Bai Lili surveyed the room’s interior. Various research books were scattered about in a somewhat messy fashion, suggesting this was a room for studying special items.
At the far end of the room stood a wooden desk with what looked like a luxurious chair. On the left side of the desk, a candle burned, seemingly freshly lit.
What had restrained Bai Lili was a fox mask. The chains emanating from it seemed both there and not there, illusory, yet they had truly and effectively held her captive.
That fox mask sat at the very center of the desk, its aura sending shivers down Bai Lili’s spine, yet she was powerless to resist it.
Then, the mask gradually floated up, moving to hover right in front of Bai Lili, as if wanting her to put it on. In a daze, Bai Lili ended up donning the cursed mask. The chains binding her immediately dissipated.
Bai Lili didn’t know the mask’s exact effects, but she felt her body brimming with power now. Just in case, she decided to look around to see if there was any research or instructions about this mask here.
She tried reading the books on the desk but found she couldn’t recognize this world’s script. Then she thought of Vivianna. Since the mask was something from her castle, Vivianna probably knew something about it.
Bai Lili looked at the fox mask now attached to the side of her head and tried to take it off. She found it seemed glued to her; it wouldn’t budge.
“What is this thing? Why won’t it come off?”
She tugged at it for a while to no avail, so she simply decided to go find Vivianna while still wearing it.
Ever since putting on the mask, Bai Lili felt her body had been enhanced. Earlier, walking had made her waist ache a bit, but now it was fine. Still, she needed to get answers quickly. Otherwise, she might end up with a huge, life-threatening problem later.
Arriving at Vivianna’s resting area, Bai Lili looked at the silver-haired Blood Clan member leisurely sipping tea in her chair, unsure how to begin.
She couldn’t just say, ‘I was exploring your castle, and this mask suddenly latched onto my face,’ could she?
Vivianna looked at Bai Lili, the corner of her mouth curling up slightly.
“Miss Bai Lili, I know what you’ve come to ask. It’s about that mask, isn’t it?”
Bai Lili nodded emphatically, her eyes filled with urgent desire. After all, if it were some kind of curse, it could cost her her little life.
“Yes, this mask just stuck itself to my face. Didn’t even give me a chance to struggle.”
Vivianna looked at the nervous Bai Lili and spread her hands, indicating helplessness.
“This fox mask is an ancient relic. In terms from your world, it’s an S-rank piece of equipment. It won’t harm you; in fact, it will grant you combat abilities. But you cannot get rid of it.”
“As for the rest, I don’t know either. After all, the mask wouldn’t let me wear it either. Since it has chosen you, you don’t have the right to refuse.”
Listening to this, Bai Lili wondered if she’d come out ahead. She’d gotten a free S-rank item out of this trip, at least ensuring she wouldn’t be a burden in the competition.
Seeing Bai Lili still pondering, Vivianna spoke in a light tone.
“Miss Lili, would you like to have a little spar with Lilith?”
Bai Lili was taken aback. She pointed a finger at herself. Her, a healer/support, fight Lilith?
“Me? Fight Lilith? Really?”
Vivianna chuckled lightly.
“You can try to unleash the power of that mask on your head. I believe it won’t disappoint you.”
Bai Lili tried to remove the mask again. It didn’t move an inch. She pointed at the stubborn thing stuck to her head like a plaster.
“How do I get this thing off? It’ll be very uncomfortable to sleep with it on.”
Vivianna had anticipated this question.
“If you can’t take it off, it means you haven’t fully accepted the mask yet. It’s afraid you’ll just take it off and throw it away.”
Bai Lili thought she understood. The mask had a temper. Her resistance towards it lessened somewhat.
Something that wouldn’t harm her and could boost her strength? Why not take it? As she thought this, she felt the mask loosen a tiny bit.
“So, about me fighting Lilith… what exactly do I need to do?”
Bai Lili wasn’t stupid. Going up against Lilith directly would be asking for a beating. But if Vivianna was suggesting it, there must be something to it.
Vivianna crossed her legs, propping her head up with one hand while rhythmically tapping the table with the other.
“It’s simple. You just need to wear the mask on your face. The rest, rely entirely on your instincts.”
Though her heart was pounding with uncertainty, Bai Lili decided to trust Vivianna. The other party had no reason to trick her.
When someone far surpasses you in power, they don’t need to go to such lengths to mess with you.
So, Bai Lili agreed.
“When?”
