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  • On How to Conquer System Fairies and Make Them Your Wives 215

    Chapter 215: Playing Games

    Under the moonlight, the divided sea remained parted for a short while before slowly closing.

    Chen Yin stood on the waves, his arm around Luo Qiaoqiao’s slender waist, his gaze fixed on the horizon.

    “He… escaped?” Luo Qiaoqiao asked hesitantly.

    “He won’t get far.” Chen Yin shook his head.

    “Someone is waiting for him.”

    Luo Qiaoqiao blinked.

    “And stop changing the subject.”

    Chen Yin flicked her forehead lightly. “Why are you so disobedient? Your injuries haven’t healed yet. I told you to rest.”

    Luo Qiaoqiao covered her forehead with her hand, her eyes slightly red-rimmed, but she didn’t say anything.

    Chen Yin sighed and gently caressed her forehead. “Are you still mad at me?”

    “Why would I be mad?” She turned her head away slightly.

    “I admit, I’ve been busy. I promised to visit you, but I kept delaying it.”

    He tried to explain. “But it was important business. I couldn’t help it. I didn’t mean to neglect you. If you’re angry, I can make it up to you.”

    “How?” Luo Qiaoqiao suddenly looked up at him.

    “Anything you want.”

    “Then drink with me.”

    Chen Yin was surprised by her immediate response. For a moment, he wondered if he had been tricked.

    But seeing the hint of resentment and playfulness in her eyes, he nodded.

    “Alright. Let’s drink.”

    …The Divine Son should still be occupied for a while.

    He might as well use this opportunity to appease Sister Qiaoqiao.

    The peace of Yunlin City’s night was shattered by the commotion at the harbor.

    But it only lasted for an hour. After the waves subsided, only a few curious mortals remained, gawking at the remnants of the battle between cultivators.

    Luo Qiaoqiao had dragged Chen Yin to a brothel.

    Yes, a brothel.

    Standing before the brightly lit entrance, Chen Yin looked at the women milling about and asked, “Why here? We can drink anywhere.”

    “Don’t ask.” Luo Qiaoqiao pulled him inside. “Just follow me.”

    Chen Yin had no choice but to comply.

    But he was secretly pleased.

    This bold and unrestrained behavior was the Luo Qiaoqiao he knew and admired.

    After all, who else would drag their sweetheart to a brothel?

    It seemed the Silk-Robe Fairy’s tantrum was finally over.

    As they entered, the madam approached them. “Welcome… uh…” She stared at Luo Qiaoqiao, whose beauty eclipsed all the other women in the establishment, and stammered, “Did you… bring your own girl?”

    Before Chen Yin could even speak, Luo Qiaoqiao slammed a bag of gold onto the counter.

    “Get all the men out of here. I’m paying.”

    “We’re renting the entire place tonight.”

    Chen Yin was stunned. So was the madam.

    Even he couldn’t comprehend what she was doing.

    The madam stared at the gold, then said with a troubled expression, “Miss, this… isn’t very appropriate. We’re running a business here—”

    Before she could finish, Luo Qiaoqiao leaped onto the rafters, her movements graceful and effortless.

    Everyone looked up at her.

    With a wave of her hand, all the doors on the second floor swung open, revealing the occupants within, their clothes disheveled, their screams and curses echoing through the building.

    “What the hell?! What’s going on?!”

    Before the men could finish their complaints, a shower of gold rained down from above, glittering like golden hail.

    “Get out,” Luo Qiaoqiao said coldly, her eyes scanning the crowd. “Keep whatever you find. But if you’re the last one to leave, you’ll regret it.”

    The brothel erupted into chaos.

    Men and women scrambled for the gold, their eyes filled with greed, ignoring the blows and injuries they sustained in the frenzy.

    Within minutes, the brothel was empty, not a single man remaining, only a scene of utter chaos.

    Chen Yin watched in stunned silence, then covered his face with his hand and chuckled wryly.

    …Only you, Sister Qiaoqiao.

    She gracefully leaped down from the rafters, her red dress swirling around her, and landed beside him with a satisfied nod.

    “Alright. That’s taken care of.”

    “Madam, get us your best room and all the wine you have.”

    “Oh, and bring ten of your prettiest girls.”

    With that, she grabbed Chen Yin’s hand and led him upstairs, leaving the madam standing there, dumbfounded.

    After a long moment, the madam finally regained her composure and instructed the girls to prepare.

    “These youngsters these days, their tastes are getting wilder and wilder.”

    “Not only did she rent the entire place, but she also wants ten girls?”

    “And that beauty in red, she seems to have… unique preferences.” She muttered to herself.

    Chen Yin couldn’t remember how he ended up in the most luxurious room on the top floor.

    His mind was still reeling from her request for “ten of your prettiest girls.”

    He finally came to his senses as they entered the room.

    The spacious and lavishly decorated room was filled with the scent of incense, red silk curtains draped everywhere, and erotic paintings adorned the screens.

    It was the epitome of decadence and debauchery.

    Even Chen Yin, an experienced “scoundrel,” couldn’t help but blush and cough awkwardly.

    “Sister Qiaoqiao, what’s all this? I thought we were just going to have a drink?”

    Luo Qiaoqiao, seemingly unfazed by the surroundings, pulled him towards a low table with cushions.

    “Have you ever been to a brothel before?”

    “Uh… I have.”

    Chen Yin didn’t want to lie. “But I didn’t do anything. I was just curious.”

    “Tch,” Luo Qiaoqiao scoffed. “What’s there to be ashamed of? Even if you had slept with a prostitute, I wouldn’t have minded.”

    “But I really didn’t.”

    Chen Yin spread his hands innocently.

    …His first visit to a brothel had been when he was about ten.

    He had been buying wine for his Master when he couldn’t find the specific brand she wanted at any of the regular taverns. Out of desperation, he had tried a brothel.

    And, of course,

    As a virgin, he had also been curious about what a brothel was like.

    The moment he entered, he had been surrounded by a throng of women, their ample bosoms and curvaceous figures pressing against him, their soft voices and seductive whispers filling his ears, the scent of perfume overwhelming his senses.

    He couldn’t even remember how he had ended up in a private room.

    By the time he came to his senses, his pants were halfway down.

    Terrified by their predatory gazes, he had grabbed his pants, bought the wine, and fled.

    The experience had left a deep psychological scar.

    He had never entered a brothel again, and even the sight of prostitutes soliciting customers would send shivers down his spine.

    Of course, he wasn’t going to tell Luo Qiaoqiao about this embarrassing incident.

    Soon, ten beautiful women, their bodies swaying gracefully, entered the room, carrying jars of wine.

    “Welcome, Masters~” they chirped in unison, their voices sweet and seductive.

    Chen Yin shuddered and looked at Luo Qiaoqiao nervously.

    Luo Qiaoqiao, however, sat there casually and, grabbing a jar of wine, drained it in one gulp.

    The women stared at her, their eyes wide with surprise.

    A drop of wine trickled down her chin, past her neck, and onto her collarbone.

    She placed the empty jar on the table, wiped her mouth, and said calmly,

    “Line up and pour yourselves a bowl of wine. Hold it above your heads.”

    “If you spill any, take off your clothes and drink an entire jar.”

    The women, having never encountered such a request before, were intimidated by her tone and quickly obeyed.

    They stood there, their heads held high, their graceful figures on full display, bowls of wine balanced precariously above them.

    Chen Yin glanced at Luo Qiaoqiao cautiously and asked,

    “…What’s this about?”

    “Which one do you like?” she suddenly asked.

    “Uh, none of them.”

    Chen Yin sensed a trap and quickly denied it, putting on a virtuous facade.

    But Luo Qiaoqiao just looked them over, her eyes appraising.

    “The first one’s no good. The second one has a pretty face, but her breasts are too small. The fifth one is well-endowed, and her figure is nice, her skin must be soft and supple…”

    She continued her assessment without a hint of shyness, sounding like a seasoned connoisseur of women.

    Chen Yin coughed awkwardly.

    “…Sister Qiaoqiao, I thought we were here to drink.”

    “We are.”

    Luo Qiaoqiao glanced at him sideways. “Watching girls drink is also a form of entertainment.”

    “Remember the rule? If they spill their wine, they have to strip and drink an entire jar.”

    An entire jar of wine would be enough to intoxicate any mortal woman.

    “I never said outside interference wasn’t allowed.” She winked at him.

    Chen Yin finally understood.

    Luo Qiaoqiao tilted his chin up with a playful smile. “So? Pick one.”

    Chen Yin thought for a moment, then said seriously,

    “I’m really not interested in any of them.”

    “None of them meet your standards? Then I’ll have the madam bring ten more—”

    “Even ten more wouldn’t be enough.”

    “Then,” Luo Qiaoqiao suddenly lowered her eyes and poured herself a bowl of wine.

    She walked over to the ten women and placed the bowl on her own head.

    “…Now what?”

    Her eyes shimmered like candle flames.

  • Friend(GL) 124

    Chapter 124: Tattoo

    Chen Xiang took some fruit from the bedside table and offered it to Yu Qiao, “Auntie, have some.”

    Yu Qiao snapped out of her thoughts and took the fruit, looking down at it. Chen Xiang, observing her expression, asked, “Are you busy, Auntie?”

    “Me?” Yu Qiao paused. “No, I’m not busy, is there anything I can do?”

    Chen Xiang said, “No, not really, I just wanted to chat with you if you’re free. Actually, we should have visited you before the interview, but Dr. Zhou said you weren’t feeling well, so we didn’t dare disturb you. I hope you’re not angry.”

    Yu Qiao, remembering that period, nodded.

    Chen Xiang asked, “Are you feeling better now?”

    Yu Qiao said, “Better or not, what does it matter.” She looked down, “Just living day by day.”

    Chen Xiang smiled at her gently, “Auntie, let me tell you something happy then.”

    “The first time I met Teacher You, it was for a news story we collaborated on, about a demolition compensation dispute. The resident and the demolition company were arguing, one claiming they agreed on a price, and then when the demolition was about to start, the company refused to honor their agreement. Because it was a verbal agreement, no contract, both sides had their own version of the story. The focus of our interview was whether there was such a verbal agreement. Later, it was confirmed that there was indeed a verbal agreement, but the exact content was unknown. At the time, we were inclined to believe that a price had been agreed upon.”

    Yu Qiao looked at Chen Xiang.

    Chen Xiang continued, “But Teacher You remained neutral.”

    Yu Qiao asked, “And then?”

    “Later, we found out there was indeed a verbal agreement, and a price had been promised.” Chen Xiang’s expression was calm. “Teacher You was the one who found out. Because she had remained neutral, many people thought she was siding with the demolition company, so they mocked her after the truth came out, saying she wasted her time investigating, that she only got the job because of her family connections, that she was incompetent, they called her ‘Bright Moon’ sarcastically, a derogatory nickname.”

    Even Chen Xiang had been angry, but You Ruxu had never seemed to mind.

    Chen Xiang said, “But in my heart, she is the moon. I’ve been working with her for almost three years now, and in these three years, every news story she covered, if there was even the slightest doubt, she would tirelessly investigate and verify, repeatedly examining every detail. Her workload was immense, she barely rested. Back then, I didn’t understand, I thought her persistence was ridiculous.”

    That was what she had thought back then.

    Yu Qiao held the fruit, her gaze fixed on Chen Xiang.

    Chen Xiang continued, “But I was the ridiculous one. After Reporter Zhou’s case came to light, I suddenly understood.”

    The weight they carried on their shoulders, the weight of their words, she suddenly understood, at that moment, “Teacher You has a favorite saying, ‘Uncover the truth, report it truthfully.’ She said she learned it from a senior colleague.”

    She had always assumed that senior colleague was Shi Qi.

    Later, after the notebook surfaced, those eight characters were written on the first page of Zhou Qiming’s journal.

    Yu Qiao left the ward. She had seen Zhou Qiming’s work journal countless times, touched the cover countless times. During their arguments, she would often say to him, “You think your work is more important than us? I’ll burn that notebook of yours!”

    And Zhou Qiming would just laugh, “Why would you do that?”

    “Why?!!” She would be furious, “They’re calling our home now, threatening me and Xiao Tian! And you’re still laughing!”

    Zhou Qiming would say, “I’m sorry, I’ll take care of it.”

    “You always say that!” She would ask, “Can’t you just quit being a reporter?”

    And Zhou Qiming would say, “Then who will do it?”

    She would be speechless.

    Zhou Qiming would smile at her, his smile disarming her anger. She would glare at him. He would hug her, try to take the notebook from her hand, but she wouldn’t let him, they would struggle, and the notebook would fall to the floor, the wind turning the pages, her gaze falling on the inscription inside the cover.

