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  • The Grotesque Miss’s End Story v2c62-2

    Chapter 62: Starry Sky p2

    On the other hand…

    Luo Ling was also waiting for his backup plan.

    Even a lion uses its full strength against a rabbit.

    If Cheng Jianming had no backup plan, after being completely controlled, he would have lost any chance of turning the tables.

    But now…

    “Why does Cheng Jianming’s backup plan look so familiar?”

    Looking at the complex ritual in Cheng Jianming’s eyes, Luo Ling felt a strange sense of déjà vu, as if she had seen it somewhere before.

    She thought carefully, and a strange expression appeared on her face.

    “It seems like… the ritual used by Performer and Artist? Wait, isn’t this a secret technique of the Harbingers?”

    Indeed, it was the secret technique used by the Harbingers to steal Grotesquery Authorities. This technique required a certain price to usurp the power that rightfully belonged to Grotesqueries.

    However, it seemed that the secret technique Cheng Jianming used was more complete than the Harbingers’, and his target was the Sacred Tool Time in his hand, attempting to briefly possess the Authority in this way.

    “Branches of the same root?”

    Luo Ling’s gaze lowered slightly, recalling the half-sentence left by Aunt Fiona.

    The connection between the Company and the Harbingers seemed even deeper than she had imagined, even their secret techniques were more complete, just not abused.

    At the same time, Cheng Jianming’s secret technique was finally complete. His expression turned completely cold, just like the Time sword in his hand, their auras almost merging into one.

    All the fungal threads were severed by the sharp sword glint, the Puppet Ballad’s Complete Control completely interrupted, unable to continue.

    The dark sky spread once more, launching a final assault against the crimson crescent moon before its demise.

    “Is this… merging with the Sacred Tool?”

    Luo Ling’s expression turned serious. She hadn’t expected a Sacred Tool could be used in this way, although this ingenious method came at a price: merging with the Sacred Tool, which was originally a Grotesquery Sacred Relic.

    Even if he could separate later, the lingering effects wouldn’t be small, the aftereffects possibly lasting a lifetime.

    But… the resulting power was obvious. The most significant point was that Cheng Jianming now briefly possessed Sui’s Authority, Time, an unprecedented level of power.

    “Not bad.”

    Luo Ling’s expression became more serious. She wasn’t taking this battle lightly, even though her opponent was far weaker than her.

    But the next moment, something completely unexpected happened. Luo Ling’s mouth opened slightly in shock, the first significant change in her expression since the battle began.

    After breaking free from the Puppet Ballad’s control, Cheng Jianming didn’t hesitate.

    The sharp sword glint was like a terrifying nightmare. With Time back under his control, Cheng Jianming no longer feared the White Witch’s domination and could use his abilities freely.

    So, Cheng Jianming used Time on himself, then decisively launched an attack… backwards.

    He fled.

    A clean and decisive retreat.

    Luo Ling hadn’t expected this. Even after building up the atmosphere to this point, even using a secret technique with lasting side effects, Cheng Jianming, seemingly ready to fight to the death…

    Just ran away.

    In Lu Manqing’s words, it was “popping your ultimate and running.”

    …A somewhat comical outcome.

    Elsa was instantly anxious. She knew the consequences of Cheng Jianming’s escape. The sisters in her team would surely die, and Sister White would face a lot of trouble.

    She sent several “Proverbs” after him, but they had no effect on Cheng Jianming, who had merged with the Sacred Tool. He forcibly resisted the soul torture.

    At the same time, Luo Ling’s fungal threads tried to control Cheng Jianming again, but they were all severed and shaken off by his sword glint in the blink of an eye. She couldn’t hold him.

    “What do we do, Sister White? Use your invincible Puppet Ballad to think of something!” Elsa was almost crying. She wanted to chase after Cheng Jianming, but Luo Ling held her back.

    “You can’t catch him,” Luo Ling said calmly.

    Cheng Jianming had used Fleeting Dream on himself and, because he was merged with the Sacred Tool, was immune to most abilities. If she couldn’t defeat him instantly, there was no chance of stopping him.

    Even the White Witch couldn’t fulfill these conditions.

    However…

    Just because the White Witch couldn’t, didn’t mean Amethyst couldn’t.

    “Sometimes, a mischievous ‘rewriting of reality’ can have quite a nice effect.”

    A faint smile appeared on Luo Ling’s lips, but she quickly sensed something and looked up.

    Stars appeared in the dark sky, carrying a familiar yet strange aura.

    And a long-lost sensation.

    “Forget it,” Luo Ling whispered, releasing her hand, not even maintaining her Kingdom.

    “Huh? But…”

    Elsa was stunned, her cute face full of confusion.

    If Cheng Jianming escaped like this, wouldn’t everyone be in danger?

    “Don’t worry, Elsa. Everything will be fine.”

    Luo Ling stroked Elsa’s hair, then, after a moment’s thought, pinched her cheek. “Leave the rest to another sister.”

    She looked in the direction Cheng Jianming had fled, a complex look in her eyes.

    “This sister has been waiting for this moment for a very, very long time.”

    Elsa looked surprised, then confused.

    “What? Sister White, you have… other sisters?”

    How did Miss Luo Ling know so many sisters? Did she meet them at a time Elsa didn’t know about?

    Ugh, Miss Luo Ling was so popular…

    …….

    “Run, run, as long as I can escape…”

    “As long as I can escape her Kingdom, there’s still a chance!”

    “The Old Man is monitoring all of Victoria. He’ll arrive immediately. Even the Harbingers won’t let the White Witch get away with this. They’ll definitely make a move!”

    “Six beings acting together, even the White Witch won’t be able to escape!”

    “I must… escape!”

    The dark sky continued to spread, but the crimson moonlight was gradually receding. Cheng Jianming knew he was close to the light of victory.

    As long as he could step out of the crimson moonlight’s range…

    As long as he could reach that place…

    All of Victoria would stand by his side, fighting alongside him against the enemy of humanity.

    The surrounding scenery rapidly changed, blurs flashing past too fast for the naked eye to see. In just a few breaths, it felt like a century to Cheng Jianming.

    The terrifying demon didn’t follow. The nightmarish crimson moonlight gradually dimmed until it retreated, the dark sky returning.

    “Finally, finally…”

    Cheng Jianming could no longer hold on, separating from his merged state with the Sacred Tool, collapsing to his knees, panting. The severe aftereffects clouded his consciousness.

    But Cheng Jianming gritted his teeth and persevered. He took a shaky step, shouting with all his might,

    “Old Man! Woman! Boy! Can you hear me? The White Witch has appeared! The White Witch is Luo Ling! Luo Ling is the White Witch! Come out and kill her!”

    His roars echoed around him, but there was no response.

    One breath.

    Two breaths.

    Three breaths.

    No matter how long he waited, there was no movement.

    Cheng Jianming’s consciousness had recovered somewhat, but his heart was filled with an uncontrollable chill.

    Why… hadn’t they appeared yet?

    Wait, where was this?

    Cheng Jianming looked around. It was the Victoria he knew so well.

    But…

    It was deserted.

    The desolate surroundings were like a lonely city filled only with deathly silence.

    “Is this Victoria? This isn’t Victoria? Where… is this?”

    Cheng Jianming walked through the streets, but no matter where he went, there was no sign of anyone.

    And…

    “Shouldn’t it be midday? Why is it night? Did Time malfunction again?”

    Although the sky was still dark, it was now filled with brilliant stars.

    But standing under such a beautiful starry sky, Cheng Jianming felt an inexplicable terror.

    He didn’t dare look at his once trusted comrade, even feeling the urge to throw Time away.

    The shadow and nightmare brought by the White Witch still lingered in his mind, fearing that fungal threads would appear again and steal Time once more.

    After walking for an unknown amount of time, Cheng Jianming finally confirmed that this was a deserted Victoria.

    Just as he reached this conclusion, he heard the clang of armor, particularly loud in the silent city.

    Looking up, he saw a familiar yet long-lost suit of armor, covered in blood and scars, but the person wearing it wasn’t the one he knew.

    “Is this… Frick’s armor?”

    Cheng Jianming’s expression was shocked. He slowly raised his head and saw the current owner of the armor, a blonde woman wearing a mask. “Who are you? Where is this?”

    “Who… am I?”

    Hearing this question, the blonde woman seemed to fall into a trance. She chuckled and replied, “Mr. Cheng Jianming, why… do you not seem to recognize me?”

    Cheng Jianming vaguely felt that the armored knight was familiar, but there was no trace of her in his memory. He frowned slightly. “Have we met?”

    “No, but I’m surprised you don’t recognize me.” The blonde woman shook her head, then said softly, “As for where this is…”

    She looked up, as if recalling something. “This is where they died.”

    “Who are ‘they’? What are you talking about? I don’t understand.”

    Cheng Jianming’s face instantly turned cold. He didn’t have time to talk to a rambling madwoman. He needed to contact the Company directors quickly.

    “To not even know who I and they are…”

    The blonde woman smiled, a hint of sorrow in her expression. She said slowly,

    “Wilson, Helen, Lucia, Old Victor… joined the third branch of the Fate Society, the Hunt team, fifteen years ago. Completed three A-rank missions, seventy-six B-rank missions, three hundred and forty-five C-rank missions… sacrificed during the ‘Rescue of the Dawn Wind Theatre Troupe’ mission. I am their captain, Linna.”

    Linna removed her mask, revealing a face covered in fungal threads, grotesque yet still beautiful. She said, “Now, do you understand?”

    He hadn’t even remembered those who were “sacrificed,” yet he had set this trap.

    “Linna… you’re Fiona’s daughter! You’re still alive! And you… became a Grotesquery!” Cheng Jianming was shocked and furious, his expression mirroring the traitor’s from back then, his words echoing those spoken to the traitor. “You actually chose to betray humanity! You will be hunted by all of mankind, your name forever etched in infamy! Even your mother will be disgraced! Your teammates will be ashamed of you!”

    “Is that so?” Linna smiled faintly. “But they can’t hear you anymore.”

    She took out a long-barreled firearm, the Sacred Tool that Luo Ling had taken, now back in her hands.

    Cheng Jianming realized what Linna was about to do, but he was completely exhausted, struggling to even use his power once more, let alone…

    The nightmarish fungal threads appeared again, completely extinguishing his hope of escape.

    “Go apologize to them.”

    A booming gunshot echoed.

    All life drained from Cheng Jianming’s face. He slowly knelt down, his upturned head revealing eyes filled with terror.

    Then, he fell into eternal Silent Demise.

  • A Girl Dies Every Day in Her Dream Life 159

    Chapter 159: The Remarkable Luo Xue, Emperor Dugu and Nangong Ziluan

    “She is a remarkable woman.”

    Concubine Min said slowly, a faint light flickering in her dim eyes as she mentioned the name “Luo Xue.”

    “Xue’er, how should I put it… meeting her was my greatest fortune. If not for this head of white hair, just like hers, perhaps she wouldn’t have even glanced at me.”

    Luo Xue was a bit flustered. She wanted to interrupt Concubine Min’s reminiscing, but she couldn’t help but listen.

    The name Luo Xue, combined with white hair, was hard not to associate with herself…

    But wasn’t she supposed to be Concubine Min’s daughter in this dream life?

    Perhaps… it was her future self… After all, after the battle against the deep space behemoth, Luo Xue had a basic grasp of the Sword Intent of Space-Time.

    Although she could only use it for attack now, what if, later, she could travel through space and time?

    But to achieve that level of space-time manipulation… it seemed theoretically impossible.

    “Your… old friend… has she left?”

    Luo Xue hesitated, then asked.

    “Left?”

    Concubine Min looked puzzled, then realized that her daughter didn’t know much about the outside world, and shook her head.

    “No, she’s still in the southern barbarian lands of the Immortal Dynasty, the leader of a demonic beast tribe.”

