.”

Her laughter danced between them, soon mirrored by Lolth’s own.

“Ah, but luck favors me—I’ve ample experience navigating tempestuous souls. And…”

Lolth leaned closer, her gaze sharp. “You’re not entirely without vulnerabilities. That hint proved crucial—shaved fifteen seconds off my realization.”

A Qiu’s eyes narrowed to slits.

“Oh? So you’ve pieced it together…”

Lolth nodded, settling into a crouch opposite her.

“You’re a genius—this I’ve never doubted.”

“With every breath, you ascend toward the zenith where ‘swordsman’ and ‘sword’ converge.”

“Your domain, now a realm of blades, reflects your essence—purified, distilled. Thus…”

“The ‘first layer’ of you, your most recent self, transcends ‘Seychelles’ Guardian Sword Master.’ You’ve become the Sword Master incarnate.”

“Yet twenty years prior…”

“You remained ‘Seychelles’ Guardian Sword Master.’”

“Beneath the veneer of vexation…”

Lolth pressed the bone knife against A Qiu’s throat once more, steel kissing skin as she murmured,

“Your Excellency… How deeply you care for this land and its people.”

Her words hung like the blade itself—cold, deliberate.

“Should this edge claim your life, I’ll drown Seychelles in blood.”

The declaration held neither malice nor hesitation, only certainty.

When facing the tempest, one must become the storm.