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  • It turns out, they are the protagonists 159

     Chapter 159: Sister, You Have a Big Problem!

    “Let’s go to that pavilion over there. It’s empty,” Mu Zhi’an said, glancing around the lakeshore. He spotted a suitable location and turned to the Ye sisters.

    They arrived at the pavilion, and he retrieved a pot of tea from his storage ring.

    The commotion at the Pilgrimage Palace had drawn many disciples, leaving the usually bustling plaza relatively deserted.

    “Friend of the Antagonists is still glowing… this is unsettling,” he muttered, staring at the ominous title on his interface.

    He felt a tug on his sleeve.

    He turned to see Ye Lingxuan looking at him hesitantly.

    “What’s wrong, Lingxuan?” he asked, closing his interface and transmitting his voice.

    “I want to tell Qian’er,” she replied.

    Tell her what…?

    He was confused.

    Then, seeing the determination in her eyes, he understood. “You want to tell her about us?”

    She hesitated, then nodded slowly.

    She couldn’t keep this secret any longer. It had been weighing on her conscience, robbing her of sleep and filling her with guilt every time she saw Qian’er. If she continued to hide it, the rift between them would only grow wider.

    He understood her feelings and nodded silently.

    “Alright. We’ll talk to her when we get back,” he replied.

    He was also concerned, especially after witnessing Qian’er hurrying away from Lingxuan’s room earlier.

    Something wasn’t right.

    A suspicion had formed in his mind.

    What if Qian’er already knew about them, but was enduring the pain silently out of love for her sister and him…?

    After all, her behavior had been strange.

    They finished their conversation, and he took a sip of his tea, watching the disciples returning from the Pilgrimage Palace.

    “Brother Mu, what are you thinking about?” Ye Qian asked, looking up at him.

    He snapped out of his thoughts and smiled at her. “I was thinking about you, Qian’er.”

    She blushed. “Don’t be silly,” she mumbled, glancing at her sister.

    He followed her gaze, noting Lingxuan’s lack of disapproval. His eyes softened.

    It seems Lingxuan has accepted my relationship with Qian’er…

    His efforts had paid off. He had gone to great lengths to ensure there wouldn’t be any conflict between the sisters.

    The results were gratifying.

    At least now, Lingxuan no longer objected to him teasing Qian’er.

    He reached under the table and took Lingxuan’s hand in his, then discreetly reached for Qian’er’s soft hand as well.

    Lingxuan’s eyes widened in panic, and she tried to pull away.

    Qian’er, however, didn’t resist. She simply blushed, glancing at him shyly before lowering her eyes.

    Lingxuan is right. Perhaps it’s time to come clean with Qian’er…

    As he pondered this, he sensed a gaze fixed on him from the plaza.

    His heightened senses, enhanced by his cultivation progress and Ye Lingxuan’s Innate Spiritual Body, easily detected the scrutiny.

    He looked up and saw a handsome young man in black robes staring at him intently.

    It was clear that Ye Yu, while leaving the Jade Glass Palace, had witnessed his “scumbag” behavior.

    Ye Lingxuan, clad in her purple dress, was a vision of elegance and beauty. Her delicate features, framed by a stray strand of hair, held both the grace of a classical beauty and the innocence of youth.

    Ye Qian, in her light jacket and dark blue skirt, possessed a slender figure and a blossoming bosom that accentuated her curves. Her face was youthful and charming, a faint blush adding a touch of allure.

    They were a pair of stunning beauties, each desirable in their own way.

    And Mu Zhi’an… was pursuing both of them!

    Ye Yu’s hand clenched into a fist as he recalled the sight of Mu Zhi’an teasing his sisters, whispering in Qian’er’s ear and making her blush, then turning to Lingxuan and blowing on her earlobe, earning him a playful glare.

    He abandoned his plan to visit the Pilgrimage Palace and marched towards them.

    He had to make his sisters see Mu Zhi’an’s true colors!

    However, as he approached, Mu Zhi’an seemed to sense his presence. He quickly released their hands and cleared his throat, his expression turning innocent.

    “Is something the matter, Young Master Ye?” he asked calmly.

    He was a master of disguise, switching from “scumbag” to “gentleman” in an instant.

    Ye Yu’s anger flared. “What were you doing?!” he spat, glaring at Mu Zhi’an.

    Ye Lingxuan also noticed him, her cheeks still flushed. “Brother Ye Yu, is something the matter?” she asked, her voice cool and distant.

    “Young Master Mu, aren’t you going too far?” Ye Yu pressed, his gaze fixed on Mu Zhi’an.

    “What do you mean?” Mu Zhi’an feigned confusion.

    “Lingxuan and Qian’er are my sisters. They’re free to choose their own partners. However, if I’m not mistaken, you already have a Dao Companion,” Ye Yu said coldly.

    Mu Zhi’an’s eyes widened innocently. “Don’t be ridiculous. Lady Bai is a dear friend.”

    “What about Qian’er and Lingxuan?” Ye Yu pressed, trying to trap him.

    Both sisters looked at Mu Zhi’an.

    He turned to them, his voice softening. “They’re my precious sisters.”

    Sisters… Lingxuan frowned, displeased, but she kept her emotions in check.

    Qian’er, however, seemed delighted, her expression brightening.

    Ye Yu noticed their reactions. He glared at Mu Zhi’an and scoffed. “You’re just friends with Bai Ruoxi? Then why did you cultivate with her?”

    Mu Zhi’an frowned. “Young Master Ye, I’m a devoted person.”

    Ye Yu’s gaze turned icy. “I just saw you being intimate with both my sisters! Is that what you call devotion, Young Master Mu?”

    “You’re deceiving Qian’er and Lingxuan, two-timing them behind their backs. That’s devotion?!”

    “Only a scoundrel like you would engage in such despicable behavior!”

    His words, filled with righteous indignation, struck a chord with Ye Lingxuan. Her usual gentle smile vanished, replaced by a troubled frown.

    Ye Yu might have intended his words as an attack on Mu Zhi’an, but they inadvertently struck Lingxuan as well.

    After all… she was the one deceiving her sister and being intimate with the man Qian’er loved.

    She was the one hurting Qian’er.

    Ye Yu retrieved a pill from his storage ring. “This pill can detect lies within half an hour. If you dare to deny your actions, Young Master Mu, consume this pill.”

    Whether Mu Zhi’an accepted the pill or not, he had already lost.

    If he refused, it would confirm his guilt.

    And Qian’er and Lingxuan would be disappointed in him.

    But if he consumed the pill, Ye Yu could then expose his true nature through clever questioning.

    He was in a win-win situation!

    Mu Zhi’an pondered for a moment, then chuckled. “How about you consume one as well, Young Master Ye?”

    “Then I’ll ask you if you have any feelings for Qian’er or Lingxuan. How about that?”

    He chose mutually assured destruction.

    We’re all lustful creatures. Why are you pretending to be a saint?

    Just because someone claims to be devoted to one person doesn’t mean they have no feelings for others. They simply keep those feelings hidden.

    Mu Zhi’an, however, embraced his desires openly.

    Sister, sister, I want them all!

    Ye Yu’s face darkened.

    Even he couldn’t deny having feelings for Lingxuan and Qian’er.

    As Mu Zhi’an had guessed, they were all the same.

    If he consumed the pill and Mu Zhi’an tricked him with his questions, his image in Lingxuan’s eyes would be tarnished even further.

    “Brother Ye Yu, please leave,” Ye Lingxuan said, her voice firm. “I’m aware of the situation.”

    He turned to her. “Lingxuan, Mu Zhi’an was being intimate with both you and Qian’er—”

    “I know,” she interrupted, her voice soft but resolute.

    Her words silenced him.

    “We don’t have time. We need to go to the Pilgrimage Palace,” the old man’s voice urged.

    Reluctantly, Ye Yu realized he had to prioritize the bigger picture. He clenched his fist, then turned to leave. As he did, he transmitted his voice to Mu Zhi’an.

    “Many will come for you now that the Heavenly Dao Aura has been exposed. I hope you enjoy my gift.”

    Mu Zhi’an pondered for a moment, then replied, “Your sisters are the real gift. I’ll take good care of them for you, brother-in-law. Don’t worry.”

    Ye Yu froze, then stormed off, his anger barely contained.

    The opportunity at the Pilgrimage Palace was his priority… He would deal with Mu Zhi’an later.

    Yes… once he obtained the opportunity at the Pilgrimage Palace, he would make Mu Zhi’an pay at the Immortal Ascension Ceremony in a month!

    Mu Zhi’an wouldn’t be able to refuse participating. As an inner disciple, he was obligated to represent the Book Pavilion!

    And then… they would settle their score.

    He didn’t notice Mu Zhi’an watching him depart, a thoughtful expression on his face.

    He knew that Ye Yu harbored a powerful old man within him. Surely, that old man was aware of the danger at the Pilgrimage Palace.

    So why was Ye Yu going there?

    Did the old man fail to stop him?

    Or… was he the one who sent him?

    If it was the latter… did that mean there was truly an opportunity within the Pilgrimage Palace?

    As Mu Zhi’an pondered this, Ye Lingxuan seemed to have made up her mind. She turned to her sister, her gaze filled with a mixture of love and apprehension.

    “I’m sorry, Qian’er.”

    Qian’er looked up at her, confused.

    Lingxuan hesitated, her heart pounding.

    She knew the consequences of revealing the truth… but it was time to end this charade.

    The usually calm and composed girl felt a surge of nervousness, her hand clenching tightly beneath the table.

    Whatever her sister’s reaction, she would accept it…

    She met Qian’er’s gaze, her voice soft. “I… I love Brother Mu.”

    Silence descended upon them.

    Mu Zhi’an watched Qian’er, ready to grab her if she tried to flee.

    She stared at Lingxuan, her eyes wide with shock.

    Lingxuan hesitated, about to explain further.

    “I know,” Qian’er said softly, silencing her.

    She glanced at Mu Zhi’an, then transmitted her voice to her sister. “I like watching you and Brother Mu together.”

    Lingxuan froze, her head snapping up.

    “…Eh?”

  • As a villain, I just want them to behave 96p2

    Chapter 96: I Both Manipulate Hearts and Fabricate Lies p2

    After a delightful dinner, Kailun and Afra went back to their room first. Winnie helped Chrissy follow behind them.

    “Why are there so many water stains on your chair?”

    When Chrissy stood up, Winnie asked, puzzled.

    Chrissy blushed, “Don’t ask. It’s just that the weather is cold, and the water seeped out of the wood.”

    Winnie: “???”

    She wasn’t stupid. Why was the Holy Maiden lying to her?

    ‘As expected of the Holy Maiden. She knows more than people from this remote kingdom.’

    Knight Shirley, who had just been tied to the cross in the living room, looked enlightened when she heard this.

    After Chrissy and Winnie went into their rooms, they heard Kailun’s voice.

    “I wonder if Holy Maiden knows how to dance?”

    Chrissy said, “No, the Holy Maidens of the Divine Temple don’t learn that.”

    “What a pity. If you knew how to dance, I might give you a chance to escape. After all, I like to watch people dance.”

    Kailun turned on the lights in the room and said regretfully, “Sister Afra, help me tie Chrissy up. Just hang her by the bed later.”

    “Okay!”

    Afra’s voice suddenly came from behind Chrissy.

    “What are you trying to do?!”

    As soon as she asked, she felt dizzy. Her entire body was bound, like a crab.

    Her hands were behind her back, and her legs were spread open by the ropes. She looked like a frog crawling on the ground, incredibly embarrassing. All her springy beauty was completely exposed to everyone.

    “Release me! If you dare to defile me, the Pope will never forgive you.
    I’m a representative of the Divine Temple, a candidate for the Pope. You can’t do anything strange to me.”

    A huge fear devoured Chrissy’s sanity. Afra lifted her and brought her to the edge of the bed where Kailun was sitting.

    Under Chrissy’s terrified gaze, Afra used another rope to connect to the load-bearing structure on the ceiling, making a simple rope swing. She slowly lifted Chrissy up.

    Chrissy faced Kailun and her back was to Winnie. The latter, after seeing the Holy Maiden’s front, couldn’t help but widen her eyes.

    She couldn’t believe how revealing Chrissy was dressed.

    She couldn’t help but ask, was the Holy Maiden of the Divine Temple really a symbol of purity?

    Kailun, sitting by the bed, pressed his hand on Chrissy’s shoulder and said softly, “At this point, do you still hope that the Divine Temple will rescue you?
    Don’t think about it. Do you know why the previous Holy Maiden escaped? Because your dear Pope wanted to harm her!”

    “What do you mean?” Chrissy was briefly distracted.

    Taking advantage of this opportunity, Afra, holding a pen, secretly wrote a check mark on Chrissy’s thigh.

    She had said before that she would bully Chrissy. This writing was already very stimulating for her. This was the first time she had written a check mark on someone else’s leg. In the past, it was always Kailun who wrote check marks on her and Winnie’s legs.

    “Mmm~”

    Every time Afra put down her pen, Chrissy’s body trembled. It felt itchy, as if there was a kitten scratching her heart.

    “I think you should know about the Temple’s inheritance. So, I’m making a hypothesis. Since the previous Holy Maiden could pass on her strength to the next Holy Maiden.
    Doesn’t that mean that all Holy Maidens can dedicate their strength to your female Pope and Emperor?”

    Kailun’s gaze never left Chrissy’s. He constantly used his aura to pressure her mental defenses.

    “Impossible. This secret technique can only be used once. Using it again will consume a lot of life force. If you’re unlucky, you might even die directly.”

    Chrissy shook her head frantically. Kailun’s words gave her a bad feeling.

    Kailun: “Then I ask you, where did the previous Holy Son and Holy Maiden go?”

    Chrissy quickly replied, “They went to the bodyguard unit. It’s the Pope’s direct force.”

    “Very good. Then, after this Pope took office, did you see any Holy Maidens in her direct force?”

    Kailun gently stroked Chrissy’s head, “I think the answer is no. You might see the previous Holy Sons, but you won’t see the previous Holy Maidens.
    After all, the current Emperor and Pope are both women. They need to consume a lot of previous Holy Maidens to grow to 9th-rank. So, naturally, you won’t see them.
    As for why the previous Holy Maiden escaped?
    It’s obvious. Would she stay and wait to die? So, she escaped with her secret and naturally became a wanted criminal of the Divine Temple. Don’t you think I’m right?”

    Kailun spoke a lot of words. With every word, he increased his aura, using silent mental pollution to break down her defenses.

    “No, you’re lying. You’re definitely lying.”

    Chrissy shook her head frantically. She didn’t want to accept reality. The attacks from several sides had made her doubt things she shouldn’t have.

    【Your words have made Chrissy doubt the Divine Temple. She can’t distinguish between reality, but she hates you even more. Favorability -5, Total Favorability -95】

    “If that’s the case, let’s see how the Temple responds to you.”

    As he spoke, Kailun gave Winnie a look, asking her to bring over the communication device that Chrissy had hidden.

    Chrissy: “!!!”

    She hadn’t finished dealing with the previous message when she received a large number of new messages.

    “You naive Holy Maiden, you don’t think I know you’re carrying a communication device, do you?”

    Kailun leaned close to Chrissy’s face and gently wiped her tears.

    “What are you trying to do? Tell me, okay? As long as you tell me, I’m willing to use this body to fulfill all your wishes.”

    Chrissy was close to breaking down.

    Kailun chose to refuse, “No, I need you to see the truth with your own eyes.”

    A beautiful girl like Chrissy would probably produce a lot of holy water when she cried, right?

    Winnie found Chrissy’s communication device and the bloody cloth in the bathroom. She handed both to Kailun.

    Kailun stuffed the bloody cloth into Chrissy’s mouth and activated the communication device in his hand.

    With a flash of white light, new information appeared. When Kailun extracted them onto a piece of paper, Chrissy saw the content.

    It was clearly two different magic letters. The first was from the Holy Son, and the second was from the Pope.

    【Holy Son: Wait for me. We’re on our way to the Xiya Kingdom. It’ll take us about three or four days. When we arrive, we’ll definitely rescue you. Even if you die, I’ll still preserve your body well. I… I can’t live without you.】

    【Pope: The Divine Temple will remember your sacrifice. Your name will be engraved on the Temple’s pillar of honor. My poor child.】

    “Click!”

    Looking at the two letters in front of her, Chrissy felt as if something in her heart had shattered.

    She had been abandoned by the Divine Temple?

    Didn’t the Pope say she wouldn’t abandon anyone? Why was she abandoned like this?

    Sadness, despair, grief, and a never-before-felt anger burned wildly in Chrissy’s heart.

    Through Kailun’s words and his proof, Chrissy believed that what Kailun said was probably the truth.

    Even if it wasn’t the truth, it didn’t matter. At least she had been abandoned, abandoned by the Pope, whom she respected and loved most.

    As everyone knew, the content of magic letters couldn’t be faked. The words on them were irrefutable evidence.

    The image of the Pope in her memory completely collapsed.

    In her new memory, the Pope was no longer a kind person. She was just a cold person who didn’t care about her.

    【Chrissy’s pure heart has been tainted with darkness. She resents you for tearing open her wounds. Favorability -4, Total Favorability -99】

    “Tsk!”

    When he got the final result, Kailun clicked his tongue in disappointment. He was still a little short of true despair.

    He had played all his cards. The attempt had failed.

    It was an expected result. He could accept it.

    Kailun stood up from the bed and stretched. He looked at Chrissy, whose face was level with his abdomen, “Since I’ve helped you answer your questions, it’s your turn to answer mine.
    As a normal person, I’m curious whether holy water is as magical as the rumors say.
    To test this topic, I’ll taste everything you have. But before that, we need to let fate make a choice.”

    As he spoke, Kailun pushed Chrissy, making her spin in front of him, supported by the rope.

    He didn’t know how many times she spun left and right. In the end, she was facing Kailun again.

    In her dizziness, she lifted her head and looked at Kailun with vacant eyes, as if waiting for his next order.

    It seemed that he had to seriously complete the task of filling the Holy Maiden.

    He sighed softly, took the cloth out of her mouth, untied his robe, held Chrissy’s head, and slowly connected with her.

    In Kailun’s perception, Chrissy’s holy water was no different from the saliva of ordinary girls. Her advantage was just that she had more and it was smoother.

    Chrissy’s favorability didn’t decrease again when he bullied her so intensely.

    The result was consistent with Kailun’s expectations. At this point, even if he directly took Chrissy’s purity, it wouldn’t make her hate him more. -99 was the limit he could achieve tonight.

    From now on, her favorability would only increase because of mental pollution. If he was lucky, maybe he could brush it up to +99 before the Holy Son arrived.

    As for the Pope’s reply, it was more interesting than Kailun had guessed.

    【Divine Temple: Sorry, the Pope is in seclusion and cannot receive external messages. But don’t worry, Holy Maiden. The Pope will rescue you, no matter the cost. After all, you are special to her.】

    Seeing this reply, Kailun felt that he had even more room to maneuver.