    Concubine Min suddenly became agitated, sat up slightly, and gripped Luo Xue’s hand tightly.

    “Yes, yes, I remember now… Xue’er, you have to leave, go far away from the Imperial Sacred Land…”

    She looked at Luo Xue with pleading eyes, her expression filled with despair.

    “The Empress, the Immortal Emperor… they’re all…”

    As she spoke, Concubine Min seemed to be choking, gasping for air, and coughing repeatedly.

    “Mother Concubine!”

    Luo Xue quickly patted her back, sighing inwardly.

    The affairs within the imperial family were complicated. The etiquette official had warned her about this before, but she hadn’t expected Concubine Min to be involved.

    And they were currently within the imperial palace… even if she wanted to badmouth the Immortal Emperor and the Empress, she had to do it somewhere they couldn’t see.

    No wonder the etiquette official had told her not to talk too much…

    It was clear that Concubine Min had been abandoned by the Immortal Emperor and the Empress. The etiquette official couldn’t bear to see Luo Xue suffer the same fate.

    The hearts of emperors were difficult to fathom.

    “Why don’t you tell me about Luo Xue, Mother Concubine?” Luo Xue said softly.

    Partly to change the subject, and partly because she was also interested in this demonic beast tribe leader, “Luo Xue.”

    “Yes, Luo Xue… she… go find Luo Xue…”

    Concubine Min looked up, but this time, she didn’t speak, but transmitted her voice directly into Luo Xue’s mind.

    “Go to the southern barbarian lands, go to the demonic beast tribes… find Luo Xue…”

    “You inherited Mother’s white hair, she will definitely take you in…”

    After the voice in her mind faded, an image slowly appeared.

    It was her own face!

    Even her temperament was similar, heroic and valiant, and because she was wearing a rough fur coat, she had a more primal, wild aura.

    Luo Xue wanted to ask more questions, but after the voice transmission, Concubine Min seemed to have exhausted her strength and fell asleep in Luo Xue’s arms.

    But even in her sleep, her brows remained furrowed, her expression tense.

    “…”

    Luo Xue suppressed her strange feelings and gently lifted Concubine Min, her biological mother in this life, who was so frail that a gust of wind could blow her away, and placed her on the bed.

    Finally, Luo Xue looked up slightly and sighed.

    “What a mess…”

    It felt like this demonic beast tribe leader, Luo Xue, in the southern barbarian lands, was more like the real Luo Xue. After all, her own appearance had changed drastically and didn’t look much like her original self.

    Luo Xue didn’t have much time left. The sky outside was gradually turning brighter; dawn was approaching.

    A mark on Luo Xue’s wrist, left by the etiquette official, began to glow faintly, and a teleportation formation appeared beside her.

    Concubine Min was still asleep. Luo Xue took one last look at her.

    According to rumors, Imperial Concubine Min had been greatly favored, marrying into the most noble imperial family of the Great Qin Immortal Dynasty with her almost mortal bloodline, becoming one of the few imperial concubines.

    But who would have thought that her final fate… would be like this?

    Even if her daughter was the little princess, the Immortal Emperor’s most beloved, she couldn’t escape such a predicament.

    Luo Xue let go of Concubine Min’s hand, covered her with a blanket, then turned and entered the teleportation formation.

    A faint light flickered, and the formation dissipated, the Cold Palace returning to its silence.

    Only on the distant palace wall, a small figure with snow-white hair peeked out from behind a dilapidated wooden window.

    “Mother…”

    …

    Within the imperial palace complex, in a remote courtyard.

    Unlike the extravagant luxury of other places, the buildings here were simple, almost dilapidated, seemingly out of place among the magnificent imperial palaces.

    But this simple, almost farmer-like, courtyard was located within the Imperial Sacred Land, occupying valuable territory.

    Because this was the Empress’s residence, and ordinary servants weren’t allowed to enter.

    “You let her see Wen Min?”

    A middle-aged man stood in the courtyard. He wasn’t wearing elaborate imperial robes or a crown, just ordinary clothes, but his dignified aura was still intimidating.

    He was the head of the imperial family, the Immortal Emperor of the Great Qin Immortal Dynasty.

    There were less than ten people in this world who could remain calm before the Great Qin Immortal Emperor, and the woman before him was one of them.

    “It was my decision.”

    The Empress wore a simple cloak, her natural beauty stunning.

    Even leaning lazily on a simple recliner, her every move still carried an air of imperial majesty.

    The Empress seemed to be admiring the flowers, but the flowers in the courtyard had already withered, leaving only bare branches.

    “I won’t allow it.”

    The Immortal Emperor said in a deep voice.

    They didn’t use the imperial “we” in their conversation because their status within the Great Qin Immortal Dynasty was equal.

    The Sun and Moon Twin Halls, the Sun for the Immortal Emperor, and the Moon for the Empress.

    “She’s already seen her,” the Empress glanced at the Immortal Emperor, a hint of mockery in her voice. “Why, feeling so heartbroken for Wen Min? If you cared so much about her… why did you take her as an imperial concubine?”

    “Anyway, you’ve already used her… oh, no, it seems there’s still a daughter you haven’t used yet. It’s fine, go ahead and use her, I’ve already found a replacement for you.”

    The Immortal Emperor remained silent, his expression unchanged.

    “By the way, do you know what the most common joke I’ve heard recently is?” The Empress seemed interested and sat up slightly. “It’s that… the Immortal Emperor’s most beloved concubine is Imperial Concubine Min, and his most beloved daughter is Princess Xue. Don’t you think it’s funny?”

    “Nangong Ziluan!”

    The Immortal Emperor roared in a low voice, interrupting the Empress.

    An invisible pressure spread out, collapsing countless palace walls, but the small courtyard remained unharmed.

    “Dugu Di, why are you so agitated? Did I say something wrong?” Nangong Ziluan continued indifferently. “Don’t think the Great Qin Immortal Dynasty is entirely in your hands… I’m just too lazy to manage it. After letting you rule for a few years, you really think I’m beneath you?”

    “But this is my affair, I will handle it myself,” the Immortal Emperor’s face darkened. “I will take care of the matters concerning Wen Min and Xue’er.”

    “Your taking concubines and having children naturally has nothing to do with me, but causing so much trouble has already implicated me.” Nangong Ziluan smiled brightly. “So it’s reasonable for me to… intervene slightly, right?”

    Almost all the princes and princesses were born from imperial concubines. The Immortal Emperor and the Empress hadn’t had any children yet.

    The world thought it was because their cultivation levels were too high, making it difficult to have children, but in reality… it was because the Immortal Emperor and the Empress were only husband and wife in name, never in practice.

    The imperial family ruled the Great Qin Immortal Dynasty, and the Immortal Emperor, Dugu Di, could be said to be the first ancestor of the imperial clan.

    Back then, during his rise from a small tribe to the Great Qin Immortal Dynasty, the greatest help Dugu Di received came from the ancient Nangong clan.

    Nangong Ziluan, the Clan Leader of the Nangong clan, personally participated in the battles, solving many problems for Dugu Di, which ultimately led to the establishment of the Great Qin Immortal Dynasty.

    The reclusive Nangong clan rarely interfered in the affairs of the Immortal Dynasty, but their contribution during its founding was too great to ignore.

    And Dugu Di didn’t dare to grant Nangong Ziluan a military title, letting the Nangong clan control the military, for fear that the Great Qin Immortal Dynasty would be divided one day.

    He didn’t dare to let her participate in politics either, as the Nangong clan’s prestige as an ancient, reclusive family was considerable.

    Therefore, after much deliberation, Nangong Ziluan finally accepted the title of Empress, residing in the Moon Hall, becoming the second most powerful figure in the Great Qin Immortal Dynasty.

    Essentially, it was a cooperative relationship.

    Otherwise… with their equal status, how could the Empress so readily allow the Immortal Emperor to take concubines?

    This wasn’t just… Nangong Ziluan wasn’t a “generous” person.

    After his anger subsided slightly, Dugu Di also knew that his actions weren’t appropriate.

    Especially regarding Wen Min, she shouldn’t have ended up in such a state.

    But… he firmly believed that his love for his daughter, Princess Xue, was genuine. He would never use her like Nangong Ziluan mocked.

    “Did Wen Min say something she shouldn’t have?”

    Dugu Di asked calmly.

    “Perhaps she wanted to, but didn’t,” Nangong Ziluan said casually. “But she did mention that rather troublesome human brat in the southern barbarian lands. They seem to be quite close.”

    Her gaze still lingered on the bare branches, patiently waiting for the first buds to appear after the long winter.

    Perhaps it would take several months.

    But the Empress was patient.

    She had always been patient.

    “You mean that Nascent Soul brat?” Dugu Di frowned slightly. “I’ve heard of her, but how could a mere Nascent Soul cultivator pacify the demonic beast tribes in the southern barbarian lands, which have been fighting for so long? There’s something fishy about this.”

    “And although Wen Min is from the south, she should be quite far from the barbarian lands…”

    “Why don’t you go to the south and take another concubine?” Nangong Ziluan raised an eyebrow. “And that one… also seems to have white hair…”

    “…I thought we were discussing serious matters.”

    “There are no serious matters, Dugu Di.” Nangong Ziluan retracted her gaze and looked at the branches again. “My serious matter is admiring flowers.”

    Dugu Di’s face darkened. He always avoided meeting with Nangong Ziluan, because she was like a thorn in his side, a constant reminder that this vast Immortal Dynasty didn’t just belong to the imperial family, but also to the sixteen reclusive ancient clans, including the Nangong clan, and Nangong Ziluan was their representative.

    Dugu Di flung his sleeve and turned to leave, but just as he was about to step out of the courtyard, Nangong Ziluan’s voice slowly rang out.

    “Wen Min will soon pass away. Does His Majesty need me to arrange her burial?”

    Dugu Di paused, his expression indifferent.

    “There’s no need to trouble Your Majesty.”

    …

    After passing through the teleportation formation and leaving the Cold Palace, Luo Xue returned to the familiar palace.

    As her mind cleared, the etiquette official immediately rushed over, supported Luo Xue, and said in a soothing voice,

    “Your Highness, are you alright?”

    She also signaled to the surrounding palace maids to bring the soul-nourishing soup they had prepared earlier.

    Luo Xue was fine, but to avoid suspicion, she let the etiquette official support her, sat down, and drank the soup.

    Perhaps because Princess Xue was a mortal, the direct effect of the soul-nourishing soup wasn’t very strong, but it was long-lasting.

    After drinking it, Luo Xue could clearly feel her soul being nourished, and her vision became clearer.

    Seeing that Luo Xue had recovered, the etiquette official immediately dismissed the maids, looked at Luo Xue with a slightly anxious expression, and asked,

    “Your Highness, did Imperial Concubine Min… tell you anything?”

    “It seems… nothing much,” Luo Xue said vaguely. “Just… about some of her old friends…”

    She didn’t dare to say that Concubine Min had told her to escape the imperial palace. If she did, she wouldn’t be able to leave.

    Luo Xue knew very well that she couldn’t stay in the imperial palace forever.

    The events of the past few days had made her realize that the imperial palace, to her, was no different from a cage.

    “From the south?”

    The etiquette official frowned, a puzzled look on her wrinkled face, but it quickly disappeared.

    “It’s fine, Your Highness, you should rest. Today’s lessons can be skipped.”

  • As a villain, I just want them to behave 246

    Chapter 246: One Hundred Points

    Self-deception was always an option for escapism.

    Meggie Liran paused for a moment, then continued her actions as she felt one of Kailun’s hands resting on her head.

    Chrissy had played a significant role in helping her reach this point. She would intentionally or unintentionally guide Meggie Liran.

    Whether through sadness or discomfort, even if it was just an act, it made Meggie Liran reflect on herself again and again.

