Chapter 116: The Night in His Eyes
Before finally leaving, Chen Yin received a large supply of Rainflower Cakes.
As if afraid that Luo Luo would go hungry, the Azure Foxes packed her storage pouch with all sorts of delicious treats.
Chen Yin sometimes wondered how Luo Luo could eat so much and still remain so petite.
Qingmei Niang also seemed reluctant to let her daughter go, showering her with warnings and instructions until Luo Luo was embarrassed.
“Don’t let anyone bully you out there! If this boy dares to mistreat you, come back and tell Mother! I’ll take care of him!”
Chen Yin could only chuckle awkwardly, not daring to argue.
As they finally reached the entrance of the barrier, Chen Yin could sense a strong aura of resentment emanating from it.
It was so intense that it almost felt tangible, sending shivers down his spine.
As expected, Qingying stood there, her arms crossed, glaring at him.
“Finally done flirting?” she sneered.
Chen Yin coughed lightly and said with a thick skin, “Alright, alright. We can finally leave now.”
“Don’t you always say that?”
Qingying’s voice was cold, laced with a hint of resentment. “Time and time again, I wait patiently, only to be left waiting.”
“All pigeons deserve to die!”
Chen Yin shrank back, not daring to retort.
He had indeed stood Qingying up countless times.
Faced with her cold and resentful gaze, he couldn’t even muster the energy to tease her.
“Sister Qingying, don’t be angry.”
Luo Luo tugged at her arm playfully. “Luo Luo brought you Rainflower Cakes too. Open wide, Sister Qingying—”
Qingying obediently opened her mouth. She was always gentle and sisterly towards Luo Luo.
No one could hold a grudge against such an adorable little fox.
After eating a Rainflower Cake, her expression softened slightly.
“I’m not angry with you, Luo Luo. Don’t worry.”
She ruffled Luo Luo’s head affectionately, then glanced at Chen Yin with disdain. “I just despise a certain man who doesn’t keep his promises.”
“They say a man who breaks his word is also weak in other areas. Think about that.”
Chen Yin shuddered.
Damn, what a vicious woman.
You curse my length, I curse your size! Chen Yin glared at her ample bosom.
Qingying seemed to sense the malice in his gaze and instinctively covered her chest with her hand, her eyes flashing with a murderous glint.
“Keep looking, and I’ll gouge your eyes out!”
“I’ll look, I’ll look, I’ll look!”
“You shameless pervert!”
“You cold-hearted, poisonous-tongued, closet masochist!”
Seeing them about to start another argument, Luo Luo sighed helplessly, her ears drooping.
Were Young Master and Sister Qingying on good terms or not…?
The Azure Cicada Ancient Domain was located in the eastern region, far from where they were now.
Although Qingying was eager to get there, Chen Yin remained unhurried, taking his time and enjoying the journey, indulging Luo Luo with food, drinks, and various amusements along the way.
Teasing Qingying was a particular source of amusement for him.
…And there was another matter.
The fragment that had flown from Luo Luo into his scroll…
When Chen Yin later entered the scroll’s space, he discovered that not only had the fragment been added to the collection, but the System Shop had also changed slightly.
More items were available now. He could even take low-level pills and spirit stones without any restrictions.
Most importantly, he had unlocked a new feature.
“Plot Records…” Chen Yin frowned when he first saw this option.
He didn’t know what it meant, but after clicking on it, he fell into deep thought.
This new access allowed him to freely view something called “Plot Records” within the three fragments.
Senior Sister’s plot record was roughly as follows: Grow up in the Mist Spirit Sect, become the chief disciple of Sect Master Wu Xun, gain renown in the cultivation world with her exceptional talent. Five years later, fight a decisive battle against another Chosen One bearing a Villain System; the victor will ascend to greater heights.
Junior Sister’s plot record was similar: Driven by revenge, make contact with the demonic path, cultivate the demonic art “Quenching Nether Mantra” with their help, and quickly increase cultivation while remaining hidden in the cultivation world. Five years later, fight a decisive battle against another Chosen One bearing a Protagonist System; victory will bring vengeance and ascension.
Luo Luo’s plot fragment, however, was much simpler: As a branch of the Protagonist System, learn the secrets of the void race, awaken her bloodline in five years, inherit the position of Lord of Ten Thousand Demons, and maintain the void seal. Success will bring ascension.
Compared to Senior Sister and Junior Sister’s Systems, Luo Luo’s seemed much less demanding. However, Chen Yin noticed another line of text beneath her plot record:
Plot Record (New): Awaken bloodline at the upcoming Lotus Birth Ceremony, then guard the seal, ultimately sacrificing herself to mend the shattered void when it breaks.