    But Chrissy was still more important. The night was long. This was just the beginning.

  • As a villain, I just want them to behave 96p1

    Chapter 96: I Both Manipulate Hearts and Fabricate Lies p1

    “One day, you will be bound to a cross and cut into a thousand pieces by the Temple. You will be tortured for a hundred years.”

    Holy Maiden Chrissy cursed Kailun. Slandering the Pope was the one thing she couldn’t tolerate.

    The most severe punishment in the Divine Temple was to be cut into a thousand pieces for a hundred years. High-level healing magic ensured that the criminal would experience the ultimate pain every day.

    “Don’t say ‘one day.’ You won’t even make it through tonight.”

    Kailun said with a look of disgust, placing the torn stockings on Chrissy’s head. Even though he had tried to wipe them off, he couldn’t remove the dust from her face.

    Seeing Kailun’s disgusted look, Chrissy was even more furious.

    If she hadn’t been slower than Kailun, she would have used her foot to kick him in the face.

    After throwing the pitiful Chrissy into the corner, Kailun stood up and looked at Isabella, who was watching the spectacle, “By the way, have you used your divination today? Help me divine whether the Holy Maiden’s reinforcements have been dispatched.”

    Isabella instinctively took a step back, “Why do you know I can divine once a day?”

    This was her secret. Her first divination of the day would be very accurate.

    “You can guess. If you guess correctly, I’ll tell you. Also, don’t use your divination randomly these days. I have a big use for it.
    As an ally, I believe you’ll agree to my request, right?”

    Kailun smiled at Isabella.

    “Isabella? Is this little one the legendary Pure Desire Maiden?”

    Chrissy looked at the petite Isabella and smiled for the first time, “No way. Is that all it takes to be called a Desire Maiden? Are the people at the Loya Ball joking?”

    As representatives of large forces, the representatives of each faction were often in a competitive relationship.

    Chrissy, who was very confident in her own beauty, naturally also considered the legendary Pure Desire Maiden as a comparison target. But this was the first time she had seen her in person.

    Isabella looked at Chrissy coldly, “…”

    Chrissy successfully offended Isabella with one sentence. She mimicked Vivian and bared her teeth, “I’m willing to help you. I want to see the Divine Temple’s troops wiped out.”

    She finally understood why Kailun always had a playful expression when he bullied others.

    If she could, she would also bully Chrissy mercilessly.

    She took out a gold coin she often used for divination, tossed it in the air, and as a faint magical wave emanated, the coin spun and landed on the back of her hand, facing up.

    Isabella said, “The divination is complete. They have already dispatched troops. They are not weak, but they are far away.”

    The divination result once a day provided relatively accurate information. That was why she had been able to pinpoint Kailun’s location in such a short time.

    “That’s about what I expected. The one coming is probably Kailson. As for the others, they shouldn’t be able to arrive for now.” Hearing Isabella’s divination result, Kailun didn’t feel any pressure.

    If it had been before, he would have had to think of other ways to seek help. But after receiving the friendship sponsorship from the Holy Maiden and the Holy Son, he could make bolder decisions.

    Hearing Kailun and Isabella’s exchange, Holy Maiden Chrissy could no longer smile. She swallowed, uneasily asking, “Have you already formed an alliance with the Loya Ball?”

    Kailun waved his hand, “Don’t talk nonsense. How could I form an alliance with the Loya Ball? Besides, I’ll sue you for slander.”

    This sentence sounded like a confirmation of an alliance to Chrissy. In her eyes, it seemed as if a huge conspiracy was looming over the Divine Temple.

    Thinking about it carefully, if what Kailun had said before was true, then it meant that he was not only a spy for the Abyss but also an ally of many large organizations.

    They were plotting a conspiracy to destroy the Divine Temple and change the world…

    It was terrifying to think about. The fact that Kailun could discuss these matters in front of her meant that he was incredibly confident in his success.

    The more she thought about it, the more worried Chrissy became. She was afraid that she would become part of the destruction of the Divine Temple.

    Kailun was a demon. She had come to terms with this fact.

    “You won’t let her go later, will you?” Isabella looked at Kailun and then at Chrissy.

    She was worried that Kailun would give in to the pressure from the Divine Temple and release Chrissy. If that happened, her cooperation with Kailun would be exposed.

    “Normally, I wouldn’t. Unless the Divine Temple gives me a price I can’t refuse. With Chrissy’s fame, it would have to be a few million gold coins, right?”

    Kailun stroked his chin, genuinely considering it.

    If the Divine Temple really had that kind of financial power, he wouldn’t mind releasing Chrissy to be a spy.

    For him, turning Chrissy into his person within a short period of time wouldn’t be a problem.

    “A few million gold coins…”

    Hearing the price Kailun quoted, Chrissy was silent.

    A few million gold coins was a huge number for the Divine Temple. Although they could afford it, Chrissy would feel guilty if the Temple spent so much money because of her.

    She was worried that the Pope would dislike her for it. For Chrissy, the young Pope was like a mother figure.

    To protect her secret, she didn’t even dare to think about suicide. She could only wait for a rescue while enduring humiliation.

    No, a rescue wouldn’t be good either. This demon, Kailun, was using a strategy of encirclement and relief.

    Chrissy buried her head in her knees. She was thinking about how to escape Kailun’s sight and send the intel.

    Time passed slowly. Half an hour later, Afra, who had finished bathing, walked out of her room in simple home clothes.

    Her hair was still damp, fresh and natural. Even Kailun couldn’t help but run over and hug her, rubbing her a few times, “You’ve worked hard today. It should be much easier from now on.”

    “I’m a knight. The battlefield is my destiny.” Afra retorted.

    “Wrong. The battlefield isn’t. My arms are your destiny.” Kailun pinched her face, unhappy.

    “I…” Afra wanted to say something else, but under Kailun’s threatening gaze, she nodded obediently, “I understand.”

    She had always spoiled Kailun. To this end, she could even abandon her pride as a knight.

    She might not say much, but she was the one who had been by Kailun’s side for the longest time.

    “My wife is the most obedient. Come here, give me a kiss.”

    As a shameless person, Kailun kissed Afra’s alluring lips, which were still damp, in front of everyone.

    Soft, sweet. It was a taste that could make someone happy for a whole day.

    Faced with Kailun’s bold behavior, even Afra, who was as cold as a winter plum blossom, felt a little shy. A faint blush appeared on her arrogant little face.

    “Mmm~”

    Maid Carol, who was holding a magic scroll and had just walked out of the room, saw this scene and felt a little jealous.

    With the regular magic instruction and intimate contact, her favorability towards Kailun had risen to 94, far exceeding the level where she could be enjoyed.

    Perhaps sensing Carol’s gaze, Kailun released Afra, who was dazed, and beckoned to Carol.

    She hesitated for half a second before walking over to Kailun, holding the magic scroll.

    “I didn’t expect my Carol to have reached the age of first love. But I’m always fair. Since I kissed Afra, I won’t be partial.”

    Kailun lifted her smooth, tender chin and kissed her unexpectedly, unexpectedly gaining a little favorability. Her total favorability reached 95.

    After kissing Carol, Kailun raised his head and proudly surveyed the room, “Anyone else want to? I can fulfill your wishes.
    Vivian, do you want to?”

    “No, I don’t have that kind of worldly desire.” Vivian quickly hid behind Isabella.

    “What about Isabella?” Kailun asked again.

    The latter shook her head repeatedly, turned around, and ran behind Vivian.

    As for the remaining Winnie and Chrissy, Kailun simply skipped over them.

    Seeing that there were no other targets, Kailun leaned close to Carol’s ear and whispered something. After a simple explanation, Carol quickly took Chrissy to his room.

    About ten minutes later, Carol carried a bamboo basket and placed it on the table. It was filled with things she had searched from the Holy Maiden’s clothes. Chrissy was currently soaking in the bathtub, completely naked.

    At Kailun’s request, Carol had made Chrissy undress before entering the bathroom. So, the Holy Maiden’s remaining clothes were left in the basket outside.

    “This small bottle contains something that should be a poison. The other one is a convenient communication device.
    As for this piece of cloth that’s still warm, it’s naturally her underwear. I didn’t expect the Holy Maiden to like white. I’ve learned something new.”

    Kailun found some important things in the basket, which still had residual warmth. He replaced the pills in the small bottle with ordinary candies.

    He made simple modifications to the portable communication device. This way, any magic letters Chrissy sent out would be intercepted once. And he would be able to intercept them, modify the content, and resend them.

    At the same time, he could also receive letters from others that were sent to Chrissy, modify them again, and then have Chrissy receive them.

    This was a technology that had been born in the Abyss years later. Kailun had learned this trick because of the fox. It was just that he hadn’t used it until now.

    For the current Chrissy, she would believe the content she saw without a doubt.

    After doing all this, Kailun put Chrissy’s things back in their original place and had Carol send them back.

    “Bang, bang, bang!”

    Listening to the sound of footsteps fading away outside, Chrissy’s heart was filled with unease.

    After confirming that Carol wouldn’t come back, she secretly tiptoed to the door, naked.

    She gently opened the bathroom door and carefully observed through the crack for a while. After confirming that the bedroom outside was empty, she tiptoed out.

    Chrissy’s snow-white skin was incredibly eye-catching in the room. It was impossible to look away.

    Tiny drops of water slid down her hair, flowed over her delicate collarbones, passed her full breasts, and then flowed down her slender abdomen, eventually dripping to the ground along her perfect long legs.

    She quickly realized her mistake. She reduced her body movements so that fewer drops of water would fall to the ground.

    Carefully squatting beside the basket, she first took out her communication device.

    Since she didn’t have paper and pen to write with, she needed a medium that could leave a trace.

    After thinking for a long time, she reached into the basket, took out her underwear, and returned to the bathroom.

    Enduring her shame, she held the communication device in one hand and dipped the other hand in hot water, writing on the white fabric. But the color of the water stains was too light, so they couldn’t be seen.

    So, Chrissy had to bite her finger, enduring the pain.

    “Kailun is a spy for the Abyss. He has contact with large organizations like the Loya Ball. He intends to do something wicked to the Divine Temple.
    Be careful of the Abyss’s ambush when you come to rescue me. He wants to use me as bait.”

    After writing a few simple words, Chrissy quickly pressed the fabric against the communication device. To activate it with enough magic power, Chrissy poured her magical blood into it.

    With a flash of white light, the text on the fabric was transmitted.

    “It hurts so much…”

    Chrissy looked at her injured finger pitifully. This was the first time she had been so seriously injured since she was a child.

    If not for Kailun, she wouldn’t have ended up like this. She wanted to retaliate against Kailun, but she couldn’t kill him.

    She thought for a moment. It seemed that she could only use the poison she carried with her to torment Kailun. But then she thought again, she could cure the poison herself. Kailun would only have to beat her up to get the antidote. So, it would be almost useless.

    For the first time, Chrissy thought that holy water was a bad thing.

    After hiding the bloody cloth in the corner, Chrissy returned to the bathtub.

    When the hot water cooled slightly, she got out of the bathroom, naked. This time, she saw clothes and a towel prepared for her by Carol beside the basket.

    After quickly wiping off the water droplets on her body, she looked at the clothes in front of her and fell into thought.

    In front of her was an incredibly revealing skirt and a white top that exposed her navel. She looked carefully several times, but she couldn’t find any underwear.

    Chrissy: “…”

    She couldn’t wear her underwear again because it was stained with blood. So, Chrissy could only endure her shame and put on the revealing skirt and the cool top.

    She felt a chill under the skirt. Every step she took gave her a great sense of insecurity.

    The skirt, which barely covered her buttocks, exposed her bottom line with every step she took. The top, which exposed her navel, was tightly wrapped around her full breasts, making the two points in front very prominent.

    There was a three-finger-wide hole just below her chest, allowing people to see the scenery and valley of her southern hemisphere.

    The worst part was that a pair of black stockings and a leg ring were placed beside the basket. She had looked, and there was only one stocking.

    This wasn’t something she could wear outside. It was clearly a sexy outfit. She would rather wear her old, dirty clothes than wear such indecent clothes in public.

    “Master wants you to go eat. He said that if you don’t go out within ten seconds, he’ll come and get you himself.”

    Just as Chrissy was about to change her clothes, Carol pushed open the door and conveyed Kailun’s orders.

    “Oh, right. Master also said that his way of asking people to do things is unique. He usually undresses them and throws them out.”

    Hesitating, Chrissy heard Carol’s voice again.

    “I know! I know!”

    Chrissy, furious, put on her stockings and leg ring and followed Carol to the living room.

    The whole time, she used her left arm to cover the bulge in her clothes, and her right hand to pull at the hem of her skirt.

    This reduced the possibility of her skirt showing, but it also exposed more of her curves, which extended to her thighs. It seemed like if she pulled it down a little more, she would reveal her bottom line.

    “Come over and eat. Otherwise, you’ll get dizzy from being too hungry at night.”

    Kailun casually put away the communication device on the table.

    Everyone was already sitting at the large round table, except for the seat opposite Kailun.

    Chrissy gritted her teeth and sat down opposite Kailun under everyone’s strange gazes. Feeling the coldness of the wooden stool directly against her butt, she couldn’t help but shed a few tears.

    “Oh my, you’re so wasteful. Holy water is a thousand-gold antidote. Winnie, quickly use the cup to catch it. Don’t waste it.”

    Seeing the tears sliding down the Holy Maiden’s face, Kailun quickly instructed Winnie to use a cup to catch them.

    “Oh, oh!” The latter nodded repeatedly, picking up a cup and placing it under Chrissy’s face.

    Chrissy: “…”

    【Because of her resentment towards you, Chrissy doesn’t want you to get the holy water. She plans to stop crying. Favorability -2, Total Favorability -87】

    Winnie, who had only gotten a few drops of tears, put the cup back on the table with a look of regret. She was incredibly curious about this Holy Maiden. After all, she was a great figure from the rumors.

    She never imagined that she would one day have contact with such a great figure and be played with together. This feeling was quite extraordinary.

    During the formal dinner, there were only a few conversations at the table. Because she was sitting on a chair, Chrissy could use her right hand to eat.

    Since she had to wait for a rescue, she had to eat her fill. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have the strength to run away. Chrissy understood this clearly.

    “Hmm~”

    But in the middle of eating, Chrissy gasped and slumped onto the table.

    “What’s wrong?” Winnie, who was sitting next to her, asked unconsciously.

    “No… nothing. My stomach just feels a little uncomfortable.”

    Chrissy sat up straight, forcing down the strange feeling. Just now, a foot suddenly landed on her leg and even went under her skirt, touching her tender heart.

    The impact was almost enough to make Chrissy lose herself. The feeling of floating in the clouds made her limp.

    Under the tablecloth, the table was a whole other world, unknown to others.

    【Because of your presumptuous and vulgar actions, Chrissy’s favorability has decreased again. Favorability -3】

    Not bad. It had already reached -90. As for whether she could touch the line of despair, that remained to be seen.

    Kailun enjoyed Carol and Afra’s feeding while using his toes to tease the Holy Maiden’s sensitive nerves, repeatedly jumping up and down on her soft spots.

    It was as if he was constantly provoking Chrissy, saying, “Come and eat me. If you dare, open your mouth wide and eat me!”

    The pure Holy Maiden was still too conservative. She silently ate the steak on her plate, tears welling up in her eyes.

    She chose to endure silently, rather than let everyone know what bad things Kailun had done.

    But Winnie, who was good at managing things, put the cup under Chrissy’s face again when she saw her crying.

    “We can’t waste it.” Winnie said with conviction.

    ‘These people are hopeless!’

    Roaring in her heart, Chrissy produced more holy water.

    Seeing this, Kailun nodded in satisfaction. That’s right. It would be a waste not to use a Holy Maiden who produced so much water to produce holy water.

    He could tell roughly how much water the Holy Maiden had stored just by wiggling his toes.

  • As a villain, I just want them to behave 95

    Chapter 95: Research Topics

    The sound of cannon fire from the main battlefield in the distance gradually subsided. In just a few tens of minutes, nearly one hundred thousand gold coins had turned into fireworks in the sky.

    Suppressing their psychological defenses with the most absolute firepower was the key step. Only then could their losses be minimized.

    The loss of gold coins could be made up for by the Divine Temple’s people mining for dozens more years, but the loss of combat power would directly affect the efficiency of their subsequent offensive.

    The Xiya Kingdom was now tied to a wild warhorse. If they couldn’t destroy the enemy, they would only be left with the option of dying.

    “Click, click!”

    The sound of horseshoes hitting the relatively solid grass. Kailun and Holy Maiden Chrissy were riding the same horse, leisurely approaching the main battlefield.

    “The entire Xiya Kingdom couldn’t even muster a single 8th-rank. Why do you dare to do something so crazy?”

    More than ten minutes had passed since they signed the contract. Chrissy still couldn’t understand where Kailun’s confidence came from.

    Kailun kindly answered her, “Do you think I look like a human traitor?
    Do you think I might be a spy for the Abyss, deliberately luring the Divine Temple’s troops here to deal with me?
    Hmm, if I were a spy, I would definitely wipe out everyone who came to rescue you. It’s just an 8th-rank. The Xiya Kingdom doesn’t have one, but that doesn’t mean the Abyss doesn’t.”

    Kailun smiled and made a friendly joke with Chrissy.

    Chrissy: “!!!”

    Although Kailun used a joking tone, she felt that it was very possible.

    Even though Kailun’s warm chest was pressed against her back, she felt a chill down her spine.

    Was it possible, she meant, was it possible that Kailun was telling the truth?

    If it was really like he said, an 8th-rank Kailson would probably be killed if he came to the rescue.

    “You’re joking, right?” Chrissy asked with a mournful face.

    Kailun nodded, “Yes, I am joking.”

    Chrissy: “…”

    Only a fool would believe that Kailun was joking.

    “Don’t disbelieve me. Think about it. I’m just a plain, ordinary 1st-rank magician. How could I possibly have contact with the Abyss? I think my only advantages are that I’m handsome, humorous, and I last longer.
    Even if you, the Divine Temple, label me as a traitor, I will still act in the interests of humanity, unless…”

    Seeing that Chrissy didn’t believe he was joking, Kailun added a sentence.

    Chrissy turned her head and looked at Kailun’s expression with her peripheral vision, “Unless?”

    Kailun’s expression turned incredibly serious, “Unless they pay more.”

    This conversation was going nowhere. She couldn’t tell which of Kailun’s words were true and which were false.

    The only thing she could do was find a chance to send a message, allowing those who came to rescue her to prepare.

    She was currently carrying a simple communication device that could be used to send magic letters. She needed a chance to get out of Kailun’s sight.

    “That… I need to use the restroom. Can you put me down?”

    Chrissy covered her smooth stomach with her hand, pretending to be uncomfortable. Her pitiful expression would move most people.

    Kailun calmly shook his head, “No. How do I know you won’t escape? If you really can’t hold it, just relieve yourself on the horse’s back. Or I can help you hold your legs up.
    If you dare to soil my clothes, I’ll make you lick it clean.”