    Her pride had been repeatedly crushed by Kailun, leaving her with no other choice.

    To maintain her last shred of sanity, she didn’t even dare to open her eyes.

    In terms of age, she and the Empress were the youngest pair in history. Previous Popes and Emperors were usually over a hundred years old, their strength and experience reaching their peak.

    For some reason, the change of leadership had come much earlier this time.

    In Kailun’s view, Meggie Liran was still somewhat immature as the Pope. She could handle most problems, but she wasn’t rational enough when faced with unexpected events.

    As for the Empress, Kailun hadn’t interacted with her much and didn’t have a clear understanding of her. Based on the information he had gathered, she seemed to be quite emotional.

    However, these weren’t the key issues. The key was Fate, the entity standing behind the Empress.

    Kailun shook his head, stopping his train of thought. He stroked Meggie Liran’s hair and asked, “Your Holiness, can you tell me how you feel? How does it taste?”

    “Mmm~”

    Kailun: “Oh, I forgot, Your Holiness can’t speak now. It feels like something’s missing. Should I call Chrissy over to join us?”

    Meggie Liran: “Don’t…”

    She wasn’t good at ventriloquism, so her words weren’t clear.

    Kailun pressed down on her head, preventing her from pulling away. A strange sensation filled her mouth.

    “But your performance isn’t satisfactory, so I’m going to call Chrissy and have her teach you face-to-face. I believe only an excellent teacher like Chrissy can properly guide the esteemed Pope.”

    Kailun tucked the hair by Meggie Liran’s face behind her ear.

    “I understand.”

    Meggie Liran responded using her clumsy ventriloquism.

    She endured the discomfort, recalling the “tasting method” Kailun had just taught her. The difference was that no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t bite off a piece of the “fruit.” It was stuck there, lodged in her throat, neither going up nor down.

    Not only was it not sweet, but it also had a strange smell.

    She couldn’t describe it, but she didn’t like it.

    Meggie Liran struggled to respond with her tongue, tears welling up in her eyes.

    However, her clumsy efforts couldn’t satisfy Kailun, whose “threshold” had been raised significantly. Her efforts were like scratching an itch through boots, or quenching thirst by looking at plums.

    After a while, Kailun, losing his patience, cupped Meggie Liran’s head with both hands.

    She opened her eyes wide and saw him smiling brightly.

    “Ugh!”

    A powerful force pushed her head closer to Kailun until their lips met. The “fruit” that had been stuck in her throat suddenly broke through her defenses and plunged deeper.

    Deprived of air, Meggie Liran wanted to gasp for breath, but her throat was completely blocked, leaving no room to breathe. An ordinary person would faint in less than a minute.

    Thirty minutes, that was her limit for holding her breath.

    Without mana, she still possessed a strong constitution, but even the strongest physique couldn’t withstand the dizziness in her head.

    Now, she wished she were an ordinary person, so she could faint sooner.

    She looked at Kailun again, seeing the excitement in his eyes.

    ‘Is this the pain Chrissy has been enduring?’

    Regret filled her heart, but then she thought of Chrissy, and her resolve strengthened.

    ……

    An hour later, Kailun sat calmly in his chair, reading a book. Meggie Liran, her face pale, was cleaning herself under the table.

    She first wiped her face with her sleeve and then tried to fix her messy hair.

    But no matter how hard she tried, some strands of hair remained stuck together, and there was a familiar yet strange smell.

    It was terrible. Her face and hair felt sticky, as if melted sugar had been poured on them. It was incredibly uncomfortable.

    “This is so annoying…”

    Meggie Liran muttered after struggling for a few minutes without any improvement.

    Not only her face and hair, but her chest also felt sticky.

    Don’t ask why. After all, her limit for holding her breath was only half an hour. The remaining half hour had to be “made up” elsewhere.

    Thankfully, Kailun hadn’t made her swallow it. Otherwise, she would have been so disgusted that she would have vomited.

    She didn’t know that Kailun had done this not out of consideration for her feelings, but because he was worried that mental contamination would increase her goodwill.

    For Kailun, who was about to meet the Empress, any decrease in strength meant greater uncertainty. Therefore, he wouldn’t actively “reward” Meggie Liran.

    If he accidentally “fed” her and increased her goodwill by ten points or so, his strength might decrease by one or two percent. It wasn’t worth it.

    “Do you still stand by your words?” Meggie Liran asked, looking down at her messy collar.

    “Of course, this is the contract I prepared for you. Sign it.”

    Kailun took out a contract scroll from his pocket and placed it on his lap.

    Chrissy had been present when he drafted this contract. She had personally added many clauses, emphasizing “betrayal for the greater good.”

    Meggie Liran took the scroll with one hand, the other hand covering her chest, and looked at it.

    Seeing the content, she sighed in relief.

    The clauses were harsh, but not excessively so. It was acceptable.

    She had sacrificed her purity, her dignity, and her sense of shame. Now, she finally had a small reward.

    She felt like crying.

    The mighty Pope had been reduced to such a state, becoming the kind of person she had despised the most in just a week or two.

    “Tsk!”

    She bit her finger and signed her name on the contract.

    “Are you satisfied now?” She returned the contract scroll to Kailun, her voice cold.

    Kailun took the scroll and said, “Not bad. Now we’re allies. I apologize for what happened before. It was a necessary measure. I hope you can understand.”

    Meggie Liran’s beautiful face twitched slightly. “Heh, since that’s the case, can you leave me alone now?”

    Kailun answered without hesitation, “No. The delicious Pope is an indispensable dessert. I like feeding you fruit.”

    “I don’t believe a word you say. You’re a liar.”

    Meggie Liran snorted and crawled out from under the table. She had given up on Kailun.

    Kailun closed the magic book. “I don’t intend to change my opinion of you. Just be obedient.”

    You performed well today. I didn’t expect you to actually break your own bottom line.

    Good job, keep up the good work. Also, I want to discuss tomorrow’s plan. Is that okay?

    “Go ahead.”

    Meggie Liran tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and sat on the table beside Kailun, crossing her legs to create an alluring curve.

    She hugged her chest, her expression blank as she stared at him, her ample bosom pressed together, revealing a tempting expanse of white flesh.

    It was as if she was deliberately teasing him, her eyes filled with frustration and shame.

    After what had just happened, she had become more “open,” no longer losing her composure even when being “fed.”

    Kailun propped his chin on his hand and carefully observed Meggie Liran. “I suddenly find you more attractive now. Is it just my imagination?”

    “What kind of attraction?”

    Meggie Liran, sitting on the table, looked down at him.

    Kailun ran his finger along her plump thigh. “A kind of fallen beauty.”

    Meggie Liran bit her lip and didn’t argue. Having already been “broken,” wasn’t she already “fallen”?

    “The rebel army will attack the Papal Palace tomorrow. I’ll leave Helena and Chrissy behind to help you with the ‘performance.’ You’ll achieve victory with absolute dominance. All the Cardinals, except for Paul, will submit to your power and surrender.”

    Kailun squeezed her thigh a little harder. Meggie Liran’s legs were even more voluptuous than Chrissy’s, offering a satisfying handful of soft flesh.

    This wasn’t fat, but a perfect fullness, the kind that created a beautiful curve when she wore stockings.

    Both were top-tier legs, but compared to Chrissy’s 101 points, Meggie Liran’s legs could get a perfect score of 100.

    This one-point difference wasn’t in terms of feel or aesthetics but rather subjective preference. Chrissy was more playful and charming.

    In short, Kailun considered Chrissy’s legs to be the best, especially her asymmetrical aesthetics that always drew his attention.

    “Hmph, be… be gentle…”

    Meggie Liran, listening attentively, pressed down on Kailun’s increasingly forceful hand.

    But he ignored her plea and continued, “Let those on the list fight each other. If any are left, we’ll deal with them slowly. As for Paul, you can have him imprisoned. I want to give him a proper send-off. Only then will I be at peace. Also, you should learn from Chrissy’s fashion sense. Just wearing the Pope’s attire is too monotonous. Adding some knee-high socks or tights might be more interesting.”

    Meggie Liran: “…”

    As they interacted, she realized that Kailun wasn’t serious at all. His casual demeanor didn’t resemble the cunning demon she had imagined.

    Lecherous, arrogant, greedy… If only this kind of person had died in a woman’s bed long ago.

    She sighed softly. Unable to resist, she could only endure Kailun’s teasing. The tingling sensation in her inner thighs made her body tremble.

    She might hate him, but she still had to live. She wouldn’t bash her head against a wall and leave all the problems to Chrissy.

    She was more concerned about what would happen next.

    Kailun’s willingness to return the Pope’s position to her was unexpected. No, it was the position of acting Pope.

    Regardless, she had regained some power and initiative. It seemed he didn’t care about these things at all.

    Compared to the allure of the Pope’s throne, he seemed more interested in her body.

    Tsk, as expected of Kailun.

    He had claimed to be uninterested in her body before, but now that he had the opportunity, he wouldn’t let go.

    Meggie Liran pressed her legs together, preventing him from going any further. Otherwise, she would lose everything today.

    “Master Kailun, did you call for me?”

    Just as she was resisting him with all her might, Chrissy’s voice suddenly rang out.

    Meggie Liran looked at Kailun in shock. “Didn’t I tell you not to call Chrissy?”

    Kailun chuckled. “But I didn’t agree either.”

    “You beast… Hng~”

    Meggie Liran, wanting to insult him, let out a strange sound. As if struck by a gentle lightning bolt, her body went limp.

  • Inferior A After Having a Baby with the Top Boss 41

    Chapter 41: “Jiejie, Is This Pressure Okay?”

    The silver-white security door opened automatically from the inside.

    Countless rays of light streamed outwards, elongating Ming Fei’s shadow on the floor.

    Ming Fei put her phone back into her pajama pocket, trying to appear more composed. But the moment she actually stepped into the master bedroom on the third floor, she still stiffened, her steps almost clumsy, like an experimental robot in its early stages of development.

    After she fully entered the room, the security door automatically closed behind her.

    This was the first time Ming Fei had entered Zhu Yiqiao’s bedroom. She maintained her politeness, not glancing around this private space.

    As she stepped onto the soft carpet, she saw Zhu Yiqiao sitting by the sofa.

    She didn’t hesitate, walking towards Zhu Yiqiao.

    At this moment, Ming Fei had clearly entered the second phase of experimental development, her movements more agile, her expression no longer stiff.

    Soon, she stopped in front of Zhu Yiqiao: “…Jiejie.”

    Zhu Yiqiao, having just finished washing up, was wearing a plain black nightgown, the ends of her long, curly hair still damp.

    She wore a pheromone bracelet identical to Ming Fei’s. The black nightgown was fastened by a single tie, her delicate, jade-like collarbone faintly visible.

    Faintly, Ming Fei smelled a very light woody scent.

    So faint that her pheromone bracelet didn’t react at all.

    Ming Fei guessed that she must have been mistaken and suppressed her doubts, quietly observing Zhu Yiqiao’s movements.

    “Is Zaozao asleep?” Zhu Yiqiao asked.

    Ming Fei nodded: “She fell asleep twenty minutes ago.”

    “Mm.”

    Zhu Yiqiao closed the thick book in her hand and finally looked up at the person in front of her. Her gaze was still devoid of any particular emotion, like a calm sea, only likely to surge with waves after darkness fell.

    Outside the window, the night was as cool as water, pitch black. In early November in the Independent State of Yi Meng, light snow had begun to fall, and the sleet weighed down the plants in the garden.

    Ming Fei didn’t sit down, standing straight like a student called upon by the teacher.

    After careful consideration, she decided to be more proactive.

    After all, finishing early meant she could go back to sleep with Ming Zaozao sooner, and it wouldn’t delay Zhu Yiqiao’s rest either.

    Therefore, Ming Fei, who usually waited, observed, and hid behind her safety valve, took the initiative today.