Chen Yin reread the plot records carefully, and the pieces of the puzzle began to fall into place.
…Senior Sister and Junior Sister’s plot records clearly described the events of his previous life, when they both perished together at the Mist Spirit Sect’s main branch.
Back then, he had thought their deaths were just a tragic coincidence.
Now he understood that a powerful force, called the “System,” was manipulating everything from behind the scenes.
Controlling everyone’s fate.
Even Luo Luo’s.
If these plot records dictated the Chosen Ones’ destinies, then even if Luo Luo went to guard the seal, she would ultimately sacrifice herself to mend the shattered void.
Chen Yin couldn’t accept this.
However, the Mist Spirit Sect had been completely reshaped, and his Junior Sister was safe and sound under the protection of his Master on Mount Yu.
This meant that the predetermined fate of the plot records wasn’t absolute. It could be changed.
He had been reborn to change this cruel and twisted fate.
He was glad he hadn’t handed Luo Luo over.
Otherwise, even if he learned the truth later, he might not have another chance to be reborn and save her.
But he still knew nothing about the void seal mentioned in the plot records.
And… why did these so-called Systems even exist?
Why did they compel the Chosen Ones to fulfill these predetermined plots?
And why could his scroll suppress these System fragments?
This was the true reason for his return to the Azure Cicada Ancient Domain.
Accompanying Qingying to find her brother’s remains was just a secondary objective. His main goal was to see if there was another scroll in this version of the Azure Cicada Ancient Domain.
And whether he could uncover more secrets related to the scroll.
Of course, he wouldn’t find the answers until he reached the Azure Cicada Ancient Domain.
That night, Luo Luo asked Chen Yin for a story again.
He held her in his arms and began to narrate a tale of a young master from a wealthy family encountering a commoner girl.
Luo Luo listened intently, completely captivated by the story. When she finally grew tired, she snuggled closer to Chen Yin, her head resting on his chest, and drifted off to sleep.
Seeing her peaceful slumber, Chen Yin didn’t want to disturb her. He remained still, one arm holding her close, the other hand holding a book, reading by candlelight.
As the candlelight flickered, a sarcastic voice whispered in his ear:
“You two are always so clingy. Aren’t you tired of it?”
“If you’re jealous,” Chen Yin said calmly, without looking up from his book, “you can try begging me.”
“Maybe I’ll be merciful and give you a hug.”
Qingying’s face contorted in disgust. “Who would want your hug?”
“Then be quiet and don’t wake Luo Luo.”
Chen Yin seemed completely uninterested in her. Ever since Luo Luo’s confession, he had been spending all his time with her, even neglecting his usual teasing of Qingying.
Qingying hadn’t expected to feel so… out of place because of his indifference.
“I’m just here to ask, we’re leaving for the Azure Cicada Ancient Domain in a few days.”
Her red lips curved into a smile, her cold and beautiful face alluring. “You’re not lying to me, are you? Is my brother really there?”
“Even if I were lying, you wouldn’t believe me until you see for yourself, would you?”
Chen Yin said casually, “If you’re having second thoughts, if you think you can’t handle the news of your brother’s death, then I suggest you turn back now.”
“As long as you don’t see his remains, you can still delude yourself into thinking he’s alive. It’s better to have some hope than to be completely heartbroken.”
Qingying bit her lip, her tall figure silhouetted against the window by the candlelight.
“…I won’t regret it.”
“You have no idea what A’Chen and I have been through all these years.” She suppressed the tremor in her voice, her eyes slightly red-rimmed.
“We’re already dead. Every day we live is a bonus.”
Chen Yin raised an eyebrow at her, then calmly returned his attention to his book.
“Anything else?”
“Why… were you the only one who came out of that secret realm?” she asked hesitantly.
“What happened there?”
As if triggered by her question, Chen Yin put down his book, his gaze distant and filled with a deep weariness.
After a long silence, he shook his head slowly.
“…You don’t want to know.”
Qingying frowned.
“No matter how much you speculate, it’s better to see for yourself when we get to the Azure Cicada Ancient Domain.”
Chen Yin closed the book and gently brushed a stray strand of hair from Luo Luo’s face. “Get some rest. We have a long journey ahead of us tomorrow.”
“Hmph, if you call sightseeing and playing around for the past few days a ‘journey’.”
Qingying snorted coldly and vanished into the shadows.
Chen Yin carefully lifted Luo Luo into his arms and placed her on the bed, tucking her in gently.
He turned to look out the window, his eyes as deep and dark as the night sky.
Lost in thought.
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