    As if transported back in time, to an afternoon many years ago.

    She saw Zhou Qiming, his smile still gentle.

    “Aren’t you angry?” She asked.

    Zhou Qiming said, “Of course I’m angry.”

    She said, “Then why are you smiling?”

    Zhou Qiming said, “Because the truth is out.”

    Her eyes, blurred with tears, “The truth is out, but you suffered so much all these years.”

    Zhou Qiming said, “But she was just a child back then, she didn’t mean any harm.”

    Tears streamed down Yu Qiao’s face as she left the hospital. She stood at the intersection, waiting for the light to change, the concerned glances of passersby, her last vestige of pride making her mutter, “But you suffered so much…”

    She heard Zhou Qiming’s voice, “That’s why we need reporters like Shi Ran, like Chen Xiang.”

    She crouched down by the roadside, her body trembling, unable to stop crying, her gray hair shaking. Someone finally approached her, “Auntie, are you okay?”

    Yu Qiao couldn’t speak, her sobs choking her. She opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but no words came out, she just clutched the stranger’s hand tightly. The young woman patiently let her, helping her to a nearby bench, quietly accompanying her.

    Zhou Tianzui, receiving Yu Qiao’s call, was startled, then quickly asked Zhao Mingqi to cover her shift and rushed out of the hospital.

    Yu Qiao sat quietly on the bench, the cool evening breeze ruffling her hair, her eyes red and swollen from crying. Zhou Tianzui frowned, “Mom, what’s wrong?”

    Hearing her voice, Yu Qiao returned to her senses, looked at Zhou Tianzui, and said, “I just saw your father.”

    Zhou Tianzui’s expression changed slightly.

    Yu Qiao looked at her and continued, “Thankfully, he didn’t see you, he would blame me again, for not taking good care of you, for letting you get so thin.”

    Zhou Tianzui said, “I’m not thin anymore.”

    “You’re not.” Yu Qiao stood up, walked over to Zhou Tianzui, pinched her cheek, “But you’re not fat either.”

    Zhou Tianzui’s lips parted slightly, looking at Yu Qiao, sensing a change in her demeanor. Yu Qiao didn’t give her a chance to speak, “Are you free? Drive me home.”

    “I’ll go get the car, wait for me here.” Zhou Tianzui said, and Yu Qiao replied, “I’ll go with you.”

    Zhou Tianzui looked at her, nodded, and walked beside her.

    She took Yu Qiao to the supermarket. Yu Qiao said she could go by herself, but Zhou Tianzui said, “I asked Zhao Mingqi to cover my shift, I’m not going back to the hospital tonight.”

    Yu Qiao said, “Then I’ll make you something to eat when we get back.”

    Zhou Tianzui nodded.

    Yu Qiao walked inside, greeting acquaintances with a smile. The change in her demeanor was becoming more and more apparent. Zhou Tianzui couldn’t quite pinpoint it, but at least, being around Yu Qiao didn’t feel as oppressive as before.

    They browsed for over half an hour. Yu Qiao bought some vegetables and chicken wings, “You loved your father’s cooking when you were young, you always said my cooking wasn’t as good as his, do you still remember how it tasted?”

    She chuckled softly.

    Zhou Tianzui finally understood what was different.

    It was Yu Qiao.

    She no longer became hysterical or yelled at her when they talked about Zhou Qiming. They could have a normal conversation about him now. Zhou Tianzui’s grip on the grocery bags tightened, her expression dazed for a few seconds, then she said, “I don’t remember, I was too young then.”

    “That’s true.” Yu Qiao said, “You were just a child.”

    Zhou Tianzui looked at her and smiled, her eyes slightly watery. Her voice was a little hoarse, “Mom, I’ll cook for you when we get back.”

    “You know how?” Yu Qiao asked, and Zhou Tianzui replied, “Yes, and if I don’t, I’ll learn, I’ll cook for you from now on.”

    Yu Qiao said, “Then I’ll be living the good life?”

    Zhou Tianzui blinked, her eyes burning, she said, “Yes, isn’t that a good thing?”

    “Of course it’s a good thing.” Yu Qiao said, “I can’t wait.”

    Zhou Tianzui felt a lump in her throat, she continued chatting with Yu Qiao on their way back. Arriving home, she changed her clothes and went to the kitchen to cook. Yu Qiao offered to help, but Zhou Tianzui told her to rest, saying she could manage on her own.

    Yu Qiao stood at the kitchen door, watching Zhou Tianzui work, her slender figure, her pale face, the redness around her eyes. Her gaze fell on a few strands of gray hidden beneath Zhou Tianzui’s dark hair, near her ear.

    Yu Qiao said, “Let’s go out for a walk after dinner.”

    Zhou Tianzui asked, “To buy something?”

    Yu Qiao said, “There’s a new hair salon downstairs, why don’t you get a haircut?”

    Zhou Tianzui’s hands paused, then after a moment, she said, “Okay.”

    Yu Qiao sat at the dining table, chatting casually. Zhou Tianzui listened quietly, had dinner with Yu Qiao, having only had some soup at the hospital, not a proper meal. After Yu Qiao finished eating, she washed the dishes and went downstairs.

    There were many people downstairs, the weather warmer now. People were playing chess, cards. Zhou Tianzui greeted them, and walking past the crowd, she saw the new hair salon Yu Qiao mentioned. Inside, three or four young girls, still in their school uniforms, were looking at their reflections in the mirror, straightening their bangs, trying to curl them. The hairdresser was cutting someone’s hair, chatting with them.

    The scene was warm and comforting.

    So comforting that she missed You Ruxu.

    She wondered what she was doing, if her cold was better. Zhou Tianzui took out her phone, realizing for the first time that even dialing this number required courage. She stood there, looking down at her phone, her palms sweating, the familiar number memorized, yet she couldn’t bring herself to press the call button.

    “Xiao Tian, I saw your father…”

    Zhou Tianzui closed her eyes. She put away her phone and walked towards the hair salon. At the entrance, she saw a newly opened tattoo parlor next door. There were no customers inside. The owner, sitting at the entrance, looked up, and their eyes met.

    He was young, in his twenties, his hair tied back in a ponytail. Seeing Zhou Tianzui looking, he called out, “Getting a tattoo?”

    Zhou Tianzui paused for a moment, “What kind of tattoos do you do?”

    “All kinds.” The owner’s eyes crinkled into a smile, a warm and inviting smile. Zhou Tianzui walked in. The owner handed her a book of designs, but Zhou Tianzui didn’t look at it, “Can you do a sun?”

    “A sun?” The owner thought for a moment, “Sure, but it’s the first time I’ve had a request for a sun tattoo.”

    Zhou Tianzui looked down.

    The owner asked, “Where do you want it?”

    Zhou Tianzui lifted her shirt, revealing the scar on her waist. The owner wasn’t fazed, many people got tattoos to cover scars, but he was curious, “Is there a special meaning behind the sun?”

    Zhou Tianzui smiled faintly.

    “Why A Ran?”

    “Because my mother hoped I would be like the sun, rising steadily.”

  • The Saintess Has A Showdown 195-196

    Chapter 195: The Ten Sacred Domains

    As Hei Luelan lifted the white hair to her lips, the battle between the Water Palace Jade Rhinoceros and the blue-haired scorpion woman erupted.

    The massive black rhinoceros, its horn almost piercing the clouds, stomped down, sparks flying from the force of the impact, the ground within a hundred-meter radius cracking and crumbling.

    Its massive form casting a dark shadow, the scorpion woman, with nowhere to escape, calmly raised her two tails, crossing them above her head in defense.

    BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM

    As the rhinoceros’s foot landed, a terrifying shockwave sent trees and debris flying, the earth shaking.

    The dust settled after more than ten seconds, revealing the scene.

    The blue scorpion woman, supporting the massive foot, its weight like a mountain, her seemingly fragile tails unbent, forming a crossed circle above her head, remained unmoved.

    The Water Palace Jade Rhinoceros, however, was drenched in sweat, unable to push down any further.

    How was this possible…?

    Despite the vast difference in size and weight, even a combat-type spirit beast shouldn’t be able to withstand such force, let alone a purely offensive type like itself!

    A pure, biological, offensive type should rely on its strength and size to win!

    Suddenly, a terrifying realization dawned upon the Water Palace Jade Rhinoceros.

    This small scorpion woman, barely a meter tall… was she heavier than it, a creature whose size pierced the clouds?!

    The next second, the blue scorpion woman’s tails glowed with a deep blue light.

    A terrifying spirit energy, like a condensed sword beam, shot upwards.

    [Battle Technique – Blade Breaker]

    Crack—

    Two straight beams of blue energy, like lasers, shot towards the sky, piercing through the rhinoceros’s foot and head before vanishing into the clouds.

    As the woman from the First Lineage of the Nine Nethers watched in horror, the rhinoceros’s massive body was cleanly sliced into three pieces, which fell silently to the ground.

    Before the impact could cause further damage, the remains were recalled to the woman’s spirit space.

    Blood trickled from her eyes, ears, nose, and mouth, her eyes wide with despair.

    Her Saint-rank spirit beast… defeated in an instant…?

    Among her peers in the Pool of Hidden Secrets, she was practically invincible. Even Hei Luelan, the Saintess of Salvation, couldn’t defeat her Water Palace Jade Rhinoceros!

    And yet, it had been killed without even understanding how.

    Not only the Pool of Hidden Secrets Spirit Masters, but even the spectators were silent, stunned.

    The Saint-rank spirit beast’s aura and power had been overwhelming, but the difference in strength was undeniable, as if the Sorrowful Saintess and her spirit beast were on a completely different level.

    The Water Palace Jade Rhinoceros was considered invincible within the Pool of Hidden Secrets. That was why it hadn’t even awakened a single battle technique…

    Fighting weaker opponents offered no opportunity for growth.

    [Weak.] The scorpion felt a twinge of disappointment. This opponent was even weaker than the Windchaser Emperor.

    With the Water Palace Jade Rhinoceros’s death, the Pool of Hidden Secrets Spirit Masters were completely exposed, like prey before a predator, their faces filled with terror.

    During the battle, Hei Luelan’s mind had drifted, her consciousness separated from her body, oblivious to her surroundings.

    Her thoughts, like a runaway train, traveled across the Sea Region, the Wind Realm, the Sun-Seizing Divine Metropolis, the Cangsheng Palace, the Endless Swamp, the Azure Spirit Realm, her consciousness extending, drifting, until it reached a world of endless white, covered in snow.

    A world devoid of all life except for the snow itself.

    The Nether Snow Domain, one of the Ten Sacred Domains of the spirit world!

    The sacred land of the Snow Monarch, the Ice Antelope Grand Concubine, the Eternal Holy Water, and the Emerald Blossom Tribulation, four legendary beings!

    Hei Luelan’s gaze, as if piercing through time and space, entered the Nether Snow Domain, like a vivid dream, sensing countless Sun and Moon Realm Spirit Masters, a multitude of wild Saint-rank spirit beasts.

    Sun and Moon Realm experts as common as dogs, Saint-ranks everywhere, their powerful auras overwhelming.

    At the heart of the snow domain, within an icy city, hundreds of Frost Snow Women stood guard.

    And within the city’s palace, on a crystal throne, sat a graceful figure in a pure white, traditional wedding dress, her face hidden.

    The Snow Monarch, a legendary being…

    Suddenly, as if sensing something, she looked up, their gazes meeting.

    “Pwah!!!!!”

    The next second, Hei Luelan spat out a mouthful of blood, her consciousness snapping back to reality.

    The crimson blood stained the white hair in her hand, her face pale, her breath coming in ragged gasps, a chilling dread clinging to her.

    What was that? A single glance from the Snow Monarch, across hundreds of realms, had filled her with such despair…?

    But that was a being beyond even the Sun and Moon Realm. If it entered this secret realm, it would be suppressed to the Dead Sea Stage and then besieged by seven or eight Saint-rank spirit beasts. Even if the Pool of Hidden Secrets couldn’t defeat it, the Sorrowful Saintess likely could!

    As Hei Luelan calmed down, she looked around at the carnage, a grim expression on her face.

    All the Pool of Hidden Secrets’ spirit beasts were battered and broken, toyed with and then discarded by that scorpion woman.

    Nearly a complete wipeout. Even the Water Palace Jade Rhinoceros had been defeated.

    Hei Luelan looked at the blue scorpion woman, her heart heavy. The Snow Monarch would surely descend soon to retrieve its hair, preventing it from being used for… nefarious purposes.