    “…Are you a pervert?” Chrissy couldn’t help but ask.

    “Thanks for the compliment. To let you see my true nature, I’ll show you a more perverted side of me tonight. I hope you’ll like it.”

    Kailun’s gaze went beyond Chrissy and towards the battlefield in the distance. The battle there had ended, half an hour earlier than he had expected.

    “Why don’t you just kill me? I regret signing the contract with you.”

    Chrissy clutched her head in pain. As a pure Holy Maiden, she couldn’t imagine what kind of cruel treatment she would face later.

    No man other than Kailun had ever touched her body. Even the Holy Son, who seemed close to her, had to stand three meters away when he spoke.

    For Chrissy, her current situation was beyond bad. It was even safe to call it despair.

    Because of the limited space of the saddle, she could only press tightly against Kailun. As a result, her sensitive buttocks were right in front of him, in a very awkward position.

    That wasn’t the worst part. The worst part was that this demon was actually aroused by her body. She could feel a certain invasive object pressing against her butt, falling under her skirt.

    The bumps from the little mare’s every jump and trot made her feelings clearer, causing her body to react strangely.

    Chrissy felt her face start to burn. A strange feeling arose in her lower abdomen.

    Her body became limp, as if she couldn’t muster any strength.

    “Be sensible. If you’re alive, you can still know what I’ve done. But if you’re dead, I won’t be polite…”

    Kailun’s strange laughter made Chrissy’s scalp tingle. Now, she didn’t even dare to die.

    She shrunk her neck pitifully and retreated into her own world.

    Kailun took Chrissy to the main battlefield. It was now in the stage of packing up the prisoners and cleaning the battlefield.

    Huge cannon craters were everywhere on the hillside. There were countless casualties. In this grand fireworks display, at least twenty thousand members of the Divine Temple had perished.

    Adding the subsequent encirclement, the number was close to thirty thousand. Kailun felt a little sorry for the huge losses. After all, they were his miners now.

    Looking at the rest of the people being put in inferior magic-proof collars, Kailun wiped the nonexistent tears from the corner of his eyes and sighed, “I’m still too kind. I can’t bear to see this kind of scene.
    If only they could surrender on the spot. So, the people of the Divine Temple are the real culprits!”

    Hearing Kailun’s complaints, Chrissy wanted to laugh but couldn’t.

    Before Chrissy could mock Kailun, he picked her up by the neck and put her on the ground. Then, he tied her wrists with a rope.

    “What are you doing?” Chrissy asked Kailun, puzzled.

    Kailun raised an eyebrow, “Walking the dog.”

    He had just noticed that Afra was walking towards him, so he instinctively wanted to throw Chrissy down.

    He was probably a little uneasy.

    After all, his wife was fighting on the main battlefield, while he was playing with the Holy Maiden in the rear. There was a bit of guilt about cheating, no matter how you looked at it.

    Fortunately, Kailun had a thick skin and a clear understanding of himself. So, he smiled and rode towards where Afra was.

    “Slow down!”

    Chrissy, with her wrists bound, could only follow tearfully. If she fell, she would not only tear her clothes but also might even scratch her face.

    Her body hadn’t recovered yet. She still had a strange, soft and delicate feeling. Every step she took was like she was about to fall.

    For this dangerous behavior, Kailun simply comforted her perfunctorily, “Don’t worry. I know healing magic. As long as you’re still breathing, I can save you.”

    【Chrissy, enraged in her heart, cursed your eighteen generations of ancestors. Favorability -2, Total Favorability -82】

    Kailun nodded, adding another mark for Chrissy in his mental notebook. If he could write it down, it would be a check mark.

    To express his sincere gratitude to Chrissy, he, the hospitable host, would invite her to temporarily become a member of his family tree, making her call him “Daddy” in certain situations.

    With this optimistic attitude, Kailun ignored Chrissy’s insults.

    “Afra, you’ve worked hard. You can let others handle the cleaning of the battlefield. Go back to the mobile palace and rest.”

    Looking at Afra, who was approaching, Kailun persuaded her.

    “This is the Holy Maiden of the Divine Temple?” Afra shook her head and looked directly at the miserable but beautiful Holy Maiden Chrissy.

    Afra’s cold and pretty face was flushed with a few streaks of blood. Her beautiful eyebrows were slightly furrowed.

    She was the monarch on the battlefield at this moment. She possessed unique charm. She was arrogant and cold, like a winter plum blossom.

    The reason she frowned wasn’t because she disliked Kailun bringing another woman back. It was simply because she didn’t like Chrissy. In simple terms, they didn’t get along.

    “That’s right. But this girl has a terrible personality. Even if she passes a dog, she has to chase after it and bite it.”

    Kailun tugged on the rope, pulling the Holy Maiden to stand beside him.

    “You have a terrible personality. Your whole family has a terrible personality!” Chrissy, used to being free, finally shouted.

    She had figured it out. Even if she couldn’t escape for now, she would still anger Kailun. Otherwise, she wouldn’t be able to vent her frustration.

    Even if she was being bullied, she would be bullied while standing.

    “See? Still disobedient.” Kailun reached out to touch the Holy Maiden’s head, but she viciously bit down on his hand.

    It was just that her speed was far slower than Kailun’s. Just as she was about to bite him, Kailun’s shoe had already replaced his hand.

    “Click!”

    Biting on the shoe, which was made of a special thin metal, Chrissy almost chipped her teeth.

    She blinked her watery eyes, resentfully glared at Kailun, and reluctantly released his shoe, constantly wiping her mouth with her sleeve.

    After seeing this, Afra thought for a moment and asked, “Can I join you when you train her?”

    She suddenly had the urge to bully Chrissy with Kailun.

    Seeing Chrissy baring her teeth at Kailun and even biting him, her dislike for her grew even stronger.

    In her opinion, a pet should act like a pet. At the very least, she should be as obedient as Winnie.

    Kailun grinned, “Of course.”

    Hearing the two of them casually arranging her future, Chrissy’s heart sank.

    She was both hoping for someone to rescue her and worrying that the rescuers would fall into the Abyss’s ambush and be wiped out. She was incredibly conflicted.

    “What?!”

    “The Holy Maiden was captured. And she was captured alive by Kailun?”

    “You useless pieces of trash! How dare you have the face to come back alive!”

    The Holy Son was furious when he received news of the defeat on the front line.

    They were truly useless! Not only did one hundred and fifty thousand troops fail to conquer the Xiya Kingdom, but they couldn’t even protect the Holy Maiden.

    To avoid taking responsibility, they even said that Chrissy was a spy, that she was responsible for the war’s failure.

    That was just ridiculous. Chrissy had grown up in the Divine Temple since she was a child. Her loyalty to the Pope was higher than his. He was the first one who wouldn’t believe that the Holy Maiden was an spy.

    But none of that mattered. The important thing was that the Holy Maiden was captured alive by that pervert, Kailun!

    According to the intelligence they had received, Kailun was not only cunning and unpredictable but also a notorious lecher. All five of the Xiya Kingdom’s most beautiful women were under his control.

    The intelligence also said that he went to the Loya Ball once and took the entire Loya dance troupe home. And there was no news of him releasing those dancing girls.

    This showed just how much of a sex maniac Kailun was.

    To make a good impression on Chrissy, he even wore a mask when he went to brothels. He didn’t dare to be as arrogant as Kailun.

    Even though he had countless desires in his heart, he suppressed his urges and secretly found others to vent them.

    Could the Holy Maiden Chrissy, who was so beautiful that everyone in the Divine Temple was captivated by her, escape Kailun’s clutches?

    The Holy Son didn’t dare to think about it. He was afraid that by the time he arrived, the Holy Maiden would have already given birth to a child.

    “Damn it! You guys quickly go back and rescue the Holy Maiden. If she’s harmed in any way, I will have your names engraved on the Temple’s pillar of shame!”

    Within ten minutes, the Holy Son had written dozens of magic letters, most of which contained insulting language.

    Even though his magic power was almost drained, the Holy Son continued to write, one insulting word after another. He wrote them on the magic letters and sent them to Justin and the others.

    He was currently three or four days away from the Malaga Kingdom. By the time he arrived, the Holy Maiden might have already been filled with strange things.

    Although he forced himself not to think about it, he couldn’t help but feel heartbroken when he thought about Kailun’s “notorious deeds.”

    She was his beloved Holy Maiden. He loved her so much that he didn’t even dare to get too close to her, fearing that he would disturb her and make her dislike him.

    But now, the woman he had never touched was kidnapped by a sex maniac…

    “Aaaaaah! Damn Kailun! I’m going to kill you! A thousand times, ten thousand times won’t be enough!”

    The Holy Son tore up the letter in front of him, which hadn’t been finished, and clutched his head in pain.

    “Bang, bang, bang!”

    He banged his forehead on the table until the table shattered. Then, he calmed down a bit. If the Holy Maiden was really harmed… he would still take the injured Holy Maiden.

    After all, it wasn’t her fault. It was that bastard Kailun’s fault.

    “No, I have to get Kailson to come out of retirement. Otherwise, no one can save Chrissy. If the Divine Temple’s subsequent powerhouses arrive, she might even have a child.”

    The Holy Son shook his head in panic and stumbled out of the house.

    Half an hour later, he arrived in front of Kailson’s mansion and shouted, “Kailson, I agree to your request. As long as you can help me rescue Chrissy, I agree to recommend your grandson to be a candidate for the Holy Son.”

    He would never have been willing to give Kailson’s grandson a candidate slot. The other man was just too weak.

    But now, he only had this one bargaining chip that could persuade Kailson. He had to make this painful sacrifice.

    As soon as the Holy Son finished speaking, an old man wearing a magician’s robe appeared in front of him, “The previous condition was a candidate slot for the Holy Son. But it’s not enough now. You have to add a candidate slot for the Holy Maiden.”

    The Holy Son was conflicted, “But I don’t have the authority to decide for Chrissy.”

    He knew clearly that Kailson was taking advantage of the situation. The news of the Holy Maiden’s capture must have reached many people by now.

    He didn’t know why, but he hadn’t received any instructions from the Pope yet. Otherwise, with one order, Kailson would have to obediently help him rescue the Holy Maiden, instead of demanding such a high price.

    “You can try to persuade her. I only need your promise.” Kailson said coldly.

    If he didn’t get enough benefits, he would rather stay at home and study magic.

    The Holy Son and the Holy Maiden were important to him, but not that important. The ten-year turnover was just a long-term research project for them, who lived long lives.

    Normally, a Pope could last through dozens of Holy Sons and Holy Maidens.

    The current Empress and Pope had just ascended the throne. They were at their youngest stage. The current Holy Son and Holy Maiden had almost no chance of succeeding. So, their status wasn’t as noble as those of previous generations.

    “I promise you. But I can’t guarantee that she will agree. If you can rescue her from the demon’s hands, I think she won’t refuse.” The Holy Son gritted his teeth.

    “That’s perfect. Wait for me to pack my luggage.” Kailson nodded in satisfaction. He turned around and slowly walked towards the mansion.

    “What are you packing? Shouldn’t we rush to the Xiya Kingdom now?”

    The situation was urgent. The Holy Son didn’t understand what Kailson wanted to do.

    “No rush. We need to bring enough food for the journey and the magic scrolls I might want to study. It would be a waste not to study during the three or four days of travel.
    Besides, it’s just a small country with no 8th-ranks. When I get close, I’ll just use a Grand Silence spell. They’ll be lambs to the slaughter.”

    Kailson waved his hand at the Holy Son without looking back.

    In his opinion, the Holy Son would probably take another hundred years to reach 8th-rank after cultivating the next generation. By that time, he might be touching the barrier of 9th-rank.

    That’s why Kailson wasn’t worried at all that the Holy Son would hold a grudge against him.

    Hearing Kailson’s words, the Holy Son clenched his fists.

    If not for the Abyss’s unrest, the Divine Temple would have many forces it could use. Otherwise, why would they be so strapped for resources because of an 8th-rank?

    “Damn Abyss! Damn Kailun! You guys are waiting for me. I will wipe you all out!”

    The Holy Son stomped his feet in fury, his face contorted with anger.

    【Anger from an unknown Holy Son. Favorability -70】

    At five o’clock in the afternoon, the entire battlefield had been cleaned up. Kailun had one thousand soldiers escort more than one hundred thousand miners to Duke Stamp’s territory.

    These miners, whose powers had been sealed, had no way to resist the strength of one thousand soldiers.

    After a brief rest, most of them would set off at night and continue attacking the Malaga Kingdom. There were three days left before Kailun’s seven-day deadline.

    At six o’clock in the evening, Kailun returned to the mobile palace, carrying a black sack. Afra returned with him.

    Seeing Kailun return with a large sack, the little princess, Vivian, who was playing chess with Isabella, quickly stood up and asked, “Is it something delicious?”

    “No, it’s a new pet.”

    As he spoke, Kailun threw the sack into the corner. Vivian heard a gasp coming from the sack.

    The voice was very nice. It should be a beautiful woman.

    She didn’t need to guess. The “pet” in Kailun’s mouth was a woman.

    “Who is she?” Vivian leaned over to the sack and poked it.

    She seemed to poke something soft. It was soft and bouncy, bigger than her sister’s. It was almost as big as Ella’s.

    “Hmm~”

    A soft hum came from the sack. She could hear the anger in her voice.

    Afra calmly glanced at the sack and went back to her room. She had to wash herself and change into clean clothes.

    “Oh, right, where are Shirley and the older princess? Why didn’t I see them?”

    Kailun squatted beside Vivian, untying the rope on the sack and asking.

    “Shirley went to the kitchen to steal food. My sister locked herself in her room after eating the candy you gave me. She hasn’t come out all day.”

    Vivian withdrew her hand with envy. It was so good. She wanted to be that big too.

    “Good job. The older princess should be punished. The candy’s effects will last for twenty-four hours. I’ll go find her when it’s almost over.”

    Kailun praised Vivian. She was becoming more and more like the little devil in his memory.

    If he had free time, he would have the urge to relive those times with Vivian.

    “Don’t look at me like that. It’s scary.” Vivian squatted a little further away, after exchanging glances with Kailun.

    “Such a coward.”

    Kailun laughed and untied the complicated knot.

    As the sack opened, everyone in the living room saw a beautiful girl who was incredibly stunning. Even Winnie, who was hiding under the table, unconsciously moved closer.

    She had messy but beautiful golden hair, a perfectly pure face, a fair neck, delicate collarbones, and a devilish figure that was both vulgar and alluring.

    Of course, the most eye-catching was her pair of legs, which could be considered a masterpiece of the world.

    It was just that Chrissy had lost her stockings, leaving only the leg ring.

    Before he returned, Kailun had stuffed her torn stockings into her mouth, making her look even more pitiful than Winnie.

    If Vivian had to describe Chrissy, she would say that she was the pinnacle of pure desire.

    As a girl herself, she couldn’t help but want to bully Chrissy, let alone the Great Demon King, Kailun.

    “Who is she?” Vivian asked again.

    “Holy Maiden Chrissy. One of the Divine Temple’s representatives.” Kailun said, taking the stockings out of Chrissy’s mouth. Then, he untied the rope on her hands.

    “Why are you doing this to me? Didn’t I agree to go with you? It’s one thing to hang me on the horse’s back, but why stuff me in a sack?”

    Chrissy looked at Kailun with a face full of grievance. Her eyes sparkled with tears, precious holy water.

    “I’m sorry. I brought the sack out. I would feel uneasy if I didn’t put something in it. Understand, understand.” Kailun smiled and stroked Chrissy’s head.

    “Don’t touch me, you demon!” Chrissy, who was still angry, slapped Kailun’s hand away.

    【Grieving and uncomfortable, Chrissy’s favorability decreases. -3】

    “Oh! She’s so bold!”

    Seeing Chrissy’s daring behavior, Winnie’s eyes sparkled.

    She saw her own reflection in Chrissy. Wasn’t she just as bold?

    But Kailun had dulled her edges, pierced her heart, and even kicked her off the bed when she was moved.

    From then on, Winnie understood her position. Before her parents left the Xiya Kingdom, she decided to stop resisting Kailun.

    “She’s indeed quite bold. She’s your kind. As a senior, you should take care of the newcomer, okay?” Kailun turned to Winnie and said.

    The latter nodded repeatedly, “Hmm, hmm!”

    “You really brought the Holy Maiden of the Divine Temple back. You’re really too bold.
    But isn’t the Holy Maiden of the Divine Temple a 7th-rank from the start? Why was she so easily captured by you? It couldn’t have been a gift, could it?”

    Vivian, mimicking Kailun, stroked Chrissy’s head.

    This time, Chrissy didn’t slap Vivian’s hand away. Instead, she looked at the latter in surprise.

    “You’re right. She did give herself to me. The whole process took less than a second. She submitted to me.”

    Kailun picked up the torn stockings on the ground and wiped Chrissy’s face. Her little face was dirty and not as beautiful as before.

    “Why? Why are there such talented girls here?” Chrissy looked at Vivian and mumbled.

    She felt the same talent in Vivian. This meant that Vivian also had the potential to become a Holy Maiden, and she could even be more outstanding than her.

    “What a pity. You have the potential to be a Holy Maiden, but you can only be an enemy of the Divine Temple. What a pity.”

    Chrissy shook her head, looking at Vivian with a pitying expression.

    If she wasn’t an enemy, she would have made Vivian her candidate for the Holy Maiden.

    Vivian blinked her eyes, looking at Kailun in confusion.

    “There’s nothing to pity. The so-called Holy Maiden is just a tribute to the Pope and the Emperor. It’s not a good choice.”

    Kailun put his hand on Vivian’s face. It was only now that he understood why Vivian, who had “died prematurely” in his previous life, was also an important character.

    It seemed that she had also participated in subsequent major events after his death.

    He just didn’t know if she was on the side of humanity or the Abyss.

    Vivian looked into Kailun’s eyes. This time, she saw a rare gentleness in his eyes, as if he was recalling something. It seemed like something related to her.

    But Vivian searched every corner of her memory and couldn’t find any experience worth his gentle treatment.

    “What are you talking about? What does ‘tribute to the Pope’ mean?” Chrissy suddenly looked at Kailun. Hearing the word “tribute,” her heart beat wildly.

    She had last heard this word when she was chasing the previous Holy Maiden, the Temple’s traitor.

    “Oh, it seems our Holy Maiden doesn’t understand at all. Don’t worry. I’ll tell you all the secrets of the Temple tonight and make you see their true nature.
    You know? Your so-called Pope doesn’t care about you at all. Even though you were captured, I didn’t feel any anger from her.
    Listen carefully. Not a single bit of anger.”

    Kailun smiled evilly at Chrissy.

    He loved to paint pure things with his own colors.

    He wanted to see how far Holy Maiden Chrissy would be corrupted with his help.

    How to turn the Divine Temple’s lapdog into his plush ball. That was the topic of tonight’s research.

