Miss Witch Doesn't Want to be a Diva

The golden-red evening glow fills the sky, so beautiful, yet carrying an apocalyptic sense of déjà vu.

"Now, listen to me sing this song of the scorching winds of destruction." As Prin chants, a pale red transparent flame rises from her body. Not only her, but all Red Flame Cluster members exhibit the same pale red flame.

The flame continues to rise, resonating with the Transcendent Core of everyone present, entering the same frequency, a subtle yet intimidating presence emerges.

...

Deep in the valley under the water, Shui Yanqing clasps her hands together, kneeling on the open ground of the Central Square. Her soft prayers generate ripples that continue to accumulate power for the special Brand Magic Circle below her. Behind her, members of the Wings of Water Star Cluster also close their eyes in recitation, a pale blue glow appearing on their bodies.

With Shui Yanqing's prayers, intricate patterns start to faintly appear within the water flow barrier above the square, composed of shells, waves, moonlight, and water flow designs. These patterns build layer upon layer, forming a coral-like structure that envelops and reinforces the entire underwater stronghold.

...

The momentum of both sides is steadily rising. As Prin finishes her Curse Spell, she grasps the Ruby Scepter with both hands and swings it down. The colorless flame on each Star Cluster member rises in the wind, suddenly expanding, and engulfs the fiery whirlwind vortex filled with flames.

Thereafter, a phoenix made entirely of flames is born from the vortex, its eyes blazing, its golden flames boiling. The wings of flame flap, pouring down countless fires like a heavenly river, directly rushing toward the water flow barrier in the valley.

As the two collide, countless sizzling sounds erupt, and the valley's accumulated water spanning hundreds of meters instantly evaporates, spreading scorching white mist, causing the water level to drop several meters.

This still isn't enough. As the phoenix formed of flames flies higher and higher, when it reaches the apex in the sky, it dives directly down, crashing into the water flow barrier below. The entire barrier explodes due to the rapid spread of steam. The shockwave caused by flames mixed with high-temperature steam blows away the mountainsides, tearing a huge gap in the previously unceasing water flow barrier, revealing even the devastated Central Square.

Shui Yanqing lies on the ground, her close-fitting white wave dress now burnt halfway up her legs. Beside her, some Star Cluster members fall, while others barely uphold the Thermal Barrier Shield, protecting their comrades nearby. Residual flames still dart around the water flow barrier like living beings, occasionally being struck by cold rays attempting to extinguish the inextinguishable scorching flames.

"Let's go." Prin leaps lightly, joined by Star Cluster members who leap down, rushing into the water flow barrier below.

In an instant, various combative flames and sounds unfold within the stronghold. To protect Shui Yanqing, the remaining personnel guard the unconscious girl retreating deeper, while support Autonomous Units emerge from within the stronghold. These killer whale-like Autonomous Units move freely within the water flow, their stark black-and-white bodies highly resistant to high temperatures, not easily melted, causing considerable trouble for the Red Flame Cluster members present.

Seeing this, Prin manipulates the Gem Scepter in her hand, black and red flames surge from her side, charging at these killer whale Autonomous Units on the stronghold square. Invisible flames pierce through their sturdy external armor, scorching the internal chips, causing these whales to begin chaotic malfunction, with the internal AI chips being overheating and crashing.

Soon, these killer whale Autonomous Units collapse haphazardly on the ground, members of the Red Flame Cluster escort Prin towards the square's side entrance.

Just then, at the valley side where the water flow still existed, a silver-white metal bullet suddenly shot out, penetrating the water flow barrier, headed straight for Prin.

At that moment, although there were quite a few High Rank Extraordinary Ones present, their reaction speed could not stop the bullet. They could only watch helplessly as the bullet passed by, hitting an adjacent Songstress.

A faint spray of blood pierced through her chest. Prin's face instantly turned pale, then she waved her Scepter, wrapping herself and the surrounding area with black and red flames. Subsequently, others quickly formed a human wall, easily blocking additional bullets.

Several minutes later, the flames dispersed, and a few members skilled in treatment healed Prin's injuries.

"It will probably take three days to fully recover. The bullet contained an indissoluble toxin, not fatal but causing neural paralysis and slowing, significantly reducing Lady Prin's perception and physical control ability."

"This means difficulty in using various Songstress-related secret techniques, and also because of dulled perception and reflexes, she will be more vulnerable and prone to injury."

"A very smart and dangerous opponent," a nearby companion commented.

"What to do now?"

"Continue to pursue Shui Yanqing, leave a small group to protect me." Sitting on the ground, Prin clutches her bandaged chest, although still aching, the wound has preliminarily healed.

"Yes." Others immediately split into two teams, most of them deepening the pursuit of Shui Yanqing's Star Cluster, while a small group escorted Prin out slowly, returning to the ridge to guard.

In the stronghold underground, utilizing the advantages of narrow passageways and water-filled environments, members of Shui Yanqing's Star Cluster continue to resist, slowing the progress of the Red Flame Cluster members pursuing them. Being inherently poor at water combat in such confined spaces, many powerful secret techniques and abilities are difficult to deploy.

"Damn," cursed one member, then clasped the sword handle with both hands, slashing at swiftly darting strange fish in the water, cutting it apart, followed by a silver filament stream of electricity shooting from the muddy water, shocking his body into tremors, taking seconds to barely escape.