252: Clarissa's Arrival

Maple Leaf paused, supporting herself with her good left hand and looking up at the Valkyrie standing in the distance.

The world before her blurred for a moment; she shook her head, gritted her teeth, and stood up, her broken right hand dangling limply.

“You lost,” the Valkyrie said again, seeing Maple Leaf’s condition, her consciousness probably wasn't very clear anymore...

The Valkyrie sighed and turned to leave.

Naturally, someone else would handle the follow-up treatment.

“I haven’t lost yet!” Maple Leaf shouted at the Valkyrie.

The Valkyrie’s departing steps halted; she stopped but didn't turn back, “You know the consequences of this.”

“I know!” Maple Leaf looked at the Valkyrie with shining eyes.

She knew that if she continued, she would die.

The Valkyrie would not hold back, nor would she go easy on her.

Once, it was pity, it was admiration.

But that didn't mean it would be the same a second time.

Because this was Maple Leaf’s choice, whether out of respect or the dignity of a deity.

He would certainly not hold back.

So, Maple Leaf’s consequence would naturally be one outcome: death.

Maple Leaf, of course, knew this consequence.

But she wasn’t afraid, or rather, this was her choice; she preferred to die in the Valkyrie’s challenge.

Although she was still young now, she was alone... with no attachments.

Moreover, she had already reached her peak; she had no higher path, she had reached a bottleneck.

For many years, she had never relaxed; perhaps, finally dying here was also a form of liberation...

It was just a pity that her goal couldn't be achieved.

And she was sorry to her mother... But your daughter lived a brilliant life, Mother, you should be proud of me!

Maple Leaf’s thoughts drifted for a moment, then she immediately came back to her senses, looking at the Valkyrie with even more resolute eyes.

The Valkyrie felt Maple Leaf’s gaze and will; he slowly turned around and looked at Maple Leaf: “Your talent is truly extraordinary! If you hone it for another decade or so, perhaps even less, you’ll be able to ascend to a higher level... And I’m also willing to let you become my successor. When that time comes, it will be inevitable for you to inherit the Valkyrie’s position and become the Valkyrie.”

The Valkyrie’s words this time caused an uproar among the spectators; everyone could see that the Valkyrie truly admired Maple Leaf and genuinely felt pity.

Maple Leaf didn't speak but stared at the Valkyrie, clenching her good left hand into a fist, her aura surging.

At this moment, facing death, Maple Leaf’s Martial Will became even more refined, her will more resilient and vast; with a determination to die, Maple Leaf’s essence, energy, and spirit converged on her fist.

The Valkyrie felt Maple Leaf’s will and sighed inwardly, naturally understanding Maple Leaf’s resolve.

He closed his eyes briefly, and when he opened them again, an extremely terrifying aura erupted from him.

This time, the Valkyrie was serious.

The violent aura impacted Maple Leaf’s body; Maple Leaf was like a winter plum in a blizzard, struggling to hold on, resilient yet tragic.

Maple Leaf threw a punch.

The Valkyrie returned with a punch of her own.

Bang!

The two fists collided.

Maple Leaf flew backward, spinning as she fell to The Ground, bouncing several times, then sliding a distance on The Ground, leaving a trail of blood.

The Valkyrie glanced at her fist; it was stained with a bit of blood, and there was a slight pain. She sighed softly and looked at the fallen Maple Leaf.

Maple Leaf’s toes wiggled; she slowly moved her head, her consciousness already very blurry.

Struggling, head on The Ground, she propped herself up, barely straightening her waist, kneeling on The Ground, her arms dangling.

Her eyes were vacant, her consciousness hazy, her face covered in blood, and her messy white hair was stained red. Her gaze was directed towards the Valkyrie, but due to her blurred consciousness, she couldn't focus on the Valkyrie.

The Valkyrie looked at Maple Leaf’s appearance, slowly clenched her fist, and prepared to give Maple Leaf a quick end.

“Let me show you my power before you die!” the Valkyrie said to Maple Leaf.

Maple Leaf heard the Valkyrie’s words, and a hint of gratitude appeared in her eyes.

She tried hard to recover, her consciousness clearing slightly, and she looked at the Valkyrie.

The Valkyrie fully unleashed her Martial Will; since the battle with Maple Leaf began, the Valkyrie had not used any power other than Martial Dao, such as divine power or divine authority.

As the Valkyrie, the most important thing was naturally to compete in Martial Dao realm.

Maple Leaf felt the Martial Dao on the Valkyrie’s body, and her lips curled slightly, because she felt a higher level; if she was willing to “give up,” in a few years, or at worst, a decade or so, she would definitely be able to reach a higher level.

But she didn't want to retreat, and her Martial Dao wouldn't allow her to retreat.

And she was tired.

All this time, she had no friends, diligently practiced, and was all alone, even though she had gained countless praises and applause.

But she knew that these were all based on her “talent” and “achievements,” and at the same time, they were what she deserved.

So these held no meaning for her.

It would be the same for anyone else.

It wasn't because it was her that she had them.

Maple Leaf’s mind was filled with memories of the past.

It seemed... besides the earliest days with her mother... those were what she missed the most, everything else was just monotonous effort and cultivation...

This punch was an end, and also a liberation.

Maple Leaf watched as the Valkyrie’s fist came towards her.

Crack!

A black hole suddenly appeared behind Maple Leaf, and then a fair fist extended from it.

Bang!

This fist collided with the Valkyrie’s fist.

Boom!!!

A terrifying force erupted from the center of the fists.

The Ground, reinforced by divine power, shattered layer by layer, spreading dozens of meters away.

The Valkyrie staggered back a dozen steps, looking in horror at the golden-haired woman who had suddenly appeared before her.

“Are you Maple Leaf?” The golden-haired woman didn't look at the Valkyrie, but turned to the terribly miserable Maple Leaf kneeling on The Ground and asked.

“You... who are you?” Maple Leaf slowly turned her head, looking at the suddenly appearing golden-haired woman with confusion, and responded. When her gaze clearly saw the golden-haired woman’s face.

She was slightly stunned... So beautiful... And so perfect... So lovely... Is this... a goddess?

Why did she suddenly appear? And... why did she save her? This was a challenge of the Gods! Interfering like this... is a huge taboo!

“You might not know, but it’s okay. However, you can take a good look at the Cross-World Group in your mind,” the golden-haired woman said with a smile to Maple Leaf: “Oh, right, my name is Clarissa, and I’m the Administrator of the Cross-World Group.”

Maple Leaf heard Clarissa’s words, paused, then remembered the voice that had sounded in her mind before the battle...

[Congratulations on being selected by the Cross-World Group and joining the Cross-World Group family!]

[Basic Update: 2 more

“Maple Leaf mod” fan’s Great God Certification + 3 more (??? )

Total owed: 13-1 + 3 = 15

(December “Event”)

Total gifts currently: 11562, 1 more for every 500 gifts

Explosive Update Celebration + 1 more

Completion 666 + 2 more

Great God Certification + 3 more]