    She asked, “Jiejie, what… should I do?”

    “You don’t know anything at all?”

    Ming Fei, having thought it through, was honest: “Mm. I roughly understand the concept of pheromone guidance, but the teacher didn’t explain the steps to us, and the basic physiology textbook didn’t cover this either.”

    “Mm.”

    Perhaps because she was in her private domain, Zhu Yiqiao’s voice was tinged with laziness.

    She said, “I’ll teach you.”

    Ming Fei had a serious learning attitude: “Sorry to trouble you, Jiejie.”

    She asked, puzzled, “Then what should I do for the first step?”

    “Do you see that cabinet over there?”

    “Mm.”

    “Go get the white gloves.”

    Ming Fei replied, “Okay.”

    She moved quickly. After bringing the item Zhu Yiqiao had specified, she watched as Zhu Yiqiao put on the white gloves from the Trial Court. For some reason, a strange sense of danger arose in her heart, as if those gloved hands would strangle her neck in the next moment.

    Then, leaning down, revealing canine teeth, biting through her carotid artery, and finally slowly swallowing her whole.

    Ming Fei was amused by her own absurd imagination.

    She smiled, and Zhu Yiqiao, having put on the gloves, issued the next instruction.

    “Sit next to me.”

    “Okay.”

    After sitting down, because they were closer, the tension and sense of danger in Ming Fei’s heart intensified.

    She couldn’t explain why, her emotions all written on her face. When Zhu Yiqiao noticed that she was almost turning into the curled-up kitten emoji, a hint of confusion flickered in her eyes.

    “Are you scared?”

    Ming Fei shook her head seriously: “No.”

    Zhu Yiqiao, remembering what Ming Zaozao had said, asked: “Afraid of pain?”

    Ming Fei’s confidence wavered slightly: “No.”

    Hearing this, Zhu Yiqiao didn’t press further, explaining, “Tonight is just a checkup. Dr. Tang said your gland’s condition is special, and it needs to be checked every night recently.”

    “Jiejie, can I check it myself?”

    “Do you know how?”

    Of course, she knew how to simply look, but as for a proper checkup, that was another matter.

    Ming Fei didn’t speak, pulling her long hair forward and adjusting the detection function of her pheromone bracelet to the highest level before turning her head and removing the suppressor patch, allowing Zhu Yiqiao to examine her gland.

    “Is this okay?”

    “Mm.”

    Because she was facing the French window, Ming Fei could not only feel Zhu Yiqiao’s fingertips touching her, but also see her meticulous expression through the reflection in the window.

    When Zhu Yiqiao’s fingertips touched the edge of her gland, Ming Fei could still pretend to be calm. As they gradually moved upwards along the edge, Ming Fei’s eyelashes trembled. When they reached the scar in the center, Ming Fei’s sweet pheromones overflowed.

    The room was immediately filled with the scent of sweet pears.

    “…Sorry, Jiejie.”

    Zhu Yiqiao: “No need to apologize.”

    “Mm.”

    Ming Fei pursed her lips, feeling like a patient avoiding treatment. She had clearly wanted to write down “actively treat” in her diary every day this afternoon, but now, the checkup had just begun, and she was already softly asking,

    “Jiejie, are you done checking?”

    Zhu Yiqiao asked, “Does it hurt here?”

    Ming Fei sensed for a moment: “No.”

    “Here?”

    Ming Fei answered truthfully, “It’s a little itchy.”

    After asking two more similar questions, Zhu Yiqiao finally removed her fingertips from Ming Fei’s gland. She handed Ming Fei a prepared medical wipe, indicating for her to wipe the gland on the back of her neck.

    “Thank you, Jiejie.”

    Ming Fei quickly turned around and wiped, the tips of her ears noticeably red, even her long, loose hair couldn’t hide it.

    Her thoughts began to wander—

    Because if she continued to focus on her gland at this moment, having just undergone the examination, she would probably overheat.

    She stared at the corner of the garden under the night light, the hazy snow and the red Bingjiao roses complementing each other, like a bonfire suddenly lit in the snow.

    A unique and romantic beauty.

    Ming Fei decided to pick two bunches of roses tomorrow morning, trim them, and put them in a glass vase on her and Ming Zaozao’s desks.

    After carefully wiping her gland clean, Ming Fei turned around, about to politely express her thanks and leave, when she noticed that Zhu Yiqiao had suddenly become motionless.

    Although Zhu Yiqiao’s expression and aura hadn’t changed, Ming Fei felt something was wrong.

    She asked keenly, “Jiejie, are you feeling unwell?”

    Zhu Yiqiao changed the subject: “Tonight’s checkup is over.”

    The implication was that she could leave.

    But Ming Fei was a little worried. She moved closer to Zhu Yiqiao and asked directly,

    “What’s wrong, Jiejie?”

    Zhu Yiqiao: “Don’t want to leave?”

    Ming Fei shook her head and then nodded.

    As their eyes met, Ming Fei didn’t look away, maintaining eye contact with Zhu Yiqiao, letting her scrutinize her.

    After a minute-long standoff, Zhu Yiqiao softly revealed the reason for her discomfort.

    “My shoulder was injured by a gunshot. Even after treatment in the medical pod, there’s still some aftereffect. Sometimes it hurts when the weather is bad.”

    “You go back and rest first, I’ll be fine in a while.”

    Ming Fei didn’t leave. She was usually very obedient, but sometimes very persistent. She sat next to Zhu Yiqiao, her eyes filled with concern, her voice lacking the tension from the gland examination.

    “I’ve learned massage, Jiejie, do you mind if I take a look?”

    Zhu Yiqiao suddenly thought of Ming Zaozao.

    When they first lived together in Hui Fu Garden, Ming Zaozao had proudly said that her mommy could do anything and was the most amazing person in the world.

    After getting to know Ming Fei during this time, and learning that she was the intelligent and delicate Skwiatowy, Zhu Yiqiao had gained a new understanding of her.

    Therefore, she wasn’t surprised to hear that Ming Fei knew how to massage.

    She just asked, “Where did you learn it?”

    Ming Fei explained, “When I first joined the research institute, I worked with another professor to develop an elderly care robot, which is now widely used. When testing its massage function, I learned a little from the professional masseuse.”

    She smiled shyly, “Of course, I’m still far from a professional masseuse, but if Jiejie needs it, I will study harder.”

    Zhu Yiqiao: “Okay.”

    “Then I’ll go prepare a hot compress for Jiejie.”

    “Mm.”

    Ming Fei moved quickly. Guided by Zhu Yiqiao, she went into the bathroom, got a towel, and prepared the hot compress in about five minutes.

    Before proceeding to the next step, she asked,

    “Jiejie, do I need to wear gloves?”

    Zhu Yiqiao didn’t say whether she needed to or not: “Begin.”

    “Okay.”

    Ming Fei was extremely focused, her gaze never wavering. While massaging, it was as if she wasn’t touching Zhu Yiqiao’s shoulder, but the robot core components she usually worked with. She wasn’t distracted by anything else from beginning to end.

    There were no inappropriate or presumptuous thoughts, just occasional questions.

    “Jiejie, does it hurt here?”

    “Jiejie, is this pressure okay?”

    “Jiejie, how does it feel now?”

    …

    When asking such questions, her almond eyes were clear and bright, filled with unconcealed concern. Anyone meeting such a gaze would soften.

    Zhu Yiqiao’s expression remained unchanged, only answering her questions slowly and calmly. After the pain in her shoulder gradually subsided, the massage ended.

    Ming Fei, having completed her task, smiled.

    Before leaving, she repeatedly confirmed with Zhu Yiqiao whether it was effective and reminded her to cover herself with the blanket when sleeping to avoid catching a cold.

    Her serious expression was even a little cute.

    Zhu Yiqiao said calmly, “Mm, I know.”

    “Then I’ll go downstairs. Jiejie, if you feel uncomfortable, just send me a message.”

    At this moment, Ming Fei really resembled a canine, her eyes only on Zhu Yiqiao. If she had a fluffy tail, it would probably be wagging.

    She seriously assured her, “I’ll keep my communication open.”

    “Mm.”

    Ming Fei: “Goodnight, Jiejie.”

    “Goodnight.”

    The large master bedroom fell silent again. The display suddenly lit up, and Zhu Yiqiao checked her messages, finding one from Ming Fei, who had just left.

    [I want to pick some roses and put them in the study tomorrow. Jiejie, do you need any?]

    [[Kitten offering flowers.jpg]]

    Zhu Yiqiao lowered her head and replied. As she left the sofa area, her gaze swept over the cabinet on the right.

    —There, the intelligent massage therapy machine that Dr. Tang had brought her was placed. It was much better than Ming Fei’s treatment and much more effective.

    But strangely…

    She hadn’t mentioned it at all.

    And when Ming Fei tentatively offered, she didn’t immediately refuse.

  • Captivating Beauty 64p1

    Chapter 64 p1

    The ten-square-meter bathroom felt like a hot air balloon, the air thick with tension.

    Their reflections in the mirror were inches apart, their bodies close, yet not quite touching, Shen Shu’s back tingling with a strange mix of warmth and a frustrating emptiness, as if she were standing on tiptoe, reaching for something just beyond her grasp.

    Even though Xu Jinnan was holding her, she felt adrift, untethered.

    “Shu Shu?” Xu Jinnan whispered, her warm breath caressing Shen Shu’s ear.

    Shen Shu’s entire being felt enveloped in warmth, her voice trembling slightly. “What if it still hurts?”

    Xu Jinnan tilted her head back slightly, looking at Shen Shu’s reflection in the mirror, her cheek brushing against Shen Shu’s. “How about this?” she murmured, then gently kissed Shen Shu’s cheek.

    Her gaze remained fixed on the mirror as their lips touched, watching Shen Shu’s reaction, searching her eyes for a sign of acceptance or rejection, of pleasure or displeasure.

    Shen Shu’s breath hitched, her body trembling slightly under Xu Jinnan’s intense gaze, which felt like a scanner, penetrating her defenses, exposing her innermost thoughts and desires.

    She bit her lip, her teeth pressing against the soft flesh.

    “Mm…” she murmured softly.

    Xu Jinnan’s warm breath shifted to her ear, her lips brushing against the sensitive skin of her earlobe.

    “How about this?” she whispered.

    Shen Shu’s earlobe, small and delicate, looked incredibly tempting.

    But Xu Jinnan didn’t kiss it, simply touching it lightly with her lips.

    Even this fleeting contact was enough to make Shen Shu’s legs tremble, her composure shattering like a broken mirror.

    She steadied herself against the counter, her hand gripping the edge.

    Xu Jinnan should have stopped there. She knew she should stop.

    But the empty apartment, the close confines of the bathroom, the mingled scent of vanilla, honey, and milk…

    Her Alpha instincts, the primal urge to possess and dominate, were overwhelming.

    She leaned closer, pressing Shen Shu against the cool surface of the counter.

    “Why are you so quiet?” she murmured, her lips brushing against Shen Shu’s ear.

    Shen Shu’s heart pounded, the warmth of Xu Jinnan’s breath still lingering on her skin, the distance between them now a torment.

    Her throat felt dry, like she had tasted a sweet treat, only to have it snatched away, the lingering sweetness a constant reminder of what she craved.

    “What do you want me to say, Teacher Xu?” she asked, her voice slightly breathless.

    “Hmm…” Xu Jinnan, pleased that Shen Shu had spoken, and amused by the formal address, smiled faintly, looking at Shen Shu’s reflection in the mirror. “Anything.”

    Their voices were both husky, like parched flowers in a desert, desperate for water.

    Shen Shu didn’t seem to know what to say, but Xu Jinnan’s gaze, as she looked at her, was intense.

    She turned her head, her hand reaching out to gently caress Shen Shu’s cheek.

    “Shu Shu, your face is so warm,” she murmured.

