Starting as a Magical Girl, I Alone Shall Rule for Eternity

When Qingluán helped Iris out, the Disaster Control Bureau's industrial park had already become a desolate wasteland.

The clear sky made the surroundings feel somewhat sweltering—or perhaps it wasn't just because of the weather.

Remaining traces of magical energy crackled and burned like flames amidst the nearby ruins.

On the ground, some shattered Disaster Beasts twitched and whimpered, refusing to die.

This already miserable scene became even more horrifying when looking upward, where countless Disaster Beasts hung suspended over Jiangming City.

It was like a scene straight out of a hellish painting.

The elongated strings of shadows cast by sunlight cut Jiangming into fragmented pieces.

It resembled the final judgment.

Especially since these Disaster Beasts were slowly melting, their polluted magical energy dripping down like asphalt before evaporating.

Just one glance made Qingying feel like she would have nightmares tonight.

As this thought crossed her mind, Little White emerged from the Miracle Seed, frantically checking her body, "Are you okay? Are you okay? You scared me to death, Little Qing..."

"I'm fine."

Comforting the other, Qingying hugged Iris beside her a bit tighter, "Have you seen this in Beihai too?"

"Ah? Uh, it's not that bad, I, I've seen something similar..."

Looking at her equally terrified friend beside her, Qingying couldn't help but feel amused.

She also relaxed.

With this fool around, even in a horror movie setting, Qingying felt she could still laugh.

She knew Iris was actually quite timid, mostly afraid of ghosts and darkness.

She'd probably have nightmares tonight and would likely pester Qingying to stay with her.

Turning to look, not far away in the center of the wasteland, Chilian kneeling and crawling on the ground, along with the purple Magical Girl standing before her, came into view.

She took a deep breath.

Although she had witnessed that terrifying magical power and control precision in Beihai with her own eyes, experiencing it firsthand still felt unbelievable and shocking.

Full Bloom, is it?

As this thought crossed her mind, a phantom appeared behind Chilian, embracing the woman who had aged beyond recognition.

Qingluán and Iris were momentarily stunned, both recognizing the phantom as they stared at it.

"Eh, isn't that Magical Girl Shixin who perished together with the S-class Disaster Beast?"

Iris furrowed her brows as she examined it carefully, "This is... a Mental Landscape? Compressed inside Chilian's body?"

"A fragmented Mental Landscape." Qingying took a breath, "So that's how she affects reality?"

Magical Girls had numerous ways to use their Mental Landscapes, and compressing one's Mental Landscape into someone else's body wasn't impossible, just very difficult.

And for a Mental Landscape to remain after a Magical Girl's death.

That was something only achievable at Full Bloom.

Since Qingying hadn't mastered her own Mental Landscape, she had studied this topic extensively.

But clearly, this fragmented Mental Landscape must have been compressed into Chilian's body after Magical Girl Shixin's death.

Was it a miracle created by Shixin's final wish after death?

Or was it simply her surviving teammates who helped accomplish this?

"Mom..."

Hearing Chilian's final murmur, Qingying was slightly taken aback.

However, Shion acted as if she saw and heard nothing, casually raising her magical spear.

"Wait..."

Before the words finished, sharp magical energy pierced through both the witch and the Magical Girl, transforming into raging flames that burned fiercely.

It resembled an execution.

The already fragmented Mental Landscape completely shattered, and Chilian was utterly annihilated, leaving only ashes scattered by the wind.

Qingluán reached out slightly, her expression carrying a hint of regret.

Magical Girl Shixin was a hero of the Disaster Control Bureau, someone who had saved them...

"It's just a phantom." Iris beside her seemed to understand something and patted her shoulder, "Don't be so disheartened."

"Yeah, I just thought that Chilian might be Shixin's missing daughter."

"Let's pretend we don't know..."

The legendary Magical Girl of the Disaster Control Bureau having a daughter who joined the Witch Association and became a regional director...

It was somewhat scandalous.

Her heart felt mixed emotions.

Until the very end, the power left behind by Magical Girl Shixin didn't fight back, simply embracing her daughter at the final moment...

The Magical Girl who killed Chilian glanced at them, causing Little White to immediately shrink behind Qingying in fear.

Qingying was actually somewhat scared too, tightening her grip on Iris's hand.

Instead, Iris nodded cheerfully—since she couldn't move her body, she could only nod, "Azure Cloud Sect Master, not bad!"

She then raised her head proudly, "Shion, worthy of being my rival! I'll consider you the winner this time, but don't get cocky! Lady Iris will eventually win back!"

Shion glanced at her but didn't pay much attention, simply turning to leave.

