Chương 214: The Essence of Power: The Virtual World Monarch

What is the essential difference between law and authority?

Ji Ying's tone was tinged with obvious surprise, but even more so with a strong premonition that he was about to uncover an unknown truth.

She immediately realized that the patrol officer in front of her, who had just been having a childish argument with Yuqing, possessed crucial information that she knew nothing about.

Therefore, she didn't dwell on whether her previous understanding was flawed. Instead, she immediately composed herself and said in an extremely solemn tone, "Zixuan, please tell us all the information you have about these things."

Ji Ying's earnest request instantly made the atmosphere in the room serious.

Su Yuqing completely abandoned her idea of continuing to cause trouble, while Luo Bingli, who was standing to the side, subconsciously sat up while hugging Jiying's clone.

Both of them looked very focused, clearly aware of just how important the information Ye Zixuan was about to reveal was to them as magical girls.

"Hmm," Ye Zixuan nodded slightly, then replied softly, "Then I'll start with the 'laws'."

"Laws are the fundamental principles governing the operation of our world. They exist objectively, but ordinary people cannot directly access them."

"We magical girls, who are born with an extremely high affinity for magic, can gradually master this power that originates from the world itself through our own efforts, insights, and understanding."

"You could say that the path of our magical girl growth is from initially using 'magic power,' to gradually understanding 'magic power,' and ultimately—becoming the embodiment of a certain magical law in the present world."

She paused, her gaze sweeping over the three girls before her, and continued, "As you all know, the ranks of magical girls, from lowest to highest, are Stardust, New Moon, Rainbow, Sun, and Sky."

But you probably don't know what kind of power magical girls of the Rainbow Light level and above possess, right?

Upon hearing this question, Luo Bingli and Su Yuqing exchanged a glance and then shook their heads in unison.

They were truly unaware of this; before Senior Yuexi and the others could even inform them of these deeper details, it had already— Thinking of this, Luo Bingli's eyes dimmed slightly.

Seeing this, Ye Zixuan was not surprised. She continued to explain in her cool and steady voice, "At the Stardust level, after your soul qualities resonate with a certain magical law, you can awaken your own unique spell. It is a prerequisite for the 'law,' and a condition that you must meet to advance to the Crescent level."

"When a Crescent Moon-level magical girl's resonance with the laws corresponding to her deepens further, and she is able to completely materialize this unique and exclusive formula, forming a special piece of equipment that can reliably interfere with reality, she can successfully condense magical armor."

"Magical armor is an incomplete expression of the laws, and possessing it means that this magical girl has the qualifications to advance to the Rainbow Light level."

As she spoke, Ye Zixuan suddenly summoned her Star Tear.

Under the slightly surprised gazes of the crowd, a soft, pale purple light rippled outwards like water, instantly replacing Ye Zixuan's long nightgown with a gorgeous combat suit in silver and pale purple.

Magical Girl Seigen makes another appearance.

After transforming, she slowly raised her slender right hand, palm up, and a retro silver-white pocket watch with intricate star trails and time markings engraved on its surface quietly appeared in her hand.

"This is my magical armor." She showed everyone the silver pocket watch that emitted a faint glow, and then said, "After activating it, I can freely control the flow of time for everything within a certain range, whether it's speeding them up, slowing them down, or keeping them completely still."

"Of course, those who possess powerful magic or ethereal energy can resist this effect to some extent, and this 'object' is not limited to energy attacks or a single person."

"However, no matter the degree of resistance, one cannot be completely immune to the effects I exert, unless—"

"It can be confronted directly using another law of equal status or authority."

"Wow—that's amazing!" After hearing Xingxian's explanation, Su Yuqing couldn't help but exclaim sincerely, her eyes filled with excitement and longing.

"It can actually affect time? That's so cool!"

Hearing this admiring remark filled with envy, Xingxian's exquisite face did not reveal the slightest hint of pride.

She almost immediately recalled the profound sense of powerlessness she felt when facing Mirror Lord in that mirrored maze, and the despair she felt as she was about to lose consciousness.

—Is it impressive? — However, even with this ability, I was still completely defeated by that disgusting guy, Jingjue.