    Shen Shu instinctively reached for Xu Jinnan’s hand, but before she could touch it—

    A knock came at the door.

    Xu Jinnan quickly withdrew her hand, listening. She heard voices outside.

    “I’ll go check,” she said.

    “Okay.”

    She looked through the peephole and saw a young woman with curly hair.

    “I’m your upstairs neighbor,” the woman said. “I’m so sorry, but I dropped some clothes on your balcony while I was hanging laundry. Could you get them for me?”

    Xu Jinnan went to the balcony and saw a few garments draped over the railing.

    She hesitated, then heard Shen Shu enter the living room.

    “I’ll get a plastic bag,” she said, turning to Shen Shu.

    She quickly returned with the bag and carefully placed the clothes inside, then opened the door slightly and handed it to the woman.

    “Thank you,” the woman said.

    “Be more careful next time,” Xu Jinnan replied, closing the door.

    She went to Shen Shu’s bedroom and saw her sitting on the bed, reading.

    “I’m going to take a shower,” she said, grabbing her pajamas.

    “Okay,” Shen Shu replied.

    Xu Jinnan went to the bathroom, closed the door, and stood there for a moment, looking at the counter, then at her reflection in the mirror.

    She undressed, then, standing in front of the mirror, her mind replaying their earlier encounter, touched her lips lightly.

    The memory was vivid, like a scene from a forbidden movie.

    She exhaled and stepped into the shower, closing the glass door behind her.

    She stood under the spray of hot water, letting it wash over her, then opened her mouth, catching a few drops before spitting them out.

    She stayed in the shower for almost an hour.

    Despite the long shower, she still couldn’t sleep, and neither could Shen Shu.

    —

    The next morning, they had planned to go to the riding stable at 1 p.m., but neither of them woke up early.

    Xu Jinnan made egg noodles and a small portion of sweet and sour pork ribs for a late breakfast/early lunch.

    The riding stable was outside the city, about a forty-minute drive from Xingcheng International.

    Xu Jinnan drove, and Shen Shu sat in the passenger seat, scrolling through messages on her phone.

    Tong Jia was discussing the CP super topic.

    Her conversation with Xia Chun’s agent hadn’t gone well. While Shen Shu’s repost and like had helped to quell the rumors, Xia Chun herself hadn’t done anything, leading to speculation among some netizens and fans.

    Some of the comments, especially from trolls, were particularly nasty.

    She was the one who started the rumors in the first place.

    Trying to use Xia Chun for clout, then pretending to clarify things when she got called out.

    So obvious. Poor Chun Chun.

    Xia Chun’s agency hasn’t even responded. It’s just the Qipao Miss flailing around…

    I used to like Shen Shu after Xia Chun praised her, but I didn’t expect her to be this kind of person.

    While Shen Shu herself wasn’t bothered by the comments, Tong Jia and the other studio staff were furious. Tong Jia had even gone to talk to Xia Chun’s agent that morning, but he had been evasive, all smiles and polite words, then had disappeared altogether.

    Not wanting to discuss it openly in the group chat, Tong Jia sent Shen Shu a private message.

    Tong Jia: [I’m so frustrated! I asked to speak to Xia Chun directly, and you know what her agent said? “If you want to talk to her, why don’t you go yourself?” Meaning he wants you to talk to Xia Chun about this!]

    Tong Jia: [I’m starting to think Xia Chun’s perfect image is just an act. Does she still have feelings for you? Ugh, I’m so angry!]

    Tong Jia: [I don’t understand what they’re trying to achieve. You’re filming together. If your reputation is damaged, it affects the entire production. How does that benefit Xia Chun?]

    Shen Shu read the messages, lost in thought.

    She remembered Xia Chun’s confession at the hospital, the one Xu Jinnan and Tong Jia had interrupted.

    After Xu Jinnan left, she had returned to Xia Chun’s room and made it clear they had no future together.

    Since then, to avoid any misunderstandings, and also because she genuinely wanted to move on, she had avoided interacting with Xia Chun outside of filming, even rejecting her request for a private conversation and avoiding her whenever possible.

    She sighed softly.

    Xu Jinnan, hearing her sigh, glanced over, noticing her troubled expression. “What’s wrong?”

    Shen Shu hesitated, then briefly explained the situation.

    The online comments, while unpleasant, weren’t as bad as before, and Xia Chun’s agency had no reason to cooperate with the rumors.

    So, Shen Shu wasn’t particularly upset.

    The car stopped at a red light.

    “Have you considered that Xia Chun’s agent might be relaying messages to her?” Xu Jinnan asked, her tone neutral, a subtle question hidden in her words.

    Shen Shu had, of course, considered it.

    She hesitated. “The Xia Chun I knew wouldn’t do this,” she said softly, her voice full of sincerity.

    She had met Xia Chun in college. She had been kind, gentle, and always smiling, just like now.

    But something had changed.

    Regardless of how their relationship had ended, she couldn’t believe Xia Chun would resort to such underhanded tactics to force a meeting.

    The light turned green.

    Xu Jinnan, her gaze fixed on the road ahead, simply said, “Oh.”

    She didn’t know what else to say.

    She didn’t understand their relationship; Shen Shu did.

    Her tone sounded magnanimous, almost indifferent, and Shen Shu glanced at her.

    The sunlight streaming through the window illuminated Xu Jinnan’s face, highlighting the soft downy hairs on her cheeks.

    Her profile was sharp and elegant, her expression cool and composed.

    “Xu Jinnan,” Shen Shu said, the slight upward inflection in her voice making it sound almost playful.

    “Yes?”

    “Are you jealous?”

    Xu Jinnan paused. “…Maybe a little,” she admitted.

    If Shen Shu had pressed her, she would have given a different answer.

    But Shen Shu didn’t ask any further questions, simply turning to look out the window.

    The glass reflected the curve of her lips, the subtle gloss making them look even more alluring.

    Outside, the leaves on the trees lining the road were starting to turn yellow, the colors of autumn a vibrant mix of life and decay, a season of change and renewal.

    —

     

  • The Vicious Female Lead Doesn’t Want to Do It Anymore 82

    Chapter 82: More Please – Love and Stars

    The cameraman was very perceptive. When he arrived with his equipment, he deliberately didn’t film the intimate scene, only starting to record when their actions could be interpreted as those of close friends.

    After settling in, everyone started preparing dinner.

    The guests gathered in a room, enjoying a hot pot, a winter essential.

    This hot pot was different from the ones they were used to, it was called a “fire pot,” with firewood crackling underneath, the special iron pot steaming hot.

    The soup base was made with locally grown vegetables, dried wild mushrooms and herbs collected from the mountains, the flavor rich and savory.

    Dong Ling ladled a bowl of soup and drank it first, the warm and delicious broth flowing down her throat, warming her stomach, making her feel incredibly comfortable in the winter chill, she couldn’t help but give a thumbs-up.

    “The texture of these wild vegetables is so unique.”

    Dong Ling felt like she was eating fish roe-like vegetables, not in terms of taste, but texture, as if they would burst in her mouth.

    “Really? Let me try.”

    Tang Nuo also ladled a spoonful, and after eating it, nodded in agreement.

    “It’s truly special, you guys should try it.”

    Long Ji chewed thoughtfully and said: “I just asked the villagers, they said these wild vegetables grow between rocks, they originally have thorns, after being dried and boiled, the texture becomes very unique.”

    The guests expressed their amazement, Wen Tianzi also scooped some up, but immediately regretted it when she picked it up with her chopsticks, because there wasn’t much left, and she had taken the last piece, Song Jie hadn’t even tried it yet.

    “Xiao Tian, what’s wrong?”

    Ran Lin, sitting next to Wen Tianzi, noticed her hesitation.

    Wen Tianzi, seeing everyone looking at her, answered honestly: “Teacher Song hasn’t tried it yet, but there’s none left.”

    Tang Nuo and Ran Lin exchanged glances, their hearts screaming “Disaster!”

    They didn’t save any for the boss’s wife!

    Tang Nuo, who had eaten two pieces, cried inwardly, her awareness still not good enough.

    Seeing Wen Tianzi’s apologetic look, Dong Ling comforted her: “It’s okay, you can have it, I’ll share with her.”

    Song Mingzhi swallowed the words “I’m not eating” and held her bowl, waiting for Dong Ling to share with her.

    “This is your dipping sauce, it’s better to eat it plain, and I want something spicy, let’s switch.”

    Dong Ling wanted to switch bowls with Song Mingzhi, but Song Mingzhi remained unmoved.

    “You had a stomach ache just the other day, you can’t eat spicy food now.”

    “Just a little bit.”

    “No.”

    Dong Ling pouted and gave up, putting some of the food from her bowl into Song Mingzhi’s.

    The two Canghai Entertainment groups were used to this, Yun Jie smiled politely, Long Ji focused on eating silently, Wen Tianzi almost dropped her bowl.

    Help, seriously, help! So the domineering canary and the adorable CEO trope was real!

    The cameras were rolling! Could this really be broadcast?!

    The production team also wondered, could this really be broadcast? But this was their big boss, CEO Dong, what could they do? They could only let them be.

    After finishing the hot pot, everyone didn’t leave immediately, but continued sitting around the fire, enjoying the winter tranquility.

    This program didn’t have a script, and no one knew what they were supposed to do, so they just chatted casually.

    Yun Jie started the conversation, asking about interesting things that happened during filming, subtly promoting the movie “The Legend of Liang Jin’an,” which was scheduled for release during the Spring Festival.

    Everyone was relaxed, trying their best to be entertaining, after Dong Ling and Song Mingzhi shared some anecdotes, Ran Lin and Tang Nuo also shared their own experiences, Long Ji talked about the inspiration for one of her songs, and Yun Jie talked about an incident she encountered during an interview.

    The cheerful and peaceful atmosphere, mixed with the winter wind and the crackling fire, made everyone feel very comfortable.

    “Xiao Tian, have you encountered anything interesting lately?”

    Dong Ling looked at Wen Tianzi, who hadn’t spoken, thinking she might be feeling reserved because of her lower status and being from a different company, so she encouraged her to speak and get more screen time.

    Wen Tianzi was still inwardly screaming “I’m dead from the sweetness,” when she heard Dong Ling’s voice, she replied a little slowly: “I’ve been staying home, doing nothing, lately.”

    CEO Dong called her Xiao Tian and even specifically cued her, her wife was so beautiful and kind, wuwuwu, no, wait, someone else’s wife.

    Sigh, forget it, who didn’t like someone else’s wife? She was just like Cao Cao.

    My wife, come to me!

    “Being on this show is the most interesting thing that happened to me recently, I get to meet everyone.”

    Wen Tianzi cringed inwardly, she felt her answer was so lame, even after trying to salvage it, it was still awkward, she embarrassed herself in front of her idols.

    “Hahahaha, you’re so cute, I understand, I also stayed home doing nothing when I first started.”

    Tang Nuo pinched Wen Tianzi’s face, helping her dispel the awkwardness.

    Wen Tianzi was very grateful to Tang Nuo for speaking up. Yun Jie then naturally steered the conversation towards everyone’s early career struggles, lamenting the hardships of their younger days.

    Tang Nuo and Ran Lin started from small roles, compared to Tang Nuo being forced to accompany investors for drinks by her previous unscrupulous company, Ran Lin wandered around film studios for several years, even working as a stunt double.

    Yun Jie, when she first started as a reporter, was constantly ordered around by a celebrity’s assistant, and then stood up, she had encountered many strange things. Long Ji, before becoming famous, wrote songs in a damp basement, her knees still ached when it rained.

    Wen Tianzi worked as a trainee for several years without pay, her shining moment was during the talent show, but because of her personality and overlapping image with another member, she didn’t get any resources, and remained unpopular.