  • As a villain, I just want them to behave 94

    Chapter 94: You Wouldn’t Want Others to Know, Would You?

    “You caught her that easily?”

    Eve, standing beside Kailun, looked at the legendary Holy Maiden, who had been captured so easily, in disbelief.

    In her eyes, this Holy Maiden hadn’t resisted at all. She had simply been put in a collar. The whole process was incredibly harmonious, as if she had willingly betrayed them.

    No, she should say self-sacrificed.

    She had been worried about Kailun’s safety, but now it seemed completely unnecessary.

    “Of course. We have to thank our Holy Maiden for being so obedient. She didn’t even resist when I captured her.”

    Kailun admired Chrissy’s alluring figure while reaching out to Eve, “Get me the magic bow I prepared earlier. It’s time for a new hunt.”

    “Oh, oh!” Eve nodded repeatedly. She handed Kailun the black longbow she was carrying on her back.

    It was a special longbow with complex magic circuits engraved on it. It was a magic-powered weapon.

    Due to some defects, this type of longbow quickly disappeared from the war. For magicians, times had changed. This thing was far less convenient and practical than magic.

    But it was different for Kailun. Because of his innate characteristics, he could fully allocate his magic power, saving him from having to allocate spirit power when casting spells.

    For him, this was the best way to touch 8th-rank.

    Holding the advanced longbow in his hand, Kailun was in a good mood.

    Feeling the magic power gradually expanding in Kailun’s body, Chrissy finally realized the truth. She struggled, “Release me. I’m the Holy Maiden of the Divine Temple. If you dare to touch me, the Pope will never forgive you.”

    “Slap!”

    Kailun swung the longbow and slapped Chrissy’s curvy buttocks. As the sound echoed, he saw the waves of flesh rolling.

    He had already known that Chrissy had a great figure. She was the perfect material for training into a plush ball.

    Thanks to the Divine Temple. Not only did they send him so many miners, but they also sent him such a perfect Holy Maiden.

    To repay the Divine Temple’s kindness, he would carefully cultivate the Holy Maiden and strive to make her a true spy.

    “Holy Maiden, you’re so interesting. You came knocking on my door, and now you want me to release you.
    But I’m a kind person. If you order Justin and Paul to commit suicide, I’ll release you. If you don’t believe me, we can sign a contract.”

    As he spoke, Kailun slapped her buttocks again with the longbow.

    Chrissy wasn’t bound yet. She used her waist strength to push herself up from the horse’s back and sat in front of Kailun. Kailun didn’t choose to stop her.

    In this world, magic power was the root of all power systems. Once a magic-proof collar was put on, even a Knight was only a few times stronger than an ordinary person.

    “Holy Maiden, don’t listen to his nonsense. Kailun is a liar. He’s just trying to sow discord.
    Just wait. We’ll find a way to rescue you. The Divine Temple will never abandon anyone.”

    Justin quickly shouted to the Holy Maiden. He was leading his troops to retreat slowly.

    A frontal retreat was no longer possible, but they could still escape into the mountains along both sides of the stream, seeking a glimmer of hope.

    Paul looked at Chrissy, who was riding the same horse as Kailun, with a sense of discomfort. His heart was filled with jealousy.

    But now, he didn’t even have the courage to look at Kailun. When he saw Kailun take out the longbow, he even instinctively lowered his head, afraid that he would be targeted.

    In terms of psychological trauma from Kailun, Paul had the most.

    As if sensing Paul’s change, Harry directly lifted Paul by the neck and placed him on his warhorse, “It’s okay. You have me. I’ll take you with me when we run.”

    Paul: “…”

    He felt both touched and uncomfortable. He was about to completely fall.

    As Justin and the others prepared to retreat, Kailun didn’t forget to sow discord between the Holy Maiden and them, “Look, they’re all going to abandon you and run away.”

    Chrissy looked at Kailun coldly, “You’ll regret this. You’ve angered the Divine Temple. You will suffer a devastating blow.”

    “How boring. I’ve heard that line countless times. If your Pope truly hates me, then I’ll be very grateful to her.”

    Kailun said, using his finger to stroke Chrissy’s chin.

    He would indeed be grateful to her, because her hatred would turn into his strength.

    His true thoughts were successfully conveyed to Chrissy, making her even more confused about what Kailun was thinking.

    An ordinary person would be scared to pee their pants when they heard the Pope’s name. At the very least, they would be extremely cautious.

    But this person was clearly excited. He was excited that the Pope would hold a grudge against him!

    Chrissy shivered. She felt like she had fallen into a den of demons. The person sitting in front of her was a lawless Great Demon King.

    He was more terrifying than the demons of the Abyss from the rumors.

    With her peripheral vision, she noticed the dagger handle sticking out from Kailun’s pocket. Without hesitation, Chrissy used her body to ram into Kailun. Her right hand seemed to reach for Kailun’s neck, but her left hand secretly reached into Kailun’s pocket, trying to grab the sharp dagger.

    If she could use this poisoned dagger to cut Kailun’s skin, she would still have a chance to turn the tide.

    They were so close, and Kailun was holding a longbow. She felt that she had a slight chance.

    She would rather fight than sit and wait for death.

    “Click!”

    In a split second, Kailun locked Chrissy’s two slender wrists together.

    Because of the large range of motion, her bones made a cracking sound.

    With Chrissy’s body flexibility, it wouldn’t be so easy to break, but it did hurt.

    At the same time, Justin and the others began to flee on a large scale. Kailun didn’t mind. He didn’t intend to exterminate them.

    Justin still owed him five thousand miners. He had to make him pay.

    【Ouch, ouch, ouch… For you, you stupid fool who doesn’t know how to cherish beauty, Chrissy cursed your family in her heart. Favorability continues to decrease. Current Total Favorability -50】

    “Thank you for your generosity, Holy Maiden. I’ll happily accept your hatred.”

    Feeling the influx of a large amount of attribute points, Kailun’s mood became even more cheerful.

    Although he hadn’t reached 8th-rank yet, he was one step closer.

    Kailun put the longbow aside and took out the dagger he had deliberately exposed, spinning it in his hand, “It seems to be poisoned. Holy Maiden, would you like a taste?”

    Chrissy, who had already fallen into Kailun’s arms, looked at the dagger in front of her and closed her eyes in discomfort.

    She now understood what Paul and the others meant by being manipulated.

    This wasn’t about having fun. It was about becoming the fun itself!

    Chrissy regretted it deeply. If only she had obediently invited Kailson out of retirement.

    She wanted to escape reality, but Kailun wouldn’t let her.

    “Whoosh!”

    It was the sound of stockings tearing. Chrissy suddenly opened her eyes and found that Kailun was using the poisoned dagger to cut open her stockings.

    The worst part was that he was even saying, “I heard that the Holy Maiden’s holy water can cure all poisons. I wonder if Holy Maiden can cure the poison she’s taken?”

    “Hmm~” Chrissy tried to push Kailun’s hand away, but her locked arms and wrists hurt even more when she moved.

    Because of the pain, she could only continue to lean on Kailun’s chest, unable to even lift her head.

    “I didn’t expect the Holy Maiden to have such a strong personality. But judging by your reaction, you probably can’t cure the poison you’ve taken. That’s a pity.”

    After tearing Chrissy’s stockings to shreds, Kailun put away the dagger and hugged her, placing her in front of him so that her back was pressed against his body.

    Then, Kailun manipulated Chrissy’s hand to grasp the longbow, aiming at the fleeing Divine Temple troops.

    Chrissy asked in panic, “What are you trying to do?”

    “What am I trying to do? I’m helping our poor Holy Maiden to eliminate the shameless traitors. Look, they dare to abandon the noble Holy Maiden and run away. Shouldn’t they be punished for such behavior?”

    Kailun gathered his magic power and channeled it into Chrissy’s body, helping her to slowly draw the nonexistent bowstring.

    “No! Please don’t do this!”

    Feeling Kailun’s magic flowing through her and into the longbow, Chrissy’s face was filled with terror.

    Kailun’s magic power was just too much and too pure. It was so pure that there was no trace of impurities.

    This shouldn’t be possible in theory. But she was witnessing it on a 1st-rank magician.

    The vast magic power forcefully filled her magic circuits, flowing freely through her body, giving her a tingling and numb sensation.

    “No! It’s too much! It’s going to break! The magic circuits are going to break…”

    Chrissy, in Kailun’s arms, twisted her alluring body, begging for Kailun’s forgiveness, “No, it’s no good. It’s going to explode. I can’t hold it in anymore.”

    “Don’t be afraid. Transfer all your magic power to the longbow. Yes, like that.”

    Kailun leaned on Chrissy’s shoulder and blew into her ear, “A little to the left. Yes, there are the most people here. Aim here and shoot hard.
    Relax, don’t rush. I’ll teach you slowly. You’ll get used to it soon. Now, listen to my command… Shoot!”

    Chrissy, whose mind was in a daze from Kailun’s terrifying magic power, unconsciously released the magic bowstring.

    “Whoosh!”

    With a piercing sound, a blue magic arrow shot into the center of the Divine Temple cavalry formation.

    “Boom!”

    A dazzling blue light flashed in the magnificent explosion, like beautiful fireworks.

    “Congratulations, Holy Maiden, on achieving the accomplishment of killing your comrades.” Kailun gently bit her delicate earlobe, “Did you see their eyes?
    Confusion, anger, despair… They’ll tell the Pope that you killed your comrades. Then, you will become a traitor.”

    As he spoke, Kailun raised the longbow again with Chrissy, aiming it, “Don’t be afraid. I’m willing to help you kill them. All you have to do is aim.
    You can’t let them spread this. Otherwise, your Holy Maiden image will be ruined. The only way to…”

    Words infused with mental pollution already had the power to manipulate people’s hearts. Coupled with the washing of vast magic power, Chrissy, for a moment, actually moved as Kailun had requested.

    She drew the bow and released the arrow. Everything was so natural. In the eyes of Justin and the others, Chrissy really wanted to kill them.

    They seemed to have found the reason for their defeat.

    Whether it was true or not, they could first pin the blame on the Holy Maiden. As for how to decide, the Pope would judge for herself.

    “Holy Maiden, don’t do this to yourself!” Justin howled, speeding up his escape.

    Perhaps it was his howl that caught Chrissy’s attention. Her vacant gaze turned to Justin, and she aimed the longbow at him.

    “Whoosh!”

    An arrow flew, exploding in the crowd. Although Justin escaped by chance, the Second Prince was blown in half. His upper body flew onto Paul, and his lower body landed on a tree.

    Lodis looked at Paul in a daze, “Why do I feel a little pain in my waist? Why did I suddenly fly?”

    Paul: “…”

    “Plop!” Paul didn’t respond. He turned and threw Lodis to the ground.

    He was beyond saving. No one would care about him.

    “Currently, the conflict between Kailun and the Divine Temple has escalated. The Second Prince is now expendable.”

    Harry, who was sitting behind, holding Paul’s waist, added.

    From the moment Kailun kidnapped the Holy Maiden, this matter had escalated from a simple war conflict to a matter of face for the Divine Temple.

    In Harry’s opinion, Kailun was finished. Even an 8th-rank couldn’t save him.

    Kailun calculated Chrissy’s body’s endurance limit. After she had shot a dozen arrows, he stopped channeling his magic power.

    He first praised Chrissy, “Well done. You personally killed a large group of followers. Your achievements will be sung by them.”

    Then, Kailun looked at the young knight, Eve, who was looking at him with envious eyes, “Chase them properly. You can let Justin and the main players go. As for the rest, it doesn’t matter if you capture them or kill them on the spot.”

    “Understood!”

    Eve nodded solemnly. She waved her hand, and ten thousand Knights began to chase.

    In terms of talent, Eve was more suitable for commanding. So, Kailun entrusted her with the task of finishing things off.

    As for the other two young knights, who were better suited for the front line, they were led by Afra. They were currently in the middle of harvesting the front line.

    After Eve left with her troops, only Kailun and Chrissy remained by the stream, sitting on horseback. Chrissy had barely recovered to normal.

    【For this act of killing your comrades, Chrissy resents both herself and you. Favorability -10】

    Out of anger at being manipulated, Chrissy turned her head and bit at Kailun’s face.

    “Click!”

    In less than a second, Kailun grabbed her neck.

    Kailun said, “I didn’t expect our Holy Maiden to have such a fiery personality. You’re the most resistant person I’ve met. That certain princess almost hated me to death, but she didn’t dare to attack. It’s so boring.”

    The intense feeling of suffocation made Chrissy keep hitting Kailun’s hand. Seeing that it was ineffective, she scratched Kailun’s skin with her nails.

    But with her current strength, she could only leave a shallow red mark, which would disappear naturally in less than five seconds.

    “Let me think. What weakness does the Holy Maiden have? I remember that you were raised by the Pope. You have no father or mother, so there’s no one to threaten.
    From what I know about you, you probably don’t have a lover either. So, there’s no way to get to you from that angle.
    What should I do…”

    Kailun continued to analyze with a smile on his face, but his hand never left Chrissy’s neck.

    Watching her struggle, opening and closing her eyes, scratching his arm, and seeing her favorability dropping, Kailun felt no emotion.

    For a wild horse like this, only by making her feel the difference between life and death and then threatening her in a special way could he achieve the best results.

    Feeling her resistance weaken, watching her face turn ashen, Kailun said, “Oh, right. I remember now. You seem to care a lot about that hypocritical Pope.
    If I were to reveal that she’s a woman, the Divine Temple would have an interesting reaction, wouldn’t they?”

    Chrissy: “!!!”

    She sat up in shock. Her arms, which had almost dropped, grabbed Kailun’s wrist again.

    She widened her eyes in disbelief, staring at Kailun, wondering how he could even know such a secret.

    If she had anyone she cared about, it was the Pope.

    As one of the Temple’s high-ranking officials, she knew clearly what kind of disastrous impact it would have if this secret was revealed.

    “Oh, right. Don’t worry. I won’t have trouble finding proof that the Pope is a woman. I think not only you and the Holy Son know about this, but also the previous Holy Maiden, who escaped, knows, right?
    Tell me, do you think I might know the previous Holy Maiden?”

    Kailun continued to weave his lies. But how could he know the previous Holy Maiden? He didn’t even know her name.

    For some special reasons, her name had become taboo in the Temple. No one dared to mention it.

    To this day, the Temple hadn’t stopped hunting for that Holy Maiden.

    But Chrissy didn’t know that Kailun was lying. She widened her eyes, which were already wide. If Kailun could release her neck, maybe she could fit an egg in her open mouth.

    Seeing that Chrissy believed his words, Kailun released her neck.

    “Cough, cough, cough…”

    Chrissy, breathing fresh air again, coughed continuously. She tilted her head, tears welling up from her lack of oxygen, and looked at Kailun’s face.

    “If you don’t want me to reveal this secret, don’t try to die, okay?
    I want a living, beautiful plush ball, not a beautiful corpse.”

    Kailun stroked her face and made his request.

    After a brief interaction, he discovered that Chrissy’s personality was too fiery. It was completely different from her alluring appearance.

    Her favorability was already at -60, and she was willing to fight him to the death. If it dropped even lower, she might commit suicide out of shame.

    That wasn’t the outcome Kailun wanted to see. If such a delicious cabbage and tool were to die like this, he would be sad.

    Hmm… He would be sad for a whole day.

    “Just kill me.” Chrissy looked at Kailun with hatred in her eyes.

    “No, what’s the point of killing you? I’ll repeat my request. I just want you to stop trying to kill yourself. Don’t attempt suicide.
    Besides, if you can find a chance to escape, I won’t hold it against you. I won’t tell anyone this secret either.
    As for trying to kill me? I advise you not to do that. If you killed me with your own hands, this secret would also be made public.”

    As a demon who manipulated people’s hearts, Kailun chose to give Chrissy new hope.

    Only then would she have the motivation to live, and only then would she bring Kailun new fun.

    He didn’t plan to follow the usual route and brush her favorability down to -100. This time, he would directly try to brush her favorability positive using mental pollution.

    Of course, the reason he didn’t choose to brush her down to -100 was because her heart was more resilient than ordinary people. Kailun couldn’t make her despair yet.

    It would be difficult to achieve -100 in the short term, unless the Pope teleported here right now and crashed into his sword in front of Chrissy.

    Only despair could make someone hate you thoroughly. Winnie and the others had already helped Kailun verify this result.

    “Are you sure that even if I escape, you won’t reveal this secret?” Chrissy rubbed her neck and looked at Kailun with vigilance.

    “Yes, whether you escape on your own or are rescued by the Divine Temple’s troops, I won’t reveal this secret. Even if they kill me, it’s the same.
    But the prerequisite is that you can’t try to kill me. If you don’t believe me, we can sign a contract.”

    Kailun took out a scroll from his pocket, filled it with content, and handed it to Chrissy.

    Chrissy: “…”

    She always felt that his actions were very practiced, as if he had rehearsed many times.

    She took the contract scroll from Kailun. It did indeed contain the promises he had mentioned.

    But it was too strange!

    She was a noble Holy Maiden, and she had been easily captured. Why did she have to sign this kind of contract that even prevented her from committing suicide?

    Once she signed the contract, she would only become a plaything. Before she escaped or was rescued, she would constantly approach becoming a plush ball.

    She didn’t want to. She really didn’t want to. Even though Kailun was handsome enough, she still didn’t want to give herself to this demon.

    She shouldn’t have come to the front line.

    This wasn’t fun at all. She was clearly the one who had become Kailun’s entertainment.

    “Holy Maiden, what are you hesitating for? You wouldn’t want the whole world to know that the Pope is a woman, would you?”

    Kailun smiled kindly.

    “I… I’ll sign!”

    As if using all her strength, Chrissy signed the contract that prevented her from attacking Kailun or committing suicide.

    “A wise choice. The Pope will definitely thank you for your contribution to the Divine Temple.”

    After putting away the contract scroll, Kailun rubbed Chrissy’s head in satisfaction.

    A contract couldn’t restrict Chrissy from committing suicide. What truly restricted her from committing suicide was Kailun’s promise when he signed the contract.

    After all, the biggest price of the contract was the shattering of the soul, leading to death. It wouldn’t restrict Chrissy, who wanted to die.

    If this contract could restrict Kailun from revealing the secret, she would keep her promise.

    But she didn’t know that even if Kailun didn’t say anything, that stupid, fawning Holy Son would reveal the secret one day.

    This was a classic case of hitting a bull with a roundabout blow.

    Chrissy said, “I hope you keep your promise.”

    “This time, I will!”

    Kailun rubbed Chrissy’s long legs, which were clad in torn stockings, in satisfaction.

    Although his own girls also had perfect long legs, he always felt that Chrissy’s were more unique. They were the kind of legs that you could play with for a whole year and never get tired of them.

    Look at a person’s legs first. This was Kailun’s old tradition.

    Kailun said, “Oh, right. Do you know what a plush ball is? I’ll teach you tonight.”

    Chrissy bit her lip. She inexplicably wanted to cry.