"Wait a moment!"

Qingying released her supporting hold on Iris, causing the completely paralyzed Iris to yelp "Aiyo" as she fell to the ground.

Qingluán glanced back and had Little White help her, while she herself chased after Shion.

Shion indeed stopped.

Turning around, the spear that had executed Chilian moments ago appeared in her hand.

Qingluán immediately halted, raising her hands and stammering, "I, I mean no harm, no, I don't want to fight you..."

But she quickly calmed down.

After all, she was the mature, calm, and steady Magical Girl Qingluán.

However, Iris behind her, perhaps bearing a grudge from the fall or simply getting excited, suddenly shouted, "It's fine, Qingying! Even if you fight, Shion won't kill you, fight! Fight! You can't shine without fighting!"

Qingluán broke out in a sweat, "Do you want me dead that much..."

"Believe! Belief needs no reason!" Iris waved her paralyzed arms energetically, like an enthusiastic cheerleader, "It's fine, I fought her twice and didn't die, Shion doesn't kill randomly, go all out, let me see your strength, Qingluán! For me, use your [Final Descent] on her!"

"Little White, gag her mouth!"

"Qingying, you coward, mmph..."

After Iris's mouth was stuffed and she quieted down, Qingluán finally relaxed, carefully observing the other party.

Fortunately, she wasn't angry. Qingluán slightly bent her knees to avoid looking down on the other, which would seem too arrogant. She instinctively wanted to put her hands on her knees but felt that posture was like talking to a child and somewhat impolite.

She quickly withdrew her hands and cautiously asked, "Are, are you at Full Bloom now?"

"Half-Step."

Half-Step? What does Half-Step mean?

Iris behind her looked eager to show off but couldn't speak with her mouth gagged, only able to fret anxiously.

"So, s-so that means you're not at Full Bloom?"

"Yeah."

Qingying showed a hint of disappointment.

She thought the Azure Cloud Sect would have Magical Girls who safely reached Full Bloom.

Seeing such a powerful Magical Girl, it was hard not to think she had reached Full Bloom.

Every Full Bloom Magical Girl was legendary, and this Magical Girl named Shion, in Qingying's view, could only be matched by Full Bloom level.

Yet, even like this, she wasn't at Full Bloom...

"A-anyway, thank you for your help. The Disaster Control Bureau will definitely remember your assistance. If you have any requests, we'll be happy to serve..."

"Money, the more the better."

Qingluán blinked, thinking she misheard, "Huh?"

"Then give me some Full Bloom seeds."

Better stick with money...

Thinking this, she hesitated for a moment before Shion scratched her head and finally spoke seriously, "Full Bloom seeds are very rare even in the Disaster Control Bureau..."

Then she added, "As for money, your Disaster Control Bureau has ample funding. You can contact the Azure Cloud Sect for payment before..."

"Oh."

Hearing the other's emotionless response, Qingluán secretly glanced over.

Shion's expression seemed slightly displeased.

Feeling anxious, she also thought her gratitude lacked sincerity.

But she absolutely couldn't anger the Azure Cloud Sect Master.

As a mature, calm, steady, and clever Magical Girl, she quickly remedied, "Blooming, would Blooming unclaimed seeds work?"

Shion tilted her head, "You have some?"

Qingluán quickly took out two seeds from her person and handed them over, "I have two Blooming seeds collected from the Witch Association. The Disaster Control Bureau doesn't really need them. If you like them, please accept them as thanks..."

Before she finished speaking, the two seeds in her hand had already disappeared.

Seeing the usually expressionless girl show a somewhat satisfied look, Qingluán felt slightly relieved.

Then her gaze was unconsciously drawn to that exquisite, beautiful face, momentarily mesmerized.

Only when the girl turned to look at her did she suddenly snap out of it, lowering her head with slightly flushed cheeks.

"Do, do you know about Full Bloom?" Qingluán asked somewhat flustered, "I'm very curious about Full Bloom, but the Disaster Control Bureau doesn't allow research..."

"Don't know much."

Shion put away the seeds and said calmly, "Only know that entering Full Bloom means death."

Qingluán sighed; of course she knew this.

However, when exactly one would die after entering Full Bloom wasn't certain, because historically, there were Magical Girls who remained active for some time after entering Full Bloom before disappearing.

Some died immediately, some passed away after battles.

Magical Girl Shixin gradually died after killing that S-class Disaster Beast upon entering Full Bloom.

"One of my seniors, a few years ago, she slightly touched the Full Bloom realm to save someone, then her seed developed problems. She lost consciousness and hasn't woken up until now. The doctors say she'll probably remain like this until she dies."