    When the topic turned to Song Mingzhi, Yun Jie’s high EQ was on full display, she smiled and asked why Song Mingzhi initially chose to enter this industry.

    After all, everyone knew that Song Mingzhi debuted with a famous director and a good project, Dong Ling had been spending money to promote her, she had endorsements and appearances, she didn’t even care about her long absence from the public eye, and upon her return, she was immediately cast as the female lead in a renowned director’s movie, how could someone like her have a difficult beginning?

    Normally, when faced with this question, people would talk about their passion or dreams or the desire to shine, but Song Mingzhi didn’t answer that way.

    “Partially because I was interested, but the main reason was because someone encouraged me and hoped I would pursue my interests, because of her support, I entered this field without hesitation.”

    As for who this “someone” was, was there a need to elaborate?

    Hearing this, everyone looked at Dong Ling and Song Mingzhi.

    They all thought Song Mingzhi wanted to act, so Dong Ling was promoting her, but it turned out that Dong Ling wanted to see Song Mingzhi act, so Song Mingzhi became an actress.

    Tang Nuo, shocked, pinched Ran Lin’s hand, was this them coming out?

    Yun Jie hesitated, should she block the door or not?

    Wen Tianzi was stunned, she couldn’t handle this level of sweetness, it was a level that ten shots of insulin couldn’t cure, where were the heart-saving pills?!

    Aaaaaaaaaa, what a beautiful love story, you entered the industry for me, I gave you the crown, who dared say this wasn’t real?!

    The only one who seemed out of sync was Long Ji, she said enviously: “You two have such a good relationship.”

    Long Ji didn’t realize the implications, she just thought Song Mingzhi and Dong Ling were very close friends, no wonder Song Mingzhi, despite being a successful businesswoman, would enter this unfamiliar field and become an actress.

    Dong Ling put her arm around Song Mingzhi’s shoulder and said cheerfully: “Of course we have a good relationship.”

    Song Mingzhi saying that made her feel a little embarrassed, it was actually because of the system’s task, but it wasn’t wrong to say that Song Mingzhi hoped for that, setting aside the system, she did want Song Mingzhi to shine in her destined field.

    Long Ji brought her guitar and, in this atmosphere, played an impromptu piece.

    She was truly talented, the music beautiful, a perfect ending to this cozy night.

    Everyone returned to their rooms, the cold wind outside making Dong Ling shiver, she put on the hood of her down jacket, looking like a little penguin, and huddled next to Song Mingzhi as they walked.

    The night sky was like a canvas sprinkled with stars, shining brightly.

    There were no clouds, everything clearly visible, the vastness boundless.

    Song Mingzhi went to her telescope, searching for familiar sights in the vast universe.

    Dong Ling waited obediently, stargazing was a very immersive activity, she wouldn’t disturb Song Mingzhi.

    Song Mingzhi wouldn’t look for too long, if it was going to take a while, she would definitely tell her first.

    Dong Ling looked down at her phone and found a weak signal, the internet was very slow, it took her a long time to load a message.

    But she wasn’t in a hurry to do anything else, so she patiently waited for the webpage to load.

    After a while, Song Mingzhi, holding the telescope, softly called Dong Ling.

    “Baby, come and take a look.”

    Dong Ling immediately put her phone in her pocket, stood where Song Mingzhi had just been, and looked through the telescope.

    The psychedelic red shape looked like…

    “Mingzhi! It looks like a flower!”

    Dong Ling was a little excited, she couldn’t look away, and the hand that wasn’t holding the telescope waved excitedly in the air, then was held by Song Mingzhi.

    “This is NGC 2244, in the Monoceros constellation, located within a molecular cloud complex, it’s called the Rosette Nebula, also known as the Rose Nebula.”

    “I don’t think I’ve ever given you flowers before, if I were to, I would want to give you this never-fading flower, even if we turn to dust, it will still exist.”

    “Do you remember the nebula we talked about before? The one we looked at together?”

    Dong Ling’s gaze had already left the cosmic rose, she nodded at Song Mingzhi’s gentle, clear voice.

    “I remember, the M27 nebula, you said it was the first planetary nebula observed by humans, also one of the brightest, red and blue, very dreamy.”

    Dong Ling’s eyes also seemed to hold stars, her long, loose hair as beautiful as the night sky.

    She kept the things Song Mingzhi shared with her in her heart.

    The beautiful journey of love was always a two-way street.

    “The maximum lifespan of M27 is 9800 years, but my love for you is far longer than that.”

    This long-planned confession, Song Mingzhi finally delivered the rose to her beloved’s eyes.

    Dong Ling cupped Song Mingzhi’s face, their lips meeting, intertwined and lingering.

    Dong Ling murmured: “Watching the stars with you, and watching you with the stars.”

    This was the love language Song Mingzhi spoke to her in her drunken state, and at this moment, Dong Ling felt there were no more fitting words to respond with.

    Under the vast sky, by the cliff’s edge, love and stars.

    Even if they eventually turned to cosmic dust, their romance would be eternal.

  • Female Lead Was Coaxed Away by the Villain Again [Quick Transmigration] 120

    Chapter 120: My Guardian Spirit is Dead (6)

    The next morning, Jiang Zhiyan woke Xie Yunzhi up promptly at six. Xie Yunzhi, with a sullen expression and an unapproachable aura, left the room. A few people who had intended to provoke her, seeing her expression and the floating Jiang Zhiyan, immediately shut up and ran away.

    “What cowards,” Jiang Zhiyan said, speechless.

    Xie Yunzhi’s lips twitched.

    The lessons at the Xie family estate were even more sleep-inducing than her university classes. Xie Yunzhi felt like she was only staying awake through sheer willpower.

    And she really didn’t understand, the things being taught weren’t difficult, why couldn’t the others in the class understand? She felt like she would progress much faster with one-on-one lessons.

    This attitude further displeased the others, but there was nothing they could do. After a morning of classes, the Xie family instructor couldn’t help but look at Xie Yunzhi differently.

    “I’m still alive, but my spirit is dead,” Xie Yunzhi said.

    “Really? I think you’re quite lively,” Jiang Zhiyan said, circling Xie Yunzhi. “I’m going to see what the Xie family is having for lunch.”

    Xie Yunzhi: …

    “They’re eating quite well,” Jiang Zhiyan said, standing outside the kitchen. The System listed the dishes the Xie family had prepared, like a waiter reciting a menu.

    “Indeed, it sounds delicious, I’m getting hungry just listening to it,” Jiang Zhiyan said. Ever since eating barbecue that day, she couldn’t stand not having anything to eat.

    On her way back from the kitchen, Jiang Zhiyan ran into the Xie Family Head, and their eyes met.

    “I want to eat too, prepare a portion for me,” Jiang Zhiyan said.

    The Xie Family Head ignored her and tried to leave.

    Jiang Zhiyan followed him, emanating resentment, and he stopped after walking ten meters, practically gritting his teeth as he said: “I’ll have someone arrange it.”

    Jiang Zhiyan was satisfied.

    The System realized that Jiang Zhiyan was quite shameless.

    “Every meal,” Jiang Zhiyan added.

    The Xie Family Head’s face darkened, he didn’t want to speak, but he had to agree.

    During Xie Yunzhi’s lesson time, Jiang Zhiyan, using the same tactic, gained VIP treatment at the Xie family estate.

    If the Xie family members initially wanted Xie Yunzhi to stay longer, they now just wanted her to leave quickly, taking Jiang Zhiyan with her.

    Jiang Zhiyan demanded a high-quality jade bracelet as tribute. The Xie family tried to seal her inside it, but it didn’t work, and they were even beaten up. After that, they completely gave up.

    After a chaotic day, when Xie Yunzhi expressed her desire to leave early, the Xie family didn’t object and agreed immediately, perhaps because they were afraid of Jiang Zhiyan. They said they would send her scanned copies of the books later.

    So she booked a flight for early the next morning.

    “Thank you for your trouble,” Xie Yunzhi said.

    “No trouble at all, killing two birds with one stone,” Jiang Zhiyan paused. “The Xie family’s food is quite good.”

    “But I don’t want to come back here again, I’ll just reminisce in my dreams.”

    “But I can’t sleep.”

    Xie Yunzhi paused: “Oh, right. Did you take the Xie family’s jade bracelet?”

    “I did, it’s quite comfortable.”

    “Then keep it,” Xie Yunzhi said. She had been wondering whether to buy a new one for Jiang Zhiyan, but then she thought, why spend money when there’s a free one? She had to save money.

    As soon as she boarded the plane, Xie Yunzhi fell asleep, she was truly exhausted.

    However, as soon as she fell asleep, she realized she wasn’t truly asleep, her body was asleep, but her soul was wide awake.

    Buried memories resurfaced, and Xie Yunzhi’s expression twisted for a few seconds. She rubbed her temples, it seemed like she had done something bad, she had mocked other fragments before, as expected, they were all fragments of the same person, so their actions were similar.

    But Jiang Zhiyan was really strange! Constantly saying she liked her, if it weren’t for her subconscious telling her Jiang Zhiyan was a good person, she would have thought she was a pervert.

    The ascended Xie Liaoyi, seeing that almost everyone was present, started the meeting. Xie Yunzhi could feel a strong pull from her, she had clearly absorbed quite a few fragments, and she didn’t know if it was her imagination, but she felt that her divinity was more stable than during the last meeting, even though not much time had passed.

    “I devoured a world consciousness,” her first words were like a bombshell.

    “Huh?”

    Exclamations echoed.

    “It wasn’t intentional, it tried to trip me up, probably didn’t expect me to have ascended,” her tone remained calm. “There hasn’t been any reaction from the Main God yet, I don’t know if they haven’t noticed or if they’re not around.”

    After a few seconds of silence, another fragment spoke: “The Main God is also a god, is it possible for us to separate from the Main God system?”

    “It should be possible, after our accident, we were essentially disconnected from them, but if that’s the case, what about Zhiyan? Do we accompany her on missions until she retires?”

    “She should be able to leave, considering how often she destroys worlds, I think we can negotiate with the Main God and have them release her, and if we all ascend, but can’t take her with us, that would be too pathetic, we’ve already collected seventy percent of the fragments, and communication with most world consciousnesses is smooth, I can almost sense which small world Zhiyan is in.”

    Xie Yunzhi sat quietly and raised her hand: “Then can you come find me first?”

    “Is Zhiyan with you now?”

    “Mm,” Xie Yunzhi nodded.

    Xie Liaoyi Number One thought for two seconds, then shook her head: “I refuse, we’re working separately, there’s no need for both of us to be in the same world, and judging by your situation, you’ve caused trouble again.”

    Xie Yunzhi smiled: “I didn’t cause that much trouble, it’s fine, after we merge back into the main body, we’ll all share the consequences.”

    “That’s not an excuse for your recklessness, be careful.”

    “I don’t want to be reckless, but I can’t remember,” Xie Yunzhi sighed again, thinking about the things she had unconsciously said. “I only remember to save money and become a god, I chanted Jiang Zhiyan’s name so many times, why can’t I remember?”

    “Interference from the world consciousness is normal,” Xie Liaoyi Number One said. “Most world consciousnesses are relatively easy to communicate with, some try to keep our soul fragments, but it’s not a big problem, after I devoured a world consciousness, they’ve all become quite cooperative.”

    “Haha,” Xie Yunzhi gave a couple of dry laughs, she was relieved, but her own pressure hadn’t lessened at all.

    Thinking about meeting Jiang Zhiyan later, Xie Yunzhi couldn’t help but sigh deeply and pat her forehead, she hoped she wouldn’t say anything that would give Jiang Zhiyan leverage again.

    Her consciousness retreated, and she fell asleep, only waking up when the plane landed. She opened her eyes and saw Jiang Zhiyan’s face floating in front of her.

    Xie Yunzhi considered buying economy class in the future, Jiang Zhiyan probably wouldn’t float this close to her if she did.