    【Thinking of the tragic fate she will face tonight, Chrissy feels like crying. Favorability continues to decrease. Current Total Favorability -80】

  • The Number One Good-for-Nothing in the Celestial Realm 42

    Chapter 42

    Embarrassed to admit that she had been caught stealing food at Dong’e Mountain, Qing Xun simply mumbled a vague response to Que Chenyi’s question. She figured since the Azure Dragon was one of the Five Phoenixes, calling them “relatives” wasn’t entirely wrong.

    Que Chenyi looked thoughtfully at the spiritual fruit in her hand. If Qing Xun had such a close relationship with Dong’e Mountain, then the goal must be to train her into an official capable of taking over the Ministry Head position. Qing Xun was still young, but she had potential. She had benefited from Qing Xun’s connection, enjoying spiritual fruits she couldn’t even afford to buy. It was only right to return the favor. With this thought in mind, her initial reluctance vanished. She beamed at Qing Xun. “Don’t worry. I’ll teach you everything I know.” She then made a copy of the documents from the side hall and handed them all to Qing Xun, instructing her to read through them.

    Qing Xun: “…”

    By the time Phoenix Mountain noticed something was amiss with Qing Xun, it was already her third day on the job. She was young and her immortal body was incomplete, so the Azure Dragon Elder hadn’t expected her to become an official. She hadn’t restricted her movements or pressured her to focus on her studies like the other clan members. The Elder had hoped that Qing Xun would live a carefree life as a wandering immortal, but things hadn’t gone according to plan. A clan member had seen her busy at work at the Celestial Feather Ministry—she seemed even more like an official than those who were actually candidates.

    The Azure Dragon Elder couldn’t ignore this. Upon hearing that Qing Xun had returned to the mountain, she immediately summoned her to find out what was going on.

    Qing Xun stammered, but the Elder was determined to get to the bottom of it. Knowing she couldn’t hide the truth any longer, she confessed everything about being caught at Dong’e Mountain.

    The Azure Dragon Elder was stunned. She couldn’t believe Qing Xun had been so audacious. As she heard the names of the spiritual fruits mentioned, her eyelids twitched violently. Her lips moved soundlessly for a long time before she finally spoke. “What spiritual fruits?”

    Qing Xun hung her head, dejected. Her voice was as soft as a mosquito’s buzz. “Heavenly Phoenix Fruit, Snow Feather Fruit, Origin Fruit… and some others I didn’t recognize.”

    The Azure Dragon Elder: “…” Waves of dizziness washed over her. Phoenix Mountain certainly couldn’t afford to compensate for those. They couldn’t possibly leave their fellow feathered brethren to starve just to redeem Qing Xun, could they? “Just focus on your duties at the Celestial Feather Ministry,” she said through gritted teeth. After a moment, she beckoned Qing Xun closer. “Come here.”

    Qing Xun shuffled her feet reluctantly.

    The Elder sighed internally and took a step forward. She raised her finger and pressed it against Qing Xun’s forehead. This little Azure Dragon had been born with a deficiency and was weaker than other members of their lineage. However, the damage was slowly healing thanks to the effects of the spiritual fruits. Although her immortal body couldn’t be fully restored, her strength had improved considerably. The Elder looked at Qing Xun intently but didn’t say anything more. She waved her hand, dismissing her.

    Whether that person from Dong’e Mountain had done it intentionally or not, she had to pay them a visit, partly to confirm a suspicion that had been growing in her mind.

    With this thought, the Azure Dragon Elder personally went to Dong’e Mountain early the next morning.

    Ming Jian Su was reading the documents sent by Que Chenyi when she received the message.

    On a nearby bed, Feng Chiyue was lounging, playing with the Chaos Mirror, a carefree smile on her face.

    Feng Chiyue’s senses were sharp. She instantly noticed Ming Jian Su’s gaze. She pulled her attention away from the Chaos Mirror and turned to look at Ming Jian Su, her brow raised in silent inquiry.

    “Elder Qingyun of the Azure Dragon lineage is here,” Ming Jian Su said.

    Feng Chiyue’s face fell. “I don’t want to see her,” she said dismissively.

    Ming Jian Su initially assumed that she had come because of Qing Xun. However, in the past, any matters concerning Phoenix Mountain, regardless of the lineage involved, were handled by Feng Yao. These elders, wary of the Heavenly Court’s scrutiny, rarely ventured out. Perhaps Qing Xun was just an excuse. Was her true purpose to gather information about her junior sister? The thought made Ming Jian Su’s gaze turn cold. She handed the stack of documents to Undefeated. “I’ll be back shortly,” she said, getting up and leaving.

    Feng Chiyue responded distractedly, her eyes following Ming Jian Su until she disappeared from sight. Only then did she return her attention to the Chaos Mirror, resuming her chat with Ying Cunxin.

    After deleting Chu Yi’s name seal, Ying Cunxin had spent a night wallowing in sadness before turning her attention to the mysterious West River Master. She had left a comment on a topic related to the West River Master, never expecting Chu Yi to chime in. Although Chu Yi didn’t ask why she had deleted the name seal, Ying Cunxin was still startled. Driven by a strange sense of guilt, she postponed her plans to visit the West River Master and had been holed up in the Dragon Palace, refusing to go out.

    However, even though she didn’t go out, Chu Yi could still visit her.

    Ying Cunxin didn’t want to see her, but she was afraid that if Chu Yi spoke to the Dragon King, her lie about the “forced marriage” would be exposed. She had no choice but to receive her guest.

    To her relief, Chu Yi didn’t mention anything about the “name seal” or their “battle.” It seemed she was only here to discuss “Four Seas matters.” Ying Cunxin thought to herself that, after all, Chu Yi was the Emperor’s daughter. She possessed a magnanimity that ordinary immortals could only dream of. Perhaps she had already forgotten about that minor incident. Ying Cunxin breathed a sigh of relief, ignoring the faint twinge of regret in her heart. However, just as she was sending Chu Yi off, about to see her out of the East Sea, Chu Yi suddenly asked, “Do you need me to introduce you to the West River Master?” Ying Cunxin’s heart skipped a beat. She could barely maintain her calm facade.

    Thankfully, Chu Yi left right after saying that, but she hadn’t clarified her intentions, leaving Ying Cunxin in a state of perpetual anxiety. She reviewed the events that had transpired and couldn’t understand why she felt guilty. She hadn’t done anything wrong. Wasn’t it perfectly normal to add or delete name seals on the Chaos Mirror?

    “How did the Emperor’s daughter know that I wanted to meet the West River Master?” A panicked Ying Cunxin sought out Feng Chiyue to confide in her.

    Feng Chiyue’s answer was straightforward. “I told her.” It was best if these two were entangled with each other, so that neither of them would covet her Elder Sister!

    Ying Cunxin: “?”

    Feng Chiyue ignored Ying Cunxin’s speechless reaction and continued, “Chu Yi is vindictive. You were probably the first person to add her and then delete her. She’ll definitely remember you.”

    Ying Cunxin: “…” “Surely not?” Her heart was pounding in her chest. The rumors must be false. Feng Chiyue must have heard some gossip and believed the words of those jealous, troublemaking immortals.

    Feng Chiyue: “How do you think she and I became enemies in the first place? Those who understand you best are often your enemies, aren’t they?”

    Ying Cunxin couldn’t come up with a rebuttal. Her instincts told her that Feng Chiyue was talking nonsense, but the meaningful words and look in Chu Yi’s eyes before she left lingered in her mind. “Then what should I do?” Desperate, she asked for advice.

    “Chu Yi loves beauty and responds better to gentleness than force. Just try to appease her,” Feng Chiyue said.

    Ying Cunxin hadn’t noticed Chu Yi’s appreciation for beauty. After all, in the Ethereal Spirit Realm, Chu Yi’s aura had been all about destroying beauty. However, she could see some truth in the “responds better to gentleness” part. When she had pretended to be ill, it had prompted Chu Yi to go to the West Sea and confront Ao Chaofeng. But she had deleted Chu Yi’s name seal because she genuinely believed that Chu Yi had feelings for her and that her situation was dangerous. Wouldn’t approaching her again be like stepping back into a quagmire? Perhaps in the process of appeasing her, she could slowly change Chu Yi’s attitude? But appeasing someone was an art. “Do you know how to appease people, Fellow Daoist Feng?” Ying Cunxin decided to seek guidance from Feng Chiyue.

    “I’m the one who’s usually being appeased,” Feng Chiyue replied.

    Ying Cunxin: “…” The East Abode Master must have spoiled her rotten!

    Although Feng Chiyue had no personal experience with appeasing others, she was kind enough to send Ying Cunxin a curated collection of her favorite plays and novels for her to study.

    Meanwhile, Ming Jian Su, the expert at appeasing others, was standing outside Dong’e Mountain, calmly facing Qingyun, the Azure Dragon Elder. After exchanging greetings, she simply stood there, showing no intention of inviting her guest inside.

    Qingyun sensed the “unwelcoming” aura emanating from Ming Jian Su. The relationship between Phoenix Mountain and Dong’e Mountain had never been good. However, she didn’t take offense. After expressing her gratitude, she steered the conversation towards Feng Chiyue. “Is Ministry Head Feng not in the mountain?” she asked with feigned concern.

    “She’s not,” Ming Jian Su lied blatantly.

    “Is she at the Celestial Feather Ministry then?” Qingyun continued to probe.

    Ming Jian Su’s brow furrowed. She was now certain that Qing Xun was just a pretext. She met Qingyun’s gaze, the corners of her lips curving up in a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “Is there something you need from my junior sister, Elder Qing?”

    Qingyun smiled faintly. “I haven’t seen her in a while. I just wanted to check on her.”

    “My junior sister is doing well,” Ming Jian Su said, emphasizing the last two words. Dong’e Mountain was the only place where her junior sister truly belonged.

    “We trust that Fellow Daoist Ming will take good care of her,” Qingyun said. After guessing Feng Chiyue’s true identity, they actually felt a bit regretful. If they had kept Feng Chiyue back then, would things have been different? But regret was useless. They could only try to maintain good relations with Dong’e Mountain. After all, based on the current situation, the East Abode Master was the only person Feng Chiyue cared about.

    “What does your trust have to do with me?” Ming Jian Su asked, feigning confusion. “Taking care of my junior sister is my duty. It has nothing to do with anyone else.”

    Her intention to sever ties with Phoenix Mountain was clear. The gentle smile on Qingyun’s face faded slightly. Lowering her gaze, she said, “The clan will always be there.”

    The clan? If the clan was so reliable, would her junior sister have had to endure Nirvana alone? Would she have been trapped in the Abyss of the Milky Way for so long? Ming Jian Su’s eyes turned frosty, an icy aura emanating from her. The smile vanished from her face as she said curtly, “Then I wish your clan prosperity and continued success.”

    Qingyun pretended not to understand her meaning. “Thank you for your kind words, Fellow Daoist Ming.”

    Her intention to leave was obvious. Qingyun didn’t press further. She handed the Qiankun bag, meant as a token of gratitude, to Ming Jian Su and bid her farewell.

    Ming Jian Su looked at the Qiankun bag with a sneer. She would still accept the gift. It rightfully belonged to her junior sister. Why refuse it? After returning to the mountain and tossing the Qiankun bag to Zhu Wan to be stored in the treasury, Ming Jian Su stood under the peach blossom tree, trying to calm the anger surging within her. Those from the Vermilion Bird and Bifang lineages in Danxue Mountain deserved to die, and those from Phoenix Mountain were no better. The results of the recent Celestial Feather Ministry assessment proved it. They were always clamoring about returning to their former glory and taking revenge, but in the end, weren’t they just as corrupt as the Vermilion Bird and the others? They clung to their arrogance and pride and weren’t even half as hardworking as those with less impressive bloodlines.

    The entire Immortal Realm was a mess. Everyone was infuriating! The more she thought about it, the angrier she got. The birds that had been playing around the swing set scattered in fear, sensing the dark aura emanating from her. Even the pink peach blossoms swirled in the wind, keeping a safe distance.

    “Why the long face?”

    A soft murmur reached her ears. Ming Jian Su looked down and saw a pair of jade-like hands wrapped around her waist.

    She covered Feng Chiyue’s hands, the turmoil within her instantly subsiding. “It’s nothing,” she said, forcing a smile.

    “You’re lying.” Feng Chiyue didn’t believe her. She hugged Ming Jian Su tightly from behind, resting her chin on her shoulder. Her eyes were hazy, like autumn mist hanging over a river. “You’re unhappy after seeing Qingyun. Phoenix Mountain must have made some unreasonable request.” She sided with Ming Jian Su unconditionally.

    Ming Jian Su sighed internally. After a moment of hesitation, she said, “They want to see you.” Or rather, they wanted to see the Phoenix Sovereign.

    Feng Chiyue snorted. “Who do they think I am? Do they think they can just see me whenever they want?” After a pause, she added, “Should we erect a stone tablet outside Dong’e Mountain? Inscribe it with ‘Demons and members of Phoenix Mountain are forbidden entry’?”

    Ming Jian Su chuckled. She let go of Feng Chiyue and turned to face her. Raising her hand, she tucked a stray braid behind her ear. “There’s no need for that.” It wouldn’t reflect well on Dong’e Mountain if word got out.

    Feng Chiyue made a noncommittal sound, her gaze fixed on Ming Jian Su.

    When she had awakened in the Abyss of the Milky Way, Ming Jian Su was the first person she saw, making her the most special person in her life.

    A gentle breeze blew, scattering peach blossoms in the air.

    Ming Jian Su gathered the falling petals and led Feng Chiyue back to the Dharma Hall.

    Undefeated was clumsily trying to organize the documents. Seeing Ming Jian Su and Feng Chiyue, it flipped over in a gesture of protest and banged its hilt against the table.

    Feng Chiyue asked with a smile, “Where are the other two swords?”

    Undefeated immediately quieted down. Although its master was fickle, it was the first to follow her and the only one who knew how to handle paperwork!

    After spending some quality time with Feng Chiyue, Ming Jian Su refocused on her work.

    Feng Chiyue didn’t bother Ming Jian Su. Instead, she summoned the Chaos Mirror and posted a declaration severing ties with Phoenix Mountain.

    Although they had never had much of a relationship to begin with, a formal “separation” was still necessary.

    She was a Phoenix, but she wasn’t from Phoenix Mountain or Danxue Mountain. She was the one and only Phoenix of Dong’e Mountain.

    — What happened? Why did she suddenly publish a “Severance Letter to Phoenix Mountain”?

    — As expected, when Feng Chiyue goes crazy, she doesn’t care about anyone’s face. She even attacks the Phoenix.

    — Fellow Daoist above is mistaken. There are exceptions.

    By the time Ming Jian Su saw the news, it was already common knowledge throughout the Immortal Realm. There were many onlookers enjoying the spectacle. Some members of the feathered lineages expressed their indignation and cursed Feng Chiyue, while others applauded her actions. The former were likely supporters of Phoenix Mountain, while the latter were clearly from the Vermilion Bird lineage, seizing the opportunity to fan the flames and drive a wedge between Dong’e Mountain and Phoenix Mountain.

    “Junior Sister, why did you–” Looking at Feng Chiyue’s beaming face, Ming Jian Su couldn’t finish her sentence.

    “Are you happy, Elder Sister?” Feng Chiyue blinked. “After this, Phoenix Mountain shouldn’t bother us anymore.”

    Ming Jian Su felt a mix of emotions. She was happy, of course. Her junior sister always put her first. But she also felt heartbroken. Her junior sister deserved a carefree life. Why had she suffered so much injustice in the past? She pursed her lips, found those who were cursing Feng Chiyue on the Chaos Mirror, and sent them duel invitations. Whether in the Ethereal Spirit Realm or in actual combat, as long as she could shut them up, she was willing to oblige!

    Ever since slaying Bai Yang Star Monarch, Ming Jian Su’s reputation had been tainted with a lingering aura of ruthlessness. She was practically a bogeyman used to scare children at night. After her actions, no one dared to insult Feng Chiyue anymore. They were all too terrified to speak.

    Ming Jian Su didn’t care what others thought. She only cared about achieving her goals. For the next few days, neither the Emperor’s daughter nor Phoenix Mountain came to Dong’e Mountain to disturb her peace with her junior sister. This was exactly what she wanted. However, there were still a few unpleasant incidents. During the Celestial Feather Ministry assessment, several former Mountain Patrol Emissaries tried to obstruct the process. The candidates, hesitant and lacking the courage to act independently, simply reported their findings. Ming Jian Su didn’t blame them too harshly. After all, it was understandable that those from smaller lineages wouldn’t want to offend the Vermilion Bird and Bifang.

    While the candidates from smaller lineages were afraid of the former Mountain Patrol Emissaries, Ming Jian Su was not. She went to the Celestial Pivot Department and forcefully demanded a dozen Arrest Warrants from Yunze Young Lord. After beating those who obstructed official business, along with their supporters, half to death, she tossed them all into the Grand Court of Justice.

    Yunze Young Lord was in a difficult position. He didn’t want to get involved in this mess at all. Wasn’t it better for the Celestial Pivot Department to remain quiet and unnoticed? No sooner had Dong’e Mountain left than the Vermilion Bird and Bifang came knocking. The most terrifying thing was that decrees from the Heavenly Emperor and the Celestial Mother arrived one after another. The former demanded the release of the prisoners, while the latter insisted on upholding the law. It was the first time that the two embodiments of the Mandate of Heaven had issued conflicting orders. Whose command should he follow? He couldn’t afford to offend either of them! He had no choice but to go to the Celestial Pivot Hall and seek guidance from Dao Ling Star Monarch, who was still in seclusion. Shortly after, he received a message containing only an image of a crescent moon. Yunze Young Lord’s eyelids twitched, and he carefully put away the message. The moon symbolized the Great Yin Celestial Mother. Dao Ling Star Monarch clearly sided with the Celestial Mother!

    With Dao Ling Star Monarch, who oversaw the Celestial Pivot Department, making the decision, Yunze Young Lord’s anxiety subsided. Even if the Heavenly Emperor wanted to hold someone accountable, it wouldn’t be him.

    Back in Dong’e Mountain.

    Before the Heavenly Emperor’s messenger arrived, they received a long-awaited guest—Ming Yuheng.

    Feng Chiyue wasn’t in the mood to entertain guests. She stayed in the Dharma Hall to play, leaving Ming Jian Su and Zhu Wan to receive their visitor.

    “Is Ministry Head Feng not available?” Ming Yuheng asked, sitting upright, her voice low, her tone guarded. Although she knew it was unlikely that Feng Chiyue would actually be working at the Celestial Feather Ministry, she still held a faint glimmer of hope.

    “She’s in the inner hall,” Ming Jian Su replied.

    Ming Yuheng nodded. This meant she had to be careful with her words, as the inner hall wasn’t exactly a thousand miles away from the reception hall.