Taking a breath, Qingluán said softly, "I want to save her."

"Oh."

"The people at the Disaster Control Bureau don't want me to continue investigating Full Bloom, nor do they want to save her. So, I want to join the Azure Cloud Sect, to use the sect's power to save her. I don't know, I don't know if it's possible, whether you'd be willing..."

She spoke nervously, telling everything truthfully.

Although lying might have made it easier for the other to accept.

Like saying she admired the Azure Cloud Sect, worshipped her power—although Qingluán did somewhat admire her strength now, that wasn't related to why she wanted to join the Azure Cloud Sect.

So it was better to speak truthfully and move the other with sincerity.

After all, she, Qingluán, was a mature, calm, steady, clever, and honest Magical Girl.

Earlier, when Qingying invited you, Meng Ming had felt somewhat tempted.

After personally experiencing Shui Ling's strength, this idea became even more firm.

Regardless of whether the Azure Cloud Sect had methods to save her senior, at the very least here, she could research the secrets of Full Bloom.

Without worrying about the Witch Association coming after her.

Nor being stopped by the Disaster Control Bureau.

"Go to Beihai, find the person in charge yourself to take the sect entrance test."

Following Bingtang's rules, Shion explained clearly before continuing, "Sect test fee is five thousand dollars, bring cash."

By the way, Bai Mei's four disciples still weren't considered formal Azure Cloud Sect disciples.

Because they hadn't taken the sect entrance test, nor paid the entrance fee.

So they also didn't receive salaries.

They could only be considered Bai Mei's private disciples, and by rules, couldn't claim to be from Azure Cloud Sect when outside.

But Bingtang believed branch sect requirements should be lower, so in her eyes, the Jiangming City Azure Cloud Sect was developing quite well.

Or maybe other regions were just worse.

After speaking, without waiting for the stunned Qingying to respond, Shion quickly left.

The spiritual herbs and mana crystals scattered everywhere still awaited her collection; she had no time to waste with her.

Qingying chased after her a few steps, "Wait, wait a moment, where, where do I go to find them?"

However, Shion was too fast, disappearing in the blink of an eye. Qingying stopped after a few steps of chasing.

What if she couldn't find the Azure Cloud Sect's person in charge? What if she failed the test?

She quickly suppressed the small panic.

Thinking about it, Bai Mei should still be in Jiangming City.

She could go find Bai Mei.

Feeling relieved, she was thinking about how to find Bai Mei later when she suddenly heard Iris cheering excitedly behind her, "Qingman Qingman, look!"

Turning to look, Little White was being held and swung around by Iris, making her somewhat unhappy.

Until she saw the magic wand in Iris's other hand. After a moment of surprise, her unhappiness immediately vanished, "Your, your seed recovered? You can become a Magical Girl again?"

"No, I still can't transform, but I can perform Magic Equipment Extraction now."

Saying this, Iris took out her seed. The black contamination on it had completely disappeared, with purple flames burning inside the seed.

These flames were gradually transforming into Iris's cyan magical energy.

"All Things Zero Gravity, All Things Zero Gravity, All Things Zero Gravity!"

After shouting for a while, although the seed's magical energy stirred slightly, it didn't rapidly surge out to create her magical outfit for her.

"Although I still can't transform, I can feel that the seed's power has returned!" Iris showed a brilliant smile, "As expected, I'm the strongest! Even the Witch Association's despicable methods can't hinder Lady Iris in the slightest! The Disaster Control Bureau's strongest Magical Girl won't fall to such schemes and tricks!"

Sniffling, Qing rushed over and hugged her friend, "You fool, you almost really could never become a Magical Girl again! And you can still laugh!"

"Well, even if I really couldn't transform, there's nothing to be done about it." Iris said cheerfully, "I can only say the Witch Association people are really despicable, it's not like someone else caused it. And even without transforming, I'm still the strongest beauty Iris, nothing changes."

Saying this, Iris declared confidently, "Iris is Iris, whether I'm a Magical Girl or not is the same. Without a Magical Girl's power, I'll still become the hero who saves everyone!"

"Whoosh!"

The power in the seed boiled over, rushing out and surging onto Iris's body!

"Haha, I knew it! It's not that I can't bear to part with the Magical Girl's power, but that the Magical Girl's power can't bear to part with someone as strong as me..."

"Lady Iris, transform again!"

However, halfway through her laughter, Iris suddenly couldn't laugh anymore.

Because the magical outfit only formed halfway on her body. The girl with half cyan magical outfit looked somewhat ridiculous.

Qingying beside her couldn't help but laugh, "It really suits you."