    And once they sensed the Snow Monarch’s aura, they would surely stop fighting, their only hope of survival lying in a united front.

    But before that, she couldn’t lose to this scorpion woman.

    “Netherwater Prison, unleash!!”

    Hei Luelan roared, a dark, oppressive spirit energy, like a swirling shadow, spreading outwards.

    A sinister mist, a floating black cage, materialized, emitting terrifying wails.

    The Netherwater Prison, a Saint-rank, elemental, mysterious-type spirit beast. It was said to be capable of permanently confiscating other Spirit Masters’ spirit beasts, severing their connection!

    Chapter 196: Legendary Descent

    The Netherwater Prison, a black cage, oozed a thick, inky mist, a dark and oppressive aura.

    Mysterious-type spirit beasts were among the rarest in the spirit world, their numbers rivaling even the unusual types, which couldn’t be contracted by Spirit Masters.

    Hei Luelan, her expression grim, stared at the blue scorpion woman standing on higher ground. This monster hadn’t moved a single step, its body impervious to all attacks, yet a flick of its tail could cause widespread destruction.

    The strongest spirit beast she had ever encountered at the same level was the Water Palace Jade Rhinoceros. Even without battle techniques, its sheer size and strength could crush any opponent.

    However, this Inverted Crystal Dual-Bladed Tyrant Scorpion defied all her preconceived notions about Saint-rank spirit beasts. Its terrifying aura, its violent spirit energy, sent chills down her spine, a primal urge to flee.

    Even so, she wasn’t completely without a chance!

    Meeting the scorpion woman’s gaze, its spirit energy as dense and heavy as a mountain, a sinister smile slowly spread across Hei Luelan’s face.

    [Blade Breaker]

    Swish!

    Two blue beams of light erupted, piercing the Netherwater Prison’s body at a speed several times faster than sound.

    Before Hei Luelan could even react, the Netherwater Prison was struck, its entire body convulsing violently.

    It seemed like a one-sided slaughter—

    However, something was amiss.

    As the dust settled, the onlookers realized the blue beams weren’t long-range energy attacks!

    The scorpion woman’s tails, like whips, had extended, their sharp tips piercing the Netherwater Prison, now firmly trapped.

    A large portion of the scorpion’s tails, extended hundreds of meters, had vanished into the black mist, and its body, pulled forward by an unseen force, was slowly approaching the cage.

    “I was right…”

    A smug yet also terrified thought crossed Hei Luelan’s mind.

    So those blue beams of light… were its tails. They had retracted so quickly that even a human Spirit Master’s eyes couldn’t perceive their movement.

    Like being pulled into a black hole, the scorpion woman slid towards the Netherwater Prison, unable to resist.

    Struggling, digging its claws into the ground, nothing worked. Its weight and strength were meaningless. Even a mountain would be crushed before this force.

    This was the terrifying power of a mysterious-type spirit beast, its bizarre techniques defying logic.

    As the scorpion woman drew closer, Hei Luelan’s fear intensified, and she instinctively took a few steps back.

    Such a terrifying aura…

    But once it was absorbed by the Netherwater Prison, its spirit energy would be sealed, rendering it completely helpless!

    And perhaps, given time, she could even find a Heart Severing Pill and make it switch sides…

    However, just as Hei Luelan was indulging in her fantasy, the scorpion woman stopped moving.

    It stood there calmly, no longer being pulled towards the cage.

    “Impossible!!”

    Hei Luelan gasped. Nothing could resist the pull of the Netherwater Prison once captured. How had it escaped?

    A moment later, her eyes narrowed, a drop of cold sweat trickling down her cheek.

    The scorpion’s tails were still being drawn into the cage, but new segments were constantly growing from its lower back, keeping pace with the absorption rate.

    It had already lost more than two hundred meters of its tail, yet there seemed to be no end…

    The scorpion woman’s initially puzzled expression turned to one of amusement, as if toying with the Netherwater Prison, watching it struggle to consume its seemingly endless tail.

    It had realized that its opponent… was just a toy.

    Five minutes later, feeling a wave of nausea and dizziness from her spirit beast, Hei Luelan’s expression turned blank.

    Just how long was this scorpion’s tail? It had already absorbed more than two kilometers, filling the Netherwater Prison’s entire body, yet there was still no end in sight.

    Wait, didn’t this mean…

    That this scorpion’s true form was an unimaginably massive creature?

    That would explain why the Water Palace Jade Rhinoceros’s full-powered stomp hadn’t even fazed it.

    Because its true body was several times heavier than the Water Palace Jade Rhinoceros!!!

    She couldn’t win…

    It was hopeless…

    Watching the Netherwater Prison retching and trembling, Hei Luelan felt a wave of despair.

    Forget the Snow Monarch, even this scorpion woman alone could annihilate their entire team.

    Their perfect plan, ruined before it even began. How pathetic, how laughable!

    Meanwhile, the spectators on the Water Heart Stage also watched in shock, their thoughts racing.

    A single spirit beast of the Sorrowful Saintess had single-handedly decimated the Pool of Hidden Secrets team, their spirit beasts lying scattered on the ground, a completely one-sided battle.

    “Wait, don’t you think it’s strange? Although the scorpion woman hasn’t attacked the Spirit Masters directly, the Pool of Hidden Secrets’ spirit beasts are almost all dead. Why haven’t they withdrawn yet?”

    “I think the Nether Empress used a special spirit artifact to seal the secret realm entrance. Could that be the reason!?”

    “Is the Pool of Hidden Secrets planning something…?”

    Seeing that no one had withdrawn, the spectators began to murmur, their suspicions even reaching the Pool of Hidden Secrets delegation.

    The Pool of Hidden Secrets Spirit Masters looked at each other, their expressions a mix of innocence, indignation, and disdain.

    Even if the Nether Empress destroyed the entire Sea Region, there was no need for such petty tricks.

    These Sea Region barbarians, so narrow-minded!

    The Netherwater Prison, having attempted to consume the Inverted Crystal Dual-Bladed Tyrant Scorpion’s tail, now found itself stretched to its limit, its energy depleted, retreating to its Spirit Master’s soul core.

    Hei Luelan, unwilling to give up, was about to summon her second spirit beast when the scorpion woman’s tail suddenly pierced through her abdomen, flinging her hundreds of meters away.

    She landed on the cold, snowy ground, her vision blurring, despair creeping into her heart.

    Their perfect plan, ruined by a single Saint-rank scorpion woman.

    How could the Pool of Hidden Secrets, battered and broken, possibly face the impending arrival of the Snow Monarch?

    Just then, as the scorpion woman dragged a screaming Pool of Hidden Secrets Spirit Master by its tail, seemingly preparing for… interrogation, snowflakes began to fall from the sky.

    Endless white snowflakes, falling at an unnatural rate, covering the world in white.

    A legendary being… had arrived…

  • As a villain, I just want them to behave 259

    Chapter 259: The Chase

    “Hey, can you hear me?” Chrissy waved her hand in front of Hilna, who looked dazed and lost in thought.

    “What just happened…”

    Hilna grabbed Chrissy’s hand and looked at the people around her. “I just saw Kailun, in the valley outside the Royal City. Not just him, I also saw Afra and Shirley. If you’re interested, you can ask Shirley. I need a moment to calm down.”

    She pointed at Shirley, and everyone’s attention shifted to the knight.

    Shirley raised her hand. “We learned about Kailun’s secret through what just happened.”

    Phils put her arm around Shirley’s shoulder. “Tell us everything. We’re all waiting. Kailun and Bella disappeared, and then you and Hilna lost your souls. We want to know what happened. Most importantly, is Kailun in danger? That guy always carries everything on his own.”

    Although Phils was a bit “perverted,” her concern for Kailun was genuine. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have worked so hard to manage the affairs of the Xiya Kingdom.

    During Kailun’s absence, all matters, big and small, had passed through her hands. She was undoubtedly the busiest person in the manor.

    She had indeed gained a noble title and prestige, but those weren’t the most important things to her.

    Shirley hesitated and glanced at Hilna. “Should I really tell them?”

    Hilna, surprisingly, smiled. “Yes, why not? That guy always keeps secrets and bullies us. Revealing his secrets is just a fair exchange. Besides, you’re the one revealing them, not me. He can’t kill you, can he?”

    “Thank you very much.” Shirley clutched her stomach. “I suddenly have a stomachache. I need to use the restroom. Excuse me for a moment.”

    But Anna and Ella blocked her way. “Kailun said not to leave. Haven’t you noticed that everything outside the courtyard has become quiet?”

    Chrissy took out a whip from somewhere and blocked Shirley’s path.

    Vivian was even more outrageous. She pulled out a mace.

    “Alright, alright, I understand. Although it sounds unbelievable, the truth might be…”

    Shirley retreated to Hilna’s side and recounted everything she remembered.

    With her memories restored, she knew what had happened in the past. As Hilna’s deputy, she was also aware of Winnie and Anna’s stories.

    Even if more people learned the truth about this frozen world, it wouldn’t affect anything.

    Perhaps Kailun had already considered this, which was why he didn’t warn Hilna and Shirley when he saw them.

    After about half an hour, the entire courtyard fell silent.

    This was the first time they learned that there was another possibility for the world, another possibility filled with unknown secrets.

    Everyone fell silent. Anna and Ella exchanged glances and lowered their heads.

    Based on the information they knew, they were all perpetrators, people who had hurt Kailun.

    Although their actions weren’t as severe as Hilna’s, they weren’t much better.

    Now they finally understood Kailun’s motives. In a way, he had been lenient with them. If he had been more ruthless, they might have already been dead.

    Ella suddenly felt grateful for her business acumen and her beauty. She decided to be more proactive with Kailun next time she saw him, as a form of compensation.

    Anna, with her goodwill rating at 100, felt even more guilty. She silently went to a corner and crouched down, lost in thought.

    Vivian finally understood why Illusion had surpassed her in status so quickly. She regretted being a step too late. Winnie accompanied Anna, squatting down beside her.

    Phils and Chrissy exchanged glances. These two “heartless” individuals were more concerned about the future.

    The elf sisters and the three little knights gathered together. They hadn’t played a significant role in the story, not even existing in some parts.

    How ironic.

    ……

    After Fate left, Kailun carried Bella to a large rock and sat down, staring at the crack in the sky, lost in thought.

    Fate had disappeared from his perception, and his attributes were still rapidly declining. He had done everything he could, and he had given all the necessary instructions.

    What else was there to do?

    Kailun didn’t feel any sense of urgency. Having reached this point, all that remained was composure and calmness.

    As Afra had said, he should trust everyone more, trust that Carol, Illusion, and the others could handle the rest.

    There was no need for him to do everything himself. The people around him were also capable, their talents in certain areas no less than his own.

    Perhaps it was time for him to relax and enjoy the show.

    “But there’s just one last thing.”

    Kailun pinched Bella’s cheek and smiled.

    If the information Fate had given him was accurate, then he had one last thing to do.

    Fate intended to destroy the entire world, and Kailun had a similar idea, but he would only destroy a part of it.

    The current events had already caused irreversible damage to the world. Destruction and reboot were the only options left.

    Only a few could survive complete destruction, and rebooting meant repeating the same mistakes. Kailun didn’t have the energy for that.

    The best course of action now was to destroy the corrupted parts and create new, suitable parts.

    It sounded difficult, and it was indeed difficult, but it wasn’t impossible.

    When it came to exploiting loopholes and finding bugs, perhaps no one was more suitable than Kailun. If he could cleverly utilize his unique abilities, he might have a chance to weave a new set of rules.

    But all of this depended on Fate being captured. Until then, he could only wait patiently.

    Thinking this way, he stroked Bella’s horns. The little one was still asleep, leaving him with no one to talk to. He was a bit bored.

    ……

    “Stop chasing me! Stop chasing me! If you keep chasing me, I’ll die right in front of you!”

    Fate, pursued by Carol, was fleeing frantically. She could vaguely see Carol’s figure not far behind her.

    Whether it was teleportation or short-range teleportation, she couldn’t shake off Carol completely.

    It was truly a headache. Just as she was about to succeed, Carol, the unexpected variable, appeared.

    Logically, Carol should be in her early stages of development, but why was she already close to her full power?

    She quickly connected this to Kailun and the magic formation in the valley.

    “It’s okay, you can try.” Carol’s calm voice reached Fate’s ears.

    As an entity closely connected to the concept of Fate, she couldn’t be killed directly. Even if she died, Carol could have Ottovia manipulate time to revive her.

    The world was now in a special state. Carol’s abilities were no less than Fate’s.

  • The Devil Does Not Need to Be Defeated 516

    Chapter 516: What Should I Do?

