Chapter 166: Chapter 164: Benovia: Did Hilia Mean Rose?
This situation made the others’ faces change.
Benovia immediately moved closer to Phil, placing her hand on Phil’s back, with a holy light appearing on her palm.
As someone who dabbles in everything, Benovia naturally had Healing Skill as a must-have.
When the healing glow entered Phil’s body, Benovia paused for a moment, looking at Phil in shock: "Phil, you..."
"It’s just some pollution entering my organs, nothing serious." Phil waved it off nonchalantly.
Hearing this, not only Benovia and the others, but even Rose couldn’t help but look over.
He checked Phil’s condition and said, "Looks like today’s expedition ends here. Phil’s situation isn’t great, and she won’t recover in just a day or two."
Hilia withdrew her hand—she had just finished invading and modifying the ruins’ rules, and under Rose’s guidance, reinforced the rule defenses to prevent the lighthouse master from altering them again.
Hearing Rose’s words, she was taken aback, then looked at Phil and couldn’t help saying: "Phil, do you have some kind of self-sacrifice kink?"
Phil looked up, making eye contact with Hilia, and shook her head: "Hilia, you’ve got it wrong—I don’t enjoy self-sacrifice. I know my limits. It’s just earlier, when purifying and absorbing the pollution, I underestimated how much the Ghost Ship would affect the pollution, so some got into my organs."
Hilia rolled her eyes: "Dancing on the knife’s edge every day. Sooner or later, the pollution’s going to reach your brain and you’ll turn into a demon in human form."
Rose laughed: "Given Phil’s situation, if she’s going to turn, she’ll be an Abyss Princess at the very least. If the Abyss still existed, they’d have to formally greet Her Highness."
Hilia grumbled: "Lord Rose, now’s not the time for sarcasm. Do you have any way to help Phil? Please?"
After being together for so long, her impression of the other Holy Daughter candidates had changed. Phil would treat the mercenaries’ pollution every evening when they returned, charging just a symbolic fee.
Speaking of kindness, Hilia couldn’t compare with her—and really couldn’t bear to see Phil turn into an abyssal demon.
Rose pondered for a moment, then said: "If we could figure out a way for her to do what you do—summon me, use the mental link, and pass her pollution to me—it’d be easy to solve the overflow problem."
"So, have her... summon you?"
Sounded like a good idea—and dragging someone else into this mess was a little exciting no matter how you looked at it.
But Hilia still felt a bit uncomfortable inside.
A bit... aggrieved.
Rose smirked: "Don’t get upset just yet. No guarantee it’ll even work. After all these years, loads of people have tried to summon me, and only you’ve succeeded."
"I’m not upset at all."
Hilia denied it, but the upturned corners of her lips betrayed her mood.
Truth be told, Hilia really was the most special one. On Benovia’s side, even with all sorts of enhanced connections, Rose could only appear when she entered the Divine Realm.
Leave the Divine Realm, and the link was instantly severed.
That’s only if Rose actively reaches out. Without his initiative, maybe she’d never sense his presence.
Unlike Hilia, who could casually do a demonstration for a heretic, and actually summon him that way.
What exactly was so special about Hilia? Rose was infinitely curious, but couldn’t figure it out.
Maybe once the seal was broken and he got a closer look, he might see the difference.
"Let me give it a try."
Hilia walked over to Phil and said, "Phil, you could try praying to the Gods—maybe that’ll help purify the pollution faster."
Phil looked surprised: "That method... uh."
She didn’t finish her blasphemous sentence—after all, these were all rivals here.
Hilia winked and leaned close to Phil’s ear, whispering with a laugh: "If the Gods don’t work, maybe try someone else—like... Evil God Rose."
Phil’s eyes went wide as she recoiled, shocked, staring at Hilia: "Hilia, you... you can’t just say things like that..."
Hilia grinned: "Just kidding, don’t mind me."
As she spoke, she replied to Rose in her mind: "Lord Rose, don’t blame me—Phil’s not like me. She totally rejects you."
Rose rolled his eyes speechlessly and said nothing.
Meanwhile, Benovia glanced thoughtfully at Hilia.
She hadn’t heard what Hilia had said to Phil.
But seeing Phil so shocked, it had to be something interesting.
Doris said, "Phil’s not in great shape. I think we should head back for today and continue the expedition tomorrow. What do you guys think?"
No one objected, except Hilia, who said: "The lighthouse door’s already shut. The master won’t let us out easily. There’s only one way to leave. Are you sure you want to use it?"
Doris looked at Phil: "Sure. Our trial’s finished—this is just extra. Might as well use it."
Hilia nodded, "Alright, let’s do it."
With that, she took out the Teleportation Badge provided by the school.
The others also took theirs out. After putting away their Magic Puppets, they all activated the Teleportation Badges.
With a flash of white light, the fourth floor was empty once more.
The badges teleported them to the designated location in camp, where a mentor was stationed. When he saw the teleportation light, he blinked in surprise, and on recognizing Hilia and the others, immediately sent Abros a message.
Soon, Abros arrived with several Holy Priests.
"How was it?"
Doris said, "We made it to the fourth floor. Details are all recorded on the wristband."
Doris didn’t waste time, handing Abros the VCR directly.
The Holy Priests started checking their condition. When they got to Phil, their expressions changed.
One Holy Priest said, "You’re not doing well—you need to return to the Divine Hall for a purification ritual."
Phil shook her head: "No need. It’s just a little pollution—I can handle it."
"No, your body—"
"I’m a Holy Priest as well. I know what I’m doing."
Phil’s tone was stubborn and firm.
Benovia said, "Phil, let me help you back to rest."
Phil nodded: "Thanks, Benovia."
"You’re welcome."
Benovia supported Phil as they left, leaving a few Holy Priests exchanging glances,
Abros took a moment to look at them: "Report Phil’s condition to Holy Daughter Anna directly—let her decide."
"Yes!"
...
Elsewhere, Benovia was helping Phil away. When no one was around, Benovia curiously asked: "What did Hilia just say to you? You were so surprised."
Phil shook her head, "Nothing really—she just suggested a very... radical way to deal with the pollution."
Benovia stopped, suddenly asked: "Did she say... Evil God Rose?"
Phil’s body stiffened, and she quickly shook her head, "No way, Benovia. Don’t mention that name."
Benovia smiled slightly, clearly understanding.
