Chapter 194: Take Off Your Clothes

Bai Yueling gave a brief account of her journey from Songyuan City to the Dragon’s Graveyard and finally to the River Styx. Even for a High Priestess like Hystana, the sheer excitement and peril of the tale were enough to leave her visibly shaken.

After the story concluded, Hystana fell silent for a moment. Her slender brows furrowed almost imperceptibly as she sank into deep thought. Finally, she let out a soft sigh and smiled. "So, in other words, both Little Bai and Vicky are now like me—over a thousand years old."

"Huh? But I was unconscious for that entire millennium. Does that still count?"

"Of course. Many ancient dragons grow up while sleeping for decades or even centuries at a time, just like you two did back then."

Though she looked like a young girl, she was technically a thousand-year-old grandmother... Bai Yueling never imagined she would one day be labeled with a "Child-Granny" persona. However, since her body and soul had remained unchanged for those thousand years, strictly speaking, she was still a beautiful 16-year-old girl in the prime of her youth.

"Little Bai, thank you. During these days, you wiped out the Men in Black and avenged our fallen apprentice priests... Truly, thank you."

Hystana ruffled her hair gently. "And so, I have a reward to give you."

Bai Yueling’s curiosity was piqued. "Is it for the evolution of the 'Emerald Diadem'?"

She remembered the quest Hystana had issued titled 'Shadows Beneath the Divine Light.' With the death of Gusi, the quest was complete, and the reward was the evolution of the Emerald Diadem into the Crown of Nature.

Hystana nodded. "Your actions have earned the recognition of the Goddess of Nature herself. Once we return to the Royal Capital, go to the Forest Chapel and pray to her. She will bestow a blessing upon your diadem."

"Pray... to the Goddess of Nature?" Bai Yueling felt a sudden pang of dread. She muttered under her breath, "I’m not going to get 'stared at' again, am I...?"

When she had prayed to the Goddess of Fate before, she had been mysteriously "gazed upon," leaving her with the constant, nagging feeling of being watched ever since.

Seeing her hesitation, Hystana smiled reassuringly. "The Goddess is very gentle. She certainly won't hurt you."

"Really?"

"Don't you trust your Mommy?"

"I do, I do! Mommy is the best!"

Originally, Bai Yueling had only called her that on a whim to take advantage of the situation, but gradually, she had begun to genuinely enjoy this dynamic.

Hystana was a mature, elegant woman as gentle as a spring breeze. Her reassuring smile and the way she held you in her arms like a mother—providing meticulous care—made her a sanctuary for the soul where all exhaustion and anxiety vanished instantly. Not only that, she was a powerful ally at Level 80. Just standing behind her provided an unprecedented sense of security.

For a lonely girl like Bai Yueling, whose parents were missing, she found the maternal love she lacked within Hystana. But under the influence of Dark Corruption, would Hystana continue to see her only as a daughter? Or... something more?

"Little Bai, besides the Diadem’s blessing, I have another reward for you."

"What reward?" Bai Yueling’s eyes were full of anticipation.

Hystana gave a light chuckle. She used vines to construct a small, enclosed room, blocking any potential prying eyes. Then, she placed her hands on Bai Yueling’s shoulders and spoke softly:

"Take off your clothes."

"Okay... Eh? EHHH??!!!"

Bai Yueling instinctively backed away, looking up at the slowly approaching Hystana. her cute little face turned pale once more. She thought Hystana was trustworthy, but in the end, was she unable to escape the fate of being "pounced on"?

"Um... maybe we should just forget it..."

Facing a "High-Speed Train" like this, the 149cm Little Bai stood no chance! She’d be crushed!

Unexpectedly, Hystana showed no intention of backing down. She pressed Bai Yueling against the wall, wearing a gentle smile. "If you're unwilling, then I'll have to do it myself."

Bai Yueling let out a whimpering sob. If it were any other big sister, she might have a chance to flee, but before Hystana, she was like a little lamb led to the slaughter, completely devoid of resistance.

Since I can’t escape... I might as well enjoy it.

Bai Yueling pulled a black cloth from her backpack and spread it on the ground like a bedsheet. She obediently knelt down, presenting a "I'm tired, do what you want" posture. If the Red Dragon Princess Lielie were here, she would recognize this as the cloth she used to hide her identity in the city.

Hystana paused, slightly stunned. "Is that necessary?"

"O-Of course, the ground is dirty..." Bai Yueling’s voice trembled. Her heart-tipped tail swayed nervously as she summoned her courage and shouted: "Come! I’m ready!"

As soon as she spoke, the Jelly (Slime) armor immediately slid off her body, wriggling into a corner to hide. Rather than being torn off by Hystana, it preferred to leave on its own. It wasn't the first time, after all.

With the Jelly gone, Bai Yueling’s flawless, snow-white skin was revealed.

Hystana admired Bai Yueling's obedient appearance and smiled. "Little Bai, if the Goddess of Nature saw you like this, she would be very pleased." The Goddess of Nature loved such "natural" beauties most of all.

With a wave of Hystana’s right hand, a slender vine sprouted from the ground, carrying a pale green dress. She helped Bai Yueling up and tenderly dressed her.

[Equipment Name: Hystana’s Flower-Vine Dress]

Quality: Perfect

Defense: Extremely Strong

Equip Requirement: Favored by the Nature High Priestess "Hystana"

Attribute Bonus: HP: B, Charisma: C

Additional Skill: [Mom!] – Sends a distress signal to Hystana. No matter the distance, she will be able to sense your exact location.

Description: HP +20. A dress meticulously woven by Hystana using flowers and vines. It possesses incredible defensive power and naturally emits a faint, fresh fragrance.

Note: When Hystana was an innocent young girl, she held a pure dream: to hand-weave a beautiful dress for her future "wife." A thousand years have passed; Hystana has endured countless battles and became a High Priestess at the peak of the world. Her status has changed drastically, and that innocent girl has long since vanished in the river of time. Nevertheless, that dream remained unchanged, settling deep in her heart like an eternal promise.

Hystana stepped back, watching Bai Yueling in the long dress—looking as dainty and lovely as a forest elf—and was momentary dazed. "So beautiful."

[NPC "Hystana’s" Dark Corruption has increased by 10%. Current Value: 60%.]