    Breakfast was lively, filled with banter and playful interactions with the fairies. Despite the boisterous atmosphere, a sense of warmth permeated the air.

    Of course, because of what happened yesterday, Shien was eventually held accountable by the girls.

    The repercussions of his “baby” remark were directly proportional to the intensity of the girls’ retaliation.

    Neither Airi nor Lid let Shien off the hook, targeting him all morning.

    However, after yesterday’s farce, they no longer resorted to violence.

    Therefore, Airi and Lid could only resort to verbal attacks, attempting to punish Shien.

    However, without resorting to physical force, how could Shien, the king of banter, be afraid of these so-called Demon Lords?

    Therefore, Shien devoted all his energy to a war of words, not only retorting against the two Demon Lords, but also dragging Lucy into the fray, almost making her explode with anger.

    But after learning that yesterday’s “baby” remark was just Shien’s teasing, Lucy was much calmer than yesterday. Although still angry, she wasn’t as furious as Airi and Lid, wisely choosing to surrender and withdraw from the battlefield, not participating in Shien’s verbal sparring.

    Thanks to this, Shien achieved a complete victory, defeating both the Dragon Demon and the Beast Demon.

    Airi and Lid, unable to out-argue Shien, could only accept defeat, secretly vowing to take revenge in the future.

    If they couldn’t resort to violence, Shien really wanted to say,

    “I’m not just talking about one of you, but all of you are trash.”

    That’s how confident he was.

    After all, Shien was just a master of banter. These girls were no match for him. If he truly unleashed his full trolling potential, they would ascend on the spot.

    That being said, Shien also knew that the risk of doing so was very high.

    If he got carried away, they wouldn’t ascend, but explode and attack him directly.

    That would be suicide.

    Therefore, Shien only took advantage of these Demon Lord sisters verbally, not resorting to unrestrained insults.

    Otherwise, even Airi wouldn’t show him any mercy.

    “Trash talk is temporarily satisfying, but the consequences can be severe.”

    Shien understood this. After Airi and Lid surrendered resentfully, he also wisely chose to stop.

    He couldn’t be too ruthless, could he?

    Otherwise, they might unleash their ultimate moves. (jokingly)

    Just like that, a lively morning passed.

    Afterwards, as he had told Carol, Shien suggested going out for a walk, which Lucy immediately agreed to.

    This princess had come here to play and naturally wouldn’t miss the chance to explore the town.

    The two innocent little girls also raised their hands enthusiastically.

    “Going out to play! Going out to play!”

    “Yes, yes!”

    Millu and Lilith, one raising her hand and shouting, the other nodding repeatedly, looked quite cute.

    Only Airi and Lid weren’t interested at all.

    “I’m going back to sleep.”

    The sleepy Dragon Demon made this decision without hesitation.

    Having been interrogated by Lid all night, she was severely sleep-deprived and didn’t want to go out at all.

    “You guys go ahead.” Lid also seemed uninterested and just said, “Remember to take care of Millu. Don’t let her cause any trouble.”

    Normally, Lid wouldn’t dare to let Millu leave her sight.

    Because Millu was too naive, her thinking no different from an ordinary child’s. If she wasn’t properly supervised, losing her would be a minor issue. The biggest fear was that she would unknowingly cause a disaster or be used by someone with ulterior motives.

    Moreover, there was a dangerous side to Millu, which was why Lid always stayed by her side, never letting her out of her sight.

    But now, with Shien and Lucy watching over her, and Lilith, the strongest evil god, also present, as long as there were no major accidents, there shouldn’t be any problems.

    This was also a sign of trust to a certain extent.

    “Then I’ll come along as well.”

    Lasha, with an impassive face, took Lilith and Millu’s hands, like a beautiful maid taking care of children.

    Although she was a maid without any power, she wasn’t nervous or apprehensive at all when taking care of a Demon Lord and a Demon Lord-level evil god, but seemed very natural, impressive.

    Moreover, whether it was Lilith or Millu, they were surprisingly obedient when led by Lasha.

    It wasn’t strange for Lilith.

    This strongest evil god was very close to Lasha. Back when she split off her other half, Beatrice, it wasn’t Shien who first encountered her, but Lasha. It was Lasha who discovered Beatrice and then informed Shien.

    And since then, whether as Beatrice or as Lilith, the evil god, this little goddess had always been taken care of by Lasha, who took care of her every need, even feeding her, bathing her, and coaxing her to sleep.

    Therefore, it was impossible for Lilith not to be close to Lasha.

    It could be said that the person Lilith was closest to was Shien, followed by Lasha.

    Compared to Lasha, even Airi came second, let alone others.

    Therefore, when being taken care of by Lasha, Lilith was naturally very obedient.

    But the fact that Millu was also obediently and even happily led by Lasha, staying quietly by her side, was quite surprising.

    This Ghost Demon seemed so innocent and naive, but she was actually a dangerous person who would seriously consider attacking Shien.

    Shien had been creeped out by Millu’s behavior more than once, so he didn’t think this girl would be obedient.

    If someone deceived or tricked her with sweet words, that would be understandable, but Lasha didn’t say or do anything, even taking her hand with an indifferent expression, and this Ghost Demon not only didn’t resist, but also looked happy and acted very obediently. This was surprising.

    Airi and Lid, on the other hand, weren’t surprised at all, only their expressions were a bit complicated.

    Lid even muttered,

    “With this maid around, even Millu will be much more well-behaved.”

    This was why Lid felt at ease.

    After that, Airi and Lid went back to their room to sleep.

    Yes, still sharing a room, just like last night.

    Airi no longer had the energy to resist, and with a sleepy look, she returned to the room with Lid, got under the covers, and instantly fell asleep.

    Only Lid, before entering the room, glanced at Shien, who was happily going out.

    “…Can he really interact with us Demon Lords so casually?”

    Lid murmured, either with emotion or a sigh.

    Recalling how she had just reprimanded and confronted him, and he not only wasn’t afraid, but also retorted so forcefully that she was left speechless, Lid smiled.

    If it were anyone else, knowing her identity and being reprimanded by her, they would have probably knelt down, right?

    Only this guy dared to talk back to her.

    Although she had been angry at that time, now she found it quite amusing.

    Because Lid didn’t dislike this kind of non-hostile banter.

    It should be said that no one at the top of their respective races, including the Three Goddesses and the Six Demon Lords, would dislike it, right?

    There weren’t many who could talk and play with them like this.

    “No wonder that girl Airi is willing to stay by his side…”

    Lid thought to herself.

    “Shafney and Carmina will probably also find him interesting when they see him.”

    However, being targeted by those two, it wouldn’t be so easy to escape unscathed.

    And unfortunately, as far as Lid knew, those two had already taken action.

    When she came to the human world to deal with the Demonic Refining Ritual, Lid seemed to have heard a report from her subordinates that those two had already arrived in the human world.

    “Big Sister isn’t even stopping them.”

    Lid sighed, then chuckled.

    “Good. Let them deal with this thick-skinned guy. Let’s see if he can still be so arrogant when facing those two.”

    If he wanted to enter the Demon Lord’s circle, he had to overcome this hurdle.

    Only then could he gain their recognition.

    “And his fiancée.”

    Lid thought of the princess known as the Kingdom’s treasure.

    That unbelievably beautiful princess, was she the successor of Mitra?

    “She’s not simple.”

    Lid didn’t know if others had noticed.

    But she had.

    She sensed that the princess was undergoing some kind of transformation.

    Thinking of the rumors about the princess, Lid understood.

    “This is going to be interesting.”

    Lid’s expression turned serious.

    She knew that if that princess completed the transformation mentioned in the rumors, her power would increase dramatically.

    At that time, it wouldn’t be surprising for her to catch up to the Hero from a thousand years ago.

    “Besides the Hero summoned from another world, a monster like this can also be born among the humans of this world. I never would have thought.”

    Lid suddenly pondered.

    “A thousand years later, such an astonishing genius appears among the human race, a Demon Lord of our Demon Race has taken a liking to a human man, Big Sister has recently been paying special attention to the Divine Race’s movements, seemingly investigating something, and the [Original Demon] has become increasingly active, seemingly close to completing that disgusting Seventh, and even ten years ago, that incident occurred, leading to the appearance of that master-servant pair…”

    Was all of this a sign of something?

    Was the peace that had lasted for a thousand years about to be broken?

    Under this trend, what should they do?

    “Mother…”

    Lid unconsciously muttered and sighed softly.

  • Reborn to Stew Soup (GL) 128

    Chapter 128: Welfare Missions

    The crispy, oily, and fragrant pork lard, sweet and savory, instantly captivated Ji Junxin, who had been eating rice and pickled cucumbers for three meals straight.

    Ji Junxin looked at the small amount of lard in the bowl, carefully savored each bite, and after reluctantly swallowing, felt revitalized.

    “Delicious…” she said, licking her lips, and offered a spoonful to Mi Hongdou, who was whisking eggs.

    Mi Hongdou turned her head away. “You eat… mm…”

    Mi Hongdou, her mouth now full of lard, licked her teeth where the spoon had touched. This is… complicated.

    “Is it good?” Ji Junxin asked, her eyes shining with anticipation, as if she was the one who made it.

    Idiot…

    Mi Hongdou smiled and nodded.

    Ji Junxin, pleased, chuckled and then ate a tiny piece herself.

    Tsk…

    Mi Hongdou naturally saw it. She had just given her a spoonful, and Ji Junxin only ate a tiny bit.

    It was both heartwarming and a little sad. Mi Hongdou, touched, looked away and whisked the eggs faster. “We’re having egg fried rice for lunch, go wait at the table, it’s smoky here.”

    “It doesn’t smell smoky, it smells good!” Having confessed the night before, unable to be openly affectionate because of the cameras, the suppressed feelings only intensified. Ji Junxin wanted to cling to Mi Hongdou and wasn’t leaving.

    Mi Hongdou sniffed the air. The lard did smell good.

    People nowadays valued healthy eating, and lard had long been replaced by healthier oils like peanut oil, soybean oil, and sunflower oil. The more health-conscious even used olive oil. Unlike in the past, when resources were scarce, now, with just a little money, you could eat whatever you wanted, food was no longer as precious.

    Lard was considered too greasy and unhealthy, rendering lard was considered messy, and even the aroma was now deemed too rich. Even pork itself was often considered less healthy than fish, less flavorful than shrimp, less protein-rich than beef… It was understandable, times changed, and so did people’s preferences. Normally, Mi Hongdou wouldn’t let Ji Junxin eat something as greasy as lard. Well, maybe a small bite as a treat, but not a whole bowl.

    But times were different now. Thanks to the show…

    It had been more than a day since they had anything greasy, and even Mi Hongdou felt a craving, let alone Ji Junxin. So, since Ji Junxin didn’t want to leave, Mi Hongdou didn’t insist. Even just the aroma is a treat.

    After scooping out the crispy lard bits, there was only about half a bowl of lard left.

    A thin layer of oil remained in the wok, which she couldn’t scrape out, perfect for frying rice.

    The rice was the free rice from the show, fresh and not day-old, just aired out a little while she prepared the meat. Freshly cooked rice wasn’t as good for fried rice as day-old rice, but… she couldn’t be picky now…

    She added the rice to the wok, stir-fried it quickly, then poured in the seasoned egg mixture and stir-fried again. Soon, the aroma of egg fried rice replaced the earlier scent of lard.

    It felt like… the estate test shoot…

    The same traditional stove, the same lard-infused egg fried rice, the same Mi Hongdou… It’s nice, Ji Junxin thought, her face slightly flushed.

    When Mi Hongdou served the rice, she saw Ji Junxin staring at her intently.

    Fine, stare all you want, such a loving gaze, but we’re being filmed…

    Mi Hongdou, enjoying the attention, her heart fluttering, forced herself to remain calm and handed the plate to Ji Junxin. “Here, take this to the table.”

    Ji Junxin’s gaze, interrupted, she took the plate and went to the table.

    Mi Hongdou, relieved, also felt a twinge of regret. Live streaming could be annoying!

    In the entertainment industry, manufactured, even real, romantic relationships between co-stars were common. And whenever such rumors surfaced, there would always be some die-hard, rational fans who insisted it was all media fabrication.

    During the release of “Imperial Secrets,” although many viewers had interpreted the relationship between the young Empress and Miao Qianye as romantic, and both Ji Junxin and Mi Hongdou’s Weibo pages were flooded with yuri comments, many of Ji Junxin’s fans insisted it was just clever marketing.