    “You’re awake?” Jiang Zhiyan asked, looking at Xie Yunzhi expectantly.

    Xie Yunzhi nodded, looking at Jiang Zhiyan, she looked even more familiar now, but the more she tried to remember, the more elusive the memory became, and her head started to ache.

    She looked at Jiang Zhiyan a few more times, feeling irritated.

    “What’s wrong?”

    Xie Yunzhi shook her head: “I feel like I’m so close to remembering who you are.”

    “I’m your wife.”

    Xie Yunzhi felt like Jiang Zhiyan might be telling the truth, but it was too strange without any context.

    As soon as they left the airport, they were stopped by four large men in black. The middle-aged man leading them was wearing a Tang suit and holding a fan. He looked at Xie Yunzhi with a smile: “Miss Xie, please come with us.”

    “Who are you?” Xie Yunzhi asked warily, taking two steps back. “I don’t know you.”

    “My surname is Song, I just want to have a chat with Miss Xie,” he said, his smile seemingly kind, but his aura was oppressive, clearly putting on airs.

    “What does your surname being Song have to do with me? I still don’t know you,” Xie Yunzhi frowned, wanting to leave.

    “Miss Xie,” he said, reaching out to stop her.

    The next second, Xie Yunzhi turned and ran in the opposite direction. The men in black quickly gave chase, attracting the attention of passersby.

    “There’s a police station on the left,” Jiang Zhiyan reminded her.

    Xie Yunzhi immediately changed direction and ran towards the police station.

    If there’s a problem, find the police.

    She knew who these people were, but she didn’t want to go with them, it would be too troublesome, she just wanted to go home and sleep.

    Seeing the police, the men in black stopped, the two sides facing off, many people stopped and watched.

    The old man in the Tang suit from the Song family arrived after a while, seeing the situation, he felt a headache coming on, how did things become like this?

    He brought four men in black just to look more imposing, who knew Xie Yunzhi would be so straightforward, not even giving him a chance to explain properly.

    “It’s a misunderstanding, all a misunderstanding,” he said with a smile, raising his hand. “I just wanted to invite Miss Xie over for a chat.”

    “What misunderstanding? I don’t want to go, and you even sent these people to chase me, I don’t even know you! Blocking people at the airport, is that how you invite someone for a chat? You look like some new type of scammer!” Xie Yunzhi said, standing behind the police, agitated.

    After Song Zhili was taken to the police station, his father was also brought in for questioning.

    After returning home, Xie Yunzhi called her mother and then informed the Xie Family Head, and as Jiang Zhiyan predicted, the Xie family was very unhappy.

    “They won’t bother me anymore, will they?” Xie Yunzhi asked.

    “I’m not sure about the others, but Song Zhili will definitely continue to bother you,” Jiang Zhiyan said.

    “Huh?” Xie Yunzhi looked disgusted. “Why? Is he like a leech?”

    Jiang Zhiyan’s voice, floating in the air, was also ethereal, laced with sarcasm: “I did a divination, you two are a perfect match, destined to be entangled.”

    “I don’t believe in those things,” Xie Yunzhi waved her hand dismissively. “Besides, aren’t you going to be engaged to me? As my future wife, if he comes to harass me again, just send him back to the hospital.”

    “Future wife now, are we?”

    “Isn’t that good? I agree with what you said,” Xie Yunzhi looked up. “But I can’t kiss you, I can’t touch you…”

    “You can actually kiss me, but you’re too weak, wait until you’re stronger, I’m afraid you won’t be able to handle it.”

  • I’m Surrounded by My Own Pets! 210

    Chapter 210: Lian Xing, Transmigrated a Year Early?

    —Cloud Mist Sea, Border—

    A giant white deer in a cloud-like wedding dress galloped across the sky, her passage leaving trails of mist that thickened the fog of Cloud Mist Sea.

    Silver Dragon and the others had to take a Cold Moon Palace tourist airship back to Cloud Mist Sea.

    Lian Xing, however, was riding with Moonwalker back to the palace for… business.

    Perched on the giant deer’s back, Lian Xing felt a strange sense of unease.

    She suspected the very landscape of Cloud Mist Sea was a result of Moonwalker’s daily gallops and exhaust fumes.

    But, seriously, this speed was absurd…

    Even with Unbreakable Heaven’s Ring’s gene modification, Lian Xing couldn’t see the surroundings clearly, everything reduced to white streaks and blurs.

    This was a Guardian’s speed…

    Far beyond Mist Colt’s current capabilities.

    “By the way, Mother, do you see any new possibilities for Mist Colt’s Monarch-Tier evolution?”

    “She’s been stuck at Royal-Tier for too long. Though she’s met the requirements for some basic Monarch forms, they seem too… simple. I don’t want to settle…”

    The white deer in the wedding dress paused, then shook her head with amusement.

    Moonwalker recalled Lian Xing’s confident declaration.

    She had said that if she tried to freeload again, Moonwalker would shatter her bones.

    And now, knowing she couldn’t escape, she was shamelessly asking for help…

    “There are possibilities, of course. But isn’t it good to suppress her evolution?”

    “Let her experience more paths and possibilities. She might even surpass some of the lower-ranked Legends soon.”

    “Or you could defeat those Legends yourself, lowering their rankings.”

    “Of course, with her current rarity, she’s not quite Legend-level yet…”

    “…”

    “…”

    “Transcend… Legends…?” Lian Xing blinked in disbelief.

    Could Legends be replaced?

    Right…

    It was possible!

    Since the Eleventh Zodiac had vanished from the list of Legends, a new Pet Beast must have become the 72nd Legend.

    Lian Xing’s eyes widened in realization.

    Yes, Mist Colt’s rank evolution could wait. The priority was to increase her rarity, to make one of her abilities comparable to a Legend’s!

    Otherwise, even if a low-ranked Legend was removed, Mist Colt wouldn’t necessarily take its place.

    Having offered her advice, Moonwalker, according to their agreement, should now be shattering Lian Xing’s bones.

    But Lian Xing had clearly given up, adopting a carefree, almost invitingly submissive attitude.

    So, Moonwalker would fulfill their agreement upon returning to the palace.

    Lian Xing hadn’t considered capturing Little Moonwalker, not only because her three main combat slots were full, but also because of her… relationship with Moonwalker.

    If she were to capture one, it would be Moonwalker herself, right?

    As for Little Moonwalker, she could be their daughter…

    Moonwalker felt the same.

    She had initially intended to find a daughter-in-law, but she had ended up remarrying.

    Well, remarrying was fine. Little Moonwalker could be left to Lian Xing’s descendants, as long as the family tree didn’t get too messy…

    Under Lian Xing’s nervous yet slightly expectant gaze, Moonwalker suddenly bypassed her palace, continuing in another direction without slowing down.

    Lian Xing blinked in confusion.

    “Huh? Your Highness, aren’t we going back to the palace?”

    “…”

    “…”

    “Oh, sorry, I forgot to tell you.”

    “Remember that phone call I received?”

    “We detected countless unknown Emperor auras at the edge of Cloud Mist Sea.”

    “I suspect a Bubble Pet Beast World has been shattered, its inhabitants flooding in.”

    “Fortunately, none are Myriad-Level, and they haven’t left that area yet. We need to investigate immediately!!”

    “Cough, cough, cough—!!!” Lian Xing coughed, her face flushing crimson.

    Not only from the embarrassment of her dashed expectations, but also from a sudden, incredible thought.

    Just seconds before Moonwalker received the call, Snow Flower and Golden Leaf had automatically returned to her Pet Beast space.

    Lian Xing suspected the Divine Machine had forcibly shut down its server.

    Though it was a shame she couldn’t completely destroy Beast Taming Evolution Duel, this should at least annoy the Divine Machine.

    Now, hearing Moonwalker’s words, Lian Xing had a hunch.

    That Bubble Pet Beast World… probably…

    Uh…

    ***

    Cloud Mist Sea border, a hidden mountainous region.

    The Divine Machine had established Beast Taming Evolution Duel’s node here not only because Cloud Mist Sea was the largest territory in the Moon Soul World, but also because of the abundance of Bubble Pet Beast Worlds in this area.

    It was like Lian Xing’s starting newbie village.

    Once the time was right, after the tenth-anniversary event, the Divine Machine would send all players to a nearby Bubble Pet Beast World, letting them start their journey from a newbie village.

    However, something unexpected had occurred: someone had maliciously sent a Fallen Species into the game.

    This had forced the Divine Machine to prematurely shut down the server during the fourth-anniversary event, sending all registered players to Cloud Mist Sea in the Moon Soul World.

    As for Earth…

    It wasn’t a Bubble Pet Beast World subordinate to the Moon Soul World.

    It was a distant, abandoned world where Pet Essence had long since dissipated.

    There were many such abandoned worlds. Some, having lost their Pet Essence, had seen their human populations dwindle and die out due to infertility.

    But Earth had been fortunate. They had developed a potion that allowed young women to conceive through the exchange of… fluids.

    This was why the Divine Machine had chosen Earth’s humans as players.

    But…

    Now, the Divine Machine was losing control.

    “Where’s my Ancient Species!? Where did it go!?”

    “Why has my Shining Species regressed? Why are all the other Pet Beasts fine, but not my Shining Species!?”

    “My Legend is gone too…”

    “Thank god, at least I can still summon my Legend!!!”

    “Is this a dream? I was just taking a test… I quit this game six months ago!!”

    “Weren’t we just attacked by a Fallen Species? Is this a special fourth-anniversary event?”

    “Even for a special event, shouldn’t it wait until the tournament ends…?”

    Billions of Beast Taming Evolution Duel players gathered, discussing the situation in panicked whispers. Some summoned their Pet Beasts for testing, creating chaos.

    Those who could evolve Shining and Ancient Species were mostly hardcore gamers. More than the strangeness of the event, they were concerned about their Pet Beasts’ regression.

    Hidden among the players, the Divine Machine sighed.

    After a moment of silence, it transmitted a message to all players.

    [Players, listen carefully.]

    [I’ll only say this once.]

    [I am the administrator of Beast Taming Evolution Duel, and also the second-ranked Legend, Divine Machine.]

    [This isn’t a bug. Beast Taming Evolution Duel’s server has been invaded. Not a hacking incident, but someone in my world maliciously sent a Fallen Emperor into my server.]

    [This isn’t an event. Some of you were playing in non-VR mode, others were studying, shopping, watching movies, even… mating, when you were transported here. You’ll realize this if you talk to each other. Even gods couldn’t do this.]

    [Beast Taming Evolution Duel isn’t just a game. It’s a real world. I planned to reveal this on the tenth anniversary, gradually allowing you to summon your Pet Beasts in reality on Earth. But this attack forced my hand.]

    [For those who lost their Shining, Ancient, or Legend species, I’ll compensate you with other evolution data and a Black combat skill. Your evolutions were artificial, not meeting even 1% of the requirements for true special evolution paths. I forcibly triggered them.]

    [I won’t stop those who want to return to Earth. But if you stay, you’ll gain a thousand-year lifespan and real Pet Beasts, capable of flight, teleportation, moving mountains, and parting seas. You can even… experience the real thing with your Married Pet Beasts—]

    [If you want to visit your families on Earth, I’ll set up a portal and lift Earth’s Pet Beast restrictions, allowing others to join. But don’t cause trouble there. If you abuse your power, I’ll send enforcers to deal with you…]

    The Divine Machine had prepared this speech long ago.

    But it was now delivered six years early.

    Silence fell over the players.

    Seconds later, many looked excited.

    Though some were worried or skeptical, 80% of the players were ecstatic, especially the top Emperor-Tier Beast Tamers.

    They couldn’t wait to summon their Emperor Pet Beasts and show off their power to the natives.

    Since Beast Taming Evolution Duel had an 18+ mode, many players had treated it as an erotic game, their Pet Beasts as waifus, finding a second life within it.