—If Xiaoying hadn't risked so much to rescue me, this power would probably be at his disposal by now.

Thinking of this, Ye Zixuan felt an overwhelming sadness welling up in her heart. She sighed silently, forcibly suppressing her disappointment and resentment, and continued in a calm tone: "Unfortunately, this ability consumes a considerable amount of magic power, and I am still in a weakened state after the battle with Jing Jue, so I will not be able to use it again for a while."

"So I can't give you a live demonstration right now—sorry."

"It's alright," Ji Ying said immediately in a concerned tone.

"There will be many more opportunities in the future. Right now, it's most important for you to focus on recovering your condition. Don't push yourself too hard because of this and worsen your injuries."

Xingxian nodded gently, then deactivated her transformation and returned to being the charming girl in her nightgown. Feeling Jiying's heartfelt concern, she felt a sweet warmth in her heart, especially when he said, "There will be many more opportunities in the future," which made her inexplicably happy, and a faint smile involuntarily appeared on her lips.

"Then—do we also have a chance to become as strong as you?" Luo Bingli, who had been listening quietly, replied, "Yes—" Suddenly, she asked softly, her bright eyes also sparkling with an unusual light.

—If one could be as powerful as Zixuan, then there would definitely be hope of avenging Senior Yuexi and the others, right?

As she thought this, she unconsciously tightened her grip on the Shadow Clone.

Upon hearing this question, Ye Zixuan nodded slightly, then answered earnestly, "Each magical girl's 'law' carries an extremely strong personal soul imprint; it is unique."

"Even among magical girls who wield the same fire power, the final manifestations of their magical armor, spells, and laws can vary greatly due to differences in their soul qualities."

"So, I don't know what kind of magical armor you will ultimately be able to create, but I'm certain that if you can do it, you will possess power no less than mine."

"but----" At this point, Ye Zixuan's tone suddenly became serious. She looked at the two hopeful girls in front of her and said solemnly, "Since we've come this far—I must tell you a fact: within the kingdom, there are actually many magical girls who have never been able to master their unique spells. This means that they don't even have the qualifications to become Crescent-level, and they can only stay at Stardust-level for their entire lives."

"Although you are currently only Stardust level and have not even mastered your own unique spells, I sincerely hope that you will not become one of them."

"Moreover, even becoming a new moon is far from enough. Yuexi and the others—even me—were defeated by that despicable Mirror Lord. In the end, I had to rely on Xiaoying to save me."

"If you want to always stand by Xiaoying's side and fight alongside her, you must have the strength to match her. Otherwise, you will only become a burden to her and may even drag her into danger."

"I think—you should understand that too, right?"

She looked at Su Yuqing beside her, deliberately emphasizing her words and saying in a half-joking, half-serious tone, "Of course, if you're content to remain ordinary Stardust-level beings, that's fine too."

"But when that time comes, even if Xiaoying is really taken away by me, you're not allowed to have any complaints, okay?"

If it were the previous Su Yuqing, upon hearing this provocative declaration, she would definitely have jumped up in anger and loudly asserted her sovereignty over Ji Ying.

However, at this moment, she just lowered her head somewhat sullenly, pouted, and didn't say a word.

She knew that Ye Zixuan wasn't deliberately provoking her at this moment, but rather using this slightly clumsy method to encourage her, and to kindly remind her that she wasn't strong enough yet.

If things continue like this, sooner or later you will become a burden to Xiaoying (Ache).

Luo Bingli, who was standing to the side, had similar feelings at this moment.

She recalled the first time she met that heavily armored knight in black, the overwhelming power and awe he exuded, like an insurmountable barrier.

- Even Zi Xuan, who was an inspector and possessed the Time Magic Armor, was defeated by that despicable Mirror Lord, while Xiao Ying was able to snatch her back safely from Mirror Lord's hands.

She knew that Xiaoying's power had reached a level that she could not even imagine at the moment.

Zixuan is right. I must become stronger, not only to avenge Senior Yuexi and the others, but also so that one day in the future I can truly catch up with Xiaoying, instead of being protected by her like this.