    And when the “Sweet Red Bean Soup” group, shipping the real-life Ji Junxin and Mi Hongdou, emerged, these rational fans were adamant, Our Xinxin doesn’t engage in such hype! Absolutely not!

    As for Mi Hongdou’s fans… well… they were all CP fans, rationality wasn’t their forte.

    Before the premiere of “Reality Online,” many of Ji Junxin’s fans were still holding onto their rationality. But after the live stream started, these rational voices gradually… diminished…

    Especially after the first night, when Mi Hongdou and Ji Junxin started their unrestrained flirting. The sugar-high fans could no longer be rational.

    After all that sugar, who can be rational?

    In just a little over a day, the CP fans had become even more convinced, their initial “OMG! Are they flirting?” turning into “More sugar!” and then to… “So sweet, I need a moment…”

    Even though Mi Hongdou had abruptly ended Ji Junxin’s adoring gaze, the cameras, capturing everything, didn’t let the viewers miss that moment of deep affection.

    “Covering my eyes, Xinxin has fallen…”

    “Covering my eyes too, that gaze is too sweet!”

    “Also covering my eyes, being shown affection while watching a reality show as a single dog, this isn’t scientific!”

    “Open your eyes! If you can’t even handle this, how are you going to survive the next ten days of even sweeter moments!”

    “That makes sense…”

    “Struggling to open my sugar-coated eyes, a single dog continues to eat the sugar, tears streaming down my face.”

    “Brave!”

    “Strong!”

    “Fearless!”

    “Pressing on!”

    “Facing death without flinching!”

    “Unwavering!”

    “Ever forward!”

    “Reckless abandon!”

    “After watching the Chinese Idiom Competition, Mom no longer has to worry about me not being able to write 800 words for my essays!”

    “I’m not good with idioms, but I can sing! Let us single dogs learn to enjoy the sugar, our mouths open, waiting for every sweet moment~”

    “After that adaptation of ‘Forget Your Worries,’ I’m dead.”

    “Speaking of dying, I went out to buy meat with my phone, but I didn’t bring enough money for eggs! I also want egg fried rice! I’m dying…”

    “Want to eat +1”

    “Want to eat +2”

    “Want to eat +3”

    …

    The egg fried rice was done, the wok clean. Mi Hongdou added a little lard, stir-fried the remaining bok choy from breakfast, added water, and started making soup. Although she had used lard, the bok choy made it seem a bit bland, so she added a spoonful of crispy lard bits and the remaining egg mixture, thinned with a little water.

    So, today’s lunch for Mi Hongdou and Ji Junxin’s team was egg fried rice with bok choy and lard bits soup!

    For those lacking grease, the freshly fried lard bits were a welcome treat. But they weren’t starving, just craving something greasy, so a small amount was enough.

    Ji Junxin only ate two pieces, not because she didn’t like them, but because there wasn’t much, and she wanted to savor them…

    She had initially felt a little reluctant seeing the lard bits in the soup, but after trying it, the lard, having absorbed the soup, was no longer crispy, but chewy, a different kind of deliciousness. Not greasy, yet still rich and flavorful, even more fragrant than when freshly fried.

    Ji Junxin’s heartache instantly vanished.

    The viewers, watching the live stream while shopping for meat at the market, commented, where can we find eggs and bok choy! Fortunately, we brought enough money!

    Ji Junxin and Mi Hongdou, with their thirty coins, finally had a decent meal. Yu Naihao, although only winning ten coins, also had a decent lunch. No lard-infused egg fried rice, but he had vegetable fried rice with a perfectly fried egg. Although his cooking skills were average, he enjoyed the meal, hehe, why? Because Jiang Duo was eating plain rice and pickled cucumbers! Hahaha!

    Jiang Duo, after four meals of rice and pickled cucumbers, watching Yu Naihao happily eating his fried egg, thought, he really doesn’t care about his image! Treating his female teammate like this, does he even want fans anymore!

    Actually, Yu Naihao hadn’t lost any fans, on the contrary, his reluctance during the forced team pairing and his declaration of “separate earnings” had even attracted a new group of… “anti-scumbag” fans…

    Both Jiang Duo, who wanted to make amends and improve her relationship with Yu Naihao, and Zhang Zijing, who was still trying to befriend Lu Changhuai, weren’t successful.

    Zhang Zijing, after completing the morning chicken-feeding task, now had four coins. He traded them for bok choy and made soup, inviting Lu Changhuai to join him.

    And then… he was politely, but firmly, rejected.

    Watching Lu Changhuai sitting far away, silently eating his rice and pickled cucumbers with a deadpan expression, Zhang Zijing felt like he had punched cotton, his anger unresolved, his frustration mounting.

    It’s all Jiang Duo’s fault! Forcing that team change, I didn’t even complain about her incompetence, I was willing to be on her team, and she had to go after Ji Junxin. And after failing, she chose Yu Naihao. Zhang Zijing, sipping his bok choy soup, angrily blamed Jiang Duo, conveniently forgetting that he had also agreed to her plan and had also hoped to use the show to get closer to Lu Changhuai.

    This show was supposed to boost my popularity, and now… He glared at Lu Changhuai. Why can’t he be normal! Yu Naihao can be a good CP and gain fans, why can’t we!

    Fortunately, Lu Changhuai, focused on ignoring the taste of his food and filling his stomach, didn’t notice Zhang Zijing’s glare or his thoughts. Otherwise, the usually calm and collected Lu Changhuai might have lost control and thrown his rice at him.

    The same show, the same CP dynamic, the yuri fans were constantly being fed sugar, while the BL fans, their CP broken up, were mostly joining the “anti-scumbag” camp… how tiring.

    While the yuri fans were busy washing their faces and buying meat, vegetables, and eggs, and the BL fans were busy joining anti-scumbag groups, the “Welfare Mission System” for Reality Online officially launched.

    More accurately, the final component of the system, the public voting function, was finally online.

    The “Welfare Mission System” announcement the day before, with its crowdfunding and charitable aspect, had been widely shared and discussed. And because of its interactive nature, the mission submission page had been flooded with requests.

    The submissions were reviewed by the staff, and a selection of approved missions, all tasks that could be completed within 24 hours, were posted on the website for voting.

    Thirty missions were listed, voting ending at 9 PM, the top five to be sent to Dengjia Village. And a new rule was added.

    “In the spirit of charity, everyone has a responsibility. After the top five missions are selected, if any celebrity hasn’t been assigned a mission, the most popular mission involving that celebrity among the remaining submissions will also be sent to Dengjia Village.”

    This simple addition, seemingly harmless, was clearly meant for two specific people, the more perceptive viewers noticed.

    Qiao Rubai is such a good person, the people at Dajin Entertainment thought.

    Qiao Rubai, hearing this, could only chuckle awkwardly.

    Compared to the new rule, the viewers were more interested in the thirty listed missions.

    Although the submissions were varied and often outlandish, the ones selected by the show, to protect the celebrities and maintain order, were more… normal.

    But even so, with the low barrier to entry – one yuan, one vote, both interactive and charitable – the viewers were still excited.

    They eagerly scanned the thirty missions, then… were stunned.

    “There’s something strange mixed in with the missions!”

    “My eyes must be playing tricks from all the sugar!”

    “Is the show officially shipping them?”

    “Don’t be delusional! It must be a mistake, they accidentally posted a rejected mission!”

    “Definitely, they’ll fix it in a few minutes!”

    “Uh… I already voted.”

    “Me too…”

    “Voted +1”

    “Voted +2”

    “Voted +3”

    …

    “It must be a mistake! Why are you all so excited! I’m going to vote too!”

    “Such a magical mission, it must be a system error… who even submitted this? … A dream come true for us viewers!”

    “Ahem, if you’re talking about ‘Have Mi Hongdou and Ji Junxin sleep in the same bed tonight,’ I voted for it…”

    “I submitted ‘Have Lu Changhuai and Yu Naihao sleep together’…”

    “Hey! I also submitted a similar one, ‘Have Ji Junxin and Mi Hongdou share a bed’!”

    “What a coincidence, I also submitted a ‘Ji Junxin and Mi Hongdou sleeping together’ mission, although the wording was different.”

    “I submitted the ‘LuYu sleeping together’ mission…”

    “LuYu +1”

    “Mi Hongdou and Ji Junxin +1”

    “LuYu +2”

    “LuYu +3”

    “Mi Hongdou and Ji Junxin +2”

    “Mi Hongdou and Ji Junxin +3”

    “Mi Hongdou and Ji Junxin +4”

    …

    “How many of you submitted such missions, knowing they would never be chosen?!”

    “Don’t ask, I’m voting, I’m from Sweet Red Bean Soup, I’ll also vote for your LuYu mission, you poor, broken-hearted CP fans”

    “LuYu fans will repay you! We’ll make sure both ‘sleeping together’ missions are in the top five!”

    “Didn’t they say it was a mistake… why are you all so excited, aren’t you afraid of being disappointed? Call me the rational fan!”

    “Through wind and rain, this little pain is nothing! Wipe away your tears, don’t be afraid, at least we still have dreams~~~”

    “We live for sugar! Don’t be afraid, don’t cry, let’s be brave!”

    “Okay, before the idiom master arrives, I’m going to vote. Yes, I’m the rational fan, now call me the irrational fan!”

    “Just thinking about tonight’s sugar makes me want to cry tears of joy…”

    “Crying together in a hug!”

    “Crying together in a cuddle!”

    “Crying together in a passionate embrace!”

    “A lonely single dog quietly joins the cuddle puddle.”

    …

    Was it a mistake, or had the show gone crazy, tell us!

    The viewers were in a frenzy over the two most eye-catching missions among the thirty.

    Meanwhile, in Dengjia Village, the four teams, struggling with basic survival, were oblivious to the “Welfare Mission System.”

    Jiang Lingling and Bao Yueqiao were in Ji Junxin’s old tiled house. Jiang Lingling had killed a fish, planning a simple lunch of fish soup and rice, then chopping wood, and a better dinner later.

    But as soon as she finished cleaning the fish, the aroma of meat, not just stewed meat, but fried meat, drifted over from the house across the courtyard.

    Even Jiang Lingling, a seasoned foodie, couldn’t resist the allure of Mi Hongdou’s cooking, and she clutched the raw fish, her mouth watering.

    Bao Yueqiao, who hadn’t tasted Mi Hongdou’s cooking before, unconsciously drifted towards the door, following the aroma.

    I know we can’t share food, but I just want a sniff… she thought, embarrassed by her own behavior, but unable to stop herself.

    Fortunately, Jiang Lingling was faster and slammed the door shut.

    Bao Yueqiao stopped, relieved, reminded of the story of the Pied Piper.

    Looking at Jiang Lingling, who was calmly scaling the fish, Bao Yueqiao thought that no matter what, this person was truly reliable!

    Jiang Lingling, however, smelling the aroma, remembering Mi Hongdou’s cooking, was practically drooling…

    She had closed the door not because she was afraid of Bao Yueqiao embarrassing herself by going over there, but because… if Bao Yueqiao tasted Mi Hongdou’s cooking, she would definitely complain about her own fish soup!

    In fact, she hadn’t even started cooking yet, and she was already disdaining her own skills.

    Ji Junxin is so lucky… Jiang Lingling thought, swallowing her saliva.

    Insert close-up of Ji Junxin’s blissful, dumpling-stuffed cheeks here!

  • Malicious Female Lead’s Guide to Causing Trouble [Quick Transmigration] 63p3

    Chapter Sixty-Three p3

    Jin Xi knew that she was referring to her brother, and couldn’t help but curl her lips: “My family is even more playful than me. They clearly have the opportunity to study, but they never cherish it. After he knew that I wanted to come here, he was even happier than me, and even deliberately opened the door and let me go. Otherwise, do you think I, a weak woman, a weak scholar, could escape from home?“

    Bo Chi suddenly realized, and shook her head: “Then you have to work even harder. Since you don’t want to obey your family’s arrangements, you have to achieve something and make your family recognize and respect you.“

    Jin Xi’s heart was warmed, and she nodded repeatedly: “I know, thank you, Chi Niang, I will remember your words.“

    She was quite moved, and after a long and reluctant farewell with Bo Chi, Yu Zhao finally frowned and pushed her into the academy.

    After watching her go in, Liu Qinger said tactfully: “Shuang’er and I will take Hua Ci back first, Chi Niang, you and Master Yu can stroll around the capital.“

    Fu Shuang nodded, but Hua Ci was unwilling, and held Bo Chi’s hand, refusing to let go.

    Bo Chi was about to knock on the little girl’s head when she suddenly heard a hesitant voice, saying with some uncertainty: “Are you… Master Yu?“

    Everyone followed the voice and saw that the speaker was sitting in a carriage, poking his head out, with a young man in scholar’s clothes standing beside him.