Seeing the matter settled, Vivianna gave a pleased reply.
“Tonight.”
After a while longer, Bai Lili left. She hadn’t learned much more about the mask from Vivianna.
She only knew that this mask was likely part of a complete set of equipment.
According to Vivianna’s speculation, it was probably a five-piece set. Vivianna had two pieces here, but the others were scattered who-knows-where, and their exact origins were unknown.
Bai Lili didn’t dwell on it too much. If the sky fell, there were other supreme powerhouses to hold it up. It wouldn’t be her turn anyway.
She was still thinking about how to fight Lilith when a pink-haired girl suddenly hugged her tightly from behind.
“Lili! Where did you go? I’ve been looking for you forever!”
Lilith pretended to be delicate, questioning why Bai Lili had run off without her.
Bai Lili didn’t answer immediately. First, she pushed away Lilith’s pretty little face, which was pressed right against hers, then put on a mysterious smile.
“Tonight, I’ll give you a surprise.”
Then she quickly ran off. Lilith stood there, stunned, wondering what the surprise could be.
‘What surprise is Lili preparing for me? Could it be… she’s going to offer me her first kiss?’
The more Lilith thought about it, the more excited she became. Her thoughts grew increasingly wild and indescribable.
—
Evening arrived. Bai Lili followed Lilith to find Vivianna. Lilith was a bit puzzled that Bai Lili wanted to come along.
But then she thought, maybe it was to give her a big surprise after her trial was complete. Thus, Lilith successfully convinced herself.
Seeing both of them present, Vivianna began explaining today’s trial.
“Lilith, today you need to defeat an opponent I’ve set for you to pass the trial.”
Without giving Lilith time to react, she teleported her to the arena. To prevent Bai Lili from slacking off, Vivianna offered her a condition as well.
“If you win, I’ll give you another piece of equipment that goes with that one.”
Bai Lili’s thoughts of possibly holding back were instantly quashed. She just needed to win once. Lilith would surely have other trials arranged by Vivianna later; losing once wouldn’t be a big deal.
So, she readily agreed to Vivianna’s request.
“Don’t worry, I’ll go all out.”
Bai Lili adjusted the mask on her face. With a snap of her fingers, Vivianna sent Bai Lili into the arena as well.
Then Vivianna told Qianmeng to fetch some popcorn and a projector. She was going to enjoy this fight properly.
‘I wonder if Lilith’s jaw will hit the floor when she realizes her opponent is Bai Lili.’
Vivianna’s delighted laughter filled the entire room.
—
The perspective shifted back to Bai Lili.
Bai Lili looked at Lilith across from her and waved with a smile.
“Lilith, are you surprised? Your opponent is me.”
Seeing her opponent was Bai Lili, Lilith instantly turned to stone. She suddenly felt this wasn’t a surprise but a shock. If she fought too hard, she might hurt Bai Lili. If she didn’t go all out, she might fail the trial.
“This is truly a dilemma,” Lilith muttered, scratching her cheek awkwardly. Her anticipated surprise had turned into a fright.
Bai Lili, meanwhile, pulled the mask fully onto her face and shouted loudly at Lilith.
“Don’t underestimate me! I’m not that soft, squishy marshmallow you can bully anymore!”
Lilith felt the aura around Bai Lili change abruptly. A powerful force emanated from her.
Lilith suddenly thought that if she held back, she might genuinely get beaten up by Bai Lili. She began to take things seriously.
‘Is it because of that mask?’
Lilith suspected as much, since it was right after putting on the mask that Bai Lili had erupted with that earlier presence.
Changes began to occur on Bai Lili’s body. The tips of her originally golden fox ears and fluffy tail were tinged with red. Simultaneously, her body seemed to be on fire—a golden flame.
Bai Lili extended her hand, palm facing down, and clenched her fist. A blade formed of golden flame appeared in her grasp. She warned Lilith.
“Lilith, you’d better be careful. I’m terrifyingly strong right now.”
Lilith was dumbfounded. Was this still her sweet, soft Lili? Had she turned into a Super Saiyan?
To avoid losing face in front of her future wife, Lilith knew she had to go all out too.
Bai Lili initiated the attack first. Despite having no training and knowing no techniques, her current strength was overwhelming. She charged straight at Lilith in a line and delivered a vertical slash.
Lilith, however, had specifically trained in close combat and had learned quite a bit in the library. Wielding an ordinary iron sword, she attempted to block Bai Lili’s powerful, heavy strike.