Taozi turned to run away, but Su Deng quickly grabbed her and said with a smile, "I'm fine now, no need to see a doctor. I was just a little groggy from waking up and didn't react in time."

"I see." Momo didn't think much of it and just whispered to her, "If you're not feeling well, just tell me and go see a doctor quickly. Otherwise, the shrine maiden selection will start in a few days. The competition is already fierce for everyone else, and you're the prettiest one here, so you absolutely can't lose!"

Wushan Shrine is where they worship their true god. The previous shrine maiden passed away last year due to illness, but the position of shrine maiden cannot be left vacant, so the shrine chief priest decided to select the next shrine maiden.

These women were all selected from various places.

They're training now, and the real selection process will begin in a few days.

Naisu Chunzi is one of the two most capable and beautiful people in their group, but unfortunately she has been unwell and has fallen ill with a fever these past two days.

“Those people also said that you fell ill close to the selection because you were not recognized by the gods and they were punishing you. I think they are the ones who are punishing you!” Peach snorted.

Su Deng paused for a moment, "Are you also a candidate for priestess?"

"...What do you mean?" Peach's eyes widened, hands on her hips. "Of course I'm a candidate. Have you really lost your mind, or do you think I'm not good enough?"

Su Deng: "...That's not what I meant."

Peach snorted, not really angry with her, but a little dejected, "Actually, I know I won't be chosen..."

Every candidate in this shrine maiden selection was carefully chosen.

She was considered pretty in her hometown, but here she wouldn't even be considered average.

"you……"

"but!"

Just as Su Deng was about to comfort her, she saw her raise her head again and cheer up, "Even if I don't get selected as a shrine maiden, I'll still find a position in the shrine!"

Su Deng asked her, "Is becoming a priestess a good thing?"

"Haruko?" Momoko looked at her, her eyes screaming, "What are you talking about?" "Becoming a shrine maiden is everyone's dream, okay?!"

Su Deng: "..."

She doesn't have this dream, don't involve her.

Peach pointed to the tall mountain, "Do you see that mountain?"

Su Deng nodded.

Peach looked on with bright eyes and longing, "The top of that mountain is the Wushan Shrine. As long as you become a shrine maiden, you can move into that shrine and become a priestess of the Wushan Shrine. That's the place closest to the gods..."

Su Deng looked up again.

Because it's far away and high up, standing here, apart from the lush forests, you can't clearly see what's on the mountaintop.

"Oh, let's go." Peach didn't say anything more to her and pulled her outside. "Now that you're better, you should go to class quickly, or what if you lose in a couple of days! You promised me that you'd protect me once you became the Goddess of the Witch! I've already bragged about it! If you lose, I'll lose all my face, my dignity, and all my hopes in life!"

Su Deng, who was being dragged along by her, said helplessly, "I'm not wearing shoes."

"Huh?" Peach stopped, exclaimed, and led her back to put on the clothes.

"The first requirement for a shrine maiden is beauty, followed by the ability to communicate with spirits, dance, and perform blessings. You are one of the two most beautiful women here. As for the other one, Riki Ninomiya, you must work hard to surpass her and make her..."

"Who are you talking about?!"

Upon hearing her words, Su Deng abruptly stopped in her tracks.

Peach was startled by her loud voice, "What? Who?"

Su Deng stared intently at her, "You just mentioned Ninomiya Riki?"

"Yes." Peach felt uneasy under his gaze. "What's wrong?"

Riki Tsunomiya, the twelfth Executor of the Divine Court.

Su Deng's pupils narrowed slightly. "Where is she now?"

Peach wrinkled her nose. "She's very pretty, but her personality is also very strange. She doesn't fit in with us. She usually dances under the maple trees on the back hill."

The place they are in now is the Witch Water Garden, where the current residents are some of the shrine's priests and these shrine maidens selected from various places.

The hill behind Wushui Garden is located at a slightly higher elevation behind the garden, not far away.

The grass on the mountain is soft, and tiny wildflowers bloom among it.

Beneath a maple tree whose branches and leaves are as red as fire, a figure in red and white is dancing.

Her figure was graceful, her long hair flew, and her sleeves fluttered, making her seem otherworldly.

On the grass near the tree roots, lay a cat that was entirely black with eyes as blue as glass.

Noticing someone approaching, the dancing figure stopped and looked over along with the black cat.

That face was exquisitely beautiful to the extreme.

Su Deng will never forget Riki Ninomiya's face!

But Riki Ninomiya is an executor of the Divine Court; her clothes are colorful, and her hair is snow-white…

Could she be the boss of this instance?

"Haruko?" Riki Tsunomiya bent down to pick up the black cat that had run to her feet, and looked at Su Deng with a smile. "Were you looking for me?"

Her voice was melodious and gentle, and her eyes were clear and untouched by worldly dust.

She is not Riki Ninomiya!

To be precise, she is not the executor of the Divine Court!

Could this be Riki Tsunomiya's past?

Seeing her lost in thought, Riki called her again, "Haruko?"

Chunzi, idiot, I don't know which fool came up with that name.

Su Deng found the name awkward, but she hadn't figured out the details of the instance yet. She didn't know if changing the name would have any impact, or if there were any other players, so she decided to be patient for now.

She snapped out of her reverie, smiled, and said, "It's nothing. I just heard you were here, so I came to check on you."

Su Deng's gaze fell on the cat in Tsugumi Riki's arms, another cat that looked exactly like Acha.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!