    After a cup of tea and a game of Dao chess, Ming Yuheng finally brought up the matter of Phoenix Mountain and Feng Chiyue. “The major changes at the Celestial Feather Ministry have already completely alienated Danxue Mountain. Now, with the added conflict with Phoenix Mountain, isn’t she completely isolated within the feathered lineages? It’s true that some smaller lineages are hoping to take advantage of these changes to rise to prominence, but you know how things work in the Immortal Realm. Smaller lineages attaching themselves to larger ones is the key to long-term survival. Most lineages choose to hedge their bets.” She didn’t want Ming Jian Su to get caught up in the turmoil within the feathered lineages. The situation had escalated beyond an internal conflict. It was now a game between the Heavenly Emperor and the Celestial Mother. Unfortunately, no matter what she said, Ming Jian Su wouldn’t listen.

    “I know,” Ming Jian Su said calmly.

    Ming Yuheng looked at her suspiciously. “You haven’t appeared at court much since your return. The Heavenly Emperor is already displeased with you. And I’m afraid the Celestial Mother is simply using you as a pawn.” Since they were in Dong’e Mountain, safe from eavesdroppers, she spoke more freely.

    Ming Jian Su smiled faintly. “They’ll need to be capable enough to do that.”

    Ming Yuheng remained silent for a while before asking, “What are your plans?”

    “If the obstacles disappear, there won’t be any problems, will there?” Ming Jian Su replied.

    Ming Yuheng hadn’t expected her to be so bold. In her memory, her fellow Daoist’s dream had always been to live a carefree life of pleasure and comfort. “Is it worth it?” she asked meaningfully.

    “It’s worth it,” Ming Jian Su answered without hesitation.

    Seeing her resolve, Ming Yuheng didn’t try to dissuade her. Even friendship had its limits. After a moment of thought, she said, “There’s been some activity in the Demon Abyss. If I’m not mistaken, the Heavenly Emperor will use this as an opportunity to send you to the battlefield between gods and demons to resolve the conflict.”

    A glint flashed in Ming Jian Su’s eyes. She remembered the message from Tushan Xiurong. Perhaps her “death” had given someone a brilliant idea. She nodded but didn’t say anything more. It wasn’t until they finished a few more games of Dao chess that she got up to see Ming Yuheng off.

    As she stepped out of the hall, Ming Yuheng didn’t pay attention to her surroundings. Looking at Ming Jian Su’s calm face, a wave of worry washed over her. The word “Elder Sister” that had been about to leave her lips caught in her throat. Instead, she said, her voice filled with concern, “Susu, be careful.”

    Ming Jian Su didn’t respond.

    Ming Yuheng’s eyelids twitched. A sense of foreboding filled her.

    “Susu?” A slightly questioning voice with a hint of amusement. Ming Yuheng turned around and saw a figure clad in vibrant red. A chill ran down her spine. Without even looking at Ming Jian Su’s expression, she transformed into a beam of light and fled.

    Feng Chiyue tossed the last spiritual fruit to the flock of birds, then clapped her hands, meeting Ming Jian Su’s gaze.

    She walked towards the hall casually, as if she hadn’t just spoken those two words.

    No fuss, no anger. This was the scenario that Ming Jian Su feared the most. She hurried after Feng Chiyue.

    “I don’t know why she called you that,”. First “Elder Sister,” then “Susu.” Ming Yuheng must be her nemesis!

    “Huh? What did you say, Elder Sister?” Feng Chiyue blinked, a confused expression on her face, as if she hadn’t understood what Ming Jian Su had said.

  • The Number One Good-for-Nothing in the Celestial Realm 41

    Chapter 41

    Meeting Feng Chiyue’s enigmatic gaze, Ming Jian Su felt her eyelids twitch. She hadn’t expected the conversation to take this turn. After a moment of careful consideration, she replied cautiously, “It was just ordinary interaction between colleagues.”

    “Did you really need to think about it for so long?” Feng Chiyue gave Ming Jian Su a sideways glance and, with a huff, brushed past her. She went outside to play with the flock of birds. Seeing that she wasn’t truly angry, Ming Jian Su felt the tension ease from her shoulders. She didn’t follow Feng Chiyue, as she still had a backlog of work from the Celestial Feather Ministry to deal with. After reviewing the records and dismissing some Feather Guard officials, several positions had opened up, requiring new appointments. She would have loved to erase the names of those from the Vermilion Bird and Bifang lineages, but unfortunately, the assessments were supposed to be “fair,” and she couldn’t give anyone a reason to criticize her junior sister.

    Using Feng Chiyue’s Chaos Mirror, Ming Jian Su posted a notice announcing a selection for Mountain Patrol Emissaries and other officials to be held in three days. The Mountain Patrol Emissaries, under the jurisdiction of the Heavenly Prosperity Department, were responsible for inspecting the mines and spiritual veins requested by the Celestial Feather Ministry. There were quite a few of these positions. In the past, they were chosen from among the Vermilion Bird, Bifang, and other feathered lineages, but since they refused to register with the Ministry, most of them had been dismissed. The new Mountain Patrol Emissaries would be tested not only on their basic knowledge but also on their combat abilities. After all, the previous officials had left behind a tangled web of connections that wouldn’t be easy to unravel.

    — Does the Celestial Feather Ministry’s assessment vary depending on the position?

    — I heard that the Vermilion Bird, Bifang, and other feathered lineages are moving. Will they even participate?

    — I don’t know. Things have been really lively in the Heavenly Court lately.

    In the new Danxue Mountain.

    The Vermilion Bird, Bifang, Swan Goose, and others also saw the notice from the Celestial Feather Ministry. Ming Jian Su was actually going ahead with this plan, the Heavenly Emperor remained silent, and Chang Li was in seclusion, nowhere to be found. They had no choice but to accept their fate. There were only a limited number of Mountain Patrol Emissary positions, and considering that some members of the feathered lineages were loyal to the Phoenix, they would certainly participate. Even those who were originally affiliated with the Vermilion Bird were starting to waver. Could they really stand by and watch as all the Mountain Patrol Emissary positions were filled by others?

    “At least they haven’t shown any favoritism towards Phoenix Mountain,” the Vermilion Bird Elder said in a deep voice. “Let the most promising candidates from our clan, along with the dismissed former Mountain Patrol Emissaries, take the assessment.” Based on the few jade slips related to the assessment that had been released, the content was directly related to the duties of the position. The former Mountain Patrol Emissaries had experience on their side, giving them a significant advantage over those from Phoenix Mountain.

    After making their decision, the Vermilion Bird Elder entered a cave. Fearing eavesdroppers, he set up multiple shielding formations. Once the flow of energy inside and outside the cave was completely separated, he carefully took out a black talisman paper. Chanting incantations, he channeled his magic power into it. Moments later, the talisman transformed into a wisp of black smoke that rose into the air, vaguely taking the shape of a demonic creature. The smoke lingered for a moment, circling the Vermilion Bird Elder before dissipating. The Elder snorted, a dark glint flashing in his eyes.

    In the Demon Abyss Palace.

    Tushan Liusu lounged on her throne, her legs crossed, her gaze fixed on the Chaos Mirror floating before her. It displayed the image of Tushan Xiurong’s indignant face.

    Ever since Ming Jian Su had implanted sword energy in Tushan Xiurong, she had been cursing Tushan Liusu daily. Tushan Liusu was unfazed. After all, it wasn’t her body that was afflicted. When a demon soldier arrived to report, Tushan Liusu didn’t even bother putting away the Chaos Mirror. She glanced at the soldier, waiting for him to speak.

    “Someone from the Heavenly Court sent a signal, requesting our assistance,” the demon soldier reported dutifully.

    Tushan Liusu raised an eyebrow, her gaze turning contemplative. The Demon Abyss and the Heavenly Court were separated only by a river, their history entangled in countless millennia of conflict. It was impossible for there to be no contact between the demon race and the immortals. Most of the time, their interactions, whether peaceful or hostile, were driven by “profit.” There were certain longstanding traditions that Tushan Liusu hadn’t changed after becoming the Demon Sovereign. For example, if someone in the Immortal Realm wanted a promotion but lacked sufficient merit, they would bribe the demon race with valuable treasures to create chaos and artificially inflate their merit. Or, if someone had an enemy they couldn’t deal with themselves, they would hire the demon race to assassinate them… Why refuse a mutually beneficial arrangement?

    “Make the necessary preparations,” Tushan Liusu replied with a smile.

    Tushan Xiurong, who had overheard the conversation, stared at her with wide eyes. “You’re doing it again–” she started to say, but the scene before her shifted, and Tushan Liusu’s smiling face vanished. Tushan Liusu had unilaterally cut off the connection.

    Tushan Xiurong: “…” Even the elders back in Qingqiu Mountain couldn’t remove the sword energy from her body. Her most important task each day was to contact Tushan Liusu, but unfortunately, her attempts to gather information always ended with her cursing at Tushan Liusu, gaining nothing in the process. Dong’e Mountain hadn’t contacted her again, as if they had forgotten about the incident. However, Tushan Xiurong couldn’t shake off the feeling of unease, since she was the one who had been threatened. After some thought, she decided to treat this as “intelligence,” hoping to earn a bit of “mercy” from the East Abode Master.

    Ming Jian Su was surprised to hear about the movements in the Demon Abyss from Tushan Xiurong, but upon reflection, she realized it made sense. She dismissed Tushan Xiurong with a few words, showing no sign of hostility or indignation towards the demon race. Ming Jian Su had no interest in getting involved in this mess. The Heavenly Emperor hadn’t tasked her with dealing with it, so it was none of her business. Her focus was solely on the Celestial Feather Ministry. After all, she had received a decree from the Celestial Mother to protect and guide her junior sister.

    Three days passed in the blink of an eye. On the day of the Celestial Feather Ministry assessment, Ming Jian Su actually woke up early, intending to make an appearance. She hadn’t expected Feng Chiyue to come, but surprisingly, her junior sister was uncharacteristically active. She got ready with lightning speed and even thoughtfully summoned their golden chariot. Ming Jian Su looked at Feng Chiyue suspiciously, feeling that beneath her obedient facade lurked a mischievous spirit.

    At the Celestial Feather Ministry.

    Que Chenyi was nervous. She had assumed that neither Ming Jian Su nor Feng Chiyue would come. After all, she was just a small mountain sparrow. Faced with the combined pressure emanating from the bloodlines of so many feathered immortals, she couldn’t help but feel intimidated. The newly crafted puppet servants maintained order. Perhaps because more resources had been invested in their creation, not only were they more durable, but their appearance had also improved. At least they no longer had featureless faces.

    The candidates for the Feather Guard positions varied in temperament, and being placed in the same space as their rivals inevitably led to some restlessness and agitation. Faint waves of magic power rippled through the air, coalescing into a powerful surge. Just as the tension threatened to boil over, a thunderous boom echoed through the hall. The immortals instinctively turned towards the source of the sound—a pillar of lightning, crackling with sword energy. Bai Zifeng, barely clinging to life, was suspended from it. Whenever he seemed about to lose consciousness, a puppet servant would force-feed him a spiritual pill. His presence served as a stark reminder to the feathered immortals of Bai Yang Star Monarch’s(White Phase Star Monarch) fate. The cacophony of voices quickly died down. No matter their thoughts, they all lowered their heads, silent as cicadas in winter.

    The golden chariot from Dong’e Mountain stopped outside the Heavenly Feather Hall. As the solemn sounds of bells and chimes echoed through the air, the candidates entered the hall one by one. Only then did Ming Jian Su and Feng Chiyue emerge from the chariot. Que Chenyi glanced at them but remained silent. She distributed the jade slips that had been prepared in advance. The questions on the slips covered a range of topics, including the history of the feathered lineages, the properties of various mines, arithmetic, and law. Que Chenyi knew that Ming Jian Su had written the questions. As for their actual Ministry Head… no one could make her work. She had heard that in the mortal realm, cultivators had to undergo numerous trials to ascend. She wondered what kind of hardship the East Abode Master had endured to come up with such a brutal assessment method.

    Indeed, Que Chenyi had already instinctively attributed everything to Ming Jian Su.

    The hall fell silent.

    Feng Chiyue found the atmosphere stifling after a while. She pulled Ming Jian Su to a side hall. Instead of taking out the Chaos Mirror to entertain herself, she uncharacteristically remembered her role as Ministry Head and, for appearances’ sake, expressed some concern for the affairs of the Celestial Feather Ministry. “After the written assessment, there will be another round of selection. What do you plan to have them do, Elder Sister?”

    Ming Jian Su replied without hesitation, “A tournament.” The role of a Mountain Patrol Emissary wasn’t just about sitting around in a hall. They needed to prevent unrest within the mines, defend against wandering immortals trying to steal resources, and accurately calculate output. Their cultivation couldn’t be too weak.

    Feng Chiyue snorted. “Troublesome.”

    Ming Jian Su blinked. “Do you have any ideas, Junior Sister?”

    “With such reluctant transitions between old and new, there are bound to be problems with the account books,” Feng Chiyue said. “Assign each candidate a mountain and have them compile a hundred years’ worth of records. Practical experience is the best teacher. Give them half a month. Those who fail are eliminated.”

    Ming Jian Su considered this. “Those former Mountain Patrol Emissaries might not be so obedient. There could be problems.” A peaceful transition, a violent conflict, avoidance, or even collusion were all possibilities.

    Feng Chiyue said calmly, “Then eliminate the problem directly.” The problem was caused by the immortals. If they eliminated those who were disobedient, wouldn’t the problem disappear? Ming Jian Su noticed a fleeting glint of murderous intent in Feng Chiyue’s eyes. After a moment of thought, she realized that this was also a good opportunity to weaken the power of the Vermilion Bird and Bifang lineages. “Alright,” she agreed.

    The candidates, having gone through the written assessment, knew that further trials were inevitable. They took advantage of the time to cram as much knowledge as possible. When the time was up, they submitted their jade slips. Many of them wore confident smiles, believing they had aced the test. Que Chenyi didn’t bother asking Feng Chiyue or Undefeated to review the answers. After dismissing the candidates, she distributed the jade slips to the puppet servants. There were practically no blank or nonsensical answers. After a flurry of activity, Que Chenyi carefully selected one hundred and fifty slips and presented them to Feng Chiyue.

    She knew that Feng Chiyue wouldn’t actually read them, so she reported directly, “This time, the results involve one hundred and nine feathered lineages. Neither Danxue Mountain nor Phoenix Mountain has a significant advantage. Instead, those from smaller, often overlooked lineages performed better.”

    Feng Chiyue said casually, “Those who harbor resentment wouldn’t take it seriously, of course. The smaller lineages see this as an opportunity. How could they not give it their all?”

    Que Chenyi asked, “Will there be a tournament next? When will it be held?”

    Ming Jian Su glanced at Feng Chiyue and said, “The tournament is canceled.”

    Que Chenyi: “?” Her gaze held a hint of both amusement and apprehension. What earth-shattering plan did their esteemed Ministry Head have in mind this time?

    Ming Jian Su flicked her sleeve, and a stream of light landed in Que Chenyi’s hand. Que Chenyi blinked and channeled her consciousness into the jade slip. It was a map of the Celestial Feather Ministry’s mines, with over a hundred mountains marked. She looked up at Ming Jian Su, puzzled.

    “Assign these candidates who passed the written assessment to each of the marked mines,” Ming Jian Su instructed. “Have them audit a hundred years’ worth of records for each mine.”

    Que Chenyi thought for a moment, understanding Ming Jian Su’s intention. However, a new problem arose. The records in the Heavenly Prosperity Department’s treasury were also unclear. How would she evaluate the candidates’ performance? She voiced her concerns.

    Ming Jian Su gestured to Feng Chiyue, who had originally come up with the idea.

    The Feather Guard registry in the Heavenly Feather Hall could be cross-referenced with the Celestial Feather Career Book, but the mine yields and treasury records, as Que Chenyi pointed out, had no reliable reference point. Feng Chiyue lifted her eyelids lazily. “After they compile the records, those from similar mines can be compared against each other. Surely, those candidates from different backgrounds wouldn’t collude with each other, right?” Moreover, the records compiled by those from the Phoenix Mountain faction would definitely be reliable. After all, they had controlled these mines a thousand years ago and had a good understanding of the rate of resource depletion.

    Ming Jian Su nodded. “Do it that way.”

    Que Chenyi: “…” A single sentence from the Ministry Head, and it was up to her subordinates to flesh out the details and patch up any loopholes. Why had she bothered becoming a candidate and competing for a position in the Celestial Feather Ministry in the first place? The puppet servants did save her a lot of trouble, but there were some things they simply couldn’t do.

    Looking at Que Chenyi’s dejected expression, Feng Chiyue, surprisingly, felt a flicker of sympathy. After a moment of thought, she took out a few spiritual fruits and placed them on the table. “These fruits can nourish your Yuan Qi and prevent feather loss.” They tasted quite ordinary, and as for their effects… she had no use for them.

    Hearing the words “feather loss,” Que Chenyi felt a wave of despair wash over her. Her mood darkened even further.

    Seeing herself in Que Chenyi, Ming Jian Su also spoke up after Feng Chiyue expressed her sympathy. However, unlike Feng Chiyue’s superficial gesture, her words were filled with genuine understanding. “I’ll find you an assistant.”

    Que Chenyi’s eyes welled up with gratitude.

    It wasn’t until they left the Heavenly Feather Hall that Feng Chiyue turned to Ming Jian Su, her brow furrowed. “Assistant?” Who else did her Elder Sister know among the feathered lineages? Was she planning to reach out to Phoenix Mountain? Ask a cultivator from Phoenix Mountain to help Que Chenyi?

    Ming Jian Su smiled enigmatically. “You’ll see when we get back to Dong’e Mountain.”

    Feng Chiyue, dissatisfied with her evasiveness, pressed further, “It’s not Zhu Wan, is it?”

    Ming Jian Su looked surprised. “You want her to work at the Celestial Feather Ministry?”

    “No,” Feng Chiyue replied. Although Zhu Wan was a bit of a fool and somewhat timid, she was still better than many of the useless immortals in the Heavenly Court. If her Elder Sister took on another disciple, who knew what kind of person they would be? What if they distracted her Elder Sister? In short, any potential for trouble should be avoided. The brief distraction had extinguished Feng Chiyue’s curiosity.

    When they returned to Dong’e Mountain, Zhu Wan happened to be feeding the flock of plump little birds.

    Feng Chiyue didn’t interrupt, her gaze fixed on the little creatures vying for food. Hearing Ming Jian Su’s footsteps, she pointed to a small green bird. “It’s not as lively as the others.”

    Ming Jian Su smiled faintly. “Perhaps it’s sick.”

    Feng Chiyue’s lips curled into a smile that wasn’t quite a smile. “What if it’s contagious? Should we throw it out of Dong’e Mountain?” Upon hearing these words, the meek little green bird puffed up its feathers and, with a flap of its wings, launched itself at the other birds, crashing into them like a falling mountain. It was always domineering, and the other birds, having reached their limit, finally fought back. However, they were no match for its “slaps” and ended up huddled together in defeat. A few brave ones, tears welling up in their eyes, flew towards Feng Chiyue. However, upon meeting Ming Jian Su’s gentle gaze, they quickly changed course and landed on Zhu Wan’s shoulder, pecking at her empty hand.