"No way! What is this thing! It's simply defiling me as the strongest beauty! Make it disappear quickly!"

Watching the boisterous Iris, Qingying slightly relaxed.

No matter how carefree and optimistic one was, losing one's seed was like losing half one's life for a Magical Girl.

How could anyone feel nothing about it?

She absolutely didn't want to see Iris secretly wiping tears at night, nor see Iris pretending to be cheerful in front of others while suffering inside.

Iris should just stay like this, always maintaining her sunny confidence, always laughing happily.

Qingying would handle everything else.

Whether it's the Witch Association, or the matter of Full Bloom.

If it's Shion, such a powerful Magical Girl, she definitely can...

"Qingying? Qingying?"

Suddenly snapping back to reality, Qingying looked at Iris and smiled, "What is it?"

"The weather is so nice today, to celebrate, let's go eat barbecue together!"

"Take a proper look around! In this situation, the Disaster Control Bureau will be busy next. You should come help too."

"Work unrelated to me, directly rejected."

"I reject your rejection."

"I reject your rejection of my rejection."

Qingying's tone immediately softened, "Good Iris, please help me, okay?"

"But I'm currently Beihai Disaster Control Bureau's strongest support Magical Girl, and I must go eat barbecue immediately right now."

As a mature, calm, steady, clever, honest, and non-competitive Magical Girl, Qingluán gritted her teeth, "I'll count this as your second win."

Iris, who had walked halfway, immediately ran back and slapped Qingying's hand.

"Deal! My two-time consecutive loser! I'll help you!"

"Damn it..."

...

Ruo Yun waited until the Disaster Control Bureau's Magical Girls left before quietly entering the ruins.

Then she found that mask.

Jiang the Demon Butcher's mask.

Although she arrived late and didn't know what happened, Jiang the Demon Butcher had probably already left.

Why didn't he come find her?

Did he think she wasn't qualified as a Saint Hall member?

Or was this a test for her?

It didn't matter, Ruo Yun didn't care about any of it.

If Jiang the Demon Butcher wouldn't come find her, then she would go find him.

Since she decided to join the Saint Hall, she would persevere to the end. Giving up over a small setback would make her determination to bid farewell to her teacher meaningless.

Therefore, she just needed to keep moving forward.

No matter where Jiang the Demon Butcher went, no matter his destination, she would keep searching.

As long as she didn't stop walking, the road would keep extending... until she reached the Saint Hall.

Become, a Saint Hall member.

Or give up being a Magical Girl.

She only had these two paths...

So, she would absolutely never stop.

"Ruo Yun?"

A familiar voice came from behind. Turning around, she saw Shui Ling standing in the sunlight, holding a flute, her face full of smiles, "What are you doing here too! Don't tell me you also came to ask the Disaster Control Bureau for help? Although we almost died with the Disaster Control Bureau, we managed to survive. Let's go back together, Teacher Bai Mei should be getting worried about us..."

"I've already left the Azure Cloud Sect."

Ruo Yun slowly put on the worn mask, facing Shui Ling directly as she stepped backward, "I am now a Saint Hall member, Saint Hall member Ruo Yun."

"What are you talking about?"

"I've already spoken with the teacher." Ruo Yun hid her expression beneath the mask, "Saint Hall operative Jiang the Demon Butcher defeated the teacher. I think following the teacher has no future, so I joined the Saint Hall. When you return alone, the teacher and Qianjing will tell you what happened."

Shui Ling stood frozen, seemingly digesting Ruo Yun's words for a while before speaking word by word, "You really plan to leave? Even though it was you who always insisted we should all get along well, become family!"

"That was the immature me from the past. Forget it."

"What's the real reason? Are you dissatisfied with us? Or did someone make you angry? Hasn't the teacher treated you well? Why suddenly say such mean things?"

Ruo Yun shook her head, "Nothing's wrong, I just don't want to continue playing house anymore."

Shui Ling's face finally showed anger, "In your eyes, were we just playing house?"

"For me, that's what it was." Ruo Yun turned her back to Shui Ling without looking back, "We have nothing more to say."

"Don't think about leaving!"

Shui Ling took out her magic wand, stamped her foot fiercely, and magical energy erupted powerfully, "Even if I have to break your legs, I'll take you back!"

"Prelude is the Rest Notation!" Shui Ling pointed her magic wand at her friend, angry yet sorrowful, "Play! My rhapsody!"

Magical energy transformed into musical notes attacking. With her back to her friend, Ruo Yun sighed and drew her pistol.

"Chamber loaded." The magical notes were deflected. Ruo Yun raised her head, her voice gradually turning cold beneath the mask, "Safety off."

"Transform!"