    He also seemed to be here to see someone off. He happened to see Yu Zhao, and after seeing Yu Zhao nod to him, the man hurriedly got out of the carriage, left the scholar aside, and smiled at Yu Zhao: “So it really is Miss Yu, it’s been a few years since we last met, and I haven’t seen you since. Everyone suspected that you went to seek revenge on that ghost, or that something happened to you on the way. I’m really glad to see you safe and sound now!“

    He spoke enthusiastically, but there was no ambiguous meaning in his words. After a little thought, Bo Chi could guess that he was also coveting Yu Zhao’s strength and eager to get the protection of the exorcist.

    However, Yu Zhao didn’t know what was wrong with her mind, held Bo Chi’s hand, and said seriously: “This is my future wife.“

    The man was stunned, stared at Bo Chi for a long time, and after looking at her from all angles, he found that she was a beautiful girl. Finally, he took a deep breath, and started to flatter Bo Chi without changing his expression.

    After praising Bo Chi and Yu Zhao as the only lovers in the world, he finally got to the point amidst Bo Chi’s dry laughter: “When did Miss Yu return to the capital? Why didn’t you tell us, so that we could hold a welcome banquet for you?“

    Yu Zhao said casually: “I just came back two days ago, and I’ve been busy with my wife these two days, and haven’t had time to attend any banquets.“

    Bo Chi: “…”

    Speak properly, don’t shift the blame!

    Obviously, the man also felt that Yu Zhao was shifting the blame, and said with a smile when he heard this: “Then let’s not wait for another day, Miss Yu, why don’t you and your wife come with me to the imperial city? You can meet His Majesty, and also have a good chat with the other exorcist masters.“

    Yu Zhao was a little puzzled: “Exorcists always travel around, and rarely get together. Why are the exorcist masters you mentioned gathered in the imperial city?“

    The man hesitated, his gaze wandering between Liu Qinger, Fu Shuang, and the others, obviously hinting subtly.

    Liu Qinger was very tactful, and found an excuse to leave.

    Bo Chi touched Hua Ci’s head, and she obediently left with them.

    After there was no one around, the man spoke again: “This matter… is also related to you, Miss Yu. Recently, there have been frequent incidents of evil spirits harming people in the capital. His Majesty heard that this might be related to the ghost that destroyed the Yu family more than ten years ago, so he widely recruited talented people from all over the world, offered treasures from the national treasury as rewards, and invited many exorcist masters to gather in the imperial city to protect His Majesty’s safety.“

    Hearing the word ‘ghost’, Yu Zhao’s face darkened. After knowing the cause and effect, she said decisively: “Please lead the way, I’ll go to the imperial city to attend the banquet.“

    Just as the man smiled, Bo Chi gently tugged at Yu Zhao’s clothes, and whispered: “Can I not go?“

    Before Yu Zhao could answer, the man, because of Yu Zhao’s concern for Bo Chi, hurriedly persuaded: “Madam Yu, you don’t know, all the exorcists are gathered in the imperial city now, there is no safer place in the world. Even if there really are ghosts, they will never return! So Madam, don’t be afraid, just go to the imperial palace with Miss Yu.“

    Bo Chi smiled bitterly.

    It was precisely because there were too many exorcists, and any ghost that appeared would die, that she was even more afraid to approach!

    Fortunately, Yu Zhao always respected her. Seeing that she really didn’t want to go, she immediately compromised: “There are too many people in the imperial city, and I’m not at ease with you following me. Then just stay at home, and I’ll come back to marry you after I deal with the ghost.“

    Bo Chi’s expression was subtle: “Do you know what you look like now?“

    Yu Zhao was puzzled: “What?“

    Bo Chi said faintly: “Like an old general on stage, with flags all over his back.“

    Yu Zhao: “…”

    Although she didn’t quite understand, it didn’t sound like a good thing.

    Considering the ferocity of the ghost, Bo Chi couldn’t help but give Yu Zhao a few more instructions, then watched her get into the carriage, and didn’t return to the courtyard until the carriage was out of sight.

    Liu Qinger was sweeping the fallen red maple leaves in the courtyard. Seeing her come back without Yu Zhao, she was stunned for a moment, and then said as if nothing had happened: “When I came back just now, the neighbor aunt chatted with Shuang’er and me for a while, and I learned that the students who entered Bailu Academy can’t come back often, and can only return home in the middle of each month. You said that Jin Xi, she, she’s alone in the academy… won’t something happen to her?“

    Bo Chi also heard this news for the first time, was stunned for two seconds, and hesitated: “It shouldn’t. Although she’s talkative and a bit jumpy, she’s still quite smart, she should be able to get through this half month… After half a month, when she’s familiar with those students, the danger will naturally decrease.“

    Liu Qinger nodded: “That’s for the best.“

    In the following days, Yu Zhao didn’t come back.

    Ever since Bo Chi learned that there were many exorcists in the capital, she rarely went out. Liu Qinger and the others didn’t think much, only thinking that Bo Chi was still a delicate young lady from a good family who didn’t like to go out.

    In order to prevent Bo Chi from being bored at home, she and Fu Shuang would often come and tell Bo Chi about the news they heard on the road when they went out. After listening for half a month, Bo Chi didn’t hear any news about evil spirits, and couldn’t help but ask: “Has the capital always been so peaceful? Haven’t there been any rumors?” Liu Qinger and Fu Shuang looked at each other, shaking their heads blankly.

    The quiet Hua Ci suddenly spoke, her eyes serious: “I heard that a shop in the west of the city closed a few days ago. Some people said they smelled a strong bloody smell when they passed by. The Yixiang Pavilion has been carrying out more prostitutes recently than last year. Everyone is guessing that it’s because the only son of the Minister’s Mansion is too cruel…“

    Before she could finish speaking, Liu Qinger and Fu Shuang covered her mouth, their faces flushed red: “You, you’re an unmarried girl, how can you say such vulgar and dirty words!“

    Bo Chi was also a little embarrassed, but her focus was still on Hua Ci’s words: “Bloody smell? Could it be that everyone in that family is dead?“

    Liu Qinger hesitated: “Not necessarily, Shuang’er and I also heard these words, but those people later said that this family slaughters pigs, and the bloody smell might be pig blood?“

    Bo Chi pondered for a while, and shook her head: “Since passersby deliberately mentioned the bloody smell, it must be because that family didn’t have such a terrifying smell when they slaughtered pigs before.“

    Besides, at this juncture, nothing could be covered up with speculation.

    Bo Chi became more and more certain that something was hidden in the shadows of the capital, perhaps a ghost, or perhaps a large group of exorcists.

    And whether it was either side, it was not something she could provoke.

    Bo Chi, who was cowardly at heart, decided to stay put and not go out until Yu Zhao came back.

    However, things were unpredictable. After finally making it to the middle of the month, when she had the opportunity to pick up Jin Xi, Liu Qinger and Fu Shuang both persuaded Bo Chi to go out with them.

    All the excuses Bo Chi found were blocked by them, and in the end, she could only be led out of the courtyard with a pounding heart.

    She didn’t know if it was her illusion, but after half a month, the capital didn’t seem as lively as when they first arrived. The vendors along the road were still hawking, but there were far fewer people dressed in fine clothes. Occasionally, a carriage would pass by, but it would also speed away quickly, disappearing from the street.

    Bo Chi and the others walked all the way to Bailu Academy, and saw Jin Xi holding a pile of books waiting for them from afar.

    After taking two books from her, Liu Qinger was about to chat, when Jin Xi lowered her voice and said: “Let’s go, let’s go, let’s talk when we go back.“

    Back in the courtyard, Jin Xi exhaled, first talked about her experiences at the academy, focusing on praising the academy’s tradition of one room per person, and then said seriously: “I heard from my classmates that the capital has been restless recently, and His Majesty hasn’t attended the morning court for a long time. Although His Majesty doesn’t have much ability, and spends all day in the harem, attending the morning court is a tradition left by previous emperors. If he doesn’t attend the morning court for no reason, he will definitely be scolded by the civil officials. But strangely, this time, none of the civil officials criticized him, but instead rushed to ask for leave to go home and rest. Don’t you think it’s strange?“

    Bo Chi nodded silently, and said casually: “A storm is probably coming to the capital. When are you going back to the academy? If your identity isn’t exposed for a while, don’t come back frequently. It’s better to be in the academy than in our small courtyard.“

    Speaking of this, Jin Xi’s face immediately fell: “Don’t even mention it. I came back in the morning, and have to go back to the academy in the afternoon. Those students whose families are far away didn’t even intend to go back.“

    Bo Chi and the others looked at her with pity. After comforting and accompanying her for a while, they went out again in the evening to personally see her off.

    Since she came back safely in the morning, Bo Chi relaxed, and when Jin Xi begged her to see her off, she agreed again softly.

    But this time, just as they walked out of the courtyard and before they even reached the street, a ferocious black shadow suddenly appeared in front of them, and not far away, a series of footsteps were approaching.

    Bo Chi’s heart skipped a beat, and she backed away, wanting to escape. But the black shadow suddenly turned around at this moment, as if it had set its sights on their group, which was the closest. Without any hesitation, it quickly rushed over.

    Seeing that the black shadow’s sharp claws were about to pierce Jin Xi’s chest, Bo Chi hurriedly reached out and pulled Jin Xi away from the claws.

    The black shadow roared angrily, as if enraged, and swiped at Bo Chi’s waist and abdomen with its backhand.

    This claw was faster than the previous one. Before Bo Chi could react, she felt a chill in her waist.

    The next moment, a familiar voice rang out, so shrill that it almost cracked: “Chi Niang!!“

    After this shout, Jin Xi and the others also hurriedly shouted: “Chi Niang? Are you okay?!“

    “Chi Niang, are you injured?“

    “Chi Niang, your, your waist!“

    Bo Chi looked down belatedly, and found that there was no blood flowing out of her ripped waist and abdomen, but a smoky soul body was revealed.

    Her heart trembled, and when she looked up again, she saw that Yu Zhao, who had been furious just a moment ago, now had a frozen expression, and muttered: “Chi Niang…?“

  • A Girl Dies Every Day in Her Dream Life 172

    Chapter 172: The Power of Restrictions, Escape from the Imperial Palace

    Meanwhile, within the Imperial Daughter’s palace.

    When Wei arrived with two other guards, many guards were already on alert, some monitoring the interior of the palace.

    “What’s the situation?” Wei asked in a low voice.

    “Forgive me, Master, but…” the guard in charge of the Imperial Daughter’s palace hesitated, then continued, “we still haven’t found any trace of the little princess, not even a single clue.”

    Wei’s face darkened.

    “Take me to see.”

    “This way, Master.”

    The guard quickly led Wei to the little princess’s bedroom.

    The other two Tribulation Immortal guards remained outside, on alert.

    Along the way, Wei asked the guard several questions, but received no answers.

    There were no signs of intrusion in the Imperial Daughter’s palace. The little princess seemed to have vanished into thin air.

    Wei’s expression was grave. Ignoring the guard’s repeated apologies, he entered the little princess’s bedroom.

    Upon entering, Wei sensed the residual aura of an explosion.

    The entire room was almost unrecognizable, especially the princess’s bed, which was shattered, as if someone had deliberately tried to erase all traces.

    Wei walked over and squatted down beside the destroyed bed.

    “What is this… why does it look like… a formation?”

    Wei frowned. Since there were no true formations in the Great Thousand Worlds, he wasn’t sure.

    But if it was a formation, with the limited understanding of formations in this world, how could it make the little princess disappear?

    Being able to construct a Foundation Establishment level formation didn’t mean one could construct any formation at that level. The formation structures in this world were quite simple, like explosive or spirit-gathering formations.

    More complex formations couldn’t be constructed.

    Within the princess’s room, Wei could only see traces of an explosive formation, nothing else.

    “Master, have you… found anything?”

    The guard beside him asked cautiously. The entire palace was worried about the little princess’s whereabouts, hoping to find some news quickly to avoid incurring the Immortal Emperor’s wrath.

    “I’m… not sure.” Wei exhaled, thinking to himself, “It’s a pity… only those at the Sea Crossing Realm or above can forcibly bypass the restrictions within the imperial palace and use retracing techniques.”

    Actually, Wei’s strength wasn’t truly at the Sea Crossing Realm, as rumored, but half a step into it, stuck between Tribulation Immortal and Sea Crossing.

    He could easily defeat ordinary peak Tribulation Immortal cultivators, but against a true Sea Crossing Realm expert, Wei was no match.