    Ming Jian Su’s smile vanished. In a calm yet firm voice, she said, “Come in.”

    Zhu Wan was confused. “Huh?”

    Feng Chiyue glanced at Zhu Wan and said slowly, “Not you.”

    Zhu Wan: “?” If not her, then who? Her Master wouldn’t use such a cold tone with Feng Chiyue. Could there be some entity hiding in Dong’e Mountain without her knowledge? Her confusion deepened as her gaze darted around, finally landing on the stiff, dejected-looking green bird—its despondency was palpable. Could it be this grumpy little creature?

    The despondent little green bird soon confirmed Zhu Wan’s guess, flapping its wings as it flew towards the Dharma Hall. The remaining birds seemed delighted. Zhu Wan thought she heard the sound of mocking laughter. She frowned, looking at the birds again—perhaps they were impatient for their food. With a flurry of wings, they scattered, embodying the concept of “heartlessness.”

    Inside the Dharma Hall.

    Feng Chiyue settled comfortably into Ming Jian Su’s embrace and summoned the Chaos Mirror, eager for some entertainment. However, seeing the emerald light entering the hall, she frowned. “Assume your human form,” she ordered. In this Dharma Hall, only she was allowed to be a little bird!

    The green bird obeyed. It was enveloped in a green glow, and after a few moments, a young girl, no older than fourteen or fifteen, emerged. Dressed in shades of yellow and green, she possessed a delicate beauty.

    “From the Azure Dragon lineage,” Ming Jian Su said. She had already noticed something unusual about this green bird, but seeing how well-behaved it was and considering its young age and the fact that her junior sister didn’t seem to dislike it, she hadn’t driven it out of the mountain.

    The girl was somewhat afraid of Ming Jian Su. She had deluded herself into thinking she could hide among the other birds, freeloading in Dong’e Mountain, but now the East Abode Master had mercilessly exposed her, and despair washed over her like a tidal wave. If her instincts hadn’t told her that crying would only worsen her situation, she would have burst into tears.

    “What’s your name?” Feng Chiyue asked, her voice languid yet polite.

    “Qing Xun,” the girl replied softly.

    “How old are you?” Feng Chiyue asked.

    “Sixteen,” Qing Xun answered.

    Feng Chiyue: “…” Why did she look even younger than her actual age? Was Phoenix Mountain so poor that they couldn’t even raise a single Azure Dragon? Had she come to Dong’e Mountain to fight with the other birds? “Can’t Phoenix Mountain afford to keep you?” When she said this, Feng Chiyue didn’t bother hiding her mockery and disdain for Phoenix Mountain.

    Qing Xun was at a loss for words.

    She didn’t lack food in Phoenix Mountain, but for some reason, she couldn’t seem to absorb enough energy. One day, she was drawn to the scent of Dong’e Mountain’s spiritual fruits and had secretly transformed into a small green bird to come here. She had spent a few days in fear, but no one chased her away, so she had stayed, pretending to be an ordinary bird. Now it seemed that they had simply been too lazy to deal with her.

    Ming Jian Su wrapped her arm around Feng Chiyue’s waist and looked at Qing Xun calmly. “You ate the spiritual fruits from Dong’e Mountain.”

    Qing Xun fidgeted, her voice small and hesitant. “I-I’ll compensate you.” Her voice grew fainter with each word, eventually becoming a mere whisper. Many of the spiritual fruits, originally native to Danxue Mountain but now extinct, how could she possibly compensate for them? She summoned the Chaos Mirror, but she didn’t dare mention this to the elders in her clan. She simply lowered her head, her gaze fixed on her toes.

    Feng Chiyue looked at the young Azure Dragon, realizing that she was the “assistant” Ming Jian Su had mentioned. “Do you need me to contact the Azure Dragon Elder?” she asked coolly.

    Qing Xun: “…”

    Ming Jian Su rubbed her forehead, suddenly feeling a pang of guilt for bullying a child. She decided to stop beating around the bush. “Those spiritual fruits are priceless. Even Phoenix Mountain might not be able to afford them. You may be young, but you’re old enough to take responsibility for your actions. Go to the Celestial Feather Ministry and find someone named Que Chenyi. She’ll tell you what to do.”

    Qing Xun, who had thought she was in deep trouble, looked up in surprise. Was this a lifeline? She had seen the fearsome reputations of these two on the Chaos Mirror and had assumed her fate would be the same as Bai Yang Star Monarch’s. She bowed deeply. “I’ll go right away!” Then, she spun around and ran, as if chased by a monstrous beast.

    Feng Chiyue scoffed. “Her immortal body has a congenital defect. She’ll probably need to undergo Nirvana to be like the other feathered immortals.”

    Ming Jian Su wasn’t an expert on the feathered lineages and hadn’t noticed anything wrong with Qing Xun. Hearing Feng Chiyue’s words, she smiled. “You’re truly kind, Junior Sister.”

    Feng Chiyue glanced at Ming Jian Su but didn’t reply.

    She couldn’t be bothered to communicate with Phoenix Mountain.

    At the Celestial Feather Ministry.

    Que Chenyi hadn’t expected the “assistant” she was given to be such a young Azure Dragon.

    This wasn’t an assistant. This was a “disciple” she couldn’t possibly refuse!

    Still, work needed to be done. As she assigned tasks to the one hundred and fifty candidates, she explained things to her new “assistant.” By the time her throat was dry, she gratefully accepted the spiritual tea offered by Qing Xun and took a sip. A surge of spiritual energy coursed through her veins, instantly dispelling her fatigue. She looked at the well-behaved Qing Xun and, forcing a gentle smile, asked, “Do you understand?”

    Qing Xun bit her lip and answered honestly, “No.”

    Que Chenyi: “…” Was it too late to tell the East Abode Master that she didn’t want this assistant?

    After a moment of silent standoff with Qing Xun, the cold voice of a puppet servant rang out from outside the side hall.

    Que Chenyi had a feeling it wasn’t good news. She wearily allowed the puppet servant to enter, but instead of a mountain of documents, it carried a tray piled high with spiritual fruits, their vibrant energy almost overflowing.

    “These are from Dong’e Mountain,” the puppet servant reported mechanically.

    Que Chenyi understood. These were for her little assistant, and she happened to benefit as well.

    Seeing the longing in Qing Xun’s eyes, Que Chenyi coughed, trying to maintain her “dignity as a teacher.”

    Wasn’t it just taking on a slow-witted disciple? What was the big deal? After sharing the fruits, she couldn’t help but ask, “Are you… related to the Ministry Head?” Otherwise, why would she receive such preferential treatment?

  • After Failing to Find Immortality 64

    Chapter 64: Peace in Changling

    Lin Tianlu closed his eyes and sighed contentedly, his heart at peace.

    The thrill of victory, the satisfaction of fulfilling his promise… it felt exhilarating.

    When he opened his eyes again, the Crimson Beast’s massive body had disintegrated, leaving behind a black,”壶”-shaped Soul Repository, floating in mid-air, cracks appearing on its surface.

    Crack!

    As the repository shattered, countless souls and Yin energy poured out, swirling over the Ningguan River like a starry sky.

    Some souls still retained their human forms, while others were just faint shadows. But they all bowed respectfully.

    Lin Tianlu planted the Locust Sword beside him and returned the gesture solemnly. “Rest in peace, fellow townspeople.”

    A moment later, the souls rose into the sky like a river, leaving behind a vast cloud of Yin energy that surged towards Lin Tianlu.

    As the wind and waves subsided, the chaos that had shaken Changling came to an end.

    Lin Tianlu looked down at the jade pendant in his hand.

    It was still trembling slightly, having absorbed a large amount of Yin energy.

    Hum—

    A bright white light flashed, and a strange phenomenon occurred!

    His vision blurred, and he felt as if he were floating on clouds. He saw a majestic palace shrouded in mist, the sound of bells echoing, spiritual energy swirling like a rainbow. It resembled a legendary immortal sect, bathed in a heavenly glow, its surrounding peaks like stars orbiting the moon, a breathtakingly beautiful sight.

    Lin Tianlu’s eyes widened in surprise. “This is—”

    ‘Wan Sheng Immortal Sect.’

    The fallen sect, now in ruins on Mount Taiyi.

    Seeing its former glory, he was even more puzzled. How could such a powerful and mysterious sect end up as a forgotten ruin?

    “The Heavenly Sea has fallen, all is lost.”

    A soft, ethereal voice echoed in his ears. “If you seek answers from the past, look within the Heart Sea Soul Pendant.”

    “Who’s there?!”

    Lin Tianlu looked around, but he only caught a glimpse of a white figure disappearing into the mist.

    “…”

    There was no response.

    At the same time, a burning sensation spread through his palm. Lin Tianlu snapped back to reality, the illusion fading. He stared at the jade pendant in his hand, its glow dimming. “This object… truly holds many secrets?”

    The pendant bounced slightly, as if in response.

    Lin Tianlu said, “I’ll try to feed you more Yin energy.”

    The pendant vibrated excitedly, but unlike its previous chaotic behavior, it gently flew into his pocket.

    “You’ve calmed down quite a bit?”

    Lin Tianlu patted his pocket, chuckling softly.

    He had been prepared for another round of chaos, but the pendant was surprisingly obedient.

    At that moment, footsteps approached from behind.

    “Master Li—”

    Ji Hang, his face covered in soot, returned to the riverbank. Seeing the aftermath of the battle, his jaw dropped, his heart filled with shock.

    After a moment of silence, he looked at Lin Tianlu, his gaze filled with awe and reverence. His voice trembled. “Is… is that beast gone?”

    “Along with the Luo Xing ghost.”

    Lin Tianlu turned to him. “You seem to be familiar with the Luo Xing, Shopkeeper Ji.”

    Ji Hang’s heart skipped a beat, and he quickly knelt down. “Please forgive me, Master Lin! Years ago, my family was struggling. My parents were ill, and I was desperate. The Luo Xing offered me financial assistance, allowing me to build the Ascension Immortal Restaurant. Although I never harmed anyone for their wealth, I did do some things for them in my youth—”

    He kowtowed twice. “Please punish me, Master Lin! But please spare my innocent children!”

    “If you’re truly remorseful, then spend the rest of your life doing good deeds, atoning for your mistakes, and contributing to the community.”

    Lin Tianlu waved his hand dismissively, showing no anger.

    The situation was complex. It wasn’t his place to judge as an outsider.

    “Tell me, what do you know about the Luo Xing? Will they seek revenge for the death of their members?”

    Ji Hang shook his head repeatedly. “The Luo Xing rarely reveals itself. They mostly operate through these ghost practitioners, and their control over their territories is very strict. There haven’t been any new ghost practitioners in this area for years… But I don’t know what will happen in the future.”

    “And what about the Soultaker?”

    “The Soultaker…” Ji Hang’s face paled, a shiver running down his spine. “I’ve never met one before. I only know that they’re among the strongest in the Luo Xing. Tonight was the first time I saw one in person.”

    Lin Tianlu nodded slightly. “Thank you for sharing, Shopkeeper Ji. But what about the situation around the Ascension Immortal Restaurant…”

    “Please rest assured, Master Lin! I’ll take care of it!”

    “I’ll leave it to you then.”

    Lin Tianlu looked at the beautiful night sky, his heart calm and peaceful.

    Changling County would be safe for a few years.

    The next morning…

    Changling County was bustling with activity again.

    But rumors were spreading through the town.

    Unlike the usual fantastical tales, these rumors were filled with awe and wonder.

    More than one person had heard the earth-shattering roar of a beast last night, and some had even glimpsed a towering black figure rising from the Ningguan River, a terrifying sight.

    The wind and clouds had been chaotic, thunder rumbling, making people feel a sense of dread and foreboding. Even in their sleep, they had been plagued by nightmares, waking up in a cold sweat.

    But then, a sword beam had flashed, splitting the dark clouds in the sky, and the massive black figure had been cleaved in two.

    An unprecedentedly clear and refreshing breeze had swept through Changling, lifting the weight from their hearts.

    “Have you heard? It seems an immortal descended from the heavens last night and slayed a demon for our Changling County!”

    “Really?”

    “You wouldn’t believe it. They say a powerful demon had been lurking beneath the Ningguan River for decades.”

    A young man slammed his cup on the table, gesturing excitedly. “That monster tried to attack last night. But Master Lin happened to be passing by, reciting poetry and drinking wine, his aura soaring to the heavens. He drew his sword and slayed the demon!”

    “Master Lin? But he’s a scholar! How can he wield a sword?”

    “Eh! Don’t worry about the details. It’s definitely related to Master Lin… Many people saw him standing by the river, his sword raised, the water churning, lightning flashing. It was an incredible sight!”

    The restaurant erupted in excited chatter, a mixture of shock and awe.

    Mao Ruoyu walked through the morning market, carrying a basket, her expression a bit strange as she listened to the rumors swirling around her.

    She had drunk quite a bit of wine last night and had been caught up in her rivalry with Cheng Yishi, falling asleep on the boat.

    But…

    She vaguely remembered the boat swaying, the noise around her, and through her drowsy haze, she had glimpsed the scene they were describing.

    —Lin Tianlu, his sword raised, slaying the terrifying monster with a single strike.

    She had thought it was just a dream. But now, recalling it…

    Had such a dangerous event truly occurred last night?

    Mao Ruoyu tapped her forehead, feeling a pang of regret and self-reproach.

    She had been completely oblivious, unaware of the danger. Had she caused trouble for Lin Tianlu?

    “Madam Mao, please take these steamed buns.”

    A kind-hearted old woman suddenly approached her, handing her a bag of food.

    Mao Ruoyu was taken aback.

    “But I haven’t…”

    “Madam Mao.” The old woman leaned closer, her voice serious. “My family of five was walking along the street near the Ascension Immortal Restaurant last night when we suddenly collapsed, unconscious. I was barely conscious… but I saw Master Lin’s heroic actions.”

    “I know whether those rumors are true or not.”

    Her wrinkled face was filled with respect as she held Mao Ruoyu’s hand. “Please accept these buns, Madam. It’s a small token of gratitude from my family. If you refuse, I… I won’t be able to sleep peacefully.”

    Mao Ruoyu was stunned for a moment, then smiled gently.

    “I’ll convey your gratitude, Madam.”

    “My dear, you should hold onto this blessing tightly. That Master Lin is truly a divine being, an extraordinary man! To be his wife would be a great fortune, bringing honor to your ancestors!”

    Mao Ruoyu blushed. “This, this matter…”

    The old woman chuckled kindly. “Don’t worry, don’t worry. There’s no need to be shy, my dear.”

    “Madam Lu, I should go home now.”

    Mao Ruoyu quickly excused herself and hurried away, a bit embarrassed.

    She glanced at the other stalls in the market and was surprised to see that many people were staring at her, their hands reaching for something, as if eager to give her something.

    A sense of unease washed over her, and she chuckled awkwardly, not daring to linger any longer. She turned and hurried towards home.

    It wasn’t a good day to be out and about.

    Lin Tianlu folded a few sets of clothes and put them in his bag. He looked at the broken sword and the Go board by the bed, then, after a moment of thought, packed them as well.

    Now that the Crimson Beast was gone, and the evil that had plagued this place was eradicated, Changling County should be safe for a while. It was the perfect time for him to travel to Fuyang Prefecture.

    The Heart Sea Soul Pendant held many secrets. He had to investigate them.

    The mysteries of this world, the secrets of the Wan Sheng Immortal Sect, and even the Luo Xing… he needed to consider them all carefully.

    But…

    Knock, knock, knock…

    A knock on the gate interrupted his thoughts.

    “Coming!”

    Lin Tianlu put down his bag and hurried to the door.

    When he opened the gate, his eyes widened in surprise.

    A long line of people, both men and women, stretched out before him, their eyes filled with anticipation.

    As soon as he opened the gate, the courtyard erupted in a cacophony of voices, making it impossible to understand what they were saying.

    “Everyone, please calm down, calm down!”

    Lin Tianlu raised his hands and shouted, “One at a time, please.”

    “Master Lin, I’m here to offer you a gift. I had the pleasure of meeting you at the Ascension Immortal Restaurant the other day. What a fortunate encounter.” A middle-aged man smiled, handing him several packages, large and small.

    Lin Tianlu’s lips twitched.

    This felt strangely familiar.

    Hadn’t this happened just a few days ago?

    “Thank you for your kindness, Sir, but I…”

    “Master Lin, I have a daughter of marriageable age. Would you be interested in meeting her?” The man added.

    Lin Tianlu: “…”

    “That’s a bit forward, Mr. Wang.” A beautiful young woman beside him curtsied gracefully, her voice sweet. “I’ve heard so much about your talent, Sir. I would love to learn from you, whether it’s music, chess, calligraphy, or painting. I’m well-versed in literature and would be delighted to discuss poetry with you.”

    “Eh! You’re wrong, Miss Huang. Master Lin must prefer a virtuous and domesticated woman. Master Lin, would you be interested in meeting my daughter…”

    “Why are you cutting in line? I was here first—”

    “Don’t listen to them, Master Lin! That man’s daughter already has two children—”

    “Master Lin! That woman has another lover! Don’t be fooled by her!”

    Lin Tianlu was speechless, listening to the cacophony of voices.

    So these people were all… here for matchmaking?

    This wasn’t matchmaking, it was a Black Friday sale!

  • It turns out, they are the protagonists 158

    Chapter 158: Ye Qian’s Unique Hobby

    “Friend of the Antagonists activating at a time like this… this isn’t good,” Mu Zhi’an muttered, staring at the ominous black glow emanating from the title on his interface.

    He had clearly heard a voice from the Pilgrimage Palace during the sect’s opening ceremony.

    And now, after a tremor near the Pilgrimage Palace, the “Friend of the Antagonists” title had activated.

    Could this mean that the being sealed within the Pilgrimage Palace was an “antagonist”?

    A powerful antagonist at that.

    The titles on his interface weren’t just for show. They had tangible effects.

    The black-robed man’s initial approach, and even the Demon Realm Empress’s interest in him, might have been influenced by this title.

    He had only witnessed this eerie glow once before: during his encounter with the Swallowing Python, the beautiful snake woman.

    Could the being sealed within the Pilgrimage Palace’s altar be on par with the Demon Realm Empress?!

    His heart sank as he considered this possibility.

    No wonder the Sect Master had warned him against asking too many questions.

    It wouldn’t have made a difference anyway.

    This matter should be left to the Sect Master. It’s beyond my capabilities… He decided.

    He sensed someone approaching.

    He turned to see Ye Qian, who had just hurried away, walking towards him casually.

    She looked up at him, her almond-shaped eyes filled with curiosity. “Brother Mu, when did you arrive?”

    Her expression was a perfect mask of innocence.

    He frowned, suspicion flickering in his eyes.