    And now, they had actually transmigrated!

    A thousand-year lifespan, superpowers, and real Pet Beasts as companions—it was every fan’s ultimate dream!

    Suddenly, a player raised her hand.

    “Admin, what are those special markers on the virtual map?”

    [Oh right, I must warn you. Avoid those marked locations.]

    [The Four Great Calamities, four Fallen Emperors: Storm, Flood, Drought, and Volcano, marked by red arrows.]

    [The Shining Bipoles, two Shining Emperors, marked by golden spheres.]

    [The Six Guardians, high-ranking Legends, each controlling a territory, marked by blue raindrops. We are currently in the Third Guardian Moonwalker’s territory.]

    [The First Emperor, a Myriad-Level Ancient Species, marked by a white leaf. Its aura fluctuates, often disappearing from the map.]

    [These are the strongest beings in our world. You’re no match for them.]

    As the Divine Machine explained, many players studied the map.

    But the Divine Machine noticed their strange expressions.

    Before it could ask, a player spoke up.

    “Admin, what does it mean when all four colors—white, red, blue, and gold—converge at a single point?”

    [Impossible!]

    “Well, they are…”

    “And it seems… they’re about to overlap with our coordinates?”

    “Star Concubine, Lian Xing…? Hey, isn’t that the one with the twin buns?”

    “Wait, wasn’t Lian Xing dead?”

    As the players murmured, the Divine Machine realized something was wrong.

    But before it could check the map, a terrifying aura descended from the sky.

    “BOOM!!!!!”

    A shockwave erupted, the ground beneath them crushed into a giant deer hoof print.

    As the Divine Machine sensed the terrifying aura and the players watched, their faces pale, a deer woman in a white wedding dress, surrounded by swirling clouds, emerged from the crater.

    Behind her was a white-stockinged girl with golden Mickey Mouse buns and starry eyes.

    The moment they sensed the newcomer’s aura, the Emperor-Tier Pet Beasts within the Emperor-Tier Beast Tamers trembled in fear.

    The players, for the first time, understood the meaning of true power, their faces draining of color, their excitement vanishing.

    Unlike the cold, unfeeling data in the game…

    Facing an insurmountable, despair-inducing presence, they were truly terrified.

    This was…

    A hellish start!

  • Reincarnated as a Holy Nun, I Refuse to Lose! v2c31

    Volume 2: Witch Kingdom Arc

    Chapter 31: Golden Legend

    Luo Yuxi looked at the text on the panel, her previous caution thrown to the wind as the surrounding rubble sank into the ground.

    [Gluttony Witch x1]

    “…”

    Luo Yuxi looked at the little loli she had unearthed, unsure how to react. She tried to put her back, but seeing her large, innocent eyes staring at her curiously, she knew it wouldn’t work. Dorolo, sensing her predicament, asked,

    “Hello, do you have anything to eat…?”

    “Uh…”

    Luo Yuxi’s mind raced, although she maintained a calm facade.

    “She’s talking! She asked for food! Should I tell the truth? If I say no, will she eat me?”

    As Luo Yuxi panicked, the hat on Dorolo’s head gnashed its teeth, as if anticipating a meal.

    “Eat! Eat!! Eat the delicious one!!”

    “Big sister, you look familiar…”

    Dorolo tilted her head, as if trying to remember where she had seen Luo Yuxi before. But just as people sometimes forget what they ate yesterday, Dorolo couldn’t remember the things she had consumed.

    “I forgot, but you smell so good…”

    “Wh-What smells good…?”

    Luo Yuxi wanted to run, but remembering Dorolo’s tentacles, she froze. As she was thinking of a way out, a tentacle slithered up her arm.

    “!!!”

    “Mmm… such a familiar scent. When did I eat this before…?”

    The tentacle, like a tongue licking a lollipop, explored Luo Yuxi’s arm. Luo Yuxi, terrified, couldn’t move.

    “D-Don’t eat me…”

    Luo Yuxi looked at Dorolo, afraid she would lift her skirt and reveal the monstrous tentacles beneath, turning Luo Yuxi into nutrients.

    “I am a bit hungry…”

    “!!!”

    Dorolo, instead of eating Luo Yuxi, looked at the unconscious succubus. She walked over to her hat, picked it up, put it back on, and then approached the succubus. Luo Yuxi didn’t understand what she was planning.

    “That’s… Ruo Li’s familiar…”

    Dorolo lifted her skirt, and dozens of tentacles emerged. As Luo Yuxi watched in horror, the succubus, moaning in pleasure, was dragged into the darkness beneath the skirt.

    “Just magic, not tasty…”

    “Not tasty, not tasty!!”

    Dorolo stuck out her tongue, her hat echoing her sentiment. She turned to Luo Yuxi, and a single glance conveyed her intentions.

    “Can I have a bite~?”

    “!!!”

    [Divine Art: Holy Flame]
    [Divine Art: Heal]

    Luo Yuxi’s body burst into white flames, the soul-burning fire offering a sense of security.

    “Stay away from me!”

    “Hmm? Just one finger? Is that okay~?”

    Dorolo approached, her hat’s teeth glinting, tentacles emerging from her clothes, her cute loli facade gone. Luo Yuxi remembered enjoying Dorolo’s tentacle scenes in the game and mentally facepalmed.

    “No! Don’t come any closer! Help! Doris!!”

    [Unique Magic: Crushing Blow]

    BAM!!!

    A loud explosion echoed through the air. Ruo Li, who had almost fully transformed into her demonic form, was punched into a nearby mountain, the force of the blow creating a tunnel through it. A flash of white light, and Dorolo was sent flying, a long trail etched into the ground.

    “Stay… away… from… her…”

    Luo Yuxi looked at the girl standing before her, her glowing white hair, her blood-red eyes, the familiar furry ears on her head. She hesitantly called out,

    “Doris?”

    “Don’t look at me, Master…”

    “Wait, why are you—?”

    Doris charged at Dorolo again, her power preventing Dorolo from approaching. Luo Yuxi, usually wary of Doris, now felt a sense of safety from her presence.

    “What the heck, this feeling of security, I almost fell for it…”

    [Divine Art: Sensory Enhancement]

    Luo Yuxi cast a minor buff on Doris. She no longer cared about searching the ruins, finding another witch would be a disaster. Why didn’t they just crawl out themselves?

    “Doris! Stop fighting her! Use your speed and get me out of here!”

    Doris, as if hearing her plea, blasted Dorolo away. Ruo Li, having recovered, joined the fight. Even Doris, nearing First Order, couldn’t handle two Deadly Sins at once.

    “Traitors should be prepared to be eliminated…”

    “If you can eliminate me, then go ahead~”

    “You!”

    Ruo Li glared at Doris, who was now showing her beastly traits, then chuckled. Dorolo emerged from the smoke, unharmed by the previous attack.

    “I really dislike you and Greed the most…”

    Doris also found Dorolo troublesome. Her devouring ability, unlike Herolise’s absorption and release, permanently added the consumed power to her own, making her stronger with each bite.

    “I’m leaving, who can stop me~?”

    Doris grabbed Luo Yuxi and, in a flash of white light, tried to escape.

    “Where are you going, my Master~?”

    “Back to the Witch Capital, get Yun Keke and Yu Keke, we can’t stay in the Witch Kingdom anymore…”

    “As you wish~”

    Ruo Li tried to chase after them, but even at her top speed, she couldn’t catch up. Luo Yuxi, watching the scenery blur, finally relaxed. She was about to discuss her plan when everything froze.

    “Doris?”

    “…”

    Luo Yuxi called out, but Doris remained motionless, as if frozen in time. Luo Yuxi realized it wasn’t Doris who had stopped, but the world around them.

    “You seem to be looking for something, or someone? A nun from the Church…”

    Luo Yuxi felt a chill run down her spine as she heard the voice.

  • Reincarnated as a Holy Nun, I Refuse to Lose! v2c30

    Volume 2: Witch Kingdom Arc

    Chapter 30

    Luo Yuxi looked at the witch she had dug out from the rubble. The girl, with her black and white hair and modest chest rising and falling with each breath, remained unconscious, despite being buried under the debris.

    [Amelie]

    Occupation: Witch
    Affiliation: Witch Kingdom
    Skills: ???
    Title: Sloth Witch
    Affection: 60%
    Order Level: 2nd Order

    Luo Yuxi looked at the panel, then at the cute yet lewd girl in her arms, a hot potato she didn’t want to handle. After a moment of hesitation, she gently placed her back on the ground.

    “As long as she doesn’t wake up, there’s no danger. Gently… gently…”

    Luo Yuxi carefully covered Amelie with the rubble again, relieved.

    “Tsk, what bad luck, digging up a witch…”

    Luo Yuxi turned to leave, wanting to distance herself from the ruins, in case she unearthed something even more troublesome. But as she stood up, a hand reached out from the rubble and grabbed her ankle.

    “Oh my, how cruel, digging me up and then leaving me here~!”

    “Ah! It was Doris who destroyed the castle, go find her!”

    Luo Yuxi was startled, a cold sweat running down her back as she looked at the pale hand gripping her ankle. Amelie emerged from the rubble, like a vengeful ghost.

    “I was sleeping so soundly, and you destroyed my favorite bed~”

    Amelie stood up, her appearance a stark contrast to the pristine image Luo Yuxi had seen earlier. Her fair skin was covered in dust, her black and white hair a mess. Luo Yuxi’s fear subsided.

    “And my favorite pajamas…”

    Amelie looked at her torn clothes and started crying. Luo Yuxi felt a pang of guilt. If she hadn’t dug her up, she wouldn’t be in this state.

    “Sorry about that… I can buy you a new set…”

    Luo Yuxi scratched her head, feeling awkward. This Sloth Witch was completely different from the one in the game, a languid beauty with long, alluring legs.

    “You don’t understand! These pajamas are like family to me! I can only truly relax when I’m wearing them!”

    “Is it that serious?”

    Amelie looked at the ruins, then at the two figures fighting in the sky, and went to retrieve her pillow from the pile of salvaged items.

    “There it is…”

    To Luo Yuxi’s surprise, Amelie simply went to a nearby tree, placed her pillow down, and went back to sleep.

    “She doesn’t seem that dangerous…”

    Luo Yuxi, relieved that she wasn’t about to be stripped and “educated,” decided to continue her search. She was curious why Amelie hadn’t reacted to her “assets,” simply returning to her nap. Curiosity killed the cat, so Luo Yuxi continued her treasure hunt.

    [Pride’s self-portrait x1]
    [Pride’s self-portrait x1]
    [Pride’s self-portrait x1]
    …

    “This…”

    After unearthing dozens of self-portraits in various sizes and styles, Luo Yuxi felt mentally exhausted. Just like in the game, she’s so narcissistic.

    “All useless junk. Hopefully, this one isn’t another self-portrait…”

    Luo Yuxi reached into the rubble and felt something soft and fleshy wrap around her hand. It didn’t feel human.

    “What is this…?”

    Curious, she grabbed the fleshy appendage and pulled. It looked like a hat.

    [Gluttony’s hat x1]

    “!!!”

    Luo Yuxi instantly threw the hat away.

    “Good reflexes!”

    She looked at the sticky residue on her hand, realizing it wasn’t a vine, but the hat’s tongue. She shuddered, looking at the hat bouncing on the ground, its sharp teeth glinting in the light. If she had been a moment slower, she would have lost her hand.

    “I’ve died to that hat so many times in the game…”

    Luo Yuxi remembered the CG of the protagonist being swallowed by Dorolo’s tentacles and hat, a scene she had enjoyed, although it increased the protagonist’s lewdness stat and resulted in a “used” expression.

    “I can’t be swallowed…”

    Luo Yuxi reached into the rubble again. The panel that appeared made her freeze, despite her caution.