    Currently, there was only one person above the Sea Crossing Realm in the imperial palace.

    …The Empress.

    “I can’t ask her…”

    A hint of bitterness appeared on Wei’s lips.

    The entire imperial palace was under the Empress’s control. She definitely knew about this.

    And the fact that she hadn’t appeared could only mean one thing.

    The Empress didn’t want to get involved.

    Perhaps…

    A rebellious thought crossed Wei’s mind.

    Could the mastermind behind this be… the Empress…

    It was simple. For the little princess to disappear into thin air, it had to be a powerful being who controlled the Law of Space.

    Coincidentally, the Empress did have someone like that beside her…

    Of course, even if he considered this possibility, Wei wouldn’t dare to investigate.

    The relationship between the Empress and the Immortal Emperor was already tense, and Wei was clearly on the Immortal Emperor’s side.

    If he gave the Empress any leverage at this time, the Immortal Emperor would be fine, but he would suffer…

    Wei pondered for a moment, then said, “Who were the last people to enter the Imperial Daughter’s palace?”

    The guard thought for a moment and said,

    “The palace maids who delivered Her Highness’s meal. Master Wei, you mean… they did it?”

    The guard’s expression was tense. If it was the maids, then they, the guards at the palace gate, couldn’t escape responsibility.

    After all, they were the ones who let them in…

    “Not necessarily,” Wei didn’t jump to conclusions, he was always cautious. “Bring them here, I want to question them one by one.”

    Wei didn’t think it was likely that the maids were involved. They were just minor cultivators, their cultivation not even at Foundation Establishment. They couldn’t do such a thing.

    However, a routine questioning was still necessary.

    “Yes, Master.”

    The guard immediately bowed and left, hurrying to contact the Madam in charge of the palace maids.

    Wei sat alone in the room, his gaze sweeping over the furnishings, gradually reconstructing the little princess’s life here.

    Even though the room was almost unrecognizable, through some details, Wei could still make some deductions.

    Although it wasn’t as good as a retracing technique, he could still find some clues.

    “Strange…”

    Wei frowned deeply.

    No matter what, he couldn’t form a clear picture in his mind.

    He was using his memories of Princess Xue, whom he had known since childhood, to reconstruct the scene, but there was a strong sense of incongruity.

    The “Princess Xue” in his memories wouldn’t live in a room like this.

    It should be more… lively?

    The current room felt heavy and oppressive, like a cage, not like a sixteen-year-old girl’s room.

    As Wei was lost in thought, the guard hurriedly returned.

    “We found them, Master Wei.”

    Hearing this, Wei could only put aside his vague thoughts for now and stood up.

    “Where are they? Take me there.”

    The guard hesitated, then said,

    “They are currently… serving Imperial Concubine Min’s meal.”

    “Which Imperial Concubine? Just bring them out.” Wei said without hesitation. “The matter of the little princess is of utmost importance. I’m sure the Imperial Concubines will understand.”

    “If they don’t, I’ll help them understand.”

    As the Immortal Emperor’s personal guard, rumored to be a Sea Crossing Realm expert, although he always acted like an ordinary guard, no one dared to treat him as one.

    In a sense, Wei’s presence represented the Immortal Emperor.

    At critical moments, Wei’s authority was considerable.

    “It’s… Imperial Concubine Min.” The guard’s expression turned troubled. “Can we really just… bring them out?”

    Wei’s expression froze, and he coughed lightly to ease the awkwardness.

    “If it’s Imperial Concubine Min… then let’s wait, let’s wait…”

    Imperial Concubine Min was different from the other imperial concubines…

    Even Wei didn’t dare to act on his own. He had to ask His Majesty.

    “Then what should we do now…”

    The guard asked.

    “Let’s wait there,” Wei sighed. “The Imperial Daughter’s palace remains under lockdown, seal off all exits.”

    “Yes, Master.”

    The guard left, leaving Wei alone in the princess’s bedroom.

    Wei took one last look at the room, almost destroyed by the explosive formation, his gaze darkening.

    “Just how many things…”

    He didn’t stay any longer and left.

    …

    Luo Xue’s conversation with Concubine Min wasn’t long, just a few minutes.

    Concubine Min also knew that Wei was nearby, monitoring, and might barge in at any moment.

    Although she didn’t know how Luo Xue had bypassed the tight security, she was certain that Luo Xue’s strength wasn’t enough to contend with Wei.

    If they continued their sentimental reunion, they might not be able to leave.

    Therefore, after giving Luo Xue the Snow Blade, Concubine Min immediately urged her to leave.

    She even placed Luo Xue’s hand in Dugu Xue’s, as if afraid that Luo Xue wouldn’t take Dugu Xue with her.

    Luo Xue’s expression was slightly helpless, but she quickly regained her composure.

    She knew that a Sea Crossing Realm expert couldn’t be so easily fooled. The maids who had last seen the little princess would definitely be questioned.

    And these maids… would definitely include Luo Xue.

    Luo Xue knew that with Wei’s strength, the incident at the Imperial Daughter’s palace wouldn’t delay him for long. They had to leave quickly.

    She still had the teleportation formation for escaping the palace, which could send them far away, although the destination was random.

    Unfortunately, she had already given the carefully prepared teleportation formation to the maid named Xiao Lan. The formation she currently had wasn’t powerful enough to take them beyond the Imperial Capital.

    It would have been enough if she hadn’t planned to take Dugu Xue with her.

    But now…

    Luo Xue looked at the Soul Transformation puppet, Xue Ling, beside her. It seemed there were some things she could try.

    Thinking of this, Luo Xue immediately started setting up the formation, her dazzling movements stunning Dugu Xue, while Concubine Min watched silently.

    After Luo Xue finished, Concubine Min said,

    “As expected, you also possess the ability to use formations.”

    “Of course, I was sent by Luo Xue.”

    Luo Xue emphasized her own name. Senior Sister Li was truly amazing, using her name and face to do so many things…

    However, if not for Li Guijiao paving the way for her, Luo Xue wouldn’t have gained Concubine Min’s trust so easily and escaped this vortex.

    “Come here, Little Dugu, it’s ready.”

    Luo Xue waved at Dugu Xue.

    Dugu Xue quickly had Xue Ling carry her on her back, and they stood together at the center of the formation.

    Xue Ling stood near the formation’s core, resonating with the barrier runes, amplifying the power of the teleportation formation, sending them even further.

    With Xue Ling’s Soul Transformation strength, not to mention escaping the Imperial Capital, they might even accidentally leave the Great Qin Immortal Dynasty…

    The runes of the formation gradually glowed, enveloping the petite figures.

    Concubine Min sat on the bed, not crying, her gaze fixed on them.

    She knew this was probably her last time seeing her daughter, there would be no chance to meet again in this life.

    Just then, the teleportation formation flickered and trembled, its light unstable, as if it was about to collapse.

    “This is…”

    Luo Xue’s pupils constricted. She seemed to have missed something.

    “It’s a restriction,” Concubine Min seemed to have anticipated this and said calmly, “The restriction within the imperial palace can limit the use of exit Dao inscriptions.”

    Luo Xue knew that restrictions existed in the Ancient Demon Lands, but just like how the people here couldn’t understand formations, she also couldn’t understand restrictions.

    Coincidentally, Concubine Min was an expert in using restrictions. With just her Nascent Soul cultivation, she had once broken a restriction above the Soul Transformation level.

    Only those at the Sea Crossing Realm or above could break through the imperial palace’s restrictions, but Concubine Min, as a member of the imperial palace, had some authority within the restrictions.

    Coupled with her ability to manipulate restrictions, breaking through these limitations wasn’t a problem.

    However…

    It would cause some commotion.

    Concubine Min extended her hand, and countless golden Dao inscriptions appeared, swirling and dancing around her hand like moths.

    The surrounding space began to collapse, while the formation where Luo Xue and the others stood stabilized.

    “Goodbye, Xue’er.” Concubine Min, after inscribing the last Dao inscription, looked at Dugu Xue again, tenderness and sadness in her eyes. “Hopefully… we’ll never meet again.”

    A white light flashed, and the teleportation formation vanished, taking the figures with it.

    At the same time, the Snow Palace began to tremble and collapse, countless bricks and tiles falling, even Concubine Min’s room wasn’t spared.

    Concubine Min slowly closed her eyes. She hoped to be crushed to death at this moment.

    But…

    It wouldn’t happen.

    The falling debris froze just as it was about to hit Concubine Min, and Wei’s figure slowly appeared.

    His expression was grim as he looked at the surrounding ruins and the unconscious maids, his breathing quickening.

    Just a little bit closer…

    Wei had a feeling that he was close to something.

    He had rushed over the moment he sensed the Snow Palace’s restrictions being broken, but he was still too late.

    “You’re late.”

    Concubine Min said without looking up.

    “This subordinate apologizes for his tardiness, please forgive me, Your Ladyship,” Wei bowed his head. “May I ask, did Your Ladyship see the culprit’s appearance?”

    “Are you questioning this Palace?”

    Concubine Min looked up slightly at Wei.

    Her tone was calm, but firm.

    “I wouldn’t dare,” Wei lowered his head even further, but his tone remained respectful yet assertive. “But this matter concerns… the safety of the imperial palace. This subordinate is just doing his duty.”

    He didn’t mention the little princess’s disappearance, afraid that Concubine Min would do something unpredictable upon learning about it.

    But at the same time, Wei also knew that the complexity of this matter was far beyond his ability to handle.

    “I didn’t see anything.”

    Concubine Min said impassively.

    “Your Ladyship, are you sure?”

    Wei looked up, frowning slightly.

    “If you don’t believe me, you can search my soul.” Concubine Min pointed to her head. “Or… use torture on me.”

  • You’re Not Allowed to Kiss Me Anymore! [Quick Transmigration] 59p1

    Chapter 59 p1

    “Cut! That’s a wrap!”

    Xin Yao stood in the center of the set, bathed in the bright, white light of the winter sun, a red dress swirling around her, her eyes filled with a mix of emotions as she looked at the faces before her.

    The crew of “Unseen Spring.”

    Director Gao, behind the camera, the assistant director, his hair thinning from countless sleepless nights, the screenwriter, her eyes filled with tears, having witnessed the culmination of their shared journey, Lu Duanjing’s story finally told, her life brought to life on screen.

    The camera operators, the lighting crew, the makeup artists, and all the others, their faces a mix of exhaustion, relief, and pride.

    A wave of applause erupted, a celebration of their hard work, their shared accomplishment.

    Xin Yao’s eyes flickered, the memories of the past few months flashing before her, like a film reel rewinding, from the warm days of autumn to the cold depths of winter.

    From the day she had auditioned, her determination to get the role, to her first day on set, her first encounter with Lu Duanjing.

    She had initially found acting tedious and repetitive.

    But as the filming progressed, as she delved deeper into Lu Duanjing’s character, her initial reluctance had given way to a newfound appreciation for the craft, her interest growing with each scene.

    She had been moved by Lu Duanjing and Wen Sigu’s love story, their struggles and their triumphs, their quiet defiance in a world that sought to silence them.

    And she had been inspired by the talented actors around her, their performances a masterclass in emotional depth and nuance.

    She had become completely immersed in her role, in the story, her initial desire to finish the film quickly replaced by a deep sense of connection, a reluctance to say goodbye.

    Director Gao, her own eyes filled with emotion, walked over to Xin Yao.

    Filmmaking wasn’t always a pleasant experience. It was often a painful, arduous process.

    The endless rewrites, the countless retakes, the frustrating technical difficulties, the constant pressure to create something beautiful and meaningful, it was all a test of endurance.

    But now, with the film finally completed, she couldn’t help but feel a sense of loss, a bittersweet nostalgia for the shared journey.

    Director Gao, her usual boisterous energy replaced by a quiet sincerity, looked at Xin Yao, her voice soft.

    “Thank you, Xin Yao. You did a wonderful job. Thank you for bringing Lu Duanjing to life.”

    “But for now, it’s time to say goodbye to her. We’ll see her again next winter, when the film is released.”

    The first half of “Unseen Spring” had been a gentle, almost lyrical exploration of love and longing, its emotional landscape subtle and nuanced.

    But the second half had been a descent into darkness, the characters’ lives unraveling, their love a forbidden flame in a world of shadows, Xin Yao’s performance a powerful portrayal of grief and despair.

    Director Gao, worried about Xin Yao’s emotional state, had been reluctant to let her and Xu Jingyu see each other after their scenes, afraid they would become too immersed in their roles.

    She had hoped to keep them separated, their contact minimal, for their own good.