    I wasn’t mistaken… That was definitely Qian’er leaving Lingxuan’s room…

    Why is she pretending she didn’t see me…?

    Could she have been passing by?

    He studied her, noting the flicker of panic in her eyes as she met his gaze. She quickly lowered her head.

    However, her gaze fell not on her toes, but on her ample bosom.

    Something’s fishy… He eyed her, his gaze lingering on her alluring figure, a blend of innocence and seduction.

    “Don’t tease her so much,” Ye Lingxuan whispered, tugging at his sleeve.

    He glanced at the beautiful girl beside him, her purple dress accentuating her elegant features.

    He boldly wrapped his arm around her waist, giving her a playful poke before taking her hand in his.

    “If I can’t tease Qian’er, can I tease you instead?” he whispered back.

    Her heart skipped a beat, and she quickly withdrew her hand, glancing at her sister. Seeing Qian’er still lost in thought, she relaxed.

    She shot him a playful glare, her voice a soft murmur. “Stop it. It would be disastrous if Qian’er found out…”

    She had come to accept his bold gestures, but she still drew the line at intimacy in front of her sister.

    The reason was obvious… Qian’er had fallen for him first, and she, as the elder sister, had tried to prevent it. Now, she was the one in a relationship with him.

    If Qian’er found out, she might not confront them or scold them, but she would be heartbroken.

    That was why Lingxuan was so determined to keep their relationship a secret.

    She had intended to confess to her sister, but she couldn’t bring herself to do it.

    Unbeknownst to her, Ye Qian had been secretly observing them from the doorway ever since they had started fooling around in the room.

    Lingxuan believed she knew her sister well, having grown up with her… And she did. She was familiar with Qian’er’s habits and her personality.

    However, she hadn’t anticipated her sister’s… unique hobbies…

    Ye Qian glanced at Mu Zhi’an’s hand holding her sister’s, then quickly looked away.

    It might have seemed like an insignificant gesture to Mu Zhi’an, but after receiving a certain inheritance at Dao Peak, she had developed a heightened sensitivity to subtle movements, though not to the same extent as her sister.

    For example, she had noticed Brother Mu secretly holding Sister’s hand and teasing her…

    And she had also seen them kissing in the room earlier… Just thinking about it sent a thrill through her.

    She remained silent, her head bowed, feigning shyness. However, her eyes sparkled with excitement.

    She knew her hobby was strange, but she couldn’t help it… The thought of her beloved Brother Mu and her beloved sister together filled her with jealousy… but also a strange sense of arousal.

    “Qian’er.”

    A gentle voice snapped her out of her thoughts.

    She looked up to see Mu Zhi’an, clad in his black robe with gold trim, gazing at her warmly.

    “W-what is it?” she stammered, her eyes wide and innocent.

    “Your sister and I are going to have some tea and snacks at a pavilion. Want to join us?” he asked with a smile.

    He had decided against venturing to the Pilgrimage Palace.

    The “Friend of the Antagonists” title had warned him. The being sealed within the palace was clearly dangerous.

    Only a fool would go there.

    It was better to enjoy a relaxing afternoon with the Ye sisters, sipping tea and chatting idly at a pavilion.

    She nodded, her cheeks flushing. “Okay.”

    The tremors had ceased. They left the residence together.

    As they stepped outside, a cacophony of voices reached their ears.

    “What do you think happened at the Pilgrimage Palace? Why was the tremor so strong?”

    “I heard from a Senior Brother that the Pilgrimage Palace always trembles after the sect’s opening ceremony. Apparently, Ling Long, the Spirit Dragon, resides in a Dongtian beneath the palace…”

    “So Senior Ling Long caused the tremor?” a disciple asked, his voice laced with doubt.

    Ling Long is innocent… Mu Zhi’an thought, listening to their conversation.

    He glanced at the two sisters beside him. “Let’s find a place to sit,” he said with a smile.

  • It turns out, they are the protagonists 157

    Chapter 157: The Seal of the Pilgrimage Palace

    There were many types of constitutions in the cultivation world, and the Innate Celestial Vessel was one of the rarest.

    In fact, Mu Zhi’an might be the only one in the entire Nine Realms.

    It was no wonder the Peak Masters were so interested in him once they discovered his secret.

    The Peak Master of Dao Peak, usually aloof and distant, rarely granted audiences even to her inner disciples. Yet, recently, she had been interacting with Mu Zhi’an frequently.

    She justified her actions as a Peak Master’s concern for a disciple’s well-being, hoping to nurture the “little cabbage” and help him reach the Core Formation Realm… At least, that’s what she told herself.

    Yu Ziyan sat at the pavilion, her voluptuous figure concealed by her loose black robe, sipping tea as she watched the scene unfold by the pond.

    Mu Zhi’an was chatting with Lan Mulian, who had just arrived.

    Yu Xuanji, the Peak Master of the Peak of Celestial Secrets, sat across from her, her long, slender legs crossed elegantly. She twirled her teacup between her fingers, a playful smile gracing her lips. “This young master from the Mu Family is quite charming. I’ve never seen anyone so close to Junior Sister Lan,” she remarked.

    “Though he’s only at the Foundation Establishment Realm, his manners and social skills are far superior to most disciples. It’s no wonder he’s caught Junior Sister Lan’s attention,” Yu Ziyan replied with a smile.

    Most of the newly accepted disciples, apart from a few rogue cultivators, came from wealthy and influential families. They were accustomed to being pampered and having their every whim catered to.

    However, within the Two Polarities Sect, everyone was equal. There were no servants to cater to their every need, so many struggled to adapt.

    Mu Zhi’an, on the other hand, seemed perfectly at ease. He had likely honed his social skills through frequent interactions with others back in Tianxuan City. It was no wonder he had caught Lan Mulian’s eye.

    “Perhaps she’s also aware of the secret within his vessel,” Yu Xuanji said, her gaze lingering on Mu Zhi’an.

    She glanced at her Senior Sister, who usually maintained an unapproachable “goddess” persona in front of her disciples. “You two are quite cunning. You’ve known about his secret all along, haven’t you? You’re simply keeping it to yourselves so you can enjoy his Innate Celestial Vessel all to yourselves.”

    Yu Ziyan shook her head. “I only learned of it recently. Initially, I simply wanted to help him progress faster, considering he’s my Junior Sister’s disciple.”

    “With his talent, he shouldn’t be stuck at the Eighth Stage of Foundation Establishment.”

    Yu Xuanji chuckled, her gaze fixed on her serious-faced Senior Sister.

    Sure, sure… you just want him to reach the Core Formation Realm so you can use him for your own cultivation…

    Of course, she wouldn’t voice her thoughts.

    It would only invite a retort.

    Yu Ziyan had come to the Garden of Heavenly Harmony to deliver pills, hoping to encourage Mu Zhi’an to focus on his cultivation and reach the Core Formation Realm quickly.

    And she wasn’t the only one.

    Yu Xuanji turned her attention to Lan Mulian, who was chatting with Mu Zhi’an by the pond. “Junior Sister Lan could also take on a disciple once she reaches the Nascent Soul Realm,” she said, her voice laced with a hint of mischief.

    “Considering their close relationship, perhaps she’ll take Mu Zhi’an as her disciple.”

    “Junior Sister Lan only cares about cultivation. She wouldn’t bother taking on a disciple,” Yu Ziyan replied, shaking her head.

    “Besides, my Junior Sister wouldn’t let Mu Zhi’an leave the Book Pavilion… He doesn’t seem like the type to betray his Master.”

    A pang of regret stabbed at her heart.

    During the inner disciple selection, they had all focused on recruiting the most talented prodigies. However, Yan Ruyu had gone against the grain, choosing Mu Zhi’an without hesitation.

    She had been puzzled by her Junior Sister’s decision, even wondering if she had lost her mind.

    Now, it seemed she had been too slow to react.

    If Mu Zhi’an was a disciple of Dao Peak, she could at least… experiment a little…

    “We should have fought harder for him that day,” Yu Xuanji sighed, echoing Yu Ziyan’s thoughts.

    Yan Ruyu had never taken on a personal disciple before, yet she had been the first among the Peak Masters to do so that day. It had been strange.

    They had assumed she was simply interested in his connection to Ling Long, so they hadn’t questioned her decision.

    Now, it seemed they had missed a golden opportunity…

    No matter how much “kindness” they showered upon him now, it wouldn’t compare to the favor Yan Ruyu had earned by choosing him without hesitation.

    Her actions that day must have left a deep impression on him.

    Both Yu Xuanji and Yu Ziyan sighed inwardly.

    If Mu Zhi’an reached the Core Formation Realm, Yan Ruyu would be his mentor and his benefactor.

    Judging by the admiration in his eyes when he had mentioned her earlier, he clearly adored her.

    Once the “cabbage” ripened, Yan Ruyu could simply summon him to her residence, sit back, cross her legs, and beckon him with her finger. He would be putty in her hands.

    And as a disciple of the Book Pavilion, the other Peak Masters couldn’t easily summon him to their Dongtians.

    They would have to wait until Yan Ruyu was finished with him before they could have a taste.

    As they pondered this frustrating situation, Mu Zhi’an and Lan Mulian approached the pavilion.

    “My apologies for keeping you waiting, Peak Masters,” Mu Zhi’an said, bowing respectfully.

    “There’s no need for formalities. Please, sit,” Yu Ziyan said, her smile warm and welcoming.

    She poured them each a cup of tea, then glanced at Lan Mulian.

    “It’s rare to see you leave Two Polarities Peak, Junior Sister Lan. What brings you here today?” she asked with a smile.

    Though Lan Mulian was only at the peak of the Core Formation Realm, as the Sect Master’s disciple, her status was comparable to that of a Peak Master.

    All the disciples, regardless of their peak or affiliation, knew of her status and her reclusive nature.

    As Mu Zhi’an had accurately assessed, she was a homebody.

    So her presence at the Garden of Heavenly Harmony was… intriguing.

    Was it because of Ling Long?

    Or… because of Mu Zhi’an?

    Lan Mulian removed her veil, revealing her breathtaking beauty. “I’ve reached the peak of the Core Formation Realm. Further cultivation won’t yield any results. I thought I’d take a break from my secluded training and perhaps gain some new insights,” she explained with a smile.

    The Nascent Soul Realm was known as the “realm of earthly immortals” because cultivators at that level were incredibly rare.

    While the Two Polarities Sect had numerous Nascent Soul cultivators, it didn’t mean they were common throughout the Nine Realms.

    A Nascent Soul cultivator could dominate any region in the Nine Realms, their power unmatched.

    They were treated as honored guests by powerful families, showered with gifts and favors.

    Some families even offered pills and beautiful women to entice wandering Nascent Soul cultivators to stay within their territory, even for a short period.

    A Nascent Soul cultivator’s presence brought immense benefits.

    “You’re right. A change of scenery might spark new insights. Perhaps you’ll even reach the Nascent Soul Realm soon,” Yu Ziyan said, nodding in agreement.

    Lan Mulian took a sip of her tea and looked at the two Peak Masters. “What brings you two here?” she asked with a smile.

    Yu Ziyan’s two disciples were the Ye sisters, while Yu Xuanji had accepted Lan Feiying and Luo Yuan as her inner disciples.

    They had no reason to visit the Garden of Heavenly Harmony.

    Yet, here they were, bearing gifts of pills meant for Foundation Establishment cultivators.

    It was obvious the pills were intended for Mu Zhi’an.

    “Ye Lingxuan chose Dao Peak thanks to Young Master Mu’s influence. This is a small token of our appreciation,” Yu Ziyan explained, offering a plausible excuse.

    “My disciple, Luo Yuan, had a minor conflict with Young Master Mu recently. I came to see what transpired and to pay my respects to Senior Ling Long,” Yu Xuanji added, offering her own excuse.

    They didn’t want anyone else to know about his Innate Celestial Vessel. They already had their hands full. Adding two or three more competitors would only complicate matters.

    Of course, they were unaware that Lan Mulian had known about his constitution since their time in Tianxuan City.

    She studied them, her eyes flickering with suspicion.

    She didn’t believe their excuses.

    However, she didn’t press the issue. She simply took another sip of her tea.

    If they didn’t want to tell her, there was no point in asking.

    The two Peak Masters hadn’t intended to stay long, and with Lan Mulian’s arrival, they chatted with Mu Zhi’an for a while longer before departing.

    Lan Mulian watched them leave, her gaze thoughtful.

    Their excuses were too flimsy.

    Two high-ranking Peak Masters wouldn’t lower themselves to visit a disciple’s residence simply to deliver pills.

    She turned her attention to Mu Zhi’an, her usually cold demeanor softening slightly. “Did you consume the Stage Advancement Pill?” she asked.

    “Thanks to you, Senior Sister, I advanced a stage immediately. I’m one step closer to the Core Formation Realm,” he replied sincerely.

    She nodded. “You should start thinking about your Core Formation Dao now, so you don’t get stuck at the peak of Foundation Establishment for too long.”

    He nodded, taking her advice to heart.

    “You’ve been at the peak of the Core Formation Realm for a while now, Senior Sister. Are you facing any difficulties?” he asked.

    She had already been at the peak of the Core Formation Realm when they had met in Tianxuan City.

    “Not really. I’m simply strengthening my foundation,” she replied.

    “I should reach the Nascent Soul Realm within six months.”

    “Then you’ll be able to take on a disciple, right?” he asked tentatively.

    She glanced at him, her voice flat. “I could, but I wouldn’t take on a philandering disciple.”

    I wasn’t planning on becoming your disciple… He stared at her, her cold gaze making him feel strangely guilty. “You misunderstand me, Senior Sister. I’m a very devoted person, and I always keep my promises.”

    She raised an eyebrow, a faint smile gracing her lips. “If I recall correctly, you promised to bring me different flavors of Osmanthus Cake. What happened to that promise?”

    Did I…? I don’t remember… “If you’d like some, Senior Sister, I can buy them for you tomorrow.”

    It would take three to four hours to fly from the Two Polarities Sect to Tianxuan City. He could even shorten the journey if he pushed himself.

    It would be tiring, but it was a small price to pay to pursue a goddess like her.

    “No need. Focus on your cultivation,” she said.

    “Once you reach the Core Formation Realm, traveling to Tianxuan City will be much easier.”

    She stood up. “The matter of the Heavenly Dao Aura is out in the open now. No one within the sect will harm you. However, be careful when you leave the sect. Such a treasure will undoubtedly attract unwanted attention.”

    “Thank you for the warning, Senior Sister,” he said, bowing respectfully.

    He glanced at her beautiful face, then added, “I’ll walk you out, Senior Sister.”

    They left the Garden of Heavenly Harmony together.

    A commotion had erupted in the plaza, the cause being the arrival of two Peak Masters, followed by the elegant and aloof Lan Mulian.

    The Peak Masters had already departed, but Lan Mulian remained within the Garden of Heavenly Harmony.

    The disciples, especially the male disciples, harbored secret admiration for her. However, her unattainable status and her cold demeanor kept them from acting on their desires.

    They were content with simply admiring her from afar.

    However, her visit to the Garden of Heavenly Harmony shattered their hopes.

    The only male resident was Mu Zhi’an. If she was visiting a female disciple, it would be one thing. But if she was visiting him… it was infuriating.

    He already had the beautiful Bai Ruoxi, a seductive maid, and two adorable sisters… and he still wasn’t satisfied? He was even targeting their Senior Sister!

    Even his friendly demeanor couldn’t mask their envy.

    “They’re coming out!”

    The disciples, who had been lingering by the lakeshore, waiting for Lan Mulian to leave, perked up.

    They pretended to be chatting idly, but they were all curious about what had transpired within the Garden of Heavenly Harmony.

    Their eyes widened as they saw Mu Zhi’an walking side-by-side with the beautiful woman in the white dress, their hearts burning with jealousy.

    Ye Yu stared at them, his disbelief turning to anger.

    He had suspected a connection between Mu Zhi’an and Lan Mulian, but seeing them together confirmed his suspicions.

    He had assumed that a woman as intelligent as Lan Mulian would distance herself from Mu Zhi’an once she learned of his philandering ways.

    And she had… at least, he hadn’t seen them interact since arriving at the sect.

    But today, they were walking together!

    And…

    Three Peak Masters had visited, two of them personally…

    He had initially believed that the Peak Master who visited Mu Zhi’an today was the demonic cultivator.

    But now… who was it?

    He still couldn’t figure it out.

    He glared at Lan Mulian’s retreating figure, his jealousy intensifying as he saw Mu Zhi’an’s hand “accidentally” brush against hers. He didn’t even notice the female disciple beside him glaring at him.

    She might not be as beautiful as Senior Sister Lan, but Ye Yu hadn’t even looked at her since Lan Mulian had appeared. It was a major turn-off.

    As they left the Jade Glass Palace, Mu Zhi’an turned to Lan Mulian. “Remember to write back, Senior Sister,” he said.

    She nodded curtly, her expression unchanged.

    She summoned a cloud beneath her feet and soared away.

    He watched her disappear into the distance, then turned and re-entered the Jade Glass Palace. He ignored the curious gazes of the disciples, bowing politely before returning to his residence.

    Back in Tianxuan City, he had realized that Ye Yu was nothing more than a lucky “nouveau riche” with the blessings of destiny. He wasn’t a true protagonist.

    Therefore, he no longer bothered with him, focusing instead on nurturing the “fish” in his pond.

    After all, they were the true protagonists!

    He wondered why the pink heart-shaped frame on his interface still hadn’t displayed any text.

    But he assumed it would appear once the “fish” had matured.

    There was no rush.

    He returned to his room, retrieved his Second-Rank formation book, and immersed himself in its complexities.

    Though it was a tedious task, neglecting such a valuable formation would be a waste.

    Time passed uneventfully.

    Four months flew by.

    Mu Zhi’an had meticulously planned his schedule.

    His nights were dedicated to the “arduous” task of dual cultivation with Bai Ruoxi.

    He spent his afternoons cultivating his relationships with Ye Lingxuan and Ye Qian.

    And his evenings were filled with exchanging letters with the Sect Master and Lan Mulian.

    His time management was impeccable. He wouldn’t neglect a single “fish.”

    After four months, he had reached the peak of the Foundation Establishment Realm!

    He was only a step away from the Core Formation Realm.

    One afternoon, as he was teasing Ye Lingxuan, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment, he felt a faint tremor beneath his feet.

    She looked up at him, her eyes hazy with desire. “What was that…?”

    Another tremor shook the ground.

    “Let’s go see,” he said.

    He left the room and was greeted by the sight of a slender figure hurrying away, her skirt billowing in the wind, revealing a glimpse of her delicate white legs.

    Why was Qian’er at Lingxuan’s door…? Wasn’t she meditating just now?

    He frowned, then his gaze shifted towards the Pilgrimage Palace.

    A feeling of unease washed over him as he opened his personal interface. He glanced at his various titles.

    The words “Friend of the Antagonists” glowed with an ominous black light.

    The title’s effect had activated.