Seeing that the two of them were deep in thought, Ye Zixuan showed a satisfied expression, knowing that she had achieved the purpose of saying those words.

She coughed lightly, bringing the two girls back to their senses as their thoughts drifted away, and then continued, "The next two levels, the Sun-level and the Sky-level, are areas that I am far from being able to reach even now. Furthermore, this part involves core information about the Magic Kingdom, so I cannot give you a more detailed explanation."

"The only thing I can say is—" Her tone was filled with deep longing and awe, "a magical girl of the Radiant Sun level has already fully mastered that law that resonates deeply with her own soul," and can open her own unique—"Heartscape Divine Realm."

"Heart Image Divine Realm————" Ji Ying pondered this mysterious title in his heart, feeling that it possessed unimaginable terrifying power just by sounding it.

Once upon a time—the true Starfrost was a powerful, radiant magical girl who possessed this power.

—But even someone as powerful as her, for reasons unknown to herself, ultimately—sacrificed herself in a battle?

She temporarily suppressed these chaotic thoughts, looked up at Ye Zixuan, and said, "I have a general understanding of the ranking system for magical girls, but—I still don't understand the essential difference between authority and law, nor do I understand—why you think I am incapable of possessing authority."

"This is the most crucial part I'm about to talk about." Ye Zixuan's expression became more serious than ever before.

"We magical girls comprehend the laws" means understanding "this world, resonating with it, and making the world's existing rules our own."

"But the Apostles of the Void Realm wield 'authority' in a completely different way from us."

"It doesn't try to understand the world, but rather—makes a part of the world follow its own will irrationally, thereby—distorting reality."

"This power cannot be obtained simply by deepening one's understanding of illusory energy; it is 'bestowed' upon the supreme 'being' to whom the group of illusory realm apostles are loyal."

"In essence, those apostles of the Void Realm have only obtained the right to use this authority."

"Granted?!" Ji Ying asked in astonishment, this answer completely beyond her expectations.

"Is the power wielded by the Apostles of the Void Realm acquired in this way? Then what exactly is the being they serve—"

"Even in the core database of the Magic Kingdom, information about those supreme beings is pitifully scarce," Ye Zixuan replied.

"I've only heard that some of the Void Realm Apostles referred to them in this way before they were destroyed—"' A monarch of the virtual realm.

"Based on the limited information available so far, each virtual realm monarch wields multiple powerful authorities."

"Furthermore, they will select those humans who are extremely compatible with virtual abilities and, through some unknown contract, grant them partial access to a certain authority they possess, allowing them to act in order to achieve their own goals."

"And it is precisely because of this master-servant relationship based on the source of power that the Void Realm Apostles must maintain absolute loyalty to the Void Realm Monarch to whom they serve."

"The commands issued by the monarch and the oaths they make to the monarch have an irreversible binding force based on the source of power."

"Xiaoying, now you understand—why I thought you shouldn't 'hold power,' right?"

Jiying nodded silently.

After hearing Ye Zixuan's revolutionary explanation, she instantly understood many things.

So that's how it is?

The essence of authority is not a manifestation of its own growth in power, but rather a "gift" from a higher being.

—The price to receive this "gift" is to sell one's soul and become a loyal lackey of some virtual world ruler— Looking at the thoughtful expression on Ji Ying's face, Ye Zixuan continued in a complex tone, "I originally thought that after you accidentally absorbed the illusory source of Jing Jue's clone, being able to possess a form similar to an Apostle of the Void Realm was already your limit."

"Although there have been no examples like you before, considering your special constitution that is extremely compatible with virtual energy, this matter—does not seem to be entirely inexplicable."

"Since you do not hold power," you have naturally not entered into any soul-selling contracts with any virtual realm ruler, so it is only natural that you are not bound by any oaths.

"However, what I did not expect was that you actually obtained your own power without signing a contract with any Void Realm Monarch."

"Such facts are completely beyond my comprehension."

Her bright eyes were fixed on Ji Ying, a deep confusion and inquiry in their depths. Then, in an almost whispered tone, she asked the most crucial question: "Xiao Ying, can you tell me—why is this?"