    But they had both been defiant, their desire for each other too strong to be contained by Director Gao’s rules.

    Xu Jingyu, knowing Xin Yao’s filming schedule, had been waiting outside the set since early morning, eager to see her.

    And if she knew that Director Gao was trying to keep them apart, she would be furious.

    So, Director Gao, after much deliberation, had simply said, “Go change your clothes. We’ll have a wrap party tonight.”

    Xin Yao, back in her dressing room, removed her makeup and changed into her own clothes, then sat at her vanity table, her gaze lingering on the familiar objects, the empty spaces a reminder of the countless hours she had spent here, her hard work and dedication, her memories of the past few months.

    But after today, she wouldn’t be returning.

    As she sat there, lost in thought, a sudden movement, a soft rustling sound, startled her.

    She turned to see a large bouquet of pink roses, their delicate petals a vibrant splash of color in the soft light.

    The hand holding the roses, its long, slender fingers like sculpted jade, was hidden in the shadows.

    Following the line of the arm upwards, Xin Yao saw Xu Jingyu, standing there, her gaze soft and warm.

    “Congratulations on wrapping up filming, Ms. Xin.”

    Xin Yao, with a gasp of surprise, stood up and, instead of taking the flowers, threw herself into Xu Jingyu’s arms, her embrace tight and joyful.

    “Oh my god, what are you doing here?!”

    She knew Xu Jingyu had finished filming days ago and didn’t need to be on set.

    And Director Gao, wanting to protect Xin Yao from any distractions, had kept them apart during the filming of the final scenes, hiding Xin Yao away, forbidding any contact between them.

    Xin Yao had practically been living on set for the past ten days, unable to see or speak to Xu Jingyu.

    Now, with filming finally over, their reunion after weeks of separation was a joyous occasion.

    She hugged Xu Jingyu tightly, then, cupping her face in her hands, kissed her, her lips lingering on Xu Jingyu’s, then showering her with quick, playful kisses.

    Xu Jingyu, setting the flowers aside, wrapped her arms around Xin Yao, her body trembling slightly from the unexpected display of affection, her eyes softening as she returned Xin Yao’s kisses.

    “Now that filming is over, there’s no need to stay apart. Of course I came to see you.”

    “Wow,” Xin Yao nuzzled her face against Xu Jingyu’s neck, her voice a soft murmur. “You really love me, don’t you, Xu Jingyu?”

    “Of course,” Xu Jingyu chuckled, the answer obvious.

    Then, she paused, as if remembering something.

    “Don’t work with Director Gao again. She’s too… unconventional. And don’t take on roles that require you to be separated from me.”

    Her words, though unspoken, conveyed her reluctance to be apart from Xin Yao.

    Wow.

    She really can’t live without me.

    Xin Yao couldn’t help but smile, the thought both amusing and slightly overwhelming. They couldn’t be together every second of every day, could they?

    “But what if I’m filming on another set? You can’t follow me everywhere, can you?”

    Xu Jingyu didn’t answer, her eyes flickering with a sudden intensity. “Can I?”

    “You’ve actually thought about it?! Ms. Xu, don’t you have anything else to do?”

    “No.”

    It was true. Before meeting Xin Yao, her life had been a meaningless void, her days blending into one another, her existence a monotonous routine. Xin Yao had brought color and light into her world.

    Xin Yao was her world.

    And what else was there to do but revolve around her world?

    After weeks of separation, their reunion was filled with unspoken words, their embrace a silent language, their conversation a steady stream of shared thoughts and feelings.

    It was Chen Jia’s knock on the door that finally reminded them of the wrap party.

    They exchanged a lingering glance, then reluctantly separated, getting ready to leave.

    The script for “Unseen Spring” had been a quiet, introspective exploration of love and loss.

    But thanks to Director Gao’s eccentric personality and the constant interruptions from the zombie movie set next door, the atmosphere on set had become increasingly chaotic and boisterous.

    So, instead of a formal dinner at a restaurant, the wrap party was held on set, in a large, heated tent erected in the open space near the entrance.

    Xin Yao, loving the lively atmosphere, her hand in Xu Jingyu’s, entered the tent, the warm air and the sound of laughter and chatter washing over them, their smiles widening.

    The crew had been waiting for them.

    The hot pot ingredients and broth, ordered from a nearby restaurant, were already simmering in the large pot, the fragrant steam filling the air.

    They were just waiting for Xin Yao and Xu Jingyu to arrive.

    Xin Yao, her smile bright, greeted everyone as she walked towards Director Gao’s table.

    As the two female leads, they were expected to sit with the director.

    Two empty seats were waiting for them.

    Xin Yao sat down, and Xu Jingyu was about to join her when Director Gao, sitting beside the empty seat, suddenly stood up and plopped down in Xu Jingyu’s chair.

    “Yaoyao, Yaoyao! I need to talk to you! I want to sit next to you!”

    Then, she gestured towards the seat she had just vacated, her voice a cheerful command. “Ms. Xu, you can sit there.”

    With a single, thoughtless action, she had separated the two women who had been forced apart for weeks.

    And Xu Jingyu, who craved Xin Yao’s presence, who wanted to be near her every second of every day, naturally wanted to sit beside her.

    Hearing Director Gao’s words, she didn’t move, simply standing there, her eyelashes lowered, her gaze cold and intense as she looked down at the director.

    Director Gao, oblivious to the danger, leaned closer to Xin Yao, eager to share some gossip.

    “Yaoyao, let me tell you…”

    The assistant director, witnessing the scene, her heart pounding, thinking, How can someone be so oblivious?!, leaned over and pulled Director Gao back, her voice a hushed warning.

    Director Gao, dragged back to her seat, looked at her assistant, confused, then tried to stand up again.

    “What’s wrong? I have something important to tell Xin Yao!”

    The assistant director pushed her back down, her voice low and urgent.

    “Are you blind?! If you go over there, you’ll be dead meat! I just saved your life! You owe me dinner!”

    “What are you talking about?!” Director Gao, her curiosity piqued, exclaimed. “You’re insulting my directorial skills! And you’re trying to extort me!”

    “I am insulting your directorial skills, but ‘extortion’ is a bit harsh!”

    As they bickered, Xu Jingyu, satisfied, sat down beside Xin Yao, her expression impassive, but her eyes, Xin Yao knew, were sparkling with amusement.

    If she had a tail, it would be wagging uncontrollably.

    Xin Yao, unable to help herself, smiled, her eyes crinkling at the corners.

    “You’re so childish. Do you really have to sit next to me to be happy?”

    “Yes,” Xu Jingyu’s expression softened in the warm light. “I’m very happy now.”

    As they whispered to each other, Director Gao and her assistant, their argument temporarily suspended, finally left them alone.

    After all, it was a wrap party, and as the director, she had to say a few words.

    She stood up, her gaze sweeping across the room, taking in the faces of the cast and crew, their expectant gazes fixed on her, the steam from the hot pot filling the air.

    She opened her mouth, then closed it, then finally spoke, her voice clear and strong.

    “No mushy speeches. Just eat, drink, and be merry! Happy wrap!”

    The room erupted in cheers.

    “Happy wrap!”

    “Long live the director!”

    “Yaoyao Laoshi, we love you!”

    The cheerful chatter and the clatter of chopsticks filled the air as the celebration began.

    Xin Yao, hearing the shouts of “I love you,” chuckled, then, seeing Xu Jingyu’s slightly sullen expression, she laughed even harder.

    But as they ate, Xin Yao noticed something strange. She had noticed it during their previous dinner as well. Xu Jingyu, when eating hot pot, only ate the vegetables from the clear broth!

    She was the real bunny!

  • Transformed into a Female Villain, But Captured by My Beautiful Girl Disciples v2c37

    37. Worries and Prospects

     

    Although Qiu Shui had imagined this scene countless times in her dreams…

    She longed to cast off her burdens and live freely as just Qiu Shui.

    But now that it had happened so suddenly, it felt surreal, like a dream.

    “Can I… just be your disciple?” Qiu Shui looked up at her earnestly. “Even though I… betrayed you?”

    Gong Yiling smiled, gently cupping her face. “Your little tricks are nothing, silly girl. Who do you think your master, your Young Palace Master, is? I’m the dignified Young Palace Master of a demonic sect.”

    Qiu Shui shook her head immediately. “But Master has never done anything evil… unlike them.”

    “Everything is either necessary or unnecessary.” Gong Yiling shrugged. “Perhaps one day, I’ll also become a demon lord in their eyes, hunted by those righteous old men.”

    “If that happens, Qiu Shui, you have to protect me.”

    Qiu Shui clutched the warm pancake, a warmth spreading through her heart. She nodded firmly. “Yes!”

    This seemed to have resolved one of her worries. Now it depended on the reliability of those former Hehuan Sect members.

    That Yin Tianchou never cared about her anyway. Even if she betrayed them, it wouldn’t matter much.

    No one would completely trust information from a fifteen-year-old girl, right?

    And if they didn’t fully trust her, their surveillance of her mother shouldn’t be too strict. If they couldn’t even handle this small matter, those Hehuan Sect remnants were truly useless.

    “If there’s nothing else, I’ll go check the rankings for you.”

    Gong Yiling patted her shoulder. “Next, Qiu Shui, you have to give that Shangguan Qingyun a good beating. I believe in you.”

    These words filled Qiu Shui with strength. She clenched her fists, her resolve firming.

    Her previous duel with him wasn’t a true defeat. Next time, she would find a way to make him pay.

    —

    —

    The announcement area was crowded with exhausted-looking participants.

    Not everyone could finish the competition early and return home for a good night’s sleep like those two.

    And the results were as Gong Yiling expected.

    They had discovered the hidden high-value number cards, sparking a series of battles.

    Everyone looked exhausted—

    —Spending the entire night worrying about their cards being stolen would take a toll on anyone.

    Many participants had stolen scores from their teammates. The highest individual score was 70, and there were quite a few in the 40-50 range.

    Of course, there were also some teams with an average score of 15, occupying the ranks from 30th to 80th, including their team.

    Next was the second round.

    “Now, I’ll announce the requirements for the second round.”

    Shangguan Yaochang opened the scroll containing the rules, and his expression suddenly changed.

    “This… this is…?”

    “What’s wrong?” Shangguan Lingyue, watching from the side, took the scroll, her face also filled with astonishment.

    What kind of competition could elicit such a reaction from them?

    The participants murmured amongst themselves.

    After a brief discussion, Shangguan Yaochang and Shangguan Lingyue announced the contents of the scroll.

    “The remaining participants will form teams of two to four members. The objective is to endure the attacks of two examiners for as long as possible.”

    “Huh?”

    This was an unprecedented format. But Gong Yiling immediately understood.

    This Emperor was truly cunning.

    Although the first round eliminated some participants, it was still difficult to identify the demonic cultivators. The second round, however, was much more straightforward.

    The examiners were undoubtedly Shangguan Yaochang and Shangguan Lingyue, both powerful cultivators.

    The competition was a simple team battle against these two high-ranking officials.

    The purpose was even simpler. When facing strong opponents, even experts couldn’t completely hide their true strength, making it easier to identify potential suspects.

    It was a bit tough on the examiners, though.

    —Shangguan Lingyue had been seeking a sparring opportunity, and it had come sooner than expected. But whether it would be a satisfying fight remained to be seen.

    “The examiners will be myself and General Lingyue,” Shangguan Yaochang announced. “Submit your team information and your chosen opponents in writing tomorrow.”

    “But remember, the more members in a team, the lower the average score each person receives. Don’t assume larger teams have an advantage.”

    “Dismissed!”

    The participants stood there, bewildered, before slowly dispersing.

    After most had left, Gong Yiling approached Shangguan Lingyue and said, “It seems the fight you wanted will be against my disciples.”

    “Qiu Shui and Little Heehee?” Shangguan Lingyue showed a hint of interest. “Fighting against the Immortal Master’s disciples should be interesting. I hope they won’t disappoint.”

    “I’m more worried that General Lingyue will go easy on them.”

    Gong Yiling smiled, then turned to leave.

    But before she could take a few steps, someone called out to her.

    “Are you… the cultivator who killed the Flame Python?” Shangguan Yaochang asked curiously.

    “Yes.” Gong Yiling didn’t want to interact with him further.

    “His Majesty is hosting a banquet tonight. Would you be interested…?”

    Gong Yiling replied bluntly, “Not interested. Dinner with an old man is less appealing than dinner with my disciples.”

    With that, she ignored whatever else Shangguan Yaochang said and disappeared into the crowd.

    Shangguan Yaochang narrowed his eyes thoughtfully.

    Those eyes… he seemed to have seen them somewhere before.